Association Struggle For Justice
c/o Colette Berthes
216 Chemin de Figarol
82170 Pompignan
FRANCE
tel:33 5 58 51 75 62
email: Lutte Pour la Justice




Minutes of the general assembly of the 10/16/99 in Paris

The meeting was opened at 3.30 pm by Mrs. Colette Berthès, President of the Association in the presence of 30 members.

In opening, Mrs. Berthès read the letter written by Odell Barnes from death row in Texas and addressed especially to the General Assembly's attendees.

  1. General report
    The President gave a presentation on the evolution of the Association since its beginnings in February-March 1999. Everything had started when her daughter had taken the initiative to write to Odell in 1996 through a French friend who was already corresponding with a mentally handicapped person, a friend of Odell's on death row.
    Mrs. Berthès and a few others had therefore decided to start a support committee in order to help Odell and to allow him to afford himself good lawyers and a private investigator.
    Following this the President presented actions already undertaken by different members of the Association. She especially explained how she had contacted Odell Barnes' lawyer, as well as the investigator of this case, and how her adverts published in different magazines attracted many members and generated precious funds
    The money collected has allowed the financing of the inquiries proving Odell Barnes' innocence, and in doing so, postponing the date of his execution.
    Mrs. Berthès explained to the Assembly that she had been named President by Odell Barnes in person right from the creation of the Association. The latter also promised that if he was released he would start an association to help mentally handicapped people on death row, and if he died he wished for the Association Struggle for Justice to continue his fight in favour of those mentally handicapped condemned to death.
    Mrs. Catherine Camiade, Secretary of the Association, met Odell Barnes and takes care of the translation of documents from Odell Barnes, his lawyers and the investigator along with other members.
    In total, the Association has received between 1200 and 1300 letters of support since the beginning of this year. Odell Barnes has around 80 pen friends.
    Mrs. Anne Ruquet read the report written up by Mr. Liger, international lawyer, concerning the current Odell Barnes situation. Mr. Liger repeated the 5 elements held against Odell Barnes and clearly showed that not only is one of them cast-iron that a very grave doubt existed as to his guilt.
    The President then answered questions from the Assembly, notably as to the existence of other associations supporting Odell Barnes around the world. There is not in reality any other committee overseas, but nearly individuals corresponding with Odell Barnes and sending donations and that these people are in contact with the Association Struggle for Justice. These people come from Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Denmark and Holland. The Texan authorities have refused to register an Odell Barnes support committee in Texas.

  2. Financial report
    Mr. Fabrice Guillot, Treasurer of the Association presented the financial report.
    In 1998, the investigator received $9000, which corresponds to hundreds of pages of inquiries into the murder for which Odell Barnes is accused and bringing proof of his innocence.
    Between March 1998 and February 1999, Odell Barnes received $2350, which corresponds to about 1300 FF a month on average. This money helps him with photocopies, stamps, various equipment and supplementary food. In 1998, the Odell Barnes support committee received 97500 FF in donations. At the begining of this year only 12000 FF were left. These 12000 FF were then transferred into the accounts created for the Association. 10000 FF were placed on a savings bank account and the remaining 2000 FF went to pay various expenses.
    On 10th October 1999, the Association held 60260 FF in the savings account and 500 FF on the current account. In 1999, the Association received 149000 FF in donations. It must be stressed that most of this money went to financing the inquiry led by Lisa Milstein, official investigator residing in Texas. On this subject, one hour of inquiry costs $50 (about 300 FF). In August 1999 alone, these expenses rose to 78000 FF.

  3. Vote
    The Assembly voted on and adopted the general report and the financial report unanimously (with 58 votes for taking into consideration the power accorded to some members of the Assembly and with no abstentions).

  4. Projects
    Several new primordial elements have been revealed recently by Odell`s lawyers to Mrs. Berthès.
    -Firstly, the recent DNA tests have shown that blood stains found on Odel's coveralls did indeed come from the victim but that they also contained a product used in laboratories to avoid blood clotting. It would therefore appear that the police placed these stains themselves during the investigation.
    -Secondly, an important witness has declared that he had made a deal with the procurer during Odell's trial with aim of charging Odell so as to reduce his own sentences for other crimes.
    Furthermore, American press articles have shown that more and more Americans are against the death penalty or admit that they doubt that it is effective and reliable in lowering crime. One in seven people condemned to death has been found innocent.
    In this way, Odell's lawyers have started a press campaign in the USA. The Supreme Court seems to be taking its time in taking its decision. This is a good sign and it gives us time to act.

    Among upcoming actions :
    - Contacting different French newspapers and magazines, and sending them a press book (which is easier for those who have already contacts with certain journalists).
    - Contacting television and radio stations.
    - Distributing the petition.
    - Speaking of Odell on the Internet.
    - Selling postcards painted by Odell (the one in which a man carries the earth on his back has become the symbol of our Association).
    - An Internet site for the Association and Odell Barnes (dealt with by Anne Ruquet and Cyril Rouhassia).
    - Inks exhibitions "For Odell" by Annie Sablayrolles (33 3 86 36 66 01 in order to contact her for the dates and venues.)
    - A press conference planned shortly in Paris which will be coordinated by Anne Ruquet
    This will be an information and fund raising campaign.

    Mrs. Anne Ruquet, residing at 13bis avenue du Père Lachaise, 75020 Paris-France (33 1 40 33 05 31, anneruq@club-internet.fr), has been named Vice-President. Mr. Fabrice Guillot, Treasurer of the Association, has accepted for his telephone number to be the Association's official contact number : 33 5 58 51 75 62.

    Among the volunteers are :
    - For Paris : Anne Ruquet, 13bis avenue du Père Lachaise, 75020 Paris,France (33 1 40 33 05 31, anneruq@club-internet.fr)
    - For Central France : Annie Sablayrolles, 4 place de la Charte, 58000 Nevers ,France (33 3 86 36 66 01)
    - For Eastern France : Christiane Bertoli, 10 rue de la Tourterelle, 57700 Hayange, France (33 3 82 85 62 90)
    - For Northern France : Véronique Bessonnet, 232 rue A. Briand, 76600 Le Havre , France (33 2 35 42 17 92).
    Address of the Association Struggle for Justice : Mrs. Colette Berthès, 216 Chemin de Figarol, 82 170 Pompignan, France (33 5 58 51 75 62).

    The meeting ended at 6.30 pm.
    Minutes typed in Paris, 20th October 1999, by Anne Ruquet.