PETITION TO PAROLE THE KILBANE BROTHERS

Friends,

While many of you have visited this website, few are signing our on-line petition to the Parole Board.

Please take copy and paste, or type, the following URL into your browser:

http://www.petitiononline.com/062709/petition.html

You make a difference.

Go maith raibh agat.

Friends of tne Kilbane Brothers - Please sign the Petition.

Dear Friends and Family,

Please copy and paste the line below into your browser and sign the petition.

http://www.petitiononline.com/062709/petition.html

Please sign it and help us spend the remaining years of our lives with our loved ones. You can make a difference.

http://www.petitiononline.com/062709/petition.html

CURE-Ohio speaks out for Friends of the Kilbane Brothers

Dear Sir,

I write to Owen Kilbane from time to time and he referred me to your website. I was astounded to learn so much about the brothers that never came out in correspondence, primarily their strong Irish affiliation and their history as young men. Quite fascinating; a nice job on your part! Thank you!

I urge you to update the website with the depressing news that the brothers were flopped again. The Ohio Parole Board is SO out of control, keeping these older, Old-Law prisoners longer and longer. If released now, many of them could still find some productive work, support themselves, earn a few SS credits, and pay taxes. Kept longer, they are more likely to develop chronic medical problems, so when they are released they will need medical assistance or a nursing home--at taxpayer expense. The parole board doesn't seem to ever look at those ramifications.

Karen Thimmes
Columbus, OH
(board member of CURE-Ohio,
Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants)

Friends of the Kilbane Brothers On-line Petition

Dear Friends and Family,

http://www.petitiononline.com/062709/petition.html

Please sign the petition and help us spend the remaining years of our lives with our loved ones. You can make a difference.

http://www.petitiononline.com/062709/petition.html

A LETTER TO THE PAROLE BOARD

July 25, 2009

Adult Parole Authority
Ms. Cynthia B. Mausser, Chair
770 West Broad St.
Columbus, Ohio 43222

RE: Martin Kilbane (148299) and Owen Kilbane (148329)

Dear Ms. Mausser and Parole Board Members,

Having been active in the Irish community in northeast Ohio over the years, I have always been aware of who Martin and Owen Kilbane were. Being a published writer, I have a natural curiosity about people and places. Being semi-retired this year, and having a bit more “free time”, I took it upon myself to find out more about the brothers. And, as I suspected, they have roots in County Mayo, Ireland, as I do.

I undertook the idea to meet them personally and have done so on more than one occasion. They are two men who have been incarcerated for thirty years for involvement in horrendous crimes in their youth. I discovered they are two men who are now spiritually-connected, and obviously not the same brash and misdirected men they were thirty years ago.

What is amazing about their story is the fact that everybody else associated with the crimes are walking free today. Well, Judge Robert Steele, died in prison. One triggerman, who murdered two people, was even given a new identity in government witness protection. He is out and about while Owen and Martin languish.

These model prisoners have both obtained college degrees. Sons of an alcoholic and absent father, they were never connected to their ethnic roots. Now, however, both are pursuing that discovery with great vigor. They attend Catholic Mass and are now members of the Medina-county based Irish Brigade Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, an Irish and Catholic fraternal Order. They are now also members of the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland.

Martin and Owen are now relatively old men. I say that even though they are younger than me. Please consider releasing them to their families and loved ones to allow them to spend their few remaining years outside Grafton’s walls.

Thank you for your consideration of my request.

Sincerely,

ACHIEVEMENTS AND EDUCATION - OWEN KILBANE

ACHIEVEMENTS and EDUCATION
Owen Kilbane A148-329


•:. AMERICAN RED CROSS

> Organized and founded a branch of the American Red Cross at the Grafton Correctional Institution (GCI) in 1989
• Presently Chairman of the Rules and Procedures Committee
• Former Chairman of the Board of Directors
• Nine members of the Branch have received Certificates of Merit* from the President of the United States for saving or sustaining lives
• One of the branch members help save the life of Mrs. Majors a staff member at the Grafton Correctional Institution



•:• NATIONAL AWARD NOMINATION

> On November 14, 1997, Owen Kilbane attempting to save the life of Pete Valazque by performing CPR
• On December 12, 1997 nominated for Certificate of Merit*
• February 1998 received a Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action
> On March 28, 1999, Owen Kilbane attempting to save the life and successfully sustaining the life of John Venes by performing CPR
• On April 14, 1999 nominated for a Certificate of Merit*

•:~ AWARDED CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

> On March 17, 2000 President Clinton signed a Certificate of Merit* for Owen Kilbane for successfully sustaining the life of John Venus (please see copy attached to this document)

* Certificate of Merit awarded to person(s) having saved or sustained a life. It is the highest award given by the American Red Cross and is signed by the President of the United States.


•:• EDUCATION

~ Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Ashland University )~- Special Skills
Computer Programs/Applications
• Office XP, MS Windows 2007, MS Enterprise Office 2007, MS Word 2007, MS Excel 2007, MS Access 2007, MS Power Point 2007, MS Publisher 2007
• Investment Management
• Stock Analysis, Portfolio Management
• Small Business Development and Administration
• Marketing, Business Management, Organizational Analysis, Business Proposal Development
• Junior Degree in Accounting
• Auditing, Cash/Accrual Accounting
• Communications Skills
• Debate Coach Ashland University, Speech Writing, Article Published, Learning Magazine
• Prison Media Literacy, Cleveland State University
• Video Tape Editing, Camera Operator

•:• JUVENILE OFFENDERS PROGRAM

> Former member of Heart to Heart
• A positive interaction program between Juveniles and convicts at GCI
> US Justice Department, Youth Offenders Program
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ACHIEVEMENTS and EDUCATION Owen Kilbane A148-329


• Dir. John Dawson, Director, participated in Justice Dept. Problem & Responses for Juvenile offenders

•:• CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR

> COMMUNITY FIRST AID AND SAFETY
• Standard First Aid
• CPR/AED Automated External Defibrillator certified
• Three time winner of Instructor of the year
> AIDS Awareness
> Preventing Disease Control
> Facts For Life
~ Stress Management/Stress Busters
~ Positive Effective Parenting Program
> Laubach Tutor/ProLiteracy America

•:• PROGRAM PARTICIPATION

~ Vietnam Veterans, Lima Chapter 261 Instructor Job Search
• instructor Real Estate Acquisition
> Victim Awareness Program, Grafton
• Graduate and Alumni
~ Am Vets,
• Instructor Personal Finance Course
> Jaycees, Grafton Valley
• Presidential Advisor
• Charter Member
> Jaycees, Lima Ottawa Valley
• Public Relations Director
• Instructor Small Business Development
~ Grafton Braille Program
~ Motivational Guide Development
> Survive & Thrive in Flard Times Guide
~ Guest Speaker, G.C.I. programs.

•:• MISCELLANEOUS PARTICIPATION
> Community Service Workshop, GCI Program
~ Positive Solutions, GCI Program
> Organized and Coached
• Softball, Football, and Volleyball teams
• Division and Institutional Championship 1985-91

•:• OBJECTIVE UPON RELEASE
~ Reunited with Family
~ Restitution to the Victims Family and Community
> Employment
• Real Estate Management
• HotellMotel Management
• Securities Analysis
• Web Page design and development
~ Restore damage done to Family and Friends
> Expand PROs and CONs Project nationally PROs and CONs Project is a unique Restorative Justice Re-entr~Program
2 of 2 1108-0000-AN AutoB-lOl

ACHIEVEMENTS AND EDUCATION - MARTYN KILBANE

ACHIEVEMENTS and EDUCATION
Martyn Kilbane A148-299



•:• NATIONAL AWARD NOMINATION

On November 14, 1997, Martyn Kilbane attempting to save the life of Pete
Valazque by performing CPR
• On December 12, 1997 nominated for Certificate of Merit*
• February 1998 received a Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action

On March 28, 1999, Martyn Kilbane attempting to save the life and
successfully sustaining the life of John Venes by performing CPR
• On April 14, 1999 nominated for a Certificate of Merit*

•:• AWARDED CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

On March 17, 2000 President Clinton signed a Certificate of Merit* for
Martyn Kilbane for successfully sustaining the life of John Venus (please
see copy aftached to this document)

* Certificate of Merit awarded to person(s) having saved or sustained a life.
It is the highest award given by the American Red Cross and is signed by the
President of the United States.


•:• EDUCATION

B. A. in Social Sciences 1990 University of Findlay
A.A. in Humanities 1986 Findlay College
A.A. in Sociology 1980 Shawnee State University
G.E.D. 1977 LucasvilleEDGED

•:~ JUVENILE OFFENDERS PROGRAM

J.A.I.L. program at Lucasville- Juvenile Awareness of Institutional Life -
counseling youth who come on tour to Lucasville 1979
1992 Chief John Walsh, Richfield Village Police brings youth down for Owen
and Martyn to talk with and tour the Grafton Correctional Institution
US Justice Department, Youth Offenders Program Dir. John Dawson, Director,
participated in Justice Dept. Problem & Responses for Juvenile offenders

•:• PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
1991 Chairman of AA meetings at Grafton Correctional Institution for 6 month
1989 one of the founding members of the GCI Branch of American Red Cross
2008 Guest Speaker, G.C.I. Programs
2008 Certificate for Red Cross Real Estate Program


•• INSTITUTIONAL RECORD Excellent
Work Record Excellent
Minimum Security since 1990
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WRITE THE PAROLE BOARD

Family, friends and loved ones of anyone incarcerated in the Ohio Prison System are encouraged by the Adult Parole Authority to provide evidence of support for their release on parole. One way to do this is through a Letter to the Parole Board showing your support. Letters of support are evidence that you care and are willing to help. You have the right to voice your opinion; all correspondence is taken into consideration.

Please look over Owen and Martin Kilbane's Accomplishment sheets for ideas to mention in any correspondence with the Parole Board. They have served over 30 years on a minimum sentence of 15 years to life and have an excellent prison record.

There are no rules for support letters. It is very important that the Parole Board knows about your support. All letters to the Parole Board are confidential and are not made public. Sending letters of support gives you an opportunity to share in the decision-making p;rocess. Encourage others to write and let their voice be heard. Many prison staff members have told them they have one of the best prison records in the entire prison system.

Letters can be hand-written or typed. Just explain why you feel a parole is good for all concerned; list some of the accomplishments the brothers have achieved while in prison.

Please send a letter to:

Adult Parole Authority
Ms. Cynthia B. Mausser, Chair
770 West Broad St.
Columbus, Ohio 43222. Send a copy to: Friends of the Kilbane Brothers
POB 670685
Northfield, OH 44067 0685.

You can also call the Parole Board Authority at 614-752-1164.

FAILTE - WELCOME

to the Friends of the Kilbane Brothers web blog. Please read their story and sign the on-line petition. "They've done their time." We can be reached via e-mail at thekilbanebrothers@yahoo.com.

Redemption - the story of the brothers Kilbane

By

JC Sullivan


On July 13, 2003, the Cleveland Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine published a front-page story titled “They’ve Done Their Time”. The story was about two young Irish-American Cleveland gangsters, Martin and Owen Kilbane. The headline of the article was quoting FBI Special Agent Robert Ressler, who investigated the young brothers and helped put them behind bars. “They earned their freedom,” he said. However, the back room politics of using little fish to catch bigger ones surround this very public case, one that isn’t over yet. What follows is the story’s history.

● July, 1968. Richard Robbins shot and killed Ted Brown in Cleveland Heights,
Although the Kilbanes had no part in it, the event would later link them
to Robbins.

● August,1968. Phil Christopher shot and killed Arnie Prunella, a rival gangster of the
Kilbane Brothers.

● January, 1969. Richard Robbins shot and killed Marlene Steele in Euclid, Ohio. She
was the wife of Euclid Municipal Judge Robert Steele.

Brothers Owen and Martin Kilbane, and their sister Peggy, grew up in Cleveland Heights, raised in the home of their paternal grandparents, Anthony J, Kilbane, a plumber and emigrant from Achill, County Mayo, Ireland and Mary McCoy Kilbane. Their mother Ruth was a Registered Nurse. Their father, John J. Kilbane, was absent during their childhood years, a result of alcoholism. As children, they attended St. Ann’s Grade School. Their grandfather would later provide the boys with two years of military academy discipline.

Owen was just 16 years old when he went along with an older friend who robbed a Cleveland Heights delicatessen. The friend was caught and dropped a dime on Owen, who then became the youngest inmate in the old Mansfield, Ohio prison. Owen said, “I became angry and bitter and had to fight for my life. I wasn’t old enough to get the offer eighteen year old first-timers did back then - go into the military or go to jail. Had I been given that option you wouldn’t be talking to me from prison.” Martin added, "What came back was a mean, nasty person, who was going to get back at the world for screwing him like that.”

When he was finally released, a hard-bitten Owen put his organizational and prison-learned skills to work. He was a millionaire by age 25. With Martin as a partner, they amassed their fortune through gambling, loan sharking, and prostitution. One of their clients for the latter trade was Judge Steele. Both regret the day they met him.

Steele commissioned the brothers to hire someone to murder his wife, who would not agree to a divorce. Owen at first tried to talk Steele out of it. He mentioned it to his brother Martin and both were amazed a Judge would do such a deceitful deed. When Richard Robbins, who was AWOL from the Marines, found out about Steele plan, he immediately requested the job.

Because of his high-profile racketeering investigations, the FBI’s Robert Ressler, was assigned to investigate Owen’s activities. While doing so he uncovered information that implicated Robbins, the Kilbane brothers and Robert Steele in the murder of Steele’s wife.

Cleveland Heights Police were convinced Robbins killed Ted Brown. Knowing Robbins was a weak link, they built a case on him and in 1976 he was convicted for Browne’s murder. Sentenced to life, he contacted Euclid, Ohio police from his cell in a Chillicothe, Ohio prison and began to deal for his testimony in the Steele case. The deal got Robbins immunity in the Steele murder and a commutation in the Browne murder. For his testimony he was freed after serving only six years in the Brown murder and NO time for the Steele murder.

The Kilbane brothers and Steele were convicted of the Steele murder in 1977 and sentenced to 15 years to life for the crime. However, after serving four years, they were released on bond after, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, “a federal judge ruled that the prosecutor had made prejudicial remarks and that the trial judge had erred by allowing FBI agent Ressler to read to the jurors a statement he had taken from Carol Braun.” That prosecutor was Carmen Marino.

While out on bond for his wife’s murder, Robert Steele began working with the prosecutor, trying to convince them he had nothing to do with his wife’s murder. The prosecutor knew better but wanted any other information Steele had on the Kilbane Brothers. Steele said he was aware they had a problem with a rival gangster named Arnie Prunella who had been killed and dumped in Lake Erie.

Police had information that Phil Christopher had killed Prunella, so now it seemed all the pieces were together to make a conviction in this murder. In 1983, while the Kilbanes were still out on bond on the Steele murder, they were arrested and charged with the Prunella murder. The Prunella case ended in a mistrial when Christopher took a Plea Agreement and, without his cooperation against the Kilbanes, the case had to be dropped at that time.

In early 1990s, Phil Christopher was convicted in a drug dealing case and made a deal to get his time cut. He made a statement against the Kilbane Brothers about Prunella.
The word on the street was the Kilbanes had been having trouble with Prunella, who was threatening them. When he became belligerent, he was killed.

In August 2003, the Kilbanes went to the Parole Board and were told they would be paroled in one year. In December 2003, the Prosecutor indicted the Kilbane Brothers on the Prunella murder. Although Court records indicate the Prosecutor’s Office had Christopher’s statement since the early 1990s, t seems the back-room deal made back in the 70s to free Robbins was still at work.

The Kilbanes have been in prison for over 30 years while Christopher, who killed Prunella, received no time for that murder. Robbins, who killed both Brown and Steele, only served six years for Browne, and no time for Steele. Where is the justice in that?.

The Kilbanes allege they have become political prisoners because of the “backroom deal.” Their may be some truth to their claim. In an almost identical case, Crawford v Washington, the United States Supreme Court held that the use at trial of out of court statements made to police by an unavailable witness violated a criminal defendant's Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses against him. Carol Braun's statement to police was used to remand the brothers back to jail after an Ohio court ha freed them.

They are asking Friends of the Kilbane Brothers for help by signing the
on-line petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/062709/petition.html


Sullivan is an Irish-American writer residing in northeast Ohio. His publishing credits are numerous, including Irish America Magazine, the Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine, Irish Echo Newspaper, County Mayo News, Western People (Achill), Ohio Irish News and others. He can be reached through thekilbanebrothers@yahoo.com.

Petition to the Ohio State Parole Board

http://www.petitiononline.com/062709/petition.html

WRITE THE KILBANE BROTHERS

OWEN KILBANE, 148-329
Grafton Correctional AInstitute
2500 So. Avon Belden Rd.
Grafton, Ohio 44044


MARTIN KILBANE, 148-299Anyone wishing a response please include an embossed postage envelope with your letter. Only embossed postage envelopes (not stamped envelopes) are allowed for return mail.