Jay B Van Story
Jay B Van Story
TDCJ
#477649
Wynne Unit, 3 Dorm 42
Huntsville, TX 77349
I grew up in Lubbock, Texas, home of Buddy Holly, Mac Davis and Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks. I played Little League baseball and enjoyed golfing with my dad. I have a G.E.D. and have attended college.
I have worked as a television studio cameraman and a television news photographer. I have worked as a Pizza Hut assistant manager. I have had a number of letters to the editor and guest columns published. I enjoy writing and creating designs on computers, I love music, the outdoors, and traveling.
Throughout my incarceration, I have had the loving support of my family. They have believed in my innocence from the beginning, and have helped me tremendously in my struggle for justice. Now, after more than 15 years, the light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to glow brightly! Everything now points toward my innocence! The truth is finally prevailing! My prayers are being answered.
I have always believed that I will be exonerated some day, and now that day is right around the corner. It will be a joyous day when I am finally released from my false imprisonment! I dream about hugging my mother and the rest of my family and enjoying the holidays with them.
Here on the Wynne Unit, I have worked as a computer graphic artist and programmer for 11 years. Recently, I designed the 39 panels in the new Texas Prison Museum that just opened November 13th, 2002 in Huntsville. TxPrisonMuseum.org The panels depict and describe the entire history of the Texas prison system. I was glad to have the opportunity to work on this very worthwhile, interesting project. I believe it is important for the public to learn about the history of the prison system, both the good and the bad.
I also helped design the current Texas license plate — the one with the space shuttle, the stars, the yucca plants, and the man on horseback. I have helped design many of the inspection stickers and validation stickers over the last 11 years.
It has been a privilege. Prison itself is a dehumanizing, degrading experience, but I have been fortunate to have a good job most of my stay.
The job has required a lot of home study, as well as long hours at the shop. Most of the rest of my time I have spent working on my case. I represented myself at trial and in a federal civil rights lawsuit for false imprisonment, which I won against one of the defendants. I have kept up to date on law and procedure. I have written many organizations seeking assistance, advice and referrals. Many have helped, including the Grassroots Investigative Project, the Amicus Curiae Foundation, the 8th Day Center for Justice, and the Innocence Project at the University of Houston. I am very grateful.
I would like to gain employment as a graphic designer, copy editor, or writer when I am exonerated. I plan to write a book about my case to help show the public that false convictions occur more often than most people would like to believe. Mostly though, I am ready to get busy living. Regaining the freedom that was robbed from me will be like being reborn!
In the meantime, I am eager to correspond with people on the outside. I offer friendship and seek the same. Please feel free to write for any reason.
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