Pound Pup Legacy

Dear Lori,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of spirits.  As for myself, I'm doing a lot better.  My Mind is in good focus.  I guess moving me to South Carolina has done me a lot of goof.  I'm more relaxed.  They have taken me off a lot of the medicine that Augusta was given me.  I guess being doped up so bad hurt more than it helped me.  Now it seems as if I'm more at ease with myself.  I've got better patience.  Anyways, how's things going on your end?  I'm still waiting on my appeal.  Hopefully it will come soon and I can get in Federal Court and maybe my case will be overturned.  Anyways I'm sorry I haven't wrote lately, but life has been crazy for me.  Anyways I thought that I would keep in touch.  Besides you have been a really good friend.  Anywhays I guess for now I'll end this letter.  I will write again soon.

Best wishes,
Joel Lee Domingues

Dear Lori,

"....They really have me messed up. I'm locked down because I cut myself and lost a lot of blood. So now they have shipped me to Augusta State Medical Prison which isn't too bad considering I'm here with Charles. I've been trying to get information from him but it's hard. He is so doped up he does not know anything. He talks off the wall. You asked about Charles. He did not kill his [adoptive] mother. Melissa and Margaret did. Matter of fact, Melissa was the prime suspect at one point but somehow got out of it. Anyways, he got framed the same way I did. Lori, I'm sorry that I tried to commit suicide again but I'm at the end of my rope. I'm trying really hard to stay calm but it's hard to do.....I wish things were different. Maybe then I would be in the middle of the woods somewhere. I really, if I get out, want to just live in the woods away from people..."

Your friend,
Joel

Dear Lori,

I was so happy to hear from you. I'm so glad that you are helping me. It really makes me feel good... Anyways, you asked about Charles. Charles is a little off in the head. When he was on the street, Melissa and Margaret could make him say and do as they wanted. Melissa was at one point the prime suspect in Jackie's murder but somehow she got off and Charles became the suspect. They have paid him really well to take the fall. When I was in Augusta I talked with him every day. Now that I'm back here I'll talk some more with him. I've seen how much money he has and it's a little over $13,000. He said Margaret gave it to him. Then he said the State gave it to him from his mother's estate. Lori, I hope you will continue helping me. With you standing by me I'm sure I will get out one day....

Your friend,
Joel Domingues

Dear Lori,

"...I'm not going to do anything crazy at the moment. I want to see how my next court comes out. It's really hard being here but I think I can manage a few months more. I'm really sorry I hurt myself. I know that I let you down. It's just [that] things get so tough to where I can't stand it no longer. I've got issues that I deal with mentally. I'm not crazy. It may seem like it but I can assure you that I know everything that I do.

When I hurt myself it's because I re-live my childhood every day and it gets to me. I'm sure even the normal person would have a problem dealing with what I deal with. Anyways, I really just want to let you know how really special you are to me and I'm sure others feel the same way. I do know [David] Cassady. Me and him are pretty good friends although I never know he was looking for his mother. I'm glad things worked out.

Thank you and best wishes,
Joel Domingues

Dear Lori,

"....I really am at the end of my rope. The reason for my late correspondence is because I cut myself hoping to bleed out. I'm just so depressed and you can't really tell the doctor anything because he will lock you down and I've had some very bad experiences locked down. I'm trying as hard as ever to deal with the situation.

If it wasn't for my music I don't know what I would do. At least some of it cheers me up. Anyways, I'm glad that you are my friend. I have very few at the moment. My daughter don't much care for me at the moment, and, really, I brought it upon myself. That's a funny thing how I always screw my life up and never can be lucky at anything even in prison.

I guess in here I have to be tough in order for people to like me, when really they're just scared. That's why I hate this place and really myself. But for now I'm not going to hurt myself until after court. I only pray that I have the strength to hold on that long. It's bad when a grown man can't hold back his tears.

I seen the doctor today and it was everything I could do not to break down. My smiles are really getting hard to come by. Usually, I smile so much people think I'm a smart-ass, which, in a sense, I am. My smiles are the only thing protecting my insides. Without my smiles I would cry and yet have no one to help me.

Then there's the fights I would have to get into and that's not a good thing because I would be locked down again and I fear being locked down. Anyways, I hope one day I can get out and repay your kindness. I doubt I'll get out but you never know. Anyways, thanks again for being there..."

Thank you,
Joel Domingues

Dear Lori,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of spirits and health. As for myself, I'm lost. I don't know where to turn. I was told that the lawyer that represented me in my Habeas has sent my transcripts to the Innocence Project, yet I have not heard anything from anyone." [NOTE: Joel was mistaken. His lawyer said she sent her Habeas Writ but holds the Transcripts but reportedly has not provided copies to anyone for review to avoid the copy cost.]

"I was told I am being helped, yet I don't hear from anyone. I really don't know what to do or who to turn to. Lori, I need you to help me. Tell me what to do, please. Ask Dr. Callahan what I can do. [He] said the Innocence Project would help me. I've wrote them to no avail. Lori, I thank you sincerely for all your help. You are a very good woman and I'm glad that you are helping me. I hope that we can and always will be best of friends.

Thank you,
Joel Domingues

Dear Lori,

I got your letter today and was very glad that you wrote me. I wrote to the Innocence Project but have not heard anything from them. I had also written the other two - I have not had any responses yet. Anyways, there's not really much that I can do, being locked up. My sister just stopped all contact with me. So now I really don't have anyone to help me. I have had two people write me from the [web page] you placed. Maybe one of them can help out some.

...I only wish I could help you...I'd like to thank you for all your help. It seems as if you're the only one that's doing anything -- I haven't heard from them lawyers or Mr. Callahan. Anyways, if you do hear from him ask him if he's going to help me.

Thank you,
Joel Domingues

Dear Lori,

...Today the lawyer wrote me, you wrote me, and my sister wrote me. The lawyer said that things look very promising. My sister is still trying to find our family. And me, I'm just waiting...

Your friend always,
Joel

Dear Lori,

...I really appreciate you sending me [the public directory listings] addresses. I hope that one of them is the correct address so that I'll finally be able to write with my daughter...Wish me luck...

Love always, Joel

Dear Lori,

...I'm here for something I really didn't know about. I wish that the State would allow a lie detector test and give it to me and my co-defendants. I'd get out then. But the D.A. said 'No' to all that. Lori, Kathleen said I look good for Court and she feels that my case might get overturned...

Joel Domingues