Help Us Free A Wrongfully Convicted Man

Justice for Chief Stankewitz

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    • Home
    • About Chief
    • The Case
      • Chief's Case
    • Newspaper Articles
    • The Evidence
    • Habeas Petition
    • Appellate Case (Appeal)
    • Support Chief

Justice for Chief Stankewitz

Justice for Chief StankewitzJustice for Chief StankewitzJustice for Chief Stankewitz
  • Home
  • About Chief
  • The Case
    • Chief's Case
  • Newspaper Articles
  • The Evidence
  • Habeas Petition
  • Appellate Case (Appeal)
  • Support Chief

Chief has served 47 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

Chief has served 47 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.Chief has served 47 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.Chief has served 47 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

Help us bring Chief justice and set him free.

Meet Chief

Recent Motions

Racial Justice Act (RJA)- Motion for Relief 3-24-25 (pdf)Download
RJA - Motion for Relevant Data Whether Chief was Charged and Sentenced More Harshly (pdf)Download
Final Notice of Motion - Motion to Strike Spec. Circumstances 1 of 2 (pdf)Download
Final Notice of Motion - Motion to Strike Spec. Circumstances 2 of 2 (pdf)Download

Show with KFPK tomorrow!

Tune into Think Outside the Cage on Sunday, February 23rd at 9:00 for a very important show. 90.7 KPFK or kpfk.org!!!

We’ll be speaking with an attorney for Douglas Stankewitz, AKA Chief, who has the truly sad distinction of spending more years on death row else and like too many others he was wrongfully convicted something like 47 years ago.  We’ll speak with Attorney Alexandra Cock who has been working as his paralegal for over 10 years

Fresno Superior Court Denies Habeas Petition

The injustice against Chief continues – habeas petition denied by Fresno Superior Court. The Legal Team will fight on for his freedom.

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Evidentiary Hearing Update

The jusge ordered a supplemental briefing. We filed our supplemental brief on August 28th. The Da did not file a supplemental brief. According to the Court’s order, it has until December 24, 2024 to issue its decision. 

21CRWR685993 - Supplemental Briefing Order Signed and Filed 8-5-24 (pdf)Download
21CRWR685993 Stankewitz Post-Evidentiary Hearing Supplemental Brief w Lucero conform 8-28-24 (pdf)Download

Evidentiary hearing held Jan 22- Jan 30

Chief's legal team presented 20 witnesses, including several important experts, and 20 pieces of evidence at the evidentiary hearing. For specifics, you can review the Closing Argument Brief Table of Contents (attached below). 

On January 28th, members of the local Native community came out for a prayer vigil outside the courthouse. The results of the prayer were demonstrated by the testimony from Fresno officials which showed how they have covered up crucial evidence for over 46 years. 


The DA presented no witnesses and no evidence. The District Attorney just filed their closing argument (attached below). Chief's legal team has prepared their rebuttal brief (also attached below). The judge has all the documents and will be ready to decide whether or not to grant the habeas.

Stankewitz EH Closing Argument Brief 3-31-24 (pdf)Download
Respondents Final Closing Argument (pdf)Download
Stankewitz EH Rebuttal Brief 5-8-24 (pdf)Download

Court Grants Evidentiary Hearing

Read the order below, as well as Chief's statement

Statement from Douglas Stankewitz re: Order for Evidentiary Hearing:


"I have endured over 45 years of wrongful incarceration, including 20 years in solitary, for the opportunity to prove that I was framed for murder. This evidentiary hearing will help me finally expose the truth about the tragic shooting of Theresa Graybeal. I am saddened that she was senselessly killed and I send my condolences to her family for their loss. 

Thank you to the many mebers of the public who have prayed and supported me in various ways over the years. You have kept me going more than words can describe and I am deeply grateful. We must continue to publicize what has happened in my case, and so many others, to realize justice. Given our adversarial system, publicity creates momentum to keep the spotlight on these cases, and produce the correct ultimate legal outcome.

Your love and support have lifted me to continue to fight against injustice. I ask for your continued prayers and support when I am released."


L

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Acknowledgement

Chief and the legal team have great sympathy for Theresa’s family. We acknowledge that her murder was a tragedy and wish that it had not occurred. Her loss no doubt caused immeasurable pain and sadness to her loved ones over the years. Our hearts and prayers go out to them with a wish for peace and solace.

Learn More

The CASE

The Evidence

The Evidence

Learn more about the events which led Chief to be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death

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The Evidence

The Evidence

The Evidence

Take a look at the evidence, which shows how Chief could not have been the shooter.

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Updates

The Evidence

Updates

See what is currently going on in the fight to free Chief from San Quentin

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