We, the undersigned citizens of Delaware, are writing a petition to our governor John C. Carney with an urgent plea for clemency for Hayward L. Evans.  As you know, Mr. Evans has been incarcerated for over 20 years for crimes he insists he did not commit. We have been following Mr. Evans' case closely, and we are deeply troubled by the circumstances surrounding his conviction and the evidence that has come to light since his sentencing.

Evidence of Innocence:

Mr. Evans' case has been marred by significant irregularities. The evidence presented at trial was based on flawed and misleading accounts from police officers, who deliberately excluded crucial information and even coerced witnesses into providing false testimony.  In 2019, Dainia Cannon, one of the surviving victims of the crime for which Mr. Evans was convicted, provided a sworn affidavit detailing how police pressured him to falsely implicate Mr. Evans and how his true account of the events that night contradicts the prosecution's narrative. This new evidence raises serious doubts about the validity of Mr. Evans' conviction.

Broken Promises and a Lack of Justice:

Despite the Board of Pardons' recommendation for a commutation of Mr. Evans' sentence to “time served and 6 months work release,” you denied this request. We believe this decision represents a failure to uphold the principles of justice and fairness that should be the cornerstone of our judicial system. The fact that Mr. Evans has already served over 20 years, despite the potential for his innocence, is a stark reminder that our justice system is not infallible, and that sometimes, innocent people are caught in the system's cracks.

Time is of the Essence:

The upcoming change in office creates an urgent need for action.  We urge you to grant Mr. Evans a full and unconditional pardon before you leave office, to ensure that this miscarriage of justice is rectified. We believe that granting clemency to Mr. Evans would be a testament to your commitment to justice and a recognition of the human cost of flawed legal processes.

We implore you to act swiftly and grant Hayward Evans the pardon he deserves.  His continued incarceration, in the face of growing evidence of his potential innocence, is a stain on the reputation of the Delaware justice system. 

By signing this petition, we urge the state authorities to revisit the case of Hayward L. Evans, and implement the corrective steps necessary to right this wrong. This is about more than just one person, it’s about the integrity of our justice system and our collective belief in fairness and equity. Please, stand with us in our call for justice for Hayward L. Evans. Sign this petition today.