He was injured from the machete wielded by Scott Taylor while trying to stop the killing of Freddie Walker.
The police detectives, Investigator J. Jones and Sergeant Greenwood, threatened Lisa Garringer, the key witness, who was also present at the murder, and who could have saved Ed from prison, but they told her if she helped Ed, her mother would be put away for a very long time as she had prior convictions and was on parole at the time. Lisa's false testimony was the result of these threats and the manipulation by the prosecutor, Joseph Payne.
The murderer, Scott Taylor, confessed to the murder and wanted to exonerate Ed by testifying for him at Ed's trial but Judge John Fisher would not allow it.
As it is, Ed has already served eleven years unjustly in the California State Prison at Lancaster.
All those who believe he is innocent are urging you to come forward and email any helpful information for Ed by clicking on the EMAIL ME below the photo, and the messages to Ed will be forwarded to him and acted upon. Let us know if he can phone you collect from the
prison especially if you are a lawyer or know of a lawyer who wants to talk to Ed. Prison rules only allow Ed to make collect calls.
We are looking for an appellate criminal defense lawyer who will represent Ed and help him pro bono.
Ed is also looking for generous people who will make donations to help him attract a lawyer's services, since we have already approached over fifty lawyers who have all said no because they wanted to be paid or were too busy. For donations, email us to make arrangements.
We need any Innocence Project to accept his case. Please show your support for an innocent man who was railroaded into prison by
inadequate representation, procedural errors and constitutional violations along with Police and Prosecutorial Misconduct in his trial, and who had a prosecutor, Joseph Payne, who made unsubstantiated statements. Ed's alternate public defender, Avrum Harris, did not present any of the evidence that Ed has
that would have proved his innocence. In fact, after a year and a half during which Harris was to have prepared the case, he arrived at court saying to the judge that he was not ready, but Judge John Fisher proceeded anyway. What a tragedy!
Put yourself in Ed Contreras' place. Tonight when you lie down to sleep, picture yourself on a prison cot in a cell for eleven years where you do not belong. Please help! Send any information or tips or help or names you can. Thank you and God Bless you.
This prisoner's interest is in being exonerated and given back his freedom. His civil rights have been denied him.
Edward Philip Contreras was wrongfully convicted and his case now appears for you to read on the website
www.americaswrongfullyconvicted.com. If you know of any lawyer or law firm that does a percentage of pro bono cases, please let us know.
Ed is to be admired for not giving up his fight for his freedom and his good name. Thank you. God Bless you!
Edward P. Contreras has a son. Ed's mother is firm in her belief in her son's innocence. There are two Catholic priests who are supportive and believe in Ed's innocence. Sister Veronica Brutosky, a Catholic Sister who does detention ministry, is working to find a lawyer for Ed and for Innocence Projects to take his case.
