I am well-aware that the entire CLEAT organization and 16 CA & DA’s oppose the Court of Criminal Appeals exoneration of Greg Kelley. I’ve read their Appellant Briefs and somewhat understand why they are protesting.
After studying the briefs that support Chris Dailey and Patricia Cummings and re-examining my own notes about the events for the past 5 years, I found that Greg Kelley ought to have his freedom completely restored… not just declared “actually innocent”.
“Actually innocent” does not help his reputation, his self-image, his ability to live a normal life. He is still considered a “violent sexual predator” convicted of “Super Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 6 Years old”. He cannot escape that label on paper and by all credit companies, all employment search companies, all homeowner associations, and anyone else who wants to learn “Who is Greg R. Kelley?”.
Greg wants to respond to life’s challenges by knowing that his neighbors, his community, and his future friends and co-workers support and trust him with no hidden secrets. He has worked hard to build a positive and highly respected reputation as a Christian witness for Christ . Please help Greg and the rest of us restore our confidence in the justice system and fairness in life in general. It is barely working in the federal government, but there is no reason to believe that we can’t have faith in our state and local government as long as you are Governor.
In Closing, I would like to share an old devotional my wife and I read from March 27, 2015 entitled “Real Love Bleeds”. We read this during a time of some of Greg’s deepest feelings of discouragement. (These are just the highlights from this article.)
“When I read these 3 small words, penned by this artist-turned-missionary, I knew I had been doing exactly the opposite in my life. I had slipped into full-on apathy.”
“Sometimes caring for and loving others doesn’t feel good. Sometimes, it’s easier not to love. Over time, and unbeknownst to me, I had become an expert at self-preservation and pain avoidance. …sometimes loving others hurts.”
“Sometimes great love comes at great cost—as evidenced by the example of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for my sins. “We love because He first loved us.” (John 4:19)”
“Now, let me concede this. I am completely aware that everyone who causes us pain should not be an automatic recipient of our deepest level of sacrifice. However, I am acutely aware of my own need to assess may willingness to love like Christ loves me and to sacrifice for those to whom I am called.”
“What I know for certain is this: There are times when the love I have for others is not a matter of feeling, but rather a matter of my decision to be obedient to Him—and it won’t feel good.”
“The question is, when real love results in my personal discomfort or even a heart-wrenching level of pain, am I willing to love well anyway?”