We wrote about the re-trial of convicted three-time murderering Max Soffar yesterday.
Max Soffar had been convicted for the 1980 murder of Arden Alane Felsher, 17, Stephen Allen Sims, 25, and Tommy Lee Temple, 17. But in December of 2000 the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the conviction on the basis of “ineffective counsel” at his trial.
So, they gave Max another trial on Feb 6th of this year. Presumably with more effective counsel. Not surpisingly the verdict was once again the same: Guilty. Why? Because regardless of how effective or ineffective his counsel, the fact remains that he killed those three kids.
Well, I hope that Max didn’t clean out his cell on Death Row before he left for this trial, because today the jury sent him back to death row. I believe any and all aspects of “due process” have been afforded this scum. Hopefully his date with the gurney will now be as expedient as this last trial.
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I just hope that these few years wont push his execution even further down the road. The sooner that he dies, the better.
I hope they cut his nuts off. lol!
i think i know max better than any of ya’s. dont ask me how ,you would’nt want to know. i would love to have a one on one conv. with him to let him know and remind him about the people who really know him ! death row is definately were he needs to be.
my uncle is innocent
To stay on topic here…..Did this man have a court appointed attorney? If so, that sure was a waste of the tax payers money to retry him. The question is, how much longer will it take to set an execution date. Does his appeal process start all over since this was a new trial? If that is the case, he could end up waiting up to ten more years before execution. Doesn’t seem too much like justice to me.
Max was represented by 5 high powered attorneys pro bono. Several of them were death penalty advocates and only took his case to advance their careers. I attended the trial and heard the tape recorded confessions and no way is this man mentally challenged as his attorneys claim. This man knew exactly what he was doing when he confessed to the murders and I hope they execute him quickly. Unfortunately, the process does start over again and the appeals will continue.
the retrial only confirmed what everyone already knew…this POS deserves the DP for the murder of those three children.
I know Max and you are all sickos. And because of your comments, you are going to be cursed on account of you blindness and hard hearts. I hope all of you are judged and get what’s coming to you someday too, as quickly as you judged Max!
Eat Sh*% Tommy. That SOB killed those kids; you know, I know it, and two different juries 25 years apart knew it. Texas cannot execute him fast enough for me.
The kids Max killed were my best friends. I went to school and worked with them everyday. He took the lives of 3 innocent kids! I was 15 when he did this. Not only did he kill those kids, but he also took away my innocence. I wound up in counseling for months because of this dirt bag. He got a new trial not because he was innocent, but because of a technicality. He deserves everything they give him.
I feel your sorrow mouse. I did not know all the victims. I only knew Tommy Temple.He went to high school with me in Louisiana. I remember getting the news like it was yesterday. I was at his funeral. Looking down and seeing a Senior ring on someone who would never graduate tore me up and still does. He was a wonderful young man who had so much life to live. I know each victim is greatly missed. Since some are so convinced Max is innocent, then who do you think committed this horrific crime? Why would he confess? How did he have inside knowledge. What could he possibly gain from confessing? I understand some people are innocent and in prison, however many are not. Ask any prisoner. They will ALL tell you they are innocent. I agree the justice system is in need of repair, however there never seems to be justice for the victims. Some how the criminal has more rights. There are no winners here. Only sorrow.
I know that you all are angry about the brutal deaths of three innocent young people, along with the terrible injury of a fourth. You should be angry, as I am. But that’s no reason to lie. Joe said he heard the tape recorded confessions – but there aren’t taped records of Max’s confessions. And the attorneys who defended Max don’t have advancement in mind.
I worked on Max’s case. I know that there are reasonable doubts as to who committed this horrible crime. It’s human to be shocked and angry and hardened by what happened, but it’s important to remember that many people who know all the facts found doubts about Max’s guilt.
I want the murderer to be put to justice – whether it’s Max or not. But even more so, I want each of you to see that the second trial wasn’t a waste of resources, and that ineffective assistance of counsel is not a technicality. Our goal of knowing the truth in every case is even more important than what happens in this one.
Oh, puleez! He got his second trial, he was found guilty again, and sentenced to death. Why? Because he’s guilty. And no, you don’t “want the murderer to be put to justice – whether it’s Max or not.” No matter how much evividence of guilty, you’ll be screaming reasonable doubt, IAC, whatever. He murdered those three kids and now he has to die. Tell your boyfriend to be a man and do something good for the first time in his life: waive his appeals.
Wake up Kathleen. The very first statement that Max gave was tape recorded and the tape was played in court. I know since I prosecuted the case. Kathleen you are the one lying. No there were not tapes of the other confessions but there sure was a tape of the first interview with Max and it is in evidence. You will never accept it Kathleen, but Max is guilty and deserves death row more than anyone I know.
Not one of you mentioned that Max’s proported “confessions” were completely inconsistent with the crime scene, the type of weapon used, the placement of the victims. None of you mentioned either that Paul Reid, a death row prisoner in Tennessee has confessed to this crime on several different ocassions and killed 7 other people in attacks that are almost identical to the crime that Max was wrongly convicted of. The bottom line is that there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that Max committed these crimes…no DNA, fingerprints, witnesses, gun power residue or history of violent behavior. The police didnt have a suspect so they hand fed a drug addicted mentally challenged person the details and manipulated him to admit to something he didnt do.
Sleep well my friends.
You know, I believe that Max was wrongly convicted. I have spoke with his wife, read all of the information, and personally I am so sorry that he will have to pay for a crime that he did not commit. If anyone is the victim, it is Max, as he is the one victim to the State of Texas, to the Houston Police– Look at all of the things that have been overturned because of the Crime Lab, because of the mistakes made by Houston Cops. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but lets be adults about those opinions, as no one wants to hear trash talk from people that know nothing about the case other than their jaded opinion that they have received from reading the Crap that people are given to write about it.
I am a European and when I see that things like what happened with Max are possible in this world then I wonder whether we still live in the Middle Age. How can people say that Max did something without knowing. They read something and take on the opinion of those writers just like that. If there is any doubt then this should always be used in favour of the accused. A death penalty cannot be reversed if the person is later proven to be innocent. I am sorry to hear there is so much hate and and prejudice around and that people are so ready to judge a person. Max is on Death Row since almost 30 years. So even if he would have commited this crime that would mean in any democratic country that does not have any death penalty that this person would be free by now. And here Max is still there trying to prove his innocense and they are trying to put up every barrier they can find. I cannot find words for this cruelty except that it must stop. I wish Max and his family and friends (I consider myself as being his friend) that we all will be successful in fighing for Max to be free as soon as possible so he can have a life again. I pray for this to happen and will do whatever I can to help for it to come true.
I knew Max from the second grade on. Truth is, none of us were there, none of us “KNOW” anything.
Well, you may know nothing. But those of us with the ability to think know that Max Soffar is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of three human beings.
Hi Ema,
now just how would you know that??
If you have an ability to think then why not look at the drawing made according to the description of the surviving victim. How he discribed the person looked like that came in there to commit this crime. Then each person that is able to think at least a little could see that the person on the drawing did not resemble Max who used to wear a full beard and long hair by then. I think if you can think you will know that he could not grow that beard and hair within a few days and would that person who committed the crime have looked slightly the way Max looked like then it would have been obvious But this way it is obvious that Max was NOT the person who committed the crime. This is obvious for the whole world to see so why not start thinking now?
The news! Max will leave death row because his innocence is prooved! Hey, Texas, you have to pay MILLIONS for putting an innocent man on death row over such a long time!
Hillary, go for president!
Uh, are you just speculating or do you have a link to a news story of Max’s pending release from prison and death row?
Since he was convicted in March 2006 and the court of appeal has yet to issue an opinion, I would say againsthtedeathpenalty is on crack.
I have known Max for over 28 years, a personal friend that sees him often. Every piece of evidence they have or I should say do not have will show anyone that this man is not guilty. Max was framed because they needed to close the case. Where is Latt Bloomfield? The man that was said to have been Max’s accomplice? Free as you and I. Why? Max is innocent, and so is Latt, but Latt was never taken down for this crime, or questioned very hard because his Daddy was the chief of police at the time of these crimes. Stewart Cook is a witness that the state has threatened with his life if he talks. Paul Dennis Reid has confessed many times to this crime. What good is it to kill an innocent man just to say you have solved the crime?
I knew Max at the time the killings took place. He was dating Adam’s sister. I had at least two occassions where I wished I would have kicked his ass. He used go around thinking he was a real bad ass. He was a piece of &%$^% then and I’m sure he is still. He killed them. Can’t wait to read that he took his little gurney journey….
Max may have been whatever you think back then and even if he was a “badass” or would have liked that people think he was. Whatsoever this does not give you the right to go and say he killed some people. There is no proof but a false confession because he has made those stories up. But everybody is clinging to those stories. He told 3 different ones and they chose the one they liked the best. It is rather obvious that Max is NOT the person who committed that crime but the person who did is at another place. There are so many facts that prove he has not committed the crime that people must be pretty blind not seing it. But Max is not giving up in spite of this haters who just want to look at a person and see that he was acting pretty tough in his youth and that is enough reason for them to condemn him. Just try to look into your own lifes and see what makes you so hateful. Max is not having any hate. The only thing, like he just recently told me is, he wants the world to know that he is innocent of this crime. And this is why he is still fighting. The society ows him more than a few millions of dollars because all the money in the world cannot pay him back for what he has been deprived of for almost 30 years for the mistake of making that “confessions” without the presence of a lawyer which is wrong in the first place. The confessions were wrong and they were just some stories he told because he was mislead and without legal counsel. There should be justice because the victim’s families deserve that the person that acually committed the crime is held responsible or they will have to live with the fact that the wrong person had to pay for that crime, on top of all they had to suffer already.
Today is the International day against the death penalty which is a day that reminds us that there is still a lot to be done to see that the death penalty is abolished world wide. The so-called “civilised” countries are the ones that should take the lead. In Europe except for one country, the death penalty is abolished and to live there is at least as safe as in the USA. This is a small reminder that USA are way behind although they are claiming to be leading in all sorts of modern things. Max Soffar is a reminder for what is wrong with justice very often. The courts want a case closed and as soon as they have someone that they can tag with being connected with it, they will not let go in spite of serious mistakes in the investigations, in spite of the fact that another person has committed the crime and in spite of the fact that there is no evidence connecting Max Soffar to this crime but more evidence to show that he is NOT the person that committed that crime. Max Soffar is still fighting for his innocense to be recognised so we hope that the person who actually committed the crime will finally have to account for that as well amongst all the other crimes he already committed. Please give Max Soffar the justice he deserves after robbing him already of 28 years of his life.
With each year the debts of society towards him will increase. It is still time to let him see that even a court can be wrong but still be strong enough to stand up to correct its mistakes. This is really something that takes courage but it is a matter of life or death, so the courts should have the courage when needed.
Max is only one example, but because of the long time he has spent in there his case urgently needs to be looked into.
There are others like Greg Wright and Reginald Blanton, so many more even where things went wrong and where something needs to be done. If Europe can do without the death penalty, why not the USA? Countries that are civilised do not need it at all. The reasons for high crime rates are found in our society and in our economy. Many people have no chances of employment and have no money and no perspectives.
This is where something has to change to help make life worthwhile for all people and not only for the rich. Rich people don’t usually end on death row that easy, they have money for good attorneys. It is only the poor people that are disadvantaged. There has to be a change in the way of thinking and equal chances for all.
I agree completely, he should have been executed years ago for his crime.
We will, as soon as a date for his execution is set.
Because we aren’t Europe, thank the Good Lord.
In a country where education is free, and opportunities are boundless, that so many haven’t taken advantage of those opportunities, and prepared themselves to be gainfully employed, and productive members of society is no one’s fault but their own.
It’s their lack of perspective, that you share with them, Macaroni.
Thou shalt not murder!
Once again, it’s very simple, cretins like Max, and others, don’t murder, they don’t face capital punishment. As long as you continue to use Europe as a model for justice when referencing Texas, you are wasting your, and our, time. We ain’t Europe, and never want to be.
Not at all, he should have been released a long time ago, as he is innocent.
I am afraid when he is executed it is too late since he did not commit that crime. There is another person that is responsible for it. Apparently none of the persons who order the killing of innocent people ever will have to account for it in their life here on earth, this is why it is even possible. This should change. I was speaking of “justice” and it cannot be justice when his witnesses and his evidence is not allowed to be heard by the jury.
No, you are not Europe but where did you all come from? Your roots are in Europe. As far as I learned in school the actual inhabitants of your now country were the Indians. And look what happened to them. So there is no reason to thank God because they now live in Reservations so you can live there. It always makes sense to look how others are handling things and see if you can benefit from that even Texas is not an island. You are not better than Europe in Texas. And actually if it were up to most people in Texas probably the Slavery would still not be abolished either. But it was and so will the death penalty. Because killing of people no matter if it is those who murder someone or if it is those who are murdering another person who has murdered by calling it capital punishment, nothing of that is good. And it brings additional victims to also kill a person that has killed and does not solve any kind of problem in society.
Well even if education may be free but there are not jobs for all and the opportunities are not really equal. There are still racial discriminations. The people with money have no problems and those who are always dwelling in old traditions, no, they do not like anything that has to do with liberals and want things to remain like in Middle Age in some aspects. But the times have changed. You cannot close your eyes much longer from that in Texas. It is not always the fault of the people where they were born into. Some have very bad starting conditions. And Society is there for all and they have always provided for those in need. But to blame everything on the individuals is not the answer. Society must help the ones that cannot help themselves and not just condemn them.
And you, if you want respect you should be respectful. It does not help any if you chose to call me “Maccaroni” or any personal backlashes. What are you so angry about? Why are so many people so filled with hate? I believe that hate is not a good advisor, never can be. So to call a person like Max or others “cretins” and other names in order to try and make people believe that they are less than you is something that is not Christian at all. People in Texas who have a church almost on every street corner seem to have a strange idea about Christianity and that is why I would not count on the amount of churches when I consider someone to be a Christian but rather by their way of thinking. There is also the New Testament and it tells you about God’s love and forgiveness. He forgives even those men who have killed when they ask him for it. But we know all what he thinks about those hypocrats that boast themselves in saying, thank you God that I am not as bad as the others. If you apply the Old Testament then please remember, there was a death penalty for those who commit adultery and for other crimes as well. So if you want to live by that half of the population should be on death row then.
You know probably not much about Europe but I have been in Texas several times so I know what I am talking of and you apparently don’t. Everybody is welcome to Europe but nobody has to go there. The world consists of many countries and those who consider themselves democratic should not set a bad example in some of the fundamental rights of every human being. All life is precious and no human Government should decide about who is fit to live and who is not. This is something that a higher nature decides and we have not to interfere with it.
My problem is that in todays society there are men who kill, beat, & rape children and yet they spend years in prison. Why is it that if a man kills another man he is executed? If a man kills a child he gets to live. What needs to be done is our judical system and how we prosecute. If our system is going to use the “eye for an eye” method then be sure to use it on everyone who kills not just selective cases. Everyone deserves a fair trial, and our system is not perfect (obviously) so that saying “Proven until innocent” is and can be wrong. How many have been released because the evidence presented was wrong? Too many in my eyes. I don’t believe we should have the right to judge and murder anyone. Execution is murder, if you look and the death certificate of a man who has been executed it’s states cause of death: homicide by the state of Texas (in my case). So I guess for all of you who wish to murder then work for a state who excutes.
for all of you that dont know my uncle an were not there at the time of the crime an only have an opinion wit no facts to support them need to shut up,my uncle is NOT GUILTY AN I CANT WAIT FOR HIS RELEASE ONE DAY.GOD IS GOOD.I LOVE YOU UNCLE
He shot four people – only one survived. No one wants to know the son of a bitch. Your fucking uncle has been in custody for 30 years. He lost his state appeal last November. He’ll only be released in a body bag. You’re delusional.
http://goo.gl/N9TU
don’t listen to all that cussing
I believe your uncle is innocent and that you will be together soon
You’re wack, too.
They’ve already proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that he is guilty of all the accused charges, and will die, according to the law.
Right. There is nothing that says you’ll be home soon like being sentenced to death. LOL
YOUR FAMILY LOVES YOU AN SUPPORTS YOU 100%.MUCH LOVE
Oh God.
Not this again.
I thought there was another dedicated website to this.
Please and thank you.
-Sad
O THERE IS PLENTY OF DEDICATED SITES BUT I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THEM.SO THANK YOU.
You have no right to post here, only a privilege.
Keep up the nonsensical love letters to your murderous uncle and you will be blocked.
Sad,
It makes me think that something must be going on and they have reason to believe a date for his delayed demise is to be announced.
They post this crap as a taunt, as Max isn’t sitting in front of his PC reading their drivel.
Meh.
Well, there’s way too much crap posting on why he is ‘innocent’ and why the DP should be abolished.
And too little good stuff on why he actually deserves to die, or condolences for the victims.
It’s a messed up world, isn’t it?
This guy is a real prick.
http://goo.gl/ZcVv
Soffar is another old timer like Powell. With Powell’s execution tomorrow, they see the writing on the wall.
Besides murdering 3 people and severely injuring a fourth, Soffar was a rapist and enjoyed inflicting pain on animals.
Do you know him personally?
Where did you hear he inflicted
damage on animals
Dumbazz: Do you know what a trial is? Do you know what evidence is? I don’t have to know you personally to know that you’re not the sharpest tool in the shed.
oh yes you are redneck
to say you are a redneck is a compliment!!!!
I’m surprised u can read and write
RETARD
What’s the matter? Upset that your thug is an animal abuser?
That he murdered 3 people and attempted to murder a 4th leaving him seriously wounded doesn’t matter to you. But exposing thuglover as an animal abuser gets your panties into knots. Idiot.
ass hole
heh heh heh
I’m not the one who abuses animals, asshole – your boyfriend, Soffar the Triple Murder does.
lawyers and politicians don’t want to admit they were wrong
Those innocent on death row can pay
the price for that
The azzhole shot four people in the head, you twit. Don’t give me this shit he is innocent.
you’re a moron
a million times worse than a twit
Hee Hee
And you were hoodwinked by a moron, Max Soffar, which doesn’t say much about your intelligence.
Anyway, we expect good news on June 28th.
What news will there be on June 28
The USSC will deny his petition and he will be one step closer to his execution. May God have no mercy on his soul.
G00000AAAAALLLLL!!!!!
He’s one step closer to receiving the justice he so richly deserves.
Do any of you know the guy personally
Just interested
Canned response #103!
Is this the end of his appeals
About how long from now do you expect him to recieve an execution date
I support you, Stephanie. Your uncle is innocent 100% and what I really find interesting is, that the courts or rather some DA’s can keep up the charges against him in spite of all the evidence that shows he is innocent. It does not matter that Max once siad he has been participating in that crime. He also said he did it with someone else and before he said someone else did it. So what, chose the one version you like best because you have not been able to find the person who actually did commit the crime. Meanwhile it is pretty obvious who it was but again Max was denied that the witness who has told about the confession of the person who actually committed the crime was allowed to say that in front of the jury. So what kind of justice is this in the first place.
No matter that he had 2 trials meanwhile. Justice has been denied to Max up to date. And as a matter of fact I know him personally and I am proud of knowing him. Because anyone who has managed to survive at a place like that and to resist any “temptations” to admit to his so-called guilt in favour of maybe getting a life sentence but to maintain his innocense in spite of the threat to be executed maybe, he deserves mine and anyone’s utmost respect. Which is more than I can feel for some of the people who are commenting here just for the sake of having to say something. Without knowing the facts and just believing that because a court has sentenced this man he must really be guilty. Oh just look at Anthony Graves who was released a little over a week ago and see how corrupt the DA was in his case to manipulate witnesses into a false statement and then you know how flawed the justice system actually is. I know, Stephanie that one day you and your family will be able to hug your uncle and help him to enjoy his life as a free person, the way he deserves to live. They have taken too much from him already and it is about time that he too finally gets exonerated. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Heh.
Heh, heh.
Heh-heh-heh.
It’s only flawed because they don’t cap off the murderers and rapists right away.
This animal needs to be taken care of right away.
And there is no sympathy for the killer of persons – only punishment.
Mercy may be requested, but at number 3, it’s taken away.