June 17, 2010
The Honorable Phil Bredesen
Governor, State of Tennessee
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-0001
Dear Governor Bredesen,
The purpose of this letter is to bring to the attention of your office the matter of Teresa Deion Harris. Ms. Harris is currently sitting in the Tennessee Prison For Women, under a sentence of Life Without Parole. The circumstances of how she arrived there are deeply disturbing.
This letter is in hopes of getting some public recognition from your office for a young woman from Tennessee that I so very strongly feel has been wrongfully convicted and sentenced for a crime of murder under the Felony Murder Rule.
I am just an average citizen of this state and normally do not involve myself in such matters, but this case in particular has really touched my heart and my sense of right and wrong in our justice system. My hope now is to get enough public awareness for this young woman and her family that justice will finally be done.
Certain facts about the case are not in dispute.
- Prior to the events of July 29, 1993, Ms. Harris had no felony record. On July 29, 1993, Walter Smothers shot and killed a young man, Dennis Brooks, Jr. Also present was Stacy Ramsey along with Ms. Harris. Walter Smothers admitted he killed this young man. The State's only witness against Deion was the man who committed the murder! Walter had no choice but to blame both Deion and Stacy or he would be put to death! This confessed killer should have had no credibility as a witness whatsoever!
- Both Stacy Ramsey and Deion told the exact same account of the events of that horrible night. When asked to tell all she knew in exchange for a plea bargain, Deion saw no reason for that and simply agreed to tell the entire story in exchange for one thing... to keep Walter Smothers away from her and her family as she was terrified of him and what actions he may take against her. She then told everything she knew and had witnessed on that horrible night. The State turned against Deion and charged her under the Felony Murder Rule. (a 16th century law which has been, in most states, deemed unconstitutional) This was the biggest injustice of the entire case.
- The State then made a Plea Bargain with the admitted killer, Walter Smothers! It didn't matter that his story was completely different than both Stacy and Deion's.
- After Deion's wrongful conviction, she received a letter from Walter where he admitted lying and agreeing to help on her appeal. When that time came, Walter testified he lied in the letter just to be able to "go for a ride" that day! This confessed killer is also an admitted liar! How the State of TN could side with this convicted killer is simply appalling to me!
- Upon Deion's Post Conviction her attorney, Teresa Marshall, was completely unqualified! Thus resulting in Ineffective Council, Teresa Marshall was a divorce lawyer at this time, and either ignorant or corrupt for even agreeing to represent Deion in a criminal matter involving the Felony Murder Rule!
- At the time of Deion's sentence, she left behind two very small children, aged 3 and 4 at the time. The suffering these two children have had to endure since that time is immeasurable and continues to this day.
- Since Deion's incarceration began almost 17 years ago, she has a 100%discipline free record! Deion is also the Senior Care Medicaid Operator and has helped over 400,000 Tennesseans with their health care issues. Deion has held this very important position for over 10 years and has been an important contributor for our State!
Thankfully, Deion has a tremendous support network of family and friends. I have full respect for the sentencing of Walter Smothers however, I do have a problem with prosecutors so over zealous to solve the crime that they will try a case based solely on the testimony of the actual killer, Walter Smothers! I believe this young woman is innocent of the charges of Felony Murder based on the facts, not the lies of Walter. I also believe a severe injustice has been done to Teresa Deion Harris. She is devastateed by the actions of Walter on that horrible night and her lack of courage to stand up to this killer and she has expressed sincere remorse repeatedly. I too have been placed in similiar situations where I was also too afraid to stand up to someone. By the Grace of God, Deion did not that night or she would be dead today. Walter has stated that he seriously considered killing both Deion and Stacy so as not to leave any witnesses.
I am humbly requesting on behalf of Teresa Deion Harris, her family and her friends as well as everyone who has had the privilege of knowing this wonderful woman, that you make inquiry into this matter of injustice and ultimately pardon this loving, Christian woman. Teresa Deion Harris has been done an injustice. She has a loving husband, two grown children and now a baby grandson in addition to numerous other supporters who have lost so much because of the Felony Murder Rule conviction and sentencing of Deion Harris.
It is not within my power to do more than put paper to pencil on her behalf; however, you have the power to right an injustice in this case. I humbly beg of you to do the right thing for Teresa Deion Harris.
I appreciate your time and consideration of this matter.
Respectfully,
Susan
Nashville, TN
