T&J PODCAST – EPISODE 2: Victimology
This week, Bob begins the new investigation into Bill Little’s murder by assessing victimology. In this critical first step, we learn what kind of person Bill was . . . and how he may have reacted to being held up while working his shift at the Clark station. Bob also analyzes witness statements and crime scene evidence to piece together a timeline of events.T&J PODCAST – EPISODE 1: Resurrection – Friday Follow up
Bob and Mike invite Zaq into the studio for another discussion as they address listener questions after the launch of Season 7.T&J PODCAST – EPISODE 1: Resurrection
Bob begins Season 7 by telling the story of the tragic and senseless murder of 18 year old Bill Little. Bill was working his shift at the Clark gas station in Bloomington, Illinois, on Easter Sunday 1991 when he was shot to death by who appears to be a petty thief. Special guests: Bill’s childhood friend, Jacob Mason, and former news room director and author, Steve Vogel.
Truth & Justice Podcast to feature Jamie Snow’s case
We are excited to announce that Jamie Snow’s case will be featured on the Truth & Justice podcast – Season 7. The podcast will premiere on Sunday, July 14. Truth & Justice podcast with Bob Ruff performs independent, in-depth investigations of wrongful conviction cases – with the unique feature of using crowd sourcing – utilizing their 100k plus followers to elicit expertise in various aspects of each case they present. We’d like to thank the Truth & Justice team, as well as the tremendous supporters, for taking on Jamie’s case. You can listen to the previous fascinating cases at: https://www.truthandjusticepod.com/home
Jamie Snow’s federal appeal given new life
When a Northern Illinois District Court judge denied Snow’s federal habeas petition right before Christmas, she also summarily denied his request to appeal the decision to a higher court by issuing a denial of Snow’s Certificate of Appealability (COA) at the same time.
The Exoneration Project immediately appealed the denial of the COA, and was granted the right to appeal to the Seventh Circuit on February 18th. The order explicitly states:
We find that Snow has made a substantial showing of the denial of his right to
(1) the effective assistance of trial counsel with respect to evidence about Danny Martinez and Carlos Lunda, and
(2) due process under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963).
We also find that the district court’s procedural default determination is debatable.
In order to obtain a COA under § 2253(c), a habeas prisoner must make a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right, a demonstration that, under Barefoot, includes showing that reasonable jurists could debate whether (or, for that matter, agree that) the petition should have been resolved in a different manner or that the issues presented were “‘adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further.'”
Further, in order to obtain a certificate of appealability when dismissal is based on procedural grounds, a petitioner must show, “at least, that jurists of reason would find it debatable whether the petition states a valid claim of the denial of a constitutional right and that jurists of reason would find it debatable whether the district court was correct in its procedural ruling.” Slack, 529 U.S. at 484.
We are very excited to be able to present Jamie’s case to the Seventh Circuit.
We currently do not have definitive timelines for the procedures, but will keep you posted updated.
Thanks!
tam
Crime Watch Daily Episode – Questions? Comments? Discuss here!
Thank you for watching the Crime Watch Daily episode about Jamie Snow’s case. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to post them here! Thanks!
Supporters appeal to Aphrodite Jones to investigate the Jamie Snow case
Thanks to everyone who attended this year’s Postcards in the Park. I know everyone wasn’t able to film, but this is a representation of supporters for Jamie Snow’s innocence.
We hope Aphrodite Jones will pay attention, and decide to take a deeper look into this case. In any case, we cannot possibly thank all of you enough for your continued support.
Jamie Snow supporters are the best. We do NOT give up! <3
Huh? Jamie Snow’s lawyers wrangle about court ordered discovery at the BPD…seriously.
Even though the judge ordered photos of the crime scene, it seems when it “came down to the wire” the state objected to a series of photos being scanned.
The big question is “Why?”
I get it. It’s a lawyer thing. The State Representative is there to protect the State. But I can’t help but think it goes a little deeper than that. We must wonder why they will not open the file. What do they have to hide? What are they protecting the State “from?” And if Jamie Snow is guilty, why not just open all of the discovery?
Instead, they take it to the judge because that’s what lawyers have to do.
So here we are.
The Exoneration Project necessarily filed a motion to scan the photos. McLean County filed a response that Jamie Snow does not have a right to those photos under the current order.
Why doesn’t Jamie Snow have the right to his entire file? All photos, all police reports, EVERYTHING. Why are they so defensive? Ironic, isn’t it?
If you are so inclined, below are links to both motions, along with select quotes.
Quote from motion by Jamie Snow’s counsel, asking to see the photos, explaining the incident:
“However, on April 26, 2016, while the State and counsel for Mr. Snow were reviewing photographs at BPD. the State objected to counsel scanning some photographs in BPD’s possession, including close-up photographs of a red car in the parking lot of the gas station, and photographs showing a dark car that appeared to be in a garage.”
Quote from response by the State, asking the court to deny the request:
“Now that this court has granted ‘limited discovery’… they now seek to widen the scope to un-targeted items.”
Thanks for your support. We will be gathering peacefully in the park in July (as we’ve done for the last 5 years) to support Jamie. Feel free to join us!
Thanks for reading-
Tam
Jason Chambers defends is opposition to DNA testing on Facebook
A recent Ground Report article by Bruce Fischer outlines a discussion involving McLean County State’s Attorney Jason Chambers in reference to the DNA testing issue in Jamie Snow’s case.
Definitely worth the read…screenshots and all.
He still doesn’t answer the question, “Why not test the DNA?”
“Jason Chambers manages to rattle off a series of falsehoods all within a single post consisting of 5 sentences. Those falsehoods, along with others seen in the screenshots.
Here is a snippet taken from the screenshots at the link:
Facebook Poster: “If the DNA test cost the state NOTHING and can prove one way or the other why not have it done? I have to agree test the DNA I really do not see any issue not to.”
Chamber’s response: “There is nothing they want tested which would prove innocence at this point. They are requesting one thing to be tested which already was tested. It is not like a sex assault case where they are requesting a sex assault kit be tested to prove exactly whose DNA was involved in a rape. They want to argue that because someone else’s DNA was in the gas station, it must have been someone else, and that is simply not that case.”
Click here for the full article: Jason Chambers posts misinformation on Facebook to defend his opposition to DNA testing in Jamie Snow case
Inmates, supporters get creative in bid to bring attention to cases
Chicago Tribune – Amid the commercial billboards along the Stevenson Expressway, a smaller wooden sign sticks out: Free Matt Sopron, it reads.
Supporters of another inmate who’s in prison for the 1991 murder and armed robbery of a gas station attendant in downstate Bloomington have passed out “Free Jamie Snow” wristbands to focus attention on his efforts to get DNA testing to help prove his innocence.
And backers of John Horton use social media to inform the public about the Rockford man’s efforts to unravel his conviction. Full Article…