Mike Mette Needs Your Help

I'd like to take a few minutes of your time to draw your attention to a man who needs your help.

Mike Mette is a Chicago Police officer who is currently fighting for his job and his freedom after being wrongfully convicted of a crime in Dubuque, Iowa, and sentenced to 5 years in prison. Here's the short version of the story:

Mike was visiting his brother in Dubuque, where they stopped by a party near his brother's home. They looked around and decided to leave, and a guy at the party took offense. The guy and a friend followed Mike down the street. This guy eventually attacked Mike, and Mike knocked him out. Through a bizarre series of events, Mike got charged with a felony, and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Mike has gotten an unbelievably raw deal, and the more I've heard about the case the angrier I've gotten. Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass has described the sentence as "hogwash" and he also wrote a follow-up column. Word has started to get out, and tonight Mike's case is going to be featured on Anderson Cooper's show on CNN.

A number of friends, family and fellow officers have gotten together and formed a defense fund for Mike: The Michael Mette Defense Fund

I urge you to visit the site and look around; there are links to several articles and documents relating to the case. There is going to be a fundraiser on Thursday, August 23 if you live in the Chicago area.

Please donate something if you can. This is a good man going through a nightmarish experience, and he needs all the help and support he can get.

Thank you!