Brittany Wiggins is a 34-year-old trans-masculine Black person who uses both they/them and he/him pronouns.

On the night of February 16th, 2017, Brittany, then only 24, was leaving a Walmart when a group of white people gathered in the parking lot began yelling at Brittany, using anti-Black and queerphobic slurs to degrade him. 

Scared and frustrated, Brittany tried to defend themself, and at some point he fired a shot from his registered gun into a vehicle belonging to the group of people that were verbally abusing him. The bullet struck a woman and killed her.

Brittany was charged with first-degree murder, a charge that was eventually dropped. At trial, no one ever mentioned that the group of whites used explicitly racist and dehumanizing language when they instigated their abusive encounter with Brittany. The court seemed more interested in speculating about Brittany's gender and their strictly platonic relationship with a gay male friend than in seeking anything close to justice. 

Brittany remembers that only a single member of their jury was Black. A nearly all-white jury convicted them of two charges, firing a gun from and into an occupied vehicle.

Virginia's sentencing guidelines suggest that such convictions warrant a sentence of 24-40 years. Brittany's judge decided to go beyond these already excessive guidelines and sentence Brittany to life plus fourteen years. Although judges are expected to explain their reasoning for ignoring sentencing guidelines, the paperwork that Brittany was provided is blank. The judge chose not to even attempt to justify their decision, regardless of its dire impact on Brittany's life.

After sentencing, Brittany told their lawyer that they wished to appeal. The lawyer agreed and told Brittany he would contact them about next steps. He never spoke to Brittany again.

Throughout his trial, Brittany received inadequate counsel, dealt with a callous and careless court, and was judged by a jury that was not made up of their peers.

Brittany is now 34. Nearly a decade has passed since that terrifying night in the dark parking lot of the Walmart. During that decade, Brittany has pursued every opportunity allowed to them while incarcerated to improve himself as a person and as a community member. Brittany has completed anger management and training on making healthy decisions. They have completed HVAC training, are currently enrolled in optical education, and plan to begin taking courses at Piedmont Virginia Community College soon.

The IWCSP is seeking to gain a conditional pardon/commutation of sentence for Brittany from the current governor Abigail Spanberger. In Virginia, a commutation of sentence is essentially a partial conditional pardon.

Brittany deserves a second chance. They deserve to have the opportunity to pursue their goals, which focus on helping others in the community, especially youth who may face struggles similar to those that Brittany has faced. In particular, Brittany hopes to help young people by supporting and empowering them to stay in school, work effectively with others, and make a positive impact.

Please sign this petition today and help get Brittany back to the community and loves and needs them!