Richard Thompson, portrait of a US Marine Vet

UPDATE June 2025

Richard Thompson: Coda

Richard Thompson, Desert Storm Marine Vet, has been seeking justice for over a decade. Working tirelessly, he earned a degree in criminology and came out top of his class.

All stakeholders in his case from Mesa police, judiciary officials, state bar associations in Arizona and California, medical service providers, rights groups, veterans support groups have in their possession Richard’s strong case: that evidence was either deliberately or ‘accidentally’ changed regarding trumped-up charges against him. He was, in his opinion and mine: wrongly arrested, wrongly incarcerated, medicated against his will with dangerous consequences, denied his medical records until just recently, denied any help to right the situation, denied appeals, denied justice.

In one of his most recent emails to me, he writes: “The response by Anne Bali of the Arizona Attorney General Office did not surprise, but after speaking with Ciara of the Court of Appeals and one of her associates said, the wrong discovery used, the case should have been overturned.

“So, evidence that shows The State used the wrong discovery of 2014 1030 394 against me and 2014 1030 394 is not even on my list of incidents with Mesa Police and Mesa Police also falsified documents about my address, and these falsified documents were first ignored by Stephen Scott who works at The Arizona Attorney General Office with Anne Bali.”

Unfortunately for Richard and for all of us – this is Trump’s America in June of 2025. Injustice now seems to be the status quo; injustice is the tool of the dictator and the corrupt. Injustice remains the MO of the racists in power and their deluded followers.

Richard has proven his points time and again. I cannot speak for him, but I hope for, and wish to work for, a better government, a better judicial system and a better society. The coming weeks and months will be hard, but stand firm. Do what is right. Share truth. Stand up for what you believe in.

At the moment tyrants are actively trying to erase America’s past, and do not want our children to learn it. Want to make a difference? Teach it to them. (A few links to get you started are at the end of this essay).

Richard is the most tenacious person I know. We have never met; the only money that ever changed hands over the 11-plus years we have been in contact was when I bought a t-shirt from him. It is sad but wholly understandable he is going to turn his attentions away from fighting for his personal vindication; he is going to be fighting for many others now that he is equipped with his hard-earned honors diploma.

To anyone who thinks they have successfully buried the truth about Marine veteran Richard Thompson, to anyone who thinks they can re-write history: Truth will emerge. The records are there to be discovered both about Richard and the books this administration seeks to ban, the historical heroes they seek to erase for not being white heterosexual males. There will be better days. There will be those who come and take up the torch and seek justice with it. Please do your part to the best of your abilities, even just preserving knowledge, seeking truth and sharing it makes a difference.

They are few; we are many. They are wrong; we have right on our side.

To you Richard: respect and thanks for being such an inspiration. You are Valor personified; you are Tenacity.

Finally, at the time of writing people trying to safeguard Constitutional rights in Los Angeles are clashing with those who wish to carry out Trump's unlawful kidnaps, unlawful detainment, inhumane treatment, and even rendition to foreign prison camps. This is a difficult world to get justice in; here is to everyone who fights for it.

LINKS

The Black history that isn't taught: Historians share lesser known moments in US racial history - ABC News

Two decades on, battle goes on over 'Gulf War Syndrome' - BBC News

The United States’ Treatment of Native Americans | Bridgewater State University

Detailed Timeline - National Women's History Alliance

6 Inconceivable Miscarriages of Justice in the United States - History Collection

UPDATE May 2025 GRADUATION

With great pleasure I announce that Richard Thompson just graduated from Glendale Community College at the top of his class, with top honours!

He said: "It has been a long road. So many years ago I set out expose so many injustices, and at the same time I enrolled in school for Criminal Justice and today I graduated with highest distinction. "This is about my testimony and drive and I hope that other Veterans will see that barriers are there to test us and make us stronger."

Richard continues his quest for justice, and is in contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Armed with his enhanced knowledge of the system, his keen mind, and his unequalled tenacity in the face of odds most of us would be overwhelmed by, Mr Thompson's success is an inspiration, something we need in these turbulent days. His story in many ways is just beginning.

Introduction

If Richard "RC" Thompson sometimes sounds angry in his videos and his words, he has reason to be. In fact, it is impressive how he manages to keep things together and maintain good humour. This is the story of a Marine combat veteran who believes he experienced many violations of his rights.

It certainly seems he has reason to feel this way, even though the organisations in question are hardly coming forward to explain or to help. The story is complex, it involves several US institutions, none of which seem to be able to fully explain their dealings with Richard in the past, or why they are failing to meet his needs and his rights now.

Here are some of the issues he's had; all agencies I have contacted have shut down communications with me- perhaps some more dogged reporter with better on-the-ground resources can help make a difference not just to RC, but to the tens of thousands who are in similar unacceptable situations. -Suzanne Kelly

The Mission:

* To get transparency and restitution from institutions that have wronged Mr Thompson;

* To get RC's arrest record erased and his injury in custody investigated;

* To have RC's parental rights recognized;

* To ensure RC and his family get decent, stable housing and that he receives all the support, training, financial aid a marine vet deserves;

* To raise awareness of RC's situation which is sadly not unique;

* To get explanations from institutions and individuals at fault;

* To hear from others who have similar stories they want to share with a view to building a support group; and

*By all of the above try to ensure that vets, minorities, people with mental and emotional health issues such as PTSD are not treated as criminals and are informed about medical treatment options; to ensure there is reform and improvement to adoption practices; and to ensure those who have earned care and support get help with dignity, efficiency and without discrimination.

(Photo taken by Bob Worsley staffer)

An introduction to Richard
"RC" Thompson

(by Suzanne Kelly)

Richard "RC" Thompson is a former marine; a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his time in service - in Desert Storm. RC said he was given an array of drugs by the VA, he maintains he was not told what the side effects could be, including suicide. RC felt suicidal and reached out to Arizona police, who arrested and imprisoned him. While imprisoned, he says he was deliberately harmed. Richard says he received no medical treatment for his mental condition while imprisoned, and no meaningful subsequent mental, housing, advice, financial assistance from the Veterans' Administration.

RC had a girlfriend; they had a child. She then went to the courts for a restraining order; he was not informed about this, and on the court papers his address - known to the police - was incorrectly noted as 'no fixed address.' The child was put up for adoption. RC says he later found out the mother of this child had had children before which were put up for adoption (the adoption business is a means for a woman to make money in the US).

Richard is trying to do his part by being on film and radio and he does it "with support from God and my fiance to continue to progress with PTSD treatment and other health issues such as IBS".

So where are the institutions he joined the Marines to help uphold when it comes to helping him by either redressing their own serious shortcomings or give him the help he is entitled to? The answer is - nowhere to be found.

RC has the support of several family members, former vets who have similar tales, a documentary producer who has produced Shattered Redemption, and a few investigative journalists.

Do I think RC's life would be different if not for being black, being prescribed heavy medication for PTSD and not being wealthy? Absolutely.

Contact me here: sgvk27@aol.com

Unshattered Redemption

Unshattered Redemption is a documentary being produced by NO WAY OUT FILMS, producers Michael Butler and John Williams in association with Angel of Music Productions, who are currently working on the Unshattered Redemption documentary film featuring "RC" Thompson one of the the four Combat Veterans in the film.

Here are some of the videos produced to date:

Videos (click on red text for link)

How some Vets are sleeping

Richard says: "THE PHX V.A. does not own ANY EMPMOYMENT AGENCIES or APARTMENT COMPLEXES, but they allow COMBAT VETERANS with PTSD to be sent to this STATE run shelter. I spoke with a representative of Gov. Ducey office and they said this is ON MAYOR STANTON...."

Caught in a system of misinformation and it seems state malice

RC has more than tried to help himself; here is a video showing the extent of some of the correspondence he has been involved with trying to get his rights upheld.

See more videos here

What RC says about the VA: " And yesterday (late December 2017), I found out from my Doctor the PHX V.A. was giving me the wrong medication for over 10yrs.... My Civilian Dr. informed me of that !!! My IBS keeps me FROM GOING TO THE RESTROOM...#1 and #2......... So my doctor was like......

"Why would the V.A. give me medication for an OVERACTIVE BLADDER, when I couldn't go in the first place The PHX V.A. was giving me OXYBUTININ CHLORIDE, when I HAVE NEVER HAD AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER So along with the LIE that MESA POLICE put on me.....IM PROVING ALL OF MY CASES To FRANCINE MARTIN. The V.A. already knows about these issues, and since the FRANCINE MARTIN says I don't have a case, which I disagree with.

"At the reference of National Association of Black Veterans, I sent the same information that was sent to the ACLU to the EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE...... I also sent the information to my first Dr. that diagnosed me with PTSD in 1999 and to Betty McGhee of the NAACP, I had already sent my information to NAACP headquarters, and they did me worse than non blacks even DENYING the renewal of my membership and sending my $30 back. ****SENATOR MCCAIN'S OFFICE CALLED THE POLICE ON ME FOR TRYING TO GET HELP FROM THEIR OFF"

Mesa and Maricopa Arizona police

Powers: To uphold the law while obeying the law

Position: They cannot explain to Richard's or my satisfaction why Richard was arrested, why and how he was assaulted while in custody, and why they arrested someone asking for help because they said they felt suicidal.

Above these unsatisfactory situations, Richard wants to know in particular how the State could have his address on his arrest papers, but then list his address as 'unknown' while the mother of his child was moving to have the child adopted - Richard did not know of the adoption, but allegedly a DNA test was done - he says he never took any test.

About Mesa Police:

A representative of Maricopa, Arizona Police replied that the state would not answer any of the submitted questions Kelly had emailed, saying: "Ms. Kelly – we will consider responding to specific questions regarding Mr. Thompson’s time in the Maricopa County Jail and nothing more."

Richard says:

"DURING MY RULE 11 MENTAL HEALTH HEARING.

"MARICOPA COUNTY COURTS LIED ABOUT AND SUPPRESSED MY MEDICAL RECORDS.....I HAD NO FAIR REPRESENTATION....ARIZONA LIED AND SAID I WAS GETTING COMBAT TREATMENT THROUGH MIHS...A LIE.

"I HAVE HAD TO MY OWN LEGAL BECAUSE ARIZONA AND THE AZ ATTY GEN OFFICE HAVE DRAGGED THEIR FEET AND USED STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO KEEP FROM GIVING ME A LAWYER...IN THE 324 CASE#2017-113556EA..MARIAN ADAN OF THE AZ ATTY GEN OFFICE TOLD ME THEY WERE GETTING ME A LAWYER.

"I FILED A COMPLAINT WHEN MESA POLICE LIED ABOUT HAVING MY ADDRESS TO GET A CONVICTION AND WARRANT.....I SPENT TWO MONTHS IN JAIL FOR THIS AND THAT IS A VIOLATION OF THE 13TH AMENDMENT."

"4. DURING MY RULE 11 MENTAL HEALTH HEARING. MARICOPA COUNTY COURTS LIED ABOUT AND SUPPRESSED MY MEDICAL RECORDS.....I HAD NO FAIR REPRESENTATION....ARIZONA LIED AND SAID I WAS GETTING COMBAT TREATMENT TRHOUGH MIHS...A LIE.

"MENTAL HEALTH HEARING. MARICOPA COUNTY COURTS LIED ABOUT AND SUPPRESSED MY MEDICAL RECORDS.....I HAD NO FAIR REPRESENTATION....ARIZONA LIED AND SAID I WAS GETTING COMBAT TREATMENT TRHOUGH MIHS...A LIE WHILE I WAS WAITING ON THAT..."

Private Accommodation Eviction

Richard's family have had visits from police and other agents and their home has been searched, the existence of a warrant is unknown.

One particular antagonist is Douglas Clark. There are number of documented instances of him exceeding his authority in over 30 cases involving several families. He still seems to be a form of deputised officer despite correspondence relating to his speeding, excessive expense claims for gasoline including during times he was not on duty - and for claiming he had a level of firearms competency and authority which was not the case.

Private Investigator who is looking into the actions of Mr Clark said:

!Mr. Thompson’s fiancé stated, that Mr. Clark threatened Mr. Thompson by poking him in the chest, and pushing, and telling him he was about to have a bad day. Mr. Thompson as he was talking to his fiancé, and making a phone call in reference to a letter stating he had until 11-30-2017 to leave where he was, this is when Mr. Clark went off. In the state of Arizona, it appears that Mr. Clark committed threatening and intimidation, along with assault. This is the issue I am investigating."

"The PPD did not take a report and they (Richard and his fiancé) were not aware the CAD (NOT A REPORT) did not include the fact of the assault by Douglas Clark as stated by Richard and fiancé. In the CAD it shows that Mr. Thompson was calling to address the assault which had happened. But the police did not make a report. As referenced by police in the cad Mr. Thompson is a known 918 subject."

Richard says: "On July 21st( 2017-12-69919); PHOENIX POLICE and VETERANS COURTS , VERONICA PENA and officers Metcalf and brown, forced my family outside in the heat, after my fiancee told them I was not home !! THEY FORCED MY FAMILY OUTSIDE AND SEARCH MY APT.....I WAS OUT JOGGING !! 3. AFTER MY APT. WAS ILLEGALLY SEARCHED AND MY ENTIRE FAMILIES CIVIL RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED. THE EXCUSE IS THAT I WAS ON VETERANS COURT PROBATION. BUT I HAVE THE NAME AND PHOTOS OF A WHITE COMBAT VETERAN, WHO POSTED PICS OF HIM WITH HIS FIREARM...HE WAS ON PROBATION AS WELL...

"THEY WOULD TERMINATE MY PROBATION EARLY AND GAVE ME $300 BACK...$150 SHOWED IN THE PIC ARCADIA JUSTICE COURTS DID A LOCKOUT AND EVICTED ME !!! AND THAT'S WHEN CONSTABLE, DOUG CLARK ASSAULTED ME BY PUSHING ME TWICE AS HARD AS HE COULD, HE THEN TRIED TO HEAD BUTT ME, AND WAS REACHING FOR HIS WEAPON AT THE SAME TIME... HE GOT NO AGGRESSIVE ACTION AND HE CAUGHT."

MY FIANCEE WAS CRYING WHEN PHOENIX POLICE GOT THERE, BECAUSE SHE WITNESSED EVERTHING. I HAD CALLED 911 TO PRESS CHARGES, AND THATS WHEN OFFICER DEMPSEY REFUSED TO TAKE MY COMPLAINT !! HE TOLD ME I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO FILE A COMPLAINT !! CONSTABLE BRANHAM WAS TRYING TO TALK ME DOWN, WHILE THE PHX POLICE OFFICER WAS TRYING TO TALK MY FIANCEE INTO SAYING SHE WAS AFRAID OF ME, SO THAT THEY COULD ADMIT ME."

What Richard Needs:

Answers, apologies and restitution from the institutions that have at best not supplied the support he needed and at worst violated his rights, and damaged his help

A stable, clean, decent permanent home for him and his family

Employment training and support for a meaningful career

Counseling for PTSD issues

Medical support for his health problems

Re-examination and subsequent restitution concerning his medical care, arrest, injury, how his legal issues were handled, particularly the adoption of his child.

All of the above will require assistance from agencies that have been aware of the situations Richard describes, help from the community, and financial help.

Suzanne Kelly

sgvk27@aol.com

Richard can be contacted by email here: laugborne@rocketmail.com

This website contains the opinions of both Suzanne Kelly and Richard "RC" Thompson, factual data, and quotes. Should any individual or agency come forward to claim any portion of this page is inaccurate or untrue, they will be welcome to send in documentation to support such a claim. Any such claim that is verified will result in a revision and an apology. No such corrective action is anticipated. Should any organisation wish to help Richard Thompson and wish such help to be included in this page, then the page will be updated. There is a considerable body of work outside this summary page that supports the content .

What Richard's fellow vet says

My Marine Brother Richard Thompson. He is a good man, The VA is messed up bad. There has to be a way to right the wrong they have done to him. If this was a civilian doc there would be a malpractice suit. I don’t know your position but thank you from this 62 yr old marine who’s got the run around by them still to this day but giving the wrong Meds for 10yrs wow. I pray he gets compensated for this wrong doing. Someone needs to be fired.
Thank you very much. - Mr W DeMartini.
PS.... If I can help let me know ok.

What a friend (Ms Lockett) says

I am sending this email in regards to my soon to be son-in-law Richard Thompson. I first met Richard in April 2017 via my daughter Latosha who has known him since 2004 and learned of his dealings with PTSD, in the time I've known Richard he has been a kind soul dispite the bouts of having to deal with something I can't possibly imagine, I strongly feel that seeing how Richard and Latosha communicate with one another, learning, teaching and complementing each other has made me truly blessed to know such a man that strives on expressing his feelings and take necessary steps that are and should be in my opinion of the care and rights of all those who have served this country with the aftermaths of their struggles to cope as civilians with PTSD...I love, care about and respect all servicemen and woman for their unyielding services!