Letter to the Editor
Keep potlatch
Published Friday, November 21, 2008
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To the editor:
Hello, I am the sister of Marvin Roberts, a wrongfully accused man. First and foremost: Marvin, Kevin Pease, George Frese and Eugene Vent are innocent. There is no evidence to have accused them.
During the exact time of John Hartman’s murder and Frank Dayton’s mugging (who testified that it wasn’t them who did it) Marvin was at a public dance with numerous alibis; George was seen by two people walking with nine people down Cushman Street; Eugene and Kevin were at a party with 14 people. In all cases, the times and places of “what really happened” corroborated the innocence of all people involved, only to be dismissed by blind justice. Why?
My family and I recently traveled to Arizona to visit Marvin during the annual Native potlatch, only to be extremely disappointed in our treatment there. They had starved us all day when we were expecting to be fed sometime, anytime before we had to go; only to finally be fed 15 minutes before we left! We had to speed-eat before being shoved out of there like a herd of cattle. Many people didn’t get the “hot or cold” portion of their meal.
Terribly, a new assistant warden is against this wonderful potlatch. She outright told the inmates that if it was up to her (which thankfully it isn’t) there would be no potlatch, and there was “no purpose” in having one. What a thing to say, and how unfair it is for these inmates to be treated so unjustly? We were all sitting there stunned and appalled by her actions taken to purposely spite us.
Regardless of this woman’s shameless antics, this potlatch was greatly appreciated. We all received beautiful gifts that these inmates obviously took a while to make for us. Not only that, there was traditional dancing that was truly enjoyed by all. We thank the state of Alaska for any time and effort in assuring that this potlatch goes on the way it is meant to be. We feel that this new assistant warden was wrong and our voices should be heard.
Community Discussion
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Alaska Constitution Article-1, Declaration of Rights; Resident preference states; the state has the power to grant preferences on the base of Alaska residency. This clearly acknowledge inmate residency is Alaska and may have violation questions of the AK constitution when it sends it's Alaska's inmates outside of Alaska. This is the same as when you leave Alaska the permanent fund office is very interested in your residency outside of the State. There is no stupid questions when it comes to the Law.
Do we pay for potlatches for everyone in Alaska? Sorry, I don't know the tradition, but why should a prison offer an annual potlatch meal to inmates and their guests?
Please, teach me.
.
Sorry, based on the evidence I read about and the confession of one of them, the verdicts, while sad, were just and rational.
I guess this will keep coming back periodically like the proverbial vampire rising from his coffin just after sunset.
"I am the sister of Marvin Roberts, a wrongfully accused man... (and) Marvin, Kevin Pease, George Frese and Eugene Vent are innocent. There is no evidence to have accused them...."
I thought they were tried, convicted, and sentenced. Apparently there was some evidence to suggest that they murdered John Hartman. I'm also guessing that by now the appeals process has run it's course and been denied. Is there any new evidence? Just declaring their innocence forever and always isn't going to help them (now or next year or in ten years)...
Sharon,
I am so sorry for your families pain and suffering. Not only for the way you and other Natives were treated in Arizona, but for the convictions overall.
I speak from personal experience when it comes to having a loved one 'lost' to the Arizona prison. I am glad that it was possible for you to visit your brother.
I truly believe these young men did not commit this crime. With that, I hope you and your family will have a great Thanksgiving.
Regardless of the crime or innocence, these people do have families. They are paying their debts to society, and they are people to be treated with respect if they follow the rules. the potlatch sounds like a wonderful program and I am glad that it went on, despite her issues. I would suggest writing to the local newspaper in her town, at least make her colleges aware of her treatment of you all.
Sharon, I'm glad your family was able to visit your brother. Especially your Mother, as I think of her often. What a heartbreaking time it's been for everyone involved. Regarding the Potlatch, that is terrible to be treated that way. The Potlatch is our Native way of life, our tradition. Of course, some of you out there "don't get it"...it's because you were not brought up living by our Traditions and beliefs. May God Bless all people with his love and strength, and may you all give thanks, despite your circumstances.
The author seems confused about prisoner's rights versus human rights.
Read this:
The movement for prisoners' rights is based on the principle that prisoners, even though they are deprived of liberty, are still entitled to basic human rights. Advocates for prisoners' rights argue that they are often deprived of very basic human rights, with the cooperation of the prison authorities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoners'_...
Nowhere does it say Potlachs and cultural celebrations are a human right. They are a liberty. Those liberties are taken away when they become prisoners. The assistant warden is correct. Just be lucky you can do this at all.
ditto to the above. Of course you're family and think they are innocent. Do you ever stop and think for a second how John Hartmans family feels? Too bad so sad for your brother, he deserves what he is getting.
"First and foremost: Marvin, Kevin Pease, George Frese and Eugene Vent are innocent. There is no evidence to have accused them."
First and foremost, the accusation is not what landed them in prison, it was the conviction. The conviction based on their actions. This is truly ridiculous that we have a letter to the editor pop up every few weeks to protest the conviction of these "men".
Second of all, while I respect the tradition of a potlatch, the expectation of being involved in one while you are in prison is ridiculous, let alone the complaints about it not being good enough. The fact that there was a potlatch to begin with is more than he should have gotten. Typical entitled attitude. What's next, not enough cable channels? Please.
"Terribly, there is a new assistant warden who is against this wonderful potlach" I can't recall the last time I heard the words wonderful, and prison used in the same thought process, other than "it is wonderful that someone who killed another person is in prison".
You think it's tough living with the lack of rights that your brother has? Try walking in John Harmans family shoes for a day...you want to talk about rights being taken away?!?
Our system of justice is not perfect; some people really are wrongfully convicted. Evidence suggests that minorities are more likely than whites to be wrongfully convicted. While it's good that so many Fairbanksans have such faith in the system, the fact of the matter is that the system occasionally makes mistakes. The evidence against these young men is not particularly overwhelming, and most of us will never know for a fact whether they are guilty or innocent. The least we can do is not to add to the suffering of their loved ones with cheap, insensitive remarks.
they were all convicted by a jury of their peer. BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. these trashy men all got what they deserved. Poor John Hartman wasnt able to live his life like he should have been. Quit whining about it, learn it, live it love it. LOL
Right you are, jdub. They sure did get what they deserved, and rightfully so!
Perhaps if we are to deny potlach for native inmates, we should not provide Turkey and trimmings for Thanksgiving, Christmas etc. Matter of fact let's try bread and water.
I don't know about the four accused, but I will not deny the family members the right to protest, if they sincerely feel the four were wrongly convicted. There was some evidence to that effect some time ago, but I foget what it was all about. There are a number of people who have been released from death row because of DNA who were found guilty by a jury of their peers.
Perhaps it would do people credit if they would remember inmates, no matter their crime were once infants who were held and loved, as they grew to adulthood, the same as yours and mine. No matter the inmate the family is innocent.
Please do not give me that garbage about good homes, and proper bringing up. I know many good homes where children have taken a wrong turn. In a number of good homes finances have been sufficient to allow adequate defense.
There is one defense attorney in town who truly believes his client was wrongly convicted in that trial, and continues to work for that man. Don't know about anyone else but if my child were convicted wrongly, I would do the same as the family members of these four.
Those of you who are so quick to say these young men were guilty - take some time and read the interrogation reports. I believe the Hartman Murder feature series link is still on the News-Miner's front page. It is shameful how the police forced "confessions" from these men. And Marvin Roberts NEVER confessed, but maintained his innocence throughout. I felt sick when I read the documents accompanying this series.
Thank you alaskaflower. I agree that clearly there are facts in this case that our illustrious cops and investigators ignored in their haste to close it. Without exploring ALL the evidence and leads these young men were convicted and sentenced. Now maybe they were actually guilty and maybe they weren't but the investigation left questions unanswered and that is just wrong in a town of this size. The biggest shame in this is that those who DO actually know what happened that night haven't had the heart to tell the truth so that we would truly know whether the correct people are in prison or not.
As to the potlatch, I am sorry for the families but I have to agree with those who have little sympathy. There are no liberties in prison other than those allowed by the prison system of the State and justly or not that is where these boys are. You really should be grateful that you were allowed the liberty of the potlatch at all. When they are once again free men, for whatever reason, there will be time for all of the celebration that you wish. Until then, be grateful for the special treatment that you are given, regardless of the attitude by those giving it.
I never followed this case. Don't know if they are guilty or innocent. But I have observed our legal system and it reminds me of fusion.
Its difficult to explain, it feeds on itself, and it will burn your a$$.
A legal system should be able to be interpreted, understood, and used by the lay person. Ours is a racket.
I have mixed feelings about this case. I do think these four men were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Are they innocent? Are they guilty? What I do know is that John Hartman was a teenage boy who was beat and left for dead, several years ago. He did not get to see his future. Potlatch is one of those things important to us as a people, much as church or religion is to the greater society. I think you should be grateful for what you were provided and that seeing your brother in prison was the most important thing of all. Maybe the focus should be on moving all Alaskan prisoners back to Alaska...
How can anyone believe that our legal system seeks truth and justice? Our legal system is a game of strategy played between the state's attorney and the defense attorney. The winner is the attorney who is most convincing. It isn't about evidence or facts; it's about showmanship and charisma. In the Hartman case the police had no evidence that placed any of the four accused with John Hartman; they were unable to show a motive; there was no eyewitness; no fingerprints; no blood. The so-called "confession" of one of the accused was a fabrication repeated over and over by interrogators until the teenager, still suffering from the effects or aftereffects of intoxication finally said "If my friends say I did it then I must have done it". Some confession. Marvin Roberts, who was not with the others that night, was unwavering in his demand for a lie detector test so that he could prove his innocence to the police. He was never given the opportunity to take a lie detector test. The police and the district attorney ignored conflicting evidence; they ignored witnesses that knew these men were somewhere else when the crime was committed. They did no investigation of the people that John Hartman spent the day and evening with; no investigation of the last known person to see John Hartman alive, Christopher Stone. No investigation of Christopher Stone's previous run-in with Dale Depue and Shawn Aldridge who were shortly thereafter convicted of beating, kicking (sound familiar), then slitting the throat of a taxi driver over a cocaine deal. No investigation was made of the world of drugs and crime that were part of John Hartman's family legacy. The police did not investigate this crime in any meaningful way. Instead they developed a theory about who and why and then set out to find someone to fit their theory.
There are many people who know absolutely that these four young men could not have been in two places at once and therefor know that they are innocent. When an injustice has been created, people must never allow themselves to forget or to be silent. That Marvin's sister continues to write, organize, and be vocal about his innocence demonstrates courage and strength of character. More should follow her lead.
If the state imprisons a citizen, then the state should assume responsibility for the supervision of that prisoner. Alaska needs to bring prisoners home from Arizona and other Outside prisons. Innocent or guilty, these are human beings in our prisons and they have families who have the need to visit. Sending Alaska prisoners Outside makes family visits next to impossible.
Alaska Natives imprisoned in Arizona are removed from family, culture, and traditional food. An annual potlatch is an important symbol and it is a critical element in maintaining the cultural and family networks that are essential to rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Sharon,
Many people KNOW that Marvin did not commit this crime. The system failed not only the accused but the victim's family by not solving this crime.
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