Timeline | Stand With Edward James

Timeline of Key Events

2003 - Edward was arrested at 18 under a charge labeled sexual assault of a child arising from a teenage relationship later judicially exempted by the courts as age-based and non-violent. However, the label remained on his record.

2005–2010 - Edward spent 6 years in prison as a result of that charge. His Army contract was canceled.

2010–present-day - Edward lived with the consequences of that conviction, including lasting PTSD, while working to rebuild his life.

2019–Feb of 2020 - Edward entered a relationship with "Becca"*. The relationship ended in February of 2020. *name changed to Becca*

Sept. 2020 - Becca moved in with Edward, leaving her furniture / bed at her home (her name is the only one on the lease) with her roommate Geoff.

Mid Feb 2020 - Edward broke up with Becca. She went back to her home with Geoff.

Late Feb 2020 - Becca's coworker/friend took her to the police station and made assault allegations against Edward, unbeknownst to him. Her coworker filled out her sworn statement and Becca didn't sign it. We have attempted to get this statement, but APD will not release it. It was only available at trial to defense counsel.

May 2020 - Edward connected with his now-wife, Kelly, and planned his move to New Jersey, where she lived, to start their lives together.

June 2020 - Edward was arrested for Becca's allegations of assault. Protective Orders were auto-assigned to Edward. Police pressed charges without interviewing or investigating him. Detective Michael Morrison filed the warrant based only on her word. Someone CAN be arrested based on no evidence other than someone's word.

2020 - Edward pled not guilty and retained Dunham and Jones law firm. Over the next two years, they assigned him three different attorneys; communication was minimal. Edward told all three attorneys that his mom and stepbrother lived with him on the night in question and were eyewitnesses that Becca was never there that night. She had already moved out and back in with Geoff.

July/Aug 2020 - Edward moves to New Jersey and begins work at a marina.

Sept 2020 - Becca called police to say Edward was driving by her house and wanted the DA to renew the protective orders. This was false information given to police because Edward was already living in NJ, with timesheets and paystubs to prove he was not in Texas. The protective order charges are dropped.

Feb 2021 - Edward achieves sobriety and becomes a sobriety counselor.

Feb 2022 - Edward and Kelly get married.

2022 - Edward was assigned Andrew Spoon as his final trial counsel. He sent Spoon his personal statement that outlined Becca's history of lying to police - specifically to protect her long-time roommate/boyfriend Geoff. This included Edward witnessing Becca and Geoff plan a coverup story to police about an incident where Geoff "fired shots" in an Amarillo apartment complex. Geoff was on probation during that time and during the time Becca made the allegations against Edward to police.

2023 - The year goes by with almost no communication from Edward's trial counsel.

2024 - The case proceeded to trial. Andrew Spoon never requested or investigated Edward's statement about Becca lying to police 5 months before she alleged the assault by Edward. Spoon appeared to have no defense strategy. He told Edward not to testify because the 2003 conviction would be used against him to make him look like a threatening sexual predator. The 2003 charge was inadmissible and should never have been admitted; however, hid defense counsel failed to object and instead told Edward not to testify. (Habeas Corpus, Page 6)

2024 - The jury only heard Becca's story and was not informed of key facts that would have likely altered their verdict. Edward was convicted, sentenced to 5 years, and released post-conviction on bond pending appeal.

2024 - Edward followed the appeal process. He was allowed to reside in NJ at home with his wife.

See the Post-Conviction Timeline with links for further details.

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