Call to Action

I never thought I would say this out loud, but not having a male role model is something that deeply affected me growing up. The older I get the deeper I understand the significance of it. My upbringing was so difficult that I just want the simple things in life like creating a family of my own one day and giving them all the things that I missed out on during my childhood. I never even had a chance to start living because my freedom was taken away too soon.

Going to prison at a young age uprooted my livelihood and left me on the outside looking in on life. Not a day goes by without me hoping, wishing or Praying to get a break on my case so I can really get a taste of all I have missed out on in life. There were times where my life felt meaningless and I really couldn't make sense of life. All these years in prison have stunted my growth as human being. It probably would have been different had I came to prison as an adult who had gotten to experience some of what life has to offer. But getting locked up very young only added to my confusion and made it that much worse when it comes to experiences and lack there of when it comes to my life. I honestly can sit here today and say that I can't think of a moment in my life that's worth mentioning and labeling as the best or greatest moment of my life, but I won't go there.

I think of everyday as a blessing

I'm really appreciative of the little things, in this thing we call life. I look at everyday as a blessing. This experience has taught me to not take anything for granted. Don't get me wrong, I had memorable moments here and there that's worth mentioning like when I earned my paralegal degree from Black Stone Career Institute. It was a moment that helped me feel a sense of accomplishment. I felt proud, relieved and more importantly educated. But nothing like what the average 30 year old individual thinks of when it comes to a moment in their life worth mentioning. As good and wonderful of a day that day was for me, I was still an inmate in a maximum security prison for a crime which I didn't commit. It's hard to even feel free inside and enjoy the accomplishment even in a moment like that under the circumstances.

Simply put, being Innocent is the only thing that helped me keep my head above water all these years. Not a day goes bye without me thinking about a way to help exonerate myself. All I do is work on my case or find ways to network and connect with people who can help me bring awareness to my case, my story and my Wrongful Conviction. I have written countless letters to people across the country: to celebrities, athletes, organizations and even individuals in prominent positions with the hopes of one day catching someone's attention who can help me bring attention to my case. I can honestly say I have written thousands of letters all across the country. LeBron James, Kim Kardashion, The Marshall Project, The Innocent Project and Jay-Z ROC Nation are among the people and places I have written letters to, just to name a few. I haven't gotten any of their attention yet to help me with my case thus far. Who knows, maybe soon, l hope....

In here it is easy to feel no one cares, a feeling reinforced often by staff. But you have shown people do care. I underestimated the heart of the people out there all these years. The teachers, students, and all others concerned about injustice. The state underestimates the power of our community here in the state of Minnesota. You have now heard my story. You know how I was wrongfully convicted and left to languish in prison while just a youth at the time when I should have been being mentored on how to become an adult. Some of you have heard of the ordeals I have faced in here. Each of you have a voice. I call on you to use it. Make your voice known.

Each of you have a voice. I call on you to use it. Make your voice known.