Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Come Justice, Now:The Michael Cobb Story

Inconclusive would be the word for the Justice that was dispensed in 2004 in New Roads, Louisiana as it pertains to the man; Michael Jarvis Cobb.

What should one say when a person gives a confession, expecting one thing and gets another. Three Hundred and Forty Nine Years in Angola State Penitentiary at Hard Labor for the Rape of two white women, aggravated burglary and attempted manslaughter. Michael Cobb was held on three million dollars bond in the Pointe Coupee Parish Detention Center on two counts of aggravated rape, one count of attempted second degree murder and one count of aggravated burglary. One of the rape counts was from 2001. One of the rapes was linked to Cobb because of weapons Cobb testified he purchased from two kluxers.

The significant rape charge is in connection with a July 25th 2001 rape of a then 16 year old girl. The fact is Mr. Cobb, wasn't lawyered-up when quesitioned extensively after his arrest. Mr. Cobb has later stated the confession was given under duress. Michael Cobb testified in court that his confession was forced and under duress. The family of Michael Jarvis Cobb has consistently maintained Mr. Cobbs innocence.

However, as you begin to read a file, the Cobb Sisters have compiled, you find a striking example of jurisprudence gone awry. Consistently, Judges are not maintaining their courts. Prosecutors are knowingly misuse-ing their office to get convictions. Defense Attorneys are not aggressively lawyering their cases.

Such is the case of Michael Jarvis Cobb. The Louisiana State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People have been contacted. The New Roads Branch of the NAACP, also.

The Justice Foundation of East Central Louisiana has asked the New Roads Branch for its participation in a Press Conference, a Non-Violent Awareness Demonstration for Justice and a resolution requesting the Louisiana State Supreme Court to reopen the Michael Jarvis Cobb Case with an investigation into a wrongful conviction.