Questioning the verdict

Aug. 22, 2016

Washington, Iowa

To the Editor:

Aug. 21, 2016, was the anniversary date for the loss of Mrs. Ruth Patterson, 29 years ago. Our prayers go out to her many friends and family. For those who were not here at that time, she was brutally murdered in her home. I was just a young minister who had just come to the community when it happened. A young 21-year-old man by the name of Lewis Eugene Anderson was charged with the heinous crime. I was asked by family members to meet with the Anderson family to help them get through this nightmare situation. That began a 29-year relationship that still carries on to this day.

Over the course of the last 29 years I have continued to examine this case and all the details and I am still 100 percent convinced that our justice system sent the wrong man to prison. The evidence was all circumstantial with absolutely no concrete evidence that linked Mr. Anderson to the crime. There have since been more answers to the crime which unravels the truth to what really went on the night of Aug. 21, 1987. I am convinced that there were no fewer than three people involved in the crime. Some of these people are still running the streets of Washington, free to live their life as they wish while Anderson sits rotting in a prison for a crime he did not do.

I do not try to take away from the loss of a wonderful woman who lived her life in our community, but I will continue to make it my life?s goal to bring the truth out about this injustice that took place. I promise to go to my grave fighting for Lewis Eugene Anderson?s freedom. Continue to pray, not only for the Patterson family, but the Anderson family as well. If you or anyone you know has any information that can help us solve this unsolved mystery, please contact me or call me at 319-653-1735.

The Rev. James Cluney