Anthony was charged as an adult at age 15, and sentenced to 60 years in prison. Here we are almost 17 years later with an interview that over 3.5 million people viewed within a year, with their positivity, support, and prayers at a second chance for Anthony. If you haven't watched it, and have some time out your day to view it, the link will be attached to this. I would have liked to explain to the world why Anthony deserves a second chance at life, but he decided that he wanted to speak to you all himself from the heart.   

https://youtu.be/1JXn_uFAWdc?si=5gxXEItrVpOfJWob

https://youtu.be/GpZ88vtg3aw?si=fugFFbTV9Uw3pFgY

First and foremost, I offer my deepest and everlasting condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones. No words, prayers, or actions can undo the loss they have suffered. I cannot turn back time or erase the harm that was done. I live every day with the weight of that reality.At the age of 15, I committed a crime that took a life, and I was convicted of murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison. At that age, the sentence felt like a death sentence. I was forced to confront the seriousness of my actions and the permanent consequences they caused. I sank into deep depression, overwhelmed by guilt, shame, and the belief that my life no longer had value. I could not forgive myself, and the burden of what I had done felt unbearable.
Prison is a place of punishment and accountability, but it is not a place where forgiveness is easily found. For years, I lived without hope, believing I was beyond redemption. That mindset can lead to despair, self-destruction, and even suicidal thoughts. I am grateful that I did not give in to that darkness.
What saved me was love,  the unconditional love of my mother and grandmother. Their faith in me kept me alive when I could not believe in myself. Over time, I found a deeper transformation through my faith in Jesus Christ. I do not claim to understand or debate theology, but I can testify to the results of living according to my beliefs. Through my faith, I learned humility, accountability, forgiveness, and the strength to change.
In Christ, I learned to endure suffering without bitterness and to live with compassion for others. His example taught me that redemption is possible, even after profound failure. Through this spiritual transformation, I learned to forgive myself, take responsibility for my past, and commit fully to becoming a better man. Though I remain incarcerated, I no longer carry the crushing weight of who I once was. I am no longer defined solely by my worst mistake.
Over the past 17 years of incarceration, I have dedicated myself to growth and rehabilitation. I have completed nearly 50 character-based, self-help, and rehabilitative programs. Since I entered prison as a child, I had to grow into adulthood behind bars. I sought guidance from mentors, counselors, and instructors who helped shape my character and give me tools to live responsibly and productively.
Witnessing the devastating impact of addiction within the prison system motivated me to study recovery and treatment. As a result, I became a Certified Addictions Peer Recovery Coach (CAPRC) through Mental Health America of Indiana. I have volunteered as a Peer Recovery Mentor, helping others follow their treatment plans and facilitating 12-step meetings. My goal has always been to challenge others  and myself  to be better.
I also believe that dignity and self-respect matter. For the past six years, I have worked as a barber in the prison barbershop, helping others feel human, confident, and cared for. Barbering is a profession I plan to continue upon release, alongside my work in addiction recovery.
If given a second chance, I am committed to serving my community. I want to mentor youth, speak against gangs, drugs, and destructive choices, and help people struggling with addiction find hope and direction. I did not survive these years merely to live freely, I survived to be useful, to give back, and to save lives.
I am not asking for the past to be forgotten. I am asking for my present and future to be seen. I am no longer the 15 year old who made a devastating decision. I am a grown man who has spent 17 years proving that change is possible.
All I am asking for is a second chance, not just for myself, but for the lives I am ready to help change.