Dear Supporters, Your letters of support for a new hearing are needed now to add weight to a recent letter sent by Professor Michael Meltsner to Lon Povich, Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Charlie Baker. His postal mail address is Lon Povich, Chief Legal Counsel, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston MA 02133 Also, please send a copy of your letter to Arnie at this address: throughbarbedwire@gmail.com The following letter serves as a model for those who need it. While it says so much, there is so much more that can be said. The purpose of your letter is to put Arnie's case "on the radar" of the governor's chief legal counsel. Use your own words to say what you know about the case, based on your own research. Thank you. -Mary King ======= Model Letter: Honorable Lon Povich, Counsel to the Governor Massachusetts State House Office of the Governor’s Counsel Boston, MA 02133 April 6, 2018 Dear Mr. Povich I am a law professor, former law school dean and former first assistant counsel to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. I can imagine the claims on your time but I am hoping that you will pause to consider the request that follows which involves the commutation request—subject in recent years to a record of regrettable inaction—of a Massachusetts inmate who does not deserve to die in prison. Arnie King has been in prison for some 47 years, properly convicted at age 19 for a senseless murder committed when he was a high school dropout and dealing with substance abuse. Suffice it to say he is a totally different person than the youth who committed this horrible crime, not only due to the passage of time itself but as demonstrated by significant educational attainment, at risk youth and fellow inmate counseling, workshop creation, demonstrated organizational leadership and published writings. As I don’t wish to burden this letter, I will attach a few documents from my file which give partial flesh to these statements. The video of a previous commutation hearing can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHZM24tCqiY&feature=youtu.be Some years ago, when there was a furlough program available, Arnie King was allowed 25 unsupervised visits to Boston including a 48 hour period relating to his marriage. There was then and is now no likelihood of recidivism. I have met and corresponded with Arnie. He is a delightful person. I would trust him with my grandchildren. The circumstances of previous requests for commutation are distressing to anyone who believes in the sound use of executive discretion and (at times) the rule of law. Over the years as well as recently many requests for commutation hearings have been denied. Commutation, however, has been recommended but never acted upon. In 2007 he was granted a hearing (7-0). 200 attended. 30 testified in his favor. 3 against... What struck me most was that the family of the victim conceded that Arnie King was a totally different person and a valuable human being but they thought he should use his skills and character for those inside the prison system. That I must admit was the strangest argument for denying commutation or parole I had heard in over 50 years of working on criminal law matters. ... Eight years later, despite numerous requests no new hearing has been granted. I teach but no longer practice law. I do not represent Arnie King as counsel but as an admirer of his strength in changing his life under the harsh circumstance of prison life and his record of helping others. Thus I respectfully pray the counsel’s office take such steps as are necessary to have his case reviewed and considered for action that may lead to his ultimate release. I thank you for your consideration of this request Sincerely, Michael Meltsner Matthews Distinguished University Professor of Law Northeastern University School of Law ... Enclosures