Update On Patricia Wright's Medical Status

IMPORTANT NOTE: Patricia Wright had brain surgery 11-21-11, she had three cancerous tumors in her brain, the doctors removed only one tumor off Patricia's brain stem, this is the seventh surgery Patricia has had this year for cancer. 11-21-11, Patricia's doctor put a steel plate in Patricia's head, Patricia was extremely ill
last night, Patricia said her head is extremely swollen.

I am very concerned, Patricia finally called me last night I was so worried I had not heard from her in two days,because the prison keeps surgery dates secret due to security reasons, so prisoner's won't try to seek assistance for prison escapes. ~Arletta Wright

Please Take Action In Patricia Wright's Case - From Arletta Wright

Please write letters to Head District Attorney Steve Cooley - 210 West Temple Street, Suite 18000, Los Angeles, California 90012. Phone: 213-974-3512, fax 213-974-1481. Ask District Attorney Steve Cooley
for support for the Motion to Commute Patricia Wright's Sentence and not oppose the
Motion to commute her sentence.

Media Coverage - Ask For Additional Coverage

Channels 2, KCBS and Channel 9 KCAL, August 31, 2011 entitled:
"Family Rallies in LA to Hae Dying Mother Released from Prison"

Channel 4, aired Patricia Wright's story as a top story October 11, 2011
"Cancer Stricken Inmate Denied Early Release."

Channel 7, KABC aired Patricia Wright's Story as a top story October 11, 2011
"Judge Blocks Path for Release of Inmate with Terminal Cancer"

the "Final Call" nationwide, October 2011, "Dying Woman's Family fights to
free her from Prison."

San Francisco Bay View Newspaper "Three Strikes Holds Dying Innocent Woman
Behind Bars by Crystal Carter October 10, 2011.

San Francisco Bay View Newspaper "Release my mother Son of Terminally
Ill Blind Prisoner ask Gov. Jerry Brown"

San Fernando Valley Sun Newspaper wrote three stories 9-1-11,
"Family continues to press Governor Brown to give clemency to
Patricia Wright." by Reporter Mike Terry.

San Fernando Valley Sun Newspaper, 9-29-11, "Wright Family
Return to Court for Convicted Sister by Reporter, Mike Terry

Dying woman's family fights to free her from prison

Dying woman's family fights to free her from prison
By Charlene Muhammad -National Correspondent- | Last updated: Nov 1, 2011 - 12:47:54 PM


RIVERSIDE, Calif. (FinalCall.com) - The family of a dying woman serving her 14th year of a life without the possibility of parole sentence continues its struggle to free her, hoping for clemency by Gov. Jerry Brown or an appeals court decision.

The case is an example of how the state's Three Strikes law fails defendants and the legally blind woman never received a fair hearing, according to family and supporters.

Patricia Wright has terminal cancer. Her family's efforts, support from national and state advocates, and recommendations for release by the prison warden and medical director have not resulted in release from the Central California Women's Facility. She was jailed on a felony conviction for murder and had two prior felony theft convictions. She has maintained her innocence.

The murder conviction was the result of prosecution for the death of her husband, and makes her ineligible for medical release. The family says they were told the three felonies prohibit her release on humanitarian grounds.

Two felony charges were lodged against her after her then seven-year-old son walked out of a model home with two toys. That incident resulted in two felony theft convictions—one for each of the cheap toys, said her sister.

A family torn apart


“It's hard for me to see my sister when I know what she used to look like. She tries to laugh but when I see her, she's real weak and in a wheelchair. She asks me when I talk to her every day, ‘What has the governor said, now?'” stated Arletta Wright, a staunch advocate for her sister.

Arletta Wright says her sister was railroaded and failed by the criminal justice system. The governor says he would need recommendations from state high court justices to grant clemency, says the family spokesperson. The fight to free Patricia Wright, however, requires a more aggressive defense but the family can't afford a private attorney.Still their hope lies in an appeal at the Ninth Circuit Court level.

“What comes to mind when I think about it is this woman is ravaged by cancer.It's costing the prison a lot of money, and there are grounds for granting the release,” said Geri Silva, executive director of Families to Amend California's Three Strikes Law in Los Angeles.

The Innocence Project has taken on Patricia's case and is investigating whether she was wrongly convicted. Her plight has garnered support from Dr. Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, executive director of the Association In Defense of the Wrongfully Convicted; Alice Huffman, president of the California State Conference of the NAACP; Michelle Alexander, author and head of NAACP Legal Redress with the Madera, Calif. NAACP; and Pastor Sherman Mitchell of the Victorville, Calif. Branch of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

The advocacy groups believe Patricia Wright's constitutional and civil rights were violated.

All of the organizations have either written letters in support of her appeal or asked the Innocence Project to investigate the case.

Nancy Lockhart, activist and author of “A Guide to Grassroots Organizing in Support of the Wrongfully Convicted,” posted a petition to free Ms. Wright on change.org, an online advocacy platform. She usually does not get involved in cases without thoroughly researching them herself, but the Innocence Project's involvement prompted her support.

“What really caught my attention was that Patricia was in stage four cancer. I felt she was innocent of the charge of murder and I felt there was a greater urgency to have her released so she could die at home with her family or get better medical treatment,” Ms. Lockhart said.

Prosecutors have argued Patricia Wright received a fair trial, was convicted, and should remain in prison.

“I would prefer, instead of Gov. Brown giving us a cold shoulder and being evasive, that he comes out and tells us, ‘I don't want to do it,' ” Arletta Wright told The Final Call.

On Oct. 11, Riverside County Judge Becky Dugan denied a motion to reduce the theft convictions to misdemeanors, which would have made way for a medical pardon.

“My sister is dying of breast cancer.She has four tumors in her brain. She just wants to come home and die in peace with her children and grand kids,” pled an emotional Arletta Wright, before Judge Dugan ruled.

“In May 2010, doctors gave Patricia six months to live but thank God she has beaten the odds. They're saying any day now, she could be gone. They've given up on her but I can't think that way about my sister,” Arletta Wright told The Final Call.

The setbacks in Judge Dugan's ruling and Gov. Brown's position on clemency disappointed but have not deterred those who believe in Patricia Wright's innocence.

This ordeal is so outrageous that the truth must come out, Arletta Wright said.

‘Innocent people get convicted'

Judge Dugan said she was compelled to deny the release request because of multiple probation violations.

But according to Arletta Wright, the violations were actually police calls regarding a family dispute.

“They were never referred to the D.A.'s office. She never went to trial. She never was tried by a jury or convicted. As far as they went was to the police station as a report,” she said.

In a back and forth debate in open court, Ms. Silva shouted to Judge Dugan, from her seat in the last row of the public pews, “The New York Innocence Project took on Ms. Wright's case ... Innocent people get convicted, you know!”

“I'm sure you believe that ... but I have to assume these convictions are accurate,” Judge Dugan replied.

Arletta Wright told The Final Call she is awaiting documents from the Riverside District Attorney's Office she says will prove no charges for any such violations were ever filed.

“The D.A. only brought those incidents up as charges to make Patricia look bad and to feed the judge's denial of our request. Judge Dugan said herself that if it wasn't for those other charges, she would have considered dismissing it. It's wrong what they're doing to my sister,” Arletta Wright added.

Felony convictions for children's toys?

The two cases against Patricia Wright are inextricably linked and have left her dying alone in prison.

She received two felonies after pleading guilty to being involved in 2nd degree burglary at an open house in Moreno Valley in 1989. She received a third felony conviction in 1999 on conspiracy to murder her then-husband, Willie Scott.

According to her sister, Patricia Wright pled to the thefts only because the attorney said she would certainly face prison time if she went to trial.“But if she pled to misdemeanors, she could go back later, have them expunged and be at home with her children,” explained Arletta Wright.

The family insists the misdemeanor convictions were somehow changed to felonies after the fact.

Alfey, her 29-year-old son, was seven at the time of the open house. He testified that he took the toys and walked out without telling his mother.“It's been hard growing up without my mom and celebrating Mother's Day. I don't remember the last time I've celebrated Mother's Day and it's affected growing up as a man, dealing with relationships.It's taken a toll on me,” he said.

He never dreamed putting the toys in his pocket and playing in the back seat of a car could land his mother in prison.

Ms. Silva said the case is convoluted and while she is not condoning that toys were taken, she argues it wasn't theft.

Alfey did what children often do, pick things up that don't belong to them, she said.

It was a model home, not a residence; he was seven, and the toys were worth 99 cents, Ms. Silva adds.

“This is about Moreno Valley, an area which at that time was predominantly White, a Black woman, and her Black child, who were already being followed by the Caucasian realtor while they were inside the home,” Ms. Silva continued.

As for the murder, no physical or forensic evidence links Patricia Wright to the crime, according to her family, but police reopened the cold case and charged her 17 years afterward based on what her brother calls a forced, false statement, and written accounts from Patricia Wright's sister-in-law, who has since said she lied.

Larry Wright told The Final Call he was in a Connecticut prison at the time Los Angeles police detectives questioned him about his sister's case. It was his first time being incarcerated and he wanted out so when they told him that if he cooperated he would be released, he agreed.

Larry Wright said he never intended to testify against his sister and just wanted to get to L.A.

Once in L.A., he recanted his statement, and when police realized he wouldn't cooperate, Larry Wright said they kept him in a padded holding cell with no windows for 17 days. “They fed me the same thing, a hard burrito, twice a day, every day at Parker Center and they interrogated me and told me to kill myself ... When taking (recording) my testimony, they would cut the tape off and rehearse what they wanted me to say,” he continued.

Mr. Wright and Janet Carcelin, the sister-in-law, recanted their stories, saying the taped statements were coerced by police. The jury still convicted Patricia Wright of murder. “The crime that was committed was that in America if you're Black, laws apply very differently to you and you're going to be found guilty even if there wasn't a crime,” Ms. Silva said.

Release my mother, son of terminally ill blind prisoner asks Gov. Jerry Brown

Release my mother, son of terminally ill blind prisoner asks Gov. Jerry Brown

From: SF Bay View Newspaper

August 31, 2011

Join the press conference sponsored by Families to Amend California Three Strikes (FACTS) on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 11 a.m., in the Governor’s office, 300 South Spring St., downtown Los Angeles, to discuss the possibility of parole for Patricia Wright

by Alfey Ramdhan

Patricia Wright

Senate Bill 1399, Medical Parole, authored by state Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco, reduces spending in California by allowing parole of severely medically incapacitated inmates posing no threat to public safety.

Senate Bill 1399 creates a medical parole process to alleviate the burden on taxpayers of providing expensive medical care and around-the-clock armed guards for inmates who are permanently medically incapacitated.

California spends millions of dollars every year guarding physically incapacitated prisoners. California has a $10 billion budget deficit. California taxpayers will spend nearly $2 billion to pay for the health care needs of state prisoners. A large percentage of those funds are used for a small group of severely incapacitated inmates.

Offenders sentenced to death or life without the possibility of parole are not eligible for medical parole. The only hope these offenders have is clemency from Gov. Jerry Brown. A crime involving receiving stolen property worth $400 or more is considered a felony in California.

My mother, Patricia Wright, received two felonies each for two 99-cent toys I stole in 1989 when I was 7 years old. I am now 28. In March 2011, Gov. Brown was willing to sign my mother’s clemency application until the governor discovered my mother had two felonies for these two toys.

California Penal Code Section 4802 states: “In the case of a person twice convicted of felony, the application for pardon or commutation of sentence shall be made directly to the Governor, who shall transmit all papers and documents relied upon in support of and in opposition to the application to the Board of Prison Terms.”

My mother, Patricia Wright, received two felonies each for two 99-cent toys I stole in 1989 when I was 7 years old. I am now 28. In March 2011, Gov. Brown was willing to sign my mother’s clemency application until the governor discovered my mother had two felonies for these two toys.

The New York Innocence Project, co-directed by Barry Scheck, has accepted and is currently investigating Patricia’s criminal case. None of the DNA evidence from her case matched for the third strike, which is a different criminal case.

My mother, who was incarcerated in 1991, is diagnosed with fourth stage terminal cancer. She is severely incapacitated and has been housed at Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, Calif., the past 16 years. I am hopeful that Gov. Brown will be willing to sign and approve clemency for my mother, Patricia Wright.

Patricia’s blog is www.nancylockhart.blogspot.com . Her petition: please grant compassionate medical release for Patricia Wright at PatriciaWright.change.org

More reasons to support the release of Patricia Wright

Geri Silva of FACTS writes: “Patricia Wright has terminal cancer and has been given six months to live. In 1998, Wright was convicted of killing her husband, a crime which was committed 17 years before. There was NO evidence to link her to the crime and absolutely NO motive which had any merit. The esteemed Innocence Project has taken her case.

“The family has been fighting for her freedom since her conviction, but now their fight takes on renewed vigor. They want Patricia to be allowed to come home to spend her last days with her family. The governor has been asked to grant her clemency and, though he is sympathetic, he insists that his hands are tied because Wright has three felonies on her record. Those three felonies consist of a murder she did not commit and the ‘theft’ of two 99-cent toys taken by her 7-year-old son in June 1989.

They want Patricia to be allowed to come home to spend her last days with her family.

“The family has been informed by the Senate Public Safety Committee that according to California penal codes 4851and 4852, the governor has power to grant pardon and clemency without going through the Parole Board or the Supreme Court. According to Families to Amend California’s Three Strikes, FACTS, and all in support of Patricia, he has not only the right, but a moral imperative to release Patricia immediately.”

Wendy Jason, in “Patricia Wright Deserves Freedom,” writes: “Arletta Wright has spent the last 14 years advocating for her sister. …

“According to Arletta, Patricia is ‘the kind of person who will give you the clothes off her back.’ When she was 18, she bought her disabled mother her first home after saving her earnings from after-school jobs for three years. One of eight children, Patricia took on the role of primary caregiver for her younger siblings when their mother passed away. Arletta recalls that Patricia often took in homeless people, and was always the first to step up when someone needed help.

“In the 14 years that she’s been incarcerated, Patricia has missed her own five children’s high school graduations and weddings, as well as the births of her six grandchildren. …

“There’s no reason for Patricia to remain incarcerated. She poses no risk to society and it doesn’t appear that she ever did. Further, releasing the 1,500 sickest inmates would save $500 million, notes Isaac Ontiveros, communications direct for the group Critical Resistance, echoing comments made by J. Clark Kelso, the federal receiver in charge of the state’s $1.5 billion annual prison health system. Even those who listen to their wallets more than their hearts should be able to see the rationale in sending Patricia home to those who love her.“

PRESS CONFERENCE AUGUST 31st 11:00am

Contact geri silva 424.744.1156

Alfey Ramdhan 951.520.7911

August 25, 2011

FACTS Joins Terminally Ill Prisoner Patricia Wright’s Family in Asking for Her Immediate Release from Prison

WHEN: Wednesday, August 31^st 11:00 am

WHERE: In front of Governor Brown’s downtown LA Office 300 So Spring St

WHO: Wright’s family, the FACTS community and all who can make it

WHY: Patricia Wright has terminal cancer and has been given 6 months to live. In 1998, Wright was convicted of killing her husband, a crime which was committed 17 years before. There was NO evidence to link her to the crime and absolutely NO motive which had any merit. The esteemed Innocence Project has taken her case.

The family has been fighting for her freedom since her conviction, but now their fight takes on renewed vigor. They want Patricia to be allowed to come home to spend her last days with her family. The Governor has been asked to grant her clemency, and though he is sympathetic, he insists that his hands are tied because Wright has three felonies on her record. Those three felonies consist of a murder she did not commit and the “theft” of two .99 cent toys taken by her 7 year old son in June 1989. The family has been informed by the Senate Public Safety Committee that according to California penal codes 4851& 4852, the Governor has power to grant pardon & clemency without going through the parole board or the Supreme Court. According to Families to Amend California’s Three Strikes -FACTS and all in support of Patricia, he has not only the right, but a moral imperative to release Patricia immediately. Family requested a meeting with Governor’s office on Aug 26^th

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Go to www.facts1.net for article in paper

Families to Amend California’s Three Strikes – FACTS

3982 So Figueroa St #210, CA 90037 213.746.4844 www.facts1.net

Families to Amend California’s Three Strikes 3982 So Figueroa St #210 Los Angeles, CA 90037 213.746.4844 www.facts1.net

Cotton Spider and Wooden Cart Prevent Commutation of Sentence?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“COTTON SPIDER AND A WOODEN CART PROHIBIT CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR BROWN FROM SIGNING CLEMENCY
Will A Cotton Spider and Wooden Cart Cause Patricia Wright To Die In A California Prison?

BlogTalkRadio

“The Nancy Lockhart Show’” tackles injustices and actively obtains results.

California – July 18, 2011 – The question “Will a cotton spider and a Wooden Cart cause Patricia Wright To Die In A California Prison?” Many years ago Patricia Wright visited a model home with her young son. After touring the home Patricia learned that her son had taken a cotton spider and wooden cart out of the children's play room of the model home. Patricia had no idea of this but, ended up with a misdemeanor in the state of California.

Patricia Wright CDC#W79941, is wrongly convicted and currently housed at Central California Women's Skilled Nursing Facility as she is terminally ill. Patricia is requesting that Governor Brown commute her sentence as, the Board of Pardon's and Parole is in agreement with her release.

The INNOCENCE PROJECT at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, NY has accepted Patricia's case and is working on proving her innocence; however, Patricia is dying.

Patricia was convicted in 1998 of her ex-husband’s 1981 murder, no physical or forensic evidence or, eyewitnesses tie her to the crime, she adamantly denies any involvement, and crime scene fingerprints exclude her.

Read about her story at, http://justicedenied.org/issue/issue_38/patricia_wright_jd_issue_38.pdf

Arletta Wright, Patricia's sister, has joined The Nancy Lockhart Show seeking the public's assistance to release her terminally ill sister. The Cotton Spider and Wooden Cart were upgraded to a felony after the wrongful conviction. A COTTON SPIDER and WOODEN CART Prohibit Commutation.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thenancylockhartshow/2011/07/12/patricia-wright--compassionate-medical-release

About “The Nancy Lockhart Show”

“The Nancy Lockhart Show” is an internationally interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that tackels injustices and actively obtains results. The stream and archives are available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thenancylockhartshow.

Press Contact

Arletta Wright - 951-520-7811

Nancy Lockhart, M.J. (843) 217-4649

thenancylockhartshow@gmail.com

Change.org|Start an Online Petition »

Summary Of Patricia Wright's Current Issues

Patricia Wright CDC#W79941, is wrongly convicted and currently housed at Central California Women's Skilled Nursing Facility. Patricia is requesting that Governor Brown commute her sentence as, the Board of Pardon's and Parole is in agreement with her release. The board cannot release her according to California's laws until governor Brown commutes the sentence.

The INNOCENCE PROJECT at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, NY has accepted Patricia's case and is working on proving her innocence; however, Mrs. Wright is suffering from the last stages of cancer.

Patricia was convicted in 1998 of her ex-husband’s 1981 murder, no physical or forensic evidence or, eyewitnesses tie her to the crime, she adamantly denies any involvement, and crime scene fingerprints exclude her. Read about her story at, http://justicedenied.org/issue/issue_38/patricia_wright_jd_issue_38.pdf

Arletta Wright, Patricia's sister, will join us in asking for the public's assistance to release her terminally ill sister.