May 18, 2025
The 3 Briefs: The Appeal, Government Response, Our Reply (WHEN WILL HE BE HOME)

Background: 

(When something so outrageous happens to someone you love, what can you do but speak up? Michael, my husband, has been fighting against a storm of accusations that paint a heartbreaking and, quite honestly, ridiculous picture of him. After reviewing the legal briefs surrounding his case, it has become crystal clear to me that this entire ordeal is built on a fabricated narrative. The goal? To destroy a man who has always prioritized the well-being of others, or because the initial investigators are TERRIBLE INVESTIGATORS, and the government has gone to far and cant stop so they have to cover up the very bad job done by a couple of individuals. Justice for Michael is long overdue, and I want to share with you exactly why the truth is on our side.)

The Three Briefs and Why They Matter

To start, let's break down the three briefs in Michael’s legal case. Bear with me if this leans into some legal talk—I struggle to understand a lot of it, because the government makes everything so much more complicated. That is another reason why everything takes so long. 

Brief #1: The Case for a New Trial (Our Side, in a Nutshell)

The first brief outlines why Michael deserves a new trial or just DISMISS THIS STUPID CASE THAT IS NOT A CASE. Here’s the deal: Michael was accused of misusing Social Security money from his father. The government painted this horrific picture of a son stealing from his dad, claiming these withdrawals were for personal gain while leaving his dad with nothing. It gets worse. We had to endure 2 trials and Michael is sitting in prison right now because of a supposed 42,000 he stole from his dad--which he DID NOT! At trial, they gave the jury the impression that Michael had also misused a separate one-time payment of around $11,500 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) his dad received.

Here’s the kicker, though: the government knew that wasn't true. They hid entirely exonerating evidence that the Social Security Administration (SSA) had already accounted for all that SSI money as properly spent. That document, which could have changed the entire trial, didn’t surface until way too late--in fact after BOTH TRIALS. But of course, by then, the damage was done.

This brief fights back against that injustice. It makes it clear why withholding that key piece of evidence isn’t just wrong—it’s a violation of Michael’s rights. How can a man be convicted when the full truth isn’t even allowed to come to light?

Brief #2: The Government’s Weak Defense

Then there’s the government’s response, where they essentially brushed off their failure to disclose the SSA’s determination. They argue that the missing evidence wouldn’t have changed the outcome, saying the information was “available through other means.” Are they kidding me? If even they didn’t realize the full extent of the accounting until just before sentencing, how could Michael or his legal team possibly have figured it out? Their reasoning is not just flawed; it’s offensive.

They also doubled down, claiming that Michael’s withdrawals still pointed to wrongdoing, never mind that his dad preferred living on cash and hated dealing with banks or government systems. (This was supported by multiple family testimonies on the stand, by the way.) The government’s narrative relies entirely on selective storytelling, omitting key details in an effort to write Michael off as someone he absolutely is not.

Brief #3: Our Reply to Their Weak Arguments

Next comes the third brief, our rebuttal. It lays things out beautifully. It dismantles the government’s argument piece by piece. It points out how the prosecution twisted economic details and created confusion by mixing up SSI and SSDI payments until even the judge commented on how tangled everything had gotten.

One of the strongest points this response makes is that money is fungible—that means one dollar taken out of an account can’t easily be distinguished from another. The government leaned heavily on Michael’s cash withdrawals, exaggerating and inflating their significance, but this rebuttal reminds us that huge chunks of those withdrawals were tied directly to the accounted-for SSI payment. That money was Michael rightfully reimbursing himself for providing for his father while the SSA took its sweet bureaucratic time to get benefits rolling. How can you accuse someone of stealing money that everyone agrees was his to begin with?

Finally, it highlights something that puts the entire trial into question. At Michael’s first trial, the jury couldn’t even reach a guilty verdict, resulting in a mistrial. A new trial is vital not only to clear his name but to right the massive wrongs in how this case was handled from the start.

A Fabricated Narrative Designed to Destroy

The most infuriating part of this whole case? The idea that my husband, a man who has always been obsessed with health and wellness—not only for himself but for everyone around him—would neglect his father is laughable. And then there’s the most absurd accusation of all, a claim that became some kind of centerpiece in the government’s story they released into the public and media against him. They suggested that Michael’s father had to eat cat food because Michael, supposedly, was scamming Social Security money. I can’t put into words just how ridiculous and outrageous this is. WOW!

This is a man who has devoted his life to nurturing those around him. Anyone who knows him, even in passing, could tell you that his father’s health was always a top priority. Our team even showed the before and after photo of his father when he wasn't living with Michael, compared to when he was living with Michael. His dad looked VERY healthy while in Michael's care. As soon as he wasn't in his care, he drank himself to death very quickly.  His dad’s preference for living cash-first wasn’t neglect; it was a decision driven by his dad’s own personality and deep distrust of any bureaucracy. That kind of independence and stubbornness ran deep in their family.

On the stand, multiple family members testified to this reality. A long-time family friend backed it up, saying how his dad always used cash and how he went grocery shopping with him and knew his spending habits. Despite this mountain of evidence contradicting the government’s claims, they pushed forward with this caricature of Michael, hoping people would buy into their version of events.

Who Is Michael, Really?

Michael is not just my husband. He’s the father of my children, my best friend, and the healthiest, most disciplined guy I’ve known. He’s a leader in our community. He’s the kind of person who will sit with you through every painstaking detail of a decision because he cares that much about doing the right thing. These accusations don’t just hurt a legal case; they tear at the heart of the good Michael has done for so many people.

If you’ve met him, you know he doesn’t even keep things for himself. If anything, Michael sometimes needs reminding to take care of himself because he’s so busy pouring his energy into helping others or making sure family and friends are supported. These allegations of selfishness couldn’t be further from the truth.

Hope Moving Forward

The fight isn’t over. These briefs don’t just tell a legal story; they shine a light on how sloppy and biased the case against Michael has been. They shine light on government mishaps and the need for checks and balances in our judicial system. The exonerating evidence is there, and the inconsistencies in the government’s narrative are as glaring as the sun. I believe with every fiber of my being that justice will prevail and Michael will win this case—not just for himself but for all of us who know the truth.

I’ll keep shouting about this as long as I have to. If you know Michael or have words of support to send his way, please don’t hold back. Write him. How to write him is on the front of the homepage. This kind of fight is exhausting, but it’s love, truth, and a united community that keep us strong.

Justice for Michael is coming. I believe it with all my heart. I love you, Michael!

– Kelsey Sylvara