**URGENT** Thomas "Olatunji" White wrongful incarceration

I am writing this statement on behalf of my family and loved one.

On Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 Thomas ‘Olatunji’ White left home at 8627 S Exchange to walk to the gas station/corner store on 83rd and Commercial. He made it to 85th and Commercial when he was stopped by the police. The officers questioned him about this whereabouts asking him “what was he doing on 86th and Escanaba some minutes earlier?” Tunji adamantly denied being on 86th and Escanaba. They searched him and found nothing on him. Some minutes later as they had him against their car another car drove by and the police informed him that someone in the car identified him as a burglar who burglarized a home on 86th and Escanaba. The perpetrator was an African American Male, tall, light-skinned with a beard, wearing a brown coat. He was then arrested. Tunji has denied this charge. The items that were taken from the residence was a vacuum cleaner and a duffel bag with tools, which were left on the front porch of the house, recovered by the police and returned to the owner of the house.

On Wednesday, October 7th, he was transported to a bond hearing on 26th and California and he was charged with residential burglary, a class 1 felony, with a minimum 4yr sentence in a state penitentiary and no probation, his bond was set at $75,000. This requires $7,500 to release on bond.

Then on Tuesday, October 13th he had a court date at 737 E 111th Street, the state attorney asked for a continuance on the case until the following Wednesday ,October 21st. On Wednesday, October 21st, the state attorney asked for a continuance to the next day on Thursday, October 22nd because the eye witness was unable to make the October 21st date. On Thursday, October 22nd the state attorney asked for a continuance until Wednesday, November 4th because the eye witness informed them that she was threatened not to appear in court and they need to investigate the threats made to their eye witness. This is so preposterous.

Olatunji is a family man, a graduate of Northwestern University, class of 1992, with a degree in music, was president of the Black Student Union while at Northwestern, a great musician. He has traveled abroad to Europe with Hypnotic Brass Ensemble also with The Black Monks. Wrote and produced on the BSTC album ‘Music for a Saturday evening’ which also featured one of his original pieces Venus and Mars. He has worked on project with the legendary Steve Miggedy Maestro and the group Brio, musical projects with Eli El, Enoch, and Tiaybe. Currently he is working with Aquilla Sadalla on releasing her CD. While planning a trip to Ohio to see his son Mandi play football. Tunji is also an active member of End Times Gospel Church at 8611 S Exchange where he is the guitarist in the music ministry. He is known to canvass that community every Saturday with other members distributing literature for the church.

This is truly a case of mistaken identity. I am asking for every one who sees this statement please help and support our efforts to get Olatunji out of jail. Please keep our family in your prayers. You can also visit him to give him support during this ordeal. His visitation hours and days are as follows: Sundays from 9am – 6pm, 2750 S Sacramento, he is in Division 2 (Thomas White). To make a donation please contact Donna Cannon 773-507-0191.

As of November 4th, the state attorney has indited Thomas ‘Olatunji’ White on the charges. There is also a website set up by one of his former classmates of Northwestern University, Clifford Morehead, where donations can be made http://www.cliffordmorehead.com/thomas_tunji_white/
His next court date is November 20th at 26th and California, court room #101 at 9am