RELEASE MONTELL JOHNSON (UPDATE: PARDONED)

[jewels]

Okay folks. I know a lot of us have faith, even if we don't say too much about it on here.

Today Montell's medical case is in Federal Court, in Chicago.

  How can the judge hear this case and not do anything in favour of Montell?

 We all know that happens, so all of you, us, who pray, let's all send some strong prayers to guide the judge to let Montell home, to release him so he can be cared for properly and with dignity at home.

[Dazzler]

Jewels, the federal judge can do this?  Can release Montell?  I'll be crossing my fingers...

[jewels]

If he rules that Idoc are not looking after Montell properly and this is a federal complaint, his decision on the medical care or lack therof, can go a very long way towards getting him home.  Who knows what he will rule, but  if he rules against the Idoc, then things may happen.
I cannot see that he will rule for the Idoc, but we all know how that goes. If this judge has a heart I hope God can touch it.

[Dazzler]

The judge hearing the case is a woman.  Hopefully she'll be compassionate.  I wasn't aware though that the federal court had the power to release him.  Good to know.

[jewels]

What I meant Dazzler was that the judges decision could get him released, depends on what she rules. Sorry I put it differently. I am not sure if she can actually release him there and then but know that her decision will have the power to change things. Maybe she can rule under the terminally ill/critically ill release law? If she can't see how wrong it all is medically then hope runs out. The Idoc are not going to change the way they look after him. They have no policy on M.S. They don't know how to look after him.

[Dazzler]

Well, whatever powers she might have I hope she uses them for Montell's benefit.

[jewels]

Today when I got up I had great hopes, but it seems the judge does not have a heart.

Gloria Johnson-Ester has been denied the right to visit her son, Montell, three times in the past two weeks.  Her attorney, filed the emergency motion Friday, which was heard by Judge St. Eve yesterday morning.  The State argued that there was no emergency, and Judge St. Eve referred it back to Judge Conlon, who will return to the bench this coming Friday.

This decision is unbelievably cruel and I also have to ask myself why his mother has been denied visits. What they are doing to him, have done to him that is so secret that they do not want her to know of. How could they do this when all the evidence speaks for itself and they have not carried out any of the tests that he should have had. This is a horror story that the general public would never believe happens.

[ielene]

That is so sad, I do not know what I would do if I was in the same position as this lady. Thing is it could happen to any one of us. I also wonder why she has been denied visits. You are right Jewels the public would not believe how cruel this is and they will never find out. Maybe that is what we need to do is find a way to let the public know what is going on in the prisons. Until you are in a situation with having a loved one in DOC you never give the prisons a second thought.

[Dazzler]

I believe Montell's deteriorating condition and paralysis make it almost impossible to have normal visits.  If he's kept in a SEG cell and not well-attended there's probably no one willing or capable of readying him for a visit from his mother.   I'm sure the IDOC does not want their poor care of Montell visible to everyone. 

I also think that this emergency petition was probably referred to the assigned judge as she is more familiar with the case and should issue any rulings.  JMO.  Hopefully she'll be hearing this petition soon.

[jewels]

We can only hope!

[Lissa]

Where is this being heard? Is there anything we can do besides the petition. Maybe a letter writing campaign. Emailing calling anything. I would even be willing to picket in front of a courthouse were it should be heard.

[Bill]

Where is this being heard? Is there anything we can do besides the petition. Maybe a letter writing campaign. Emailing calling anything. I would even be willing to picket in front of a courthouse were it should be heard.

what is happening to Montell and Gloria is intolerable. i suggest every IPTer place two phones calls one to Director Walker 217522.2666, and the other to Governor Rod Blagojevich 312.814.2121. Neiter will take the call but leave a message that Gloria Johnson mother of Montell Johnson should be allowed to visit her son in Dixon where he is being denied appropriate medical care and is dying.  Not only should Gloria be allowed to visit but the IDOC should place Montell in a setting where his medical condition, MS, could be treated in a humane fashion. this is cruel and unusual punishment being inflicted by the IDOC and state of illinois. if we repeat this message enough maybe somebody will listen before Montell dies.

[Dazzler]

That's a great idea Bill.  IPT'ers have responded overwhelminly in the past when they've been asked to lobby a cause.  If everyone spent a few minutes making these calls and leaving a message it will at least get this issue noticed.  I remember a state rep's office begging us to stop calling and sending emails once...LOL...we can do that again....

[ielene]

I will make the calls in the morning.

[gettingby]

Are there MS support groups that we can contact to help petition for his release.  They might be able to increase awareness.

[jewels]

Sadly the MS groups were not interested and told us they could not help. This was back in April. 

[Cindylou]

Add my name to this list.  Cindy Tooley

[jewels]

I have been given permission by the person concerned to place this here. Please, do go and read Gloria's heart breaking reports and leave comments for her to try and give her some support. Thanks,

Please check out a new Montell Johnson Blog with weekly posting by 
Gloria Johnson. In this blog -- in her own words -- Gloria reports on 
all of her visits and her attempts to visit Montell. She shares her 
observations with all of us because she wants the public to know 
what's happening to her son.

http://montelljohnson.blogspot.com/

A note from Gloria Johnson:

"Montell is in the last stages of his own battle with chronic 
progressive MS. From what I know, there's nothing that can be done 
medically for Montell. I just want to bring him home and care for him 
for however long he has left to live. I personally feel that with 
love and affection from his family he'll be here much longer. Montell 
has expressed to me that he doesn't want what is happening to him to 
happen to anyone else. He's told me that even if I lose him, he wants 
me to continue the battle. Thank you for taking the time to read my 
reports on my new blog and thank you for caring about Montell and 
other prisoners who are facing similar hardships. Thanks to all for 
your ongoing support, for signing on to the letter to the Governor, 
for posting the letter from my other son who's facing danger in Iraq, 
and just for being there for me."

Sincerely,
Gloria Johnson

[ielene]

I called and was able to leave a message for Governor Rod Blagojevich through his secretary but was not given an option to leave a message or even get to the voice mail of Director Walker. Is there an extintion or something else I can try.

[Dazzler]

I'd try calling the main number for the IDOC and ask to speak with the Director's secretary....I don't know of an extension #.