Note to readers: Michael Edwards, now 58, was convicted in 1994 on non-violent drug offenses in Fort Myers after selling cocaine to an ex-girlfriend turned informant. He was sentenced to 60 years as a habitual drug offender. His current release date is Sept. 5, 2039.
On October 12, 1993, I was arrested, jailed, and subsequently sentenced to 60 years in prison for selling a small amount of cocaine to my ex-girlfriend on two occasions to support my addiction. In 2014, because I exhausted all my judicial appeals, I submitted a Commutation Request asking the governor of Florida to commute my sentence via executive clemency.
In 2015 and 2019 former State Attorney Joe D'Alessandro and current Assistant State Attorney Cynthia Ann Ross, who prosecuted my case, wrote letters to the governor and clemency board saying I've ''served more than enough time'' and ''urgently'' requested my sentence be commuted to ''time served.'' In November 2019 Commissioner of Agriculture and clemency board member Nikki Fried found my commutation request had ''exceptional merit'' and invoked Clemency Rule 17 and placed my case on the clemency board's agenda. After investigating my case for the board, the Florida Commission on Offender Review recommended to Governor DeSantis that a ''Commutation of Sentence be granted'' and scheduled hearing.
During my hearing Fried said my sentence should be commuted based on the favorable recommendations made by the prosecutors and FCOR, and because keeping me incarcerated any longer would be ''a waste of taxpayers money'' and ''purely punitive in nature.'' Instead of following the prosecutors and FCOR's recommendation, DeSantis held my commutation request ''under advisement,'' and my nightmare continued until DeSantis made a decision.
On July 1, 2021, while serving my 28th year for nonviolent drug offenses, I received an impersonal letter from governor's office saying, ''The Governor has denied your request for commutation of sentence,'' with no explanation or basis for his denial. In shock and disbelief, I read those 10 words over and over again as questions concerning the governor's conscience consumed my thoughts: Why isn't DeSantis following the recommendation to commute my sentence made by his own investigators at FCOR? Why does DeSantis think the 28 years I've served isn't enough punishment when the prosecutors who put me in prison told him I've ''served more than enough time'' and ''urgently'' requested he commute my sentence?'
Most of my supporters think DeSantis denied my commutation out of spite because prior to my hearing Commissioner Fried - the lone Democrat on the clemency board and possible contender for the governor's office in 2022 - started railing against DeSantis , accusing him of mismanaging the State's affairs during the pandemic and other malfeasance.
Yes, it's easy to see the reason DeSantis didn't agree with the prosecutors’ request and FCOR's recommendation is because Fried supports it too. And reuniting me with my family after serving 28 years for committing two victimless nonviolent drug offenses will look favorable for Fried's election campaign and win her the votes of the thousands of ex-offenders who received their voting rights back after DeSantis fought against it.
Please use your voice to correct this injustice at FreeMichaelNow.org
Do it for my family: they've suffered enough! And do it for my son: he's been without his father 28 years too long