DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Virginia Harper NAACP Correspondence, 1971-1996 | 1996-05-21 Robert A. Wright to John L. Washburne Page 2

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Virginia Harper NAACP Correspondence, 1971-1996

1996-05-21 Robert A. Wright to John L. Washburne Page 2

John L. Washburne
May 21, 1996
page 2
Your statement that no murder weapon, no footprints, no fingerprints of yours, or even a motive, nor eyewitnesses would certainly be in your favor. However, the evidence presented to the jury must have convinced them that you were the person who committed the crime or you would not have been convicted.
Mrs. Harper at an early stage advised that there appeared to be different treatment given to Bobby Dan Hooper and yourself during the course of the trial and before. In your appeal to the Supreme Court I would assume that you will raise the question of effective assistance of counsel, if in fact this did happen. I am sure that the attorney who will be handling the appeal will discuss with you and go over the record during the course of your appeal.
In your letter you mentioned Alfredo Parrish and though I am sending him a copy of this letter I can assure you that your counsel of record who was appointed to handle you appeal will pursue any possible avenues denying you a fair trial.
Unfortunately we cannot change the testimony that was presented in the case nor can we recall the jury and make them accept your statement that someone else killed the victim. You make an application for assistance as it relates to a lawsuit. I would suggest that you first put forth all your efforts to assist your counsel in the appeal and if you win the appeal that would of course give substance to your lawsuit.
Sincerely yours,

[actual signature]
Robert A. Wright, Sr.
RAW:mgr

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John L. Washburne May 21, 1996 page 2 Your statement that no murder weapon, no footprints, no fingerprints of yours, or even a motive, nor eyewitnesses would certainly be in your favor. However, the evidence presented to the jury must have convinced them that you were the person who committed the crime or you would not have been convicted. Mrs. Harper at an early stage advised that there appeared to be different treatment given to Bobby Dan Hooper and yourself during the course of the trial and before. In your appeal to the Supreme Court I would assume that you will raise the question of effective assistance of counsel, if in fact this did happen. I am sure that the attorney who will be handling the appeal will discuss with you and go over the record during the course of your appeal. In your letter you mentioned Alfredo Parrish and though I am sending him a copy of this letter I can assure you that your counsel of record who was appointed to handle you appeal will pursue any possible avenues denying you a fair trial. Unfortunately we cannot change the testimony that was presented in the case nor can we recall the jury and make them accept your statement that someone else killed the victim. You make an application for assistance as it relates to a lawsuit. I would suggest that you first put forth all your efforts to assist your counsel in the appeal and if you win the appeal that would of course give substance to your lawsuit. Sincerely yours, [actual signature] Robert A. Wright, Sr. RAW:mgr