Bring Calvin Home to Our Mom

My brother, Calvin Freeman, has endured an unimaginable injustice. Eleven years ago, he was wrongfully convicted in Louisiana for a crime he did not commit. Since then, our family has been torn apart, and Calvin has been denied the joys and love that come with being with his family. Our mother, aging and ill, dreams of seeing her son free once again. We need your help to correct this grave injustice and bring Calvin home.

Calvin's conviction was based on circumstantial evidence, and key witnesses have since recanted their statements, casting doubt on the proceedings that landed him in prison. The justice system failed him, neglecting crucial exonerating evidence. In Louisiana, wrongful convictions are not an anomaly; studies have shown the state has one of the highest rates of such convictions in the United States. Each of these cases is a cry for reform and justice, and Calvin's case is a glaring reminder of the work that needs to be done.

According to the National Registry of Exonerations, Louisiana has exonerated over 40 individuals in the past 30 years, demonstrating that systemic issues exist within its criminal justice framework. Calvin's life hangs in the balance, a victim of the system's failures.

This long journey has brought even more heartbreak to our family. While incarcerated, Calvin lost two sons to homicide and could not be there to bury them or grieve with us. Our mother is elderly, her health is declining and her memory is fading, and traveling to Louisiana is no longer possible for her. We carry this pain every day.

We also know the justice system is not completely broken, because we have seen it work. For one of Calvin's sons, justice was served and the person responsible was found. We are grateful for that justice, and it gives us faith that justice can still be served for Calvin too. His other son's case is still open.

We propose an immediate reassessment of Calvin's case by an independent review board to ensure that all evidence is thoroughly examined, including the new evidence and recantations by initial witnesses. We also ask for compassionate consideration to have Calvin moved closer to home in Wisconsin under the Interstate Corrections Compact, so he can be near his aging mother and family support system while we fight for his full freedom. Moreover, the establishment of a state-funded program to assist wrongfully convicted individuals in navigating appeals and reuniting with their families is long overdue.

Calvin is more than an inmate number; he is a beloved son, brother, and a beacon of hope for many in our community. Reuniting him with his family would not only restore justice for him but would also affirm our faith in a system that espouses fairness and rectitude.

Your signature can turn the tide. By signing this petition, you lend your voice to the call for justice and help bring Calvin home. Please, join us in our fight to correct this miscarriage of justice and reunite Calvin with his family. Together, we can make a difference.