Often things are not as they appear. We have a tendency to believe what is simple and convenient. Electricity is not the only thing to follow the path of least resistance. Take my wrongful conviction in the death of Kassidy Bortner for example.
Since 2000, I have “screamed” loudly to anyone willing to listen that I am innocent. I have willingly made myself available for any litmus test that would prove I’m being truthful. Unfortunately, in cases like mine, statistics show it is often the father figure who is responsible. What do we do when it’s not? What happens when we dig below the surface and realize everything is not as “tidy” as the statistics would make it seem? Eighty percent of the time is a far cry from 100 percent after all.
Fortunately for me, I have a dedicated group of individuals who are working hard to debunk the myth. These individuals have looked at all of the evidence without the preconceived notion that this was a homicide. Some working on my behalf have significant experience in the medical field and have dissected the autopsy and have found other, more plausible, explanations for Kassidy’s death which were never presented to the jury.
Peter Neufeld, co-director of the Innocence Project states, “DNA exonerations show us how the criminal justice system is flawed...”
The trouble is DNA evidence is only available in approximately 3 percent of all cases. If DNA were available in my case, I’m confident that I would have been home with my loved ones years ago. The thing about science is that it’s not affected by human emotions.
There is nothing more taxing on our emotions than the death of a beautiful young child. It defies logic. We are supposed to outlive our children, so this case is naturally emotional for all involved. I had nothing but love in my heart for Kassidy. I have nothing but empathy for the pain her family feels every day for their loss. But, I did not cause Kassidy’s death.
I understand the police’s desire to solve the case quickly. I don’t begrudge the jury, as they can only base their opinion on the scant amount they are presented. Like all of you, I have made poor decisions at times and done things that I regret. However, I again emphatically state, I had NOTHING to do with causing Kassidy’s death. It’s time to right this wrong and I need your help.
