Thomas Blevins is a good friend of ours through the choir at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. 

He was a middle-school band director in Catoosa County GA until about 4 years ago, when he was falsely accused of sexually assaulting a former student.  After a trial severely lacking in credible evidence and featuring unchecked misconduct by the prosecution, he was convicted on enough counts to send him to prison for 40 years.  (This county has a record of this sort of issues.) His wife, a teacher in Chattanooga, lost her job as a result, so she and his two young children have depended on her family for support as she retrains.  His family and a few friends (including us) have financed his defense so far, but are tapped out.  His lawyer has charged him far less than the usual fees, but insists on $6000 by July 20 to go forward with his appeal the following day, to pay for appeal fees and his expenses.  If this deadline goes by, he can no longer appeal under Georgia law.  Thus we need help now!  

We, and his lawyer, are optimistic that if the appeal is granted, the county will not attempt a new trial.  They should realize that they cannot legitimately get a conviction.

If this campaign should raise more than the necessary amount, and there is no retrial, the remainder will go to Thomas as he attempts to rebuild his life and start a new career.

Please contribute what you can.