Last week in our local liberal rag, “The Nashville Scene”, the cover story was about a man who has been on death row for 22 years for murder. His name is Paul House. Paul was found guilty of murder in 1986 for the death of a Union County woman, Carolyn Muncey. All along Paul has maintained his innocence.
In 2006, due to the advances in DNA testing, it was found that the blood found on Paul’s clothes did not match the victim’s yet Paul has remained in custody. In addition, Paul was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and is now confined to a wheelchair. The Supreme Court ordered the state to either set a new trial date or release him within 180 days, however Paul’s bail was set at the ridiculous sum of $500,000 by the judge in Union County.
The District Attorney residing over the prosecution is Paul Phillips. He was involved in the original trial in 1986 and continues to insist that Paul be tried a second time but not seeking the death penalty since he’s going to die soon anyway.
After reading the article, I was so angered over the injustice of how Paul House’s case has been handled that I decided to write a “letter to the editor” for the Scene’s Love/Hate Mail section. I emailed it and waited anxiously to get a call or email that my letter would appear in this week’s Scene. Since they go to press on Tuesday or Wednesday, I know that my letter did not make the cut. HOWEVER……what are blogs for, right? Below is my letter, in its entirety. I love technology!!
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Thanks for sharing Paul House’s story in the cover article, “Dead Wrong” of the June 26th edition. While I do not know Paul House personally, I know of him and a bit about his history. However, I must direct my response to District Attorney, Paul Phillips.
I was under the impression that persons who sought a career in the legal system were (supposedly) people of integrity, possessing a burning desire for the laws of our great country to be upheld responsibly, while at the same time upholding the rights of its citizens. In Paul House’s case, it would appear neither of these things happened.
If you are in a position to help determine guilt or innocence, why would you want an innocent person incarcerated? Why would you not review every fact and perform every test necessary to ensure that the right person would be held responsible for a crime, especially if new evidence was presented that indicated the wrong man has been sentenced? Would you not make every effort to find out the real truth? What is wrong with this picture? Please tell me it’s more than saving face for a potentially horrific error made 22 years ago or botched police work. It seems obvious there are still too many unanswered questions in this case.
Also, we can’t forget the victim’s husband, “Little Hube”. The National Domestic Violence Resource Center shows that in 2001 women accounted for 85% of the victims of intimate partners, compared to 15% for men. Given many people witnessed his abusive behavior towards his wife, Carolyn Muncey, it’s obvious now and in 1985, perhaps he should have been considered as a primary suspect. Instead, he has enjoyed 22 years of freedom while Paul House wastes away in prison, not only locked behind bars but locked in a wheelchair. Oh but wait, he’s a flight risk after all, so let’s make sure we keep him locked up. We can’t have him running the streets along with all the other wheelchair bound criminals that roam our fair city.
I wonder if Mr. Phillips has a prescription for Ambien?
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UPDATE! This morning at 9:30 Paul House was released from the special needs facility where he has been held – for now, Paul House is a free man. Well as free as you can be in a wheelchair with a monitoring bracelet on your ankle. Since the article in the Scene last week, Paul’s bond was reduced from $500,000 to $100,000. Paul’s Mother has been trying desperately to raise the money for her son. An anonymous person called and has given her the $10,000 for Paul’s release! After 22 years, Paul will get to spend 4th of July at home with his family. This is good news! The trial issue is still up in the air. Paul’s attorney is figting for the charges to be dropped and Paul exonerated given the DNA proof but the jury is still out, pardon the pun.
I can only hope that the truth will come out and the real killer will be held responsible. There’s no way society can give Paul House the 22 years back he’s lost but my prayer is that he can get the medical attention he needs and enjoy some happy times before he leaves this Earth.
