Well, it’s been a minute since I’ve written anything. Holidays do that to me. Plus, the virus made a visit to the compound and wreaked havoc. Fortunately, I was not physically affected, but the processes of prison tested my patience tremendously. But, it is all part of the plan.
Last week I received news from my attorney that the appeals court rejected one of my motions. Not a red-banner day for me, but not devastating to my cause either. After reviewing my feelings and the facts of the case, I feel it very well was an answer to my prayers.
How do you say?
Well, my prayer is to go home. My prayer is to reconnect and rebuild my family and my life. In essence, to get a second chance at this thing called life. This decision keeps that hope alive.
What would have happened if I won this decision? Well, I would have had to spend more money and more time in prison. The ruling would have brought me back to day 1 in my post-conviction world. I would have been able to re-appeal my case…from prison. So it was the lesser of the motions I persued, but with my back against the wall, I will try anything I can.
The most frustrating this is that the judges did not issue an opinion. They did not say why they denied my motion. Florida is one of only a few states that the judicial can do that. Why is this frustrating? Besides the obvious, it does not allow me to see their argument or to pursue a rehearing or even another appeal. They just say no and they do not have to substantiate it with law or logic. To me, that is a grave injustice.
So now I wait for the decision I’m really looking for. Please pray with me for God’s mercy and another chance. Please consider helping by sharing my story attached (https://gofund.me/619308eb) on the GFM page set up over 2 years ago. And stay tuned…more of life from the inside to follow.
Happy 2021…let God bless us all.
Michael Barnes' Story 