Madam Governor:

The people support the clemency request submitted by William McMichael. Dated April 7,2025.

My name is William McMichael. At the age of sixteen, I was living in New York City without any parental supervision. I spent most of my time between Brownsville and East New York—two of Brooklyn’s most impoverished and high-crime neighborhoods, where violence was not just frequent but expected. I was a lost child navigating a vast city, desperately searching for guidance and love in all the wrong places.

The people I chose to follow did not have my best interests at heart. Rather than encouraging me to go to school or return home, they drew me deeper into street life. I would disappear for days, believing that if I wasn’t constantly on the streets, I’d lose my identity. I thought I was grown, but in reality, I was still a child—lacking the emotional maturity and cognitive development to fully understand the weight of my actions.

I never considered that my choices could lead to tragic, irreversible consequences.

That day came in 2004. During an attempted robbery, I panicked when a security guard flinched out of fear—and I pulled the trigger. Tragically, that innocent man lost his life.

Though I committed a serious crime, for which I have expressed deep remorse and accept responsibility, I was charged and sentenced as an adult. At just sixteen, I was not legally permitted to vote, purchase alcohol, drive a car, or engage in other adult responsibilities—yet I was held fully accountable as an adult within the justice system. Now, over two decades later, at the age of 37, I remain incarcerated in a New York State prison.

Despite the harsh reality of my sentence and the conditions under which I was tried, I have committed myself to personal growth and rehabilitation. During my incarceration, I have earned my GED, applied for college, completed vocational programs, and participated in a paralegal studies course. I have trained as a peer educator in HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis, completed aggression replacement training, volunteered in NA/AA programs, and earned certification as a teacher’s assistant. I’ve also taken part in heart disease and breast cancer awareness walks and contributed through donations and volunteer work.

These efforts are not just evidence of my remorse, but proof of my transformation. I have taken responsibility for my actions and worked tirelessly to better myself.

Given the evolving understanding of juvenile justice and the recognition that young people are capable of change, it is time to consider a more compassionate and forward-thinking approach. I am living proof that rehabilitation is possible—even when the system was not designed to support it.

Granting early release to individuals like myself—those who have demonstrated true growth and a sincere commitment to change—would not only affirm the value of rehabilitation but also benefit society as a whole. Research has shown that people who rehabilitate while incarcerated and are released early often have lower rates of recidivism, contributing to safer communities and stronger support networks.

I respectfully ask for the opportunity to return to society, where I can continue my efforts to give back, support others, and live a meaningful life. I am ready to make a positive impact—and I hope you will allow me the chance to do so.