Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters:
Welcome to my monthly message for 2010!
Wow, what an unbelievable example of Divine Intervention! Finally, I am writing this monthly message as a free man. After nine long years of living a horrible experience I can now say, "It is over." And to think, my case had to make it all the way to the United States Supreme Court before I could finally be free.
To be honest with everyone, it still hasn't sunk in yet. It is hard to hear, "You are free" and feel the freedom instantly. The only way I can explain it is if you think back to a memory of letting a pet go after it has been held captive. Or, if you remember watching an animal program when they finally release the animal, bird, or fish into the wild it seems that the animal is sometimes reluctant or stunned at first. But freedom is of course very accepting and definitely easy to remember.
Also, I know that I wasn't mending a wing or healing an injury before being released back into the world which is probably more wild than what the animals have to deal with. But, I do want to share with everyone that making it through this experience wouldn't have been possible without the love and support of all of you. And yes even though I have a strong spiritual background I can truly appreciate everyone who came into my life. I will never forget everyone's true love, kindness and thoughtfulness.
Now, it's going to be a slow process of rebuilding my life but this time I will not take anything or anyone for granted. I have truly been blessed with a wonderful opportunity to start my life over. I can't wait to see my Dad and Aunt after nine long years; and eventually I hope to reunite with my daughters so they can finally hear the truth about everything that took place. Of course, it will be a slow and delicate process with my daughters but they have the right to know how much I love them and hopefully some part of their heart will want to reunite with me.
As far as my mom goes, thank you so much for all your prayers. She is getting stronger by the day and it’s really nice to see her getting back some of her strength--what a miracle! Although it is hard to feel so much joy when there has been so much destruction in Haiti. Please try to help them if you have the means or at least try to remember them in prayer. They too, are going to have to start over as well.
I want to thank all of you for your donations over the years and someday I plan on reimbursing everyone. However, I do have one more request seeing as someone sold every possession I owned, including all my tools that I acquired over 18 years. It would be most helpful if anyone could send a donation or gift card from Sears, so I can start up my building business again. I know it sounds crazy but tools are extremely expensive even used tools. With every ones help I will be able to start working on some small projects. A few people have already requested my services. It will be nice to finally start making a living and stop relying on everyone. Thank You!
Two quick shout outs. One is to my oldest daughter--Happy Birthday! And the second is to Dick Blanchard; thank you for all your diligence and serious devotion to my cause. The Lord truly blessed me when you came into my life and what an awesome website!
My movie recommendation is "The Mission" with Jeremy Irons, Robert Denaro and Iaam Neeson. This movie explains forgiveness on a scale that I didn’t think was possible. But, I'm glad I watched it because it helped me realize that even though it was hard to forgive D.A Capeless and some of the others who thought I was guilty, ultimately it was the right thing to do. Plain and simple there really is no greater power than love or forgiveness. And speaking of love, I will share more about the subject of love and my new girlfriend Kelley in next month’s message.
My profound quote was sent to me by my good friend Terry. "Forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, so that we no longer carry the burden of resentment. but to forgive does not mean we will allow injustice again.” (Jack Kornfield)
Sorry for the late monthly message. Until next month take care and remember; "The answers to the mysteries of life hide in the pain of our most difficult experiences."
Love & Light to all,
Michael O'Laughlin
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Berkshire Eagle Article - Michael O"Laughlin a Free Man
Article in the Berkshire Eagle about Michael's freedom. Sadly District Attorney David Capeless still doesn't get it. As expected he still refuses, after all these years that he made a mistake. How sad that the man has such an inflated ego that he can't admit his mistake. It is prosecutors like him that our justice system needs to be rid of. Mr. Capeless is to be prayed for and pitied.
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www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_14234949
Dick
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www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_14234949
Dick
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Justice finally served
Today, January 19, 2010 will go down as one of the happiest days in Michael's life; for it was today the U.S. Supreme Court denied the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Writ of Certiorari thus letting the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruling stand.
After nine long years this nightmare is finally over, and Michael is a free man. This is a case that never should have been prosecuted and it is such injustice that an innocent man had to spend nine years in the prime of his life for a crime he never committed. During this ordeal Michael even lost his two daughters which is one of the tragedies of this case; hopefully they will reconnect with Michael and find out what a loving and caring Father he is. Michael's case represents what happens when a prosecutor cares more about his conviction record that finding justice. I have spent eight years working on Michael's case. I took the case thinking he was probably guilty, but after reading and studying every piece of evidence, discovery, photos and transcripts I knew beyond any doubt whatsoever that Michael was innocent and couldn't have possibly committed this crime. The police and prosecution choose Michael as their suspect, even when they had a more viable suspect and built a story to fit their suspect. They had absolutely no physical evidence whatsoever and the prosecutor even stated this in his opening statement to the jury. What he did was build a case on circumstantial evidence based on inference after inference after inference but nothing that could tie Michael to the crime scene and show his guilt. Fortunately the Massachusetts Court of Appeals, The First Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court saw through this deception and freed Michael.
You will hear over the next few days, weeks and months some people stating the Courts got it wrong and Michael is guilty, don't believe them. These people will state their misguided opinions without having any factual knowledge of the case and without reading or studying anything about Michael's case.The courts got it right, justice was finally served, and Michael was freed because he was innocent and always has been.
I want to thank everyone for your prayers and support during the past eight years. You have no idea how much they meant to Michael and how they helped him through this terrible ordeal. And yes your prayers and support kept me going and let me work on this case even though I knew the tremendous odds of overturning a wrongful conviction. Let's pray that Michael's landmark decision will help other wrongfully convicted prisoners get their fair shot in the federal courts so they too can find justice.
God bless you,
Dick
After nine long years this nightmare is finally over, and Michael is a free man. This is a case that never should have been prosecuted and it is such injustice that an innocent man had to spend nine years in the prime of his life for a crime he never committed. During this ordeal Michael even lost his two daughters which is one of the tragedies of this case; hopefully they will reconnect with Michael and find out what a loving and caring Father he is. Michael's case represents what happens when a prosecutor cares more about his conviction record that finding justice. I have spent eight years working on Michael's case. I took the case thinking he was probably guilty, but after reading and studying every piece of evidence, discovery, photos and transcripts I knew beyond any doubt whatsoever that Michael was innocent and couldn't have possibly committed this crime. The police and prosecution choose Michael as their suspect, even when they had a more viable suspect and built a story to fit their suspect. They had absolutely no physical evidence whatsoever and the prosecutor even stated this in his opening statement to the jury. What he did was build a case on circumstantial evidence based on inference after inference after inference but nothing that could tie Michael to the crime scene and show his guilt. Fortunately the Massachusetts Court of Appeals, The First Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court saw through this deception and freed Michael.
You will hear over the next few days, weeks and months some people stating the Courts got it wrong and Michael is guilty, don't believe them. These people will state their misguided opinions without having any factual knowledge of the case and without reading or studying anything about Michael's case.The courts got it right, justice was finally served, and Michael was freed because he was innocent and always has been.
I want to thank everyone for your prayers and support during the past eight years. You have no idea how much they meant to Michael and how they helped him through this terrible ordeal. And yes your prayers and support kept me going and let me work on this case even though I knew the tremendous odds of overturning a wrongful conviction. Let's pray that Michael's landmark decision will help other wrongfully convicted prisoners get their fair shot in the federal courts so they too can find justice.
God bless you,
Dick
9 year nightmare finally over - Michael freed
Today, January 19, 2010 will go down as one of the happiest days in Michael's life. For it was today that the U.S. Supreme Court denied the Commonwealth of Mass. petition for Writ of Certoriari thus letting the order by the First Circuit Court of Appeals stand freeing Michael and stating his innocence.
More to follow later.
Thanks everyone for your prayers and support, they really helped.
God bless you,
Dick
More to follow later.
Thanks everyone for your prayers and support, they really helped.
God bless you,
Dick
Monday, January 11, 2010
Supreme Court Update
Hi,
As most of you know Michael's case was to be conferenced at the Supreme Court on Friday, January 8, 2010 with a decision today (1/11/10) by the court to grant or deny the Commonwealth's petition to hear Michael's case. This did not happen. The new date for conference is this Friday, January 15, 2010 with a decision by the court scheduled next Monday (1/18/10). There are two other cases in front of the court that are nearly the same as Michael's case and both of these cases are scheduled for the same conference on January 15th, so I would expect a decision from the court to accept or deny Michael's case on the 18th. We are hoping and praying they do not take Michael's case. If that is the ruling Michael will be a free man which is the only just decision there is.
This week I ask for your prayers and maybe some extra prayers for Michael.
I'll keep you updated on this blog and the web site.
God bless you!
Dick
As most of you know Michael's case was to be conferenced at the Supreme Court on Friday, January 8, 2010 with a decision today (1/11/10) by the court to grant or deny the Commonwealth's petition to hear Michael's case. This did not happen. The new date for conference is this Friday, January 15, 2010 with a decision by the court scheduled next Monday (1/18/10). There are two other cases in front of the court that are nearly the same as Michael's case and both of these cases are scheduled for the same conference on January 15th, so I would expect a decision from the court to accept or deny Michael's case on the 18th. We are hoping and praying they do not take Michael's case. If that is the ruling Michael will be a free man which is the only just decision there is.
This week I ask for your prayers and maybe some extra prayers for Michael.
I'll keep you updated on this blog and the web site.
God bless you!
Dick
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