(2005-06-09) Justice for Mothers and Children (JMC) helping Leisa Pyatt apply for Clemency
Leisa Pyatt requesting clemency from NJ Governor
Sandra Ramos, founder of the first battered women's shelter in North America and presently executive director of Strengthen Our Sisters Shelter for homeless/battered women and children, led a press conference and peaceful vigil at the state house annex in Trenton on May 5th. The event was organized to bring attention to the plight of a young woman who has spent 12 years in prison for defending herself and her baby in a domestic violence attack in 1993.
A representative from the governor's office met with the group after the press conference and supplied the clemency application papers, which were given to Leisa and her family to prepare for submission to the governor this week.
Leisa Pyatt, who faces another 18 years in prison before a parole review has claimed from the beginning that her fiancé Kevin was accidentally injured when he was assaulting her in a drunken rage. When he vowed to kill her and her baby if she did not give him the keys to the car, she grabbed a fishing knife from the drawer he’d kicked open, and put it between them. In the ensuing struggle, he was injured when the knife penetrated his chest 3/4 of an inch. He later died at the hospital, where expert medical witnesses claimed he was not treated properly, and therefore should not have died from the wound. But, Judge Citta did not allow the jury to hear this, or other important testimony during the trial and Leisa was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
For example," The jury never heard the testimony of people who had witnessed Kevin trying to choke her on the balcony of their apartment minutes before Leisa re-emerged screaming for help, and they were never shown the photographs showing choke marks on Leisa's neck," said Anna Marie Tait, Director of the Spirit of the Law Legal Clinic and member of JMC.
Sandra Ramos added, "Leisa Pyatt is in prison for trying to PROTECT her child's life. During her 12 years in prison, she has seen women who have KILLED their own children, come and go."
Paul Bergrin, the attorney, who handled Leisa's most recent appeal said, "In my 25 years of practice, as a former prosecutor, US Attorney, Military Officer, Military Attorney, and Defense Lawyer, I have never seen a greater travesty of justice to any human being."
"We read the entire transcript of Leisa's trial, which filled 2 boxes, before getting involved", said Karin Westdyk. program director of the battered women's shelter, "We were very thorough and would not have become involved if we had any doubts. It is clear to us all that justice was not served in this case and there were far too many irregularities."
"For example, Westdyk added, "in an interview, Leisa's parents told us that an experienced legal aid attorney, who believed manslaughter or an acquittal would be the outcome of the trial, was pulled from Leisa’s case just weeks before the trial, and was threatened with losing her job if she continued to pursue actions toward representing her. Leisa’s new assigned attorney had never tried a murder case, had barely talked to Leisa and her family before the trial (despite many calls to his office), and failed to present a plea bargain to her when it was offered to him".
Anna Marie Tait said, "There were many other problems with this trial as well, and it is interesting to note that the domestic violence laws have changed since her trial. Today she would have been considered a hero for saving her son and herself from becoming a statistic. The law changed for a reason and should be a consideration as Leisa applies for clemency from Governor Cody."
Chairman and Founder of the New Jersey based Evergreen Philanthropic Foundation John Ignozza has been following Leisa's case for several years. He said, " I cannot comprehend that our legal system has allowed such blind injustice in the case of Leisa Pyatt, who acted in self-defense while protecting her child. No judge has ever taken the time to really examine this case – 40 years for doing what any mother would or should have done is the real crime".
Other JMC members brought into question Judge Citta’s ability to make good judicial decisions in not permitting the jury to hear important testimony. Judge Citta not only presided over Leisa's trial and prevented the jury from hearing crucial evidence, but he also denied two of Leisa's subsequent appeals. They cited the Manzie case, where Judge Citta sent a disturbed violent 15-year-old boy home with instructions to be a good boy, despite pleas from his parents to place him in protective custody. Three days later, Sam Manzie enticed 11 year old Eddie Werner into his home, sexually assaulted him, strangled him, and stuffed the boy’s body into a suitcase.
The Justice for Mothers and Children group worked with Leisa and her family to develop a chronology and summary of the events of her trial. The document contains an account of what happened in Leisa's own words, followed by an Appendix prepared by the committee. This was distributed at the press conference and is available online at http://strengthenoursisters.org/pyatt.html.
The Justice for Mothers and Children group have been gathering letters of support to accompany Leisa's clemency appeal. Those interested in helping should send 2 signed letters requesting clemency for Leisa, to Governor Richard Cody, POB 001, Trenton, NJ with The words "Leisa Pyatt Clemency Support" on the envelope. Those seeking additional information or wanting to help can call Sandra Ramos at 973-831-6156.
About Us: We are an organization helping battered women and children
Contact Info: Sandra Ramos
973-831-6156
info@sisdv.org
Additional:
Company: Strengthen Our Sisters
Country: United States
Contact: Sandra Ramos
Website: www.sosdv.org
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Phone: 973-831-6156
