Dominique Bentley, was misguided by street code and street ethics which sadly added to his fate. At the age of 15, Dominique Bentley was unfairly tried and convicted. During the trial, Dominique never spoke a word to his attorney or the prosecutor. He trusted no one because he'd seen too many young men from his town get sent to prison for crimes they didn’t commit. His family hired an attorney and believed that the truth would be uncovered. Dominique only spoke to his family, and in their presence he maintained his innocence. The people that did speak at the trial were caught in multiple lies day after day throughout the trial. The witnesses consistently tripped over their words and gave stories that didn't add up. One witness was eventually deemed "unfit to testify," but no one seemed to care, all they wanted was a "shooter".

Here is the fate of those involved:

-One suspect was proven guilty of "aggravated robbery, and will be paroled in 2016; he will have served a total of 4 years in prison.

-Another suspect pleaded guilty to luring the victim and will serve 20 years in prison. 

-One suspect secured an attorney and was proven not guilty, the same suspect admitted to being at the scene, admitted to his firearm being used as the weapon, but denied being the shooter.

-One of the witnesses was involved in a sexual relationship with the above suspect, and it was her testimony that helped to clear his name in the case.

-Another witness was deemed unfit to testify.
-Dominique Bentley maintained his innocence, but was initially offered a "plea bargain" of 20 years pre-trial which he rejected. He chose a jury trial, was found guilty and sentenced to 40 years in prison. 

Dominique Bentley was proven "guilty of being at the crime scene as was the other parties. He was not proven guilty as being the shooter. In theory, the prosecutors got what they wanted..."a shooter".

It is the belief of many that this injustice resulted from coercion of witnesses by the investigators and prosecution, perjury by others, false testimony, and police and prosecutorial misconduct. This will continue to happen over and over again to those who cannot acquire adequate legal representation.

Street code may have negatively affected Dominique's trial, but justice failed him in a larger way. The focus of the trial was to get a win by all means necessary, and that is exactly what happened. Dominique Bentley now strongly regrets keeping his mouth closed in 2007. Today, he’s a twenty year old in prison serving a 40 year sentence hoping and praying for a second chance to tell his side of the story and to be exonerated of a crime that he maintains he did not commit.

We will continue to fight for his freedom and for his exoneration.

Please forward this petition via email and facebook to everyone you know and above all keep us in your prayers.

Blessings,

The Bentley Family & Supporters