As pro bono lawyers for Jonathan Pollard for 12 years , we continue to be amazed at how people opposed to executive clemency for our client invariably withhold , distort , and even fabricate facts to justify their position . The most recent manifestation of this phenomenon is the June 16 opinion piece by Roland Martin , `` Israel wrong to demand release of American traitor . '' Mr. Pollard is serving his 27th year of an unprecedented sentence of life in prison for delivering classified information to the state of Israel , a close ally of the United States . Martin does a disservice to his readers by fabricating facts . For example , Martin refers confidently to Pollard 's `` trial , '' and says that during his `` trial , '' Pollard was accused of attempting to pass classified information to Pakistan and other countries . Perhaps Martin does n't know that Pollard never had a trial . This fact could have easily been found through a Google search . And Pollard was never charged by the United States with passing ( or attempting to pass ) classified information to any country other than Israel , for the very simple reason that he never attempted to do so . Martin invents putative facts to support his opinion . Likewise , Martin writes of Pollard 's purported `` treason . '' But he was never charged with ( much less convicted of ) treason . Nor could he have been , as treason requires aid to an enemy of the United States . Martin notes gravely that `` treason '' is addressed in the U.S. Constitution . If Martin had bothered to read that document , he would have seen that the Constitution says that `` Treason against the United States , shall consist only in levying War against them , or in adhering to their Enemies , giving them Aid and Comfort . '' Israel is not an enemy of the United States . Once again , a basic check of the facts would have revealed that Pollard did not commit treason . What should be equally disturbing to Martin 's readers are the critical facts he withholds . Martin makes it seem as if it is mostly the people and leaders of Israel who want Pollard to receive clemency . Martin fails to mention that George Shultz , the U.S. secretary of state at the time of Pollard 's activities , has come out publicly in favor of clemency . Similarly , Robert `` Bud '' McFarlane , who was U.S. national security adviser at that time , has also come out publicly in favor of clemency . It is safe to say that these gentlemen know more than anyone about Pollard 's conduct . The fact that they have come out in favor of clemency speaks volumes . But Martin chooses not to mention this . Nor does he mention that numerous distinguished Americans have come out publicly in favor of clemency , including former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger , former Attorney General Michael Mukasey , former Vice President Dan Quayle , former CIA Director James Woolsey , former Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dennis DeConcini , dozens of members of Congress and many others . Perhaps Martin claims to know more than they do about the Pollard case . Then again , Martin claims Mr. Pollard had a trial and committed treason . Martin is entitled to hold any opinion he wishes . But his readers are entitled to an honest presentation of the facts , not a series of falsehoods buttressed by material omissions .
Jonathan Pollard is serving his 27th year of imprisonment for conspiracy to commit espionage . Pollard 's attorneys say his sentence is unduly harsh , that he 's been guilty of distortions . Note : Pollard 's crime did not amount to treason . Henry Kissinger , David Shultz , Dan Quayle are among those supporting him , they say .