From: John Murtari (jmurtari@akidsright.org)
Date: Mon Jul 31 2006 - 20:09:40 EDT
Good People & People of Faith,
This message contains info on:
1. John Murtari is jailed.
2. News Release for distribution.
3. How to contact John.
1. John Murtari is jailed.
--------------------------
John Murtari had been sentenced to a (six month) jail sentence today
by Onondaga County Family Court Judge Brian Hedges. This was for
being in contempt by 'willful violation' of a support order.
John reported to the Jamesville Correctional Facilty (south of
Syracuse, NY) at 4 PM, and as planned, refused to cooperate with staff
once he identifed himself. He took a seat in the lobby. He refused
to answer processing questions and politely explained that he was not
going to cooperate. He stayed sitting in a chair until two officers
placed him into custody and dragged him out of the room.
He plans on continuing this 'noncooperation with imprisonment' by not
voluntarily eating or drinking, but demanding he be fully cared for
and hydrated by medical staff.
For complete details and background, including a photo of John and his
son, Domenic, see: http://www.AKidsRight.Org/support_jm.htm
Public attention to what has happened is crucial as part of this
effort. The web site link above includes contact info below
for various officials and if anyone can offer help with legal fees,
they are welcome.
Your letters to John are also very welcome, his contact info is below:
2. News Release
---------------
Loving Parent volunteers for Jail to focus attention on need for reform.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 31st, 2006
Syracuse, NY (Onondaga County Courthouse) -- John Murtari, a resident
of Lyons, NY, was sentenced to a six month jail sentence by Family
Court Judge Bryan Hedges at the Jamesville Correctional Facility.
Murtari turned down an offer of probation in accepting the jail
sentence. He will be starting his sentence on July 31st. Hedges found
him in willful violation of a support order involving his
son. Murtari, a coordinator for an Internet based Parent's group,
AKidsRight.Org, strongly disagrees with the finding and in a prior
statement (below) sought to explain how much he loves his child. He
was forced to choose between emotional support for his child, or just
paying money and having limited contact.
He has begun his campaign of 'non-cooperation' with an unjust jail
sentence by lying down and not voluntarily eating or drinking while in
captivity. He is demanding that jail officials keep him hydrated via
IV and fed via feeding tube if necessary. Members of the group are
contacting Federal legislators Sen. Hillary Clinton and Congressman
James Walsh regarding the matter along with other local officials.
The Group's web site highlights the NonViolent philosophy and practice
Martin Luther King used to break the grip of segregation. It hopes a
similar attitude will help bring reform and also healing to parents
who are often involved in bitter child custody disputes with each
other or social services. If the nation can observe loving mothers and
fathers making personal sacrifice to call attention to their unjust
separation from their children -- positive reform can happen.
Mr. Murtari, a native of Lyons, New York and a former Air Force pilot
and Academy graduate is a local coordinator for the group. He is the
President of a small Internet company located in Baldwinsville, NY. In
contrast to the bitterness and anger which is normally associated with
protest efforts and family issues -- Murtari plans a positive
attitude. The Group is hoping for Congressional Hearings into Family
Law reform so that group members affected by the present patchwork of
laws across the nation will have a chance to tell their stories.
They want passage of a Federal Family Rights Act to recognize and
protect the parent/child bond. It would presume Fit & Equal parents
and require a criminal conviction proving demonstrated harm to the
child, with jury protection, before that bond can be broken by any
official.
$60,000 dollars behind - what about that!?
"Well, it's easier than you think. Just imagine an initial support
level based on twice your income. Imagine your five year old child
then being relocated to the other coast and being given 'visitation.'
Now, add a former spouse that blocks phone contact. Between airline
tickets, accommodations, rental car & expenses -- each 'visit' is
almost $1000.
Include three times a year when your child is home with you, but you
fly with them back & forth -- three sets of tickets, about another
$1000. Pretty soon you are talking real money! But what about your
needy child? Aren't shoes & food more important than plane tickets?
Suppose your former spouse's family are almost millionaires -- your
kid doesn't want for material things, just you.
Lastly, repeatedly file for support modifications, but have them
thrown out of Court because the local 'officials' know you and don't
want to change anything. Be assigned a public defender (Mr. William
Bartholomae) who tells you, "John, just pay the money -- you'll see
your son when he's 18."
I've actually spent about $60,000 in support of my child on much less
actual income -- but it doesn't count at all? For complete details and
legal documents see below. I only know one thing of 'empirical'
evidence to support my decision. My son is 13 now, living on the other
side of the Country with a former spouse who sought to alienate us. We
just completed an enjoyable six week summer vacation and he wishes he
could be with me more.
In the last 7 years I have flown out there 4 times a year for visits,
and 2 times a year to pick him up for vacations here. How many of
those could I have traded away -- and not lost our relationship? I did
not want to find out. You?"
-------------- For more information:
Teri Stoddard, Group PR Person: 925-628-1206 (teri@sharedparentingworks.org )
Mr. Charles Keller, Defense Lawyer: 315-450-3846
Background information at the web site: www.AKidsRight.Org/support_jm.htm
For video of Mr. Murtari in prior TV interviews: www.AKidsRight.Org/video.html
## End of Release
3. How to contact John.
-----------------------
Your letters are certainly welcome and if able, John always replies
to everyone who writes. His address is:
John Murtari
P.O. Box 143
Jamesville, NY 13078
The website for the Jamesville Correction Facility is:
http://www.ongov.net/Correction/
Visits to the Jail
------------------
If you live in the Syracuse area you are welcome you to visit John
at the Jamesville Correctional Facility.(http://www.ongov.net/Correction)
Because of his planned noncooperation, his ability to communicate with
the outside will be very limited. Having people visit and talk to him
is the best way to get the word out and also let jail officials know
people are interested.
An inmate is allowed two visits/week, with a maximum of two
people/visit. The hours are posted at their web site. To make sure no
limits are exceeded, please contact Kelly Button (kbutton@thebook.com,
877-635-1968,x-215) to let him know your plans. He can let you know
what visit times are available.
____________________________________________________________________
Coordinator AKidsRight.Org
jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org "A Kid's Right to BOTH parents"
Toll Free (877) 635-1968(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/
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