How I Got Here

My name is Shalonda Denise Green. I am a 33 year old African-American woman who was found guilty of first degree murder of my 6 year old stepson, Charles DaShawn Green, on November 12, 2002 in Des Moines , Iowa. I know first hand how reluctant attorneys, law firms, and schools are to take cases involving the death of children. My hope is that someone out there who reads this blog will decide to help me . I am not guilty and I will not give up trying to get someone to listen and help me.
I believe that when my jurors found me guilty, they based that opinion on a video reenactment of an alleged confession and not on facts and/or evidence. Since I was found guilty I have learned that there were several inconsistencies surrounding the cause of Charles' death. His death certificate states his cause of death as asphyxiation, while his autopsy report states his cause of death as cranio-cerebral trauma (head injury). During my trial it was stated that he died of bleeding on the brain due to shaken baby syndrone. Then there was a confession and video reenactment of me saying that I was responsible for causing him to sustain a life threatening liver injury. I had been questioned about the liver injury and was lead to believe up until my trial that it had caused Charles' death.
Although there were blatant inconsistencies, everything centered on the video reenactment. I was coerced into making a statement after a polygraph test. Any mention of how the video was obtained was prohibited at trial. Initially I was questioned about a specific injury to Charles. I was told by the investigating detectives that Charles had sustained a life threatening liver injury. I denied having caused such an injury and agreed to take a polygraph test. I was taken from the Des Moines Police department to the sheriff's office where I was questioned by another officer who administered the polygraph test. After the questioning I was told I had failed the test. The officer stepped out and returned with someone from Child Protective Services. He questioned me , but also went into great detail telling me that my other 3 children would be removed from my custody if I did not cooperate. I told them I didn't even know how such an injury could occur and that nothing took place to cause such an injury. The detective that had originally questioned me told me that the doctors were going to testify that this was a deliberate act. The officer who administered the polygraph test told me that this injury was caused by blunt force trauma, such as by being kicked or by a car accident. I continued to deny anything happening until Steven Quick, the Child Protective Services Agent stated no matter what I was being charged with child endangerment.
I ended up saying I kicked Charles in the side. The officer who administered the polygraph test had a written statement which I signed. I was then handed over to the original detectives who had questioned me and they took me to my home where I was asked to reenact what was on the statement. After the reenactment which was recorded by the Department of Criminal Investigation, I was arrested for child endangerment.
On March 21, 2002 I was charged with first degree murder. I sat in Polk county jail from March 21 until October 28, 2002, which was one week to the day from when my trial began. I knew nothing about the inconsistencies surrounding Charles' death and I knew nothing about what my defense would be. All I knew was that, according to my trial attorney, who finally visited on October 28, all evidence pointed to my now ex-husband. However the state was using the written statement and the video reenactment against me.
Throughout my trial, whenever there was doubt the video reenactment was played or the written statement read. Before I testified in my defense, I was taken to the judges chamber to speak with my attorney about what I would testify to. I was told that I could not talk about the polygraph test and when asked why I changed my statement testimony, I was to say that I was afraid. If I had not said I kicked Charles no statement would have been written and no reenactment made. I was left to explain this situation to the jurors without the most important piece of information I had to help in my defense- the polygraph examination and why I was asked to take one. I believe if my attorney had allowed me to speak about my interrogation that many questions and doubt would have been raised about my guilt.
I have a story to tell, but just as important, I would like to prevent these situations from happening to someone else.
Much additional information was available but was not mentioned at trial, probably because my attorney did not know it. I spoke with him briefly on 2 occasions and not everything was discussed. Before Charles' death, my family had been in touch with the department of human services in Chicago. My ex-husband and I had just obtained custody of Charles in November of 2000 and although we had other children, the situation with Charles became overwhelming. We spent Monday through Friday in someone's office trying to get help but none came. Prior to this my ex-husband and I had spent 4 years in Illinois trying to obtain custody of Charles. This is evidence that we loved Charles very much. It is a horrific circumstance to love someone, lose them, and then be accused of their death.
According to the medical examiner the injury to Charles' head could have resulted in death immediately or could have taken days, months, or even years to cause death. Charles fell and hit his head on the corner of the stairwell on March 13. The injury required 6 surgical staples. I believe he started bleeding on his brain that day which ultimately caused his death.
I had decided to send Charles back to Chicago because I could not handle his needs, but people who knew this were not called to testify on my behalf. Other events occurred on March 18 that ultimately claimed Charles' life. My ex-husband played a role in my case. His testimony as well as his actions toward Charles on March 15 may have played a significant part in Charles' death.
I am currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
I believe I am being used as an example of what will happen to you if you abuse a child. Unfortunately for me, in the rush to convict no one really investigated all aspects of my case.Also against me is my sex- men get lighter sentences for the same crime than women.And black women fare worse in court than white women.
If you can help me in any way I would be eternally grateful. My three children need me and I need them.

In future entries I will try to tell about some aspects of prison life here at Mitchellville. However I feel like important things should be dealt with first, and I suspect many people would like to know how I arrived at this place. It is of paramount importance to me. If you wish to contact me, you can do so through this blog, or of course I can be found through the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women.

Introduction of the Transcriber

Let me introduce myself as the intermediary in this blog. Shalonda does not have computer access but I encouraged her to begin a blog. She sends me the information and I copy the information into the blog. These entries will be intermittent because of lag times in sending and receiving messages.I suggest that you subscribe to the blog if you are interested so that you can know when a new entry is posted.
I first became acquainted with Shalonda several years (maybe 5 years) ago when I became her penpal. I received her name through a prison ministry program. Actually I received 2 names, but the other person only returned my letter once. Shalonda has continued to keep in close contact with me and I appreciate her letters just as she appreciates mine, as she often lets me know.
Why do I write to a convicted murderer? Because she is a human being with the same needs and desires as any other human being. Jesus himself instructed us to minister to those in prison. He did not say anything about their guilt or innocense. She has already been judged, so I am not charged with that duty. What I want to ellucidate is her life in prison, something that most of us know nothing about. They are a world locked away from sight, and what is out of sight is forgotten.
Although she has not asked me to do so, I request an interest in your prayers for her. Please pray for her inner strength to endure her life there and for her to find peace. If release from prison is part of the answer, she would be forevermore grateful.