Glenn and Irene Stevens. Photo from the Kansas City Star.
The story was also picked up by the Kansas City Star. Today, Mr. Stevens, his wife Irene, their lawyer and Channel 5's Dana Wright were guests of the Shanin and Parks Show on KMBZ. Blogger Groucho of Capt. Spaulding's World has also been following this case.
In a nutshell, Mr. Stevens has been accused of stealing from retail giant Wal-Mart. He has been charged with thefts at three Wal-Marts. They have actually been looking at him as a suspect in a string of thefts from 20 Wal-Marts! He has never been arraigned for these three known charges, but he has been taken to jail. For the Nodaway county case, he was jailed with a cash only bond of $30,000, a bond more appropriate to a violent crime involving a weapon! He spent July 4th in jail due to these charges and this ridiculous bail.
Mr. Stevens has proof that he was elsewhere during the alleged theft from the Wal-Mart in the Nodaway county town of Versailles. They won't even look at it. During Dana Wright's report, the police officer makes the outrageous statement that Mr. Stevens will have to work to show his innocence of the charges--an exact reverse of how the system is supposed to work!
As a sign of support to this innocent man, The Observer has his picture up on the side bar. Clicking on the photo will lead you to Glenn Stevens is Innocent--a blog maintained by one of his children. Leroy Stevens is putting everything about the cases he can up on the blog so it will be a vital way to stay in touch with this awful case.
Also you should read Groucho's posts on the matter as well, here, here and here. I know it's tough, but consider boycotting Wal-Mart--at least until they admit they are wrong and remove themselves as complainant in these bogus charges.
This man is just two years older than the Observer's mother and was born the same year as the Observer's late father--I am trying to imagine my mother going to jail for something she didn't do and would never consider doing. It's just outrageous.
6 comments:
Thanks so much for your attention to this horrible nightmare that my mom and dad are going through. The more attention that we can bring to the case, I'm hoping the we can pressure WalMart to stop persecuting my dad. It sounds like my mom and dad will be guests on the Darla Jaye show next week for two more hours! I can't express enough my gratitude for your help in shining light on this terrible injustice.
Thank you for your account on this story. Our family appreciates it and is happy to have people get the word out. It helps to know that not only the media but that the community is getting behind this. These are the sweetest and hardest working folks and it hurts me to see them go through this.
Thank you and the community for getting behind my Dad and Mom in this matter. I am 49 years old and have never seen anything hurt my Dad the way this has. He is a hard working man that has provided a life for his wife and 5 children. Each of us are hard working members of our communities and learned right from wrong and life standards from a man that would never be a part of this kind of action at a Wal-China Mart or any other store. Mom and Dad have been married for 56 years and this has hurt Mom just as deep as it has Dad. I worry every day for both of them and pray that this nightmare will end for them. I lay the blame for this at the feet of the inept police in Versailles and Wal-China-Mart for using their influence in police matters to spread this to 3 states and over 20 cases, 3 arrests in towns Dad has never been to. Again Thank you for your support.
RIGHT-ON T.O.!!!
I'm posting a link to this post and the fact you're joining other bloggers and myself in this most-HORRIBLE injustice.
Kansas Citians from Vermont (and natives) RULE! ;)
"Groucho"
Dear The Observer,
Good gracious. What a terrible story.
This also fits into the post you have above about the city manager. The DA is supposed to look at and investigate the disclosures of the defendant too, and seek justice.
And I might have known The Observer would kick in on the justice side.
Good luck to all.
Ann T.
Thank you to the South Kansas City observer for sharing this story. As a family we are trying to bring light to this injustice and bring peace of mind to a very special couple. Hang in there, we love you!
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