MICHAEL METTE

DEFENSE FUND

OCTOBER 29th, 2008

"IT'S OVER"

HE'S OUT

7000 W TOUHY AVE
NILES, IL 60714
ph: 847 588-6581
alt: 847 514-8978
cmdrmac@yahoo.com

Home

Hello everyone, as all of you well know, Mike Mette a Chicago Police Officer was unjustly tried and convicted on an Assault charge in Iowa. The tragic conclusion of that trial resulted in Mike Mette being found guilty and unjustly being sentenced to a five year jail sentence. In the Judge's written ruling, she states that Mike was not the aggressor in this incident, but is punishing him, because he should have walked away from his attacker, who had struck him three times. We definitely do not support the Judge's poor decision making skills, but we strongly support our friend Mike Mette and with that, stand firm in our support of the Mette Family as they continue to fight, for Mike's freedom through an appeal that they have filed.

Because of the tremendous outpouring of support and public outcry regarding this great injustice, we the friends of the Mette family have established this fund to help them financially as they continue to try and make right a terrible wrong! If you agree with us please contribute whatever you can to this worthwhile cause!

Thanks for all you support!

Please feel free to contact us with any inquiries.

MIKE'S

PREVIOUS

ADDRESS

Mike can receive cards and letters only at the following address:

New Mailing Address:

Michael A. Mette # 6520284

Nort

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?act=Print&client=printer&f=18&t=26297

h Central Correctional

313 Lanedale

Rockwell City, Iowa 50579

IT'S OVER

HE'S OUT

10/8/2008

Mike walked out of the North Central Correctional Center today at approximately 3:40 p.m.

Welcome Home Mike.

Chicago Police Officer Michael A. Mette (left) hugs and kisses his mother Patricia as he is released from the North Central Correctional Facility in Rockwell City, Iowa.

Bob Mette (left) hugs his son, Chicago Police Officer Michael Mette as Michael is released from the North Central Correctional Facility in Rockwell City, Iowa.

THE CHICAGO FOP WILL BE HOSTING A WELCOME HOME PARTY FOR MIKE METTE ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 12TH, 2008, NOON-5:00 P.M. AT THE FOP HALL LOCATED AT 1412 W. WASHINGTON, CHICAGO, IL TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE DOOR ONLY AT THE COST OF $20.00.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: DAN HERBERT FROM THE FOP AT:312-733-7776

The Iowa Attorney General's office announced today, that they will not seek a review of the Iowa Appeals Court ruling, overturning the assault conviction of Mike Mette!

Mike should be released within the next two days, according to prison officials.

From: Brammer, Robert [AG] [mailto:rbrammer@ag.state.ia.us]
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 5:03 PM
To: Brammer, Robert [AG]
Subject: IA Atty. Gen. Office statement: Office will not seek further review of Mette decision

To interested news media, from Bob Brammer, Attorney General’s Office – 515-281-6699.

Please find a statement below of the Attorney General’s Office -- the AG’s Office is not seeking further review of the Court of Appeals Mette decision. (The AG’s Office will notify the Supreme Court on Wednesday of its decision not to seek further review.)

The process toward Mr. Mette’s release could move quickly (perhaps within a day or two), but a couple official steps must be taken, including the Supreme Court must issue an order closing the appeal (called procedendo), and there must be final processing and arrangements by the Dept. of Corrections. The Dept. of Corrections (Fred Scaletta) will notify news media when arrangements for release have been made. (Mr. Scaletta is reachable starting Wednesday at 515-360-9300 or 515-725-5707.)

Thank you. -- Bob Brammer

Statement of the Attorney General’s Office

October 7, 2008

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has decided not to ask the Iowa Supreme Court to review the Court of Appeals decision in State v. Mette. While the Attorney General’s Office disagrees with the Court of Appeals analysis, it accepts the outcome. This case hinges on the factual findings set out in the district court ruling and does not present the kind of clear legal issue which would be necessary for a successful application for further review to the Iowa Supreme Court. [END]

It's a great day!

IOWA APPELLATE COURT RULING 10/1/2008

No. 07-1207. [8-329] STATE v. METTE

Appeal from the

Iowa

District Court for

Dubuque County

Monica L. Ackley

, Judge. REVERSED AND REMANDED. Heard by Huitink,

P.J.

, and Vogel and Eisenhauer, JJ. Opinion by Per Curiam (10 pages $5.00)

Michael Mette

appeals from his conviction of assault causing bodily injury. He asserts that the district court erred in rejecting his self defense claim and in finding his victim suffered serious injury. OPINION HOLDS: The district court's finding that Mette had a duty to retreat is not supported by substantial evidence; thus, we conclude the district court erred in rejecting Mette's defense of justification. We need not consider Mette's serious injury argument. We therefore reverse and remand for entry of judgment of acquittal.

Iowa Ruling

We applaud the Iowa Appellate Courts ruling in this matter! Their decision shows that the system does work!

On behalf of Mike and his entire family we want to thank everyone for their donations, cards and letters, email, moral support and most of all their prayers! Today could not happened without the out-pouring of support!

We also want to thank Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine and Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis for their letters of support!

Our sincere thanks to Chicago Columnist John Kass and ABC 7 I-Team reporter Chuck Goudie, for jumping on this story and for their excellent coverage of Mike's plight, along with getting his story out to all of you!

We want to also thank Des Moines Register Columnist John Carlson, our friend in Iowa, who believed in Mike's innocence and who informed the people of Iowa, that Mike was unjustly convicted.

May God Bless Mike and the entire Mette Family!

MMDF

Memo from CPD Supt. Jody Weis

From: OfficeoftheSuperintendent
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 1:49 PM
To: everyone
Subject: Michael Mette Update

The Court of Appeals of Iowa issued an opinion this morning overturning the trial courts conviction with an entry of judgment for acquittal in the matter of Mike Mette.

We are very pleased with the decision of the Iowa Appellate Court, ordering an acquittal for Officer Mette. This decision is a vindication for Officer Mette, who was confronted by a violent attacker and acted in self-defense.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women of the Chicago Police Department who have shown their support for our fellow officer, family and friends during this very difficult time. Today justice has been served, we applaud the Iowa Appellate Court for their decision and look forward to welcoming Officer Mike Mette home soon.

Correction

In his report on Mike, Channel 2 news reporter Jay Levine stated that Mike received support from Mayor Daley, Senator Barack Obama and Cook County States Attorney. He got two of the three right! It should be known that Mike received no such support from Senator Obama at anytime during his ordeal. In fact his response was that it was in the court's hands and there was nothing he could do! The same thing went for Senator Dick "Do-nothing" Durbin. No credit should be given to either of these two men, in fact none of your votes should be given to them either, come election time! This website has at no time, been about politics, it has been about freeing a falsely convicted Mike Mette. We did in fact contact our State and local officials, whether Republican or Democrat, to assist us in freeing Mike. Other than those mentioned previously,(Daley, Devine & Weis) our so-called dedicated politicians did nothing! As law enforcement officers we should remember this when they ask police officers to stand behind them on stage, when they are trying to push through some crime prevention law or legislation. It is then, when we should all tell them we are too busy also! They promise us the world and deliver us nothing!

UPDATE

9/30/2008

The ruling from the Iowa Court of Appeals is expected to be returned tomorrow on Mike's case, according to the Iowa Court of Appeals website. We will keep you posted as soon as we get the word!

UPDATE

9/11/2008

We just got back from Iowa this evening where several members of the MMDF committee attended Mike's Appeal hearing! To say the least we all walked out highly, but cautiously optimistic after hearing the oral arguments! The Dubuque County prosecutors office stood by their guns that the case was prosecuted fairly and that Mike's charges and sentencing should stand. The prosecutor once again admitted to the three sitting Justices that, "Mike was not the aggressor in this instance", but that Mike should have opted to several of the following choices. 1.He should have run away. 2. Drove away in a nearby vehicle, which he did not have the keys to.

3. Called 911, with a phone that he did not possess at the time. 4. Ran into the house and last but not least.

5. As the prosecutor put it "verbally mediated the situation". One Justice felt that with the incident occurring so rapidly, that it was "impractical for Mike to walk away."

Mike's Attorney's Mark McCormick and Randy Rueckert, who did an outstanding job with their arguments, cited Iowa law, which basically gives an individual the right to protect himself or others from a a physical attack. They cited the severity of the injuries sustained by Jake Gothard, arguing that the initial treating physician was not qualified enough and did not have the proper equipment to diagnose Jake's injuries as life threatening!

The wait is on!

The Mette Family wants to thank all the officers who traveled on the FOP sponsored bus trip and who gave their free time, to support Mike and their family! The courtroom was standing room only and I am very sure that the sitting Justices took notice of the strong showing of support!

KUDOS

The Mike Mette Defense Fund would like to personally thank the following individuals for their efforts in spreading the word about Mike's plight. Their commitment to this injustice via their journalistic and reporting talents have brought a vast amount of public awareness to this great injustice. The results of their work have crossed the Illinois borders into surrounding states, as well as into the state where this journey began. They are true professionals at what they do and all inspiring journalists and reporters, would receive a great education, by watching, listening and reading their work!

Our thanks go out to: Mr. John Kass Chicago Tribune Columnist, Mr. Chuck Goudie ABC 7 Chicago Investigative Reporter and our new friend in Iowa, Mr. John Carlson Columnist Des Moines Register. We hope that their next story will be about Mike's release and that the story will be written very soon!

08/16/08

Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis has sent off five letters to the below mentioned people asking for the release of Mike Mette. On behalf of Mike and the entire Mette family we thank Superintendent Weis for actively getting involved and supporting one of his officer's.

Letters were sent to Iowa Governor Chet Culver, the Iowa Parole Board, Dubuque County Attorney Ralph Potter, Senator Barack Obama and Senator Dick(I don't want to get involved)Durbin.

Maybe the Superintendent's letters will help but from responses we and others have received, that none of them are willing to help Mike.

Durbin's Office: "It's something I don't want to get invloved in!" Of course you don't, afterall why would you want to help a member of the Chicago Police Department, a State of Illinois resident and a voter. We feel that you are totally useless Dick and can't wait until you are up for re-election!

Obama's Office: Same deal, they are letting the court's figure it out and besides obviously he's too busy to help out one Illinois citizen!

He's out and about begging to get millions of other people to "help him out"!

Dubuque County Attorney Ralph Potter: Obvious, he does not want Mike out because his office will have egg on it's face for putting Mike in there in the first place!

Governor Chet Culver: His response is that he can't interject himself into criminal court cases, once they have been decided. Maybe he should look into his policy and procedures book under the section titled "Pardon's"

Iowa Parole Board: Obvious Political appointees, that have someone above them, pulling their string's. They denied Mike his first parole request, without even meeting Mike face to face and ruling that he was not ready to be let out in society! Hey board, we do not want to put him back out into Iowa's society, we want to put him back on the streets of Chicago, with a Gun and a Badge!

We promise that we will keep him out of your State!

So in closing, Supertintent Weis, we thank-you again, but if you have that letter saved on your computer, fire two more letters off, one to President Bush and the other to God! You can choose which order, but the readers of this site, really know who will help us out with getting Mike freed!

UPDATE

7/26/08

Good News! A September 11th, 2008 date has been set for oral arguments on Mike's Appeal! Please continue to write Mike and keep him in your prayers as this Appeal process goes forward!

UPDATE

6/11/2008

Mikeas of the other day was still recovering from surgery at the Oakdale infirmary. They did not want to move Mike back to Rockwell City, Iowa until he is fully recovered from his surgey. Mike's sister Jen contacted us and advised us that Mike will be celebrating his birthday on June 13th, 2008 and asked that our readers send Mike birthday cards to the Rockwell City, Iowa address.

Happy Birthday Mike, we hope you will not have to celebrate next year's birthday in Iowa................

5/17/2008

We received a call from Mike's dad, who told us that Mike is currently in the Hospital in Iowa, awaiting surgery. Apparently one week ago Friday, Mike was having some bad pains on his lower right side and the prison nurse, gave him a laxative, told him there was nothing wrong with him and sent him back to his cell. Well as it turns out, on Tuesday Mike's appendix apparently burst and another nurse sent him immediately to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. They tried to cure the infection that occurred, with antibiotics, but that did'nt work. Today they called Bob and told him that they had to remove Mike's appendix, infection or not. Mike will undergo surgery today!

Please keep Mike in your prayers as he battles this infection and endures this surgery! It nevers ends with the State of Iowa.

We received an email this morning this morning from Mike's

sister Jen, who was very upset. It turns out that the Iowa Board of Parole, who was to hear Mike's request for parole on April 16th, 2008, has now thrown another wrench into matters. They told Mike's counselor that Mike needs to attend, what seems to us, a B.S. victim sensitivity class that does not start until August. The other kicker is that the class runs for six months, which would push Mike's parole hearing back further. Once again Mike has received another royal shafting by the State of Iowa. It is not that MMDF is insensitive to legit victim's of crimes, but in this case Mike Mette is the victim here, not Jake Gothard, who attacked Mike, was highly intoxicated at the time of the attack and since was convicted of DUI, in Iowa in December of 2007. Someone please tell me, who needs further counseling. As we have contended all along in Mike's case, political influence an other means has played a huge factor in his case and it continues on. We the members of the MMDF will not sit back and watch while Iowa treats Mike and his family like some hard core, career criminal. Even those people are being treated better, according to a recent Iowa article where a judge sentenced an offender to attend church! The exact meeting place and time will be posted in the near future on this site. If Mike cannot be heard, then we will speak out for Mike!

If you want to join us, please email us at: cmdrmac@yahoo.com

As always please boycott Iowa for vacations, business and colleges.

4/7/2008

Everyone,

Visited Mike over the weekend and he is in surprisingly good spirits considering the Iowa powers to be keep walking on his rights and messing with him.

Going back to his trial, the pre-sentencing investigator completed a ten page report saying there is no way Mike deserved to go to jail on this case. Of course the judge, prosecutor Gallagher and Jacob's father Curtis Gothard saw it differently.

His counselor in jail said he couldn't file for parole until he finished an anger management class where he was taught he shouldn't respond with force unless he was in danger of being attacked or as in his case he was hit three times before he responded with one punch as pointed out in the judge's ruling. He finished the course and his counselor put him in for a parole hearing on 4-16-2008.

The parole board sent Mike a letter saying: "They didn't feel he was able or willing to full fill his obligations as a law abiding citizen. They didn't feel it was fair to society to release him on parole." How do they come to these conclusions having never interviewed Mike or looked into the facts of the case? They now want him to complete a victim impact course which doesn't start til August 2008 and in six months they will again consider him for parole. Who are they kidding? How many more times can the State of Iowa Violate Mike's Rights?

Victim(that would be Jacob Gothard) impact class. Let's see. Since this incident, Jacob Gothard has spent a total of four days in the hospital where they released him after finding nothing seriously wrong with him and had to do no surgeries on any of his minor injuries.

Since then Jacob has gotten and been convicted of a DUI after leaving the scene of a barroom fight in 2006. Daddy, Curtis Gothard, rewarded him by getting him a house and a 2001 BMW. Last year in July Jacob received his second DUI in less than two years and was convicted in December 2007. But guess what? He still has a driver's license. So while Mike, a college graduate with no criminal past, can't be released into society; Jacob Gothard continues to drink and drive.

The parole board is either listening to the lies Curtis Gothard and prosecutor Gallagher have failed to prove in court, has no idea what this case is about or they are just playing the money game. You see the prison gets another $18,000 June 1st 2008 if Mike is still there and another $18,000 if he is there January 1, 2009.

When are the politicians, the US Justice Department the FBI going to say enough is enough?

I have one question for all the parents out there. If your drunken twenty year old son started a fight with someone but lost, would you use any influence at all to send the winner to jail?

I didn't think so.

RFM (Mike's Dad)

3/2/2008

Everyone,

Hopefully, this will be the last favor we have to ask for Mike. They have set April 16,2008 for Mike's first parole hearing and have requested character reference letters. These should be sent to the parole board and be addressed to "To whom it may concern". Please be sure to sign the letters and put a return name and address on the envelope as they won't accept them without these. They should be mailed to:

Board of Parole

510 East 12thStreet, Suite 3

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Also, please send a copy to Mike for his counselor at:

North Central Correctional

Michael A. Mette #6520284

313 Lanedale

Rockwell City, Iowa 50579

Again, don't forget to include Mike's inmate number and a return name and address.

Thanks again for all your help and maybe we are finally getting closer to the end of this mess.

Bob & Patti

If it's character reference letters the Mette's want let's fill those mail bags!

MMDF

PETITION

An email petition has been initiated to help free Mike Mette! Here is the Link!

http://www.petitiononline.com/m1977m/petition.html

2/13/2008

Bob and Patti Mette have advised us that they have finally received an eight page response back from the Iowa Attorney General's Office, regarding Mike's appeal. According to Bob and Patti the document does not challenge any points in the written brief's, submitted by Mike's attorneys, but basically supports the ruling of Judge Ackley. According to Bob and Patti, the Iowa Appeals Court can rule on the written briefs or set a hearing date for oral arguments. You ask which is better? Well after witnessing this travesty of injustice which occurred in the Dubuque County Court system, your guess is as good as mine. I myself would like to see Mike's attorney's stand before the court and let them have their say!

Reading written documents and making a decision, that could possibly impact Mike's life for the next five years, just doesn't cut it! It is time for Mike's voice to be heard through his attorneys and the proper justice must prevail! We will keep you posted as things continue to progress!

Bob and Patti Mette would also like to thank all the readers who continue to support Mike and their entire family through this horrific ordeal! This past Thanksgiving and Christmas was the first time since Mike was born that they were not able to spend a holiday with Mike! They also want to thank everyone for all the cards and letters of support that Mike has received. Mike continues to remain strong because of your belief in his cause!

MIKE'S REQUEST DENIED

If you have not spoken with Mike or his family lately, Dubuque County Judge Ackley has denied a request from Mike's attorneys, to keep Mike out of prison, while efforts to obtain an appeal hearing date continue. Obviously Mike is not a flight risk, nor is he the violent felon, that Dubuque County is making him out to be....But then again we would not want him out walking in Dubuque,where he could get attacked, defend himself instead of running away, then smack some spoon fed, alcoholic punk attacker, now would we! Once again we can only hope and pray that the sitting judges of the Iowa appellate court have more common sense, experience and better judicial values, then what Mike and his attorney's have had to deal with so far!

Mike's journey to Dubuque will begin Monday October 29th, 2007 at approximately 0700 hrs when members of his family along with some MMDF committee members will escort him out to Iowa. He has a reporting time of 1200 hrs. On behalf of Mike and his family, we the members of the MMDF Committee, want to thank all of you, who have supported the cause. We will continue to keep you updated on Mike's fight and appeal process. We will supply you with a mailing address for Mike as soon as we obtain it.

Please keep Mike and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

A Legal Defense Fund has been established for Michael Mette at:

Northwest Community Credit Union

7400 N Waukegan Rd, Niles, Illinois 60714

Please make any contributions payable to:

Michael Mette Defense Fund

LINKS YOU MUST SEE

"Chicago Cop freed from Iowa Prison"
John Kass Chicago Tribune

"Chicago Cop's story reveals heart of Department"
Chuck Goudie Daily Herald 10/6/2008

"Chicago Officer talks of time in Iowa Prison" Amy Lorentzen AP

"Mette off Hook?

Courtney Blanchard Dubuque Telgeraph Herald

"Iowa Appeals Court says Chicago Cop should be freed".
John Carlson Des Moines Register

"Overdue Iowa justice has cop on free track"

John Kass Chicago Tribune 10/2/2008

"Jailed Chicago Cop wins Appeal"

Chuck Goudie ABC7 I-Team

Iowa Appeals Court orders Chicago Police Officer freed.
NBC 5 Chicago

"Daley writes Iowa Governor seeking pardon for Chicago Cop" Clout St. Chicago Tribune 9/24/2008

"Jailed Chicago Cop gets backing of some Iowans"
Chuck Goudie ABC7 Chicago 9/12/2008

"Mette supporters urge visitors to boycott Iowa"

KCRG TV Dubuque Iowa 9/12/2008

"Impossible" to walk away?

Courtney Blanchard Dubuque Telegraph Herald 9/12/2008

"At Iowa Appeals Court, officers lament, colleague's conviction."

John Carlson Des Moines Register 9/12/2008

"Chicago Cop jailed in Iowa argues for reversal."

ABC7 Chicago 9/11/2008 Chuck Goudie

"Jailed Chicago Cop gets good news at Iowa appeal!"

John Kass Chicago Tribune 9/11/2008

"Judge: Impractical for Mette to walk away!"

Dubuque Telegraph Herald 9/11/2008

"Chicago Cop claims court should reverse decision."

WCF Courier.com 9/11/2008

"Court to hear Mette appeal."

Dubuque Telegraph Herald 9/9/2008

"Chicago Cop's sentencing in Iowa sparks ire"
Amy Lorentzen Associated Press

"Mike Mette's Case merit's Governor's review"

Dubuque Telegraph Herald 8/20/2008

"Cop should be freed with our apologies"

John Carlson Des Moines Register August 10th, 2008

"Chicago Cop in Iowa Prison, While drunk is on the loose"

John Kass Chicago Tribune August 3rd, 2008

"Iowa sends thug to Church while ex-cop rots in Prison"

John Kass Chicago Tribune 04/04/2008

"There's no real Justice in Iowa Politics"

John Kass Chicago Tribune 01/04/2008

"Silent Knight A Tribute to Mike"

Renee-Stop & Frisk Police Memorial

"Bad PR for officers claims wrong man"

John Kass Chicago Tribune 11/01/2007

"Mike reports to Iowa prison"

ABC 7 Chicago Chuck Goudie 10/29/2007

"Self Defense is inexplicably, no defense"

John Kass Chicago Tribune October 28th, 2007

"Mette to begin serving his time"

Matt Ryno Dubuque Telegraph Herald 10/28/2007

"Mette to begin serving his time"

Matt Ryno Dubuque Telegraph Herald 10/28/2007

"AOL FOOTAGE"

AOL

"Mike's Story-Video"

Anderson Cooper 360

"Mike's Story"

Anderson Cooper 360

Mr. Potter, Second Letter

Chicago Citizens

"Mike makes Sneed Column"

Chicago Sun Times

"Supporters Rally for Mike"

Niles Journal

"Rally to Support Mike"

Niles Journal 8/23/07

"Response to Dubuque County Attorney Potter's Open Letter and Article" 7/26/07

Judge Ackley's Ruling 7/26/07

Official Court Document

"FINALLY,WRONGED COP GETS SOME SUPPORT"

John Kass, Sunday Chicago Tribune 7/22/07

"THIS OFFICER'S SENTENCE IS HOGWASH" - John Kass, Sunday Chicago Tribune 7/15/07

"UNBELIEVABLE Verdict, Sentence for Chicago Cop"

In the line of Duty-Website

" POLICE UNION SUPPORTING MIKE METTE"

Chicago F.O.P. release

ABC7 I-TEAM INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

Chuck Goudie

CBS2 Interview with Mike Mette

Mike Parker

" Self defense is not a crime, so Michael Mette should do no time"!

He’s One Of Us In Blue

Even God had fallen Angels

We cringe when one goes bad

But this wasn’t the case with Michael Mette

And that’s why it’s so sad

It’s a basic human condition

To not back down from a fight

To confront those that attack us

It’s our duty to do what’s right

In courts across our country

One’s made to swear to God

To state the truth in all the facts

And not put on façades

What happened in a court in Iowa

Can happen to us all

When judicial prudence becomes a travesty

Truth and fairness be forestalled

Michael Mette is no one famous

Why should we even care?

That he sits in prison alone to think

Why he’s even there

I’ll tell you why you should give a Damn

That he sits alone this day

It’s because he did nothing wrong

To the judge we’d like to say

Men and women have died for our country

In order for us to live free

America

believes in justice for all

Our forefathers meant it to be

You may think you won the battle

With your verdict unjust and not true

Still family & friends extol Mike’s bravery

He’s one of us in Blue

7000 W TOUHY AVE
NILES, IL 60714
ph: 847 588-6581
alt: 847 514-8978
cmdrmac@yahoo.com