The Jim Morrison Emails: Fla Governor's pardon drew more than 100 letters, for and against

by Roman Lewis 

Jim Morrison has been pardoned.

A month or so after outgoing Florida Governor Charlie Crist suggested the possibility, the Florida Board of Clemency voted unanimously to pardon Jim Morrison today.

Morrison of the Doors, was convicted of exposing himself during a 1969 Miami concert.

The pardon was granted over the objection of a former Miami police officer who said it sent the wrong message to the nation's youth and that a pardon was tantamount to accusing officers involved in the incident of perjury.

But Crist said it was not about retrying the case but about forgiveness.

In 1970, a jury convicted Morrison of indecent exposure and open profanity, though he was cleared of a felony count of lewd and lascivious behavior and public drunkenness. He was sentenced to six months in jail, but died two years later at age 27 in Paris while the case was under appeal.

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Below, are a sample of some of the 120-plus letters and emails sent to the Governor's office arguing both for and against Morrison's pardon, received in response to a Rom Report public records request filed earlier this week.

   From:     ClancydaCop@aol.com
    Subject:     Possible pardon for Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 3:14:45 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Dear Governor Crist:

I am a retired law enforcement officer, having served for 35 years in Pinellas County,  initially with the St. Petersburg Police Department and then with the State Attorney's Office. Jim Morrison was fairly tried and convicted in Dade County in 1970 and that conviction should remain on his record. Your pardoning him would be an affront to the judicial system and law enforcement generally. You have a earned a great deal of respect during your term as Governor. Please, please, let that conviction stand!

Denis Quilligan
Seminole FL

_________________

    From:     Roxy Feldman
    Subject:     Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 5:20:42 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Please pardon Jim. You don't need to ask the other cabinet members. Just do it!
Roxy Feldman
graduated High School 1969
PS. I'm a Democrate that voted for you for governor and the last election

It's the right thing to do!
_________________

    From:     Nmsmiami@aol.com
    Subject:     Check out Florida Gov. Charlie Crist May Pardon The Doors' Jim Morrison-why not?
    Date:     November 9, 2010 3:01:11 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist May Pardon The Doors' Jim Morrison

am still recovering from the election-can only imagine how you feel-why not if you have the power to
right an old wrong?  does Morrison still have family in Florida? what else can you do to leave a
lasting presence for your time as leader of our state?  Please come up with a couple great ones
to counter this loss.  What next? please keep us informed.

Nancy M Smith in Miami
nmsmiami@aol.com
_____________________

    From:     Randy Richgruber
    Subject:     Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:47:59 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Gov. Christ:

Please pardon the late Jim Morrison as I believe the trial was  highly political, less than fair and without actual evidence.  His untimely death, all but eliminated the opportunity for appeal.  Didn’t Ken Lay’s Enron conviction dissolve when he died while the appeal was in progress?  This would seem to be a parallel situation.

The issue may be 40 years old, but I’m sure his father would appreciate it.

Thank you,

Randy J. Richgruber
Arden Hills, MN
____________________

    From:     cowch728@comcast.net
    Subject:     Please do not get TRICKED into pardoning Jim Morrison posthumously
    Date:     November 10, 2010 12:48:28 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Dear Governor Crist,

    Please do NOT pardon Jim Morrison Posthumously as there is NO REASON WHATSOEVER to believe that he died in 1971.  Much to the contrary, I assure you that he is alive, having had a doctor sign a fake certificate.  Pictures are available at the www.highmountainrogue.com website and discussion at the Museum of Hoaxes website.  Please do not let this coalition embarass our government as one day the truth in this matter may become public to all.  And what a blessed day that will be!
___________________________

 




From:     Shannon Marcum
    Subject:     Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 8:06:00 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Governor Crist,

      First let me thank you for what you are doing for the memory of Jim Morrison. I think it is an amazing gesture on your part to remember in this manner what many believe to be a terrible injustice. Many even think the pressure of this case was the beginning of the end for him. Although I was not yet born when this occurred, the music of the Doors and Mr. Morrison have been a great part of my life. As a professional touring musician in my youth and the 38-year-old dad in sales I am today, the mystique of Jim Morrison lived on and off stage and I am sure many would agree with me in saying his pain made him a genius, like many tormented artists before him.  It is my opinion that to right this wrong at this point would somehow erase the most important crossroads of his life. The rebel in that skin has transcended time and generations and has been passed on in his soul and his words. I would like to ask you to reconsider this issue and NOT grant this pardon. Thank you for your time.


Shannon Marcum
Westerville OH 43081
_________________________

    From:     Starr Piazza
    Subject:     Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:06:48 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Hello my name is Barbara Starr Piazza. I am 35 years old. My earliest 
memories as a child have to do with music.
I recently read on CNN that you were thinking of pardoning Jim 
Morrison for the indecent exposure.  First I would like to say that I 
think that, that is a wonderful thing to do.  I am very curious about 
what made you think of him. I was really hoping you would pardon him. 
I for one do not believe that he really did it. Also I have been to 
some very big concerts in the past few years and the artist were 
extremely sexual and vulgar. I think things have defiantly changed 
over the years. Maybe for the worse but I don't think what he did was 
any worse then what I see every weekend in Dc. I by no means think 
that it's okay to show yourself to your audience but I really don't 
think he did. I was hoping you would pardon him. If you think  there 
is anything we can do to convince you to pardon him. Please let me know.
                                                      Thank you for 
your time, Barabara Starr
______________________

    From:     abigail
    Subject:     Pardon for Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 10, 2010 12:39:08 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

Hello Governor Crist,

I read with great delight that you are considering a posthumous pardon for Jim Morrison.

As someone who is unemployed at the moment, I am fully aware of the serious problems our country faces.  That being said, your pardoning Jim Morrison would be such a positive gesture.

I encourage you sincerely to offer this pardon.

Thank you for your consideration.

Abigail Reeves

"Silence is evil's greatest co-conspirator."

 President Barack Obama, speaking at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum
______________________________________________________________

    From:     Jean Newcomer-Lichtel
    Subject:     Pardon Jim Morrison are you kidding me?
    Date:     November 10, 2010 7:17:22 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
    Reply-To:     jeanjean@tampabay.rr.com

Governor Crist,

I heard on the news that you are thinking of pardoning Jim Morrison for his indecency charge.  Charlie, really?  he’s dead, what does wasting PRECIOUS time and resources of Florida for such frivolities do for our citizens, will it put anyone to work, improve our schools, feed a hungry family?  What does pardoning Jim Morrison do for our state, more importantly what does wasting the precious little time you have left as our governor with such trivial issues.

 These are tough times please focus on what you can do productively in the remaining days in office not dreams of some of saving a dead rock & roll heroes name and record.  Again he is dead, what does this matter!

I voted for you for the senate I am sorry you lost , please do not make me question my vote.

Sincerely,

Jean Newcomer-Lichtel
________________________


    From:     Reid Stacey
    Subject:     Don't pardon Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 10, 2010 8:57:47 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist

There's nothing redeeming about Jim Morrison's life after his conviction that deserves a pardon.  He's dead.  Only God and history will judge him now.  Don't waste your breath.  Do something productive with your remaining term.

Thank you.

Reid Stacey
__________________________

    From:     Helen Frigo
    Subject:     Jim Morrison's pardon
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:52:24 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Dear Governor:

I just heard about Jim Morrison's pardon.   I had just written to you
about Denise Harvey, who is 44 years old, ALIVE, and facing at least
22 years in jail for letting a 16-year old male have sexual
intercourse with her.

Here's Russ Lemmon's latest report, and what follows is an old man
expressing outrage at Lemmon's first report, which I don't have  But I
totally agree with the old man, and I hope you will PARDON a living
woman.
We did vote for you.
Sincerely, Helen R. Frigo

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/oct/14/russ-lemmon-harvey-case-still-flying-under-radar/

“I had been a fan of Russ Lemmon’s from the beginning. I liked his
fresh ideas and welcomed his savoir faire. I liked to compare Lemmon’s
opinions with mine to judge whether my 86-year-old brain still had
some horsepower left.
I valued his impressions of local politicians, even when we were
occasionally of polar opposite opinions.
On Aug. 31, however, in one fell swoop, Lemmon spent all the capital
he had ever earned from me. His column revealed an incandescent
pitilessness that was scary.
What kind of a person would write: “Sorry, but I’m not shedding a tear
over Denise Harvey’s 30-year sentence for having sex with a
16-year-old boy. If she would have admitted to doing it, I might feel
differently”?
Had she admitted it, would 20 years have been OK? Did it cross the
columnist’s mind that virtually every 16-year-old kid in the country
would have loved to be the “victim” in this matter?
If this wasn’t the worst miscarriage of justice, I don’t know of one
any worse. The perception that a 16-year-old boy who is intimate with
a grown woman suffers psychological damage makes droves of men from
Vladivostok to Vero Beach laugh hard enough to risk a hernia. How
silly can we get?
The difference between an adult male having sex with an underaged girl
and an adult female having sex with a 16-year-old boy is of a
magnitude that should preclude all comparisons. Frankly, I would have
regarded 90 days of community service as outrageously severe.
When courts go berserk like this, we are all in mortal danger.“
Edward Yazijian
Vero Beach   Stuart news, Sept. 5, 2008
_____________________________________

From:     stknthe80s@aol.com
    Subject:     Jim Morrison Pardon
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:23:13 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist , Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp

Dear Governor:

I just heard about Jim Morrison's pardon.   I had just written to you
about Denise Harvey, who is 44 years old, ALIVE, and facing at least
22 years in jail for letting a 16-year old male have sexual
intercourse with her.

Here's Russ Lemmon's latest report, and what follows is an old man
expressing outrage at Lemmon's first report, which I don't have  But I
totally agree with the old man, and I hope you will PARDON a living
woman.
We did vote for you.
Sincerely, Helen R. Frigo

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/oct/14/russ-lemmon-harvey-case-still-flying-under-radar/

“I had been a fan of Russ Lemmon’s from the beginning. I liked his
fresh ideas and welcomed his savoir faire. I liked to compare Lemmon’s
opinions with mine to judge whether my 86-year-old brain still had
some horsepower left.
I valued his impressions of local politicians, even when we were
occasionally of polar opposite opinions.
On Aug. 31, however, in one fell swoop, Lemmon spent all the capital
he had ever earned from me. His column revealed an incandescent
pitilessness that was scary.
What kind of a person would write: “Sorry, but I’m not shedding a tear
over Denise Harvey’s 30-year sentence for having sex with a
16-year-old boy. If she would have admitted to doing it, I might feel
differently”?
Had she admitted it, would 20 years have been OK? Did it cross the
columnist’s mind that virtually every 16-year-old kid in the country
would have loved to be the “victim” in this matter?
If this wasn’t the worst miscarriage of justice, I don’t know of one
any worse. The perception that a 16-year-old boy who is intimate with
a grown woman suffers psychological damage makes droves of men from
Vladivostok to Vero Beach laugh hard enough to risk a hernia. How
silly can we get?
The difference between an adult male having sex with an underaged girl
and an adult female having sex with a 16-year-old boy is of a
magnitude that should preclude all comparisons. Frankly, I would have
regarded 90 days of community service as outrageously severe.
When courts go berserk like this, we are all in mortal danger.“
Edward Yazijian
Vero Beach   Stuart news, Sept. 5, 2008
____________________________________________________________

From:     Ochoa
Subject:     Jim Morrison Pardon
Date:     November 10, 2010 8:49:13 AM CST
To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Honorable Governor Crist,

This morning I read in the news that you are considering issuing a pardon to the late Jim Morrison for his crime of indecent exposure.  I wish to convey to you that there are more pressing last-minute issues to be addressed and that this is a waste of time, which in essence is wasted tax money that pays for your position.

More importantly, a pardon for Jim Morrison sends a myriad of other messages such as, indecency is acceptable, what we see does not impact our minds, our hearts, and our souls, and that there are no lasting consequences for our decisions (in his case to drink himself drunk and expose himself) because the alcohol is the culprit or his fame and inability to handle it was to blame. 

If you pardon Jim Morrison, you are agreeing that it is totally acceptable for a man to pull out his private parts at any moment in time, to direct at anyone he pleases, and it is simply amusing.  Governor, with all due respect, this is not acceptable.

May God bless your day as you seek to end your governorship well.

Sincerely,

Julie Ochoa
_____________________

    From:     Helen Frigo
    Subject:     Jim Morrison's pardon
    Date:     November 9, 2010 10:52:24 AM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Dear Governor:

I just heard about Jim Morrison's pardon.   I had just written to you
about Denise Harvey, who is 44 years old, ALIVE, and facing at least
22 years in jail for letting a 16-year old male have sexual
intercourse with her.

Here's Russ Lemmon's latest report, and what follows is an old man
expressing outrage at Lemmon's first report, which I don't have  But I
totally agree with the old man, and I hope you will PARDON a living
woman.
We did vote for you.
Sincerely, Helen R. Frigo

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/oct/14/russ-lemmon-harvey-case-still-flying-under-radar/

“I had been a fan of Russ Lemmon’s from the beginning. I liked his
fresh ideas and welcomed his savoir faire. I liked to compare Lemmon’s
opinions with mine to judge whether my 86-year-old brain still had
some horsepower left.
I valued his impressions of local politicians, even when we were
occasionally of polar opposite opinions.
On Aug. 31, however, in one fell swoop, Lemmon spent all the capital
he had ever earned from me. His column revealed an incandescent
pitilessness that was scary.
What kind of a person would write: “Sorry, but I’m not shedding a tear
over Denise Harvey’s 30-year sentence for having sex with a
16-year-old boy. If she would have admitted to doing it, I might feel
differently”?
Had she admitted it, would 20 years have been OK? Did it cross the
columnist’s mind that virtually every 16-year-old kid in the country
would have loved to be the “victim” in this matter?
If this wasn’t the worst miscarriage of justice, I don’t know of one
any worse. The perception that a 16-year-old boy who is intimate with
a grown woman suffers psychological damage makes droves of men from
Vladivostok to Vero Beach laugh hard enough to risk a hernia. How
silly can we get?
The difference between an adult male having sex with an underaged girl
and an adult female having sex with a 16-year-old boy is of a
magnitude that should preclude all comparisons. Frankly, I would have
regarded 90 days of community service as outrageously severe.
When courts go berserk like this, we are all in mortal danger.“
Edward Yazijian
Vero Beach   Stuart news, Sept. 5, 2008
__________________________________

    From:     Stan Newsom
    Subject:     Pardon of Jim Morrison
    Date:     November 9, 2010 6:27:34 PM CST
    To:     Governor Charlie Crist
Mr. Crist, I was reading about you possibly pardoning Jim Morrison. As we all know Mr. Morrison is deceased. I am a big fan of The Doors, but for the life of me I can't understand why you would consider wasting the governments money to even entertain this idea. It will have no impact on Mr. Morrison and will cost money for you to take any actions to grant such a pardon. A ridiculous idea, please quit spending the taxpayers money for this trivial stuff.

Stan Newsom
_____________________