Message from Simon
Hello,
I think it’s only right for me to write a page for the website seeing as it is about me and designed to raise awareness on my situation to the masses. I only hope it helps me to find my way home sooner rather than later because as you can imagine, prison is not good!
I can still remember the day when the officers came crashing through my front door, sending glass and wood splinters everywhere. That itself was a shock but not as much as when they told me I was under arrest for murder. The moment is still as surreal now as it was then but I’m just glad that my girlfriend was staying at her mothers that night because it wasn’t very pleasant to say the least. Funnily enough, that night was the only night we had spent apart since getting together, but I’m glad because at least she was spared the whole SAS style home invasion.
I feel as if I’m being a bit melodramatic but why not? Isn’t it about time I had the opportunity to say what I want to say about this crazy situation? I couldn’t in court because the prosecution don’t let people say much, except to answer the carefully constructed questions that lead them to wherever they wish to go. It’s not like a Hollywood movie, where the guy or his lawyer, make a powerful and tear-jerking speech at the last minute to save the day but I wish it was!
As for the defence, well I believe they did what they had to do but the jury just weren’t ready to listen. Imagine a young man being told he is about to hear a murder trial. He goes home to his family or his girlfriends and tells them,
“I’VE GOT A MURDER CASE!” to which someone would ask, “OH YEAH, WHO DID HE KILL?”
And that’s it. I’m guilty before the jury is even sworn in, especially for a horrific murder in a place where the biggest news to happen is usually a cat getting stuck up a tree or an old bicycle has been stolen from a garden shed.
From a psychological point of view, it must be a relief for the public when they learn from whatever media source that a man has been charged with murder and it must be an even bigger relief when that man is convicted of the crime. That can also be combined with the common misconception that the police never get things wrong, especially in small rural areas where the local bobby still does his rounds on a bicycle. (If it’s still in his garden shed). But joking aside, I can understand the general public’s fear of a killer walking around amongst them and I obviously appreciate the necessity of putting whoever is responsible behind bars as soon as possible, but I am not the man responsible for this crime and that gives me the unfortunate task of telling you that there is still a loony out there!
Mr and Mrs Normal don’t want to believe that thought. I remember the newspaper articles after I was convicted and there were quotes from members of the public who expressed opinions as to my guilt without even being at the trial. How can anyone be so narrow-minded? So, Mr Anonymous, 53, who knew Hall’s parents but didn’t want to be identified, what are you saying now then? It is individuals such as those who like to play amateur detective and will quite happily incarcerate a man for life because he or she thinks they know everything. If only they knew what I know. I wish I could talk about the new evidence that we have, not to mention the long list of errors by apparent professionals, but cannot put at risk the chance of getting back into court to prove myself innocent and get my life back together. Incidentally, if you were one of the 11 in the jury who convicted me and sent me to prison…
You’re a bloody idiot!
I’m entitled to say that and probably a lot more besides, but I won’t because it’s too late after all and nothing can be done immediately to change the fact. I’ve always been a very passive person and I remain so, even now after nearly three years of prison. I wonder if other people would feel this way…
Insofar as prison goes, well I can’t criticise anything about it. That’s not because I have no grievances but through fear of any repercussions should I say anything a bit untoward. All I will say is that I have been treated fairly by most of the staff and they have done a reasonable job in looking after me.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have logged onto this site, for signing the petition and leaving me little messages. I read them all and I want you to know that it gives me great comfort knowing that so many people care about me and of course justice. I would like to also thank everyone in helping me getting so far, because without them I would be nowhere. So thank you to my long suffering parents, whose constant letters and visits regardless of the distance have kept me relatively sane. To my brother for his work on the first website www.freeteddy.com which created much awareness in the early stages. To Oli for all he has done in the creation of this site and for his support in personal matters. To Stephanie for the hours and hours she has spent looking through reams of legal papers, for getting the site recognised by the miscarriages organisations such as Innocent and MOJUK and for all the letters and visits. Thanks to the Grant family for their dedication, support and visits. My final thank you goes to Phoebe, my precious angel. You know what I have to thank you for. I love you.
As I write this I am filled with hope that I can soon be reunited with my family and friends. Many things are starting to happen and I am confident that I can be back into court sometimes in the not too distant future. I am fully aware that it isn’t going to be an overnight thing and it may take years but I will not give up my fight, so I invite you all to join me as I make my way home. Please feel free to leave me any message you wish and sign the petition. If you want to leave your email details we can update you as to any changes that occur and any progress that we make. Alternatively if you think you can help us in any way then please don’t hesitate to contact the team at this email address: justice4simon@koncept07.net
Thank you for your time and support
Simon Hall
(10/05)
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