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- for
- Michael W. Hash
- Wrongfully Accused and Convicted to a Life Sentence –
- “Guilty” UNTIL PROVEN Innocent
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- The Crime and Investigation
- Case History
- Recent Actions and Proceedings
- Articles of Reference
- Contact Us
- Ways You Can Help
- PLEASE PRAY with Us
- A Message from the Family
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- Thelma Scroggins, a retired postal carrier and a widow was found dead
in her home on Sunday July 14, 1996.
- The following is a brief overview of the crime and investigation:
- Mrs. Scroggins was last heard from around 9:00 p.m. Saturday evening.
- When she did not show for church, fellow church members became concerned
and went to check on her.
- When friends approached the home, the TV was loud enough to be heard
outside. Once inside, they
noticed drops of blood on the floor, and found her body in the bedroom
doorway. They called 911.
- Investigators took numerous photographs and collected evidence,
including fingerprints, bloodstains, hairs, fibers, and a drinking
cup. However, no prints were
dusted from the television, despite the reasonable assumption that the
volume was turned up by the perpetrator(s) was obviously intended to
mask the gunshots.
- It was also noted that Thelma Scroggins’ pick-up truck was missing
from the shed near her house.
It had been sited in many different locations and was found
approximately four weeks later in a wooded area about one mile from her
home. Her purse (including
money and credit cards) and glove box contents were rummaged through and
scattered across the seat.
Also a map with blood drops was discovered in the truck. Amazingly, no prints were
discovered from any of the evidence in the truck, including the truck
itself.
- An autopsy established that she died from gunshots to the head.
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- On May 17th of 2000,
Michael Hash was arrested for the murder of Mrs. Thelma Scroggins
of Lignum, Virginia.
- This crime took place in July of 1996, at which time Michael was only 15
years of age.
- Michael declared his innocence and entered a plea of NOT GUILTY.
- In just one week after his arrest, Michael was moved to the
Albemarle/Charlottesville Regional Jail for approximately three days,
allegedly due to overcrowding in the Culpeper County Jail.
- A jury trial commenced in February of 2001. The Jury found him guilty and
sentenced him to life in prison.
- NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE linked Michael to the crime. His conviction hinged
primarily on the testimony of a “king pin” drug dealer and
“professional snitch” (who had a life plus 5 year sentence)
ultimately received his freedom for his testimony against Michael.
- The trial court imposed the sentence set by the jury and denied various
motions to set aside the verdict.
- On appeal, the Virginia Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court in an
unpublished opinion.
- The Virginia Supreme Court denied the petition for appeal and denied the
petition for rehearing.
- At trial and on appeal, Michael was represented by court-appointed
attorneys from Charlottesville, Virginia.
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- “A Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus” was entered in April
of 2005.
- Subsequently, a hearing was scheduled before the Culpeper Circuit Court.
- On July 18, 2005, the “Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus”
was heard by Judge John R. Cullen.
- Newly retained attorney, David B. Hargett, outlined numerous errors in
which the court-appointed defense attorneys failed to disclose
exculpatory facts and other misrepresentations, as well as evidence of
prosecution misconduct.
- Judge John R. Cullen decided to allow defense to access records from
several agencies, including offices of the Culpeper County sheriff and
the Commonwealth Attorney.
- At present, PROCEEDINGS ARE PENDING THE INVESTIGATION OF THESE RECORDS
and depositions of certain law enforcement officials.
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- Area’s Unsolved Mysteries: Are Killings Related; The Free Lance-Star; article by
Donnie Johnston; published 3/9/02 (www.fredericksburg.com)
- Was Evonitz the Mystery Killer?;
The Free Lance-Star; article by Donnie Johnston; published
10/25/03 (www.fredericksburg.com)
- Scroggins Case Back in Court;
The Free Lance-Star; article by Donnie Johnston; published
7/19/05 (www.fredericksburg.com)
- Ruling Could Lead to New Trial;
Culpeper Star-Exponent; article by Alicia Petska; published
7/21/05 (www.starexponent.com)
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- The Michael Hash Committee for Justice
- P.O. Box 809
- Richmond, VA 23218-0809
- Email: fight4mike@comcast.net
- PHONE: 540-718-9269
- David B. Hargett, Esquire
- HARGETT & WATSON, PLC
- Seven South Adams Street
- Richmond, VA 23220-5601
- Email: davidhargett@hargettwatson.com
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PHONE: (804) 788-7111
- Michael W. Hash, #322967
- P.O. Box 759
- Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
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- Your Prayers are Greatly Appreciated
- Attendance and Support at Upcoming Hearings
- (Please refer to “Recent Actions / Proceedings” for
upcoming hearings and events, or you may supply us with information so
that we may contact you.)
- Correspondence with Advice and Support to The Michael Hash Committee for
Justice and the Hash Family
- Cards and Letters to Michael to Lift His Spirits (only mail with one
thirty-seven cent stamp can be accepted)
- Or, Donations for Financial Support to Assist with Legal Fees (every $
helps)
- Checks may be made payable to: The Legal Defense Fund for Michael W.
Hash
- c/o The Michael Hash Committee for Justice
- P.O. Box 809
- Richmond, Virginia 23218-0809
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- THANK YOU for taking the time to visit this site and for your care,
concern, support, and prayers.
We can’t express enough the gratitude we have knowing
that there is someone out there who cares enough to at least send a prayer.
- Please pray for
Michael, who is so respectfully and graciously waiting for this to
end.
- Please pray for Pam and Jeff Hash, his parents, who are spending
endless hours and are enduring multiple expenses for Michael’s
voice to be heard.
- Please pray for David
Hargett, Michael’s newly retained attorney. He has been a God-send to this family
through his care, efforts, knowledge, and hard work. May God continue to guide and
bless him for his efforts.
- Please pray for the judges, witnesses, and all involved or
connected with this case.
Open their eyes, their minds and their hearts to correct the
injustice that has wrongfully convicted Michael.
- Most of all, pray for the truth to be revealed. We know that he is innocent,
but we must prove his innocence for him to be able to come home to be
with his family. Finding
this proof and convincing the courts of Michaels’ innocence is
an uphill battle. But, we
know that God’s grace and perfect timing is required and is
working to reveal and unleash the truth for Michael’s life to
one day be restored.
- We welcome and
appreciate any assistance or correspondence you may provide. May GOD BLESS YOU and yours
for your support and care.
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- “If you have read through the case history, recent
proceedings and referenced articles written on this case and are
unsure as to how you stand on Michael’s innocence, we
understand your caution.
BUT, there is much more information that has been discovered
since his conviction that proves to us that there was incredible mishandling
and misconduct surrounding this case, in which Michael was done an
injustice. Of course,
this discovery was made after the trial, and the discovered
information was barred from being presented during the lower court
appeal to the state. Only
now, in pursuing the writ of habeas, can new evidence be heard and
considered. We are asking
the state, and, if denied, ultimately the federal courts, for an
evidentiary hearing to look at the facts of Michael’s innocence
and to uncover and present the evidence of the real perpetrator of
this crime. Therefore, we
cannot show any new evidence without following an enormous amount of
legal avenues to allow us the opportunity for this information to be
heard. Fighting the
system is an extremely long, hard, and costly process, but we are
determined not to give up!
Our goal has always been and will always be to get to the
TRUTH, not only for Michael but also for the victim.”
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