Sign The Petition Here:
Listen to my conversation with Julia Butler if you have any doubts about signing. Do this for me – LanceScurv – if no other reason and also read her blog article:
http://juliabutlerspeaks1.blogspot.com/2015/01/time-waits-for-no-one.html
It’s the full story about this very frustrating and painful ordeal! We’re not asking for anything but a signature and I beg you ALL to take the 60 seconds to do so!
Read her letter to the public officials below:
Letter to
California State Attorney General Kamala D. Harris
State of California Governor Jerry Brown
United States of America President Obama
Supervising Deputy Attorney General Susan Duncan Lee
Dear Public Officials,
The State of California took my brother’s life away from him for a crime that did not involve murder, child assault, or rape. There was one event, however for what seems to be for dramatic effects, the District Attorney broke the charges up as follows: Conspiracy to Commit Murder -Although no one was actually murdered. 2 Counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, Robbery, Shooting at an occupied vehicle, 2 Counts of Assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury. Special Allegations for tougher punishment: Use of a Fire Arm and Inflict Great Bodily Injury. After being convicted by a mostly all-white jury, my little brother and Aaron Ruff were each sentenced 106 years Plus 3 Consecutive Life Sentences for “crimes that DID NOT INVOLVE MURDER!!!! AND this was his first offense.
Respectfully, I would like to request that you consider the following facts:
1. My brother is not nor has he ever been a gang member. We grew up in a neighborhood that was considered ghetto but by no choice or control of our own. Most of the people we grew up with all took different paths in life and yes, unfortunately some of them did turn to criminal acts. However Charles did not. Therefore it is UNFAIR and cruel to label someone a ‘Gang Member’ because they happen to live in a gang neighborhood. Please keep in mind that as a teenager Charles had no choice as to where his grandparents who raised him lived.
2. The so called “victims” have signed statements that Charles nor Aaron are the people who attacked them. They further state that the District Attorney coursed, lead and pressured them into testifying against Charles and Aaron. The District Attorney and Detectives used blackmail and other scare tactics to do this according to the victims.
3. There are countless cases in which there where actually a human life taking however the person who was actually convicted for murder has served 20 years are so and are free today. My brother and Aaron have been in prison for 23 years and don’t even have a Parole date.
4. There was a letter written from the Department of Correction stating that the Judge in this case should reconsider his sentencing because “Illegal-Excessive” sentencing occurred.
In my conclusion I would like to call upon your humanity, compassion, and conviction. Don’t you think that 23 years in Prison for the crime of which these two human beings were convicted on should be enough? Since his incarceration Charles has had a stroke and is paralyzed on his right side with a speech impairment. He is unable to participate in any of the Department of Justice Work Programs. If he is given a second chance at life, he has plans to move to Atlanta Georgia with me. I will assist him in becoming acclimated in Society once again. I am adequately employed and able to assist him financially until he is able to get on his feet. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Respectfully,
Julia Butler and all Listed Signatures
Please see attached list of those who wants to see fairness and a Second Chance for Charles and Aaron