MI: RSO Freezes to Death – Federal District Court Case
In a unique way this judge resolves the issue so that it cannot happen again. And retains jurisdiction, apparently forever. In essence, overnight shelters ARE NOT a residence under MI SORA’s residency law. Full Article / Decision
This Post Has 14 Comments
Commenting Rules
We welcome all input but ask that you stay civil and on-topic. Comments on this site are moderated - one of our volunteer moderators will review your comment as soon as possible. Thank you.
I have taken it upon myself to contact the parties involved in this terrible case and will report back as to what happened and why it happened. At this point, I am just disgusted…but I don’t have enough information. Feel free to contact Cindy Longyne, Public Relations Director, Mel Trotter Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan at (616) 588-8744 if you want to comment on this unfortunate tragedy.
Let’s make certain this never, ever happens in California.
Like or Dislike:
+2
It is my understanding that registrants are also being denied access to homeless shelters in some parts of California. If anyone has information about that, please post it on this site. With this court ruling, we may have a legal basis on which to obtain access for the homeless in California as well.
Like or Dislike:
+3
Janice, I completed parole last year. When I first started parole, I was told specifically that I would have to be transient and didn’t have a choice in the matter. I can’t speak for the whole of California, but registrants on parole in Orange County are specifically told they have to be transient from day one unless they have a residence that has already been deemed acceptable under the residency restrictions in Jessica’s Law. Also, I was told specifically that I could not go to a homeless shelter, and if I remember right, it was even part of my parole terms. I had a van I could sleep in, but there are dozens of others who do not and are forced to be sleeping on the ground by the state no matter the weather conditions.
Like or Dislike:
0
Also, during my 3 years on parole, we did have one old man die of exposure in Fullerton, another murdered by serial killer who targeted the homeless, and another die of heart failure at night because he was too afraid of parole to leave his assigned spot to go to the emergency room.
Like or Dislike:
0
Its my understanding that in El Monte homeless shelters only one RSO is allowed per shelter per night so all the ones who need shelter are turned away because of the housing restriction. I hope that this ruling puts a stop to this legalized cruelty.
Like or Dislike:
0
In a logical world this right here would be proof enough that the registry violates the 8th amendment of the Constitution.
Like or Dislike:
+1
Following up on this case, here is the response I received from the Ministry in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the center of the controversy regarding the tragic freezing to death of Mr. Thomas Pauli, a registered citizen:
Jeffrey,
I would like to start out by saying, I appreciate you reaching out to Mel Trotter and asking the difficult questions. Without getting to the bottom of unjust laws, there will never be reform, and I sincerely appreciate your efforts in trying to bring this reform.
There are a few clarifications that I would like to make in the death of Thomas Pauli, and Mel Trotter Ministries. Before the ruling of 2011 was overturned that Sex Offenders are now allowed to come in to Rescue Missions or Homeless Shelters, they were not. Our homeless shelter, as well as two others that Mr. Pauli attempted to stay in (Degage and Guiding Light Missions) are within 1000 feet of Catholic Central High School. Because of this close proximity, Mel Trotter was not permitted by law to have registered sex offenders stay in our shelter. It was not our desire to turn Mr. Pauli away, as we never want to turn someone away that is looking for a place to stay. The Michigan law at the time, however, did not allow us to house Mr. Pauli.
Did Mel Trotter see this law as unjust? Absolutely. We were involved in filing a law suit along with Degage Ministries and five homeless or previously homeless sex offenders against Governor Rick Snyder, State Attorney General Bill Schuette, the Michigan State Police and Kent County Prosecutor William Forsyth. That law, thankfully was overturned. Mel Trotter now is able to provide hot meals, showers and warm beds to anyone who wants to stay with us and comply with our rules (which are more pertained to safety, i.e. no weapons, alcohol or illegal substances on the premises).
I am happy to say that Mel Trotter has been blessed with the resources to provide 83, 412 bed nights for men, women and children in the year of 2012; and that does include those that are registered sex offenders. Our mission, here at Mel Trotter Ministries, is to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ toward the hungry, homeless and hurting of the Grand Rapids Area. Thankfully, with the overturning of unjust laws, we are able to do this for anyone who is willing to accept it.
Again, Jeffrey, I am thankful for your passion in creating justice for those that are not able to seek it themselves. I wish you all the best in your studies at Law school; and if you have any other questions about this topic or any others, please do not hesitate to ask!
Sincerely,
Cindy
Like or Dislike:
+3
The government officials who crafted the illegal law which is clearly cruel and unusual punishment and directly caused the death of this individual, should be held accountable and charged with contributing to this American citizens death on American soil.
Each and everyone of them should be charged with the crime of murder!
How long will the American people continue to pass laws that are simply “legal” torture of fellow American citizens? Why is the constitution being ignored?
Like or Dislike:
+6
Janice, I could be wrong, but please help me understand this. If these laws are declared unconstitutional, then would it be true, that their enforcement would constitute a crime? And isn’t a death that directly results of a criminal action considered murder? Like I said before, I know of three deaths that are a direct result of RSO parolees in California being forced to be homeless.
Like or Dislike:
+3
Hi everyone, this is truly sad and disturbing; that the majority of people are so devoid of the truth in what they do and what they believe. I’m talking about those that conceive, craft, enforce, and stand behind these draconian laws, as well as the sensationalist news outlets that only report one side of these laws. I’m pretty sure that Megan Kanka and all the other young ones these laws are named after are in heaven cringing at what is being done by these people in their name. I have been reading about deaths facilitated by these laws for years and I am pretty sure the number of RSO deaths has surpassed all of the victims these laws are named after.
Like or Dislike:
+1
Sex offender laws have enabled the creation of a being – the pariah – the very notion of which is rooted in an unenlightened (and assumed by most of us to be discarded) view of humanity. A society must surely protect its vulnerable members from violence and assault. Draconian sex offender laws do not further that aim. They have simply accorded the state the power to brand an individual as undeserving of the most basic human and civil rights.
Like or Dislike:
+2
Thank you J. McBride for your efforts … In all that you do.
Like or Dislike:
+2
I’m glad people are fighting for the rights of offenders and actually getting somewhere. I don’t see how putting the offenders exact birthday on Megan’s Law site is going to protect anyone. It subjects the offenders to identity theft. Some may ask who would want to, but someone could get credit in the offenders’ name and run up a tab that the offender will have to pay for either financially or jail time. Why can’t they just put the age of the offender? Megan’s Law was out of revenge for her rape and murder, but the system failed Megan. This offender was let out after doing time for a second offense, but the system was quick to deter any focus on this and make a new law against offenders. The public is not educated on offenders nor do they want to. Most all offenses happen by friends or family members and the stranger danger is highly overrated. When someone is posted on Megan’s website, everyone thinks child rapist. Some are on the site for ridiculous reasons like urinating in a bush. Many kids are finding themselves on it for texting photos of themselves to their friends. It all needs to be reformed. Offenders are humans and citizens also and shouldn’t be subjected to all these unconstitutional restrictions. Let’s keep the fight going. Thanks.
Like or Dislike:
+2
You can bet this guy went to prison for a good reason and apparently multiple times. When a person’s sentence is up, it is up, whether or not they show any signs of remorse or the capability for rehabilitation. That is what I first thought this law was designed for; much to my dismay and my family’s. If this law is designed to protect, I would feel a little sense of justice – and equal protection under the law – if murderers, kidnappers, carjackers, meth dealers and gang members were on a similar web site. That way the panic could be spread proportionately throughout society. I have a problem with Pelican Bay and other SHU’s around the state. I remember a case a few years back when a guy was released from Pelican Bay and within a week, kidnapped and murdered a young woman from the Concord? BART station. Where is the web-site for these people that have absolutely no remorse and many times, through gang affiliation and prison protocol, have professed their intent to continue to be sociopaths? This is another tangent but should be used as another reminder to law makers to create worthy instruments that get closer to effectiveness without unnecessary fear mongering.
Like or Dislike:
0