December 24, 1996
FROM RANDY M. MOTT, ESQ.
ATTORNEY FOR MICHAEL CHAPEL ON BEHALF OF NATIONAL POLICE DEFENSE FOUNDATION
This paper's editorial of December 19th. 1996, reflects just how far the local government's efforts to railroad Michael Chapel have gone. The editorial criticized the defense team for not releasing all of our information to the District Attorney.
If the real killer who is not in custody presented a threat to anyone else, we would be the first to point this out to local authorities. However, our primary duty is to our client who has been in jail for three years for a crime he did not commit. We have provided assurances to witnesses that their information would not be divulged until we file in court which is where disputes of this nature should be heard after all.
The Gwinnett County Police Department arrested Michael Chapel about a week after the murder From the files and sources we have, GWPD quit looking for anyone else after the arrest. With over 300 officers and many more investigators than we have, if GWPD wanted to find the real killer they could. Instead, they are withholding evidence that they already have on Chapel's innocence, and encouraging many of the people that we have talked with to shut-up and leave this matter where it is.
Where is the Gwinnett Daily Post outrage over this cover-up?
This paper should be supporting efforts to get to the truth about this case, despite the embarrassment that this may cause the GWPD and DA's office. It is a violation of an individual's Constitutional rights for the prosecution and the police to withhold evidence of his innocence. That is the issue in this case, not whether we release the results of our independent investigation prior to filing in court.
Randy M. Mott-Michael Chapel’s Attorney
Boris S. Korczak-Chief Investigator
National Police Defense Foundation
Michael Chapel Defense Fund
P.O. Box 565 Falls Church, VA. 22040-0565.