I call upon the parole board to deny the early release of Samuel Phillip Redmond III.
On Feb 4th, 2000 an innocent life was taken because of gang violence.
Jessica Salazar- age 14.
She was a poet and a beaming light of joy to her family and everyone who knew her. Her wit and charm would captivate you as soon as you would meet her.
She was gifted, talented, and beautiful.
Her sprouting potential was subsequently and abruptly stripped from her.
While she was leaving a party with friend Michael Faria (15), they were approached by Samuel Redmond and other gang members.
Michael Faria was affiliated with a rival gang and as a way to advance their status in their gang, 6 men beat him on the ground and then shot him in the chest and head.
As he lay there gasping for his life, Jessica sat terrified on the curb refusing to leave her friend.
She was forced into Samuel Redmond’s car while he drove 30 minutes with her being held captive, even stopping for gas.
Despite having opportunities to set Jessica free. Her abductors planned how they could avoid being identified and collectively they decided that the only way was to end the life of 14-year-old Jessica.
Samuel Redmond drove the gang members to a dirt road, where they forced her out. She fought and pleaded for her life while Redmond held her down so his friend could shoot her execution-style.
Before they left, the group attempted to “put two in her head” to make sure she was dead but their gun jammed.
When the police went to question Redmond, he had the newspaper clipping of Jessica’s death on the wall of his apartment. He and his friends signed their names to claim their crime, adding Michael's name also.
Redmond took pride in his crime and used it to bring glory to himself, earning the gang name “Devil”.
He was sentenced to two life without parole sentences with 50 years for a gang enhancement.

 In 2020 his sentence was commuted to 25 to life and his eligibility for parole was reinstated.
Redmond has talked openly about the cruelty of his sentence on podcasts and articles. Speaking about the “unfairness” of his sentence and that he accepted a plea deal of two life sentences to avoid the death penalty and to be able to hug his mom during visits.
While Jessicas mom, dad, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas can only visit her in the memories she left and the words she wrote.
On May 19th, 2022 his hearing for early release will be held.
As a community, we cannot allow someone capable of this heinous and monstrous crime to be released back into society. Please sign this petition to illustrate to the parole board the gravity of his crimes and to keep Jessica’s voice heard.
- The Family of Jessica Salazar