Recently, I received a letter from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, located in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. Many of you may remember this prison as the facility where death row inmate and former New Orleans police officer Antoinette Frank is imprisoned. 

She’s the lady that’s been convicted of murdering three people in a New Orleans restaurant, including the killing of a police officer. A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about her case and my visit with her, entitled “My visit with Antoinette Frank on death row”. That article has received thousands of hits. Many have contacted me appalled at the way she murdered those people, and not repent or apologize!

The letter I recently received stated that it was from Brandy Holmes, Louisiana’s other death row inmate (Antoinette and Brandy are friends and the only females on death row in Louisiana)  I can’t go into detail about the actual words in the letter, as it was primarily littered with vulgar and obscene language directed at me. Many of my associates said to me that I should treasure those letters forever, as I was able to upset two death row inmates…a difficult feat!

Apparently she was upset and indignant with my article about Antoinette,…which is my firm stance that anyone convicted of a crime should take full responsibility (especially if you confessed to the crime). I found it odd though that “she” was indignant and sent the letter and not Antoinette (my associates believe that Antoinette could have really been behind it). Their prison cells are next to one another, and they can actually communicate with no problem. Anyway, I don’t know for sure which lady wrote it, but I do know one or both was behind it.

Anyway, the letter got me to thinking, who is Brandy Holmes?  What was she convicted of that landed her on death row?  I spoke with a few old cop buddies in the Shreveport, Louisiana area, a news reporter, and did a little research of her case. Here it is!

Brandy Holmes was convicted of the murder of Reverend Julian L. Brandon, 68, in the greater Shreveport, Louisiana area, and the attempted murder of his wife.  According to reports, on January 1, 2003, she and her then boyfriend, a man name Robert Coleman, entered the Brandon’s residence and instantly shot Mr. Brandon in the head. They then took his wife to a rear bedroom, demanded her valuables, and afterwards place a pillow over her head and shot her in the head, leaving her for dead while she begged for her life!

At this point, they heard the muffled cries of Mr.Brandon, apparently still alive! They then took three cutlery knives, and repeatedly stabbed Mr.Brandon multiple times. It’s reported that the bullet from the 380 handgun they shot him with fragmented into two pieces, with a piece entering the underside of his jaw and lodging in his brain, and the other piece exiting through his brain. They then slashed him with the knives in the face, chest and back, leaving behind a piece of the knife blade in his back.

They didn’t stop there though, Brandy then went around family and friends “bragging” about the murders as she was attempting to sell Ms. Brandon jewelry!  It was even reported that she brought a nephew to the Brandon’s home later…to view the body and crime scene. A short time later, Brandy and her accomplice then allegedly shot another man by the name of Terrance Blaze. A few days or so after they was arrested police were able to save Mrs. Brandon life, as she laid injured with a gun shot wound to the head for three days… in her bedroom!

KSLA TV also reported that Brandy’s father and step mother, John and Tammi Holmes, stated that Brandy took the gun from their home and the step mother further stated... “she’s not kin to us”, apparently disgusted after learning of Brandy’s crimes. On February 16, 2003, she was sentenced to death, along with her accomplice. Even her then attorney stated that she was guilty of murder!  

Having given all a brief synopsis of her crimes, as well as Antoinette's, here’s my opinion about her letter of indignation:

Please first note three items:

1) Both originally confessed to the murders.

2) This article is in no way related to the death penalty debate.

3) Chuck Hustmyre book called “Killer with a badge”, details Antoinette’s crimes.

My life since freedom has been about redemption!  I realize that many make mistakes and bad decisions, but life and the quality of that life is about those decisions. Thirty years ago, as a former police officer, I made a bad decision, and it caused me great woe. I violated my oath and became a despicable human being. Life doesn’t give everyone a second chance, so I have grasped that second chance and have attempted to make it count. I have committed my life to not only exposing bad cops, but all criminals in general, especially those who find it difficult to say…I’m sorry!

As a result of my books, articles, interviews, speeches and outing of bad cops, my phones monitors all my conversations, my web site is monitored for any threats, I usually travel with others, almost never alone, rarely out after 10:00 pm, and I never travel on desolate streets. I habitually examine my vehicle, or any vehicle I ride in, for broken headlights and tail lights, or any defect that would cause a potential bad cop to stop and harm me. I know that many rogue cops would love to catch me at a disadvantage... as in the past I’ve been threaten by bad cops. Why would they want to harm me? Because I reveal the unfair tactics, tricks and procedures of bad cops! I don’t live a life of fear, but I’m simply exercising due safety. In a nutshell, I'm a contributing member of society again, and it feels good!

I have publicly apologized for my past mistakes. I repent of all. I do not profit from my past mistakes. My speeches to universities, schools and churches are given free. My profits from COP OUT are donated to women and children abuse centers (St. Jude Children Hospital is my favorite). And oh, lest I forget Antoinette, I also donate funds to the New Orleans Police Foundation, the same police department that we BOTH let down and dishonored (the foundation purchase and equipped officers with bullet proof vest, advance education, etc.). What do I get out of all this? A good night sleep!

I would suggest that they both not write me letters of hate, but write the family of the victims. Write and tell the Brandon family why you murdered an elderly man, and maimed his wife. Write a letter to the family of Terrance Blaze and ask them how their doing since his death. Write letters to the widow and children of slain New Orleans police officer Ronald Williams, and inquire about their lives. And while you’re writing that letter, explain to his children why you murdered their father and friend.

Oh, lest not forget the family of Chong and Ha Vu,  the two asian siblings murdered in their family owned restaurant, called the Kim Anh Restaurant. According to court documents, Ha, a 21 year old female, was shot three times as she knelt in a praying position, begging for her life. Her brother Chong, shot SEVEN times. (Yes, I went through the trouble of reviewing the medical reports). Why wait to be forcefully attach to a gurney and lethally injected before saying I'm sorry?  Many death row inmates somehow find it appropiate to finally say those words through a glass viewing window 10 feet away from the victim's family. All of a sudden, when faced with death themselves, they see the light! 

You’re indignant? If anyone has the right to be indignant it's the victim's families. Five humans were murdered, and one was maimed for life because of you two (Ms. Brandon recently died, some say she quickly deteriorated after her wounds and her husband’s death).

Many of you have contacted me and asked me for their addresses to express your indignation, which is public information and available on the internet or you may just send a letter with their names to the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, St. Gabriel, La. 70776. But remember, if you write them, don’t write a return address, because you might receive an indignant letter!