This case raises fundamental questions about how Arizona applies third-party liability in cases where knowledge and intent are disputed. Jamaal Pennington has been incarcerated in Arizona for over seven years following his arrest on April 16, 2018, on charges of alleged causation regarding an adult having sexual contact with a minor. The factual record reveals a case built on inconsistent testimony and questionable legal applications.

The Evidence for Review

- Voluntary Action: The adult involved, Aaleah B., testified under oath that Jamaal did not force, threaten, or coerce her. She stated clearly that she acted independently and of her own volition.
- Age Misrepresentation: The minor, Ivy H., maintained a documented pattern of telling adults she was 27 years old. She wrote directly to the prosecutor stating that Jamaal never touched her.
- No Evidence of Intent: Private investigator Michael Stovall confirmed there was no evidence that Jamaal knew the individual was a minor.
- Proven Misconduct: One conviction has already been vacated due to prosecutorial misconduct. During closing arguments, the state claimed Jamaal “set it up,” a statement that directly contradicted the testimony of their own witnesses.
  Why This Matters
  Jamaal is a father who has missed seven years of his children’s lives. His remaining conviction rests on a legal precedent (State v. Hummer) that we believe was improperly applied to a third party who had no knowledge of the minor’s age and no intent to commit a crime. Seven years of incarceration based on questionable evidence and flawed legal theory is seven years too many.
  Our Call to Action
  We, the undersigned, respectfully request that Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, Governor Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Judge Joseph Kreamer take the following actions:
- Grant an immediate evidentiary hearing on Jamaal’s Rule 32 petition.
- Conduct a thorough review of the remaining conviction in light of the vacated count and the complete factual record.
- Provide fair consideration as to whether justice has been served in this case.
  Sign to support a fair examination of the facts and help bring Jamaal home.
  #BringJamaalHome #JusticeForJamaal #WrongfulConviction