Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 3 January 2018
Update on Fundraising Efforts
Where we are now
Dear Friends,
In November, 2017, we created the Edward O’Brien Expert Witness and Forensic Fund. The impetus behind the Fund was twofold. One, the Innocence Program (and New England Innocence Project as well) are experiencing shortages of funding for crucial blood and DNA analysis and testing that will prove innocence. We did not want Eddie’s appeal to be stalled by being on a long waiting list for a pro bono scientist to examine and render an opinion on some of the physical evidence we wish to re-examine or re-test. We wanted to be able to hire a qualified expert, if needed, so that the appeal process would move along at less of a snail’s pace. These experts are expensive. We need the most reliable and experienced experts in order to make the strongest case for Eddie’s innocence.
One such pro bono expert was to have rendered his findings by Thanksgiving 2017. In January, 2018, we learned that this scientist had just undergone triple-bypass heart surgery and would be on extended medical leave. So, we have waited since approximately September, 2017 for a report that has never materialized. These are the kinds of setbacks and delays that cannot be foreseen, but set the appeal process back months, if not years. Luckily, we now have some funds with which to hire another scientist who can perform the work in a specified time period. When a scientist is working pro bono, s/he is doing so on his or her own time, outside of normal business hours. In other words, it gets done when it gets done. They are donating their time to the project.
I am pleased to announce that we have raised a total of $4,586.00 toward our $25,000.00 goal so far.
There are two ways to contribute to the fund: by mail or online with PayPal.
To contribute online, go to www.margonash.com and scroll to the end of the home page for the PayPal button.
Or, you can send your check or money order to:
Edward O’Brien Expert Witness & Forensic Fund, c/o 1295 Race Lane, Marstons Mills, MA 02648
Please indicate if you would like us to acknowledge your contribution publicly on the Facebook Page The Politics of Murder: (www.facebook.com/margonashauthor/?ref=bookmarks) I will continue to report the progress of this fundraising effort on that page. I will happily and gratefully publish your name as a donor to the Fund.
Please share this information on your social media sites, and encourage your friends to help us raise the money we need to prove that Eddie’s conviction should be vacated and he should be given a new trial.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Brown Bag Lunch in Falmouth, MA
Falmouth Jewish Congregation 12:00 p.m.
A brown bag lunch, with coffee and dessert provided by and at the Falmouth Jewish Congregation, Social Action Committee, at 7 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536 will take place at 12:00 noon. We will discuss the book The Politics of Murder. Margo Nash will present an overview of the case, after which the audience will participate in a question and answer session.
This event will feature a special guest, as Tricia O’Brien, Eddie’s mother, will be joining us for the event.
Books will be available for sale and signature.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
University of Oklahoma Law School, Norman, Oklahoma
Margo Nash will be presenting the book for discussion at a Law School faculty luncheon in Norman, Oklahoma. The following day, February 28, 2018, there will be a lecture, discussion and question and answer session for the students at the law school. This will be open to the public.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Osterville Public Library-Main Room, Wianno Avenue, Osterville, MA 10:00 a.m.
From 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. there will be a presentation and general discussion about the book The Politics of Murder, followed by a question and answer session with the audience. We will start with an overview of the case, for people who have not yet read the book, followed by an explanation of the legal, moral and political issues presented, as well as the progress made toward securing a new trial for Eddie O’Brien.
Books will be available for sale and signature
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
The Brewster Ladies’ Library, 1822 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631
From 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. there will be a discussion of the book The Politics of Murder. Margo Nash will present an outline and a history of the case, including the most important factors that went into the wrongful conviction of this innocent 15 year old boy for the murder of his best friend’s mother. The presentation will be followed by an audience question and answer session.
Books will be available for sale and signature.
Where we are now
Dear Friends,
In November, 2017, we created the Edward O’Brien Expert Witness and Forensic Fund. The impetus behind the Fund was twofold. One, the Innocence Program (and New England Innocence Project as well) are experiencing shortages of funding for crucial blood and DNA analysis and testing that will prove innocence. We did not want Eddie’s appeal to be stalled by being on a long waiting list for a pro bono scientist to examine and render an opinion on some of the physical evidence we wish to re-examine or re-test. We wanted to be able to hire a qualified expert, if needed, so that the appeal process would move along at less of a snail’s pace. These experts are expensive. We need the most reliable and experienced experts in order to make the strongest case for Eddie’s innocence.
One such pro bono expert was to have rendered his findings by Thanksgiving 2017. In January, 2018, we learned that this scientist had just undergone triple-bypass heart surgery and would be on extended medical leave. So, we have waited since approximately September, 2017 for a report that has never materialized. These are the kinds of setbacks and delays that cannot be foreseen, but set the appeal process back months, if not years. Luckily, we now have some funds with which to hire another scientist who can perform the work in a specified time period. When a scientist is working pro bono, s/he is doing so on his or her own time, outside of normal business hours. In other words, it gets done when it gets done. They are donating their time to the project.
I am pleased to announce that we have raised a total of $4,586.00 toward our $25,000.00 goal so far.
There are two ways to contribute to the fund: by mail or online with PayPal.
To contribute online, go to www.margonash.com and scroll to the end of the home page for the PayPal button.
Or, you can send your check or money order to:
Edward O’Brien Expert Witness & Forensic Fund, c/o 1295 Race Lane, Marstons Mills, MA 02648
Please indicate if you would like us to acknowledge your contribution publicly on the Facebook Page The Politics of Murder: (www.facebook.com/margonashauthor/?ref=bookmarks) I will continue to report the progress of this fundraising effort on that page. I will happily and gratefully publish your name as a donor to the Fund.
Please share this information on your social media sites, and encourage your friends to help us raise the money we need to prove that Eddie’s conviction should be vacated and he should be given a new trial.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Brown Bag Lunch in Falmouth, MA
Falmouth Jewish Congregation 12:00 p.m.
A brown bag lunch, with coffee and dessert provided by and at the Falmouth Jewish Congregation, Social Action Committee, at 7 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536 will take place at 12:00 noon. We will discuss the book The Politics of Murder. Margo Nash will present an overview of the case, after which the audience will participate in a question and answer session.
This event will feature a special guest, as Tricia O’Brien, Eddie’s mother, will be joining us for the event.
Books will be available for sale and signature.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
University of Oklahoma Law School, Norman, Oklahoma
Margo Nash will be presenting the book for discussion at a Law School faculty luncheon in Norman, Oklahoma. The following day, February 28, 2018, there will be a lecture, discussion and question and answer session for the students at the law school. This will be open to the public.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Osterville Public Library-Main Room, Wianno Avenue, Osterville, MA 10:00 a.m.
From 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. there will be a presentation and general discussion about the book The Politics of Murder, followed by a question and answer session with the audience. We will start with an overview of the case, for people who have not yet read the book, followed by an explanation of the legal, moral and political issues presented, as well as the progress made toward securing a new trial for Eddie O’Brien.
Books will be available for sale and signature
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
The Brewster Ladies’ Library, 1822 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631
From 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. there will be a discussion of the book The Politics of Murder. Margo Nash will present an outline and a history of the case, including the most important factors that went into the wrongful conviction of this innocent 15 year old boy for the murder of his best friend’s mother. The presentation will be followed by an audience question and answer session.
Books will be available for sale and signature.
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Copyright Margo Nash 2016. All rights reserved.
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All funds will be used to pay for expert witnesses and forensic testing.