Dear Friend of Justice,
Crystal emailed us the following letter today, with permission to post:
Dear Bob & Jim:
Let me start by thanking you both for everything you have done for Bernie and my family, for without your intelligence, wisdom, courage, charisma, love, support, generosity and commitment to right the many wrongs of the justice system and government, we would not have FREEDOM, 06/09/09!
I am not sure if I am the first of my family to write you a letter, but I am sure I will not be the last. Also, we are still trying to catch our breath. Before I go on any further I just want to tell you that I am writing this letter without my Uncle Bernie’s or my family’s knowledge or input. I only tell you this because my thoughts, ideas and perceptions of things are my own. I am sure you will see the family resemblance in some feelings I will be sharing with you. As friends of our family, you’ll understand.
On Monday night, June 8th as the word spread through our family about Capeless’s “secret” press conference, we quickly worked out all of our schedules so that we could be together to hear the news. The fear loomed large, none of us slept, and when we talked, we tried not to mention the outcome all of us dreaded to hear the most. While my mouth spewed positive reinforcement, my heart and mind were heavy with nagging, negative emotion. This may seem pessimistic to some, but Capeless, Ford and numerous others have never “done the right thing” by Bernie. I know you can understand this because you were the ones to point out all of the injustices done to Bernie so we could be where we are today. I also know it is evident how doubt, fear and injustice have always been players in our lives.
When Tuesday a.m. rolled around, Bernie and Dave left their house early, to make the trip from Boston, so that we could be together as a family when the news was read. Bernie was worried if we went to Capeless’s office that day and the alleged victims or believers of Ford’s lies were there, someone might say hurtful things or worse yet, physically hurt his mother. Meanwhile, my grandmother was talking to me on the other line about how to protect Bernie from the same thing. They both have endured too many years of discrimination, hate and ignorance, so we decided it would be best if they stayed in an undisclosed location until the press conference was over. My Uncle Santo and I would wait at Capeless’s office (in the hallway of course, because while we are tax-paying citizens and Capeless is a public servant, or so I thought, we were denied access) until his decision was given, so that we could call Bernie and my grandmother right away.
Many thoughts raced through my head in those tense moments, like the underhanded way that Capeless silently slithered behind all of our backs to call this press conference in the first place. Then I heard these words, Capeless is dropping the case! I couldn‘t breathe, did I hear right? BUT…his “decision was not based upon any judgment that Baran did not do what he was convicted of…” and SLAM, just like that his moral compass headed south yet again, so I knew it had to be true. Do the lies and back covering ever end? Then it hit me, this is the way they wanted it, (to use your euphemism), to keep an “elephant hiding under a rug“. They were going to go out the same way they came in, never admitting their wrongs, never apologizing or taking responsibility for ruining an innocent, young man’s life.
Nonetheless, I tried not to dwell on his reasons. I was just glad it was over for now. The feeling was surreal as I kept repeating to myself that this was not a dream and that Bernie was free. With tears streaming down my face I raced for my car, pulled myself together enough to drive to my grandmother’s house where I would find my grandmother and Bernie embracing each other and weeping harder than I ever heard either of them weep. All of us took turns holding each other, crying together and repeating the words, ‘it’s over” and “freedom”. When emotions settled down we had a modest celebration, no expensive wine or big party, just a scarred family trying to begin anew.
While we cried, laughed, rejoiced and thanked people I couldn’t help but realize as I looked around at my family, how much was truly taken from us. Freedom’s price was never more evident to me until I looked at the aging faces of my family. My grandmother is no longer the young woman she was when Bernie was first arrested. The fight is still in her but she is getting weary from the long, hard, and unfair journey. Her face tells the tale of a woman who has fought hard the battle of life, but needs to have justice prevail. Bernie is no longer the youthful, vibrant eighteen year old who used to take me to the park, push me on the swings, dance to Solid Gold with me, read me bedtime stories or let me sneak out of bed to stay up late, watch TV & eat snacks. My mother and my other uncles, Santo and Clint, are all older now, have kids and even grandkids of their own. The love we have will carry us into our futures, but it can never make up the time we lost.
As we began to talk of adventures we wanted to go on (Bernie has never seen a palm tree) and what our next move would be (the closest thing we ever had to a family vacation is when the prison used to have family day), I realized it would be short lived. None of us have the means or money to take a family vacation or even allow Bernie to live the life he deserves. All of us live humbly and have to work to survive, especially Bernie, living in Boston. There was going to be no time off for my hardworking grandmother or Bernie to celebrate and really absorb what had just happened! You would think after a quarter century of rules, restrictions and false imprisonment that Bernie would be able to live life the way he wants to, but he can’t.
We can never get back the time that was stolen from our family, but I need your help to raise money for Bernie, so that he can get one step closer to full freedom, financially, physically and mentally. While most of us have had time to go to college, choose careers, make our own life mistakes, fall in love, travel, explore, and just experience life, Bernie never has. His youth and innocence were stolen from him and while some financial freedom will never make up for this loss, at least it will enable him to not worry and really, really live life the way he wants to. My grandmother is not getting younger and her family’s history is not one of longevity (she is the only one to live past 65). I do not say this as a scare tactic but to help understand how precious Bernie’s time is with her. Their years to be together are numbered and I don’t want them wasting precious moments worrying about how to do it.
In my opinion, it will never be over until Ford is brought to justice. Until that happens I need your help to make life more breathable for Bernie. That is why I am reaching out to the two of you once again, to help my husband and me to organize a fundraiser for Bernie at our house, a Freedom ‘09‘ party. We want anyone who can make it to be here, supporters, lawyers, and friends. You can come see our home when you come to Pittsfield, we have the yard for it. I haven’t discussed it with Bernie or my grandmother yet, but I want to do this for them.
My grandmother is the backbone of my family, Bernie is my hero. Together they taught me about sorrow, adversity, hope, pride, truth, justice, commitment, faith, respect, honor, loyalty and love. I can never give them the freedom and peace they deserve, but with your help I can try. Please help me help them.
With all my love and gratitude,
Crystal Squires xoxo
PS-You can do with this letter what you wish. I know in the past they have been posted.
What a remarkable letter. I am so glad it got posted and sent out. What that poor family has had to endure over the years is criminal; it shows how crooked prosecutors and judges can get away with anyhting they want to; these people need to be held accountable.
I to work with wrongfully convicted prisoners and this is just not David Capeless’ week as the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Michael O’Laughlin’s wrongful conviction.
First Bee and now Michael; who’s next Mr. Capeless? Let’s hope this begins the domino effect in Berkshire County.
Dick,
Great to hear from you. I just heard the great news about Michael. Congratulations and thank you for all of your hard work.
-Bob
Chrystal’s idea to do a fundraising freedom party is a great one. Can NCRJ co-host?
Great letter, Crystal. And now, another victory over the evil ‘justice system’ in Berkshire County… in the same week, even! I’m beside myself with joy.
Thanks to Bob, Jim, Dick, and all the people who made these victories possible.
This broght tears to my eyes. As a mother and grandmother, I can only imagine the last 20 years of this family’s life. How can we believe in justice when we see a young man’s life destroyed by people wanting to make a name for themselves. My husband used to say “What goes around comes around” I can only hope and pray his words will come to fruitation in this case. If and when it does I hope they remember why.
How do we send money to help?
You can send a donation to:
The Bernard Baran Justice Committee
POB 190663
Roxbury MA 02119
-Bob
Hey Crystal
Let me know what you need or what i can do.You know me Melissa and the rugrats will be there,Give me a date and i will see what i can do.I spent a year or 2 in the joint with him and i know what your family went through.I feel your pain and have shared some of it with you.If you need to talk you know how to get a hold of me.The letter was awesome i think you got a lot of the things a family goes through.
Some can be put into words some cannot.
Dennis Maher
DNA Exonoree
Did 15 yrs with Bee
I feel your pain
The Maher family
How can you even think of asking for money after what he did to my daughter? You family members need to realize HE DID IT. What would you say if new evidence came out or when he does it again? Watch what you say or do and think about that.
Bernard Baran did nothing to your daughter. Since no credible or reliable evidence has come to light in the past 25 years, it is unlikely to do so in the future. And he can’t do it again, since he didn’t do it in the first place.
I find it astounding that some people consider gay men so evil as to constitute a danger to little girls.
What is your evidence? The “memories” of your daughter?
One of the major tragedies of these cases is that the interviewing techniques used can implant false memories of the abuse. These memories can be even more vivid (and more detailed) than memories of events that actually occurred.
I wish you would inform yourself about what actually happened. I can be persuaded by facts. I suspect that you cannot.
He did absolutely nothing to your daughter, or to anyone else. She was a small child and was easily led by well-intentioned but poorly-trained investigators. This happens all too often around here in alleged cases of child abuse. Your daughter thinks she remembers because her true memories have been replaced by the false ones that were implanted by the investigators. Perhaps if you read some of the dozens of books or hundreds of articles that have been written on the subject, or watched the dozens of TV news programs on the subjedt, you might understand. This subject has been well-researched for at least 20 years now.
Have you seen the videotapes of these kids? I have. The alleged victims repeatedly denied anything had happened to them. It was only after adults coerced them that they made accusations. Even then, their stories were very inconsistent- the hallmark of implanted memories. The kids were also rewarded when they “told”. Kids make up stories for rewards. Unfortunately, kids that young then forget the truth. Children that age are not reliable witnesses.
You make a very good point, Bob, and one I forgot to mention. Statistics show that the vast majority of pedophiles are HETEROSEXUAL men, not homosexual. Also, people of either sex, gay or straight, who have had normal relationships with other adults, do not suddenly become pedophiles. Please, “mother” inform yourself. There is plenty of research and written material on this.
Actually, I’m not sure it’s completely accurate to call pedophiles homosexual or heterosexual. I think they’re an entirely difference kettle of fish.
One reason so many of the therapists at the Treatment Center were convinced that Bee was innocent (including the head of treatment, who supplied an affidavit supporting Bee) was that he fit none of the psychological profiles of pedophiles.
I think part of the problem is our tendency to fit everyone into two few categaories — e.g., heterosexual or homosexual. In the Middle Ages, if you weren’t a Christian you had to be a worshipper of the devil. In contemporary American politics, you have to be either a Democrat or a Republican, conservative or a liberal.
The world is a complicated place and we oversimplify it trying to understand it.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
What you said supports my statement that adults who have normal adult relationships don’t suddenly become pedophiles.
Absolutely! I wasn’t disagreeing with you. I was just adding another perspective.
-Bob