1ºChrystel Drummonds you’re almost there. I really hope you’re an independent, because we need to push out the 2-party farce that we have. One party caters to the rich and acts like anybody can “just do it like I did,” ignoring the push they got and their lack of certain obstacles. But at least they’re honest in their oblivion. The other party caters to the rich just like the other party, but lies through their teeth about how much they care. And they “cared” enough to put brown people in housing waaaayyyyyy over there, on the other side of town, and gave them just enough scraps off the table to keep them coming back. And just like the bears we’re not supposed to feed at national parks, because they become dependent and forget how to hunt on their own, the same has happened to way too many good people. That party just swapped literal chains for administrative chains. Same result, though.
Nobody can convince me that black people were able to create mass wealth (Black Wall Street, OK) less than 50 years removed from the Emancipation Proclamation, yet they somehow can’t find their way to polling stations in 2022. The suppressive lies that are told to POC is sickening, and is a way larger form of systemic racism than what we are being told is.
2ºCorey Schoofield You don't have to be black to be railroaded in life. I experienced the same thing, and FYI I went to school with wealthier blacks--they had the same condescending attitudes, in general, as whites. It isn't skin color, it is money, priviledge and so forth .People who have means don't wind up in those positions. Poor people do. It is simple as that. The issue of race is a factor, but more to the point, it is a question of direction. It seems as if alot of black folks--not all of them by any means--have no direction. You cannot blame this on society, racism and so forth. You have to take responsibility on an individual level. The longer you try to pass the buck the longer it will be for them.
3ºOur Justice System is NOT perfect… NO system is… And I would like to believe that it is by far; one of the best in the World… That said, I am elated that Justice doesn’t simply end, at the time that the Jury delivers a Verdict ! As much as I am sad / angry that this injustice occurred, I am equally pleased; that we have the means to CHECK, the decisions made, and that they are constantly being evaluated… EVEN, after decades after the fact. …. Another positive to our System. I wish him well, and HOPE; that there are mechanisms in place assist him further - perhaps monetarily !!
4ºLaura Coffman Leece so this doesn’t happen disproportionately to black men? There are no studies to support that? None!! See the problem with this? Is that there are judges sitting on benches looking like you making these decisions, there are juries who are upset with this , they’re also people who look like you and a person who is black sitting at the defense table! At 71 this woman who knew she didn’t make a positive ID, but at the time somebody needed to pay!Now she says she think she made a mistake, why because she’s 70 now and needs absolution! She needs to make it right before she drops d......!!!!!!
5ºIf this man had been kidnapped and held for a week, his kidnappers would likely go to prison for years. But, there will be no consequences for the malicious or incompetent actions that sent this innocent man to prison for 32 years. So, does Justice really exist? Yes, he is now free (if he can ever be) but that doesn't give him back the years or punish the truly guilty. By truly guilty, I mean the system that did this to him and so many others. He would have done better to join a mob that overran the Capitol and committed treason. I used the word "treason" thoughtfully.
6ºThis man will never be "free." He will never be free from the mental anguish, the emotional turmoil; he will never be free from his thoughts and what he's gone thru while 32 years of his life was so easily snatched away from him. Yes, he may receive compensation, but it will never be enough to replace what he's lost. I can't even imagine walking into today's society/world after being locked up for 32 years. It's almost like having to learn how to walk again, especially with the evolution of technology. I hope with the proper therapy, he can gain some positive momentum and enjoy the rest of his life the way he deserves.
7ºWillard Kimbrel "He also made extensive remarks about the 1994 crime bill, which Biden, as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, largely wrote and shepherded through the legislative process. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 received bipartisan support at the time but has been criticized for some of its provisions, such as mandatory minimum sentencing, and its impact on mass incarceration. (When we looked at claims in 2016 from both sides on the law’s role in mass incarceration, we found the trend of increasing imprisonment began well before 1994, but experts told us the 1994 law exacerbated the issue.)" factcheck.org published this during the campaign in 2019. How did you ignore that role he played in that?
8ºChrystel Drummonds Prisons are not the problem in America, Judges are, they are not full proof and far too often get it wrong. The legal system is also at fault using public platforms to foster their case. Can everyone honestly say the latest Maxwell case is just (dodgy jury ignored by the "district judge"), guilty or not guilty, who knows if the legal eagles are prepared to go to the depths of dishonesty to get their way, and I'm simply talking dollars. And whats happen to the list of all those other VIP's (un-named) supposedly involve with the 17 year old adult.
9ºChrystel Drummonds Exactly! I still can't believe that our government keeps allowing prisons to be privatized because once that happens everyone knows good and well that it becomes all about profit. Nobody cares about the lives of prisoners, especially innocent ones! Their lives are expendable as long as the money comes in, and the owners know that another prisoner will be locked up before exonerated prisoners are set free or sentenced to death. It's truly evil if you think about it because there's absolutely no regard for the sanctity of life. I'm always hoping that there will be a change for the better! God bless y'all
10ºStephanie Bebermeyer Lee I think we all who have responded to your "Philosophical" view & comments on the matter understand that no sum of Money will ever replace all the years & life experiences he has missed out on. Yes I get it! Jus as no amount of Money can repay the loss & sacrifices Black Americans have through generations experienced as the result of Slavery which is also apart of the reason this Brotha was unjustly convicted & imprisoned. But still, I and most Black Americans would still very much like to receive our Reparations!! Which is the same situation for this Gentleman. He needs to receive his Reparations from the State for 32yrs of Injustice & Unjust imprisonment. At the least he should be allowed to enjoy the remainder of his life without any financial stress!