Monday March 18, 2024
SNc Channels:

Search
About Salem-News.com

 

Apr-03-2012 17:48printcommentsVideo

White Men Can Dance

In Washington, Thomas Kennedy is released over false charges while in Oregon, Terrence Kimble continues to sit in prison. Is the fact that Kennedy is white a coincidence?

Black and white piano keys
Courtesy: tooft.com

(SALEM) - A Longview, Washington man was released after being held in prison for years on a false charge of rape against his daughter. At the age of 23, she recanted her story about being a victim as a young teenager. She had lied.

Her conscience apparently kicked in as a result of her adopted religious values, and she came clean. Now, a man who has been imprisoned as a child rapist, is now viewed as what he always was, an innocent man.

Terrence Kimble awaits his own release. The facts in Kimble's case are nearly identical to the Longview story, only Kimble's accuser, a stepdaughter, has not yet come forward to admit that this man too, is wrongly convicted. He is watching his life slowly slip away behind bars. Kimble lost his mother two weeks ago, she died without seeing her son set free.

William Coleman, the former Oregon prison guard who rallies for Kimble's innocence, says the Longview man was wrongfully accused of raping his daughter nine years ago, around the same time Kimble was falsely accused. Nine years is a long time in prison.

"She admitted that she lied, she only did this because her mother and dad were going through a nasty divorce, so her school friends helped her make up lies, just like in Kimble's case. Thomas Kennedy served 9 years and he's now out of prison. In the report that was on the news this morning, the DA stated she (the 23-year old) will not be charged with anything, because they don't want to discourage anyone from coming forward if they have been raped."

Terrence Kimble deserves the same justice. What I mean by that is that he is a human being and deserves to be considered, this has not happened. In fact, Oregon's Governor, John Kitzhaber, specifically rejected his clemency plea. As such, the Governor is not serving his state's residents; only its legal corruption and complicity.

Mr. Kimble should not be in prison.

For perspective, Mr. Kennedy was sentenced to 15 years for repeatedly raping his own 11-year old daughter, which we now are told he did not do. However the prosecutor in the case says the evidence at the time did match the crime. That can't mean too many things when you are talking about an 11-year old girl.

Source: Guerino, Paul; Harrison, Paige M.; and Sabol, William J., "Prisoners in 2010,"
Bureau of Justice Statistics, (Washington, DC: US Department of Justice, December
2011), NCJ 236096, pp. 7 & 27.
http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/p10.pdf

Blatant Racism in Oregon

Bear in mind that Kimble, who is African-American, is serving a 19 year sentence for Sex Abuse; the victim in the case was his stepdaughter who according to doctors that examined her after the accusation - had never engaged in sex.

There was no DNA match, no history of sexual misconduct, nothing. She was two years older than Kennedy's daughter at the time of the alleged offense(s).

  • Kennedy, who is white, received 15 years for repeatedly raping an 11-year old.
  • Kimble, who is black, received 19 years for a single reported incident of Sex Abuse of an older teen.

In the information to the right: "Prisoners in 2010," Bureau of Justice Statistics, one detects an alarming rate in the incarceration of Blacks in Oregon and Washington. The two NW states saw the number of African-Americans behind bars escalate in a significant way between 2000 and 2010.

In nine years, Oregon's Black prisoner population jumped from 10,580, to 14,403, that is a 26.543% increase. This does not match crime statistics for the same window.

This is an illogical pattern, particularly since gang crime largely involving the black population did surge in Portland, Oregon, and then settled again as though it had never happened... in the late 1980's and early 1990's. The timeframe does not correspond with the spike in imprisoning African-Americans in this region of the country, where Blacks only account for a small part of the population in the first place.

Kimble is falsely accused, wrongly convicted, and a victim of government racism in Oregon's shameful court system out of Eugene, in Lane County.

His story of injustice as a Black man in Oregon is very real, and people in power reading this right now know this is purely the case.

I am including all of our links about Kimble's story below, please take the time to read them, particularly the most recent articles. Unlike the Washington case, the evidence against Kimble did not match.

In a letter to Kimble, Gov. Kitzhaber wrote:




August 8, 2011
Mr. Terrence LaDelle Kimble
SID#14021834
Snake River Correctional Institution
777 Stanton Boulevard
Ontario, OR 97914-0595

Dear Mr. Kimble

I have received and reviewed your application for communication of sentence.

The power to grant executive clemency is a responsibility that I take very seriously. I believe that a governor's clemency power should be exercised sparingly. The separation of powers inherent in our system of government, and respect for the workings of the judicial system require that the governor's clemency power be used in only the most extraordinary of circumstances.

I have considered carefully whether the application for commutation should be granted. Under the circumstances I have concluded that a commutation is not warranted. I am therefore denying your application.

John Kitzhaber M.D.
Governor

Come on Governor Kitzhaber!

__________________________________________________________________
Previous articles about Oregon's prisons:

Mar-22-2012: Mother's Wish to see Son Exonerated Not Granted Before her Death - Tim King Salem-News.com
Mar-26-2012: Oregon Judge: State 'Stuck their neck out' for Son of DA Who Raped 13-Year Old - Tim King Salem-News.com
Feb-27-2012: Retracted and Redacted- A Comparison of Two Oregon 'Criminals' - Tim King Salem-News.com
Jan-19-2012: Housing Inmates Who Make Death Threats... with their Intended Victims - Tim King Salem-News.com
Dec-19-2011: Does Oregon's Government Simply Hate Black People? - Tim King Salem-News.com
Jul-27-2011: DNA Evidence Should Free Oregon Inmate Terrence Kimble from Prison
May-04-2011 Is There An Oregon Attorney Who Cares About Civil Rights?Tim King Salem-News.com
May-31-2011: Snitch Sheets, Unresolved Murder and Severe Tobacco Crimes - Tim King Salem-News.com
Mar-10-2011: Reader Commentary: Can Oregon Government Change its Spots? - Salem-News.com
Mar-10-2011: Civil Rights Case in Salem Demonstrates the Power of a 911 Call - Tim King Salem-News.com
Mar-09-2011: Civil Rights Under the Gavel of Justice - Tim King Salem-News.com
Mar-08-2011: Oregon State Hospital and Staff Member Face Racism Charges Over Employee Termination - Tim King Salem-News.com
Mar-04-2011: How Far will Oregon Legal Officials go to Prevent Due Process? - Tim King Salem-News.com
Dec-27-2010: The 'Trickle Down' Effect of Whistleblower Retaliation - Tim King Salem-News.com
Dec-01-2010: Oregon Political Prisoner Being Stripped of Phone Use - Tim King Salem-News.com
Nov-25-2010: Tim King and Ruth Kovacs on KBOO's Prison Pipeline (AUDIO) - Salem-News.com
Nov-22-2010: Tim King on KBOO FM's Prison Pipeline Tonight - Salem-News.com
Nov-16-2010: Federal Mail Tampering at Oregon State Prison? - Tim King Salem-News.com
Oct-29-2010: A Witness With No Credibility - Tim King Salem-News.com
Oct-27-2010: Inmate's Life Threatened by Staff at SRCI - Tim King Salem-News.com
Oct-21-2010: Oregon Inmate Stabbing Victim Attacked Second Time - Tim King Salem-News.com
Sep-10-2010: Demonstrators Call Oregon State Hospital's Employment Practices Racist, Unacceptable - Tim King Salem-News.com
Aug-28-2010: Observations on Michael Francke's Murder, Frank Gable's Conviction, & the paid Confession of 'Shorty' Harden - Salem-News.com
Aug-25-2010: Whistleblower Blues: Man in the Hole - Tim King Salem-News.com
Aug-11-2010: Demonstrators Protest Local Newspaper Over Racism - Tim King Salem-News.com
Aug-05-2010: Evidence Shows Oregon Inmate Was Falsely Convicted - Tim King Salem-News.com
Aug-03-2010: Chicken Night at the Oregon State Penitentiary - Tim King Salem-News.com
Jul-21-2010: Eyes on the Oregon State Prison: Voicing Concern for an Inmate's Life - Tim King Salem-News.com
Jul-14-2010: State Prison Whistleblower Says Oregon Corrections is Blocking Federal Mail - Tim King Salem-News.com
Jul-05-2010: A Denial of Civil Rights- Oregon's Collaboration in Racism Whistleblower Retaliation - Tim King Salem-News.com
Jun-26-2010: Getting Refamiliarized with the Murder of Michael Francke - Tim King Salem-News.com
Jun-23-2010: Local Media Downplayed Former Prison Guard's Struggle Against Racism - Tim King Salem-News.com
Jun-18-2010: Exposé: Skeletons Falling Out of the Closet of Oregon Corrections - Tim King Salem-News.com
Jun-17-2010: Scott McAlister: Child Porn-Related Conviction and Practicing Law - Tim King Salem-News.com

_________________________________________________________

Tim King in 2008, covering the Iraq War

Tim King: Salem-News.com Editor and Writer

Tim King has more than twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines. Tim is a former U.S. Marine.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.

Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 102 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: tim@salem-news.com. Visit Tim's Facebook page (facebook.com/TimKing.Reporter)





Comments Leave a comment on this story.
Name:

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.



It doesn't matter! March 18, 2022 9:11 am (Pacific time)

Oh trust and believe this man is guilty! 🤷🏽‍♀️ Yall just listen to anything. Yall should be ashamed!!!!


Anonymous April 7, 2012 12:00 pm (Pacific time)

I wish I would have commented earlier..But is this really a black/white issue? Altho I agree with Anon at 12:42, this situation is different. What I think is, what can the person do when he gets out of jail? This guy could speak at rallies and so forth with much info that will hurt the establishment lies. Whereas, some guy who was convicted on a lie from his daughter wont hurt them...I hope you understand what I am trying to get out here. People who expose the IRS are in prison for 25 years etc. If you rape someone, they dont care, but if you expose their lies, they will imprison you. I am exagerrating of course, but not so much maybe. I hope I made sense here..


Anonymous April 4, 2012 12:42 pm (Pacific time)

People out there who are knowlegable about the correction system will not hesitate to buy your premise This Editor is right, Blacks do not disproportionately committ more crime however they are treated as if they are.  Look, I am a DOC officer in Oregon.  I am telling you this, if we don't comply with all of it, we are either out of work, or worse.  Try doing what Coleman did, there is no support.  Thank you, thank you very much.


Shame on us April 4, 2012 12:29 pm (Pacific time)

Another day I wake up and remember that I dont live in the place where I once lived, a place that doesn't follow the laws set forth. I live in a land of racists.


Anonymous April 4, 2012 10:08 am (Pacific time)

How does the black incarceration rates compare to other areas? Especially those areas that have higher black populations, therefore more black jury members and judges/prosecutors?  I suspect that fairness increases right across the board.  There should be laws that ban all-white juries in cases involving ethnic people.


Anonymous April 4, 2012 9:38 am (Pacific time)

Your guys constantly put fuel un the Racism bull shit. You want to talk about Racism an discrimination because you are white?

 Editor: No, because we are human and because it is wrong.  We hate it because we're Americans, you obviously wouldn't understand that in whatever country you live in.

I'm sure you dont want to hear that story. So please cut the crap and write about something else.

 Editor: Pay attention, we publish news all day long about 'everything else'.  You are another paid shill - had your number in about three seconds.

The Middle East is burning, we have an incompetent President and you worry about Racism. And you call yourself reporters? Ha can I laugh?

Editor: No you can't and why is the Middle east burning again?  Oh yeah, racism.  Later nameless wonder.


Anonymous April 4, 2012 9:16 am (Pacific time)

Here is an interesting quick video on our prison system that I think everyone should view.. http://www.infowars.com/7-1-million-americans-incarcerated-so-that-corporations-can-profit-from-your-taxes/


Mr. Roman Black April 4, 2012 3:08 am (Pacific time)

How is this continuing? I admit I was skeptical at first, but no more, no way. I will look for updates on this, also I suggest a letter writing campaign on this man's behalf, it can raise awareness and be very effective.


Valarie Green April 4, 2012 12:59 am (Pacific time)

I'm from Texas, it is shocking to read this about Oregon.  How can the governor not see that Mr. Kimble is innocent?  I did read the links, I can imagine Kimble must be very angry losing his mother while in prison a place he never should have seen the inside of. Mr. Governor free Kimble or the people will.


Jack Little April 4, 2012 12:46 am (Pacific time)

Wow! i hope your state's Governor frees Mr. Kimble very soon, this man should never been put in an Oregon prison, but i guess they had to put him in because they needed to meet their goal to keep put blacks in prison. Governor free Kimble!!


Greg Rodgers April 4, 2012 12:06 am (Pacific time)

I live in GA I'm white it's a few Kimble's down here. It's not right but it shows you that we got a long ways to go to eliminate racism. Free Kimble Governor.


Lori Williams April 3, 2012 11:58 pm (Pacific time)

Free Kimble - he served his time for nothing. I hope he sues. Governor free Mr. Kimble!!


Mike Johnson April 3, 2012 11:54 pm (Pacific time)

Maybe now the governor will free Mr. Kimble, maybe not because he's not white. Sad!!


Anonymous April 3, 2012 6:24 pm (Pacific time)

So compare and contrast each individual's criminal history. Anymore it takes a lot to get put in prison, and most are reflective of a long trail of arrests, before the hammer comes down. Then you have these people spend just a small fraction of their sentences. Check out the recidivism for these people, and compare and contrast the racial backgrounds, that is, if you want an accurate reflection. I don't think you do. Just the same the process will continue as well as federal oversight if there is "blatant racism" in actual existence, not what a few laypeople with agenda's believe. Maybe some formal coursework in Oregon Corrections would be in order. A degree would be better.

Tim King: You obviously didn't read the story?  This is not about "these people" - that makes you sound like an offensive ass, no offense.  Anyway take your advocacy for this system somewhere else, this is a new day and your archaic thinking and justification for official abuse is not helping anything.  I add relevant information for a dialog about the facts, not this.

[Return to Top]
©2024 Salem-News.com. All opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Salem-News.com.


Articles for April 2, 2012 | Articles for April 3, 2012 | Articles for April 4, 2012
Tribute to Palestine and to the incredible courage, determination and struggle of the Palestinian People. ~Dom Martin

Click here for all of William's articles and letters.



Sean Flynn was a photojournalist in Vietnam, taken captive in 1970 in Cambodia and never seen again.

Support
Salem-News.com:

The NAACP of the Willamette Valley