the Scott Sisters received double life terms each for $11 ….
Jamie and Gladys Scott are blood sisters and have been wrongfully convicted of armed robbery. The sisters received double life terms each. No one was murdered or injured during this robbery. One witness testified that the robbery netted about $11, another said that around $200 bucks was in his wallet. Witnesses and the two alleged victims testified that the sisters had absolutely nothing to do with this robbery. Witnesses also testified that the sheriff coerced and threatened them to lie on the Scott Sisters. The sisters have been in prison since October of 1994.
As if that weren’t bad enough, these young women received incompetent legal representation at the lower court trial. Their attorneys, Firnist J. Alexander, Jr. and Gail Shaw-Pierson failed to interview and subpoena witnesses, only calling one witness when there were several. Incredibly, the jury never even heard any testimony from the alleged victims. The sisters were advised to not testify on their own behalf by their attorneys, Alexander and Shaw-Pierson, denying them the opportunity to speak for themselves.
In October of 1994, Jamie and Gladys Scott were sentenced to extraordinary double life terms each in prison, even though neither sister had prior convictions and there was no violence involved in these charges.
The four State’s witnesses provided conflicting testimony and one alleged accuser was not called to testify – he was not questioned or subpoenaed by defense attorneys Firnist J. Alexander, Jr. or Gail Shaw-Pierson. Witnesses admitted however, that reports prepared by the Sheriff, of their descriptions of the event contained no such claim. In other words, the sisters were not present. Jamie and Gladys Scott were not involved in the armed robbery and they did not conspire to plan such. Witnesses all testified that they were coerced and threatened by Deputy Sheriff Marvin Williams. Testimony also revealed that Marvin Williams prepared statements of the events from the night of December 24, 1994 BEFORE obtaining signatures and BEFORE the witnesses were brought into his office. In other words, the statements were not written by witnesses. Three affidavits exist – they all state that the Scott Sisters were not involved in this robbery. One affidavit is written by a trustee of the local jail, his account of the facts reveal that a wallet was located a few days after this alleged robbery and that wallet contained the photo ID of one of the alleged victims of the trumped up robbery and three twenty dollar bills. The trustee also reveals that there was NOT a robbery, he was also threatened to be sent to Parchman Penitentiary if he told the truth.
According to the Request for Commutation of Sentence and/or Pardon prepared by attorney Chokwe Lumumba, the Scott Sisters challenged their convictions on direct appeal; arguing that there was insufficient evidence to convict them, and the guilty verdict was against the overwhelming weight of evidence, which should have exonerated them. The court of appeals found no error and affirmed the convictions on December 17, 1996. As a result, they filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the Supreme Court, which was denied on May 15, 1997. They consequently filed an Application for Leave to File Motion to Vacate Conviction pursuant to the Mississippi Post Conviction Collateral Relief Act. The Supreme Court also denied that application.
This family is shell-shocked, yet determined to fight on. They have tried to have faith that at some point this unbelievable travesty would be corrected and their upside-down lives righted. Yet 16 long years later nothing has changed, the women’s five children are still being raised by their now ailing mother, and their father has died of a massive heart attack because of this. The emotional strain this burden has placed upon their family is immeasurable.
Jamie Scott, who entered the prison system as a healthy young woman, is now suffering from complete kidney failure and other life-threatening medical conditions. Since January, 2010 Jamie has endured almost weekly severe health setbacks that the state has either outright refused to address or handled in a slipshod manner. Jamie has had weeks of serious infections that could have taken her life, has gone into shock, been given sporadic dialysis treatments, and suffered the state’s refusal to provide her with adequate nutrition as required for her serious medical condition. She is now at Stage 5 (end stage) of this disease, the next stage being death.
Jamie writes, “What began as an implication and outright miscarriage of justice, has catapulted to destroy an entire family. Gladys was a 19 year old pregnant mother, and myself, Jamie, a 22 year old mother during the time of our arrest, conviction and sentencing for a crime we did not commit.” She continued, “We are convinced that once this chain of events is exposed and unraveled, the events that occurred, the lives that have been destroyed, the pain and suffering the citizens of Scott County have endured; everyone will be utterly amazed, astonished and compelled to assist us in our plight for freedom. We pray that the people would insist upon an investigation into their misconduct and miscarriage of justice.”
Gladys and Jamie’s older brother has served in the US Army for over 22 years, while his sisters remain victims of wrongful convictions in the very country that he proudly represents. The defendants and their family are wholly depending on support from the press, organizations, and all those dedicated to justice in making this debacle as public as possible.
From: Nancy Lockhart (Facebook)
Mrs. Rasco would like to thank everyone for making calls and sending e-mails regarding Jamie's surgical procedure today. Our calls and e-mails gained positive results.
If it were not for your many calls and e-mails I'm certain that Jamie's health would be much worse than it currently is ~ Thank you!
As soon as we are able to speak with Jamie I will provide a followup posting.
In Solidarity,
Nancy Lockhart
From: Nancy Lockhart
----
Dear Supporters:
Jamie was hospitalized this weekend but, is now in the prison infirmary. The hospital scheduled surgery for her this morning at 8:30am to unclog the fistula in her arm which is used for dialysis treatments. Jamie was not taken back to the hospital for this surgery.
Please write Dr. Gloria Perry, cc Christopher Epps and Margaret Binghman. Flood their offices with e-mails and ask them to have this surgical procedure done immediately at the hospital. Your e-mails and phone calls have saved Jamie's life in the past and will continue to do so. Let these officials know that Jamie needs to be in a hospital NOW!
Dr. Gloria Perry - gperry@mdoc.state.ms.us
Margaret Bingham - mbingham@mdoc.state.ms.us
Christopher Epps - CEPPS@mdoc.state.ms.us
You may also call.- Dr. Gloria Perry - (601) 359-5155
Margaret Bingham- 601-932-2880
Christopher Epps - 601-359-5600
Thank you,
Nancy Lockhart, M.J.
Created by: I Demand Justice for the Scott Sisters, Adam Reza, Nancy Lockhart
March on Jim Hood's Office in the name of Justice - Freedom Riders Part II
December 22 · 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Walter Sillers Building 550 High Street Ste. 1200 Jackson, MS 39201
We are marching to Mississippi!!! From New York, From Massachusetts, From California, From South Carolina...from all 50 STATES!!!!
MARCH ON THE MISSISSIPPI ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE!!!!
JUSTICE WILL REIGN IN MISSISSIPPI ONCE AGAIN!!!
...
The Scott Sisters have been in jail in Mississippi for 15 years. They are facing double life imprisonment for $11 robbery. They had no prior arrests, no criminal record, and no one was injured. There was no evidence to whatsoever to implicate them. The jury deliberated for 36 minutes and handed down double life sentences for each of the Scott Sisters. Many of the witnesses in the case testified to being coerced to give false testimony against the Scott Sisters. How is this justice? MS Attorney General Jim Hood has assigned Charlie Rubisoff, an Investigator in his office to further investigate matters. As Americans, justice is the glue that holds our democracy together. Stand in solidarity with the Scott Sisters and make sure that justice is preserved by calling the Mississippi Attorney Generals office at 601-359-3680 and ask to speak with Investigator Charlie Rubisoff. Demand an investigation in to the case of the Scott Sisters and ask they be exonerated from these charges.
We are marching on Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hoods Office to DEMAND THE SCOTTS SISTERS BE FREED!!!!
We are looking for organizers.
Please contact marchonjimhoodsoffice@yahoo.com
From: Nancy Lockhart
-----
Thank you all who have called to demand justice for the Scott Sisters.
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has assigned an individual to investigate the case of the Scott Sisters. His name is Charlie Rubisoff. If you have any information that will help in freeing the Scott Sisters, please send it to : chrub@ago.state.ms.us Thank you.
Sincerely, Kambiz Mostofi
____________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1st, 2010
Contact: Kambiz Mostofi, 818-451-6472
Life Imprisonment for $11 Robbery (Jackson, MS) – On Christmas Eve in 1993, sisters Jamie and Gladys Scott left a mini-mart near their home in Scott County, Mississippi. Their car broke down. They hitched a ride from two young men, one of whom they knew. Later that evening the two men were robbed at gunpoint by three teenagers in another car. The robbers took an estimated $11 from the two young men. No one was hurt. Police accused the Scott sisters of setting the victims up.
Their father, James “Hawk” Rasco had experienced problems with law enforcement after he moved his family from Chicago back to Scott County, Mississippi. Rasco took over a nightclub previously owned by a nephew who had turned state’s evidence in a case against the “High White Sheriff” of Scott County, Glenn Warren. In the case of the Scott Sisters, the gun allegedly used in the robbery was never located, and the “stolen” wallet was recovered according to an affidavit by a trustee of the jail.
Jamie Scott is currently suffering from kidney failure and is gravely ill due to the care she is receiving at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) in Pearl, Mississippi. Jamie’s condition has grown more critical prompting many groups in Mississippi to start writing letters and making phone calls to elected officials.
Civil Rights Advocate Dr. Adam Reza said “The people of Mississippi demand an investigation into the case of the Scott Sisters and we call on Attorney General Jim Hood to personally look in to the health of Jaime Scott. This is the United States of America and the Scott Sisters are entitled to their civil rights. We shall pursue legal action against the state of Mississippi if matters are not rectified.”
>
Terrance Scott - The Son Of Jamie Scott
Mrs. Rasco has asked that I inform all supporters that Terrance Scott snapped and has been arrested for Carjacking, armed robbery and etc., etc. Terrance is Jamie Scott's son.
I've spoken with Terrance myself personally on numerous occasions and he has stated time and time again that if his mother and aunt had to die in prison for something they did not do - he wanted to die in prison as well.
Terrance also expressed this on video via the documentary which is being currently filmed for The Scott Sisters. I regretfully have to inform you that Terrance has carried out that which he said he wanted to do for some time. He has felt that his mother and aunt would never get out of prison and he felt that he had a need to die in prison.
I'm including a link to an article and feel the least that I can do is call the television stations and let them know the ins and outs of this.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20100804/NEWS01/100804011/Robbery-carjacking-suspect-19-caught
Regretfully,
Nancy Lockhart
ACT NOW!! CALL, WRITE, AND BROADLY DISTRIBUTE!!
Contact the Mississippi Attorney General
Telephone: 601-359-3680
MS Attorney General's Office
Walter Sillers Building
550 High Street, Suite 1200
Jackson, MS 39201
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1st, 2010
Contact: Kambiz Mostofi, 818-451-6472
Life Imprisonment for an $11 Robbery
(Jackson, MS) – On Christmas Eve in 1993, sisters Jamie and Gladys Scott left a mini-mart near their home in Scott County, Mississippi. Their car broke down. They hitched a ride from two young men, one of whom they knew. Later that evening the two men were robbed at gunpoint by three teenagers in another car. The robbers took an estimated $11 from the two young men. No one was hurt. Police accused the Scott sisters of setting the victims up.
Their father, James “Hawk” Rasco had experienced problems with law enforcement after he moved his family from Chicago back to Scott County, Miss. Rasco took over a nightclub previously owned by a nephew who had turned state’s evidence in a case against the “High White Sheriff” of Scott County, Glenn Warren.
In the case of the Scott Sisters, the gun allegedly used in the robbery was never located, and the “stolen” wallet was recovered according to an affidavit by a trustee of the jail.
Jamie Scott is currently suffering from kidney failure and is gravely ill due to the care she is receiving at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) in Pearl, Mississippi. Jamie’s condition has grown more critical prompting many groups in Mississippi to start writing letters and making phone calls to elected officials.
Civil Rights Advocate Dr. Adam Reza said “The people of Mississippi demand an investigation into the case of the Scott Sisters and we call on Attorney General Jim Hood to personally look in to the health of Jaime Scott. This is the United States of America and the Scott Sisters are entitled to their civil rights. We shall pursue legal action against the state of Mississippi if matters are not rectified.”
IF YOU WISH TO DONATE, PLEASE SEND MONEY ORDER TO:
MRS. EVELYN RASCO
P.O. BOX 7100
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32534
