Thur, Feb. 9th 2012

Title : Supreme Court of the United States

Hello World,

It's sad to watch the violence, which is only beginning, to tear apart the Middle East. The future of Western democracy is at stake. War is <u>not</u> the solution, but prayer is. Yet war is coming. Within 5 years we will know if our children will bear the burden that war has caused so many in our time.

My life is a wreck. I have no one to blame but myself. Yet, there are a few things that could be different and would have permitted a less destructive outcome.

I am in my 5th year of a 16 year sentence. For 40 years I lived as a law-abiding citizen and completed 17 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. Over 7 years was spent overseas, 2 of which were in "combat" theaters, or "war zones". The truth is, I loved my experiences as a Marine. Good or bad...

Sixteen years?

No criminal history ... Not robbing or selling drugs. I had a job, and a mortgage, a family and paid my tithes and taxes.

(2)

I guess I must have "scared" the policemen. After a failed suicide attempt I fired a .22 caliber out the window of my home. No One was injured, there were no hostages, I was alone. I heard I did some damage to the empty police cars.

When it was over the court made me out to be the same as Timothy McVay, Waco Texas and the 9/11 highjackers. Wow, perhaps they should give me the death sentence instead?

Sixteen years...

I listened to the arguments about how we must free the Guantanimo P.O.W.'s. How the hundreds of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan are released or "escape" once the local police take charge. Gee... I thought these were the guys blowing up Americans, assassinating missionaries and torturing and executing civilian men, women and children attempting to obtain freedom? No... I guess I'm the real criminal. So Illinois says.

So now I've reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Yeah, I screwed up. But something doesn't seem right ...

Sixteen years...?

The Illinois Law says there's no such thing as P.T.S.D. The Illinois judge

(3)

said, "I'm going to give you a break, 16 years instead of the 40 behind bars."

The Illinois appellate (appeal) court said, "The law is the law"...

The Illinois Supreme Court didn't even look at it.

To reach the U.S. Supreme Court is itself a miracle, especially since I am not a trained lawyer.

The first hurdle is passed. I'm on the docket and that's a miracle. The good news is that the top office in Illinois, Attorney General - Honorable Lisa Madigan, now has at least looked at my argument. Maybe one day it will help influence a positive change for Illinois veterans.

Also the U.S. S. Ct. will review my petition.

The second hurdle is before me. Will the S.Ct. "grant" my petition and set a court date for hearing?

Whatever happens, I thank God for the hope He gives, the mercy, the peace.

I thank those of you who have prayed with me, encouraged me with notes and letters and supported the costs of postage & paper.

In Christ,

David

Supreme Court of the United States
Office of the Clerk
Washington DC 20543-0001

William K Suter
Clerk of the Court
(202) 479-3011

Mr William D Linley
Prisoner ID M08788
R R # Highway 185
P.O. Box 499
Hillsboro IL 62049

Re: William Linley
v Illinois
No 11-8559

Dear Mr Linley

The petition for a writ of certiorari in the above entitled case was filed on Devember 23 2011 and placed on the docket January 30 2012 as No 11 8559

A form is enclosed for notifying opposin counsel that the case was docketed.

Sincerely

William K Suter Clerk

by

Gail Johnson
Case Analyst

Enclosures

To check status: (20) 479 - 3034

-or-

www.supremecourtus.gov