I Debbie Dale; advocate, supporter, and friend of Derek Holmes am posting this petition hoping to garner support for the injustice Derek has suffered. DEREK'S PLIGHT-Misguided charges and sentencing... There are flaws in our justice system, caused by police incompetence, prosecution misconduct, and prosecution over zealousness. Ultimately these practices landed Derek in prison. In 1996 Derek was charged with 1st degree murder where him and the victim were engaged in a serious fight which unfortunately left one man dead. A struggle for survival; now a struggle for freedom, though it was self defense or even reckless involuntary man slaughter, police rushed to judgment, ignoring key factors that the prosecution distorted and twisted for the sake of winning another case. Derek was found guilty of 2nd degree murder and sentenced to life, which he was only trying to preserve. Derek now sits in Southeast Correctional Center finding himself once again fighting for his life.  PERSONAL HISTORY: Derek was born in Detroit Michigan in August 1968 to two teenage parents. Soon after his birth his father enlisted in the military to give him and his mother a better life. Derek grew up well disciplined with morals, values, and principles. By the time he reached high school his mother enrolled him in catholic school to make sure he stayed on the right track. Although he didn't graduate from catholic school, he did however graduated from the Detroit public school system in 1986. In the summer of 1986 Derek's mother relocated to St. Louis Missouri where Derek enrolled in college and obtained gainful employment. At the age of 21 Derek became married to a lovely young lady, which out of that relationship bore two wonderful sons. Settling down with a family, he soon purchased his first home, and felt he was well on his way. But in the dark year of 1996 Derek's life began to spiral out of control. Although he was a union apprentice carpenter, work had become sporadic. Derek began street hustling to make ends meet and abusing substances to mask his depression. Subsequently those actions were the catalyst that lead him to prison. REHABILITATION: Since Derek's incarceration he has been involved in positive rehabilitative programs. His long list of accomplishments consist of tutoring students for their GED for over seven years; facilitating and co-creating various programs, such as Parole Planning Advanced, Facilitator Training Program, and Boys to Men Program. He has also been involved in highly esteemed departmental programs such as Impact on Crime Victims class, Employability and Life Skills class and Pathways to Change. In addition, he has been a mentor and a positive role model to other men in his surrounding community. He has been touted as one of the most exceptional inmates within the prison communities he has lived. In a camp that holds over 1500 inmates Derek was amongst only 40 selected to attend a global leadership summit program via satellite; a 2 day event that helps men become better leaders. Derek was also one of the first 8 inmates to become involved in the Boot Healers dog rescue program at SECC, where men are trained to become dog handlers and help prepare them for adoption. Derek's most resent achievement and accomplishment is going through a program called ITC (Intensive Therapeutic Community) A one year long intensive drug treatment program that's spiritually based and AA principled. After completing the program Derek was excepted for 6 months of training to become an ITC Facilitator. Derek completed that training and now gives back to a program that gave him so much. Derek has a passion for helping people and strongly believes this is his purpose in life. Beyond these things Derek looks to mentor the youth and create programs that are geared for troubled youth and young adults first time offenders. Derek also looks to become a program facilitator and Substance Abuse Counselor once returned to society. Derek has many goals and aspirations that he is striving for--now and when he is returned. Upon his reentry he looks forward to finding a good church home, picking up his responsibility as both a father and a grandfather, and perhaps a husband in the future. Most of all, he looks forward to being a productive member of society and making a difference in other people's lives. HOME PLAN: Derek's home plan is to transition to Mission Missouri, a faith based re-entry community with program structure and a strong support system. In addition Derek has been offered a position as a Recovery Support team member at Mission Missouri upon his release.  CONCLUSION: Derek truly is remorseful for the terrible crime he committed and has vowed to do redeeming works, to be a positive influence in everyone's life he encounters. Derek has truly rehabilitated himself through Gods power, his effort, and his new found purpose in life. We ask that you sign this petition in support of Derek's Clemency Petition for a commutation of sentence and his bid for parole. Also to give Derek a second chance at life and in support of the lives he can continue to change in the future.