EVERY SINGLE DAY

There is no such thing as a typical day in prison

Things differ drastically from prison-to-prison, person-to-person, and from day-to-day. There’s a popular saying among inmates about a prison’s program. The only thing consistent about prison is change.

For instance, it can be a beautiful day outside, guys may be working out, playing sports, cards, or just enjoying the fresh air; and in the blink of an eye you might be in the middle of a full scale riot. Paying attention is a MUST HAVE  in prison; it can literally mean the difference between life and death.

5:30-6:30 AM: Breakfast, a.k.a. ‘chow time’, and the start of most guys’ day. The breakfast isn’t good

6:30-7:15 AM: Start day with a morning prayer and devotional reading

7:15-8:00 AM: Breakfast in cell and prepare for work

8:00 AM-2:00 PM:  Work. I work in the prison’s kitchen at 32 cents an hour

2:00-3:00 PM: Shower grab a bite to eat and prepare for either a self-help group or college class

3:00-5:00 PM: Self-help group or college class

5:00-6:00 PM: Dinner. It tends to be better than the breakfast

6:00-8:00 PM: Another self-help group or college class

8:00-9:00 PM: Socialize with friends or use the prison phone to talk to loved ones

9:00 PM: All inmates are locked in their cells until breakfast.

9:00-11:00 PM: Watch T.V., listen to music or write a letter, and fix something to eat

11 PM-12:30 AM: Homework or letter writing

12:30-6:30 AM: Sleep

There is a perception in society that inmates spend all day doing nothing. As you can see that is not always true. There are more guys spending their time doing something productive than those who are not

How one spends his time---be it in prison or out---is what makes the difference between success and failure. Keep busy!

A day in the life of Chuckwa is almost the same 

every single day

"Hello Mrs. G.  How are ya?  Not a whole heck of a lot going on round here...just another day on the farm"....begins every single letter...

I know and understand what you're thinking...

He committed a crime and he deserves to be in jail.

No heat and air

No internet or computers

Limited TV

I agree, but still I find it hard not to feel a sadness for a lives wasted

"You spoke of being free and listed some circumstances that could be worse"

Chuckwa will come up for parole in 2030...I will be 73

Here's an interesting concept that I ponder over and over....

Chuckwa and I are so similar

1.  We both have committed crimes against God and government (as we all have)

2.  We both regret those crimes and seek forgiveness

3.  He lives in a compound that has a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and yard

4.  I do too...mine is gated as is his

here's the difference...he is unable to leave

and I would be happy if I never had to

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

CHUCKWA LIVES HERE

The James V. Allred Unit is a prison for males located on Farm to Market Road 369 in Wichita Falls, Texas, United States, 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of downtown Wichita Falls. The prison is in proximity to Iowa Park.  

The prison, with about 320 acres (130 ha) of land, is a part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Region V.

It opened in the summer of 1995 and is one of the largest maximum security units in Texas housing approximately 3600 offenders. It consists of four departments, General Population, Administrative segregation and one of the first "Expansion cell blocks" (High Security) to be built housing some level ones Seg overflow and close custody offenders. It also contains one of Texas's "Safe Keeping Units", which are designed to house prisoners that would be in danger from other inmates.

James V. Allred (March 29, 1899 – September 24, 1959) was a United States politician who served as the 33rd Governor of Texas during the New Deal era. He was thereafter a United States federal judge. He is remembered for his unwavering support of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

 roses in a hedge of thorns

a hedge of thorns....

with roses?

yes...it is possible!

He has sent me to provide for all those who grieve in Zion, to give them crowns instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of tears of grief, and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, the Plantings of the Lord, so that he might display his glory.

Isaiah 61:3

*.....so.....*

that He might display HIS glory

THAT FATEFUL DAY

When I first began this blog, my plan was to take the reader through the details of this case.

In my visit with Sheriff, I asked him if he would allow me to use the crime scene photos...he didn't immediately say no, but instead that he would consider it since the case was closed.

He said, "they aren't pretty."

In some of the writings of the blog, I have had emails from family members about things that I haven't gotten exactly right (I am trying very hard to do that) and things that were written, that while there were no complaints, I could tell they were hurtful.  True, but hurtful.  I don't want to hurt. There has been enough of that.

So...as I have come to this day, I have changed my mind about the crime scene photos on that fateful day.  You and I have all watched enough tru tv to know what a gory crime scene looks like.

THAT FATEFUL DAY

I was very depressed at this time due to all the heck I had been going through and then to top it all off Mr. Miller was an alcoholic who liked to scream, hollar and cuss.  Three things I can't stand.

I wiped his butt, cooked his meals, cleaned his home, mowed his grass, took care of his dogs, washed his clothes, and anything else he needed and all I got for my services was disrespect.

All I wanted to do was to go back home to my kids and my family but Mary Jane (bail bondsman and Miller's aunt) wouldn't allow me to go home.  She told me to come up with $500 and I could go home.

My friend Jack told me "I don't know how you let that man talk to you like that.  Him and Mike didn't get a long.

One day my mom called and and wanted to talk to me and when I got back from work he told me "that bitch called and wanted to talk to you."  I thought he was talking about my girl friend--that's when he said "I was talking about your mom."

I cooked him something to eat and forgot to put a spice he wanted on the food and he threw the plate of food on me and then he said "screw you, why don't you just take that shotgun and go blow your brains out."

The next day Jack took me to Lipscomb County Courthouse for my arraignment (DWI) then we went to Beaver for Jack to get some rum and Mike some beer.  And I decided to grab me a bottle too.  I drank some that night and the next day.  Jack didn't come get me for work the next day, so I started drinking with Mike.

I remember sitting in his room talking to him about how he wanted his steaks cooked that day and then later on I woke up on the couch and found Mike in his bed, shot in the neck with a shotgun.

Jack told the police that he came over that morning to bring me peppers and tomatoes to use with the steaks and he heard Mike tell me to blow my head off.  I don't know for sure what happened.

....and then later.....

only God knows....maybe Mike wanted to die due to the physical state he was in and had been for the past 10 years. Maybe he used me to accomplish his mission.

Here are the things I wonder....

1.   Would Mike still be alive today or was is health in such decline he would have died on his own?
2.   If Chuckwa was getting the gun to kill himself and tripped and the gun went off? (the wound was in the back of the neck)
3.  If a person who accidentally kills someone should spend their life in prison or be given a chance after they have paid time for the crime?
4.  If Chuckwa would have opted for a jury trial...where would he be today?

what....what do you wonder?

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.  Psalm 139:16

THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Mitchell Gassaway & Jones LLP: James M. Mosley

**An effort was made to contact Mr. Mosley for an interview.  No contact has been made to date.

"I got railroaded due to the fact of not having any money for an attorney.  My attorney didn't try to help me at all.  He knew the deck was stacked against me.  NE WAYZ I wasn't an easy win 'cause of the emotional state I was in at the time.  I was under a great deal of duress.  I just wanted it to all be over with so I took the easiest way out.  I think the truth would never be heard nor was it ever searched for.

They questioned me on the day of the event 'till I finally got tired of messing with them and told them OK,  I shot the guy because he called my mom a bitch can I go lay down now?

I kept telling them I didn't know what happened and they kept telling me you'll feel better if you just tell us .  I threw up in the trash can and the kept questioning me.

They shouldn't have been questioning me in the state I was in and my attorney should have gotten all that scratched.  But his wife was pregnant during all this so he didn't have time for my case as he was busy tending to her.  She had her baby right around the time I was due to go to trial.  He told me I better take the 40 years or would end up with life and 20 years stacked on.

I've thought a lot about tryin' to change my plea agreement...if nothing changes, I will come up for parole the 1st time in 2030.  

I am not a murderer or a liar or a thief and I am truly remorseful."

Lamentations 1:20

"See, O LORD, for I am in distress; My spirit is greatly troubled; My heart is overturned within me, For I have been very rebellious. In the street the sword slays; In the house it is like death.

THE PROSECUTOR

Ochiltree County Attorney David T. Scott

DAVID SCOTT OBITUARY

COMMENTS ON NEWS STORY ABOUT THE MURDER

"I know quite a few people who are well known that weren't too happy with the outcome of my case.  So to answer your question, yes, David Scott used me and my case and my vulnerability to his advantage.  There are several different charges that could have and should have been considered but were not.  1st Degree Murder, which is what I was charged with, entails a premeditated act.  I never planned to kill this man, I was taking care of him."



In rural communities, it is considered a

Coup de grâce

for the victim, the victim's family, the county in which a lengthy and expensive trial will take place and yes...perhaps even the one who commits the crime,

to never in fact...go to trial.

Chuckwa has said over and over how he wished he'd never taken the plea agreement and felt coerced into doing so.

During the re-election of David Scott, who had been the County Attorney for many many years, a new candidate arrived on the scene.  The race took an ugly turn and became quite competitive.  The voters decided...the new man...Barrett Dye would become the new attorney for Ochiltree County.  

A few short months later...Scott would be dead at the age of 53.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

THE SHERIFF

(Quote from Amarillo Globe News Story October 2010 by Ali Allison concerning the arrest of Chuckwa)

"We are still young in the investigation, I don't think it was premeditated," says Bouchard.

In a discussion with Sheriff Bouchard, he stated that in the time that Chuckwa was in his custody, he was a model inmate who was a hard worker and caused no issues.  Bouchard said that Chuckwa enjoyed working from sun-up until sun-down in the inmate garden plot located at the Ochiltree County Jail.  Bouchard also stated that Mr. Miller was not a very nice person to Chuckwa, who was only trying to help him.

From Amarillo Globe News April 2007

Terry Bouchard, 46, was sworn in as sheriff on Tuesday at the Ochiltree County Commissioners Court meeting in Perryton.

Bouchard said he has been with the sheriff's office for about 16 years. He was with the Perryton Police Department before that, starting in 1985.

Bouchard, along with two other applicants from the sheriff's office, applied to finish out almost two years of Hataway's remaining term. Bouchard said he would run for election once he completed Hataway's partial term.

Hataway, 65, is retiring because of health issues and plans on moving home to Sunray.
"I like participating in the community. This is my home," Bouchard said Thursday. "I felt it was a good career choice for me and my family."

Bouchard is originally from Tucumcari, N.M. He graduated from New Mexico State University in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Bouchard's love for police work began in college when he helped with the arrest of a drunken driver.
"I heard an accident by my apartment. I wandered over there to see what was going on," he said. "The police officer was having difficulty arresting the suspect. I jumped in and assisted him. I thought that was pretty neat."

Despite his long career in law enforcement, Bouchard said he is following in the footsteps of a great sheriff.

"I've got some very big shoes to fill. Joe Hataway was an excellent sheriff and a great man who is very well respected," Bouchard said.

"I'm looking forward to serving the (residents) of Ochiltree County for many years. I'm very fortunate to have stepped into a department with very, very good people working for me."
Bouchard will officially take up the position today and receive a salary of $46,200.


Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory. – Proverbs 11:14

THE VICTIM--MIKE MILLER

I had a dream the night before that I was at the old fishing pond where I fished a lot growing up.  My grandma was talking to me in the dream.  I don't remember what she was telling me though.  I sure wish I could have woke up there instead of this place, but here is where I be.   I'll have to leave fishing up to the kids for awhile.

.....the last dream I had like this was a dream about Mr. Miller.  In my dream he was standing next to a kitchen table with a blue t-shirt, blue jeans and a cap and drinking a cup of coffee.  He was looking at a calendar.  If that's the case then he's better off than he was.  I believe that was a message to me that let me know he's in a better place... in better shape.  I sure do hope so.

PERRYTON - Mike Miller, 45, died Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Key Heights Baptist Church with Doug Rawlins and the Rev. Terry Williams officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton.

Mr. Miller was born Aug. 10, 1965, in Perryton to William E. and Belmere Miller. He graduated in 1984 from Perryton High School and was a farmer.

Survivors include two daughters, Brandi Miller and Hayle Miller, both of Perryton; a son, Justin Miller of Perryton; a sister, Deanna Miller of Corsicana; and four grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be to Multiple Sclerosis Society, Panhandle Chapter, 6222 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, TX 79109.

Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 30, 2010

Miller's Home

Ali Allison
NewsChannel 10

The Ochiltree County Sheriff is investigating the shooting of longtime county resident, Mike Miller.

Mike Miller was a father, a third generation farmer and a one time County Commission Candidate.

"He was kind of a fixture around here he was just Mike" says Ochiltree County Sheriff Terry Bouchard.

34 year old Chuckwa Don Crabtree was living with Miller for the last three weeks as a friend and care taker. Family tells us Mike had bailed Crabtree out of jail recently.

Miller suffered from MS and was in a wheelchair. Sometime after two p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Miller was shot in the neck while sitting in his bedroom.

Crabtree was arrested later in the afternoon for the murder. Crabtree's mother Donna who lives in Gainesville, TX called the police who then called Ochiltree County because she said her son told her he had killed a man and was going to kill himself.

When police arrived at the home 15 mile S.E. of Perryton , Crabtree was running across a open field towards the rural residence.

"When we got there we observed a man running towards the residence we lost sight of him behind the out buildings we didn't know at the time he was armed," says Bouchard.

He surrendered after a brief stand off with authorities. The Sheriff says he was holding a AK-47 weapon and was under the influence of alcohol.

"We are still young in the investigation, I don't think it was premeditated," says Bouchard.

Crabtree remains in the Ochiltree County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins