Hear their stories
Roberto L.
Age at time of event: 16
Current Age: 35
Sentence: Life with possibility of parole
Roberto's story
Roberto was a 16 year old boy at the time of his tragic event. He shared with us about his upbringing that he was surrounded with abuse, gangs, discrimination and rejection. Roberto became a young father at the age of 15. He shares he was in the process of trying to turn his life around. Trying to discover what a life without gangs or violence looked like, he had just returned to high school in an effort to make things better.
Roberto explains on the day of the event he was one of 5 persons in a car headed to a party. The other four men were all over the age of 18 making him the youngest and only minor in the car. Events unfolded and one of the men got out of the car and shot and killed someone. The two men in the front seat were not charged with anything. Of the three in the backseat, one was given a plea deal for 15 years to testify against the others, the shooter took his case to trial and received life with the possibility of parole. Roberto took his to trial and received life without the possibility of parole plus a consecutive sentence for being gang related.
Yes you read that correctly, the adult male who committed the murder got a lesser sentence than a 16 year old sitting in the back seat of a car who never got out, never shot anyone and had no prior convictions at the time of this event.
Roberto, pictured with his Daughter
Who is Roberto today?
Robert shared, “I am an artist, a man with big dreams that has taken advantage of many personal growth classes, including education by receiving my GED and college courses. An admin representative and an advocate to create a safer environment and build community within these walls. I have facilitated support groups and helps mentor men with mental health issues as an actual job for several years, which has taught me compassion for others in the most purest form. Throughout the years, I have managed to maintain good communication with my loved ones and a good relationship with my daughter, and also have a good rapport with the staff. Nowadays, I facilitate a group for individuals with long term sentences. It is called ‘HOPE-Helping Other Prisoners Evolve’ and it provides support from others that can relate, and help to maintain hope in the form of purpose. I work as a transitions clerk, helping people about to be released to take advantage of their resources available to them to increase the possibility of them staying out and making it.”
A pair of art pieces by Roberto
What would Roberto do if he was resentenced?
Roberto shared, “If I was to get released today, I would put my experience to use, by establishing a program that can provide a safe place where troubled kids can come. In this place, youth can explore their interests and talents. As well as the opportunity to adopt a dog to take care of without the need to take it home with them. This is in hopes that in the process of taking care of their dog they can learn compassion, a key element I believe will kickstart a better human being. Once the interests and talent is discovered, the program will invest in them to give kids an actual opportunity to succeed in life. Other than that, As for myself, to be honest, I just want to live a normal peaceful life, with the joy of helping these kids, and finding the time to paint while being free and spending time with my daughter. “
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Maureen
Age at time of event: 28
Current Age: 34
Sentence: Life Without Parole
Sade S.
Age at time of event: 18
Current Age: 30
Sentence: 15 years
Megan C.
Age at time of event: 19
Current Age: 22
Sentence: 13.5 years