kenwendland.com

Ken wrote again to adjust his sentence. Using math and some optimism Ken believes his last day in prison will be on July 31st, 2014. He is expecting to continue to earn 16 extra days per month (for having a job and good behavior). I've adjusted his Countdown clock to reflect his new freedom date.

According to Ken's latest letter, sending him Letters of Character are the key to a good parole hearing. He said they need to contain the following in your own words:

• Relationship to inmate
• Your contact information (for verification)
• Why you believe Ken should be freed

Don't know much yet... the address is on the right.

Ken Got transferred to the state pen. Notice the new address on the right.

From Ken's Letter to Kenny:

"I'm not sure what else to tell you right now. There's so much to tell and so little paper left. It's far better here. The food is better, and hot, and more of it. The cells are cleaner, but the same size. I have three electric outlets, a cable outlet, and a light switch to turn my lights off ANY TIME I WANT TO!!! The inmate uniform is jeans, tshirts, and boots. I also have a denim jacket they provided. They let me keep my new balance shows, my wallet, and belt. The hygene products suck, but I'll have better ones in a couple of weeks."

Letter from Ken:

My attorney visited me today with an update on my case. As many of you may know I entered into a plea agreement on January 12, 2009. At that time I was taken into custody. Then on March 10th I had a sentencing hearing that went very well for me. I know it went well because on March 13th the Judge announced I would get the shortest sentence allowable by the plea agreement.

The law is very strict about allowing appeals after entering a guilty plea agreement. Both sides have to agree on what can be appealed. The prosecutor has decided not to agree on most of what we're trying to appeal. Basically she's not holding up her end of the deal. In light of that my attorney just filed a motion to withdraw my pleea.

If the Judge allows me to withdraw my plea the case goes back to trial. The sentence could change if I lose. The Judge could reinstate my bond until trial, meaning I get out of jail until then. A lot of things just changed. Now we wait, yet again, to see how it all plays out.

Thank you all for your letters, prayers, and support. I am truely blessed to have so many good friends. Thank you all.
Ken

Ken was sentenced to 8 years. He is eligible for parole at 28 months. He has another 1 year sentence but they run concurrent so it doesn't matter. I don't know what the stats are for being paroled on your first parole date.

Kenny Pyatt has started the Ken Wendland Fresh Start Fund. The fund currently has $2,000 in it. We are trying to raise an additional $1,000 to help Ken get back on his feet when he leaves prison. He will need a car, phone, apartment, etc. We are looking for 10 people to give $100. Obviously if you can't do that you might be able to give in a different way. Perhaps you would rather give $10 a week for 10 weeks. Once we have $3,000 it will be invested on Ken's behalf in a very safe money market account.

So much has happened in the last year and a half since all this began. First let me thank everyone who has stood by me and been my friend. I can't thank you enough or show my gratitude enough. I learned who my real friends are, and I am happy to say I have a lot more than I thought. Thank you all very much. I am blessed.

My attorney told me of a procedure we can use where I can accept a plea agreement without losing my right to the appeal on my Motion to Suppress. I left the courthouse with a decision to make.

I took the deal. In short it limits the time I can get to the bottom of the range, drops one of the charges, and leaves me open to appeal the Motion to Suppress. I went to enter the plea on Monday January 12th, 2009 at which time I was taken into custody, and my time started. The Judge will determine the time I serve at a sentencing hearing, but the range in the agreement will be 8 to 12 years. My attorney and I expect the judge to pick the middle ground and give me 10. I will be eligible for parole at the 30% mark, roughly 3 years.

I am able to send and receive letters while in jail. You will notice a mailing address in the column on the right. I will always appreciate hearing from my friends. There is a very short list of what you can send to me. Here it is in a nutshell.

• Letters (must have full return address)
• Books (up to 4 books at a time)
• Pictures (up to 6 pictures per envelope)
• Money Orders (with my social security number)
• You can not send me stamps.

While in jail I will have a commissary account. I will be able to use that money to purchase some things that will help me. Some of these things can include personal hygiene products, postage paid envelopes (NO STAMPS), pencils, paper, under garments, and I'm sure there is more I am leaving out. I am taking all the cash I have left after paying my attorney, and I expect a tax refund in a few months, but that will only last so long. I don't want anybody to feel pressured into giving, but it would be greatly appreciated. You will need my social security number with the money order. For obvious reasons I will not post that to the internet, but Kenny will be able to help you, kenny.pyatt {at} gmail {dot} com, or my mother, vwendland {at} gmail {dot} com.