(Letter dated 5/17/20)

Supporters and Love Ones,

First, thank you all for continuing to support my family and myself.  Through this adverse time I continue to keep my faith that one day I will be free.  I try to focus on the positives throughout this journey. 

I’ve been able to talk and connect with big advocates such as Jason Flom & Amanda Knox.  Also, I’ve been blessed to be on their podcast which in turn spreads awareness about my wrongful conviction.

Of course as everyone struggles to get through this nasty pandemic I want to emphasize the thanks from my end.  I still see the supportive posts on social media and the growing support. 

For those who ask how it is here during these hard times, it’s been very slow.  The “operations” of your normal daily routine is affected and DOC is taking precautions to control the virus.  Visits have been cancelled, but the online video visits are now taking priority.  Movement to the “yard” has been limited and you’re starting to see more isolation.  Fortunately, the virus still has not entered this facility.  The surrounding prisons have confirmed the virus has entered their facility and are on a “lock down”.  The prisons will keep the inmates isolated in their cells (rooms) and stop all kinds of movements.  I’m hoping that doesn’t happen over here.

I was hoping to get this letter out before Mother’s Day.  With that said, Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all the supportive loving mothers out there. 

When Mother’s Day comes around I always reflect on the love my mother has for me.  I always go back to my days as a young kid in Japan.  I was the type of kid that was running around with my friends and playing outside all the time.  Of course my father had a curfew for me and my sisters especially for dinner time.  My mother would work at a Japanese plant and always make sure there was dinner made for my sisters and father.  I always remember my clothes being washed, clean dinners, and if I had a field trip for class I always had a cold lunch ready to go in the morning. Also, every single Halloween my mother would make home made costumes for me and my sisters. 

I remember growing up and my mother would be at all my basketball games.  She always poured her love out and made sure we were all taken care of.  Reflecting back so far and just being so young and not truly understanding how lucky we were as kids to have a mother there is something really special.  Thank you Mom and I love you.

Again, it’s been pretty slow back here so if you guys get a chance and want to write me, I would love it!  I will definitely try my hardest to write you back.  Thank you everyone and stay safe during these hard times!  With much love & appreciation…

DANIEL HOLTZCLAW