Tribune Index to the Terry Stewart
Saga
The Saga of a War
Hero Against The Federal Courts 1/23/2003 - What
kind of Federal Justice System do we have? Many people ponder just
that question and wonder whether there " is any justice left in the
federal justice system?" Terry Stewart, a resident of Lewis County,
Tennessee, is about to mark his two-year anniversary in jail. He was
convicted a little over a year ago in federal court in Asheville,
NC. He has yet to be sentenced for the crimes he was convicted of,
and he claims that he is innocent. Until he is sentenced, Stewart
cannot appeal his convictions, and presiding Judge Lacy Thornburg
seems to be in no hurry to sentence Stewart.
PART 2 - The
Stewart Saga 1/30/2003 - Because the
Stewarts said there were improprieties that occurred during the
raid, they, along with the Vaughans and Banyan, filed a civil RICO
suit in August of 2000. The suit named many of the law enforcement
agents (in their personal capacity) along with other individuals the
Stewarts say violated the law while conducting the raids.
PART 3 - The
Stewart Saga 2/06/2003 - According to
Jeni, it was never Terry's intention to go to trial without an
attorney. His attorney of choice was in Indianapolis, and Terry
planned to obtain permission from the Court to travel to
Indianapolis to meet with that attorney while he was out on bond.
When his bond was revoked, it became impossible to use that attorney
because Terry and Jeni couldn't afford to pay the attorney's travel
and lodging expenses to Asheville. When IRS agent Boone took the
$130,000 from the Stewart's residence, their ability to pay for an
attorney was taken also.
PART 4
-
The Stewart Saga Continues 2/13/2003 - On Wednesday,
Nov. 7, the first witness was Giesela Crider, Vaughan's employee
that acted as his assistant. She identified by name all of the
individuals associated with Banyan, but did not name Terry. Then a
document listed as government evidence was put on the screen that
listed all of the sales staff and the trader for Banyan. Terry's
name wasn't included. She discussed the fraudulent employee
verifications that had assisted people in getting mortgages, but
again there was no document with Terry's name on it.
PART 5 - Marine
veteran still sits in limbo in NC jail, no sentence after
two years 2/20/2003 -
Squashed by the Federal Justice System, Terry Stewart continues his fight from a cell
in McDowell County Jail, where he has been since his conviction in
November of 2001. He has yet to be sentenced by Judge Thornburg and
cannot appeal his conviction until he has been sentenced.
Local
physician calls on Marine Generals to help in Stewart case;
Visits jail, incredulous about Spartan
conditions 3/20/2003 - The
series of articles on former Marine Terry Stewart's trip through the
federal court system here in Asheville has attracted a lot of
interest. Now, a local physician and former Marine has called out
the military brass to take notice of Stewart's plight.
Stewart Trial
Delayed 3/27/2003 - Embattled retired
Marine Sergeant Terry Stewart's federal sentencing trial has been
continued until late April. Stewart asked for the continuation after
all of his pre-sentinel trial motions were denied and it looked as
if prosecutors would ask that Stewart be sentenced to life in
prison. Stewart entered the courtroom Monday afternoon, March 24 in
an orange prison jump suit and wearing leg cuffs. After being
seated, Judge Lacy Thornburg asked Stewart if he was ready to
proceed. Stewart indicated that he was if he was to be sentenced
according to the law. As the sentencing trial was about to get
started, Jeni Stewart said she and Terry realized that they were
about to get "blind-sided" and Terry asked for a continuance.
Stewart Sentencing
Continued Again 5/08/2003 - Retired Marine
Sergeant Terry Stewart, who was to be sentenced in late April,
petitioned the court and received a court-appointed lawyer in his
sentencing trial. Stewart applied for the lawyer after his first
sentencing trial was continued. He also asked for the continuance
after all of his motions before the court at the sentencing were
denied, and it looked as if prosecutors would ask that Stewart be
sentenced to life in prison. Jack Stewart, an Asheville attorney and
no relation to defendant Stewart, was appointed by Judge Lacy
Thornburg to act as defense attorney. The case has also attracted
the attention of the Omaha, Nebraska-based "Free the Innocent."
Signed affidavit
states Stewart’s innocence 5/29/2003 -
A signed affidavit from a key player in the Terry Stewart case
saying that Stewart was not a part of a "ponsa scheme" has surfaced,
but, according to a court appointed lawyer for Stewart, will not be
of any use in Stewart's sentencing trial.
Stewart Seeks Case
Dismissal 8/11/2003 - Frequent readers of the
Tribune will recognized the name Terry Stewart. Stewart, a retired
Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Terry, who was to be sentenced in
late April here in Asheville's Federal Court for numerous charges
involving a "ponsa" scheme of which he continues to claim his
innocence.
The Latest
How long is 2,100
months? Stewart's sentence
leaves lawyers dismayed 9-29-2003
- That's the sentence that Terry Stewart received on
Friday, September 19 when Judge Lacy Thornburg handed down his
verdict in his Asheville Federal courtroom after a little more
than an hour's worth of arguments from Terry's lawyer, Jack Stewart,
and the US Attorney's Office. Thornburg originally
sentenced Terry to 3,780 months, over 300 years, but US Attorney
Fred Williams told Thornburg that they were only asking for 2,100
which translates into 175 years. Stewart had argued that the
sentence that prosecutors were asking for was "an absolutely
crushing sentence" and was far out of line with sentences given to
other defendants in the case. Stewart called the sentence "alarming"
when compared to the others. Sentences ranging from 20 months to 240
months were standard for fellow defendants.
|