My friend Jenny is awesome. Awesome Jenny. I had the pleasure of working with her at Public Counsel this past summer, and I am glad to call her my friend. Jenny is a talented law student at USC, and she forwarded the following letter to me. On this Valentine’s Day, please take a moment to recognize the reality of life for many in this world of ours – especially Rosie – and then show your love for Rosie by spreading the word as you see fit.
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Hi all!
I apologize for the group blast email but I have some important news to share with you. As a law student at USC Law School, I have been working this past year in the Post Conviction Justice Project, representing women incarcerated at California’s primary women’s prison. This past fall, I was fortunate to be assigned the case of Rosie Sanchez, a woman who immigrated to Los Angeles from Mexico in the early 1980’s and who, within a couple of years of living here, was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to a life in prison for a crime she did not commit.
Rosie has been in prison now for over 23 years and for the first time has the opportunity to be released on parole. Right now, Governor Schwarzenegger is reviewing her case to see if he will let her go and be re-united with her family in Mexico. His decision is expected by March 12th. PLEASE take a moment to visit our project’s website at:
http://weblaw.usc.edu/why/academics/clinics/pcjp/support.cfm
You can find all the information there about the crime Rosie was accused of, the major problems with her trial, and her amazing experience in prison. If you click on the big button that says “Support Our Clients” you’ll be taken to the page that has the links to allow you to email the Governor, tweet at him, post it on your facebook, and email others about her.
I have been visiting Rosie in prison every other week for the last several months and I truly believe that she is innocent and that her incarceration has been a great injustice. Any thing you can do to help urge the Governor to release her is very greatly appreciated by Rosie, her now grown children, and her grandchildren. Please send an email to the Governor and if you’re feeling extra generous, then please forward this message to your contacts – we are trying to garner as much public support for Rosie as possible!
Thank you,
Jenny Shanley Farrell
Minutes to Memories 