USA, Canada / For my dad... "free Steve Wlodarz" He is serving life without parole in a United States prison [32]

I posted the evidence on his Facebook page. It was hidden from us, and we were told he was guilty so he would accept an Alford plea (stating that evidence is strongly against him while maintaining innocence). It was 9 years later when I discovered what actually existed. If you were to look at the documents themselves and not just the small-town local newspapers, you would in fact find a document clearly stating that the bullets did NOT match those in my father's gun. You would also see a photo of the remains of the fatal bullet lodged in a wall south of the house my father was in. The bullet was travelling TOWARDS the house, not away from it.

If you were to also Google the names of two officers who were present, Officer Scott Castle (who was covering the deceased officer) and Officer Brad Depew, you would discover a couple of examples of how law enforcement works in this particular area. There is one more name for you, the attorney representing the State, Doug Godbee. I'll leave the research in your hands.

m.topix.com/forum/city/rogersville-tn/TODPJMB9N1ILO2B3I

timesnews.net/article/9055091/former-hawkins-detective-begins-10-year-sentence

knoxnews.com/news/local-news/hawkins-county-lawyer-mired-in-sex-scandal

USA, Canada / For my dad... "free Steve Wlodarz" He is serving life without parole in a United States prison [32]

Thank you. I will surely check into it. Your direction is greatly appreciated.

He has returned to the courtroom multiple times raising new issues. Among them were whether his plea was voluntarily entered, whether the unmatched bullet fragments were newly discovered evidence, and whether a plea is considered to be a trial. He continues to work diligently on his case.

The story leading up to the incident is as follows (if anything is unclear, please feel free to ask any questions): On a hot, summer day, Wlodarz was doing home projects while drinking (vodka or whisky- both were consumed, though I don't know which was first). His neighbor's dogs were a nuisance, and he walked them home. The renters of the house were on vacation. At that time other residents of the area had seen Wlodarz on the property and noticed broken windows. They called the owners who then called the police. The police arrived for an investigation and brought a dog in training with them. The dog led them across the ridge and through thick brush which led them somewhere along the 1/2 mile - long driveway leading to his residence. Meanwhile, Wlodarz (after returning the dogs) rode his bicycle to a friend's house to return borrowed money. Upon arriving, he was heavily intoxicated that he failed to light a cigarette after trying five or six times. When his friends were leaving, police arrived. The friends attest to never having seen a warrant. The police simply wanted to talk, and they were informed by the friends of the intoxicated condition Wlodarz was in. From nearly 100 meters away, one officer claimed to have seen what he thought was a gun. This is when SWAT was called for backup. The cops told Wlodarz to come out. He refused. The cops began firing tear gas into the residence. Wlodarz began scribbling notes comparing it to Poland under Stalin. When he opened the bedroom door, two bullets were fired at his head. Wlodarz returned two shots from his 30/30, through closed blinds, heavily intoxicated, in a tear-gassed house. He passed out in an interior closet. The shots were exchanged around 7pm. It was still light outside. Around 1 am, Wlodarz was arrested. The patrol car recorded his reaction. He asked why so many police were there and explained he didn't know what he did. To which the officer replied, "well, I don't either."

USA, Canada / For my dad... "free Steve Wlodarz" He is serving life without parole in a United States prison [32]

He was held in maximum security jail and forced to take Paxil and Depakote for over a year while awaiting trial. The state appointed attorney representing Wlodarz was persistent in trying to convincing him to accept an Alford Plea. As far as any of us knew at the time, the officer could have been hit by one of the two shots fired from the house. The attorney called my mother, sister, and me into his office and told us my dad had two options and only two options: either accept the plea for a life without parole sentence or receive the death penalty. Seven months after the incident, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found a bullet with tissue and blood stains lodged in the exterior wall of the south side of the shed. The house was north, meaning the fatal bullet was travelling towards the house, not away from it. In hindsight, everyone was aware that evidence supported friendly fire, yet a trial was "ill advised." Nine years later, I began researching his case and found documents and photos proving his actual innocence.

Johnny, thank you for the link. I was under the impression you had read one of the numerous newspaper articles published before the hearing took place. For that, my apologies to you. The link you found is when he changed a Supreme Court ruling, stating that pleas are considered to be trials. It's one of the many reasons I am proud of my father. For 15 years, he has used his time wisely and has built an outstanding reputation through hard work, education, patience, persistence, and respect. To give an example, many of the guards call him "Sir." Within the past month, a correction officer at a different facility reviewed the documents on Facebook and afterwards, shook my father's hand and said, "good luck, Sir."

USA, Canada / For my dad... "free Steve Wlodarz" He is serving life without parole in a United States prison [32]

He never left his house. He did fire twice in the direction of the incoming bullets After the police fired at his head. By law, the police are only allowed to fire at someone after that subject fires first. In a state of intoxication coupled with an intense fear of being killed, how could anyone think clearly?

The first photo is what convinced us that the plea was the best option. It was the only piece of evidence I knew to exist until 2009. The second and third photos are the patrol car transcript immediately after his arrest. The scribble on the bottom of the page says "will be changed" and is in the appointed attorney's writing. There are multiple edited documents. More will be posted if anyone would like to see them. The last photo is the bullet that was lodged in the shed. It was discovered 6 months after the incident. My father claims he did not leave the blade there. Other photos taken the night of show blood stains in the exact area of the bullet.

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USA, Canada / For my dad... "free Steve Wlodarz" He is serving life without parole in a United States prison [32]

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USA, Canada / For my dad... "free Steve Wlodarz" He is serving life without parole in a United States prison [32]

Yes, he was an alcoholic at the time. It was especially out of control because my mother had divorced him less than 2 years earlier. She had full custody of my siblings and me.

USA, Canada / For my dad... "free Steve Wlodarz" He is serving life without parole in a United States prison [32]

Thank you, Johnny. I really appreciate your support. I'll try to gather the documents and see about mailing them. I looked into an email, but I'm not sure if I can attach documents. The photos, in my opinion, speak for themselves. InPolska, I'll be sure to research Skinner's case

USA, Canada / For my dad... "free Steve Wlodarz" He is serving life without parole in a United States prison [32]

Thank you, InPolska. Hope is always alive and grows with the possibility of a new opportunity. I'm grateful for your support and advice