San Quentin News

Written By Incarcerated - Advancing Social Justice

Cómplices ya no serán considerados automáticamente culpables de asesinato

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A partir del 1 de Enero del 2019, debido a un cambio en la regla de asesinato agravado, los cómplices ya no serán considerados automáticamente culpables de asesinato por participar en crímenes como el robo a mano armada. La ley es retroactiva.

El 30 de Septiembre, el Gobernador Jerry Brown convirtió la Proposición 1437 del Senado en ley. La proposición presentada por la Senadora Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), impedirá que los cómplices, quienes no tuvieron la intención de cometer homicidio durante la ejecución de ciertas felonías, sean encontrados culpables de asesinato por el fiscal de distrito, por un de asesinato cometido por sus compañeros.

La regla antigua de asesinato agravado en California estipula que cuando un acusado o su cómplice cometen ciertas felonías y alguien es asesinado, ambos son culpables de asesinato en primer grado.

“El estatuto de asesinato en California trata irracionalmente a las personas que no cometieron el asesinato, de igual manera que aquellos si cometieron el asesinato”, comentó Skinner en una declaración después que Brown firmará la proposición en ley, de acuerdo a un artículo en el Rolling Stone.

“La Proposición del Senado 1437 aclara que hay una distinción que reserva el castigo más severo para aquellos que participaron directamente en la muerte”.

Bajo la nueva ley, un cómplice que en realidad no cometió el asesinato, todavía puede ser encontrado responsable si participó en el crimen subyacente con la intención de asesinar, ayudar, instigar, aconsejar, ordenar, inducir, solicitar, pedir o ayudar al verdadero asesino a cometer el crimen. También, si el cómplice fue un participante principal en la felonía subyacente y haya actuado con imprudencia e indiferencia por la vida humana o cuando la víctima fuera alguien a quien el culpable debió haber conocido como oficial de la policía actuando en la línea del deber, bajo estas circunstancias el cómplice todavía seria culpable asesinato agravado.

Richard Zorns, un residente de San Quentin, fue encontrado culpable de asesinado agravado en primer grado hace 29 años por conducir el vehículo para huir de un asalto a mano armada.

Zorns señaló que participó en el asalto en un intento equivocado de resolver sus problemas familiares.

“La crisis familiar me tenía abrumado e impaciente y pensé que podría solucionarlo con dinero”, expresó Zorns.

Participar en el asalto empeoró las cosas para Zorns. De acuerdo a su Lifer Prisoner Evaluation Report, dos cómplices asaltaron un mercado ambulante mientras Zorns esperaba afuera en un vehículo Thunderbird blanco. Al intentar escapar, un agente de seguridad atrapó a uno de ellos y el otro cómplice le disparó tres veces al guardia, quitándole la vida. Los dos cómplices huyeron de la escena del crimen en un automóvil conducido por Zorns. Para encontrar a Zorns culpable de asesinato, la fiscalía solo tenía que comprobar que participó en el asalto.

Bajo la nueva ley de asesinato agravado, la fiscalía tendría que comprobar que Zorns ayudó a sus cómplices a retirarse de la escena del crimen sabiendo que sus compañeros de crimen acababan de asesinar a un guardia de seguridad aunque él no lo haya observado.

“Digan lo que digan, mi acción contribuyó a que alguien fuera asesinado y siempre estaré arrepentido,” Zorns comentó, “Mi madre sabe que no tenía intenciones de lastimar a nadie”.

Se estima que de 400 a 800 personas encarceladas en California por muerte agravada tendrán la oportunidad de solicitar una nueva sentencia a la corte, aun cuando hayan aceptado una oferta, según el Rolling Stone.

La corte debe anular la sentencia e imponer una nueva sentencia a las personas que se encuentran en la prisión por asesinato agravado o asesinato bajo la teoría de consecuencias probables y naturales a quienes califican para una liberación bajo la nueva ley.

“Nadie merece ser asesinado, así que me entristece que alguien fuera asesinado, pero siento alivio por tener una segunda oportunidad”, expresó Zorns.

Para poder beneficiarse de este cambio en la ley, la persona tiene que realizar una petición a la corte donde fue sentenciado.

—Traduccion Por Tare Beltranchuc

Thay đổi mới trong luật cố sát

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Vì sự thay đổi trong luật cố sát, bắt đầu vào ngày 1 tháng 1 năm 2019, các đồng phạm liên quan với hung thủ thật sự sẽ không còn bị kết tội giết ngừơi vì tham gia vào những trọng tội chẳng hạn như đánh cướp bằng vũ khí. Luật này sẽ bao gồmtấtcảcácvụáncũ.

Vào ngày 30 tháng 9 năm 2018, Thống Đốc Jerry Brown đã ký và biến SB 1437 thành luật. Đạo luật này được viết bởi Thương Nghị Sĩ Nancy Skinner (đảng Dân Chủ ở Berkeley) nói rằng công tố viên không có quyền buộc tội giết ngừơi cho các đồng phạm không có ý định giết ai trong khi phạm những trọng tội khác.

Luật giết ngừơi cũ của tiểu bang California định rằng khi một chánh phạm hoặc là đồng phạm vi phạm những tội trọng hình và xẩy ra án mạng, cả hai điều sẽ bị kết tội cố sát.

“Luật giết ngừơi của tiểu bang California vô lý xử những người không giết ngừơi cũng như là kẻ giết ngừơi,” bà Skinner đã nói như thế sau khi Thống Đốc Brown ký đạo luật này, căn cứ theo bài báo của Rolling Stone, https://www. rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/california-felony-murder-reduce-hundreds-sentences-731491/ “Đạo luật SB 1437 tạo ra sự phân biệt rỏ ràng là hình phạt nặng nhất sẽ giành cho những ai trực tiếp gây ra án mạng.”

Trong đạo luật mới, đồng phạm mà không thật sự chính tay giết ngừơi vẫn bị tội nếu họ tham gia gây án với ý định giết ngừơi và “tiếp tay, bày mưu, chỉ huy, xúi giục, yêu cầu, hoặc là giúp đở” hung thủ thật sự để giết người. Và nếu đồng phạm giữ vai trò quan trọng trong lúc phạm tội và “hành động bất kể an tòan cho sinh mạng người khác” hoặc là nạn nhân “là cảnh sát đang thi hành chức vụ mà các can phạm đều biết,” thì họ vẫn bị buộc tội giết người.

Richard Zorns, hiện đang ở San Quentin, bị kết án giết người 29 năm về trước vì anh ta làm tài xế lái xế tẩu thoát trong một vụ đánh cướp bằng vũ khí.

Zorns nói rằng anh tham gia vào vụ cướp để giải quyết vài chuyện khó khăn của gia đình.

“Chuyện khó khăn trong gia đình đã làm cho tôi mất kiên nhẫn, và tôi nghĩ rằng mình có thể giải quyết chuyện đó bằng tiền,” Zorns cho biết như vậy.

Tham gia vào vụ cướp đã làm tình hình xấu hơn cho Zorns. Căn cứ theo hồ sơ của anh ta, có hai đồng phạm cướp chợ trời trong khi Zorns ngồi trong chiếc xe Thunderbird trắng đợi ở bên ngoài. Trong lúc tẩu thoát, nhân viên bảo vệ bắt được một người và người còn lại nổ ba phát súng và giết chết nhân viên bảo vệ. Sau đó hai người đồng phạm này trốn khỏi hiện trường trong chiếc xe mà Zorns lái. Để buộc tội giết người cho Zorns, quan chủ khống chỉ cần chứng minh rằng anh ta có tham gia vào vụ cướp.

Theo đạo luật giết người mới này, quan chủ khống phải chứng minh rằng Zorns lái xe đưa các đồng phạm của anh ta trốn khỏi hiện trường trong khi anh biết rằng họ đã giết một nhân viên bảo vệ.

“Dù sao đi nửa thì hành động của tôi đã làm chết một mạng người, và tôi lúc nào cũng ăn năng về chuyện đó,” Zorns nói như vậy. “Mẹ tôi vẫn biết rằng tôi không hề có ý định đả thương ai cả.”

Vào khoảng 400 đến 800 người bị cầm tù ở tiểu bang California cho tội giết người sẽ có cơ hội khiếu nại với tòa án, căn cứ theo Rolling Stone.

Tòa án phải loại bỏ và tuyên ánlạichonhữngaibịbỏtùvì tội giết người hoặc là “tội giết người vì kết qủa của những yếu tố khác” cũng đủ tiêu chuẩn để được giảm án dưới đạo luật mới.

“Không ai đáng chết cả, vì thế tôi rất đau buồn khi một người bị giết, nhưng tôi cảm thấy nhẹ nhàng hơn vì mình được thêm một cơ hội thứ hai,” Zorns nói như vậy.

Để được hưởng quyền lợi vì sự thay đổi trong luật pháp, can phạm phải nộp đơn vào tòa mà tuyên án người đó để xin được xét lại.

—Dịch Giả Hiếu Thái

Los Angeles Running Club races at San Quentin

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Known for running marathons around the world with homeless people, Judge Craig Mitchell visited a state prison with about 20 other runners for a race with the San Quentin 1000 Mile Running Club.

“This was an experience none of us will ever forget,” Justice Mitchell said.

On Oct. 13, about 21 people from all walks of life – college students, formerly incarcerated men, film & fashion industry people, a college professor, community volunteers, recovering addicts – traveled from Los Angeles to take part in the event. They represented either the Skid Row Running Club, Back on My Feet organization, or the Long Beach Running Club.

Cass Snyder, who works in the fashion industry, noted that by joining the Skid Row Running Club she met “a cross section of people I would have never met before. It’s really cool.”

At 8:30 in the morning, Snyder and the other visitors gathered with about 39 incarcerated men from the 1000 Mile Running Club on the Lower Yard in front of a baseball scoreboard that reads, “San Quentin Field of Dreams.”

While waiting for the race to begin, the groups mingled.

“The conversations all of us have enjoyed – I’m just overwhelmed by the wisdom and inspired by the commitment to do good with your lives,” Mitchell said. “We will take this outside and let people know the stereotypical images need to be obliterated.”

The day marked the first time ever outside running clubs participated in a race with the 1000 Mile Running Club members at San Quentin.

The 1000 Mile Running Club, which began in 2005, consists of incarcerated men and community volunteers, mostly from the Mount Tamalpa Running Club, who coach them. Every year the group starts training in January to run a marathon in November.

The Skid Row Running Club came about after Judge Mitchell responded to an invitation to visit the Midnight Mission, a shelter, food kitchen and rehab center. Roderick Brown, a man Mitchell once sentenced as a young man, gave Mitchell the invitation.

Mitchell decided running could help the people at the Midnight Mission. Thereafter, the Skid Row Running Club was born.

Rafael Cabrera, who served 27 years in prison, including 1984-86 at San Quentin, helped the Skid Row club arrange the race with 1000 Mile Running Club Coach Frank Rouna. Cabrera returned as a free man wearing a t-shirt that read “Finding dignity one step at a time.”

Cabrera first met Judge Mitchell, who was a deputy district attorney at the time, at his lifer parole board hearing.

“I read his c-file and thought I was going to meet one type of person then he came out and I had to put my material down,” Mitchell said. “He was a completely different human being.”

The parole board denied Cabrera a date, even though Mitchell decided not to oppose his release. Afterward, Cabrera wrote Mitchell a thank you note. Mitchell wrote back and they maintained a correspondence for seven years.

“It was a happy day when he came into my courtroom a free man,” Mitchell said.

Cabrera was happy to be able to enter San Quentin through the front door, especially knowing he could leave after the race.

Frank Ruona, Rafael Cabrera, Bernard Ballard, Judge Craig Mitchell, Eric Moody and Jordan Mitchell

Ten minutes before the race began, 1000 Mile Coach Frank Ruona made announcements.

First Ruona announced that the day would be Eddie Herena’s last race inside a prison. Herena paroled two days later.

Herena, who is about 5 foot 2, won two marathons during his time at San Quentin. He held the 1000 Mile Club’s top runner spot until Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor joined the club and broke all his records.

“I’ve been part of the 1000 Mile Running Club since I’ve been here,” Herena said. “I wanted to make a final impact. I would have loved to have beat Markelle. He’s just too fast but the races don’t stop here.”

The next announcement signaled that Herena may get a chance to race Taylor at a marathons outside the prison in 2019. The 1000 Mile Club celebrated the news that Taylor just received the day before – the parole board found him suitable for release.

Also, the 1000 Mile Club took the time to sing happy birthday to their founding sponsor, Ruona, who turned 73 years old the next day.

Christina Yoo, who is currently making a film about the 1000 Mile Club called 26.2 Miles to Life, also ran for the entire hour, and was thanked by 1000 Mile member Lee “Timbuktu” Goines. Goines, who is 61 years old, also took the time to thank his coaches.

As the countdown began for the 9:00 AM race, dozens of runners crowded the starting line. Normally, races around the San Quentin Lower Yard involve about 25 runners dodging geese to run in circles for hours seeing the same people and the same sights. This race felt like the San Francisco marathon with some 63 people involved, several of them women.

For Goines, who has been incarcerated over 32 years, running with outside community members brought back memories of his days running the New York, Boston and Los Angeles marathons. For this race, he ran with Elizabeth Sanchez of the Alternative to Violence Program in LA and full-time student Brenda Nguyen.

TIMBUKU AND FRIENDS

Nguyen heard about the Skid Row Running Club on NPR on her way to school. After seeing the documentary she joined the organization as an act of service

“People give me high fives and seem motivated just by my showing up,” Nguyen said.

Goines agreed. “It’s wonderful to run with people from the outside, they motivate me.”

Nguyen added, “It was a sound run. We talked the entire time about his life. I’m looking forward to seeing him achieve his goals.”

With so many runners, each person had to count their own laps, but Taylor started in front and ended in front, with Herena just behind guest Kevin Chalk, who took second place.

Taylor completed 9-1/8 miles in the one hour time limit while Chalk completed 8-3/4 miles.

1000 Mile Club member Chris Scull, who trained with Herena, tied him with 8-5/8 miles.

Ben Reynolds, a 44-year-old from New Zealand who moved to Los Angeles a year ago, completed 8-1/4 miles to take fourth place.

“I tried to catch the Gazelle and Eddie but they were too fast,” Reynolds said.

Another of the Skid Row Club runners was law student Jordan, the son of Judge Mitchell.

The 32-year old joined a few years ago because he appreciates its purpose and mis- sion.

“It’s always good to give when you can,” Jordan said.

About his dad, he added, “He sets an example I can aspire to.”

Professor Maryanne Hillier, who teaches at University of Southern California, said her purpose for taking part in running with the Skid Row club is because, “People in urban communities don’t feel like they are a part of society,”

“We’re trying to meet them were they’re at to encourage them.”

The 1000 Mile Club appreciated the visit. Club member Eric Moody, who completed seven miles, found the race inspiring.

Artmas “Tee” Ware of the Skid Row club also enjoyed the day.

“It’s a blessing, man, to be able to share this experience,” Ware said. “This is big. God willing, I will tell my grand-kids.”

After the experience, Cabrera said, “We were thrilled with the opportunity to run with people that were part of a running group and really enjoyed it. Running is freedom for them as much as it is for us.”

Judge Mitchell added, “This whole running program makes my life worth living.”

SQ Earthquakes keep clean sheet in 2-0 win over the Outsiders

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Acting as goal keeper for the San Quentin Earthquakes, Don Spence kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over the visiting Outsider soccer team.

“This is the first game all year we haven’t scored,” soccer program sponsor Andrew Crawford said after the game. “We played well, you guys played better.”

Both teams were short key players and had to borrow soccer players from the San Quentin B-Team.

“We have no strikers today, only a bunch of defenders,” Outsider midfielder Jordi Ortiz said.

For the San Quentin Earthquakes, the guys they borrowed made a difference.

After a scoreless first half, Jamie “Tre” Luis III, made his first goal of the season in the 53rd minute.

Luis normally plays for the B-Team.

“I finally scored against this Outsider team,” Luis said with a smile on his face.

In the 86 minute, Oscar “Flaco” Aguilar used his head to knock the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs for the second SQ Earthquakes goal.

Oscar Aguilar kicking the ball down field

Jerry Sancher-Muratalla G., a 60-year old San Quentin resident, acted as the goalkeeper for the Outsiders. He apologized after the game for allowing the goals.

“We played hard, your guys are definitely in better shape,” Outsider coach Terry Muller said. “We can’t win them all, says me after I lose.”

Overall, the Outsiders have an 8-3 record on the lower yard.

Some think uniting the best of both the SQ Earthquakes and the B-Team could lead to more wins.

“I think we could become a better team with more substitutions from the B-Team so everybody can go hard,” Aguilar said.

With the game in the record books, everyone formed a circle on the field to reflect on the game, but the moment turned into much more.

Both Garvin JoJo Robinson and Tare “Cancun” Beltranchuc expressed their gratitude to the Outsiders for providing the rehabilitative sports program that has progress beyond expectations. Last year’s guests included the former San Francisco Deltas, and this year the San Jose Earthquakes joined the program.

Plus both the San Quentin squads and the Outsiders now have uniforms and cleats.

Sponsor Crawford plans to hold a meeting with the San Quentin coaches to discuss how to make 2019 even better.

Beyond saying thank you, Beltranchuc conveyed his appreciation with a personal message about forgiveness.

“My mother was abusive to me growing up, so I was mad at her,” Beltranchuc said. “She died before I ever got the chance to tell her I forgive her and I love her. If you don’t forgive, it will tear you up inside.”

Fernando Dominguez of the Outsiders echoed Beltranchuc’s sentiments. He too fought with his father after he divorced his mother. His father died without the issues between them being resolved.

“I share the same pain.”

Senator and author share challenge of passing SB 1437

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It’s hard to get laws changed, even harder to make any revisions applicable to people already serving their time, nevertheless Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) retroactively transformed California’s felony-murder law with the help of the Re:store Justice organization and others.
“Retroactivity was the hardest part, yet it was essential because how can we fix the law, how can we tell people convicted under the unfair rule, sorry stay in prison,” Senator Skinner said. “It’s not right.”
Re:store Justice Policy Director Professor Kate Chatfield, who was the main drafter of the original bill, talked about the help it took to get the law changed. “We had the support of many grassroots organizations, and families of incarcerated people wrote letters, came to the capitol and made their loved ones human through their stories.”
Since 1978, California’s felony murder rule allowed prosecutors to seek the death penalty, life without the possibility of parole or a life sentence for anyone involved in a crime that resulted in a murder, even if they didn’t have anything to do with the actual killing and didn’t intend for someone to die. Participation in specified felonies like robbery or carjacking was enough for an accomplice to receive a first-degree murder conviction.

The California Supreme Court spoke against the felony murder rule back in 1983, calling it an outdated `barbaric’ concept,” according to a Rolling Stone article. A survey found that 72 percent of the women convicted of murder in California did not personally kill anyone. The survey was done by the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) and Re:store Justice. It also found that the average age of someone convicted as an accomplice to murder is 20 years old, according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Kate Chatfield


Past attempts to change the felony murder rule did not make it out of committee, according to Mariah Watson, a legislative aide to Senator Skinner, who also worked on the felony-murder rule bill SB 1437.
The success of the felony-murder rule revision happened when a team of passionate people joined with Senator Skinner.
“She put her heart and soul into this bill,” Watson said.
It all started with Alex Mallick of Re:store Justice.
Mallick previously worked at Human Rights Watch and volunteers at San Quentin. She started Re:store Justice in Oct. 2017.
Mallick asked Chatfield, “What could be done?”
Since law school, Chatfield has felt the felony-murder rule was unjust.
“It’s unfair one could be guilty of murder in California with no intention to kill,” Chatfield said. “The basis of the criminal justice system is fair punishment. I’m not for accomplice punishment with a life sentence for the actions of another.”
Chatfield, a University of San Francisco School of Law professor, had her students research felony murder in California and other states. Then she drafted a bill.
Mallick proposed the bill to Senator Skinner.
“In California, we pride ourselves on being progressive, on being leaders on so many issues, intellectuals on the environment…but when we look at our criminal justice system, we are the poster child of mass incarceration,” Senator Skinner said. “When we look at who is in prison, it’s poor people and people of color. There’s something wrong here, something unfair. That’s why I’m passionate about criminal justice.” Senator Skinner approved of the bill and decided to seek to change the felony-murder rule so that people without the intent to kill and who didn’t do anything to aid the killing are no longer held liable for a murder committed by their co-defendant during the commission of another crime. There is one exception to the revised felony-murder rule. In cases involving the murder of a peace officer act- ing in the line of duty, where the defendant knew or should have reasonably known the person was a peace officer, relief is not available.
Watson, Senator Skinner’s former aid, took on many of the duties associated with getting the bill passed.

“Re:store Justice brought us a version of the bill,” Watson said. “We owe our success to Alex Mallick and Re:store. They held us accountable.”
Watson said she’s motivated to see positive changes in the criminal justice system. The woman, from Inglewood, California, has a brother who has been in and out of prison since she was six. Watson worked to get Senate Bill 1437 passed for three years.

At first, a senate resolution was presented to state legisators, asking that the felony murder rule be addressed. In 2017, the lawmakers voted to do something about the felony-murder rule and Senator Skinner came back with SB 1437.
About 55 organizations sponsored SB 1437. Chatfield named ARC, Youth Justice Coalition and Felony Murder Elimination Project among them.

Watson spoke of the many mothers who fought to get their offspring out of prison, like Tina Marie. Even before Re:store Justice presented the bill, Marie came to Senator Skinner’s office seeking help for her child in prison under the old felony-murder rule, and she never stopped check- ing in until the law changed.
“Seeing mothers fighting so hard to have any hope—I felt it personally,” Watson said.
The bill also had bipartisan support from Republican Senator Joel Anderson.
District Attorneys argued against making the bill retroactive.
“District attorneys felt that the law would in- crease their workload,” Chatfield said. “It would be confusing to see who’s eligible, so some district attorneys lobbied hard against us.”

Senator Skinner argued they can better use the $80,000 a year they save by letting people out on this law, according to the Rolling Stones article.
The bill passed through the numerous stages of the state legislature.

Senator Skinner and Watson hugged on the assembly floor when, after an hour and a half, the bill got enough votes to move on to the governor’s desk.
“It was personal to me,” Watson said. “If it didn’t pass, we would have to see the faces of all the mothers. Re:store would have to see people who, if it didn’t pass, wouldn’t be coming home.”
On Sept. 30, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill into law.
“Senator Skinner is a warrior for incarcerated people,” Mallick said. “She is bringing so much hope to families around the state.”
A resentencing guide and petition are available free at www.restorecal.org. Additionally, Re:store Justice is touring all California prisons to teach people how to file for relief under the new felony-murder law.

INMATES BILLED FOR SERVICES

Prop. 57 opens a door for juvenile offenders

Judy Appel talks justice

New California youth offender bills

Runner’s challenge to track club record stymied by alarms

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Photo by Jonath Mathew- courtesy of C. Yoo

Markelle Taylor hugging Eddie
Herena after 2017 Marathon


A 40-minute disturbance at San Quentin State Prison blew incarcerated runner Eddie Herena’s chance to take back first place in the 1000 Mile Running Club’s two- hour race Sept. 7.
“It would have been the ideal ending to my difficult but triumphant prison experience,” said Herena, who paroled Oct. 20.
At 5 feet 2 inches, 137-pound Herena was the best runner in the 1000 Mile Running Club at San Quentin until Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor came along in 2015. Taylor, chiseled with long legs and zero body fat, broke all of Herena’s records.
At the two-hour race, Herena had a chance to go out on top before he left. With a graduation to attend, Herena started the race at 7 a.m., two hours early. He ran at a 6 minute and 55 seconds-per mile pace, then a correction officer announced, “All inmates down,” which signaled a disturbance was taking place somewhere inside the prison and required all incarcerated people to sit on the ground until it cleared.
The alarm delayed the race until 9:20 a.m., 40 minutes later.
“My plan was to finish before 9:15 to make the CRI graduation at 9:30,” Herena said. “But in prison you never know what’s going to happen.”
Herena had to stop running and left after the completion of only 8-1/2 miles in 58 minutes and 43 seconds.
“If he (Herena) would have been able to maintain that pace for the full two hours, he would have finished in first place for the run,” 1000 Mile Club coach and sponsor Frank Ruona said.
Virtually uncontested, Taylor came in first, covering a distance of 17-1/4 miles at a 7:17 pace.
Chris Scull placed second with 15-7/8 miles and Steve Reitz took third with 15-1/16 miles.
Newcomers Kelsey Eisenman and Vincent Contreras III impressed the coaches. Eisenman (6-3, 272 pounds) ran the whole two hours and completed 9-3/4 miles along with Contreras, who paced with him.
“Two months ago I was about 300 pounds,” said Eisenman, who paroled a week after the race. “I wanted to get in shape.”
Running with the 1000 Mile Club helped Eisenman go farther than he ever had before.
“I’ve mostly been running by myself,” Eisenman said. “This was my first time running with a group. It actually helped. Seeing everybody running kept me motivated.”
Contreras III (5-8, 195 pounds) didn’t think he could complete the race.
“He said he (Eisenman) was going to do it, so I said I’d do it with him so he’d have somebody to jog with,” Contreras III said. “It’s great to run with somebody— motivating.”
Almost everyone who started the race completed it. Twenty out of 24 men ran for the whole two hours with the sun beaming down. The other finishers were:
Fidelio Marin (15-1/6); Jonathan Chiu (14-11/16); Mark Jarosik (14-1/2); Bruce Wells (14-3/8); John Levin (14-1/4); Michael Keeyes (13- 7/8); Larry Ford (13-11/16); Tommy Wickerd (13-9/16); Dan McCoy (13-1/4); Darren Settlemyer (13); Michael Ybarra (13); Glen Mason (12- 1/2); Al Yaseng (12); Moua Vue (12); Nicola Bucci (11- 9/16); and Ernie Soltero (10- 1/2).

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San Quentin News & Wall City Merchandise

San Quentin Warriors take visiting Lincoln Hill in overtime

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Photo by Eddie Herena, SQN

Delvon Adams making a layup
while Montrell Vines trails


The visiting Lincoln Hill basketball team took the San Quentin Warriors into over- time but fell short, 77-66.
“Great game; one of the best games we had,” Lincoln Hill center Dominique Thompson said. “A lot of lead changes—tight until the end.”
Lincoln Hill, named after the church of pastor Miguel Rodriquez, visits the court on the prison yard more to win over souls than to win the game. In fact, Rodriquez had just returned from a trip to Japan, a country he says is less than 1 percent Christian, to spread the gospel. Still, Lincoln Hill goes hard every game and this time they almost won against a team that had just defeated Golden State Warriors staffers a few days prior.
The Warriors jumped out to an 18-5 lead after the first quarter, but Lincoln Hill climbed back after they heated up in the second half. With five seconds left on the clock, Lincoln Hill guard Ramon Ronquillo made an inside pass to Thompson, who made the basket to take a 25-24 lead into the break.
Thompson led all scorers with 31 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks, four steals and an assist.
Both teams gathered at center court for a message about seeking help to change from Lincoln Hill coach Cornell Swain.
“We can’t grow in isolation or on our own,” Cornell said. “We need a connection. Grow within the fellowship of brotherhood. Don’t be a weed, be a rose.”
First year Warriors guard Emerald Kemp-Aikens, who played for McClemmonds High School, addressed the guests about what the basketball program means to him. “I don’t get visits and I don’t go to church, so this is my church,” he said. “I got caught up in the streets and now I’m trying to make the best of it.”
Just before the third quarter started, Warriors Coach Rafael Cuevas expressed his concern about the score.
“You guys have us worried right now,” Cuevas said. “Nobody plays harder, and nobody prays harder than you.”
In the second half, the lead went back and forth as Warriors veteran Allan McIntosh turned his jumper up. He ended up leading the Warriors with 24 points.
With eight minutes left in the game, the Warriors were down 52-46.
“We have to hold this lead; you know how that third quarter is,” Thompson said.
McIntosh hit a jumper and followed with a three
pointer. By the five-minute mark, both teams were tied at 54-54.
With 2:30 on the clock Ronquillo put Lincoln back on top with a spin move past two Warriors for a layup that made the score 59-57.
With 47 seconds left of regulation, Lincoln led 65- 63. The Warriors trapped and caused a turnover.
The ball went to McIntosh inside and the smaller Cornell fouled to stop the easy basket. McIntosh nailed both free throws for the tie at 65- 65 with 18 seconds.
The Warriors defended the paint hard as Ronquillo tried to get to the rack. He dished the ball to teammate Chaze Russell, who shot a three-pointer. It clacked off the rim.
“We were stomping on y’alls neck but y’all came back,” Cornell said. “This is the best basketball that we play because we know it’s all love. We all family. A mil- lion fouls and we don’t get mad.”

In overtime, the Warriors dominated.
“They came out firing in the OT, and we weren’t ready for that,” Thompson said.

“I don’t get visits and I don’t go to church so this is my church”

Warrior Montrell “Jack That Thing Up” Vines scored seven of his nine points in a row during the extra period. Warrior Delvon Adams followed with another four points as Lincoln Hill went cold.
“I love them (Lincoln Hill), man; every time they come in, they bring their energy and fellowship,” Vines said. “I think Dom is comfortable here. He plays more aggressive.”

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CCWP advocates mount a fight to end LWOP

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Courtesy of CCWP

Some of the 36 people serving Life Without the Possibility of Parole at CIW


Advocates are mounting a fight to end the other death penalty—life without the possibility of parole.
These “hidden death sentences” mean prisoners must live the rest of their lives in “prisons with extraordinarily high suicide rates, with substandard medical, dental, and mental health care and with scant rehabilitative programs. Prisons rife with gang violence, racism, and despair,” said Kenneth Hartman in a Truthout article.
Hartman was recently released from a life without possibility of parole sentence by the California Parole Board, which approves or disapproves commutations.
A sentence of life without the possibility of parole, known as LWOP, translates to staying in prison until you die and, some argue, wastes resources.
“It is not ‘tough’ to imprison people long past their proclivity—or even physical ability—to commit crime; to the contrary, it is a poor use of resources that could be put toward prevention.”
Ashley Nellis, senior research analyst at The Sentencing Project, a nonprofit research and advocacy center, said this in Still Life: America’s Increasing Use of Life and Long-Term Sentences (2016).

LWOP terms have quadrupled since 1992 despite a historically low crime rate and falling prison populations, according to research.
Evidence shows Blacks receive such sentences dis- proportionately. Blacks make up two-thirds or more of the LWOP population in Alabama, Illinois, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey and South Carolina. Also, half of all LWOPs are held in Florida, Pennsylvania, California, Louisiana and the Federal prison system, according to Truthout.
Moreover, in 2016, 53,290 or 1 in 28 incarcerated people were serving LWOP sentences.
The push to end LWOP sentences has increased.
“There has definitely been more advocacy on LWOP in the past five years,” Pennsylvania activist Ellen Melchiondo told Truthout.
Melchiondo was responding to United States Supreme Court rulings against juveniles receiving LWOP sentences, outcries about the cost for taking care of incarcerated seniors, and more engagement in fighting against LWOP sentences.
Ultimately the Supreme Court ruled that “sentencing juveniles convicted of non-homicidal crimes to life without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional,” and stated no juvenile could receive a life without parole sentence for any homicide without consideration of his or her age, according to Truthout.

“States can remedy the un- constitutionality of mandatory juvenile life without parole sentences by permitting parole hearings rather than resentencing the approximately 2,100 people whose life sentences were issued mandatorily,” said a 2017 Sentencing Project report cited in the Truthout article.
Additionally, the Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration, which includes several other organizations, has gained media attention with its rallies against LWOP in Pennsylvania.
California Governor Jerry Brown has reduced at least 42 LWOP sentences to 25 years to life with the possibility of parole. Lizzy Stewart, mother of an inmate, garnered 57,000 sig- natures to get her son’s LWOP sentence commuted in California, according to Truthout.
Back in 1913, a life sentence in the federal system was 15 years, according to Marie Gottschalk in a Prison Legal News article.
In 1972, the United States Supreme Court abolished the death penalty and many states responded with LWOP sentences, according to the Prison Legal News article cited in Truthout.
The Supreme Court ruling in 1976 reinstated the death penalty, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Thereafter, a sentence of life without the penalty of parole became the normal default.
Hartman, who had an LWOP sentence until a commutation led to his release, points out that those who seek to abolish the death penalty shouldn’t settle for LWOP in its place.

“They believe we should trade the death penalty for [life without parole],” Hartman said. He believes a reduction to a LWOP sentence does nothing but change the method of execution to death by incarceration.
Hartman, freed in December 2017, and organizations continue to advocate against LWOP. Hartman released an anthology written by people serving LWOP called, “Too Cruel, Not Unusual Enough.” He’s handed the book out to key people like policymakers, judges and death penalty abolitionists, according to the Truthout article.
Courtesy of CCWP

California Coalition for Women Prisoners delegation that deliver the letter signed by over 100 organizations calling on Gov. Brown to end LWOP


On Aug. 6, over 100 people from organizations throughout the state, including the California Collation for Women Prisoners (CCWP) and Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB), showed up at Governor Brown’s office and asked for commutations of all 5,000 people in California serving LWOP. The group included formerly incarcerated people, family members of those serving LWOP, and other people from the several different organizations, many wearing black t-shirts that read: “Drop LWOP.”
“This is clearly a growing campaign/movement—it was beautiful, powerful and filled with emotion,” Pam Fadem of CCWP said about the trip to the state’s capitol.

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San Quentin News & Wall City Merchandise

Kings reign unseated by Outsiders basketball team

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Over the Labor Day weekend, several basketball players from different Prison Sports Ministry teams teamed up for a game against the San Quentin Kings and won 76-74.
“It was tough because everybody had to learn how to play with each other,” Outsider Sponsor John Brewster said. “We played as a team and it went pretty flawless.”
While most people were away celebrating Labor Day, eight basketball players— members of the Trailblazers, Green Team, Outsiders and Lincoln Hill—showed up on the Lower Yard to en- joy a game against the Kings 40-and-over team.
“I thank God for you sharing your light with us,” Kings assistant coach Ishmael Freelon told the visitors. “This is an outlet for us.”
The game was scrappy. Both teams tied at 19 to closeout the first quarter.

While the Kings got balanced scoring from an array of players, the Outsiders relied primarily on one baller: Dominique Thompson. He led all scorers with 34 points, 12 rebounds, seven steals and three assists. The tall slim man, who normally plays for Lincoln Hill, got most of his money in the painted area.
He wasn’t alone.
Chaze Russell, another Lincoln Hill player, tied the score at 34 with a three- pointer just as the ref blew his duck whistle, which signaled it was halftime.
The game came down to the final minutes. The Outsiders pulled ahead 70-62 after Russell nailed another three with 2:50 left in regulation.
The Kings came back. Jamal Harrison made a lay-up despite being fouled, but missed the free throw that followed.

With 30 seconds left, veteran King Oris “Pep” Williams rebounded the ball and put it through the rim to bring the Kings with- in three at 75- 72.

The Kings fouled Russell to stop the clock. He went to the free throw line and missed both.
King Tare “Cancun” Beltranchuc went to the rack and got fouled as he scored. He went to the line with Kings down one at 75-74 and missed the free throw that would have tied the game.

The ball bounced to the left and Thompson tried to grab it but Kings Center Jason Robinson slammed the ball out of bounds.

The ref ruled it Outsiders’ ball but the head ref overruled him. The Kings received the ball with 12 seconds on the clock and one more chance.
“I think we both hit the ball, but he had a fingernail on it more than me,” Thompson said.
The ball went to Beltranchuc and he took a short- range jumper that went in then bounced out of the rim.
Geoffrey “Free” Gary, who normally plays with the Trailblazers, grabbed the rebound.
“Refs still couldn’t give them the game,” Gary said.
The Kings fouled immediately. He made one of two free-throws and left the Kings with two seconds on the clock, down 76-74.
A desperate last second shot missed and the Outsiders got the win.
Beltranchuc, Harrison and Robinson scored 12 apiece for the Kings. Robinson also had 10 rebounds for a double-double. Beltranchuc added five steals, four assists and three rebounds while Harrison contributed six re- bounds, three steals and one assist. Williams, who is 59 years old, finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
“Pep (Williams) played big,” Gary said. “Robinson had some big rebounds and put backs.”
For the Outsiders, Gary dropped 16 points with 12 rebounds and Russell added 14 points, with four steals, four rebounds and an assist.
All involved showed they have game.
“It feels good playing with people my age; there’s unity in this,” King Harrison said. “It’s a good experience.”

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S.Q. Warriors take trophy back

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The San Quentin Warriors won again!
For the second straight year, the prison’s premiere basketball team beat the Golden State Warriors squad of staffers 93-85 in a community atmosphere that featured NBA-playoff intensity. The victory had particular significance for San Quentin power forward Harry “ATL” Smith, who paroled a few days after the game.

“All praise is due to God,” Smith said. “It’s bigger than basketball. This program has really been my family. When I get out, I plan to continue repping the Warriors and Jesus Christ.”
The annual games between Golden State (GS) staffers and San Quentin (SQ) started in 2012.
They match up incarcerated men against management, coaches and employees of the NBA champions.
The events unite affluent NBA executives—including Warriors’ assistant general manager Kirk Lacob, son of the team’s owner Joe Lacob—with incarcerated people, through their common love of basketball.
Golden State leads the series four games to three; however, SQ has won two straight since Rafael Cuevas went from point guard to coach. His motto: character comes first, talent second.
“We’re not on this team for nothing,” SQ King Jason Robinson, who suited up with the SQ Warriors, said. “We proved we’re worthy to play with people from the outside and show what community is all about.”
For the Sept. 5 game, Lacob showed up with a team that included Nick Kerr (son of Golden State Coach Steve Kerr), Kent Lacob, Assistant Coach Chris DeMarco and others. First-round draft pick Jacob Evans, a former Cincinnati Bearcat, came for moral support, as signed players are not allowed to play.

The Golden State staffer squad was loaded, but it was missing its leading scorer and rebounder, Bob Myers, two-time NBA General Manager of the Year. Myers usually shows up and shows out but injuries caused him to miss the event.
“Bob had hip surgery,” Lacob said. “He had the operation in May and trained hard so he could rehab in time to be here, but he over-did it.”
Evans, the draftee, came along to see how good the SQ team is and to bring happiness to the incarcerated population.
“I feel like everybody deserves a second chance,” Evans said. “You never know what somebody’s situation is, so it’s important to show that you care.”
The day had a festive atmosphere, starting pregame when SQ resident Philippe Kelly rapped “The San Quentin Warriors Song.”
Then, under an overcast sky, hundreds of fans surrounded the basketball court on the yard as Aaron “Showtime” Taylor announced the starting five for GS, then for SQ.
GS scored first. Chris DeMarco received a pass inside and made a lay-up.
SQ’s Anthony “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” Ammons responded with one-and-one.

First year SQ Warrior Delvon Adams, who started at point guard, followed with a lay-up inside.
A determined Lacob tried to snatch a rebound out of the hands of SQ vet Allan McIntosh. The refs called a jump ball.
Taylor, SQ’s play-by-play announcer, had some fun with Lacob’s aggressive play. “Kirk ran up on him like he wasn’t scared he’s in a prison,” Taylor said.
At the end of the first quarter, SQ’s Tyrrell “City Life” Price Sr. made a three-pointer at the buzzer for a 29-18 lead.
“We’re only down 11; we’re good,” Evans said.
In the second quarter, Kerr, who played for the University of San Diego, came off the bench and helped get GS back into the game, nailing a trey from the corner to bring GS within five at 31-26.
Prison Sports Ministry sponsor Patrick Lacey, who suited up with GS, made an and-one with three SQ players surrounding him to bring GS within two points with 1:48 left in the half.
The half ended with SQ up by a thread, 46-45.
Aaron Miles, coach of the Warriors’ Santa Cruz G-League team, spoke at halftime. Miles, now 35 years old, was the all-time leader in assists in the Big 12 while playing for the University of Kansas. He went on to play for Golden State in 2005, and then played professionally overseas. At the annual game, he coached GS.
“I had a brother who was locked up and I questioned what he would do when he got out,” Miles said. “Now he’s ministering, going to school and doing the right thing. There is something special meant for you when you get out.”
Harry “ATL” Smith spoke at halftime as well, saying that at college, basketball was a business that used him up. The school didn’t care about his grades, only that he could ball. At San Quentin, he found a team focused on character.
That philosophy served him well. For Smith, a tryout for the Santa Cruz Warriors awaited his release.
“ATL is strong physically,” Miles said. “More than anything, I like his character. I’m excited for him to go out there and make a life for himself, to have success at whatever he does.”
As the halftime show, SQ residents David Jassy, a Grammy nominated rapper and producer from Sweden, and Joshua Burton performed an original rap song called “I’m a Champion.”
“No matter what happens today, I’m not quitting, I’m a champion,”Jassy rapped.
The home team kept the intensity up in the third quarter, which ended with SQ up 65-58.
Antwan “Banks” Williams, the sound designer for hit podcast Ear Hustle, performed another rap song between quarters.
In the fourth, Kerr made a series of shots that brought GS to within one point at 71-70 with 7:45 left. First he got fouled from behind the arc and made two of three free throws. Then he made five more points scored.

Smith answered with a hook shot in traffic and SQ’s Dejon Joy added another basket to pull away again.
“Delvon and Dejon played big in this game,” Cuevas said. “They were great mid-season additions who came and dedicated themselves.”
GS’s David “Just Dave” Fatoki stepped up. The 25-year-old from St. Louis played for the University of Washington and pro overseas in Spain. Now he works for GS basketball operations.
With six minutes left and his team down six, Fatoki made a three that made the score 76-73.
But Ammons answered with a runner in the paint, and shortly after that, Joy made an up and under scoop shot over Fatoki.
Smith fouled out with 1:45 left in the game. The crowd applauded.
Fatoki fouled out on the next play and Lacey shortly after as SQ continued to increase its lead.
With SQ up 93-85 and timing running out, DeMarco made a three-pointer too late to count. He led GS with 33 points, 14 rebounds and five fouls. Kerr added 23 and Fatoki 13.
“They attack the basket so much,” DeMarco said.”It’s hard not to foul.” Ammons led SQ with 17 points. Smith added 16 and McIntosh 14.
For the second year in a row, the San Quentin Warriors posed with the NBA trophy in front of a banner that saluted the NBA champions, designed by SQ artist Bruce Fowler.
“It’s surreal,” SQ guard Jesse Blue said. “It’s like finally arriving to some degree. It’s like showing the world we can actually play.”
Kirk Lacob and Miles reported to center court to pay off the pushup bets they lost.
Lacob jokingly blamed the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the defeat.
“We lose every time we bring it in,” Lacob said. “Maybe we should leave it here.”

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