This troubling story about multiple cases of justice preposterously delayed by the same US District judge was originally reported by Gabe Friedman of the Daily Journal but, as the DJ is hidden behind a very hefty pay wall, it’s great that Carol Williams of the LA Times picked up the story and expanded a bit on it.
Here’s a clip from the Times’ version:
Justice delayed was justice denied for Omer Harland Gallion. He died in prison in his sixth year of waiting for U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson to act on a decision that he had been wrongfully convicted and should be released or retried.
Anderson took no action until December, when he dismissed the matter as moot after an attorney brought Gallion’s death to his attention.
Two other cases in which junior judicial officials found grounds for striking prisoners’ felony convictions also languished unattended by Anderson for five and a half and eight years, respectively. Another prisoner who petitioned for relief in 2002 is still waiting for an answer.
Prisoners who appeal to federal judges with claims of wrongful conviction are rarely successful in their quests for relief, known as writs of habeas corpus, “the great writ” that is a hallmark of American justice. Only 1 in 284 petitions is approved, according to a 2006 report by a Vanderbilt University law professor. But ignoring recommendations for relief in the few meritorious cases among the 17,000 or so filed each year raises concern about a judge’s objectivity, judicial scholars say.
REAL follow up from a REAL victim of the man; goto site listed here: http://www.allgov.com/news/controversies/most-unpopular-judges-in-the-united-states?news=843450
I am the youngest daughter of Harland Gallion. What the Los Angeles Times did not report in their article about my father was that raped my mother and his 3 daughters and beat them almost daily. He verbally, physical and emotional abused us each and every day of our lives. He raped my cousin, his niece also. My father makes Manson look like a Saint. So I applaud you Judge Percy Anderson. I finally had someone stand up for my rights. Thank you Judge Anderson for all the lives you spared from the abuse of my father, and for the nights of sound sleep I finally got after my father was convicted of brutally killing my Grandmother. Robin
This is Robin Denise Gallion-Wood commenting once again, I recently had a DNA test done on myself and after 50 long years of being told by Mr Gallion that I was the milk man’s daughter found out that I am truly NOT related to him. After my mothers death, Romona Gallion I found out that my mother did indeed have an affair while they live in Sun Valley Ca, and I am a product of that affair. To this day I do not know who my biological father is but I am so happy to find out that is is not Harland Gallion. His blood has not be past down to myself or my children. Thank you God.