" Welcome to Arizona, Here's your prisoner number."

Sean B. Running Eagle a Native American was attending college December 1987 when this tragedy occurred changing his life forever he was only 19 years old.   During the interrogation Running Eagle was assaulted and brutalized
by the detective as they attempted to extract a confession.  The abuse went on for hours, Running Eagle never confessed to a crime he did not commit.
Others who were close to him were similarly abused but still no confession resulted from this treatment.

The practice used in Arizona is the continued questioning and harassment of suspects in total disregard of their constitutional right to an attorney.   Even after repeated requests for an attorney by Running Eagle the detectives continued to ignore his pleas for legal counsel.  A part of the interrogation consisted of actual physical abuse and direct threats such as "I want to see you die in the gas chamber!"

In recent years a defendant charged with murder in the state of Arizona has been forced to deal with 2 prosecutors at his trial, the state and the judge.
Running Eagle's case was no different.  Not only do defendants have to fight the weight of the state with its power and money but also the Judges who are pro prosecution.

It is a standard practice in Arizona courts to suppress evidence that will aid the defendant in his struggle, in fact the state routinely manufactures evidence and it is used against the defendant.

The state through manipulation coerced false statements and elicited testimony that was not true in exchange for a deal to witnesses.

During trial there was jury misconduct and this was brought to the attention of the trial judge who refused to take action.  Running Eagle was forced to deal with not only false evidence, a biased judge, but now also a tainted jury.

As for Running Eagle's representation he was subjected to a classic American condition, "How much justice can you afford!"  Its a sad but real fact this state and many others defendants facing murder charges cannot afford effective representation are left at the mercy of a court appointed attorney, the majority of which are not qualified to defend such cases.  As the case against Running Eagle will show,  his lawyer was not qualified, in fact the record clearly shows he gave his client away.

And now Running Eagle sits on death row (almost eleven years) for a crime he did not commit, another victim of the state.  He is penniless, alone, and looking for hope.  While the state continues to impose their power and will on him and others like him.

Today Running Eagle languishes in one of the most cruel and hideous prisons in the United States.

Note : SMU II has a very restrictive policy, postage is through inmate store purchases only.  If you would like to correspond please send a money order.
I would really appreciate it.   Thank you.

        Age/Birthday: 33 years, birthday 12-7-1968       Race/Tribe: Ojibwe, Cherokee
Physical Description: 5'11", 225 lbs, dark brown hair, brown eyes Death Row Interests/Looking for: I'm just curious about life in the world. I really love to get photo's, but we're not allowed Polaroids... I want to see people, their life's, their friends and family. Them at Party's, Picnic's, swimming, playing, dancing etc. Having fun, love, emotions, intimate, life, homes, everything.
I would like their wants, desires, their experiences. Things that I should or would know have learned if I wasn't locked up in prison. Things that I will need to know if I an ever released from prison, to deal with people.

The 2 photo's on the right was taken on 1995 and represent a totally different time. I lost 50 pounds of weight since than, they moved the entire Death Row from CB-6. We no longer wear blue (those in the pictures were my own personal clothing' s). Now they have us wear State issue orange clothing. WE NO LONGER HAVE WINDOWS.  No paint on the cell walls. They took my lamp away.

                    
                  Sean B. Running Eagle 71847
                Az. State Prison - Eyman - SMU II
                               PO Box 3400
                            Florence Arizona
                            85232-3400  USA
 

                  The CCADP offers free webpages to over 500 Death Row Prisoners
                                              Contact us for more information.
            
                                                        "The Eyes Of The World Are Watching Now"