My name is Arthur F. White, Jr.; I am a father of two sons (8 and 7). I would like to tell you my story Many think that all convicted people in prison are harden criminals who prey on society. To be honest...I myself once shared such a general misconception until I was falsely accused and convicted of murder. Now I know too what it is like to be called a convict.
Growing up, I was the typical kid raised in a loving home. Mother, father, siblings and a family that shared the same strong family values. My schooling was mostly that of the church schooling. From grade school up to high school. I faithfully attended church with my family. When school and chores were out of the way I enjoyed the normal routine of hanging out with my friends around the neighborhood. Growing up playing sports, mostly baseball and basketball.
But our faith and love would soon be tested. With age I got caught up into what I considered excitement of the world. I rebelled against the right things and got caught up into the bad thoughts along with bad friends. I began to withdraw from good friends, family and church. This time of my life was a "tug of war". I couldn't seem to go backwards or front wards.
I began to experiment with drugs, smoking weed, but mostly alcohol; which landed me in heaps of trouble.. Along with getting into a few scrapes with the local sheriff department. Hey! there goes Arthur...smart kid, good family, he is just lost. What's the matter with him? Seemed like every one was saying it. Yes, I was lost, however, I still wasn't a bad person. I was trying to be a good person even while being drawn into another world. Mom thought I wasn't listening to her "advice"/lectures, I really was , but just feeling more into being lost, confused and out of control because of the drugs. After a long week of partying and being strung out I went home to my parents house to sleep it off, and I did. From Friday night to Sunday morning..my only waking hours were on Saturday to eat some food and enjoy a phone conversation with my sister who is a police officer and living in Georgia. I went back to sleep only to wake up on Sunday morning by the police knocking at the door with a warrant for my arrest from an old charge or so I thought. Surprise!
Arthur, smart but lost, with more life to live was being charged with MURDER! I was tried and found guilty. My lawyer appeared to have totally let me down. Now I know he did. There was false testimony from jail house snitches, family members of the other two charged with the same murder. Some DNA evidence that would have benefited my defense was purposely overlooked by my lawyer. While knowing all along this evidence showed prints of another person being at the crime scene (the prosecution had this person testify against me saying I admitted to the crime). There was never any DNA or physical evidence connecting me to this crime. This wrongful conviction has left two families broken. There is much more story to be heard and has been written about between the sentences I have stated here and in my trial script.
In closing: I no longer believe that every person branded a convict and found guilty is a hardened criminal preying on society. Like myself there are those who are convicted by mistake and wrongfully imprisoned.
I respectfully ask for your help with my defense: no matter how small or large the amount. And prayers are always welcomed.
Philippians 4:13 says: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Mom special thanks to you because I have learned how much your tenacity for life, love, justice, and following God has renewed my faith in doing what is right within my life.