(continued from Kensu Homepage)
I was pleased to speak with you at the retrial hearing on Monday. I realize you are attempting to piece together all of what you heard from the participants you spoke with. Because such interviews are within short, limited time frames, I'm sure the answer or information you receive is quite abbreviated and conveyed in sound bites. I know because, I found myself having to do so.

In order to gain a reasonable level of familiarity with all the issues of this case is a major undertaking. As to the number of issues raised by the defense in this case they are numerous. I might also add, none of which can be considered irrelevant, petty, frivolous or without merit by the standards set forth under the Michigan Court Rules, Code of Professional Responsibility, nor the many major Appeal Decisions of record. .

I am compelled to write to you in order that I might tell you what I wish I had the time to tell you at the hearing. I want to share my findings and feelings in hope that it will further enlighten you and other media folks to better understand the underling factors leading to the wrongful conviction of Mr. Freeman/Kensu, not to mention many other persons in like circumstance. Chances are you have already heard much of what I'm about to tell you plus a lot more concerning other investigators findings and opinions. Nevertheless, I'd like you to read my commentaries and opinions more than anything else in hope that my perspective of the issues might lend to a clearer overall picture of this unconscionable denial of justice.

I first became involved in Mr. Freeman's case back in the early 90s. His wife Denise (long before they were married) contacted me to enlist my services to investigate and document some serious irregularities in his prosecution for the murder of Scott Macklem which he denied committing. I listened to her summary of the case, the court proceedings, cast of individuals involved and the roles they played. Quite frankly, what I heard sounded unbelievably incredible. As Denise further elaborated in response to my questions, I thought to myself, she must have embellished and exaggerated the story but why? I nearly terminated the conference with a suggestion she look elsewhere for an investigator because I found it too hard to believe that everyone on the prosecution team had engaged in such outrageous behavior, but even more incredulous was the behavior of Mr. Freeman's own defense attorney, David Dean.

I thought to myself that I ought not be so abrupt in making my decision to decline Denise's plea for my help. Instead, I informed her that I would get involved and work for her and Mr. Freeman, but on only one condition. I explained that I would begin by looking into the background activities of Fred's defense attorney, David Dean. I made it clear, that if I was unable to find anything to substantiate their suspicions of David Dean's drug use or other suspected personal and professional character defects, I would terminate my services. It was agreed, and at that point I commenced with a hard look at Dean. I discovered the proverbial loose thread on the sweater. I was astonished to discover that the suspicions of Fred and Denise were unquestionably valid as supported by the criminal history I found pertaining to David Dean. It also explained why he was quietly let go as a former assistant prosecutor sometime long prior to representing Fred Freeman. It was even more interesting to discover the local bar association (prosecutors and judges included) never saw fit to take steps to discipline Dean by way of charges through the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission. On the contrary, believe it or not, he was allowed to resume his law practice. Here is the most disgusting part. After Dean left the prosecutors office, he opened his own office directly across the street from the St Clair County Court House and the courts began assigning him to represent indigent defendants in criminal cases. This was a perfect set-up for the prosecutor's office. What better than a crack head junky with a license to practice law representing penniless criminal defendants? Dean got paid for doing nothing and the defendants got screwed! Why of course, everyone wants a slam-dunk don't they? Even the prosecutor, the seemingly most righteous of the legal community. (Documentation available for your review, plus see: Randy Overton Case Reversal)

When I went to interview Phillip Joplin at Jackson State Prison, I was enraged inside by what he confessed to me about his role as the prosecution's star witness. I wanted to both cry and rip his throat out at the same time for what he did, but I realized he could not have done it had he not been encouraged to do so in the first place by the police and prosecutor, including all of the assistant prosecutors (co-conspirators to be more accurate). After transcribing Joplin's recorded confession and preparing it in a typed format, I returned to Jackson Prison to see him again for his acknowledgement and signature in order that I may submit it to Ralph Simpson of the State Appellant Defender's Office. When I arrived and prepared to go in to meet Joplin, the guard handling visitations, called into the cellblock over a PA system and announced "Phillip Joplin you have a private investigator here to see you." I waited for quite some time, and then the guard informed me Joplin did not wish to see me. I returned to Mount Clemens and a few days later received a letter from Joplin explaining the staff guard was not supposed to identify me as a PI and that it was done deliberately to put him (Joplin) in harms way of the other prisoners in his cell block. Joplin said he was a known snitch in the prison system and by the guard making such an announcement over the PA system, every other prisoner would think he (Joplin) was snitching on a fellow inmate. Snitches have a short-term life expectancy in the prison system and though Joplin was dying of AIDS, he wanted to live long enough to clear his conscience for what he did to help wrongfully convict Fred Freeman. (Documentation available for your review)

Throughout the time I worked on Mr. Freeman's case, I contacted numerous news media, both local and national with a summary outline in hope of garnering the attention of someone in the media who could help bring the public's attention to the case. This seems to be the most important key to unfold and expose wrongful conviction cases. Finally, I was able to convince Bill Proctor (News Reporter with Detroit's Channel 7 News) to look into the case. Together we went to visit Phillip Joplin at Jackson Prison, where by this time, Joplin's time was running shorter because of his advancing AIDS. Thankfully, we were allowed in (with video/audio equipment) and met with Joplin who again made a lengthy statement and admission to his perjury during testimony in Fred Freeman's case. (Documentation available for your review)

I'm a great believer in the old saying "what goes around... comes around." I also believe in "poetic justice" and I believe a day of reckoning is fast approaching. If not with the granting of a retrial, then certainly through the continued combined efforts of all who have come onboard over the past several years in the fight to free Fred Freeman. Of all the defense cases I've worked on in the past 40 years, none have exemplified as much about the rotten, cancerous like plague of wrong doing (abusive injustice) throughout our so called "criminal justice system" as this case has. It literally mocks the American Constitution and the term "democracy" that we all brag about to the rest of the world. Is it any wonder that we have as many, if not more, innocent persons locked up in jail (not to mention executed) in this country, as does any backward third world nation? What I personally saw, heard and documented in this case has contributed more than anything else to my cynicism and jaded criticism of all the participants in the system, principally the police, prosecutors, attorneys, judges and yes, even putty minded jurors who are more concerned about missing the next episode of their favorite soap opera or TV sitcom.

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Rule 3.8 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor.

The prosecutor in a criminal case shall:

(a) refrain from prosecuting a charge that the prosecutor knows is not supported by probable cause;

(b) make reasonable efforts to assure that the accused has been advised of the right to, and the procedure for obtaining, counsel and has been given reasonable opportunity to obtain counsel;

(c) not seek to obtain from an unrepresented accused a waiver of important pretrial rights, such as the right to a preliminary hearing;

(d) make timely disclosure to the defense of all evidence or information known to the prosecutor that tends to negate the guilt of the accused or mitigates the degree of the offense, and, in connection with sentencing, disclose to the defense and to the tribunal all unprivileged mitigating information known to the prosecutor, except when the prosecutor is relieved of this responsibility by a protective order; and

(e) exercise reasonable care to prevent investigators, law enforcement personnel, employees, or other persons assisting or associated with the prosecutor in a criminal case from making an extrajudicial statement that the prosecutor would be prohibited from making under Rule 3.6.

COMMENT:

A prosecutor has the responsibility of a minister of justice and not simply that of an advocate. This responsibility carries with it specific obligations to see that the defendant is accorded procedural justice and that guilt is decided upon the basis of sufficient evidence. Precisely how far the prosecutor is required to go in this direction is a matter of debate. Cf. Rule 3.3(d), governing ex parte proceedings, among which grand jury proceedings are included. Applicable law may require other measures by the prosecutor, and knowing disregard of those obligations or a systematic abuse of prosecutorial discretion could constitute a violation of Rule 8.4. Paragraph (c) does not apply to an accused appearing pro se with the approval of the tribunal. Nor does it forbid the lawful questioning of a suspect who has knowingly waived the rights to counsel and silence. The exception in paragraph (d) recognizes that a prosecutor may seek an appropriate protective order from the tribunal if disclosure of information to the defense could result in substantial harm to an individual or to the public interest.

In paragraph (b) and (e), this rule imposes on a prosecutor an obligation to make reasonable efforts and to take reasonable care to assure that a defendant’s rights are protected. Of course, not all of the individuals who might encroach upon those rights are under the control of the prosecutor. The prosecutor cannot be held responsible for the actions of persons over whom the prosecutor does not exercise authority. The prosecutor’s obligation is discharged if the prosecutor has taken reasonable and appropriate steps to assure that the defendant’s rights are protected.

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Please note that the above-cited rule pertaining to prosecutors remains basically the same today as it was in 1986. And so far as I know the rule is also basically the same in every state of the union. How many prosecutors violate their obligations under this rule? The answer is simple, just look at the number of individuals in the last decade who have had their convictions overturned because of sloppy/prejudicial police work, over-zealous/reckless/politically ambitious prosecutors, unqualified/uncaring judges and of course, hoodwinked/uninformed jurors. Add to this a few individuals in the media all too willing to gullibly print whatever they are told by the "authorities" without questioning it and you have a perfect formula for a wrongfully manufactured conviction.

How many prosecutors have been called down and disciplined for such unconscionable behavior? The answer is simple, damn few and far between! Why? Because the so-called "Criminal Justice System" (excuse the oxymoron) is the largest, fastest growing industry in the United States. A large segment of the legal profession has a vested interest in this lucrative industry. Its my opinion that most attorneys who primarily practice criminal law, whether defense or prosecution, and most judges (who of course are in the same union) do not wish to rock the boat they are riding on for a variety of reasons, some excusable, some not. I view the legal profession as no different than any other profession when it comes to cleaning its own house. Attorney Canons, codes of ethics and prescribed guidelines for professional conduct mean absolutely nothing unless vigorously and swiftly enforced. Otherwise, they are nothing more than window dressing to serve as a cloche of legitimacy to shroud the sins of a well-connected minority among their profession. There are many good and honest men and women within the legal profession as in all other professions. They have great integrity and do abide by their canons and codes. The problem is (as I see it) they can not afford to get out of step least they be targeted by the local power brokers within their local/state bar association and/or the fellow attorney(s) or judge(s) with whom they are inclined to take issue. I suspect the same or similar condition exists in the legal profession as it does throughout most segments of the law enforcement profession. It’s often referred to as the "blue code of silence" which by now is the widely known reason why police corruption is so difficult to uncover and eradicate. Many labor unions have been known to exercise the same but more brutal technique to keep their rank and file membership in line. As a mater of fact many secretive cults and fraternities and religion-based organizations have been known to utilize the same controlling threat/fear tactics to keep their memberships in line. If I am wrong in my analysis of why the legal profession fails to properly clean its own house then I welcome anyone in the profession to step forth to show or explain to me another reason and set me straight. I'm all eyes and ears!

At last known count, Michigan's Jackson Prison was considered the largest and highest populated walled prison in the western hemisphere, if not the whole world. Nationally, we have more prisons and prison populations per capita than any other country. One of the major occupations among the working class in northern Michigan is that of prison guard and other related prison service jobs. Statistically, there are thousands off innocent prisoners who, like Fred Freeman, have fallen through the cracks of a very uncontrolled, unmonitored and undisciplined "criminal justice system." They end up wrongfully convicted and imprisoned or executed for crimes they did not commit. The appeals process in nearly every state is a shameful farce that underscores what has become a true adage: "You can get a much justice as you can afford." Amnesty International has been examining wrongful and other questionable convictions throughout the USA for several years now because of the high incidence of human rights violations in our American justice system.

The prosecutor in question, Robert Cleland, failed miserably in meeting the obligations of his office. It was not by oversight, mistake, technical error, misjudgment or any other typical excuse for such a transgression. It was deliberately calculated and orchestrated for his own personal gain and reward... an appointment to a federal judgeship. You can bet that every possible "under the table string" has and continues to be pulled to prevent a retrial. This is because it would not only involve a new and hopefully just verdict to free Fred Freeman, but would also by the same token, result in a damning public revelation of the misconduct of Robert Cleland and others of his staff including police who knowingly participated in the wrongful charges and conviction of Freeman. If a retrial is denied it will be for this reason and this reason alone. It certainly will not be because the first trial was an "open and shut case" as the current and previous Port Huron Prosecutors would like to have everyone believe.