Hi, I'm Billy Kuenzel, a white male, 5'7", aged 36, with brown hair,
brown eyes, and weighing 138 pounds. I am a divorced, proud father
of a fifteen-year old son. I am an innocent man on Alabama's Death Row,
and I have been here for ten years.
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I was convicted for a murder/robbery due to what a co-defendent
told the court. In exchange for his testimony, he was given a life
sentence (ten years) and is now free. Of those who said that they
witnessed the robbery, a number were only ten feet away and could not
say who the second person was (which was said to be me). In fact,
one of these described the second person as tall with long black hair
and beard (I am 5'7", with short brown hair and clean-shaven).
One person who testified in my court case said that she was a
passenger in a vehicle, passing by the scene of the robbery and
told the court that she recognized me as one of the two men inside
the shop involved in the robbery. As she also stated that she was
travelling about 40 mph, this was at night, during rain, the store
had tinted windows, and the two men wore ski masks, she was therefore
asked how she could be sure that one of the two persons carrying out
the robbery was me. She merely replied that I was 'always' with the
other person. In fact, not only is this wholly inadequate for
recognition, it is also completely incorrect.
I could not afford to hire an attorney, and the State supplied one,
providing just $1500 for his costs. In contrast, the State paid over
$60,000 on the prosecution. Not surprisingly, my attorney spent barely
four hours with me and a further three hours interviewing witnesses
in the ten months leading up to my trial.
The trial lasted less than four days and during this, the State's
own expert witness was able to invalidate some of the prosecution's
arguments. My attorney did not call any expert witnesses for my
defence and the only witnesses called were members of my family,
e.g., my father (who recently died) who saw me asleep at my own home
when the robbery was taking place.
Four years ago, I was fortunate enough to have an attorney who was
prepared to take on my case pro-bono (i.e., without being paid). After
reading the transcripts, he made it very clear that he had no doubts
about my innocence and the fact that I was not involved in the crime
that has led to a sentence of death.
At this time, I am waiting to have a hearing, and I am optimistic that
this will result in the conviction being overturned. However, until this
happens, I am imprisoned, facing a sentence of death, for a crime that
I did not commit.
Update: 25 September 1999.
I am now on a final round of appeals. My attorney is doing all
he can but this could have been avoided if I had received effective
counselling at my trial.
The State now says I am barred from a review, which could hinder my
chances at a new trial. Because of this, Alabama could kill an innocent
man.
I am a very open-minded person, well-travelled, and enjoy reading, writing
letters, and listening to others. Until recently, the prison was running
an educational course in which I was doing well and gaining good grades,
but the course was stopped due to financial cut-backs.
If you would like to be a friend, have advice or an opinion, or would
just like to have more information about this injustice, please write to
me. All letters will be answered. I do not have direct access to a computer,
and cannot reply to emails, so please write direct to me at the address
below.
Thank you for your time, and have a great day.
Best wishes and smiles,
Billy.
My address:-
Billy Kuenzel, Z-489,
Holman Unit,
Holman 3700 8-D-9,
Atmore,
AL 36503-3700,
United States of America.
Billy
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