Jailhouse rocks

To the editor:

In April of 2023, I was stopped in Marion County and charged with possession of a firearm and a couple of things.

The officer who stopped me was not pleasant. He tore up a panel in my car and would have torn off my door panel had his supervisor not stopped him.

I felt right then I was going to have the worst experience of my life being a black gay female in a small, predominantly white town.

I’m no stranger to the justice system. However, my experience from the time I was booked into Marion County Jail, through my court process, and now waiting to go to Kansas Department of Corrections, has been one of the most precious I’ve ever had.

I’m not recommending anyone to go to jail, but from my lawyer, Christopher Ambrose, out of Emporia down to the jailers, I was treated with the utmost respect and dignity.

Judge Susan Robson granted me a signature bond to allow me to get a good defense to resolve the case.

My lawyer and the county attorney worked with me while my wife was having medical issues.

Ambrose was and is the best lawyer I’ve ever had. He listened, treated me as family, and worked tirelessly to make sure I received fair and just treatment.

He definitely deserves an award for lawyer of the year. His staff, especially Kary Johnson, worked just as hard.

The court of Marion was absolutely a carriage of justice. I was treated as a human. I was innocent until proven guilty. They should be a model for the state of Kansas on how people should be treated in a court of law.

Upon turning myself into Marion County Jail after being sentenced to 13 months in prison, I’ve been treated as a human being.

All of the staff have been helpful, attentive, polite and professional.

At first, I thought I would be alienated because of my color. Never once have I felt less than or different.

I would like to thank everyone in Marion County who I came in contact with and who made me feel that the justice system has gotten a bad rap.

The Marion County legal system has restarted my faith in justice. It also reminds me that it takes only a few special people to change the world.

A special thanks to jailers who made my visit pleasant. I was having a hard time because of my wife’s medical issues, but you guys made it bearable.

One thing I believe is needed is more staff. The No. 1 reason for safety issues in a jail is not enough staff. Overworked people will make mistakes.

The commissioners of Marion County need to figure out a way to do this.

Tredessa Donnell