14 July 2000
Mr. Don Siegleman
Governor of Alabama
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104
Dear Governor:
I am a retired Alabama
Correctional Officer.I worked at
Holman Prison from late 1984 through May, 1997.Patrick
Swiney came to Holman Prison in 1989.My
position as Correctional Officer enabled me to observe and assess Patrick
Swiney in a way and in circumstances very few people could or would appreciate.Despite
his heavy sentence, he has always conveyed a positive attitude.This
man is not a trouble-maker.He has
a very accurate definition of his rights as a prison inmate.The
old adage, "out of sight, out of mind" is a preferred mode for survival
with some peace for some inmates because sometimes, when they press for
their rights, it is regarded as defiance of the system, when it may be
defiance of oppression of rights by people who do NOT care if they live
or die.Patrick knows these things
very well.
He is a very honest man.His
honesty often puts him in jeopardy with some of the administration who
are very personable on the outside, but downright evil on the inside.
All along, I continuously
had the opinion that Patrick didn't belong there at Holman.We
have talked at times about the crime he was convicted of and when he says
he doesn't know what happened, I believe he is telling the truth.I've
since reviewed Patrick's case with his wife, and Dr. Boris deKorczak.When
I saw the forensic lab tests that state there was no gun powder residue
or blood found on Patrick's skin or clothing, my suspicions of him being
wrongly incarcerated were confirmed.As
a corrections officer, you can pretty well tell who is guilty, and Patrick
is not one of the guilty ones.
I support Patrick's release
from prison.I am puzzled as to why
the courts in Alabama keep refusing to look at this evidence of innocence.Something's
not right here and I recommend you do everything you can to free this man
from prison immediately.I own a
weapon such as the one they say is the murder weapon.There's
no way in the world that I can shoot that weapon and not have gun power
residue on my hands and clothing or in my hair and skin pores.The
forensic tests don't lie.Patrick
did not shoot anyone and he needs to be released from prison.I
hope you will look past the politics of this and use your powers as governor
to set Patrick free.
Sincerely yours,
Joseph L. Hamby
7979 Bradley Road
Andalusia, Alabama 36420
334-809-0115
