I know him to be a gentle and loving spirit-- a sensitive creative with loads of talent and abundant vision. When at school together (in Art History) we lived close by one another so I would go over and help with his recording process when he needed a back-up vocal. He was the first person to tell me I had a voice. I use that voice to this day, thanks to his vote of confidence and encouragement of a shy girl who was always quiet. I want to help HIM find his voice when he gets out. It is shattering and shocking that he would be sent to prison and kept there. It is unconscionable. I can only pray that he has not been horribly scarred by this experience. He always said he would know my voice anywhere. I hope he gets to hear it again.
S
Sarah Harris
10 years ago
Featured
Tragedy... such tragedy... and such a loss for society to have Richard still behind bars.
M
Miguel Montoya
10 years ago
Featured
It is absolutely atrocious and extremely unfair for such a harsh and extreme punishment to be carried out on such a peaceful unassuming man who had no idea that being in the wrong place at the wrong time would mean over 10 years in jail for such a slight infraction. The Sedona police have shown a habitual pattern overreacting in the extreme and did not need to taze this peace loving man in any way, shape or form, and their actions should have a consequence. Richard is such a kind and gentle soul, clearly three police officers could've spoken to him and even wrestled him to the ground if need be without electrocuting him!
S
Sky H.
11 years ago
My friend had the same thing happen to him--and by the EXACT same officers that abused Salem. They did everything they could to TRY to get my friend to resist arrest (for a very minor misdemeanor that he was not even guilty of!). They kept terrifying him by yelling at him "quit resisting!" and he had the foresight to keep stating back that "I am NOT resisting". Luckily there were witnesses present who heard this and saw this. Noting that, they then dragged him outside and jammed a tazer against his flesh. Luckily, a witness outside prevented them from tazing him (this is common practice with sedona pd, btw). They wanted badly to get him for more than a mere misdemeanor.... Had there not been witnesses, they would have tazed the heck out of him--and he may have resisted out of fear and pain.....and be in the same boat as this poor man, Salem. Knowing that the same officers did this to Salem makes me very sad and angry about this situation, and I have no doubt this man was abused and is innocent too. I hope this helps!
S
Sky H.
11 years ago
My friend had the same thing happen to him--and by the EXACT same officers that abused Salem. They did everything they could to TRY to get my friend to resist arrest (for a very minor misdemeanor that he was not even guilty of!). They kept terrifying him by yelling at him "quit resisting!" and he had the foresight to keep stating back that "I am NOT resisting". Luckily there were witnesses present who heard this and saw this. Noting that, they then dragged him outside and jammed a tazer against his flesh. Luckily, a witness outside prevented them from tazing him (this is common practice with sedona pd, btw). They wanted badly to get him for more than a mere misdemeanor.... Had there not been witnesses, they would have tazed the heck out of him--and he may have resisted out of fear and pain.....and be in the same boat as this poor man, Salem. Knowing that the same officers did this to Salem makes me very sad and angry about this situation, and I have no doubt this man was abused and is innocent too. I hope this helps!
S
Steven Pittengee
11 years ago
I'm hoping you are free soon.
S
Steven Pittengee
11 years ago
I'm hoping you are free soon.
T
Trish Salisbury
11 years ago
Featured
I lived briefly in Sedona beginning in the fall of 2006 and heard Richard Salem play one night at Ravenheart Coffee House. I didn't know his story at that time, but learned in the following weeks what had happened. The whole thing is outrageous and all these years later I cannot believe he is still in prison. His music and presence were beautiful in that coffee house and this is anything but justice.
T
Trish Salisbury
11 years ago
Featured
I lived briefly in Sedona beginning in the fall of 2006 and heard Richard Salem play one night at Ravenheart Coffee House. I didn't know his story at that time, but learned in the following weeks what had happened. The whole thing is outrageous and all these years later I cannot believe he is still in prison. His music and presence were beautiful in that coffee house and this is anything but justice.
K
Kimberly Paige
12 years ago
This is a ludicrous example of how broken out judicial system is.
S
Sarah Lyons
15 years ago
Featured
I remember Richard from his music days. He was always so sweet and quiet. Watching this happen to him is just heartbreaking and shows how messed up the system is. He never belonged in prison.
I believe that railroad him
I know him to be a gentle and loving spirit-- a sensitive creative with loads of talent and abundant vision. When at school together (in Art History) we lived close by one another so I would go over and help with his recording process when he needed a back-up vocal. He was the first person to tell me I had a voice. I use that voice to this day, thanks to his vote of confidence and encouragement of a shy girl who was always quiet. I want to help HIM find his voice when he gets out. It is shattering and shocking that he would be sent to prison and kept there. It is unconscionable. I can only pray that he has not been horribly scarred by this experience. He always said he would know my voice anywhere. I hope he gets to hear it again.
Tragedy... such tragedy... and such a loss for society to have Richard still behind bars.
It is absolutely atrocious and extremely unfair for such a harsh and extreme punishment to be carried out on such a peaceful unassuming man who had no idea that being in the wrong place at the wrong time would mean over 10 years in jail for such a slight infraction. The Sedona police have shown a habitual pattern overreacting in the extreme and did not need to taze this peace loving man in any way, shape or form, and their actions should have a consequence. Richard is such a kind and gentle soul, clearly three police officers could've spoken to him and even wrestled him to the ground if need be without electrocuting him!
My friend had the same thing happen to him--and by the EXACT same officers that abused Salem. They did everything they could to TRY to get my friend to resist arrest (for a very minor misdemeanor that he was not even guilty of!). They kept terrifying him by yelling at him "quit resisting!" and he had the foresight to keep stating back that "I am NOT resisting". Luckily there were witnesses present who heard this and saw this. Noting that, they then dragged him outside and jammed a tazer against his flesh. Luckily, a witness outside prevented them from tazing him (this is common practice with sedona pd, btw). They wanted badly to get him for more than a mere misdemeanor.... Had there not been witnesses, they would have tazed the heck out of him--and he may have resisted out of fear and pain.....and be in the same boat as this poor man, Salem. Knowing that the same officers did this to Salem makes me very sad and angry about this situation, and I have no doubt this man was abused and is innocent too. I hope this helps!
My friend had the same thing happen to him--and by the EXACT same officers that abused Salem. They did everything they could to TRY to get my friend to resist arrest (for a very minor misdemeanor that he was not even guilty of!). They kept terrifying him by yelling at him "quit resisting!" and he had the foresight to keep stating back that "I am NOT resisting". Luckily there were witnesses present who heard this and saw this. Noting that, they then dragged him outside and jammed a tazer against his flesh. Luckily, a witness outside prevented them from tazing him (this is common practice with sedona pd, btw). They wanted badly to get him for more than a mere misdemeanor.... Had there not been witnesses, they would have tazed the heck out of him--and he may have resisted out of fear and pain.....and be in the same boat as this poor man, Salem. Knowing that the same officers did this to Salem makes me very sad and angry about this situation, and I have no doubt this man was abused and is innocent too. I hope this helps!
I'm hoping you are free soon.
I'm hoping you are free soon.
I lived briefly in Sedona beginning in the fall of 2006 and heard Richard Salem play one night at Ravenheart Coffee House. I didn't know his story at that time, but learned in the following weeks what had happened. The whole thing is outrageous and all these years later I cannot believe he is still in prison. His music and presence were beautiful in that coffee house and this is anything but justice.
I lived briefly in Sedona beginning in the fall of 2006 and heard Richard Salem play one night at Ravenheart Coffee House. I didn't know his story at that time, but learned in the following weeks what had happened. The whole thing is outrageous and all these years later I cannot believe he is still in prison. His music and presence were beautiful in that coffee house and this is anything but justice.
This is a ludicrous example of how broken out judicial system is.
I remember Richard from his music days. He was always so sweet and quiet. Watching this happen to him is just heartbreaking and shows how messed up the system is. He never belonged in prison.