Comments on: Wright’s Prosecutor Withheld Criminal History? http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/ Endless Pondering Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:13:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: kbjensen http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20825 kbjensen Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:38:56 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20825 I don't think Wright even had any choice given to her from her lawyer.. She should have just said something at the trail... But anyway MZ email me privately... I have several things on my mind wanna discuss with you... Let the ball get rolling again..:) I don’t think Wright even had any choice given to her from her lawyer.. She should have just said something at the trail…

But anyway MZ email me privately… I have several things on my mind wanna discuss with you… Let the ball get rolling again..:)

]]> By: Ken Rose http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20570 Ken Rose Sat, 28 Apr 2007 08:31:11 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20570 I think the Jury did the right thing. Despite the horrific nature of the crime, it was very questionable that the crime was PRE-MEDITATED, the standard for First-Degree Murder. As to what would happen to Daphne if she was HEARING, I think she would have PLEAD to SECOND-DEGREE and probably received the same sentence. There really isn't any evidence of premeditation and no reason to presume this wasn't a Crime of Passion. I think the Jury did the right thing. Despite the horrific nature of the crime, it was very questionable that the crime was PRE-MEDITATED, the standard for First-Degree Murder.

As to what would happen to Daphne if she was HEARING, I think she would have PLEAD to SECOND-DEGREE and probably received the same sentence. There really isn’t any evidence of premeditation and no reason to presume this wasn’t a Crime of Passion.

]]> By: Mishka Zena http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20531 Mishka Zena Sat, 28 Apr 2007 03:18:00 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20531 C, I've been hearing a lot of stories how deaf people experienced miscarriages of justice due to lack of interpreters or inferior interpreters. But this takes the cake. I am horrified to hear this happening in 2006 and that the Wisc Supreme Court refused to take this case. What is the latest update with NAD. Has the lawyer filed a complaint of ADA violation to the Dept of Justice? As a federal law, ADA supersedes all state lawes. Can you contact me at MishkaZena@aol.com to follow up on this? Michele, no doubt about that. But I think that was an option decided by the county prosecutor. Why bother trying for one if he wasn't going to use all the information that may have gotten her on death row? Was it just a charade? C, I’ve been hearing a lot of stories how deaf people experienced miscarriages of justice due to lack of interpreters or inferior interpreters.

But this takes the cake. I am horrified to hear this happening in 2006 and that the Wisc Supreme Court refused to take this case. What is the latest update with NAD. Has the lawyer filed a complaint of ADA violation to the Dept of Justice? As a federal law, ADA supersedes all state lawes.

Can you contact me at MishkaZena@aol.com to follow up on this?

Michele, no doubt about that. But I think that was an option decided by the county prosecutor. Why bother trying for one if he wasn’t going to use all the information that may have gotten her on death row? Was it just a charade?

]]> By: michele http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20524 michele Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:00:08 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20524 I believe that daphne got the death penalty sentencing was because she mutilated and destroyed the body. If daphne only killed darlene and left her right there, i dont think death penalty would have been handed right there. I could be wrong on this. I really dont understand how the state determines who gets it and who doesnt get it. If anyone knows, please share it with us. I believe that daphne got the death penalty sentencing was because she mutilated and destroyed the body. If daphne only killed darlene and left her right there, i dont think death penalty would have been handed right there. I could be wrong on this. I really dont understand how the state determines who gets it and who doesnt get it. If anyone knows, please share it with us.

]]> By: C http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20508 C Fri, 27 Apr 2007 22:57:25 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20508 You said: "This implies that deaf people will get favorable results even if the trial is completely fair, just because their ears don’t work. What happened to the equal treatment of Deaf people?"  I challenge you to look into all court cases involving deaf people and whether or not they got favorable results. (now, you don't have to, but the facts are out there). I know of a few and their sentencing was harsher compared to hearing for a comparable charge. Most court do not provide fair trial to deaf, period. Court process can be very confusing for most. Most are not able to afford an attorney, thus, they are stuck with court appointed attorney whose state public defender office usually has limited budget. Limited budget translate into lack of in depth investigation by the defense, lack of quality expert witnesses, etc. I agree with you that the inhumane conditions in prison for a deaf person constitute cruel and unusal punshment. I personally believe Wright did commit the crime and am relieved that she is sentenced to prison for life, rather than death, because I'm against the death penalty. I commend you for your dedication to be the "watch dog" for deaf people who are accused of a crime, whether they are guilty or not. This area is very much needed. One example below, issue of being shackled went thru supreme court and lost. That is definitely not good. I don't know if that case got wide exposure as it was a few years ago and I do know WAD got involved but, it did no good. Wisconsin is one of the states that tramples over deaf rights especially in court. I've heard of stories where deaf still have to fight and argue for the right to interpreter without cost to them! Some courts in WI are questioning income of the deaf defendants when really, they should not be doing that. They think deaf is same as spanish people but, not true. Spanish can learn english, thus they choose to speak spanish, they are required to pay for spanish interpeter whereas deaf cannot choose to hear and the ADA law is clear on that. Another example of extreme ignorance. The list goes on and on...... http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2005/December_05/12222005_06.asp http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:wjBMafobCVcJ:www.freelists.org/archives/wadnetpost/04-2006/msg00000.html+%22jeremy+russ%22+wi&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us&ie=UTF-8 http://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=20692 You said: “This implies that deaf people will get favorable results even if the trial is completely fair, just because their ears don’t work. What happened to the equal treatment of Deaf people?” 

I challenge you to look into all court cases involving deaf people and whether or not they got favorable results. (now, you don’t have to, but the facts are out there). I know of a few and their sentencing was harsher compared to hearing for a comparable charge. Most court do not provide fair trial to deaf, period. Court process can be very confusing for most. Most are not able to afford an attorney, thus, they are stuck with court appointed attorney whose state public defender office usually has limited budget. Limited budget translate into lack of in depth investigation by the defense, lack of quality expert witnesses, etc.

I agree with you that the inhumane conditions in prison for a deaf person constitute cruel and unusal punshment.

I personally believe Wright did commit the crime and am relieved that she is sentenced to prison for life, rather than death, because I’m against the death penalty.

I commend you for your dedication to be the “watch dog” for deaf people who are accused of a crime, whether they are guilty or not. This area is very much needed.

One example below, issue of being shackled went thru supreme court and lost. That is definitely not good. I don’t know if that case got wide exposure as it was a few years ago and I do know WAD got involved but, it did no good. Wisconsin is one of the states that tramples over deaf rights especially in court. I’ve heard of stories where deaf still have to fight and argue for the right to interpreter without cost to them! Some courts in WI are questioning income of the deaf defendants when really, they should not be doing that. They think deaf is same as spanish people but, not true. Spanish can learn english, thus they choose to speak spanish, they are required to pay for spanish interpeter whereas deaf cannot choose to hear and the ADA law is clear on that. Another example of extreme ignorance. The list goes on and on……

http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2005/December_05/12222005_06.asp

http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:wjBMafobCVcJ:www.freelists.org/archives/wadnetpost/04-2006/msg00000.html+%22jeremy+russ%22+wi&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us&ie=UTF-8

http://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=20692

]]> By: Mishka Zena http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20489 Mishka Zena Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:01:45 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20489 Dianrez, you brought a perspective that makes a lot of sense. However, if the prosecutor doesn't want Daphne Wright to get the death sentence, why did he ask for it in the first place? Possibly to appease S.F. citizens outraged at the atrocities done to the victim? Pamela, thank you for sharing this story. I haven't seen it myself. Dianrez, you brought a perspective that makes a lot of sense. However, if the prosecutor doesn’t want Daphne Wright to get the death sentence, why did he ask for it in the first place? Possibly to appease S.F. citizens outraged at the atrocities done to the victim?

Pamela, thank you for sharing this story. I haven’t seen it myself.

]]> By: pamela http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20484 pamela Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:43:02 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20484 To Carrie #3, For anyone looking for a positive story check out this link about a young deaf child named JJ. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18325943/ - 46k - Apr 26, 2007 To Carrie #3,

For anyone looking for a positive story check out this link about a young deaf child named JJ.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18325943/ - 46k - Apr 26, 2007

]]> By: Jury Experiences http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20480 Jury Experiences Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:21:33 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20480 [...] Why were 11 women selected for 12 person jury? Having a 92% female jurors, an excessively disproportionate ratio, can sway the final decision considerably. How many of these 11 women were mothers? Even though the defense team’s expert witness mangled her own credibility when she asserted that Daphne wasn’t fluent in ASL, contradicting her own earlier statements, enough information was provided regarding Daphne’s dismal familial and educational background that may have considerably swayed the jury composing of 92% female. I am sure the fact that Daphne grew up in a residential institution, isolated from her family, and that her mother didn’t learn sign language until Daphne was in high school impacted the female jurors more than the male juror, epecially the mothers. [...] [...] Why were 11 women selected for 12 person jury? Having a 92% female jurors, an excessively disproportionate ratio, can sway the final decision considerably. How many of these 11 women were mothers? Even though the defense team’s expert witness mangled her own credibility when she asserted that Daphne wasn’t fluent in ASL, contradicting her own earlier statements, enough information was provided regarding Daphne’s dismal familial and educational background that may have considerably swayed the jury composing of 92% female. I am sure the fact that Daphne grew up in a residential institution, isolated from her family, and that her mother didn’t learn sign language until Daphne was in high school impacted the female jurors more than the male juror, epecially the mothers. [...]

]]> By: SH http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20479 SH Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:19:21 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20479 Danirez: I understand your point. That true; Defense would try anything to save Daphne's life. I think MZ is trying to make point out about prosecutor. I've been at trial most of time. Freedom for Daphne? If you mean get Daphne out of prison to be a free lady? I don't think it would happen. She committed a crime; all evidences points all at her - That's damaging evidence.. Even DNA matches Daphne and Darlene who was killed in Daphne's basement in her house. If I'm wrong, can you help me understand what you are trying to say about "Freedom of Daphne" Danirez:

I understand your point. That true; Defense would try anything to save Daphne’s life. I think MZ is trying to make point out about prosecutor. I’ve been at trial most of time.

Freedom for Daphne? If you mean get Daphne out of prison to be a free lady? I don’t think it would happen. She committed a crime; all evidences points all at her - That’s damaging evidence.. Even DNA matches Daphne and Darlene who was killed in Daphne’s basement in her house.

If I’m wrong, can you help me understand what you are trying to say about “Freedom of Daphne”

]]> By: Dave http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20474 Dave Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:26:13 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2007/04/27/wrights-prosecutor-withheld-criminal-history/#comment-20474 Far from "harping on the negative" or "stirring up controversy", I think MZ raised a perfectly sensible issue. Was justice served at the Wright trial? Did prosecutors treat her no differently than they would any other defendant? We want equality, not paternalism. Far from “harping on the negative” or “stirring up controversy”, I think MZ raised a perfectly sensible issue. Was justice served at the Wright trial? Did prosecutors treat her no differently than they would any other defendant? We want equality, not paternalism.

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