Open Letter from Leon Benson: “Words of Healing to the Schoen Family”
“Healing is embracing what is the most feared; healing is opening what has been closed, softening what has hardened into obstruction; healing is learning to trust life.” Jeanine Achterberg
“A wicked messenger falls into trouble , but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.” Proverbs 13:17
Dear Family & Friends of Kasey Schoen:
All praise to the Most High YAHWEH that I am alive spiritually and physically, and able to have a balanced heart despite my hardships! In the hopes that my sincerest thoughts finds you all in superb help and divine spirit, and that you all have an open mind and heart.
It has taken me nearly 18 years to genuinely send you this letter. Not because I was overwhelmed with guilt, but I was overwhelmed with the growing pains of my own unjust hardships.
Where I am now able to see past many of my own hurts, to empathize with those of others, especially the loss of your beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend Kasey Schoen. He was unjustly taken away back in August of 1998 to a vicious and unconscious shooting murder in Indianapolis.
The state of Indiana wrongfully charged and convicted me of Kasey’s murder. I still remember many of your angry faces thru two trials and a sentencing hearing. For years I was deeply troubled by your contemptuous glares and harsh words. But realize that you lost a loved one forever.
Altho my family lost me to prison, they could write, accept my phone calls, or come visit me. Plus if worst came to worst, I would be released from prison in 60 years if I live long enough.
Now the issue at hand. We have both been wronged. I have been wrongfully convicted and incarcerated 18 years and Kasey's killer still walks the street. Surely Kasey’s spirit is not at rest for the tragedy of the entirety of this situation.
Kasey and I need for you to open your eyes to the truth. The police and prosecutor gave your family false closure in this matter. I understand that revisiting this issue brings up a lot of repressed pain. But only the truth will heal us both.
If I were guilty of Kasey’s murder I would not still be saying I am innocent 18 years later, like I did from day one. In addition, the real eye witnesses come forward and testified that another person committed the crime. This witness knew the killer personally. Not some made-up relationship the state said existed between me and their false State's witnesses.
This eye witness gave police a statement days after the killing. But (possibly) because I was from Flint, Michigan with a nickname “Detroit,” the Police ignored this eye witness’ credibility account that corroborated with all existing evidence. The truth has been there from the beginning, now it's out and on the table in court.
THE HEALING
Despite my many losses being subjected to wrongful imprisonment, my heart went out to Kasey's family it was. He was and will always be the biggest victim in this case. It's tragic.
Now it is time to heal each other’s injustice. Find it in your heart to “forgive me” for Kasey’s murder. This forgiveness is not due to my wrongdoing (directly or indirectly), but to erase the “lies” that have been burnt in your hearts. And to then empathize with me and my family enduring years of suffering from a crime I did not commit.
Then, we can finally come together for true justice. I remember Kyle (Kasey's brother) reached out to more supporters. He wanted answers and was curious as to why I kept screaming my innocence. But before an Indianapolis supporter met with and gave him evidence that strongly supported to my innocence, Kyle backed out. unfortunately, we have not had contact ever since.
My plea is for your peace of heart and mind. Because I am at peace with myself knowing and standing on my innocence from day one. And I am content with moving on with my life in the free world, especially after I’ve reached out to you here.
This letter is on your behalf not mine. The only reason this letter was written publicly is because we don't have other means to contact you directly. I don't want Jackie Schoen, Kasey’s mother, to live with a lie that her son's killer was me and that everything is resolved. When it is not.
I apologize if I opened old wounds, I meant no harm. None of my letter comes from a mocking or patronizing vibe. Instead, it comes from a healthy heart, mind, and spirit. This is my “olive branch” to you in the hopes to initiate a much needed conversation between us.
Please give me the benefit of the doubt and reach out to me. I believe you to be a good group of people, with spiritual morals and values. So if I hear no reply from you, I will be gravely disappointed.
Take care and always remember: “TRUTH NEVER DIES, IT’S ONLY REDISCOVERED!”
For a better world,
Leon Benson
