People think the most common phrase in the criminal justice system is, “I’m innocent.” But they would be mistaken. The most common phrase in the criminal justice system is, “That’s what they all say.” In other words, it isn’t the assertion, but the retort to the assertion.
For decades, I have been fighting to free myself from this unjust incarceration. And during that fight I have felt the painful sting of discouragement when my assertions of innocence are met with skeptical stares. It can be a hurtful thing, and indeed it was at one time because it’s impossible not to take it personally. Now, however, as I have grown, and dare say become wiser, I’ve learned that skepticism is a part of human nature. In fact, it is a healthy and vital part of human nature. Everything and everyone is not worthy of belief.
When I say that “I am innocent” or “I didn’t do it,” I don’t ask people to just take my word for it, and I don’t expect them to. I have come to understand that you can’t just tell, you must also show. With that in mind, I urge them to go to, freetonyenis.com, to look at the facts, and to then reach their own conclusions. I have always been confident that once a person takes in the facts and makes an objective assessment of those facts, they will, at the very least, no longer tell themselves, “That’s what they all say.”
Let me close with this. In Illinois, 13 men had their lives spared when they were released from death row after having been found to be innocent. For some, it took decades. I know because I was there. Each of those men said the words, “I am innocent,” over and over. And in return, they heard the words, “That’s what they all say,” over and over — until they didn’t. You know who else proclaimed their innocence? The dozen or so men in Illinois who were put to death by lethal injection. Do we really think that all of those men were just walking, talking clichés? In fairness, I’ll say that perhaps, some were.
Will you, in fairness, say that perhaps, some weren’t? Because that may be what they all say, but it’s also what many of us are.
Contact Info:
Tony Enis N82931
P.O. Box 1000
Menard, Illinois 62259
Institutional Email: Connectnetwork.com
Facebook: FreeTonyEnis
Website: www.freetonyenis.com
Additional email: freetonyenis@yahoo.com
You may also view Tony's Pen Pal Profile at https://www.penpals.buzz/inmate/tony-enis
