Instructions for mailing

All letters requesting parole for Wil should be sent to the address below :

Michigan Parole Board
c/o Executive Secretary
PO Box 30003
Lansing, MI 48909

Wil has requested that a copy of each letter sent be mailed to him personally. His current address is below :

William J. Hetherington #186155
1790 E. Parnall Road
Jackson, MI 49201-7139

Below are two sample letters, one by J. Steven Svoboda, an attorney and member of NCFM, and the other by Tom Williamson, former president of NCFM. It is extremely important to reference his prison id # 186155, in any communications to either the Parole Board or directly to Wil.

Please give serious consideration to the earliest possible parole for William Hetherington #186155. Wil Hetherington truly has been a model prisoner. His only infractions are extremely minor. Yet for some reason he has not benefited from the usual time off for good behavior. I have personally met with him in Jackson, Michigan and have stayed in close touch with him as an attorney and a friend ever since we first came in contact with each other in 2002. The man has struggled with a host of difficulties that would have long ago defeated most human beings. Many suicides have been committed with far less provocation.

Wil Hetherington has struggled with a variety of health problems during his years behind bars, difficulties that have not been adequately treated by jailhouse physicians. He has suffered from depression ever since its first diagnosis by Dr. Turan Bengisu in 1982, years before he was imprisoned. Understandably, his time behind bars only worsened his psychological state, and needless to say medical treatment for prisoners is woefully inadequate. He has endured foot problems.

Wil Hetherington believes in God. He is an enthusiastic, faithful, and resourceful father. But he is severely handicapped by his imprisonment. Not only his family but also his community would be well served if he were allowed to resume his fatherly duties.

Despite the extreme difficulties of pursuing academic work from behind bars, Wil Hetherington earned a diploma in radiological emergency management in 2003.

Perhaps most notably, Wil Hetherington served our country in Vietnam and received an honorable discharge. It is incumbent on all of us to serve him as faithfully as he served us.

Given his personal integrity and his health difficulties, it is clear that Wil Hetherington is not a danger to anyone. There are no reports of his causing problems for any other prisoners.

Wil Hetherington was a devoted son to his mother until her sad demise around Christmas last year. Wil has been unable to assist his fellow family members in helping to mourn her passing and to resolve her affairs. His speedy release would help to remedy these difficulties. It would also ease the burden on taxpayers from maintaining him behind bars. Since he has already served the minimum time to which he was sentenced, a parole would serve the public interest.

Please consider the benefit to society, taxpayers, and the public interest and grant the earliest possible parole to Mr. William Hetherington.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

J. Steven Svoboda

July 21, 2004
Dear Parole Board:

I am writing in the hopes that you will grant parole to William Hetherington, #186155.

During his 19 years of incarceration Mr. Hetherington has been a model prisoner with only minor infractions. He earned a diploma in Radiological Emergency Management in 2003. Despite being diagnosed with depression and from suffering with a variety of dehabilitating physical conditions he has exhibited a good attitude over the years and has exhibited hope for the future. There are no reports of his causing problems for any other prisoners.

I believe Mr. Hetherington is a man of good character, who is a threat to no one and who could make a positive contribution to the community.

Thomas Williamson