Browse Items (37 total)
- Collection: Michael A. Mello Papers, Series 1 News Clippings, Binder 3, 1995
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'Crazy Joe' appeal request on hold
The Florida Supreme Court has put a hold on "Crazy Joe" Spaziano's latest appeal attempt because the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is still investigating his murder case to figure out if there is any new evidence.
'Crazy Joe' defense to dispute secret probe
On Tuesday August 29, 1995, "Crazy Joe" Spaziano's defense lawyer Michael Mello challenges death warrant.
'Crazy Joe' is guilty, must die, Chiles says
One of 'Crazy Joe' friends says he was and was not lying to the cops and his testimony was a big part of putting Spaziano away.
"A Lawyer Who Served Life"
A newspaper article from the "Rutland Daily Herald" by Michael Mello. It is four paragraphs long. It discusses the public's view of lawyers and why they are not trusted
A death penalty mistake
A motorcycle gang member, Joseph Robert Spaziano, is convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of an 18-year old woman. However, new doubts emerge about the crime, and the court proceedings and Spaziano's mental health are called into question.…
A man may die under cover of secrecy
Joe Spaziano's execution is still likely to occur even though the only witness recanted his testimony. Most of the evidence that Governor Lawton Chiles has to condemn Spaziano has not been made publicly available or brought to court.
Agency that helps inmates on death row to close doors
In Tallahassee Florida an agency is being shut down that helps inmates on death row. The agency is losing its federal funding and cannot keep its doors open for inmates. Another agency in Florida is going to attempt to take over the caseload.
Chiles orders execution of killer
Governor Chiles orders the execution of Joe Spaziano after new evidence from witnesses is presented. Spaziano's attorney, Michael Mello, is reported as believing this information from the witnesses is fraudulent.
Chiles spared Florida from a capital crime
Governor Chiles stops the planned execution of Joseph Spaziano for murder in order to review his court sentence. Little evidence has been found that holds gravitas in the case, which could spare Spaziano from the death penalty.
Chiles stays Spaziano execution
Newspaper report from 1995 on the staying of the execution of alleged murder John Spaziano by Florida Governor Lawton Chiles after a witness recanted his testimony due to it being acquired through hypnotic assistance, which had been banned after the…
Clemency sought in death case
The article discusses a plea for clemency in the death sentence of a motorcycle gang member after the key witness for the prosecution recanted their testimony.
Closing the door on innocence
News article covering Mello's continued defense of Joseph Spaziano 23 days before his execution is carried out.
Connecticut's Death Penalty Bills Open the Door to More Executions
Article in the New York Times describing the passage of new death penalty statues in Connecticut. After years of technically having a death penalty that could not be implemented in practice, Connecticut is about to have a "workable" death penalty. In…
Essay-writing lawyer rejoins killer's case
Two newspaper articles from the Orlando Sentinel published on Sunday June 18th, 1995. The articles focused on how Michael Mello re-entered the case of Joseph Spaziano. Mello also opposed giving Anthony Dilisio, a witness in the Joseph Spaziano case a…
Florida may execute innocent man
Joseph "Crazy Joe" Spaziano is an inmate on death row for a murder that he may not have committed.
Gov. Chiles Halts Execution After Witness Recants
Witness claims Florida police planted story in his head using hypnosis.
Governor asked to free 'Crazy Joe'
This is an article describing the admittance that a testimony previously given in trial of Joe Spaziano was false. Spaziano's lawyer Michael Mello has asked the governor to free Spaziano, while the police are certain that Spaziano is still the…
Governor signs another death warrant for Spaziano
Joseph Spaziano is served another death warrant despite doubts about his guilt
Joe Spaziano gets fifth death warrant
An updating of the case of Joe Spaziano as he receives his fifth death warrant, and a recounting of the last few events surrrounding Spaziano's trial.
Killer requests clemency hearing
Joe Spaziano is seeking clemency after the key witness in the trial doubts his testimony was accurate. Another investigation into the case 21 years later has been authorized by the Governor of Florida.