Dwight Hodge
During trial, it appears that the court took every opportunity to overrule trial counsel’s objections while sustaining those of the prosecution. The trial bench totally gave up any appearance of neutrality when on a motion for mistrial by trail counsel the bench asked the prosecutor… “do you think I should deny counsel’s motion for mistrial?”, prosecutor’s reply, “yes your honor”, whereupon the bench ruled “denied”.
Among other trial court errors was the admission of illegally obtained statements into evidence, and the refusal to modify the standard principal instruction into an accurate statement of law applicable to the facts of the case, where presented evidence supported the theory of defense and such instruction should have been given.
Most egregious of trial counsel’s many deficiencies is that I had several credible alibi witnesses available, and though counsel chose to present an actual innocence defense, counsel inexplicably failed to call any rebuttal witnesses in support of his arguments and thus all of his motions failed.
At the conclusion of trial, counsel confided…. “Dwight, they screwed you over royally, but don’t worry, you’ll be back within a year. If not, you can blame it all on me” (on appeal).
I have been blaming this conviction on counsel’s deficient performance for the last 14, nearing 15 years, but because I am without the funds/legal tender to acquire proper legal representation it has become all too painfully clear to me that the U.S. judicial system lacks the appropriate sensitivity to innocence and constitutional claims as it has only arbitrarily denied appeal after appeal, each time without ever holding the evidentiary hearing required for the full, fair and rounded adjudication of such claims - affidavits proffered to the courts by alibi witnesses in support of my exoneration notwithstanding.
If granted the evidentiary hearing I am lawfully entitled to, and have heretofore been denied, I am confident that the material facts of my case will finally be established, my claims will prevail, and my innocence thus affirmed.
Any looking to send donations to my legal fund or provide legal assistance please contact my mother, Mrs JoAnn Smith on (786) 999-3483 or (913) 237-5525.
My thanks in earnest for any assistance or interest taken in my plight, and my deepest gratitude for the time you have taken to hear my testimony.
Thank you. Yahweh bless.
Dwight Hodge, #444213
Hardee C.I.
6901 State Rd 62
Bowling Green, FL 33834
U.S.A.
Among other trial court errors was the admission of illegally obtained statements into evidence, and the refusal to modify the standard principal instruction into an accurate statement of law applicable to the facts of the case, where presented evidence supported the theory of defense and such instruction should have been given.
Most egregious of trial counsel’s many deficiencies is that I had several credible alibi witnesses available, and though counsel chose to present an actual innocence defense, counsel inexplicably failed to call any rebuttal witnesses in support of his arguments and thus all of his motions failed.
At the conclusion of trial, counsel confided…. “Dwight, they screwed you over royally, but don’t worry, you’ll be back within a year. If not, you can blame it all on me” (on appeal).
I have been blaming this conviction on counsel’s deficient performance for the last 14, nearing 15 years, but because I am without the funds/legal tender to acquire proper legal representation it has become all too painfully clear to me that the U.S. judicial system lacks the appropriate sensitivity to innocence and constitutional claims as it has only arbitrarily denied appeal after appeal, each time without ever holding the evidentiary hearing required for the full, fair and rounded adjudication of such claims - affidavits proffered to the courts by alibi witnesses in support of my exoneration notwithstanding.
If granted the evidentiary hearing I am lawfully entitled to, and have heretofore been denied, I am confident that the material facts of my case will finally be established, my claims will prevail, and my innocence thus affirmed.
Any looking to send donations to my legal fund or provide legal assistance please contact my mother, Mrs JoAnn Smith on (786) 999-3483 or (913) 237-5525.
My thanks in earnest for any assistance or interest taken in my plight, and my deepest gratitude for the time you have taken to hear my testimony.
Thank you. Yahweh bless.
Dwight Hodge, #444213
Hardee C.I.
6901 State Rd 62
Bowling Green, FL 33834
U.S.A.
| Convicted Of: | Count 1: First Degree Murder Count 2: Attempted Armed Robbery |
| Sentenced To: | Count 1: Life Without Parole Count 2: 11 Years 11 Months |
My name is Dwight Hodge but I’m most commonly addressed as “Duke”. I was wrongfully convicted of murder and attempted robbery where the actual perpetrators were allowed to go free in exchange for naming ‘me’ as the shooter - despite evidence to the contrary.
Though there is absolutely no physical, trace or real evidence linking me in any way to the charged crimes, my convictions were secured solely by reason of trial court error and deficient performance of trial counsel.
Though there is absolutely no physical, trace or real evidence linking me in any way to the charged crimes, my convictions were secured solely by reason of trial court error and deficient performance of trial counsel.