Hear Their Stories
Kevin, 23 Years
When Kevin was 18 years old he was part of a drug deal gone wrong. Kevin did not kill anyone and did not want anyone killed. Yet like all of the other persons shared on this page Kevin was charged with First Degree Murder under the felony murder laws of Minnesota. Despite his regrets, he spent the next 15 years of his life incarcerated. it was here where he discovered his skills as a writer and artist. Now free, he has created the activist group Until We Are Free, which focuses on human rights. He also has received several awards for his writing and is a regular contributor to Minnesota Spokesmen Recorder.
Sade, 15 Years
18 year old and sentenced to 15 years for a murder when she was not even in the building at the time it happened. Attempts to negotiate a lesser charge were denied and the court all but forced a plea deal upon her. Sade served this sentence until her release in 2018, since then she has been participating in local activism (including FMLR Minnesota) to aid other current and former incarcerated individuals.
Coley, Life With Possibility of Parole
At age 19, Coley (left in image) had already been through a lifetime of hardship; losing a younger cousin to murder, his sister shot, and losing a friend to gun violence, he wondered whether he would be next. Unfortunately, while he was not harmed, he had been linked to a murder without any direct involvement. This lead to a sentence to Life in Prison with opportunity for parole. Coley is now 43 and during his time incarcerated has become an artist, wordsmith and poet. Click through to read some of his work and hear the rest of his story in his own words!
Maureen, Life Without Parole
An aspiring writer and holder of two bachelor’s degrees (Communications and English Literature), this young woman is serving Life Without Parole while the shooter in her case will be out in 26 years. Society tells her that her life does not matter, #FMLR is hope for her to get it back.
Briana, 13.5 Years
Just like some others stories on this site, Briana accepted a plea deal for 13.5 years in prison to avoid going to trial and the very real possibility of receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Many never do not get their day in court because the risk (LWOP) is just too high. Briana has spent 3 years incarcerated and has decided to use this time to mature and is trying to make a difference. She has graduated from Prison Fellowship Academy (PFA), mentored other women in the PFA program, is taking college courses to obtain her degree, volunteers for many programs, and has tutored others to get their GED.
Roberto, Life With Possibility of Parole
Roberto at just 16 years old was sentenced to life in prison! Roberto is an artist and a mentor that has taken advantage of many personal growth classes and other learning opportunities since being sentenced almost 20 years ago to Life with the opportunity of Parole. LIke everyone else on this page Roberto did not kill anyone and no one claims he did! All of this time spent incarcerated away from his daughter, just for being nearby the shooter at time of the event.
