The very essence of our judicial system is that a defendant is “presumed innocent until proven guilty”. This principle of law marks the important distinction between a democratic society and authoritarian rule. When a person loses this fundamental right he/she has been reduced to less than a citizen in the eyes of the court.
Recently, there was a case before the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Michigan titled, United States v. Eugene Atkins. Mr. Atkins was charged with several crimes in connection with the overdose death of Mr. Matthew McKinney. Chief amongst these charges was distribution of heroin resulting in death. Mr. Christopher Perrin was with Mr. McKinney when he overdosed and actually administered the drug to Matthew’s bloodstream. However, day’s prior to Eugene’s conviction Mr. Perrin pled guilty to a charge of ‘misprision of a felony’. Misprision of a felony is basically ones failure to report the criminal act of another. The first element (proof) of misprision of a felony is “the principle (in this case, Eugene) committed and completed the felony alleged”. This plea necessitates a prejudicial belief that Mr. Atkins is guilty of the crime alleged against him prior to trial. Consequently, Mr. Atkins was stripped of the presumption of innocence and ultimately judged less than a citizen and deemed not worthy of this critical right.
This error in the administration of justice is one amongst many recognizable issues that must be addressed. Other issues include, but are not limited to, prosecutorial misconduct and racial profiling. African-Americans, Native Americans, Latino’s and the poor have long been the burden bearers of injustice and abuse in American courts. Actions such as those taken by the court, the federal prosecutor and federal public defender are indicative of the legacy of institutional racism in America. The Grand Rapids Local Organizing Committee of the Millions More Movement is determined, with your help, to defeat this form of oppression that all people may be blanketed in the presumption of innocence in court.
Please accept this document as a formal invitation and request to join our protest march against oppression on Monday, May 15, 2006 from 8am-12pm. We will march from Division (MLK Ave.) and Wealthy Ave. to the steps of the Gerald R. Ford Federal Courthouse. Register your support with us by email at grmmmloc (at) comcast.net or fax 616-365-1674. We must work together to insure that all people are granted due process, and we thank you for your support.
