August 14, 1973
Charles Mays
556 W. Flagler St.
Miami, Fl
Re: The Seed
Dear MR. Mays:
I'm not sure I can be of much help to you concerning your investigation of the Seed's operational procedures and governmental involvement. I have had only a brief exposure to the mysterious dealings of the "drug rehabilitation program."
During the early part of July, I had the occasion to meet an eighteen year old who had just been sentenced to six months in the Seed, said sentence being imposed by a local municipal judge. During the course of the investigation of that incident I learned that certain police officers had retained a quantity of evidence seized during the course of the youth's arrest. The police retained this evidence to use a threat, thus any effort on my part to have the sentence of the court vacated would have exposed the youth to felony charges. I therefore abandoned my effort to aid him, as I could do nothing that would really "help" him.
However, I have learned that the above method of retaining evidence (either by the police or the Seed itself) is not uncommon. I have spoken to several circuit court judges, in this area and they are not at all impressed with the Seed's attitude of being above the law. Other than the aforementioned conferences I have not had a chance to challenge the Seed's authority to completely deprive an offender of his basic rights.
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I do know that it is very difficult to visit a "Seedling" while he is at the Seed. During my brief term as the aforementioned youth's counsel I literally had to threaten the people of the seed before they would even allow me to talk to my client.
There are a great many questions concerning The Seed that need to be answered. Both the methods of "obtaining" Seedlings and the method of indoctrination need to be aired so that all can see how close 1984 really is.
I am sorry that I cannot be of much assistance in your investigation. If I ever Get a client again, who, like the aforementioned youth, was railroaded into the program, I definitely plan to raise Hell, but until then I really have no standing.
Sincerely,
John Henninger.
Henninger & Disano
Attorneys and Counselor at Law
Clearwater Fl 33516