Hear their stories
Sade S.
Age at time of event: 18
Current Age: 30
Sentence: 15 years
Sade's Story
Sade was 18 years old at the time of her tragic event. She is the middle child of 3 daughters. Her mom was a young mother and her great aunt and grandma helped raise the three girls. She grew up in Illinois and moved to Minnesota at the age of 13.
Sade shared with us that on the night of the event she and her best friend (age 16) were told by two adult men they knew (ages 22 & 23) to find someone for them to rob. The girls were at the apartment building but were outside when the robbery was to occur inside, but instead it was murder. The girls were not in the building but were charged with murder as a result for their part in the potential robbery. She shares that she never imagined a death would occur and it never crossed her mind.
Being so young and facing such a long sentence both Sade’ and her co-defendant (16 year old female) took plea deals as they didn’t feel there was another option. Sade’s attorney tried to negotiate with the prosecution to a lesser crime of Burglary, unfortunately they would not even discuss it. As a result, Sade was sentenced to 15 years and spent 10 at Shakopee Women’s Prison. Sade made use of her time there by getting her GED, graduating the Prison Fellowship Academy (a strenuous year long Christian program on healing) program, being a part of the prison writers workshop, and mentoring other women. She also received her cosmetology license.
Who is Sade today?
Upon release in 2018 she started work as a stylist at a local hair salon. She currently still works at this location and has become a valued employee. She also has been a part of “Mile In My Shoes” (MIMS) an organization that helps people into reentry into the community through running. She also has worked alongside of the team at FMLR in sharing her story with legislatures and Senators to help them understand what it is like to be charged and sentenced to a murder you did not commit. This past summer she worked alongside of Until We Are All Free volunteering, donating and pouring out into the Minneapolis community in need.
Sade also continues to be a supportive friend and role model to other women she met during her time at Shakopee Women’s Prison. They keep in touch and one another throughout the challenges of re-entry.
More Stories
Megan C.
Age at time of event: 19
Current Age: 22
Sentence: 13.5 years
Roberto L.
Age at time of event: 16
Current Age: 35
Sentence: Life without parole
Maureen
Age at time of event: 28
Current Age: 34
Sentence: Life Without Parole