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Show Als» The Salt Lake Tribune NATION Sunday, May5,1996 _ Framed Man’s ogFree, But Futtice Eludes Him [= State Sen. BY PAMELA SAMPSON THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BRISTOL, Pa. — Hayden Jones spends the last days of his life watching legal dramason television, wondering howhis life might have unfolded with Perry Mason or Matlock onhisside. The 72-year-old Jones, sick with cancer and emphysema and virtually destitute, has little else to occupy his mind, other than an overwhelming desire to see the state repair a mistake that cust him 20 years. Forty-seven years ago, Jones was imprisoned for crimes he did Robert Tomlinson, andsigned petitions in support of the Senatebill Jones must leave the battle to Hayden Jones case, there's less and less talk about it setting a precedent," Tomlinson says others. Suffering from throat cancer, emphysema and heart trouble, he has little energy for anything except episodes of “Perry more about the particulars ofthe “There are so many factors that set this case apart from anything else. Other advocates also are work- ing on Jones’ behalf, including membersof the Veterans of For- iiiSTimG i 3 PORTRAIT SHEETS eign Wars, who have sent letters whosponsoredthe legislation, believes the case is one of a kind “As people find out more and Mason” and THAT'S 12 PORTRAITS FROM 1 POSE OUT OF 4 FOR ONLY “Matlock,” old tele. vision series that feature lawyers proving their defendants’ inno- cence. That’s the only place you see real justice done,” Jones said. A $30.85 VALUE NO SITTING FEE* No appointment necessary, “Groups slightly more not commit. He was not freed un- caon til 1968, years after his accusers admitted to lying in court. Aéfaneetane Since his release, Jones has struggled personally, physically and financially. He lives alone ina dingy basement apartment in this sili working-class neighborhood near Maynot be combinedwith another offer or coupon. ATOTALOF 1-8X10, 1- 5X7, 2- 3X5s, and 8 wallets. PAY AT ITME OF SITTING- EXPIRES 5/13/96 COTTONWOOD MALL: 272-2441 BD Se oe oe ee VALLEY FAIR MALL: 968-1693 SOUTH TOWNE CENTER: 571-7990 eee ee ee ee ees ee Philadelphia, subsisting on help Security Income check. He has no knownliving relatives. Over the years, several politicians have sponsored legislation to compensate Jones, but nothing has comeoftheefforts. Jones believes his time is running out. “I’m an old man now,” said Jones, pausing between words as a concession to the vocal cord he lost to cancer. A short man, 5foot-3, with thinning grayhair, his weight is down to 135 pounds. “My life's just about over.” HowIt All Began: Jones’ ordeal began in 1949, when he was a 25-year-old Army private enjoy- ing a 10-day furlough in Pittsburgh. According to him,a policeofficer grabbed Jones as he walked out of a movie theater and placed him underarrest. “Police told me they wanted $1,000, andif I didn't pay, they'd put trumped up charges on me, 25% Exquisite hand-c: arved mahoganycame ack sofas andladies andgents chairs. off purchases of three pieces or more. enviA Did er VILLAGE 1100 West 7800 sot H . lO are aare | hot 4°) ould ae in eee from friends and a monthly $490 Supplemental FIRST HOUR YouGol pay 5 pay wil Ya ev tach find our program can work for you FOR, ANYONE .WHO aS ee Thee RA avereste Me tate reli ial: Mee Siecial:a ee and I'd goto jail,” he said. “I told thom I wasn't going to pay.” Injustice was swift. Within four months, Jones was convicted of molesting four boys and wassentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison. Jones madea poorprisoner, extending his sentence to 30 years throre misconduct. He got involved in a prison riot and continued to defy authority while protesting his innocence. Hesaid prison guards beat and tortured him. sprayed him with gas that smelled like ammonia and kept him in solitary confinement. “They wouldn't let me contact anybody, not even the Army,” Jones said. ‘The Army had me down as AWOL.” Two of four boys whotestified against Jones recanted in 1966, stating in written affidavits that police officers had forced them to frame Jones. “THe reasonI testified the way I.did against an innocent man was gcause of fear, coercion and indationby the police officers,” e boy wrote. The judge who presided at mes’ trial dismissed the stateents. Jones lingered in prison other 12 years. Key Testimony: In 1988, nes crossed paths with another ate, Thomas Weismantle, who as ae time for failing to pay Theyhad seen each other be— at Jones’ trial in 1949. reviewing the affidavits of two other boys who admitted lying, Ellenbogen concluded case had but one victim: nes; “An exhavstive review of the rd and testimony .. . lends support to the conclusion it... the verdicts against nes are based,at least to a sigicant extent, on perjured testi,” Ellenbogen wrote. Jones had little outside prison. iis wife and three children were ng dead, killed in an automobile ident on the way to a prison it, Jones also had few job skills or iends, leading him to live a hertic existence. i "1 was thesched all the . I never ther,” he says. “A lot of in the Senate. 4 Statehouse are blocking the effort, however, believing the ent could pave the way for ihre wrongful-imprisonment « Specialized mortgage consultants. * Convenientlocations. * 5-Minute pre-qualification. * Full array of products including: - purchase, refinance and construction lending. ~ fixed and variable rate mortgages. - conventional, FHA and VA mortgages. . Low down ropes available. } |