Frum newspaper Yated Ne’eman published the following editorial on Mar 2, 2016:
Last week’s story about Sholom Rubashkin‘s state case being expunged from the record electrified the community, triggering an outpouring of congratulatory phone calls and letters.
The wave of happiness that engulfed people all over the world at the news testifies to how deeply embedded is the collective concern over Sholom’s plight and the abiding quest for justice in the long-running Rubashkin saga.
Many who confused the state case with the federal case still moving forward, rejoiced at the thought that Sholom was about to be released. Unfortunately, that is not (yet) the case. He remains incarcerated in federal prison. In another month he will have spent 2340 days behind bars, a small part of his 27-year sentence.
The status of his legal case depends on the outcome of a powerful motion presently before the Court – one of the last avenues of justice available to him in the American legal system.
Many of the letters that poured in following last week’s story queried whether the expungement of state case would exert any influence over the federal one.
It goes without saying that a defendant reputed to be a villain does not stand a good chance of eliciting mercy from a judge.
The view of Sholom circulated at the time of his trial as a chronic lawbreaker who exploited child labor and mistreated his workers undercut hopes of a more lenient sentence than the shocking 25 years prosecutors recommended for financial offenses. As is well-known, his sentence surpassed even that.
As the story behind the expungement of the state case against Sholom is revisited, awareness grows in many quarters that the fantastic inventions painting him as a heartless corporate boss presiding over a den of crime were never true. That image, a product of malicious slander and fantasy, unraveled at the state trial.
Although prejudice tends to die hard, one hopes the truth will gain increasing traction and mobilize efforts to support Sholom in his ongoing quest for justice, specifically regarding the 2255 Motion now before the Court.
THIS IS A HORRIBLE SITUATION!
POOR S.M. RUBASHKIN! BRUTAL JUDGEMENT…FITTING FOR A BRUTAL DICTATORSHIP! PRAYER, TZEDAKAH, UNITY AMONG JEWS AND ALL AMERICA N O W !
HIS POOR SUFFERING FAMILY! H O R R I B L E !
Teach ‘The 7 Noahide Laws’ and save America from its barbaric ways! America is on the downfall, according to ‘The Economist’ America, back in the 80s was the best place in the world to live, now it’s #16 in least desirable places. I’ve told one Rubashkin to interest his family in making a simple, documentary video and distribute millions around America. One lawyer, in one of Debbie Maimon’s great articles which were on the Internet a lot, said that if Americans knew what the government did to S.M. Rubashkin “they’d be rioting in the streets.” The Rubashkin believes Americans are… Read more »
The record was sealed for only one reason: because the law says anybody who is acquitted is entitled to this. The judge had no discretion.
He made a mistake. Ok. 27 years????!! He belongs home with his family. The punishment fit the crime of homicide. This should have been a civil matter or MINOR criminal matter at worst.
Mrs. Rubashkin sent out a text a couple days ago saying get your dancing shoes on. a miracle will happen before our eyes because this is the Purim of modern times!
Outrageous. We must daven for a miracle right away in the merit of releasing Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin from this degrading and unbeleivable circumstance
#5 I. HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS ALL THE TIME. VOTE FOR TRUMP BECAUSE HE WILL PARDON SMR
As far as we are concerned, it is incumbent upon us to do what the holy Torah directs us to do. We must never despair, even under the most awesome conditions. As the Rebbe taught us, “Tracht Gut Vet Zein Gut”.
Our response must be to tirelessly continue to pound on the gates of heaven and beseech the Al-Mighty’s mercy. For whatever the Al-Mighty wills, it is so. We have only to plead for mercy. May it be the will of the Al-Mighty that he redeem his children from bondage speedily.
The problem with the motion is, that its due to be heard by the same nasty vindictive judge reade who presided over his trial, and threw the book on him. Lets pray that she has the same change of heart, that paroh had in mitzrayim when he told the jews to leave. In the month of adar we shall merit miraclesl, and SMR, should be united with his family immediately.
Number 5, Can you PLEASE give us the source for your comment that Trump would pardon him? He may win after all.
Our sitting president will surely not pardon him and I understand that when he was just a candidate, he already told the Iowa senator that “we will make sure to investigate”
Hashem Yerachem on this inspiring man and his wonderful family. Amen
There IS no “story behind the expungement of the state case”. He was acquitted, so the records of the case have been sealed. That is ALL. It doesn’t mean the state admits he’s innocent. The prosecutors will still tell you that they believe he’s guilty, they just couldn’t prove it beyond reasonable doubt. It doesn’t even mean the records are actually destroyed. They still exist, they’re just sealed. Under the new Iowa law ANYONE who is acquitted, or against whom all charges are dropped, is entitled to this as soon as six months have passed, so long as the reason… Read more »
This month of Adar is auspicious for dealing with courts.may we see im out of jail NOW!
that is a long time behind bars
i sit in class for 7 hrs a day and i think I’m in jail
i guess not!
he shud be released asap
We need moshiach! Now! Enough! Let this Jew go! He is precious to us!
ALL I CAN SAY IS A RESOUNDING O M E I N!!!!
They probably took it off the record to avoid lawsuits over the case.
People need to make shalom with one another, including Crown Heights infighting.Do it for Sholom.Couples and neighbors need to make sholom. Do it for Sholom.
Actually his 2255 was filed on time ! That judge has been sitting on it ! Keep davening cuz Hashem is definitely with this amazing man !! And nissim will happen very soon iyH 🙂
The above article states that the status of the legal case
depends on the outcome of a powerful motion presently
before the court. May Hashem grant us all Bsuros Toivois.
Is so right the only ones smiling are the lawyers who killed this case they raised millions for him and its all gone and so is he
I’m so upset, LET HIM GO!!
Rumor has it that Donald J Trump claims that if elected he will immediately pardon Sholom Mordechai.
May Hashem bring about a v’nahapechu- a complete turn-about!
Say tihilim everyday for Shalom!
We will hear good news soon!
Is there anything we can do, for example an address where we can all send letters to, and ask for Justice!
way 2 burst our bubble
Sadly, there is a one year limit on motion 2255, and a year has long passed. Also the other rules applicable to motion 2255 aren’t relevant here. SMR is a victim of ill advice and inadequate representation, which continues to this day, and at this juncture only a presidential pardon will release him from jail. I am.sure that many Jews have learned some hard lessons because of his case, first and foremost the importance of taking a plea deal.when offered, showing remorse even when innocent, and following the conditions of release to the T. May God have mercy on him… Read more »