The Guardians

Guardian Ministries files the petition for post-conviction relief with the Florida courts on Quincy’s behalf. The 54-page document includes (among other things): the expert testimony from Dr. Benderschmidt; testimony from another expert, a criminologist Dr. Tobias Black; and the affidavits from Carrie Holland/Pruit, Zeke Huffey, and James Rhoad (June Walker’s ex-husband). The document also uses documents obtained via the Freedom of Information Act to criticize Sheriff Pfitzner’s investigation and highlights the lack of hard evidence against Quincy.

The petition for post-conviction relief marks a turning point in the book: “For the past three months, our work has been done as quietly as possible. If the men who killed Keith Russo know we’re digging, we’re not aware of it. This changes when we file our petition” (160). Shortly after the filing, Guardian Ministries gets an anonymous message via an online messaging platform, From Under Patty’s Porch, telling them to look into the shooting of Kenny Taft, the deputy sheriff who was supposedly killed in a shoot-out with a gang a couple months after Quincy was locked away. The message suggests Kenny wasn’t really shot by a drug dealer, saying “maybe he knew too much” (164).

The Guardian Ministries Team gets another anonymous message via From Under Patty’s Porch: “The salty pelican is an old bar on the Nassau waterfront. Bahamas. Be there next Tuesday at noon. It is important” (168). Post goes and meets the sender of the anonymous messages—it’s Tyler Townsend, Quincy’s former defense lawyer. Shortly after Quincy was locked away, Tyler left Seabrook and quit the law. Post now learns why. Tyler started to get threatening phone calls and messages, telling him to back off—clearly, the people who were responsible for Keith’s death wanted to ensure Quincy took the fall for it. After Quincy’s trial, Tyler was working on an appeal for Quincy. Then, on a trip to Belize, he was drugged, kidnapped, and threatened—dangled over a pit of hungry alligators. When he got home, Tyler received photos in the mail, which he now shows Post: “It’s Tyler, in his boxers, dangling from the zip line with his feet just inches above the raging open mouth and jagged teeth of a large crocodile. The terror in his face is indescribable” (180).

Tyler and Post conclude that a well-organized gang was involved in Keith’s killing, given how complex the scare tactic they used on Tyler was (and that it took place internationally, in Belize). Post has already learned Keith worked for drug gangs in Florida, defending them. Tyler suggests that Keith may have double crossed them. Tyler suggests that Kenny Taft’s murder is linked to Quincy’s case—he notes that Sheriff Pfitzner was in charge of the investigation in both cases. The two theorize Pfitzner was working with the cartels—a theory that seems to be upheld by the fact the Sheriff is living a luxurious retirement in a $1.6 million mansion (despite never earning more than $60,000 per year).

Back in Alabama, DA Chad Falwright has accused Post of evidence tampering, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $5,000. This is all related to the single pubic hair Post took from the evidence file in Duke’s case (which the Guardian Ministries team had tested against DNA from Mark Carter, proving Mark—not Duke—was Emily Broone’s rapist and killer). Post notes Chad is frightened because the biggest triumph of his career is about to turn into his biggest screwup, and he’s up for reelection as DA, “[s]o Chad is fighting back, and hard. Instead of pursuing the lofty goal of finding the truth and unraveling an injustice, he attacks me because I’m trying to prove him wrong and exonerate an innocent man” (188).

Post appears in court to face the tampering charges. When he arrives in court, he learns the usual judge, Judge Raney—an older white man—has had a stroke and won’t appear. A new judge is his place: Judge Marlow, a young Black woman from Birmingham. This is good news for Post and bad news for Falwright, who was clearly expecting to rely on his personal connection with Judge Raney to help make his case. Post explains the only reason Post stole the pubic hair from evidence was because Falwright refused to get it tested. Judge Marlow is suspicious: “Why are you so opposed to DNA testing, Mr. Falwright?” (193). Judge Marlow orders the DNA to be tested.

Post goes to meet Glenn Colacurci, the old lawyer from Seabrook who he spoke to previously about Keith’s death. Glenn asks Post to meet him in Gainesville, Florida—he doesn’t want to meet in Seabrook. Glenn confirms Post’s theory that Quincy’s case is linked to the murder of Kenny Taft: “After Kenny Taft got murdered, there was some speculation that episode did not go down like Pfitzner said. A lot of rumors that Taft got ambushed by his own men, Pfitzner’s boys. Perhaps our fine sheriff was involved in the drug trade, as you suspect” (197-98). Glenn points Post in the direction of Taft’s partner at the time, Brace Gilmer. Brace now goes by Bruce Gilmer and lives in Sun Valley, Idaho. Post goes to meet Bruce; he wonders if Kenny talked to Bruce about what he may have known. However, Bruce is elusive and doesn’t want to answer questions. Post gives him his number in case he changes his mind.

Bruce agrees to talk to Post. He confirms Post’s suspicions regarding Kenny’s shooting: “I’m sure Pfitzner set up the ambush and sent us in. I’m sure Kenny was the target, but they also tried to kill me too, and they would have but I got lucky” (210). Bruce reveals that when the ambush occurred, he fired back with his own gun and managed to hit one of the assailants: “He screamed and yelled something, and, Post, it was not in Spanish. No sir. I know a cracker when I hear one, and that poor bastard grew up within fifty miles of Seabrook” (210). According to Bruce, this proves it was not a random drug gang from Mexico (or another Spanish-speaking country in South or Central America) attacking them. Clearly, Seabrook locals were involved. Bruce also reveals Kenny once told him the fire that destroyed the evidence in Quincy’s case was no accident. However, he has no details.

A court hearing is held regarding the petition for post-conviction relief for Quincy. Judge Plank is there to hear the case. Two strange men with no apparent link to Quincy attend the hearing. The Guardian Ministries team has them investigated by private investigators. One is Mr. Nash Cooley of Miami, a criminal defense lawyer, and the other is Mickey Mercado, a convicted felon with dual Mexican-American citizenship. The men’s bios and their presence at Quincy’s hearing seem to confirm the theory that Quincy’s framing wasn’t just the work of Sheriff Pfitzner but, more specifically, Sheriff Pfitzner in the employ of a drug cartel. The same people who killed Keith Russo 20-plus years ago and had Quincy locked up for it then will not want to see him released now. They are clearly keeping an eye on the case. According to Post: “We have seen the enemy” (222).

The Guardian Ministries team must wait for Judge Plank’s decision. Post is not optimistic: “Florida, like Alabama, does not impose a deadline on judges in post-conviction matters, so old Plank might die before he decides anything” (227). However, the team gets a lucky break when they meet Len Duckworth, a former Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent. Len heard about Guardian Ministries’ efforts to exonerate Quincy and sought the team out: “I applaud what you’re doing. They got the wrong guy because they wanted the wrong guy” (232). Duckworth reveals that the DEA flipped Keith, convincing him to gather evidence and testify against the drug gangs he represented: “He was one of our informants and that’s what got him killed” (232). He further confirms that Quincy didn’t kill Russo: “It was a hit from a cartel” (232). He further reveals that Keith’s wife, Diana, had an affair with Ramon Vasquez of the Saltillo Drug Cartel. The two are still together, living in the Caribbean. However, he’s not sure if Diana knew if Keith was an informant or if she had anything to do with his death. Len confirms that the DEA was thinking of making arrests, including of Sheriff Pfitzner, but red tape got in the way. Len warns the team that the Cartel responsible for killing Keith and framing Quincy is likely watching: “I’d be careful if I were you. It’s safe to assume they’re watching” (238).

Chapter 29 returns to Duke’s case. The pubic hair has been officially tested and excluded Duke as a suspect. Judge Marlowe exonerates Duke, vacating his convictions for rape and murder. Post reveals: “These are the moments we live for. Alabama came within two hours of killing an innocent man. Duke Russell would be cold in his grave if not for us and our work and our commitment to undoing wrongful convictions” (240). Duke is released amid a media frenzy. While happy for his client, Post says the moment is “bittersweet:” “There is anger and frustration with a system that allows wrongful convictions. Almost all can be avoided. Why are we expected to celebrate after an innocent man is freed?” (245). Mark Carter is arrested and charged with Emily Broone’s rape and murder. The Guardian Ministries team celebrates by adding a photo of Duke Russell as a free man to their “wall of fame” of exonerated clients.

With Duke Russell’s case completed, Post shifts his focus back to Quincy. Post is driving when Vicki calls to tell him that Quincy has been jumped and beaten in prison. He’s in the intensive care unit. It seems the people who want to ensure Quincy isn’t exonerated are getting desperate; presumably, they bribed some inmates to kill him. Guardian Ministries wouldn’t continue to try to prove Quincy innocent if he were dead. Post is troubled: “It has never occurred to me that our efforts to save a client might get one killed” (250). Post goes to the hospital and sits outside Quincy’s room—Quincy is unconscious. Two policemen are guarding his room. Post is emotional: “Is Guardian responsible for this? Would Quincy be here if we had declined to take his case? No, he would not. His dream of freedom, as well as our desire to help him, made him a target. I bury my face in my hands and weep” (256).