Read Online Confessions of a Serial Alibi by Asia McClain Chapman - Free Book Online
Authors: Asia McClain Chapman
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that I found his line of questioning to be off-putting was that he was essentially calling me a liar and co-conspirator to my face. Even after the post-conviction hearing he continued to call me a liar on the news. I found that to be very insulting, spirit-crushing and enraging all at the same time.
What a horrible precedent this case has set in terms of encouraging witnesses to come forward with helpful information. A person such as myself, with no criminal record and no motive to lie, comes forward to tell the truth and the prosecution pounces on her. The state calls her a liar and attempts to ruin her good name both in court and in the press. I can understand a prosecutor wanting to win his case, but at what cost? I still think a lot of Thiru’s actions inside and outside of the courtroom are downright crude and sleazy to say the least. I can openly admit that I have been scarred by my participation in this case. For the time being, I no longer see the state as a faction of the court that cares about the truth. To me, it feels like they only care about winning. Thanks to Urick and Vignarajah, I can wholeheartedly say that it will be a long time before I ever trust a state prosecutor (aka “The Good Guys”) again and that’s just really sad.
My Second Letter: 3/2/1999
Adnon Syed [name spelled wrong again] #992005477 [no clue how I got his inmate number—family? Friends?]
301 East Eager Street
Baltimore, MD. 21202
Dear Adnon, [still spelled his name wrong]
How is everything? I know that we haven’t been best friends in the past, however I believe in your innocence. [after more contemplation and general public consensus] I know that central booking [no idea where this verbiage came from—possibly school gossip] is probably not the best place to make friends, so I’ll attempt to be the best friend possible. I hope that nobody has attempted to harm you [beat him up in jail] (not that they will). Just remember that if someone says something to you, that their just f**ing with your emotions. I know that my first letter was probably a little harsh, but I just wanted you to know where I stode [stood] in this entire issue (on the centerline) [not necessarily on his side] . I don’t know you very well, however I didn’t know Hae very well. The information that I know about you being in the library could helpful, unimportant or unhelpful to your case [still not aware of the state’s argument or that my information is important in terms of being an alibi] . I’ve been think a few things lately, that I wanted to ask you: [Primary reason for writing a second letter the very next day—could not reconcile Adnan’s demeanor with the thought of him being a murderer and had more questions as a result.]
1. Why haven’t you told anyone about talking to me in the library? Did you think it was unimportant, you didn’t think that I would remember? Or did you just totally forget yourself? [Wanted to know if he had forgotten about the encounter or whether the encounter itself was insignificant. Many students were being interviewed by the police and I had not been chosen to be interviewed yet.]
2. How long did you stay in the library that day? Your family will probably try to obtain the library’s surveillance tape. [Wondering how long after our conversation he stayed at the library. I think I mentioned to the family that there might be cameras and that they should see if Adnan stayed at the library after I left—could be why their private investigator went to the library but did not call me. Remember, no one knew I was the alibi at that point. I was assuming that someone would grab the videotape to check.]
3. Where exactly did you do and go that day? What is the so-called evidence that my statement is up against? And who are these WITNESSES? [I heard that there were witnesses in conjunction to his arrest—no idea how many because I was going off of rumor. Here, I’m trying to anticipate
What a horrible precedent this case has set in terms of encouraging witnesses to come forward with helpful information. A person such as myself, with no criminal record and no motive to lie, comes forward to tell the truth and the prosecution pounces on her. The state calls her a liar and attempts to ruin her good name both in court and in the press. I can understand a prosecutor wanting to win his case, but at what cost? I still think a lot of Thiru’s actions inside and outside of the courtroom are downright crude and sleazy to say the least. I can openly admit that I have been scarred by my participation in this case. For the time being, I no longer see the state as a faction of the court that cares about the truth. To me, it feels like they only care about winning. Thanks to Urick and Vignarajah, I can wholeheartedly say that it will be a long time before I ever trust a state prosecutor (aka “The Good Guys”) again and that’s just really sad.
My Second Letter: 3/2/1999
Adnon Syed [name spelled wrong again] #992005477 [no clue how I got his inmate number—family? Friends?]
301 East Eager Street
Baltimore, MD. 21202
Dear Adnon, [still spelled his name wrong]
How is everything? I know that we haven’t been best friends in the past, however I believe in your innocence. [after more contemplation and general public consensus] I know that central booking [no idea where this verbiage came from—possibly school gossip] is probably not the best place to make friends, so I’ll attempt to be the best friend possible. I hope that nobody has attempted to harm you [beat him up in jail] (not that they will). Just remember that if someone says something to you, that their just f**ing with your emotions. I know that my first letter was probably a little harsh, but I just wanted you to know where I stode [stood] in this entire issue (on the centerline) [not necessarily on his side] . I don’t know you very well, however I didn’t know Hae very well. The information that I know about you being in the library could helpful, unimportant or unhelpful to your case [still not aware of the state’s argument or that my information is important in terms of being an alibi] . I’ve been think a few things lately, that I wanted to ask you: [Primary reason for writing a second letter the very next day—could not reconcile Adnan’s demeanor with the thought of him being a murderer and had more questions as a result.]
1. Why haven’t you told anyone about talking to me in the library? Did you think it was unimportant, you didn’t think that I would remember? Or did you just totally forget yourself? [Wanted to know if he had forgotten about the encounter or whether the encounter itself was insignificant. Many students were being interviewed by the police and I had not been chosen to be interviewed yet.]
2. How long did you stay in the library that day? Your family will probably try to obtain the library’s surveillance tape. [Wondering how long after our conversation he stayed at the library. I think I mentioned to the family that there might be cameras and that they should see if Adnan stayed at the library after I left—could be why their private investigator went to the library but did not call me. Remember, no one knew I was the alibi at that point. I was assuming that someone would grab the videotape to check.]
3. Where exactly did you do and go that day? What is the so-called evidence that my statement is up against? And who are these WITNESSES? [I heard that there were witnesses in conjunction to his arrest—no idea how many because I was going off of rumor. Here, I’m trying to anticipate
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