The first action, is emailing Tavis Smiley (at tavis@tavistalks.com) to request that he interview Kieth on his show. Talking points and more support actions below.
Talking Points Going Forward
- Keith was NOT a part of the riot. He was out on the yard when it began and was rounded up by the Ohio State Highway Patrol on the first day.
- Keith was sentenced to death for allegedly presiding over the deaths of five inmates, individuals who were suspected of being snitches. There is NO DNA, forensic, or physical evidence linking Keith to ANY of these crimes.
- During his trial, Keith’s lawyers requested, but were denied, evidence that could have proven his innocence. Since being convicted and sentenced to death, Keith has been able to uncover some of the damning evidence that was willfully withheld by the Prosecution:
- A member of the Black Gangster Disciplines, one of the gangs said to have presided over the uprising, came forward and admitted to committing one of the murders for which Keith was convicted and sentenced to death. His name is Aaron Jefferson, and his confession is posted online at www.keithlamar.org.
- Several months before Keith was indicted for the death of a suspected snitch, William Svette, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, one of the other gangs said to have presided over the riot, had already been indicted for the very same crime. His name is Frederick Frakes and his indictment is posted online at www.keithlamar.org.
- In 2007, Keith was granted an evidentiary hearing to ascertain whether or not he was deprived of a fair trial due to the Prosecutor’s refusal to turn over favorable evidence during his trial. The prosecutors were put on the stand and questioned about their conduct during Keith’s trial. The judge subsequently decided that the State had, in fact, used what was termed a “narrow standard” to determine what constituted exculpatory (favorable) evidence. Keith had a constitutional right to review any evidence that could help him build his case; rather, he was deprived, in his trial, of the opportunity to properly mount a defense based on many withheld statements, actual confessions of perpetrators, other indictments, etc.
Because of this ruling following Keith’s evidentiary hearing and other factors that deprived Lucasville defendants of a fair trial, the four other death-sentenced inmates’ cases have been put on hold while their attorneys comb the prosecutor’s files in search of evidence that can prove their innocence. Keith attempted to prevail upon his attorneys to file the necessary motions so that he could be a part of this very important process; but they, for some unknown reason, refused to do so, leaving Keith in a lurch. Indeed, he is the only one NOT benefitting from the ruling made from HIS evidentiary hearing; his case is barreling along through the courts. As a result, Keith has not spoken with his attorneys in over a year now and has elected to take his case to the court of public opinion.
Below are a few things you can do:
- Take our message to your constituents so we can build a support network. This is key to show the courts their upcoming rulings will be noticed.
- Schedule Keith to speak with your youth groups, social justice groups. He can do call-ins and is a powerful and motivational speaker!
- Plan to attend and ask others to join you at the oral argument in Cincinnati and be Keith’s eyes and ears. You can be notified by e-mail or phone of the exact date, time and location as soon as the court sets the date by sending a message to info@keithlamar.org or give your information to one of the organizers you know.
- Order Keith’s book online from Amazon or get it at Barnes and Noble in Boardman. Please read it and keep passing it on. Talk about it.
- Make a financial contribution to help Keith buy/send books to spread the word to journalists and radio personalities. Share this book with folks you know.
- Send letters/emails to radio and news media folks you know asking them to carry this story.
- Go to www.keithlamar.org and add your words of support, read his articles, peruse his media gallery, etc. Add your email address to the list serve to get updates.
- Like the Facebook page: Keith LaMar – Bomani Shakur.
- Write to Keith to let him know you care: Keith LaMar 317-117, 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44505.
*Please do not mail $ directly to the prison/do not make checks payable to Keith, as he is not permitted to benefit financially from his book. Contributions may be sent to: PO Box 3656, Youngstown, OH 44513. Please make checks/money orders payable to A. Gordiejew, with a notation: Native Sons