We ask you to support this petition for an independent investigation into the 1997 murder of George Clauser in Reading, Pennsylvania. On December 23, 1997, two armed men attempted to rob Effie’s Pizza Villa. The botched robbery resulted in the death of the shop owner, George Clauser. To this day, the two armed men have never been caught. 

In January 1998, Melvin Ortiz was set up for this crime. In January 1998, seemingly in response to a reward advertised in the local paper, John Caltagirone, State Representative Thomas Caltagirone's son, testified that Melvin Ortiz had confessed to him about killing George Clauser. Tina Valentin, John Caltagirone’s girlfriend at the time, was coerced into corroborating John’s story. These two testimonies were the key pieces of evidence that led to Melvin’s conviction of second-degree murder, despite there being:

• No DNA or physical evidence tying Melvin to the crime;
• 19 alibi witnesses willing to testify that Melvin was at a child’s birthday party 20 minutes from the crime scene at the time of the robbery;
• One eyewitness at Effie’s who testified that Melvin was not either gunman.

The presiding judge in Melvin’s trial, Judge Forrest Schaeffer, had previously defended John Caltagirone’s rights. John’s extensive criminal record was hidden from the jury. Melvin’s image was repeatedly posted in biased news reports. He was denied a change of jury. Only four of his alibi witnesses were able to testify. Melvin was 17 during the crime he was falsely accused for, and 19 when he was sentenced to life in prison. 

Since his sentencing, Melvin has attempted to petition for post-conviction collateral relief (PCRA) six times, and every time it has been denied. In 2008, Tina Valentin, one of the incriminating “witnesses,” recanted her testimony and admitted to being pressured by John Caltagirone on what to say. She admitted John gave her a mask, gloves, and a gun the night of the crime and pressured her to get rid of it. Melvin has attempted to use Tina’s recanted testimony and admission of perjury several times, but the courts (possibly under the influence of Caltagirone’s political power) kept denying it on the basis of the evidence being time-barred. After the Supreme Court decision on juvenile lifers in Miller v. Alabama, Melvin was resentenced to 35 years in 2018. Tina’s recanted testimony still goes unheard by the court. Melvin’s appeal of this decision is currently pending. He is also looking to get his case reviewed by the Pennsylvania Conviction Integrity Unit.

Melvin has been in prison for 23 years for a crime he didn’t commit. He has tried every avenue possible to get his case heard and reviewed, but a nefarious web of political and legal corruption has inhibited his actions every step of the way -- a new, clean investigation is needed! Let’s bring Melvin home. 

Learn more about Melvin’s story here: https://www.freemelvinortiz.org/

#FreeMelvinOrtiz