My name is Antonio Barba and I'm currently serving my 19th year of a Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) sentence that I received for the murder of Mr. Keum Kim.  At the age of 21 I robbed and took the life of an innocent man, Mr Keum Kim who was a taxi cab driver making an honest living, to support my out of control drug habit. There is NO justification for my actions and I take full responsibility of taking Mr. Keum Kim's life. I am riddled with guilt and shame for my actions. No one deserves to go through what Mr Kim, his family and loved ones went through over my senseless actions, I am deeply sorry. Through deep soul searching, self reflection and going through a gauntlet of self-help classes and cognitive behavior therapy classes I came to understand the extreme pain and suffering I inflicted upon Mr Kim and his family. I have also come to understand the emotional, spiritual and financial impact my actions had on the Kim family, The Yellow Cab Taxi company and its employees, the community of Venice California and my family and friends. I carry the pain and suffering that I caused Mr Kim and his family with me everyday and is a major driving force behind my positive transformation, my constant work to improve myself and of me living a life of service. It was through that same positive developmental process that I acquired the knowledge and coping tools to help me identify and address my defects of character that contributed to my life of crime and past negative and reckless behavior. I have been clean and sober for 18 years now. I am now a facilitator/ teacher of the same self -help and cognitive behavior therapy classes that I once went through. Classes such as Alternative to Violence, Relapse Prevention, Victim's Impact, Denial Management, Anger Management, and Criminal and Gang Members Anonymous. Facilitating classes is a dual process for me. As I help other inmates go through the curriculum to these classes and help them identify and address their own shortcomings I am discovering new ways to make the most of my knowledge and coping skills to help me be active in my own recovery. I see my role as a facilitator as being of service to my current community and I'm helping make society a little safer because these men will ultimately be released back into society. Now they will be equipped with NEW coping tools to help them deal with life's daily stressors in a healthy way as well as help them manage their old triggers that led them down a destructive path. I am aiding in one less crime being committed which will lead to one less victim being created. Aside from facilitating I also mentor several inmates individually helping them with their recovery. There was a part of the inmate population in my facility that I'm in that was hearing impaired and I didn't want them to feel alienated or left out from the rest of the population so to help bridge the communication gap between them and the rest of the inmates I learned and then taught American Sign Language to other inmates that were interested in learning sign language. I'm also Vice - Chairman of the Inmate Advisory Counsel in the facility where I'm currently being housed. As Vice -Chairman I work with the administration to help create a positive, productive environment that will facilitate and nurture the inmate populations rehabilitation. I've paid off all my restitution and every other month I donate a portion of my monthly inmate wages to St Judes Children's Research hospital. I cannot bring back Mr Keum Kim but I will live my life in the service of others in honor of Mr Kim. Not only is it my moral obligation to give back to society but it's something I'm passionate about and enjoy doing. 19 years ago I earned my LWOP sentence but TODAY I'm no longer that callous, impulsive, selfish boy that had no regard for how precious every human life is. My LWOP sentence labels me as irredeemable but I believe in change and second chances and I know I'm on the path to redemption contrary to the stigma that comes with an LWOP sentence. A commutation of sentence would give me the opportunity to be with my loved ones as well as showcase my redeemable qualities to society by expanding on the philanthropy work I'm already doing. I can do more good out in society than I can behind prison walls. I am asking for the chance to go before the Board of Parole Hearings and show the board that I'm remorseful, have gone through a sincere positive transformation, and that I pose NO future threat to society. 

Educational and Professional Accomplishments 

- Certificate of Completion for Paralegal Studies 

- A S. Degree in Business 

- A.A. Degree in Social Behavioral Sciences 

- Made the College Dean's list twice 

- Certificate of Completion for Custodial Maintenance Training 

- Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship for Custodial Maintenance 

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