PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
$5 Million Sought in Brutality and Corruption Lawsuit
Trial June 5, 2017
Civil Court Hearing Case - 2:08-cv-00470
Andre Jacobs vs City of Pittsburgh et al
Federal Building, 700 Grant Street
PIttsburgh, PA 15219
Courtroom: Judge Joy Flowers Conti
Ghetto-bred courtroom sensation Andre Jacobs is back with a bigger vision in this federal civil rights action against the Allegheny County Jail. The case which features testimony from over 40 witnesses, centers on a work culture where supervisors authorize sexual abuse and retaliation against prisoners and staff to terrorize them for exposing staff corruption. For Andre, that retaliation came in the form of brutal beatings, planted evidence and officials perjured testimony at the various criminal trials Allegheny County Police unsuccessfully and maliciously prosecuted Andre on.
Advocates, organizations, media and citizens concerned with mass incarceration or excessive tax-dollars spending are invited and encouraged to attend this trial for live testimony from staff and prisoners that demonstrate how guard corruption makes the entire community unsafe to live.
For more information about the cae or Andre Jacobs visit:https://supremenetworkllc.wordpress.com/ or go to his facebook page.
Press Contact:
Tomar Hayes
412-583-2618
Details:
Supreme Network founder Andre Jacobs is demanding $5 million dollars for the injuries, pain and suffering he sustained as a result of staff beatings and other abuse at the Allegheny County jail between 2005 and 2007. “Prisoners were treated worse than dogs in that jail.” the founder insists” ….walked around on dog leashes, fed trays a 5 year old could eat and if you complain they pepper-spray you like a roach and bet you like a runaway slave.”
Mr. Jacobs alleges in his federal civil rights lawsuit that jail officials kept him in punitive segregation for fifteen months to silence him from exposing staff corruption. When he continued to file grievances, he was beaten bloody by staff and framed with criminal charges that he was repeatedly acquitted of on grounds of self-defense and lack of evidence. Mr. Jacobs back, leg, and facial injuries were left untreated by the jail medical department and have haunted him every day since.
The fight for justice in this case has been undermined and marred by the defendants refusal to turn over evidence. Mr. Jacobs was successful in convincing two federal judges to issue sanctions against the defendants for this refusal on two separate occasions but the defendants will not budge. In a hearing on the issue before Judge Joy Flowers Conti, Deputy Warden William Emerick testified that ten years worth of prior grievances and investigative records were mistakenly “lost” by unknown persons or processes. “You better find out where those records are” the judge told Attorney Craig Maravich. “You can't have a system of justice where documents disappear and there’s no explanation for them”. Mr. Jacobs argues the testimony was perjured. The evidence wasn't “lost”. The jail either destroyed it, still has it or never created it in the first place.
Because the many other lawsuits against the jail were settled before trial or dismissed for lack of evidence that the abuse is systemic, this trial against the Allegheny County Jail Is unlike any in PIttsburgh history. It features the stories and testimony of over 20 former prisoners, along with current or former employees who will corroborate Mr. Jacobs claim that supervisors authorized and encouraged a culture where staff and prisoners lived in constant fear of retaliation for reporting staff misconduct. One female staff member reported that another staff member waved his phallus at her while on duty but insisted he not be investigated at for fear of retaliation. Current jail guard Domenic Mazzocca testified in a deposition on May 21, 2014 that this culture of silence exists because “nobody wants to be labeled a snitch, especially at their workplace and especially against a supervisor.”
Former public defender Dennis Biondo Jr. is representing the county defendants. Whatever his level of legal prowess, he has his work cut out for him facing Andre Jacobs. At age of 26, Mr. Jacobs acted as his own attorney against more seasoned attorneys in 2008 and won and unheard of $185,000 judgement against the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. In that case, Mr. Jacobs proved claims of systematic retaliation, conspiracy, denial of access to courts and defamation of his character by prison employees and officials. Just last year, jaws dropped watching ghetto-bred sensation defend criminal charges that he participated in a riot and emerged victorious.
Asked about his chances of winning this case, the young book author and business owner coolly responds, “when you know you’re telling the truth, you don't have to worry.”
Read the case docket here that includes defendants names and details of the case:
UPDATE
Victory: Judge Drops Felony Charge Against Carrington Keys, Ending Nearly 7 Year Fight to Exonerate the “Dallas 6” Prisoner Whistleblowers
In a victory ruling for last remaining “Dallas 6” defendant Carrington Keys, Judge Lesa Gelb found him guilty only of the lesser charge of disorderly conduct and sentenced him to 4-8 months, concurrent with his current sentence – he faces no extra time inside. Mr. Keys waived his right to a jury trial and withdrew two motions he had filed to dismiss and quash the charges. All of the guards declined to testify as "victims". Fifteen supporters and a documentary film team were present in court to hear the good news.
PACK THE COURT FOR CARRINGTON KEYS
OF DALLAS 6
March 13, 2017 @ 10:30
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 N. River St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Judge Lesa Gelb
Press conference promptly @ 10:00-10:15 am in front of courthouse on N. River Street side.
Complete check-in if you want to go but need a ride or can drive- http://tinyurl.com/dallas6check-in
Latest Op-Ed - http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/39801-revolutionary-love-fighting-prison-injustice-from-both-sides-of-the-wall
DETAILS
CARRINGTON KEYS is the last of the Dallas 6 and faces serious bogus charges of assault. Thanks to the men’s determination and the active backing of supporters, the prosecution failed to win a conviction for anything but a few misdemeanors in its expensive six year criminal pursuit of the men, finally dropping riot charges against the remaining three last April. They are now trying to make an example of and retaliate against Carrington Keys who has two active civil judgments against DOC staff, including the father in law of DA Stefanie Salavantis. Your support is needed now more than ever to bring this to a close and win a victory for all of the Dallas 6. Please pack the court with us
WHO ARE THE DALLAS 6?
This Dallas 6 case began because of an April 29, 2010 peaceful protest against illegal and inhumane and tortuous conditions created by the Department of Corrections’ prison guards in the “hole” at the State Correctional Institution at Dallas PA (SCI Dallas), including food starvation, mail destruction, beatings, medical neglect, use of a “torture chair” and deaths of various prisoners. After guards tortured fellow prisoner Isaac Sanchez in a “torture chair” overnight and threatened several Dallas 6 members with death, these men decided that they didn’t want to suffer anymore. Covering their cell door windows with bedding, the prisoners demanded that the abuse stop, and requested access to their counselors, state police, the District Attorney and the Public Defenders’ Office. They had no access to telephones or computers and their incoming and out-going mail was being destroyed to undermine their ability to expose the corruption.
Rather than investigate or attempt to resolve the issues which occurred for over a year prior to April 29, 2010, prison officials staged an armed assault against the unarmed men, who were all locked inside of their individual cells, viciously attacking them with electro-shock shields, tazers, fists, and pepper-spray. While all of the guards involved in the incident admitted that they did not suffer any injuries, members of the Dallas 6 were left bloody, naked, with burnt skin, in pain.
Following the assaults, several Dallas 6 members were transferred to other prisons. Hundreds of documents were generated, including specific claims of misconduct alleged against the Dallas 6. Not once was the word “riot” mentioned. After civil actions and other complaints were filed against prison guards and officials regarding the events, the prison, state police, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office formed an alliance to bring criminal charges against the Dallas 6. They have broken the law to pursue bogus charges, cover up their crime and carry out a personal vendetta. These are the individuals who should be on trial not Carrington Keys.
Trial may last 2-3 days. Rooms may be provided for those who want to stay.
Carpooling is available in Philadelphia & Possibly Pittsburgh
Carrington Keys and The Justice for Dallas 6 support team thank you for your support and commitment. If you cannot attend, a donation to help us get the family members and supporters there would be appreciated. http://tinyurl.com/donatedallas6
For any questions please contact Shandre Delaney @ sd4hrc@gmail.com or 570-763-9504
ONLINE:
Visit scidallas6.blogspot.com for info, to endorse or donate
Email: freedom4six@gmail.com
Twitter: #Dallas6 #Justice4Dallas6
DONATIONS:
Online:
http://tinyurl.com/donatedallas6
Donate By Mail:
Abolitionist Law Center
PO Box 8564
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
check memo line - PJWSC/Dallas 6
SIGN/SHARE PETITIONS:
Petition to Dismiss Charges Against Carrington Keys
https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-dismiss-all-charges-against-dallas-6
Petition to Indict Corrupt Officials
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/petition-to-indict-luzerne
Thanks for your continued support!!!
Click to view >NEWS 28 - Coverage 1st day of trial
Click to view > Court Report
PACK THE COURT APRIL 11, 2016
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| This is what the Dallas 6 "riot" really looked like. Drawing by Molly Crabapple.
Court will resume Monday, April 11, 2016. The Dallas 6 will continue questioning DOC officials and then take the stand to defend themselves. Closing statements should be made by end of Monday or Tuesday morning.
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Luzerne County Courthouse
200 N. River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Courtroom: Judge Lesa
Gelb 3rd Fl
CAN YOU COME?
Trial may last 2or 3 more days.
COMPLETE THE ONLINE
CHECK-IN if
you plan on attending trial, need a ride or can provide a ride from Philly - http://tinyurl.com/dallas6check-in
CANT COME? For those who cant make it to the trial but want to show support, please take part in a call-in/fax-in to the DA office demanding she drop charges. Details and talking points at - http://tinyurl.com/
Dallas 6 online:
Twitter Hashtag - #Dallas6 #Justice4Dallas6
Phoebe Jones, Justice for the Dallas 6 Support Campaign; Global Women’s Strike
610-505-4944
COURT REPORT AUGUST 24, 2015
CLICK LINK BELOW TO HEAR:
Just in!: Why solitary confinement is a form of torture - fantastic illustrated op ed video by Molly Crabapple mentioning Dallas 6 on fusion.net |
* * * * * * * *
Next court date: Friday, March 6 at 1:30pm – pack the court! Luzerne County
Courthouse, Wilkes-Barre, PA, hearing on motions to dismiss the charges. The start of the trial, should it go
forward, has been scheduled for August 24, 2015.
* The Dallas 6 are six
African-American prisoners in solitary confinement in the SCI Dallas
Pennsylvania prison who blew the whistle on and peacefully protested against
abuse and violence by prison guards in 2010. They
were charged with “rioting” and have been on trial ever since in “kids for
cash” Luzerne County.
Feb 19th court summary. Testimony on the
motions to dismiss the charges will now be heard on Friday March 6, as the
February 19 session was spent instead on negotiating a favorable plea agreement
for Carrington Keys and Anthony Locke which was upended at the last minute by
Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie J. Salavantis, drawing more attention
to Dallas 6 claims of retaliation, personal vendetta and corruption. DA Salavantis has personal ties to SCI Dallas
prison. Plea agreement for Derrick
Stanley proceeds. Over 40 supporters
packed the court.
Press coverage breakthrough. The Luzerne
County-based Times Leader finally covered the hearing, after family members
went over to the office to present information. This article was published on
Monday, Feb 23: Has
videotape of cell extraction at Dallas SCI in Luzerne County been altered? Please leave a comment on the story at the
link to show your support for the Dallas 6.
A letter to the editor is being drafted to correct the inaccuracy that
Carrington Keys and Anthony Locke pled guilty.
Also, prisoner Kerry “Shakaboona” Marshall of the
Human Rights Coaltion’s The Movement
recorded a piece on the Dallas 6 for Prison Radio. Listen
here.
Derrick Stanley and Shandre Delaney debrief with supporters after the hearing  |
Community
Support
Nearly forty Dallas 6 supporters from
across Pennsylvania, including a growing contingent from Luzerne County,
waited patiently outside the courtroom on Thursday morning as defense lawyers
Michael Wiseman, Ernie Preate and the prisoners negotiated the terms of a
plea deal with the prosecution.
|
The plea deal, which was open to any of
the men, would have dropped all felony charges, including extra felony charges
on Carrington Keys; the misdemeanor charges would result in no new jail time
for any of the prisoners and no probation, including Derrick Stanley who is
already out of prison; and the plea would not be legally considered an
admission of guilt. The Dallas 6 discussed and decided that Carrington Keys and
Derrick Stanley would accept the deal, while Duane Peters and Andre Jacobs
would take the case to trial.
The fact that the Dallas 6 were offered
such a deal indicates the weakness of the prosecution’s case and the reluctance
of the Assistant District Attorney to try the case. Attorney Wiseman’s arguments exposed
weaknesses at the last hearing, in particular that the men could not have been
“rioting” when isolated in cells and in submissive positions. Additionally, for over 4 years the
prosecution has tampered with and withheld evidence that would exonerate the
men, such as video of the cell extractions.
The defense motions to dismiss the charges still must be heard before
proceeding to trial.
Harassment
of supporters
Supporters were finally let into the
courtroom over an hour late and then in single file after
having their bags rifled through and bodies searched – a ridiculous amount of
security not seen in previous hearings.
This, the half dozen police officers assigned to each hearing, and the
whole case itself spanning now almost five years are a terrible waste of police
time and taxpayers’ money. Supporters, who filled all of one side of the court
and spilled over to the other side, vow to return in even greater numbers March
6.
The
next hearing date is set for March 6 at 1:30pm. The start of the trial has been
scheduled for August 24, 2015. Please
contact us if you can help pack the court March 6! Sign
up for court attendance HERE.
Duane Peters’ family presents information to Times Leader reporter Ed Lewis at the newspapers’ office.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
·
SIGN
PETITIONS:
Petition to Dismiss AllCharges against the Dallas 6
Petition to Indict Corrupt Luzerne County officials
Petition to Indict Corrupt Luzerne County officials
More info: sd4hrc@gmail.com Facebook scidallas6.blogspot.com
Justice for the Dallas 6 Support Campaign:
Abolitionist Law Center; Every Mother is a Working Mother Network; Fight for
Lifers West; Germantown Friends Meeting Mass Incarceration Working Group;
Global Women’s Strike & Women of Color@GWS – US; Human Rights Coalition –
Fed Up; Human Rights Coalition – Philadelphia; Marcellus Shale Earth First;
Mishkan Shalom New Jim Crow Study-Action Group; Payday men’s network; Peacehome
Campaigns; Shalefield Organizing Committee.
Endorsements: Art for
Justice; Brandywine Peace Community; California Families Against Solitary
Confinement (CFASC); The Center for Returning Citizens (TCRC); Decarcerate PA;
Defending Dissent Foundation; Global Women’s Strike & Women of Color@GWS –
UK; Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP); Human Rights Defense Center – Lake
Worth, Florida; Jewish Voice For Peace - Philadelphia; People’s Opposition to
War Imperialism and Racism (POWIR) – Hollywood, Florida; Philadelphia Coalition
for REAL Justice; Sin Barras – Without (Prison) Bars – Santa Cruz; T'ruah: The
Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; WHAT’S UP?! Pittsburgh; Welfare Warriors;
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – Philadelphia. Individual Endorsements: Pam Africa,
International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal; Patrice
Armstead, Building People’s Power and Coalition Demanding Reinstatement of Dr.
Monteiro; Malik Aziz, Founder, Men United for a Better Philadelphia and
Chairman, National Exhoodus Council; Pastor Antoinette Johnson, King Solomon
Baptist Church; Dr. Anthony Monteiro; Rev. Bob Moore, Executive Director,
Coalition for Peace Action (for id purposes only); Margaret Prescod, host of
“Sojourner Truth” on Pacifica Radio; Dr. Heather Ann Thompson, Professor of
African American Studies & History, Temple University; Dr. Cornel West,
Princeton University; Dr. Carla Willard, Africana Studies Program, Franklin
& Marshall College. Partnering with: AFSC Prison Watch.
Court Report:
The Dallas 6 Win a Continuance to Prepare Their Defense
Nov 10, 2014 Luzerne County Courthouse, Wilkes-Barre PA
For the latest info and how you can get involved, go toscidallas6.blogspot.com.
Please read and circulate this article on the Dallas 6 by Victoria Law for Solitary Watch • http://solitarywatch.com/…/on-trial-for-protesting-conditi…/
Listen to an interview with Shandre Delaney on Pacifica Radio’s Sojourner
Truth - http://archive.kpfk.org/
Truth - http://archive.kpfk.org/
Make a Donation at https://rally.org/f/cYcu5EZH77O ! or send check/money order payable to Abolitionist Law Center, P.O. Box 8654 Pittsburgh PA 15221 Memo line: Dallas 6
In a victory for the Dallas 6, Luzerne County Judge Lesa Gelb agreed to their motion to continue the trial until February 17, 2015. The continuance was requested so that Michael Wiseman, newly-retained attorney for Derrick Stanley, could review the case and meet with each of the men and because, despite court orders, the men have been prevented from communicating with each other in order to prepare their defense.
The men were also able to put on the record how they are being denied their right to due process, are experiencing retaliation, and had their legal papers tampered with. In response, Judge Gelb said she would talk to the local solicitors about anything going on in jail, and offered to put prison officials on the phone with them and Mr. Wiseman. She denied their motion to recuse herself from the case.
Four of the original Dallas 6 remain united in their quest for justice: Andre Jacobs, Carrington Keys, Derrick Stanley, and Duane Peters. Anthony Kelly accepted an earlier plea deal and Anthony Locke is being represented by Ernie Preate in a severed case. Derrick Stanley is out of prison. The remaining three were brought in to court late, shackled and without the suits provided by their family members, and seated within close hearing distance of their prosecutors. Carrington Keys told the court his legal papers arrived from SCI Retreat torn and in shambles “with boot marks” on them and that they were inventoried without him being present. Andre Jacobs said that he was not allowed one single phone call to discuss the case in over a year. Duane Peters said the prison said “we’re not making photocopies for Blacks”, and he asked the judge why the DA is not enforcing the judge’s orders against retaliation.
About two dozen family and supporters attended the trial and the lively press conference that preceded it, which was attended by WNEP TV and The Independent News.
Shandre Delaney, mother of Carrington with the Human Rights Coalition and Abolitionist Law Center in Pittsburgh, spoke of how the Dallas 6 are being persecuted and maliciously prosecuted for being whistleblowers and for having the audacity to stand up for their constitutional right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.
Derrick Stanley spoke of how the abuse he saw and suffered from affected his psyche so that he had to act in peaceful protest.
Isaac Sanchez whose confinement to a restraint chair prompted the Dallas 6 to cover their windows in protest spoke of his support for and gratitude to the Dallas 6.
Other statements of support came from Phoebe Jones of the Global Women’s Strike, Eric Gjertsen of Payday men’s network, Theresa Shoatz whose father was in solitary for much of his 40 years inside, and Lynne Iser from a Jewish faith-based mass incarceration campaign. Also represented were Decarcerate PA, the Every Mother is a Working Mother Network, Human Rights Coalition Philly, Marcellus Shale Earth First, and the Shalefield Organizing Committee.
Brief Summary of December 9 Court Proceedings
Before court, the guys were offered a very unfavorable deal which they all turned down. They were offered to plead guilty to a riot charge and get 5 years probation for everyone else and 7 years probation for Carrington Keys. Needless to say,this was not accepted by any of the Dallas 5. Before court the sheriffs tried to intimidate family members and supporters as usual. The judge even referred to the supporters as the galley. Luzerne County courts think they can continue to railroad people and this is no doubt what they are trying to do in this case. The judge began the proceedings by saying her favorite words "we are going to trial today". Therefore the guys stood up and asked if she intended to just deny all their motions and proceed without giving them opportunity to redress. She said they can redress anything by appeal after the trial. Meaning, once we find you guilty, you can then appeal any decisions and be in court forever trying to clear your name.Judge Gelb, DA's Mcmonagle and Hogan, PA DOC and guards worked together that day. The guards were passing notes to the DA. The DA set right next to the defendants and could overhear any confidential matters they were speaking of. The men were in a disadvantage because the judge, unaware of how to address many of the motions, was directed by the DA whom she often looked to for approval of her decisions. She was asked to recuse herself but she did not. She decided that the non arraignment of Mr. Locke was not a reason for dismissal because he knew what he was charged with. They were past the 120 days but she decided it wasn't their fault that the state did not get Andre Jacobs to court even though case law was presented that it is the commonwealth's responsibility to get him there. Anything they were found to be in error of she found an excuse to justify. It is quite clear that they intend to do any and everything to find these guys guilty of riot even though all they did was cover their cell windows.
JUSTICE FOR THE DALLAS 5
PACK THE COURTROOM
December 9, 2013
9:00 am
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 N. River St
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Judge Lisa Gelb
In
April 2010, at SCI Dallas (PA), after a series of abuses at the hands of
corrections officials, 6 prisoners housed in the solitary confinement unit
decided they had enough and decided to stage a protest in response to the
inhumane conditions and mistreatment of prisoners. Each prisoner involved in
the protest is now collectively referred to as the Dallas 6. They
are Andre Jacobs, Carrington Keys, Anthony Locke, Duane Peters and Derrick
Stanley. They peacefully covered their cell windows and doors
to protect themselves from harm after guards began beating prisoners one by
one. They asked for an outside official to come into the prison and mediate
between the inmates and guards, who were abusing prisoners. Instead of receiving this mediation by an
outside official, guards attacked the Dallas 5 with pepper spray, Tasers, and
their fists.
For peacefully
demonstrating for an end to human rights abuses, these men suffered retaliation
and criminal charges of riot. Contrary
to the charges, these men did not incite riot. They did not cause or create riot!
They had no ability to do so within a single cell solitary confinement
unit! These same men contributed to the
Human Rights Coalition report which detailed ongoing abuses and human rights violations
within the dungeons of this state and especially at SCI Dallas. These charges are
inappropriate; non-violent protests are always handled through internal
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections disciplinary actions not criminal court.
As
revealed in the Human Rights Coalition report and before the House of
Representatives, there has long been a policy within the prison walls of Dallas
and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) to operate a corrupt
administration under an iron wall of silence. Under this code of silence, SCI Dallas, PA
DOC, District Attorney’s Office, Attorney General’s Office as well as the
Pennsylvania State Police operates in participation and conjunction with one
another to cover up crimes and misconduct by overlooking video footage of
officers, the real criminals, committing human rights violations. The guards should be on trial and not the
Dallas 5.
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The court continues its dog and pony show with this case. This will be the 7th or 8th time these men have been before the Luzerne County Court in 3 1/2 years with not as much as 1 motion decided upon. It is ridiculous and a huge waste of taxpayer money. In another attempt to stall the case, Judge Gelb has decided to give Mr. Peters a psyche evaluation because they don't understand his filings under the Moorish citizenship that he claims. While this may be true it definitely has no bearing on the case and the fact that it does not dismiss the fact that these men were tortured and then made complaints, once they made complaints the retaliatory "riot"charges were brought against them. A man's nationality or beliefs should have no bearing on this case.
Next hearing
December 9, 2013
9 am
Luzerne County Courthouse
Judge Lisa Gelb
200 N. River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
