help free DV survivors Bea Smith-Dyer, Martina Olea & Patricia Joellen Johnson
Mon, 09/14/2009 - 08:38 — vikki
Greetings friends of Free Battered Women,
We are working to help secure the release of three domestic violence survivors Bea Smith-Dyer, Martina Olea & Patricia Joellen Johnson, and we need your support.* Currently we are having trouble with our online fax-alert so we are asking you to please email and call the Governor directly!*
- - Call the Governor at 916-445-0873 and tell the Legal Affairs staff that you support Bea Smith-Dyer, Martina Olea and Patricia Joellen Johnson's release on parole!
- - Email him at http://www.govmail.ca.gov/
- - Sign the petition for Ms. Bea Smith-Dyer http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/585282831
Ms.Smith-Dyer has spent over 16 years at the Central California Women?s Facilty (CCWF) on an 18-years-to-life sentence for the death of her abusive husband. The Board of Parole Hearings found Ms. Smith-Dyer suitable for parole on May 12th, 2009, and the *Governor has until October 9th*, to decide whether to uphold Ms. Smith-Dyer?s release. Please take action to support her freedom!
Ms. Smith-Dyer takes full responsibility for the death of her husband and has consistently expressed deep remorse for taking his life. Since entering prison, Ms. Smith-Dyer has acted responsibly and with humility. She has an impeccable disciplinary record, with no write-ups in her 16 years of incarceration. Ms. Bea has no other criminal history or history of violence. She has expressed tremendous compassion as a volunteer with the Hospice Program and in her work as a Peer Health Educator. She is known as a leader among her peers at the Central California Women?s Facility and is a trusted advisor and mentor to many other women.
Ms. Olea has spent 22 years on a 15-to-life sentence for a crime related to her history of abuse. The Board of Parole Hearings has found Ms. Oleasuitable for parole for the *fifth time. * Ms. Olea will be deported back to Mexico when she is paroled, and has a loving family who are eager to welcome her home.
Ms. Olea has worked hard to transform herself: she has learned the English language, participated in extensive therapy, and been involved in self-help groups consisting of Alcoholics Anonymous and parenting classes.
Ms. Johnson now 65 has been imprisoned since 1991 on an 18-to-life sentence for the death of her abusive husband.
She has worked hard to transform herself from the woman she was nearly two decades ago when she entered prison. She expresses sincere remorse and takes full responsibility for her actions.
The Governor has until *September 18th *to decide whether to uphold Ms. Oleaand Ms. Johnson's releases. Please take action to support their freedom!
With gratitude,
Emily Harris
Coordinator, Free Battered Women
1540 Market St., Suite 490
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.255.7036 x 304
www.FreeBatteredWomen.org