RE: DARREL MAURICE SMITH SR.  CASE NO.: 18HC00467 {California Superior Courts} Honorable David F. Alba

My name is Tzadok bar Abraham. I am the “Moreh” of the Hebrew Yisraelite Center for Torah Studies, headquarter in Sacramento.

The Hebrew Yisraelite Center for Torah Studies is a religious organization, whose primary purpose is the address the spiritual need of the African American community, as instructed in first five books of the Bible {Torah}. Over the past 10 plus years, we have developed a small recognized following from within the federal and state prisons in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Iowa, Tennessee and of course, Folsom, San Quentin, Apple valley, in California..

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Darrel for over the past 2 + years. During this time Darrel has been my principal contact with Rabbi Paul F. Shleffar, Jewish Rabbi at San Quentin. With Darrel’s assistance, and Rabbi’s Shleffar agreement I have had to opportunity to make three visits to San Quentin to instruct the Hebrew Yisraelite inmates in Torah principals.

Darrel has been an active participant in the “Torah “studies and Biblical history I have conducted both in person and through the mail. From his personal efforts of study and practicing the laws of Torah [within the confines of his imprisonment], he has shown tremendous amount of personal development and spiritual growth.

In 1984, Darrel was charged with murder. In order to avoid a costly and lengthy jury trial, at the preliminary hearing, the court with the agreement of the District Attorney and Darrel’s attorney, sought to have Darrel plead guilty to Second Degree murder, forego the jury trial and have the Judge to try the case. Initially, Darrel rejected the plea agreement. He was advised by his attorney that the DA was prepared to charge him with First Degree murder, which would carry a much longer prison sentence. However, if he agreed to the plea agreement of Second Degree murder, his sentence would by 17 years to life! After much discussion with his family, Darrel accepted the plea agreement. As of November 26, 2018, Darrel will have served 34 years 2 months. OR 17 years 2 months past the original plea agreement.

He has been an excellent “role model” and teacher for other inmates that are seeking a more active and rewarding relationship with Ha Shem our “Creator”. In an effort to prepare himself for his eventual release from prison, and “rehabilitate” his life, he has taken college courses, received numerous Certificate of Appreciation as a Tutor; Literacy GED Program; Volunteer Education / Narcotics Awareness and other workshop attended and conducted by him.

Though Darrel has been confined, he still receives the love, respect and regular visitation for his wife and children. Darrel is a dedicated husband and a loving father who, due to his confinement, has endured many years of self-scrutiny but through his own personal efforts, has been able to return to the Biblical principles and moral standards of his childhood, as taught by his ancestors. And impress those same standards upon his family.

I respect Mr. Smith as a person of excellent moral character and would invite him to continue his social development and adjustment as a part of our community.

Mr. Darrel Smith, {ID: C-94780} is no longer the 23 year old young man of the 1980’s. At 58 years he has developed into a proud son, husband, father and someone to be place back into society.  To continue holding Mr. Smith would redefine the CDCR’s Mission Statement which does NOT include cruel and un-necessary punishment!

The Mission Statement of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation states,                   “We enhance public safety through safe and secure incarceration of offenders, effective parole supervision, and rehabilitative strategies to successfully reintegrate offenders into our communities.”
In conclusion, on behalf of Mr. Smith and his family, I extend a “thank you” for issuing a writ of habeas corpus. And at the conclusion of the hearing, I believe that you will find that Mr. Smith is being held unlawful and Mr. Smith will be immediately released from custody.