James Spent Over 30 Years in Prison for a Crime He Didn’t Commit
Dear Friends,
Our client James spent over thirty years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. We took on James’s case and shared his story with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and now he’s going home. James is one of 20 clients who have been granted parole since we launched our Pro Bono Parole Program over a year ago.
When James was 17 years old, he was arrested and sentenced to 50 years in prison for a robbery. Video evidence exonerated James, but like so many innocent people without financial means, he ended up behind bars anyway. At the time, James was a star employee at the local newspaper and worked on cars in his free time. James lived with and was cared for by his mother, a social worker.
Today, James is 49 years old. Last year, we took on James’s case and advocated for him before the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. We shared key evidence from his case, like a botched photo line-up, video evidence, and witness testimony.
But we also shared how James has sought to lead a meaningful life while in prison despite the anger and heartbreak he felt after being separated from his mother and sent to prison at age 17. James has participated in dozens of programs, earned his GED, and received the President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. We also provided letters with job offers from three different employers and accounts from loved ones.
Pro bono lawyers are working to exonerate James so that his criminal record is finally cleared. In the meantime, though, we are excited that he will be coming home to live with his family.
Like so many people in Texas prisons today, James has a lot to contribute to the world—and now he’ll have that chance. He plans to start off by volunteering with his home town’s violence prevention program. But in the long term, he wants to mentor children in the youth system, passing along the skills and insights gained from his prison courses to the next generation.
With genuine thanks,
Burke Butler & Randi Chavez
Co-Executive Directors
Texas Defender Service
