To whom
it may concern,
I have a hard time interpreting what is adequate legal assistance.
I know that everyone has failed to conduct a meaningful investigation in
my capital case. My trial attorneys did little more than an act of legitimating
the process of my conviction, my direct appeal attorney did what he could
with what he had to work with and even he missed a couple of crucial points
of error. I was under the impression that I would be appointed "competent
counsel" in the step of my appeals called; "State Writ of Habeas Corpus".
From what I understand the attorney that was appointed to assist me has
never before been involved with capital litigation. Here on Texas death
row there are no trained legal assistants to afford any type of legal assistance,
does the courts automatically assume that all "appellants" are familiar
with the science of law or the workings of the courts? Without meaningful
access to the courts, (as death row is prohibited law library privileges).
I have no possible way to know if I have competent counsel, as the only
time I talked to the attorney that was appointed to my case, was a introduction
visit in the unit visiting room, full of people, that lasted less than
an hour. Are my fundamental rights of meaningful access to courts; meaningless,
as it is the right upon which all other rights depend. I don't have the
qualifications or skills in legal research to actually develop a proper
complaint and my indigent status prevents me from retaining assistance.
I'm not functionally illiterate, I've just never studied law, and without
meaningful access to a law library and trained legal assistants, I can't
adequately address a claim of insufficient legal representation. I'm not
able to call a legal assistant on the telephone, because the prison administration
doesn't believe in confidential communications and my failure to be able
to contest these atrocities against my fundamental constitutional rights
places me at a disadvantage to provide a memorandum to assist my attorney,
if he wanted to help me. I read all the time and I see articles written
by all walks of intelligent people, stating that the things that are happening
here on Texas' death row are wrong, but no one wants to step forward. All
I need is for someone to explain to me how I can explain that I do not
waive any of my constitutional rights. If you or anyone you know has any
answers to my questions or comments, fee free to write to me at:
William M. Mason Polunsky Unit #999040
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, TX 77351
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