Give Jamie a Second Look — and Give Young Offenders a Chance to Be Heard

Across Missouri, people who committed serious crimes at ages 18, 19, or 20 can receive sentences that leave them with no possibility of parole. Their crimes and their victims must never be minimized. But we also believe a person’s age, maturity, rehabilitation, and conduct over decades should be allowed to matter.

Jamie was only 18 years old—about 90 days past his 18th birthday—when his crime occurred. He has now spent 30 years incarcerated.

This petition supports two separate efforts.

First: Jamie’s clemency request.

We are asking Missouri officials to give Jamie’s individual case meaningful consideration for executive clemency. Signing this petition does not erase the seriousness of his crime. It says that after decades of incarceration, his age at the time of the offense, his growth, rehabilitation, conduct, and circumstances today deserve to be considered.

 

 

Second: Missouri sentencing reform.

Separate from Jamie’s individual clemency request, we are advocating for legislation addressing people who committed offenses as emerging adults—before age 21—and received sentences without a meaningful opportunity for parole.

The proposed reform would not automatically release anyone. It would create an opportunity for qualifying individuals, after serving the required amount of time, to appear before the parole board. The parole board would still evaluate each person individually and could deny parole.

Missouri has roughly 28,000 people incarcerated in its state prisons. Based on current estimates, this proposed change would potentially affect only about 200 people, and many of those individuals would not yet qualify because they have not served the required 30 years.

This isn't about opening prison doors or guaranteeing anyone's freedom.

It is about allowing a second look.

We believe someone who committed a terrible act as a teenager or emerging adult should have the opportunity, after decades of incarceration, to demonstrate whether they have changed.

By signing, you are asking Missouri leaders to give Jamie's clemency request meaningful consideration and showing your support for legislation that would give similarly situated individuals an opportunity for parole consideration after decades of incarceration.

One correction I'd make before putting it on Change.org: I would remove the statement that you cannot serve on a jury until 21. In Missouri, the statutory qualification is generally 18, not 21. Keeping that claim could undermine an otherwise strong argument. The stronger age argument is that modern law and research recognize important developmental differences between adolescents/emerging adults and fully mature adults.