This day started very frustrating for me, but ended up as a wonderful day for Mr. Kenneth Clair. I took a trip to Sacramento, State Capital of California. I went there in pursuit of making my case to the Governor’s office to free wrongfully convicted Mr. Clair. I was doing this in behalf of the 172,748 change.org supporter who have been supporting the effort to free Mr. Clair since 11/14/2015. This support has been for nearly 10 years. 

When I arrived at the Governor’s office, Gavin Newsom was not present, no volunteers, or staff. The entire government was tied up in meetings. I felt a little discouraged. 

However, I did not give up. I walked for miles looking for a State Office that I heard that Governor Newsom was supposed to be. This lead me to the ninth floor. I talked to a lady that was in charge of visiting. The lady told me that there was no one that could help me. I didn’t give up and finally got the ladies ear when I told her that I was from Orange County and I made this trip up to see the Governor regarding a case that I have been working on for about 40 years and that there was a major breakthrough on the case. 

I was talking so diligently and intently that I caught the attention of several people in the office asking me questions, even the Capitol Police. 

The lady in charge of visits, decided after hearing my story, decided to connect me to a Constituent Counsel in charge at that location. Now I was told that they do not normally do this, but Mr. Clair's story and my involvement moved them to make this decision.

The Constituent Counsel took me to an isolated area on the first floor and started talking to me. The Constituent Counsel told me that I had 15 minutes to convince him why Gavin Newsom should assist me in exoneration of Mr. Clair.

Again I made the same accounting I made to the others I had previously talked to.

I put on one of the best 15 minute presentations of my life intervening for Mr. Clair. The Constituent Counsel felt sorry for Kenneth’s situation, and he also felt sorry that I was on a quest for 40 years trying to get him exonerated. 

The Constituent Counsel said that they would take on the case, and I would have to have Mr. Clair fill out a “Commutitation of Sentencing” form, which is a form listing the details of the case. Mr. Clair would have to sign the form. The Constituent Counsel said that they would definitely look into it. The Constituent Counsel told me that they normally would not do this, but this was a matter that the Governor should look into. Mr. Clair was getting a chance of Exoneration by the Governor.

I was told by the Constituent Counsel that after Mr. Clair signed it, I could send any exhibits or attachments. However, the Constituent Counsel made it clear to me that I could not do this in Kenneth Clair's behalf. Mr. Clair had to initiate the process. I left there feeling that my 40 year journey and the support of the change.org petition of 172,748 supporters would be blessed with a victory. 

Now, this is why I decided to terminate and suspend the petition. What I thought was good news turned out to be a rebuke by Mr. Clair who told me that he was not interested, and that he, Mr. Clair, was going to follow the advice and leadership or his attorney. Mr. Clair asked me to get aboard with his attorney, and to stop being  a “Loose Cannon”. This was insulting to me, and I bought to Mr.Clair's attention that his attorney, the District Attorney have been working side by side and even the judge made negative remarks about Mr. Clair. 

Please read the attached article by Sean Emery and Mr. Tony Saavedra of the Orange County Register. It is on my website at www.cjfordpi.com. 

So, to all the 172,748 change.org supporters, WE CAN CLAIM VICTORY. Mr. Clair’s decision to work with his attorney after reading their public comments, doesn’t change that fact THAT WE WERE VICTORIOUS IN OUR NEARLY 10 YEAR STRUGGLE. 

I want to close saying, you can send any comments to me at cjfordpi@yahoo.com. I am free to take on other cases now, and if you know of anyone who has been wrongfully convicted of a crime, or have other criminal matters, please send them to me. If you like to donate go to my GoFundMe on my website at www.cjfordpi.com. I am praying for all my supporters… and again “Thank You”. CJ