Maryland 4: Miscarriage of Justice in Maryland

An African American mother of three faces her own case where she faces excessive jail time after applying for aid  -  A forum on this issue will be held on November 7, 2007 in Harford, County. For info,  call (410) 299-7360.

(BALTIMORE, MARYLAND) As the world watched the unbelievable Jena-6 case unfold in Louisiana in front of the world, there are numerous cases of people around the country who have been unfairly judged and excessively charged. There are families who are bystanders watching this miscarriage of justice across the country.  Recently, in the predominantly White suburb of Maryland (Harford County), a case is brewing for a divorced African American mother of three boys (ages 15, 14 and 9), who acknowledges that red tape and confusion  now fuels a case with charges that could lead to jail time simply stemming from a plea to get help. A forum on this issue will be held on November 7, 2007 in Harford, County. For more information, to attend or help with this case, call (410) 299-7360 or send email to janicelmclean@yahoo.com.

McLean Deloatch, who stands on the forefront of struggle, is accused of making fraudulent statements, when in fact there is proof that the agencies who charged her were the ones at fault. Also, she has been harassed by police officers, threatened that her children would be taken away and a  vehicle towed because of an Motor Vehicle Administration error. Then, in subsequent court hearings, an innocent Janice McLean DeLoatch  is tried as if she were guilty instead of  pressuring the agencies to uncovering  the missing papers form government files and applications  yet to seen by the defendant’s attorney. Is this justice?

Let's overturn this miscarriage of justice...I am a mother who lives a simple life and striving to make life better for myself and my sons. I am being railroaded by Harford County Maryland with a concerted effort to conceal their racism behind systemic legal rhetoric. I plead for your help and assistance in this matter, so that I as well as countless others do not become another voice silenced behind bars – with felony charges, and incarcerated by my Blackness, because of the injustice of a broken system that should be helping women like me at a critical time when I need it most. Will justice be served if I go to jail or remain with my children. Is justice served by sending a woman to prison , taking her away from her children, in the face of innocence?

For this Maryland mother of three, who is an upstanding citizen with no prior criminal record, the case is now going too far, with the threat of jail time, even though she has  no record, and with clear examples that her rights as a defendant are not being upheld and the facts are not being carefully considered. Donald L. Wright, the attorney for Janice McLean Deloatch said, "I do feel there has been bias in this case from the beginning and can verify what happened in the court room."

Janice Grant, past president of the Harford County  Branch NAACP, and Director of Desegregation  for  the State of Maryland hired by the National Office of NAACP who attended  circuit court  in support of Mrs. Janice Mclean Deloatch  said, “ In my opinion from the information I had on hand, Janice McLean Deloatch is being unfairly charged. “

Janice McLean DeLoatch, said "My rights were never read to me upon my arrest...I was indicted with five felony counts, each with a maximum of 15 years in jail...I was not adequately notified of hearing dates and documents that related to the case were not allowed to be presented, discussed, referred to  or asked about. Most of all, I have had to also bear the daily mental, emotional and physical torture from people who rather see me put away in jail, as opposed to at home with my family – and especially since I looked to these agencies  for help. Also, while court is a very intimidating place, the atmosphere assumes guilt, instead of sorting out of situations that need not be there in the first place. In one instance, the State’s attorney has made a statement saying I want ‘Special treatment,’ when in fact I want FAIR treatment and clarity to come to this case and for justice to prevail – the same treatment given to Whites.

“Like the Jena 6, I am asking people to see and hear the story of the Maryland 4 -- me, and my three sons, who face separation based on a miscarriage of justice. "Has this country  learned  anything from Jena 6? – "I am a working mother of three who has an honest profession and working mission in life. Should anyone  have to sit in a courtroom where they  see a White woman who was caught with drugs, and already on probation, get probation another time from the same  judge.  And also see a Black man with the same charges sentenced to 18 months in jail. And, the same judge and  Assistant State’s attorney offered me possible jail time for alleged accusations that are speculative. At the same time, during my trial, the judge said I need to hurry up my decisions because I was holding up the jury and later, the State’s attorney said that jail time is for people like me who are believed to abuse the system."
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 Contact:

Donald C. Wright, Esq,
Wright Legal Group
410-685-0202

Janice McLean
(443) 299-7360
janicelmclean@yahoo.com

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