JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process: Henry: It seemed like it was a very long process. I
made bail on my charges in October and was not
sentenced and able to start my time until
January. The police also stopped me in that time
period and I got taken back in on the same
charges because for some reason they still had a
warrant out on the charges and didn't have my
bail paperwork documented, so I had to stay in
jail another three days until they released me
on the same charges I had made bail on a month
prior to being stopped.
JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested. Henry: No, the police didn't come to my house. The
police were called and I was arrested at the
scene of the crime. About five officers arrived
at the scene and used excessive force to the
point where my wrist was broken and my face was
battered. After I filed a complaint on the
officers, the main charge was reduced from a
felony to a misdemeanor in order for me not to
press charges on any of the officers.
JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall. Henry: The best way to describe court would be a
factory line. Unless you had a high paid lawyer
then your case wasn't really even examined. They
just move you through as fast as possible and
there is no interest in your side of the story,
the judge just listens to the charges and
listened to the officers testimony in my case
(which was completely false) and passed down my
sentence after he decided I was guilty of all
the charges in question. I didn't even get a
chance to speak until I was protesting getting
convicted on all counts.
JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of? Henry: They ended up convicting me of 3rd degree
battery, obstruction of government operations,
resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. Which
were all the original charges except the battery
charge was reduced from 2nd degree to 3rd degree
in order for me to not file any more complaints
on the conduct of the officers.