Editor's note: Tso Ming-hsin is a Taiwanese who dreamed of emigrating to the United States. Tso settled in Alaska where he worked as a chef. Nine years ago he became involved in an investigation into the shooting death of a Chinese man and his daughter. An Alaskan court convicted Tso of their murders and sentenced him to 189 years at the state's Spring Creek Correctional Center.

According to newspaper reports, Tso's conviction was based on the fact that he had played mahjong with the male victim and that he owed Tso some US$1000. There reportedly had been a dispute over the debt. In addition, at the time of the killings, a neighbor stated that he had seen a car resembling Tso's parked in the neighborhood. In spite of his conviction, Tso still insists on his innocence.

The evidence in the case is far from complete, and for nine years Tso has used every means available to plead his innocence and give his version of events. He has even gone on several hunger strikes. Tso Tse-cheng, his son and a university graduate, states that his father is innocent. He has made information about the case available on the Internet and is soliciting help. There has been a tremendous response from Chinese both at home and abroad. They wish to help Tso file an appeal and give him a chance at a fair judgment.

Below is Tso Ming-hsin's summary of his case. Those who would like to help him can contact the Legal Defense Fund for Taiwanese Overseas (Tel.: 080-022421; Postal Account No. 19148901).

Dear Editors:

In the legal environment of the 21st century, how can it happen that someone accused of a crime is not allowed to respond to the charges against him and be sentenced to 189 years in prison? Is it fear of the "Yellow Terror"? Is it a flaunting of power? Who will be the next sorrowful and solitary foreigner treated in this way?

In the 10 years since I was first accused of murder and detained by the Alaskan police, I have asked for help many times. While on trial, I was never allowed to address the jury to refute the charges against me. I reflected on why my case turned out the way it did after I went to prison. Here are some of my conclusions:

1. Within 24 hours of the murder, many witnesses from the scene stated: "It's not this man (Tso Ming-hsin); it was a white man."

2. The witnesses who said I was not at the scene, the physical evidence and extra-legal investigations all indicated there was no basis for the charges.

3. I didn't have a gun and am an immigrant who has never fired a gun at another person. I didn't have a motive for the murder, nor a weapon to carry it out. Moreover, I have never admitted to anything that connects me to the murder.

4. The state of Alaska and a federal crime lab independently reached the same conclusion: most of the physical evidence is unrelated to me. Moreover, the crime lab found a number of fingerprints (on the casings of the bullets used to kill the victims) and hairs (clasped in the victims' hands) which the police did not know the origin of.

5. I have been tortured in prison. Not only has this resulted in handicaps which I will carry until my dying day, but it has also brought me to the verge of death on several occasions. The tortures were instigated by my refusal to negotiate a plea bargain with the state of Alaska.

6. I am an immigrant. My poor language skills probably resulted in misunderstandings. I was also unfamiliar with the culture and thus may have alienated the jury. I look like an enemy of the US (a Vietnamese), speak loudly (a habit among cooks and a common failing of Chinese people) and have an exaggerated body language. Thinking back, I probably made the Americans think I was a "nutcase," a dangerous person, or someone who challenged and disdained public authority, causing them to just shut me up.

The contents of this summary are all supported by evidence. My desire to see my name cleared has broken my family apart. I need moral support and letters of encouragement. I deeply believe that a drowning man has the responsibility to cry out for help. I hope that everyone can help me. Cry out for justice!

Tso Ming-hsin, USA

(tr. by Scott Williams)