By: Carrie A. Fowler
I am supporting this site to shine a light on Georgia’s broken judicial system and the illegal and/or immoral actions of the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC). I was introduced to the Georgia criminal justice system and GDC after my brother, Samuel, was arrested, convicted, and started serving multiple life sentences plus 150 years.
To tell his story, his name is Samuel “Sam” Lewis Fowler. Sam was convicted of the worst offenses imaginable. He was indicted, then tried on fifty-one counts of child molestation, rape, and other charges against his then fifteen-year-old stepdaughter.
Sam was convicted with the use of forensic evidence. With that being said, there is also evidence to prove he is, in fact, innocent of these crimes.
Attached as #I is the Scottish rite report of an examination conducted of the victim showing there was not any acute or chronic trauma to the hymen or vaginal vestibule.
Attached as #2 and #3 are notes from Sam’s counselors. These note a discrepancy in the DNA that was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The GBI collected samples including buccal swabs, blood, hair, and nail samples from Sam at Reidsville State Prison because the sample taken at Jackson State Prison during intake did not match what was already on file in CODIS.
The property receipt of the buccal swabs taken from Sam upon his arrest has a broken chain of custody and doesn’t show it was ever sent to GBI. (I personally saw this form and am in the process of trying to obtain a copy.)
· The deputy that obtained Sam’s buccal swab testified he used a certain type of swab. The GBI technician testified later that she ran the DNA on a totally different type of swab
Sam and his ex-wife were awarded $250,000 settlement in part for loss of intimacy due to a spinal cord injury. His ex-wife testified that Sam could not perform sexually since the injury. I am trying to locate this transcript.
In telling Sam’s story, I am going to show that his case has been handled atrociously. From his arrest to sentencing and his appellate process and the injustices he has had to endure in prison.
Sam’s story is one of unbelievable struggles and injustices. However, some good has come from this. Sam has helped numerous other inmates with their cases, and, in some cases, those were able to get out of prison. He was able to save a female officer from certain rape, and he has touched many prison officials.
Prior to the beginning of this nightmare, he was a positive role model for the young men he coached in football and wrestling. The Times-Courier, a newspaper in Ellijay Georgia, hailed him a hero after making sure people were evacuated during a structural fire. He was a trusted friend to many and a loving and caring son and brother.
Sam desperately needs our help. Please take a minute to learn more about this site and how you can help.