The Oregonian's Sense of 'News Judgment' - Deaf, Dumb and Indifferent to Racism

Les Zaitz with The Oregonian has dropped his "investigation" into the false conviction of an African-American Oregon prison inmate named Terrence Kimble. I have a feeling there are a few people of color at that newspaper who aren't going to be happy with old Les after reading this. There is no question that Les could be more.

This newspaper, that demonizes the medical marijuana user for sport, and 'officially' endorsed George W. Bush in a Presidential bid, killed the hot button topic of Michael Francke's Murder - and that allowed state officials directly involved in the Murder of this former head of Oregon prisons to breathe a sigh of relief. The 'Big O' even fired the one reporter who would not stop investigating that extremely obvious inside job. As the head of Oregon Corrections at the time, Francke was two days away from giving testimony that would have led to criminal charges against numerous top state law enforcement officials. Oregon courts convicted a patsy for the crime named Frank Gable and the case is such a national joke that John Walsh featured Francke's adjudicated case as an episode of "America's Most Wanted".

I reference the Francke Murder because the Kimble case and others I have covered extensively, in some cases, involve the same officials involved in the conspiracy to assassinate Francke, several years earlier. In dropping this case regarding Kimble that is a glaring example of Oregon injustice, crime reporter Zaitz has taken the unethical side of this newspaper to all new highs, or lows as the case may be.

Terrence Kimble is serving a 19-year sentence for a conviction of 'Sex Abuse'. Mr. Kimble substantiates his claim of being wrongly convicted on many counts, in many ways that can't easily be ignored or dismissed.

His experience in the Oregon Corrections system has been one of overt racism, the blatant direct kind. This has been widely reported by our group.

It seems Mr. Zaitz could have put two and two together and reasoned that, since the point in the first place is that Kimble was convicted falsely, under shades of racism, that attacks against him and other charges could easily be added to hurt his credibility.

Taking the word of a state official at face value is the work of a tool, not a journalist.

Any crime reporter worth his or her salt knows a state prison inmate creates endless problems for themselves when they choose to fight another inmate, and God knows that striking a state officer is a serious offense. Kimble has tried and tried to avoid problems and has only, he explains, responded physically when his life was literally at risk from a physical attack.

Zaitz cut his interest in the case over alleged, unreported contacts between Kimble and inmates and guards, but they have absolutely nothing to do with his false conviction. It is painfully obvious that this tool of a reporter was told what Oregon Corrections wanted him to hear, and he didn't even have a big enough set to question it. The state of Oregon is in bad shape when people like this are charged with being the watchdog.

I swear it is like the Oregonian reporter didn't learn the first thing in his career. I was in close contact with Coleman and Kimble during the window of time when Zaitz made a total of ONE visit to see Kimble. He did what he did because he was told to. I don't believe he was doing anything but going through the moves and looking for his first chance to drop the story.

“

Dear Terrence,

Since our visit, I learned you were disciplined for striking another inmate and disciplined a year ago for a staff assault during an episode where you became angry and combative. I made crystal clear to you that you had to be entirely truthful with me. My last question to you was whether there was anything you should share with me. You told me you hadn't been in any fights at Snake River and that your loss of temper in Eugene was not repeated.

As a result, I am closing my inquiry.

Sincerely, Les Zaitz
The Oregonian

”

He should have known that Kimble's life was threatened by staff at the prison in Ontario, Oregon, since it was PUBLISHED already. (See below)

The ONLY reason the Oregonian reporter Les Zaitz took the story under consideration at all is due to the far-reaching mind of a former prison guard named William Coleman who blew the whistle over racism in the Oregon State Penitentiary when he worked as one of the facility's few African-American Corrections Officers.

I admit it was partly by my suggestion that Mr. Coleman contacted Zaitz.. We had been following the stories of prison racism through Coleman and Kimble for a long time, but our 20k a day viewership pales next to the well-established newspaper, so William began emailing and calling Zaitz, who remained evasive, would not return calls he promised to make.

So William decided to write to Zaitz again, about his unwillingness to be a stand up reporter, and he cc'd several of Zaitz's superiors at The Oregonian. This brought spectacular results, soon Zaitz was in touch with Mr. Coleman, promising to really examine the story, which is extremely multifaceted as expected.

Guys like Zaitz don't do the real work or he already would have been paying attention. His hand was forced, but I knew or strongly suspected, and bingo, bigger than you-know-what, he proved to be the guy I always thought he was.

While Mr. Kimble has endured his hellish 19-year sentence, he has been attacked and harassed by guards in the prison system time and time again along with racist white inmates who run the prison population, and he is only one inmate I know of and have written about with very similar stories.

The Lane County court tried to convict Kimble of first degree Rape, but the victim, as it turns out... according to a medical exam, was 'intact' and had never participated in any sex act. So they got Kimble on 'Sex Abuse' and gave him 19 years, even though a DNA test cleared him of the crime. Yup, welcome to Orygun as they like to say, the biggest closet racist state in the union.

What is really funny, (not really) is that a top Oregon official, a married former Senator named John Minnis, had a habit of taking his married secretary to out of state conventions, getting her drunk, and raping her. Minnis got jack shit for a prison sentence, he is an actual rapist, it was proven that he raped the woman, and the state brought no criminal charges against him! That case cost Oregon taxpayers several million dollars in a law suit Minnis and Oregon of course lost. Did I mention that Minnis at the time, was in charge of training Oregon cops at the state's new multi-million dollar, extravagant new training facility in Salem? If you want a real eyeful, see Retracted and Redacted- A Comparison of Two Oregon 'Criminals'.

Another great example is found in the article White Men Can Dance from April 2012, which explains how 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. The only difference is that the alleged victim in the Kimble case has never recanted. It shouldn't take that.

For perspective, the man in this case, Thomas 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. Kennedy got 15 years for raping an 11-year old girl, Kimble got 19 years for sex abuse against a girl two years older. Please absorb that.

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).

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.

Two Men Against a State Corrections Department

As the years passed in prison, one of the life forces that has kept Terrence Kimble motivated to survive his ordeal and prove his innocence, was the love and support of his mother, Sandra Gayton, who died, tragically, last March in her home. It was very important to Sandra that they would one day see him free of this nightmare.

As referenced, as a prison guard, William Coleman blew the whistle on racism and civil rights violations in the prison and in turn, was charged with 15 counts of cigarette smuggling as a guard. Coleman took his case to jury trial, Terrence Kimble testified on his behalf in court, and Coleman was found not guilty by a unanimous verdict.

Offering testimony on Coleman's behalf, Kimble indicted prison staff in a variety of crimes, particularly bribery, and told the judge and jury that there were in fact, prison staff guilty of the crime Coleman stood accused of, but it wasn't Coleman, some of the names were those of Coleman's superiors.

However those allegations; the most candid information about prison guards deeply involved in illegal activity; the type the state believed was important enough to try to put Coleman away for, for 40 years if convicted, never went anywhere at all. Here you see another huge example of the corruption that literally dominates the culture of the state's legal landscape.

Terrence Kimble and those who know and support him, say he has been the focus of an ongoing retaliation effort by the Oregon Department of Corrections in the years following his support of former Officer William Coleman. Most people reading this can likely imagine, that there are few inmates who go to bat for prison guards as witnesses. It says a great deal about the allegations of racism these men, both Kimble and Coleman, have leveled toward officials. Kimble's mother knew all about racism, as she revealed to Oregon's Governor John Kitzhaber in a 2010 appeal.

A mother's love transcends many things, and it is natural for a mother to stand by her son even when he makes mistakes or runs afoul of the law. But there is a stronger, even more passionate level of determination created by a strong belief that a son is rotting behind bars, being abused, having to spend endless amounts of time in solitary confinement because he defended himself from a 'torpedo attack'.

This is an incident where staff send inmates on missions to harass, attack and provoke another inmate into self-defense, which is not permissible, and off to 'the hole' the inmate who was approached, assaulted and offered defense to protect himself, goes.

This has been Terrence Kimble's story time and time again, since he stood up for William Coleman, the guard he knew was a good man; one willing to sacrifice his own career to expose racism in the prison system, and systematic human rights violations, assaults, bribery, even murder.

As mentioned above, Kimble's honest testimony allowed William Coleman to emerge from a harrowing ordeal as a free man. Coleman's support of Kimble is a result of studying his case, and examining the court documents.

It is a simple fact that Lane County Oregon's court in the city of Eugene, has a habit of convicting African-American men of crimes they did not commit.

Kimble was sentenced to 19 years for a crime that no human being committed. He was beaten savagely by the arresting officers in Eugene, Oregon and had to be hospitalized for injuries from the police beating and his injuries which were extensive. Think Alabama in 1955, and you are seeing Oregon in this modern day, and every single person of good conscience should be appalled, angry, writing letters and venting their thoughts.

Finally, I leave you with this video report that tells the story of Terrence Kimble as we see it based on available legal documents, all of which are posted in various Salem-News.com articles. I will also add the links to all of my articles involving Oregon prisons and racism, and there are many.

With almost 25 years of experience on the west coast and worldwide as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor, Tim King is Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. His background includes covering the war in Afghanistan in 2006 and 2007, and reporting from the Iraq war in 2008. Tim is a former U.S. Marine who follows stories of Marines and Marine Veterans; he's covered British Royal Marines and in Iraq, Tim embedded with the same unit he served with in the 1980's.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing from traditional mainstream news agencies like The Associated Press and Electronic Media Association; he also holds awards from the National Coalition of Motorcyclists, the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs; and was presented with a 'Good Neighbor Award' for his reporting, by the The Red Cross.

Tim's years as a Human Rights reporter have taken on many dimensions; he has rallied for a long list of cultures and populations and continues to every day, with a strong and direct concentration on the 2009 Genocide of Tamil Hindus and Christians in Sri Lanka. As a result of his long list of reports exposing war crimes against Tamil people, Tim was invited to be the keynote speaker at the FeTNA (Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America) Conference in Baltimore, in July 2012. This is the largest annual gathering of North American Tamils; Tim addressed more than 3000 people and was presented with a traditional Sri Lanka ‘blessed garland’ and a shawl as per the tradition and custom of Tamil Nadu

In a personal capacity, Tim has written 2,026 articles as of March 2012 for Salem-News.com since the new format designed by Matt Lintz was launched in December, 2005. Serving readers with news from all over the globe, Tim's life is literally encircled by the endless news flow published by Salem-News.com, where more than 100 writers contribute stories from 23+ countries and regions.

Tim specializes in writing about political and military developments worldwide; and maintains that the label 'terrorist' is ill placed in many cases; specifically with the LTTE Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, where it was used as an excuse to slaughter people by the tens of thousands; and in Gaza, where a trapped population lives at the mercy of Israel's destructive military war crime grinder. At the center of all of this, Tim pays extremely close attention to the safety and welfare of journalists worldwide.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

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

Anonymous December 26, 2013 6:17 pm (Pacific time)

Woody King's status as a former Marine means zip. He is a well-documented liar and a coward. He wants to try throwing a stone my way, well then...

There is nobody named Woody here and you can jump in a lake, no one cares. If you want to leave a comment use your name and then email our newsroom under the same name and I will consider it, but I'll probably just delete it.

Woody December 25, 2013 12:55 pm (Pacific time)

Seriously Dave, are we the politically correct police now? Tim's a former Marine, they shoot straight from the hip and say what needs to be said. Sometimes it doesnt come across in the right words, but Tim isnt throwing stones at anyone who doesnt need a knock to the head!

Dave Atias, Center for Disability Ri May 22, 2013 6:03 am (Pacific time)

Tim King - hates racism, no problem with insulting people with disabilities. Nice title.

I'm sorry, I will consider this in the future, thank you.

June February 13, 2013 7:15 pm (Pacific time)

I'm from AZ Oregon news is stuck on stupid. Les needs to retire and Kimble needs to be let free!!!

Beth C. February 12, 2013 2:04 pm (Pacific time)

The Oregonians' news need to leave the state of Oregon. ASAP!!

Nelson February 12, 2013 1:20 pm (Pacific time)

The Oregonian's news dept. needs to fix this problem ASAP!!! We are supposed to get along and work with the public and people of color - I'm very ashamed this is still happening in 2013.

Richard February 12, 2013 9:47 am (Pacific time)

I'm from Oregon I have been buying Statesman and Oregonian papers for years. I'm closing my account until I see some changes and I'm going to share this with my friends who also buy newspapers from the racist companies. The letter to Kimble really shows a way out of printing a interesting story. Les 40yrs of hate is not good dude!!

Bertha February 11, 2013 11:40 pm (Pacific time)

I'm from GA i know this kind of stuff goes on, but never experience it from the press. Most news papers compainies in 21st century want to expose racism. I guess out in oregon they are in bed together. That letter trip me out, Les stay away from the case.Les has sold his sole to the devil.

Sally February 11, 2013 11:25 pm (Pacific time)

It's hard to believe this kind of behavior is going on in the 21st century. Freedom of the press don't exist for black people. State'sman and now Oregonians violated Coleman and Kimble rights to the press. These are well document stories. What's wrong with the newspaper companies in Oregon. I seen Statesman protest all Mr. Coleman were asking was to print truth in the paper!!! Les got paid off!!!

Anonymous February 11, 2013 7:24 am (Pacific time)

i work for the oregonians i heard about Kimble case and believe it should be reported by Les, I'm surprise and not suprise he didnt share this story to the world i'm ashame for him and the people who didn't allow this story to hit the media. We all not like Les Zaitz.

Gill February 11, 2013 7:17 am (Pacific time)

i read the letter Tim it don't have nothing to do with the charge, what was this idot thinking? i believe he's innocent of the charge and Les got paid to not report.

Jeff February 10, 2013 6:47 pm (Pacific time)

Les Zaitz what are you thinking man? when you a reporter for 40yrs? doing this kind of BS? I could clearly understand. Les is used to getting away with hate for many years. Les give it up man.

Jim Dunn February 10, 2013 9:23 am (Pacific time)

Very interesting story. I hope Les get what coming to him, we know he don't care about black people incidents in oregon Judicial system. Les if i was you i print the truth about kimble's case. But you want do that because you are part of the GOOD O' BOY System.

Terry Jacob February 10, 2013 9:17 am (Pacific time)

i'm from FL wow can't believe Les would expain why he wouldn't investigate, due to prison problem on kimble behalf, les must be the dumbest reporter in Oregon. Kimble prison problems has nothing to do with his charge!! Les got paid well by DOC.

Mike February 10, 2013 9:11 am (Pacific time)

We know now who the real criminals. ODOC is protected by Les Zaitz. The letter tells it all.

Joesph February 10, 2013 9:07 am (Pacific time)

Free Mr. Kimble this man is innocent of these charges and Les Zaitz knows it he read the court documents and choose to not print the truth. Zes man to man you need to resign you too racist for your job......

Charlie February 9, 2013 11:55 am (Pacific time)

Les Zaitz need to resign. I think a lawsuit should be file on freedom of the press suit. I believe this story is worth printing.

Anonymous February 9, 2013 11:50 am (Pacific time)

I read kimble's case it's clear to me this man should never went to prison, soo Oregon/ governor free this man!!!!!

Brando February 9, 2013 11:46 am (Pacific time)

I'm from AZ can't believe that local and state newspaper wont print this incrediable story. Les letter to Kimble tells it all. They don't want to print anything about black men making a stand or the injustice by the Judicial system. Free KIMBLE ASAP!!!!

yolanda February 8, 2013 4:30 pm (Pacific time)

i from MA, where is the NAACP in your state are they sole out also!!! No freedom of the press for black people. Fire tha racist Les guy.

Kenny February 8, 2013 4:24 pm (Pacific time)

Les Zaitz is a sale out, he has forty + years of reporting and hating black people for some apparent reason. Zaitz is a type guy that will smile in your face and stab you in the rear. Zaitz need to not report no more DOC news he's a sale out. The letter to Kimble clearly shows he's no good!!!

candy February 8, 2013 4:17 pm (Pacific time)

I'm from oregon i thought we take good care of our black men in Oregon i guess only a few are good, i feel Sorry for Kimble a guess he should'nt never stop in Oregon. Free Kimble.

Earl Bell February 8, 2013 4:08 pm (Pacific time)

I from NC, i had a friend move to Oregon in 2005 he's now i prison on a measure 11. His crime was assualt on accident doing a dispute with girlfriend, he was only blocking punches she was throwing at him, she slip and hit her head. Oregon system need to change it's just destroying good men. Young black men leave Oregon this system is no good for you. example Tim the case in eugene OR young black man sky walker that was acuse of killing judge son when clearly a white boy threw the punch. You have more black men in prison than you have in Oregon. Is Oregon another country?

Lester news February 6, 2013 11:24 pm (Pacific time)

Les Zaitz really showed his true colors on this story. I vote Les Zaitz for new President of KKK of newspaper writing in oregon. can't believe Oregonian news is supporting him.

Gene Powers February 6, 2013 11:16 pm (Pacific time)

I hope these incidents don't continue in Oregon. I thought OR was a fair state for minorities. I guess I was wrong after reading the letter from Les to Kimble, now i have a change of heart about OR System. I can't believe why the Governor want step up and help kimble. We all no the reason why? Racism very much alive in OR.

jackie February 6, 2013 10:53 pm (Pacific time)

injustice!!! 11yrs of this man life is gone. Life for Kimble is going to complicated if he dont get this charge reverse. Oregon officials behind this will burn in hell!!!

Greg February 5, 2013 10:17 pm (Pacific time)

Man is this really happening in Oregon? Something must be done about this. Les is no good. Les is a sale out. Reading his letter to kimble proves he

Randy February 5, 2013 10:09 pm (Pacific time)

Welcome to Oregon Coleman this is how we treat our black men who try expose white corrupted state officials, you don't have a chance against Oregon system. This been going on for years. I admit you have exposed them . may be you can bring them to justice Who knows. Good Luck trying.

Tony February 5, 2013 6:49 pm (Pacific time)

I know Mr. Coleman, he always has been determined to seek justice. I hope he succeeds in his mission because the benefit would extend to so many voiceless people who try to live from day to day in what has to be the most corrupt prison system in the nation. The Oregon DOC is SOOOOO dirty! Days at OSP are packed with CO's and inmates doing deals, making transactions, making so much money. I think the IRS could someday be the ones to shed a lot of light on this. Way too much unaccounted for earnings to explain, of course maybe the IRS is under the spell of Oregon corruption too, it is so damned lucrative after all.

Harry Mac February 5, 2013 5:12 pm (Pacific time)

I'm from NJ i understand why Les want print. It's color of KImble skin. If Kimble was white he would have his pardon by governor, i would never live in Oregon. young black men leave Oregon because you are next!!

Rachel February 5, 2013 5:00 pm (Pacific time)

Tim I was told Les owns a small newspaper company in Salem I believe. something to look into. Les is dirty!!!

Kathy February 4, 2013 2:17 pm (Pacific time)

Free Mr. Kimble, I've read this story and it sickens me!! Governor, give this man his pardon

Anonymous February 4, 2013 1:51 pm (Pacific time)

Editor why not make Kimble's entire "public criminal record" public!? I'm sure the convicted felons out there would not like that, but it would be a public service so they can see why he received the sentence he did. Also maybe get a transcript of the entire trial proceedings so the public can see what the jury was exposed to...of course you have a fee to pay for that transcript, maybe these posters who feel so strongly can chip in?

david February 4, 2013 7:38 am (Pacific time)

Free Mr. Kimble this case should never made it to court. corruption in system.

kathy February 4, 2013 7:30 am (Pacific time)

Free Mr. Kimble, i read this story and it's sicken me!! Governor give this man his pardon

Sterling February 3, 2013 1:33 am (Pacific time)

I applaud Salem-News (Tim and Bonnie) and William for going the distance on this.. 19yrs.. Thats a Shame...

Richard in Seattle February 2, 2013 8:54 pm (Pacific time)

Governor do the right thing give Kimble his pardon!!! You've seen the evidence - free this man.

Terry Jackson February 2, 2013 6:51 pm (Pacific time)

I read the medical report online and I don't understand how Kimble was convicted. Free Mr. Kimble he serves 11yrs already for nothing.

Vivian Hall February 2, 2013 3:09 pm (Pacific time)

I'm from Washington State this is why I have no faith in the system, I read the medical report. I work with rape victims. The medical report clearly states this girl wasn't even touched physically no bruises, and she was a virgin. How many Kimbles are out there?

Randy Fisher February 2, 2013 1:49 pm (Pacific time)

Everyone who played a part in Kimble's being convicted should be punished. DA /Judge career should be over. They knew Kimble was innocent, had no evidence but allowed this case to go to trial.

Mr. Law February 2, 2013 11:54 am (Pacific time)

I'm not shocked at what I'm reading expecially in Oregon. I'm from CA, i hope that Kimble is released soon because this is injustice on a high level. I believe he was convicted on his past history, the court made Kimble into a meanace to society and an all white court room convicted him because of his past. Clear case of sterotyping to an all white jury. Welcome back to the 1920s.

Terry February 2, 2013 12:45 am (Pacific time)

This is crazy. If ths would happen to me. I don't know if i could live with myself, having to register as a sex offender. i will feel like i'm still in prison. Free kimble,

Anonymous February 1, 2013 10:48 am (Pacific time)

TO Anonymous @ 10:37PM: "8.5 Million Americans Left Labor Force In Obama's First Term" Which means more people were employed 30 years ago, and because of population growth we have even more [millions] now needing work. Add that to the fact of the high dropout rates in our schools coupled with the fact that union-controlled schools are putting out many graduates unprepared for today's job market. Obama appointed his close associate from Chicago to run the Educational Department. He also ran the one in Chicago which other than Washington DC had the lowest performing schools. Leadership or cronyism? Nothing really wrong with some forms of cronyism if it's a successful outcome for "We the People." Obama is not "governing"---he is doing some else. Think "Chauncy Gardner" in the movie "Being There." Consider these documented facts: Let's see, Q4 contracted, 8.5 million fewer people working than 4 years, black unemployment way up, Hispanic unemployment way up, female unemployment up, youth unemployment way up, Federal debt approaching 200% of GDP, worst recovery from a recession in history, 47 million on food stamps, 1 in 6 live in poverty, 49% pay no Federal tax....but we're in a 'recovery', and the economy has hit a 'snag'. Wow, I'd hate to see it if it hit a 'speed bump'. And Americans are being attacked and killed all over the world. We are in danger, big time. Wake Up! http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2013/02/01/85-million-americans-left-labor-force-obamas-first-term#ixzz2Jehi6Wet

Nadia Sindi February 1, 2013 12:42 am (Pacific time)

Racism and discriminations are not limited only to Blacks!! I've been targeted by the EPD, the D.A. and Dough Harcleroad since 1985! In one of my Mom's visit to me in 1987, we were shopping at Valley River when I was stopped by an officer who told me that my Mom was at the restaurant across from Valley River the night before and held the cashier and demanding cash!! My didn't speak English, nor know how to drive to go any where by her self!

I've lost my fully paid Condo to the most corrupted previous A.G Dave Frohnmayer! After the Condominium Associated of River Island Estates put a lean on it. I hired -'"the bank robber with the briefcase"- Bob Ackerman to sue the River Island Estates. Ackerman, sent a letter to my nephew vilifying me, then forged my sister's signature, hired Scarlett Lee from Barnhart Associates to sell our fully paid condo, that was marketed it- "$150,000.00 in 1998" Now it worth "$350,000.000" it's on the Willamette River.

We only got $42,000.00. It was Dave Frohnmayer who'd committed a fraud by forging my sister's signature, getting my Condo with the cheapest price. It was sold $62,000.00. Then, they listed with the realtor's, as it was sold $10,000.00 more $72,000.00 than actually was sold.

HUD, ACLU, $PLC, OSB, NAACP, the previous A.G. Hardy Mayer, with the two senators Wyden, Smith, and Congressman DeFazio

The criminal officials of Lane County are complicit with Frohnmayer! Frohnmayer is partner with Harrang law firm which is part of the County A.D. and the City attorney too! The previous A.D. trapped me in a criminal record for more than 10 years. Frohnmayer got me fired form my teaching job at the UO, blocked me from getting hired any where. in 2005 I was hired to teach at OSU. After only two weeks I was fired because one of the UO staff know about me working at Women Studies!

We have lost the most honorable decent A.G. because of Frohnmayer!!

We also need to hold Lane County government who are complicit with Dave Frohnmayer the previous A.G. Dave Frohnmayer has committed a crime of fraud with the help the bank robber with a briefcase Bob Ackerman. Ackerman hired Scarlett Lee from Barnhart Associates to sell our fully paid Condominium that was put on lean. They forged my sister's signature, after Ackerman sent a letter to my nephew vilifying me!

Justice for all February 1, 2013 12:20 am (Pacific time)

Will anyone in power help Coleman Fix this BS, If not we need to shut this state down.

Joseph January 31, 2013 10:43 pm (Pacific time)

I love the statesman protest. I hope Coleman protests the Oregonian, Les messed up!! This is unreal especially the letter to Kimble. How dumb!!

Anonymous January 31, 2013 10:37 pm (Pacific time)

Replying to Captain Carly: Obama is not incompetent!!! You're listening to Glenn Beck. Obama never stated he was taking all our guns, just the dangerous assault guns. I have no problem that Obama is trying to help with gun control. We should support what the victims' families want - that's getting as many of those weapons off the street. It's not about us it's about the family members who lost children from gun violence. I feel more safe with Obama being President then Bush. If Bush was president now this country would be in a civil war. He couldn't handle what Obama has on his plate. Remember no President has completed their vision, and never will:

Anonymous January 31, 2013 7:23 pm (Pacific time)

Frankly I find it unfortunate that Mr. Kimble is experiencing so many problems in his life, but there is an appeal process, and since "Anonymous" caimed God made Obama president, then maybe God can have an intervention on Mr. Kimble's behalf? As far as Obama and his current office that he was elected to, well did he campaign on some of the issues he's pushing now? No, nor is he following the constitutional process that has been in place since America began. Many of you may have noted that a federal court just ruled he has been operating illegally in regards to some recess appointments. Our world is much more dangerous since he was sworn in in 2009. Month's after our Libyan Ambassador was killed by terrorists hich was because of his complete lack of helping with security enhancements, he still claimed it was because of an insulting Islamic film. Of course this was during the campaign season, a time when he told people that he had essentially destroyed our radical Islamic enemies. We are in serious trouble in all aspects, and Obama has proven to be totally incompetent. It will worsen, so I pray Mr. Kimble get's all that he deerves and I pray that the House and Senate get's their act together and demand Obama leave, or remove him. If not, and he continues, then his next acts' will include creating a food shortage problem. If stores do not get stocked, they would be empty in less than 2-3 days. Then the riots, then martial law. You have firearms? Obama wants to take them all away, and we have him on record hoping for that going back to when he was in the Illinois legislature, where he voted "present" over 100 times. Is that leadeship?

Anonymous January 31, 2013 12:33 pm (Pacific time)

Replying to captain racist Carly: Listen to yourself, Obama has more on his plate then any president that ever lived. Obama is trying to clean up 30yrs of garbage - he's the maid. i never saw any president disrespected in my life. First the Birth certificate comparing him to Hitler Obama is doing a great job. Obama was re-elected for a reason!!! God allowed Obama to be President. What you need to do is pray for him to make right decisions. You are stereotyping, I believe blacks now since they had their black president which is historic, you talk about Obama's education through law school, regardless, calling him an Hustler, all that's stereotyping, just admit his race" running this country is the main reason you are bitter. maybe because he black and in your opinion he must live up to your standards. I wonder how many black inmates are innocent like Kimble!!! Court transcripts don't matter when all white jury is not a jury of a black man peers!!

Anonymous January 31, 2013 8:53 am (Pacific time)

To Anonymous @ 1:25am. Regarding your comment about a poster being an "Obama hater and a racist!" Per you, does that mean all those who voted against Obama hate him and are therefore racists? If so, then the entire Republican congress is racist along with approximately 65% of American white people, and all others who voted against him. I myself hate no one, for I will never allow someone to have that kind of power. But as per the campaign manager of RFK, this democrat called Obama a "hustler." I find him far worse and he needs to be removed from office by set congressional processes. I believe that will happen. Even my liberal progressive friends are waking up. As far as what he has done for blacks, well black unemployment is way up, as well as all metrics that apply to quality of life. I believe even if it was Al Sharpton who ran, blacks would still vote for their race, not for who the best candidate is. You can see that happening all over the world. As far as black incarceration rates, well just look at the black violence rates. Not a lot of blacks in Oregon outside of Portland, and still they lead on a per capita rate in all violent crimes. Is there a backlash by whites coming? Just watch...

Mr. black January 31, 2013 1:40 am (Pacific time)

Question for anyone with legal experience regarding The Oregonian newspaper's refusal to print documented facts about a black man in prison, can some interest group file a lawsuit against the paper for freedom of the press violation/ discrimination? I read that a lot prison cases about white males... the Cannon case come to mind, he was convicted of murder and served 10yrs, later evidence was lost by state police that freed Cannon.

Phillip K. January 31, 2013 1:38 am (Pacific time)

I'm not shocked about this story, Les is old school. We need some new blood writing DOC stories.

Emily Wilson January 31, 2013 1:31 am (Pacific time)

There's no excuse for this kind of reporting!!! This is why Oregonians seek change..... because they have people like Les Zaitz not wanted to print the truth about state official misconduct.

Anonymous January 31, 2013 1:25 am (Pacific time)

Reply to Captain Carly Hockenstein: You are making excuses for Les and his bosses, it was his story if he wanted it!! We in Oregon, are any black Organizations sold out uncle Toms to the system? Senator Jackie Winters/ Margaret Carter used to come in and visit inmates and promised them help about the racism. My son's been locked up for 20yrs and he tells me all the white officers call him monkey all the time. After how the state of Oregon killed Frankie and covered it up. A very simple cold case. You sound like an Obama hater and a racist!! You sound like you want to put a bullet in Kimble, inviting him to break in your house if he escape, People like you will burn in hell!!!

Anonymous January 31, 2013 12:58 am (Pacific time)

How old is that reporter he's still living in the 50s. How dumb can you be to write a letter to Kimble he's not reporting:The prison incidents don't have anything to do with his conviction. unreal mess!!!

Silence Dogood January 30, 2013 10:51 pm (Pacific time)

Going to the posioned-well of Zaitz and/or Crombie at the Oregonian was a big mistake. The Francke-Gable story-fracas between the Portland Tribune and Willamette Week via Zaitz and Crombie's Oregonian article about Frank Gable is legendary. Zaitz/Oregonian was given the opportunity to simply do more harm to Terrance (like their documented disinterest and then after-the-story broke-management of the Goldschmidt "Affair" did to the victim of the rapes). Nigel broke the Goldschmidt Affair story at WW and subsequently won a Pulitzer Prize in journalism for his investigative reporting..

Editor: Good points, thank you, this article link has been added to the Portland media Websites including WW, perhaps they will show interest, thank you.

Beth January 30, 2013 10:12 pm (Pacific time)

My son has told me about a lot of corruption by state officials. It is very hard to have your child that you tried to raise well in that type of environment. I didn't believe him because he's always endlessly talking about corrupted officials and it seemed too unreal. He was a bad person - that's why I didn't want to believe him but after reading the links below, I am realizing that he was telling the truth. Les is not a good reporter, he ran his course long ago in the 80's and frankly I can't believe he is still employed. The demeaning letter to Kimble proves that this man does not understand even the first thing about how this complicated world treats African-Americans. Does he have any Black friends? As long as we have to rely on reporters like that to break the back of this racist prison system, it will simply keep going and going and the Michael Francke point is good to make, very good, for anyone paying even a small amount of attention.

Robert January 30, 2013 10:09 pm (Pacific time)

Coleman should just give up on this state move on and start over. Coleman is trying hard to fix something that can't be fixed. We all know it's wrong how he's been treated especially by the press. Les's letter to Kimble tells it all i can't believe he just punked out of this story. I lost a lot of respect for the Oregonian's news.

Tim Rodgers January 30, 2013 9:54 pm (Pacific time)

I find it hard to believe this story, but that letter to Kimble made a believer out of me. Kimble's prison incident has nothing to do with his conviction, so I am confused, what gives? I have lived in Oregon for three years and I am constantly surprised at what I encounter, is nobody able to do anything? Is this as far as it goes? I hope not.

Betty January 30, 2013 7:24 pm (Pacific time)

My son is in snake river, he told me how officers lie about inmates and set inmates up in fights so they can be put in the hole. so I know sadly that there is a lot of truth to this story.

Henry January 30, 2013 7:20 pm (Pacific time)

Kimble should be free along with a few others I know. It's a lot of Les's out there, who claim to help, then just turn their back on you. There are no more real reporters that will stand up for what is right regardless. Just one Tim King.

Sue January 30, 2013 7:15 pm (Pacific time)

I have read plenty stories on other inmates cases from Les, none of them involved black inmates now i read this, shame on the Oregonian newspaper allowing this kind of hate in the 21st century.

Josh January 30, 2013 6:27 pm (Pacific time)

I live in Oregon i hope that it's just Les that work there who don't want to do what's right. Mr.Coleman put a lot of time trying to help an innocent man. Les can't be sleeping good right now. This is a serious problem, i want support Oregonians news any more. Thanks for reporting Tim.

Tom white January 30, 2013 6:19 pm (Pacific time)

I'm from Florida and reading this article makes anyone not trust media that is bought out. I hope Oregonian/ Statesman Journal change their policies and allow black inmates' stories to be printed in the paper. if I haven't seen the letter Les Zaitz wrote to Kimble I would find this hard to believe. wow!!

Captain Carly Hockenstein Ret. January 30, 2013 3:28 pm (Pacific time)

Tim it's a matter of public record regarding T. Kimble's arrest and conviction(s). These histories are evaluated during sentencing times. Zaitz has a chain of command, and maybe your beef is with his bosses, and the major stockholders? It has been my experience as a professional going back to the 1960's that when all else fails, a charge of racism is the last resort. It worked for a while, but like the "Boy who cried wolf" more and more people can see who the real racists are. Currently you are seeing Barak Hussein Obama beginning once again to play the race card, something well documented while a high school student and played down when he failed miserably the Law School Admission Tests out of Columbia University. Years later his zionists handlers arranged another deal and off to Harvard, even became president of the Harvard Law Review. The first one who never published anything. Both he and his wife have never tried one case in court. So all these calls about racism in the Oregon corrections will continue to be ignored, as we all must wrestle with the need to impeach this racist felon in DC. Good luck anyway, but he had a jury, and no black organization is interested. They have reviewed the court transcripts and have made their decisions. Frankly my hope is he escapes and tries to break into my home.

mike January 30, 2013 2:53 pm (Pacific time)

Everyone should take a month off and not support Oregonian news. Maybe they would realize that Black people are human also. This is crazy what happen to freedom of the press for all humans?

Lori Williams January 30, 2013 2:29 pm (Pacific time)

Kimble is innocent of this charge according to documents. I believe his race plays a great part and that is why the Statesman or Oregonian fails to write about his case. It's sad we still have this kind of hate going on in the world today. Free Kimble!!

Jackie Cater January 30, 2013 2:16 pm (Pacific time)

I support the Oregonian, they have been pretty fair about reporting, but after seeing this, I must question their morals. Good reporting!!!!

Wild Bill January 30, 2013 2:10 pm (Pacific time)

The Oregonian is part of the DOC family they are not going to bring down their friends. Les should retire, he's a butt sniffer.

John Mason January 30, 2013 2:01 pm (Pacific time)

What was Les thinking? Mr. Coleman seems like he won't stop fighting until he has no more breath in his body. I read about the statesman protest and saw the video. Coleman is right - they don't want to print the truth. Tim keep up the good work.

Editor: The protest at the Statesman Journal newspaper over racist reporting practices is here: Demonstrators Protest Local Newspaper Over Racism Thank you John.

Bruce January 30, 2013 1:54 pm (Pacific time)

I'm an ex-con, this kind of criminal action goes on a lot in prison, the Statesman Journal in Salem is the same way when it comes to covering the problems of black inmates, We have a lot to talk about but no one will listen to us. I hope this event gets out all over the world. We get no coverage, thanks Salem news.

susan January 30, 2013 1:45 pm (Pacific time)

If i didn't see the letter Les written to Kimble i wouldn't believe it if i heard it verbally i love seeing this in writing, this is very powerful.

Billy Watson January 30, 2013 1:40 pm (Pacific time)

I lived in Oregon for 20yrs I'm white male, I just don't understand why Mr. Les Zaitz would not want write about this case, it seems that he has made a deal with DOC when it come to reporting about blacks in the prison system.

Jean Johnson January 30, 2013 1:33 pm (Pacific time)

Wow!! he was paid, i mean the reason he's given to drop the case make no sense.

Liz T. January 30, 2013 1:16 pm (Pacific time)

Whatever happened to fairness? I can't fricking believe this story, the state of Oregon is an unjust place, to say the least, along with their so-called news media, this would never fly in my state!

Anonymous January 30, 2013 12:06 pm (Pacific time)

The Oregonian reporter sounds like he could care less, that is sad and wrong.

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