Please sign the petition below urging North Carolina Governor, Bev Perdue, to review the case of 88-year old Frank Wetzel, who has been incarcerated for 52 years based on wrongful convictions.
Please read about his case in my blog posts and learn further details at freefrankwetzel.com
Thank you.
PETITION TO GRANT CLEMENCY TO FRANK WETZEL
We, the undersigned, urge you, North Carolina Governor, Bev Perdue, to review the case of Frank Wetzel and exercise your privilege to grant him immediate clemency.
Frank Wetzel was wrongfully convicted, is 88 years old, and has been in a North Carolina prison for 52 years. If nothing is done to right this wrong, Frank Wetzel, who is innocent of these crimes, will die in his cell.
He was convicted in the killing of two State Troopers, despite strong evidence that he was framed. The two murders, 40 miles apart, took place within 20 minutes of each other, and there was much other compelling evidence that should have exonerated him of both crimes.
He certainly did not have a fair trial. He was not represented by counsel at his first hearing, and was deprived of effective counsel at both trials.
The sole eyewitness recanted his testimony in 1987. In a sworn statement, he said he had been coerced to identify Frank Wetzel as the killer. As a black man in police custody in North Carolina, the “eyewitness” said he had been in fear for his life.
Despite those facts, Mr. Wetzel’s petition to have his case reviewed has been repeatedly denied. Given the fact that Frank Wetzel at 88 years old has lived the majority of his years deprived of his rights as a result of wrongful convictions, we again strongly urge you, Governor Perdue, to grant him immediate clemency.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
NOTE TO PETITION SIGNERS:
Please add helen@helenfogarassy.com to your email contacts so the confirmation email does not go into your spam mailbox. Your signature is not complete until you click on the confirmation link which will be sent to your email address.
helen fogarassy, NY
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noah wetzel, SC
charlie limp, SC
This man needs to get out. He doesn't belong in prison.
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Raymond Rednour, AK
Upon the impartiality,fairness, and integrity of its courts the endurance of OUR WORLD depends. CIVIL GOVERNMENT IS FOUNDED ON JUSTICE, JUST AS TRUE RELIGION IS FOUNDED ON MERCY !!!!
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robert kent hall, SC
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Richard Wetzel, SC
Gov. Perdue, I urge you, from the bottom of my heart, to consider our petition. I am Frank’s half-brother, and know for a fact he is innocent. The evidence is overwhelming that he could not have committed these murders – or any murders – and even the jury at the time admitted to “reasonable doubt.” Please, this time, see the injustice carried out by your State. It happened in the heat of 1950’s media pressure. It happened before the only “eyewitness” recanted his testimony. It happened without due process.
All previous governors have looked the other way for the last 52 years – but I am begging you to face the harm and injustice North Carolina has inflicted on my brother – and on our family. Please make it right now, near the end of Frank’s life.
Thank you in advance for listening and giving us due consideration. May God direct you in the right path to the truth. I am eager and willing to speak with you, should you so wish, Richard Wetzel (803-343-9546)
Taylor Yearby, NC
Free Frank Wetzel
Khalil Robinson, NC
may god bless him
Anisah Robinson, NC
Lord bless him
Nancy Levine, NY
Elaine Oster, NY
xxxxxxxx, NJ
xxxxxxxx, AK
michael kleinman, AK
xxxxxxxx, SC
Freedom is the Gift of Civilization made possible by the enforcement of LAW.
Dixie Sullivan, NC
I pray that justice will be done and Frank will be released. It is such an injustice to keep an innocent man behind bars. I hope the govenor will hear this plea for help.
lacee wetzel, SC
Truth is on my Uncle's side. How can you not face the fact he is INNOCENT?
MJ Kogan, NV
Liz Leavitt, FL
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Horace Shealy, NC
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Maria Carlino, NY
Kati Mischak, IN
A.S. Kochar, non U.S.
Justice is blind, but here it's also deaf. It shows the prosecution's highhandedness, just to win credits for themselves. No respect for human suffering and dignity. Absolute shame.
Michael E. Breslin, NJ
Please give this poor man justice. He cannot get his life back.
xxxxxxxx, IN
David Merritt, NC
He's served his time, parole him now.
brent sterling, NC
rubin cain, NC
Christine S. Wood, TX
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the shipman family, SC
Innocence has been proven here. Release him now!!!
the hunt family, SC
time enough of false imprisonment
xxxxxxxx, IN
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Stephen Slater, non U.S.
“Like most of my fellow North Carolinians, I believe life should mean life” Bev Purdue
Is this man guilty beyond a reasonable doubt? NO!
In any event Bev Purdue's belief is not in accord with international law anyhow:
The “Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,” adopted by the United Nations in July 1998, declares that in all life sentences, a review is mandated after twenty-five years and /if warranted/ a lesser sentence may be imposed (Article 110 No. 3).
u m tope,
xxxxxxxx, NY
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wilburn s lassiter, SC
I have followed the conviction of Frank Wetzel for many years.I was a young boy living in Rockingham,NC with my parents when this incident occured.There is something serious missing with Wetzel's conviction,too many unanswered questions.Timetables and distances that just don't add up..Was this a conspiracy by others to commit a crime and place it on some "scapegoat".Was Frank Wetzel just "handy" or has justice been truly marred for convenience sake.A book or movie concerning Wetzel's life and his accused crime should surely be titled GUILTY??? With MUCH REASONABLE DOUBT!!! Respectfully,Wilburn S. Lassiter
D Boles, NC
This man deserves a retrial at the very least. please consider the facts in this case
Mike Hall, TN
I worked for Richard, Frank's half brother, when I first became aware of this. I read an editorial written by a well known editorialist in the Charlotte area. Lots of depth and info in this piece. If you have not read this, it is a "must" read; it should be a movie by now, and the American public would want a say. I did not believe it then, and I do not believe it now! Send this story to Oprah - I've seen stories like this on her show - let America decide. The only thing this man is guilty of was always trying to always help his family; one such instance was raffling the same rooster to different company employess, and lying about who won, so he could help feed his family. This man is no killer. It's time that "real" justice prevail!! Release Frank Wetzel!!!
Tammy Warren, NC
Chris White, SC
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Paulina Slaw, MS
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Free Frank Wetzel Now!
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Erlene Yager, NC
Brian Furr, NC
Matthew Warren, NC
This is proof that are Justice system is a joke. He is 90 years old and doesn't need to spend his life in prison any longer
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Gregory Miller-Richter vonOstein, NV
I am the son of Dorthy Mae Wetzel Miller-from Fayette Township, New York State. Frank Wetzel was my mothers brother which makes him my uncle.
Phil, FL
He is innocent
jody furr, NC
N Deane, ND
Ronald Royster, NC
Taylor helms, SC
this man should be let out, he has been there for decades, its time for him to be home with his family.. he is almost 90 years old. give it a break.
Edward lusk, NC
buddy, TX
he doesn't belong in prison
marc wetzel, NC
To anyone who has read the facts of this case,it is quite obvious he is innocent of this crimes..please free an innocent man.
Jerry Stewart, NC
