-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [prisonersolidarity] 'Lucasville' exposes judicial corruption Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:43:15 +0000 From: Tjuana <jesuschick44 at sbcglobal.net> Reply-To: prisonersolidarity at yahoogroups.com To: prisonersolidarity at yahoogroups.com
'Lucasville' exposes judicial corruption Jamie Fabian Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
In 1993, the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility experienced a prison riot that shook the prison and the town of Lucasville to this day. This riot and the following events led to convictions and death sentences for five men, referred to as The Lucasville Five.
The Lucasville story is on its way to Youngstown in the form of a play.
The play, "Lucasville: The Untold Story of A Prison Uprising," co- written by Gary Anderson and Staughton Lynd, is based in part on the book of the same title written by Staughton Lynd.
I had a chance to talk with Gary Anderson, who strongly opposes the death penalty. He said that with this play, he really hopes to show people how corrupt the judicial system can be.
The riot was an 11-day ordeal led by prison inmates and resulted in the deaths of nine inmates and one hostage. An inmate involved in a deal with prosecutors identified "The Lucasville Five" as the men who led the riots and committed the murders
This is where things get complicated.
There was no physical evidence supporting the claims. The only thing that got these five men - Jason Robb, James Were, George Skatzes, Sidique Abdullah Hasan and Keith Lamar - convicted and sentenced to death was the testimony of an inmate looking to make a deal, says Anderson.
Anderson went on to say that he wants "people to draw their own conclusions after seeing the play." Ninety percent of the play is based on actual court transcripts and other documents involving the case.
Anderson reported that when he went to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, the prison warden told him he could not visit with the men.
This raises doubt in Anderson's mind.
"Why won't they let me speak with the men if they have nothing to hide?" Anderson asked.
He said the play has three overall themes: snitch testimony, a death qualified jury and the death penalty.
The play, which has been touring Ohio for most of the month of April, will be performed at the First Unitarian Universalist Church at 1105 Elm St. in Youngstown this Sunday April 29
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