[Here I'm playing electric piano at a Horizon Interfaith program in prison, around December 2001
(with volunteer Don, my "Outside Brother," on guitar)]

I've hesitated to discuss the details of my conviction too much on MySpace - largely for two reasons.

1) It's a long story to tell, and for you to understand how it's possible that a jury of "my peers" found me guilty of a crime I did not commit would require me to give the book I'm writing away for free (and I'm not finished with it anyway).  I want to post excerpts here, but not the whole thing - and it's not always easy to decide on which excerpts in which order.

2) Because the crime I was charged with involved sex, MySpace can and will delete my profile.  It doesn't matter what a person actually did, if he or she is actually guilty, or if his or her crime involved minors or the Internet or neither.  This is likely why my previous profile was deleted in the spring, around the time this article came out in our local newspaper:

Though I've discussed it somewhat briefly in previous blogs before I had nearly this many friends and readers, the fact that I was in 1993 convicted of a "rape" that allegedly happened in 1992 was introduced into the discussion on my last blog, Now and a Week before Prison, by my kind friend Elena.  In the comments, she posted a letter I mailed to her (at the Lorain County Community College where she taught) in 1994.  But I'd like to post it here in this blog as well:

March 13, 1994

Dear Helen,

It's been a long time since we've spoken. I hope fortune is being kind to you. You've probably heard what has happened to me. It was in the newspapers. Nearly two years ago I was falsely accused of rape. Now I am serving a seven to twenty-five year prison sentence. They had no evidence. Indeed they couldn't have had any. I was innocent. But they used my loose lifestyle to portray me as a menace to society, and an ignorant jury convicted me. I must admit I may have been a bit of an epicurean. But I would never impose my will on another human being. I don't have a violent bone in my body. I don't regret living my life to the fullest or trying to be a poet maudit like Rimbaud or Baudelaire. I only regret that justice can fail in America, supposedly the land of "liberty and justice for all." However, I try not to let it get me down. I continue my reading and plan to finish my college education here. I will make the best of my fate, following the steps of Dostoevsky, who used his prison experience to create his greatest work. I'd appreciate it very much if you'd correspond with me whenever you have time. You were always one of my favorite professors. You had so much that was interesting to say.

I know this letter probably comes as a surprise. I miss having someone intelligent to talk to. I thought about writing to you for some time. But I was embarassed to say that this is what became of me. I hope you won't think any less of me. I am innocent, and one day I hope to be vindicated. My attorney is appealing the decision. I expect to hear something from him soon.

Well, I suppose I'll close this letter now. Please write back. Adios.

From the bowels of Ohio,
John...

Elena has since posted another letter (the second) I wrote to her from prison on her new blog.  If my profile is deleted, as is likely, she will know how to contact me.

When she posted the above letter in my comments, I posted this response to her:

"Thanks, Elena! You've revealed a bit more than I intended to reveal at this point... perhaps because I lack courage. But I don't mind. Your great friendship, support and faith in me have had a tremendous impact. And no words can adequately express my gratitude.  I hope you're saving my blogs, too... because MySpace will likely delete me any day now... lol. (At least I can chuckle about it now - I was crushed last time.) It seems that my conviction was the reason my previous profile was deleted. Never mind that I have five other profiles and have never posed a threat to anyone (except perhaps to the reputation of the Bush and Bob Taft administrations)."

One final word: I am not claiming to have always been an angel.  I have been a very fallible man throughout my life.  But of this horrible charge - of a crime I find more abhorrent than just about any a human can imagine - I am innocent.

Currently listening : An Innocent Man By Billy Joel Release date: 20 October, 1998