Bobby Joe Maxwell letter/envelope 1/5/1997 DECEASED

This auction is for a letter from the wrongfully convicted "Skid Row Stabber" Bobby Joe Maxwell. In 1978, 10 homeless men were stabbed to death in Los Angeles. The police had arrested several suspects prior but decided to prosecute Bobby Joe Maxwell. The evidence against him was a palm print found on a public bench near one of the murder sites and having a knife similar to the one used in some of the crimes. Aren't all knives about the same? Charged with all 10 murders, jurors only convicted him of two. It was fraudulent "jail house snitch" testimony that tipped the scales. Prosecutors will often make deals with inmates incarcerated with suspected murderers, particularly when the evidence against the accused is circumstantial at best, offering reduced sentences, or outright release, if those inmates can obtain "confessions" to secure a guilty verdict. This practice has resulted in countless wrongful convictions, with some ending in execution. Once the informant's testimony was found to be a complete fabrication, his convictions were overturned in 2010. But that didn't stop Los Angeles prosecutors in seeking a retrial as it's always better to re-convict an innocent man than admit the system sent an innocent man to prison. Unfortunately, Bobby Joe Maxwell suffered a massive heart attack in 2017, leaving him in a near comatose state. Eventually all charges would be dismissed. Bobby Joe Maxwell died in 2019, never waking up to realize he was a free man. He maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration. Bobby Joe Maxwell was 69.

ITEM DESCRIPTION: The missive is one page, dated 1/5/1997, and signed, "Bobby Joe." Maxwell has written "God bless" on the reverse of the page. The original mailing envelope is postmarked 1/6/1997. The letter and envelope come inside a protective magazine sleeve with an acid free board and have been stored flat. Message me with any questions you might have. Thanks for having a look-see.