I'm James Jones, and on 5-22-2002 I was WRONGFULLY convicted of First-degree murder and 3 Assault w/int to commit murder, and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole by a Wayne County judge.
I was only a suspect in this case because I was robbed at the same corner store a day before the murder happened.
My insurance company encouraged me to make a police report where I stated I did not know or see who robbed me.
The lead detective Picked up the witnesses and brought them to my live lineup, some three hours later. It was also revealed by witness Joseph McCrimmon, that detective JoAnn Miller showed the witnesses a single photo (of me) before the live lineup. Detective Miller has a long practice of misconduct to achieve convictions. One example of her misconduct, besides my case, is found in Peo v. McCoy, 2004 Mich App Lexis 2276. In this fine example, she was found to have forged documents and committed perjury to achieve her conviction rate. Detective Miller also lied to me, by tricking me to come downtown under the guise I was coming down to view a photo lineup. I was then arrested without a warrant for Murder. She and officer Dale Collins tried all the tricks and illegal tactics during their interrogation threatening me to give anyone up, which was impossible because I didn't know anything!
My trial attorney, who had never even tried a Murder case before, put up zero defense for me and was incompetent, performing well below the minimum legal standard for effective representation. Furthermore, the trial judge thought I was guilty because he put me on probation months before. The judge’s bias was evidenced at my arraignment, when saying: "THIS DISGUSTS ME I PUT YOU ON PROBATION FOR A WEAPON 5 MONTHS AGO, AND YOU GO KILL PEOPLE"! I was just used as a scapegoat and forever maintain my innocence.
I had the most unduly suggestive lineup in history! Not only were the witnesses shown a single photograph (which happened to be me) before the live lineup but the police made me take off my leather coat. Independent attorney and lineup expert Dennis Shrewsbury pointed out that I was the only person in the line-up without a jacket or sweatshirt. I was also the only person without a goatee or beard and was the only person with braids when everyone else in the line-up was either bald or had low hair cuts.
On the first day of my trial, my lawyer told the judge she was being fired and could no longer advocate for me, but the judge forced her to stay on my case and proceed. Then an hour later the judge granted the prosecution an adjournment because none of the witnesses against me would come to court.
The prosecution proceeded under a theory that I "aided & and abetted" by being the driver of the vehicle during a drive-by shooting, which is not sufficient because there was no one identified as the principal to prove the needed element of "CONCERT OF ACTION" between the aider and principle. They never proved the elements of First-degree murder at all. I’ve been sitting in here as an innocent man for 21 years on a Life sentence for aiding and abetting a murder with no co-defendants.
I have also obtained an affidavit from the prosecution’s star witness in which he says he was coerced and threatened by police. I have Brady evidence as well, and I am in the process of getting the only other witness interviewed who said the Detective showed them my photo on the way to my lineup. #I CAN'T BREATHE.
Any funds to help pay my attorney who is fighting my case and/or supporting to change the laws requiring a “mandatory life sentence for aiding and abetting” is greatly appreciated.
I declare under the penalties of perjury that the above statements are true to the best of my knowledge and belief, per Federal Law 28 USC 1746.
Thank you,
Respectfully,
James Jones #362351
Cotton Correctional Facility
3500 North Elm Road
Jackson, MI 49201
or Email me at WWW. Jpay.com