At just 16 years old, Damien Gardiner was sentenced to 99 years in prison by Judge Layne Walker — the maximum penalty allowed under Texas law for his charge, despite it carrying a 5-to-99-year range. Since then, he has spent over 15 years behind bars, much of it on 23-hour lockdown, locked in a cell for all but one hour each day.

Damien is now nearly 32 years old. He was a child when he was thrown into an adult system and treated like he was beyond redemption. No real chance at rehabilitation. No mercy. No second chance.

What makes this even more disturbing is that Judge Layne Walker has a well-documented history of giving excessively harsh sentences to young Black teens in Jefferson County. Damien’s case is not an isolated incident — it’s part of a larger pattern of judicial abuse and racial bias.

We are calling for:

An independent legal review of Damien Gardiner’s case
A fair appeal process based on his age at sentencing, time served, and rehabilitation potential
Accountability for judicial overreach by Judge Layne Walker and others who perpetuated this injustice

Damien has already spent more than half of his life behind bars for a mistake made as a child. He deserves a chance at freedom. He deserves a future.

We are asking you to sign this petition to bring attention to Damien’s case and help us demand justice.

✊🏽 No child should be sentenced to die in prison.

📢 Let’s make sure Damien’s story is heard.

#FreeDamienGardiner #JusticeForDamien #99YearsAt16 #BeaumontTX #EndMassIncarceration #23HourLockdown