Status Update 7/13/09

Hello Everyone,
The year is flying by and still we wait to see if our attorneys will be granted oral arguments for the appeal. Why it always takes so long we just don't know but we persevere for the love of Brandon.
On Saturday, June 27th we joined the Freedom March for the wrongly convicted. Some sad statistics from their press release:

MARCH FOR THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED
- IT'S ESTIMATED THAT 10% OF ALL PRISONERS IN THE U.S. HAVE BEEN WRONGFULLY CONVICTED.
- THOSE WHO ARE EXONERATED SPEND AN AVERAGE OF 12 YEARS INCARCERATED.
- IN THE LAST 3 DECADES, 238 AMERICANS HAVE BEEN EXONERATED WITH DNA EVIDENCE.
- MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED HAVE BEEN EXONERATED FROM DEATH ROW.

The organizers represent those who have been wrongly convicted due to false testimony, prosecutorial misconduct, jury misconduct, disproportionate sentencing, misapplication of the law and so many other reasons. The day was an opportunity to put a face on the plight of these inmates and their families. For more information you can visit acwip.net and rayeofhope.org.

Brandon has had a challenging year on the inside but is hanging in there. A dear friend and supporter has brought his artistic talent to the attention of art dealers and they are interested in showing his work. That has given him such a great boost. Recently he did not have access to his art supplies and crafted a paintbrush from human hair so he could try his hand at painting with Kool Aid. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Thanks always for your support,
Gene and Janice Hein