No parent should ever have to beg for the truth about their child’s murder.

My son, Tahjmere, was only 22 years old when his life was taken. What followed was not just grief—but a painful, ongoing fight for answers. Instead of transparency, I was met with silence. Instead of clarity, I encountered withheld information, unanswered questions, and concerns about evidence that have never been fully addressed.

And I have learned something devastating:

This is not just my story.

Across Virginia and throughout this country, families of murder victims are being shut out of the very investigations that are supposed to deliver justice for their loved ones. Law enforcement agencies can withhold critical information for years under broad claims of “ongoing investigation,” with little to no accountability.

This must change.

We are calling for the passage of the Family Right to Truth Act, also known as “Tahjmere’s Law,” which would:

Guarantee families timely access to non-sensitive information in homicide cases

Require regular updates from law enforcement to next of kin

Establish independent oversight when misconduct or evidence mishandling is alleged

Reform public records laws to prevent indefinite secrecy

This is not about interfering with investigations.

This is about ensuring accountability, transparency, and dignity for families who have already lost everything.

Justice should not operate behind closed doors.

When truth is withheld:

Trust in law enforcement is broken

Accountability disappears

Families are left suffering in uncertainty

We are asking lawmakers, community leaders, and the public to stand with us.

Stand for transparency.

Stand for accountability.

Stand for families.

Sign this petition. Share this message. Demand change.

Because silence should never be part of justice.

#TahjmeresLaw #RightToTruth #JusticeForFamilies

Call to Action:

Sign and share this petition to demand that Virginia lawmakers—including and the General Assembly—take immediate action to protect the rights of victims’ families.

Together, we can make sure no other family has to fight for the truth alone.