“Yet as Baran was reportedly getting repeatedly sexually assaulted in prison, Downing was getting reelected and Ford was getting promoted. Just a few years after Baran’s conviction, Ford was appointed to the Massachusetts Superior Court, where he presides over criminal cases. He has also served on a committee that determines state rules for criminal procedure. As Silverglate points out, not only has Ford never been disciplined, he has never been publicly investigated, nor has the state considered the reforms that could cut down on future wrongful convictions.”
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
Justice System Failed Bernard Baran
October 9th, 2014
BERKSHIRE EAGLE/ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Convicted amidst the national panic over supposed sexual abuse of preschool children, Baran fell victim to homophobia, hysteria, and arguable prosecutorial misconduct. While many now recognize these prosecutions as modern-day witch hunts, those responsible for his incarceration remain unapologetic and unpunished.”
I suspect the reason the transcript supporting Judge Ford’s version wasn’t turned over to the Appeals Court is that it doesn’t exist.
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
Boston Marathon Bombing Trial: Why Are Judges Loath To Change The Venue?
October 7th, 2014“To anyone (including this writer) who was in Boston at the time of the attack on April 15th, 2013, and who has remained since, O’Toole’s analysis was little short of laughable. To quote Bob Dylan, “you don’t have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” It is perhaps not surprising that a judge insistent on keeping control over a high-profile, historic case proves not to be a very good weatherman. But justice should require that a judge control his ego and grant the defendant the legal relief necessary to assure a fair trial.”
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
Baran Memorial Service Reminder
October 4th, 2014
photo credit: Jim D’EntremontJust a reminder. The Memorial Service for Bernard Baran will take place in Boston on October 11, 2014, at 3 p.m. A reception will follow the service. The location is the Staffordshire Room at the Hotel Westin Copley Place. All day parking is available for $30.
All who love justice are welcome to attend. And I hope as many as possible will attend. Please bring friends who need to know what happened to Bernard Baran and help make his legacy a more just world.
The family suggests donations in his memory to the National Center for Reason and Justice (NCRJ). The mailing address is NCRJ, POB 191101, Roxbury MA 02119. You can also donate online.
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
Bernard Baran’s Obituary in the Berkshire Eagle
September 28th, 2014
“Through all he endured, Bernard Baran remained a courageous, intelligent, funny, loving, curious, quick-witted, giving, nurturing, and intuitive human being who’s loss will be felt by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/berkshire/obituary.aspx?n=bernard-baran&pid=172609242&fhid=20742
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
Stanley Sumner, R.I.P.
September 21st, 2014
photo credit: Jim D’EntremontMy partner, Jim D’Entremont, posted this on Facebook today:
“Bernard Baran of Pittsfield MA died suddenly on September 1, little more than five years after having been cleared of false child abuse charges that had resulted in 21 years of wrongful imprisonment. Throughout his ordeal, Baran had the steadfast support of his family. His stepfather, Stanley Sumner, was among his most passionate defenders. Yesterday, 17 days after Bernard’s death, Stan also died suddenly, of an apparent heart attack, while visiting relatives in Florida. This is an especially cruel blow to Baran’s mother, Bertha Shaw, who is already bearing a terrible burden of grief. This photo of Bertha (“Bert”) and Stan was taken at a happy gathering in June 2009, celebrating Bernie’s resounding Appeals Court victory and the subsequent dropping of all charges.”
We are completely floored by this terrible double tragedy. Bert is insistent, however, that planning for the October 11th memorial service continue.
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
Liberals and Feminists, Stop Enabling the Police State
September 19th, 2014
“Baran was not truly vindicated when he died. Not in the eyes of the law, represented here by the Democrats’ foul hope for governor, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. Coakley had a chance, in 2007, to acknowledge the state’s grievous wrong against Baran, call off the local prosecutor’s effort to throw him back behind bars, and grant compensation. Instead, Baran endured years of waiting until 2009, when a court again ruled for him; and years of lacerating negotiations for compensation before Coakley conceded a pittance for his twenty-three lost years. She refused to expunge his record, forcing him to seek redress again from the courts, which would have broken him.”
http://m.thenation.com/article/181569-how-feminists-and-liberals-enabled-modern-police-state
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
Deceased Bernard Baran 2nd Top Vote Getter in Berkshire DA Election
September 17th, 2014
“Controversial Berkshire County District Capeless received an unexpected, but telling, challenge in last week’s statewide primary election in Massachusetts.”
http://mysterious-hills.blogspot.com/2014/09/deceased-bernard-baran-2nd-top-vote.html
Friends of Justice is a personal blog. Here I speak only for myself.
