To: Board of Parole Hearings

Board of Parole Hearings
Post Office Box 4036
Sacramento, CA 95812-4036

We, the undersigned, urge the Board of Parole Hearings to release Mr. Romaine Fitzgerald from prison (July 2, 2008 Parole Hearing) for the following reasons:


* Mr. Fitzgerald has served 38 years in prison, more time than his murder sentence prescribes.


* He poses no danger to society.


* He has demonstrated his remorse for his offense and participated in and completed every rehabilitative and self-help program available in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.


* He has several offers of employment in the Southern California area, including work related to his extraordinary writing skill and talent.


* He has a decent and loving home with his mother to which to return, as well as offers from other family and friends of alternative housing.


Denial of Mr. Fitzgeralds parole would not be in keeping with the spirit and the letter of the courts order in In Re Rutherford now In Re Lugo as well as many other court decisions.


For more information about Chip Fitzgerald, go to: www.freechip.org.

Committee to Free Chip Fitzgerald
629 Main Street, No. 195
Watsonville, California
95076
831-254-2580



SPECIAL LETTER

RECOMMENDATION OF PAROLE FOR CHIP FITZGERALD

_________________________

[LETTERHEAD OF AUTHOR]

[DATE]



Board of Parole Hearings
Post Office Box 4036
Sacramento, California 95812-4036

Re: Parole of Romaine Fitzgerald

Dear Board Members/Chairman:

Romaine Fitzgerald should be released from prison, and I urge you to recommend his parole.

Mr. Fitzgerald was 19 years old when he was arrested and charged with murder as a member of the Black Panther Party in Los Angeles, and his trial and conviction were overwhelmed by sensationalism. Now, 38 years later, Mr. Fitzgerald has served more time than required under his sentence, and I do not believe there is any further State interest in his continued incarceration. Moreover, Mr. Fitzgerald has shown remorse for the offenses for which he is incarcerated, he has decent employment and housing waiting for him, he is mentally healthy, and he presents no danger to society.

Thank you for your consideration.


Very truly yours,

[NAME]