Friends of Justice

photo credit: Jim D’Entremont

My 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.

“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

“Bernard Baran had to fight to get compensation for his wrongful arrest, conviction, and punishment. Others caught up in the wave of convictions and punishments at the time similarly had to seek remedies individually with radically different results and overwhelmingly in the face of opposition from zealous prosecutors.

“Following the Salem Witch Trials, however, the judiciary in Massachusetts accepted the reality that many people had been wrongfully convicted in the trials of 1692.”

A letter to the Berkshire Eagle from Professor Bernard Rosenthal, a leading expert on the Salem witch hunt.

-Bob

photo credit: Jim D’Entremont

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.

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.

“Still, it’s inaccurate to say that prison killed Bernard Baran. Even healthy people have aneurysms. Rather, prison took his life.

“Similarly, homophobia did not kill Baran — but it was the accomplice holding the gun.”

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/bernard-baran-rip/Content?oid=2434976

“I still remember vividly my contracts professor at George Washington University Law School, Max Pock, a conservative politically, slamming down on the podium and insisting vigorously in his Austrian accent, “I tell you I am sure the prisons are full of the ghost of innocent men.” One of those ghosts was Bernard Baran.”

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/opinion/ci_26488631/rinaldo-del-gallo-another-innocent-ghost

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/editorials/ci_26464346/our-opinion-bernard-baran

Around noon today, I spoke with Bee’s niece, Crystal.

They still didn’t know the autopsy results.

The family has decided that the last thing Bee would have wanted would be a funeral in Berkshire County — or a wake with an open casket. So there will be a private internment for the family.

But they very much do want a memorial service in 2-4 weeks, and they want as many as possible to attend. So they would like to have it in Boston.

The next issue is finding a venue. If you have a suggestion, please let me know as soon as possible.

-Bob