I’m Twain Gotti AKA Antwain Steward of Newport News Virginia. I’m currently incarcerated serving a 21 years sentence. I was arrested in 2013 originally charged with double murder after detectives claim lyrics from one of my songs led them to a cold case which I was indicted on. I later took my case to trial and was acquitted of the murders but I’m still serving time for gun charges. I am innocent and although I feel my innocence was proven I was still wrongfully convicted. PBS documentary on Twain Gotti

I struggle with my education growing up. At the age of 17 I found myself enrolled in Bridgeport academy, an alternative school where I will have to earn my GED instead of graduating from high school with high school diploma. Unfortunately life took a change for me and I never ended up getting my GED at Bridgeport.

My children look up to me and remind me of how much of a hero I am to them everyday. It is my responsibility protect and guide them down the righteous path.

To prove to my children how important education is I dedicated my stay at Augusta Correctional Center to earning my GED. It took a while but the feeling was very rewarding. Once I accomplished that goal I sent copies of my GED with pictures from my graduation ceremony as proof that I did it. My children were the motivation behind that and everything I do.

Despite my run ins with the law, I am a very iconic and influential figure in my community. In 2010 I launched my record label Mor3sh3llz Muzik through BMI giving people in my city a platform to be heard expressing themselves through the art of music. Till this day that label is still up and running and has open doors for many to chase their dreams and succeed in life. Prior to my arrest I spent countless hours in my recording studio putting together albums to distribute through my label. During my incarceration I have released the number of those records inspiring others to never give up and be all you can be, encouraging them that anything is possible. My work ethic earned me the living legend award at the 2017 Virginia Music Awards. I Then followed up by publishing my first book title "Special" which has impacted the lives of others and has inspired them to write an explore such avenue as well.

Although behind bars, my impact on my community has motivated so many people to lead as positive role models. And though I feel as if I achieved a lot, here is so much more that can be done with the privilege of my freedom.

As of now I'm serving a total of 21 years to the state of Virginia on crimes that I did not commit. 16 years for Newport News and 5 years for Hampton.

During early July of 2013 I was indicted on two counts of murder, one count of shooting occupied dwelling, and two counts of use of firearm. All of which were from a cold case from 2007. I took my case to trial and believe I proved my innocence and I was not guilty on both counts of murder but somehow guilty on the remaining charges. But according to the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of forensics the same bullets shot into the occupied dwelling where of the same recovered from the murder victims. So it makes no sense to be not guilty of murder but guilty of shooting. I AM INNOCENT! There was countless inconsistencies in the testimonies of every witness the prosecutors called to the stand. Including the detective working my case was caught in numerous lies.

While being held in Newport News City Jail waiting trial the city of Hampton indicted me three times on two counts of shooting occupied dwelling, three use of a Firearms, two attempt malicious woundings, one shooting motor vehicle, and one malicious wounding all over the course of a year but continuously non-processed charges because they claimed to have needed more time to get ahold of witnesses. Truth is they were still trying to build a case.

Both Newport News and Hampton Police Department merged together in efforts of driving me insane and psychologically unstable by holding me in solitary confinement for a year. I was stripped of all privileges including phone and visitors and no mail. no law library and I was continuously denied the right to contact my attornies Mr James Ellison and Matt Ballard. Between Mr Ballard pressuring me to take 5-year plea and this cruel unusual punishment taking a toll on me I gave in. I was vulnerable and felt defeated I did not think I had much of a choice so I tapped out. something I didn't want to do because I knew I was innocent but I didn't have faith that the justice system would serve in my favor and I didn't want to end up with a more lengthier sentence. Knowing what I know now I wouldn't have taken the plea. I did not commit these crimes.

There is a life for me Beyond these prison walls. Opportunity and endless ventures. I've already missed out on a lot of my children's first. Kindergarten graduations, sporting events, school dances and plays. I don't want to miss out on anything else. My family needs me. My community needs me. Prosecutors Made Me Out To Be a Menace to Society at my trial. Public Enemy Number one. The reason behind the madness in the city when I was nothing more than the father and a son. A musician and pioneer. A positive role model to the youth. They tried to give me life sentences in hopes of cleansing the streets unless I cooperated and gave up information on gangs in the area. But if I'm so much of a menace to society why offer me a release if I snitched? Why put me back on the streets endangering the lives of others if you felt I was so much of a threat? These people knew I was innocent. They knew I pose no threat to the public. They didn't want justice. They only wanted a conviction. They wanted to humiliate me to everyone. I did not deserve that.