This is a petition to free Shawn Bradley from Solano Men's Prison in Vacaville, CA.

Shawn is serving a sentence of 23 years and 4 months for attempted second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and use of a firearm. On October 1, 2012, Shawn took part in the murder of Mr. Dean Compton and takes full responsibility for his role in the crime and the damage he inflicted not only on Mr. Compton's family and friends, but on the community as well. Shawn is conscious that because of his actions, lives are forever changed. He understands there will never be an excuse for what he did, and he describes his actions as truly heinous and cowardly and knows there were other ways he could have handled the situation. Shawn admits that he should have taken more of a stand to prevent Mr. Compton's murder.

As a child, Shawn would seek acceptance through his friendships with his peers. Desperately wanting to fit in, he would go along with the crowd instead of voicing objections to things he didn't agree with. He became a people pleaser and co-dependent in order to avoid rejection, shame, and loneliness. Though Shawn had no previous history of violence or any criminal activity, that need for acceptance and belonging contributed to his willingness to become involved in this crime.

Shawn knows that he hurt many people including Mr. Compton's family and loved ones along with his own family. The guilt and shame that Shawn feels in the murder of Mr. Compton is crushing and he is appalled with the memory of coming to a place in his personal life that led him to become involved in this crime. Although he realizes that he can never make direct amends to Mr. Compton, Shawn is making living amends daily to repair what is within his power and he is trying to be the very best man he can be every day. Shawn has done countless hours of groups and self-introspection to gain insight into and address the character defects that led him astray. A few classes that he has taken include anger management, criminal thinking, family relations, substance abuse, and victim impact. He has become a state certified drug and alcohol counselor in the desire to give back for all that he has taken. He has made it his mission to not only change his behavior, but also to help those in his community who are willing and ready. It is Shawn's belief that the primary goal of incarceration is rehabilitation and he wholeheartedly embraces this concept. Shawn fully understands that violence in any form is not the answer nor an option to problems and it only leads to pain and misery.

Today, Shawn leads by example and understands that nothing he says or does will ever bring back Mr. Compton. Moreover, he would like nothing more than a second chance to repair the damage he has caused Mr. Compton, his family, friends, and loved ones. More importantly he sees the burden that his incarceration has had on the taxpayers and his family, and is pleading for clemency. Since the COVID-19 pandemic a solution that Governor Newsom has taken is to reduce the population of California's overcrowded prisons. Shawn is an excellent candidate.

I thank you for taking the time to read this petition to free Shawn Bradley and ask that you please sign and share this petition in order to get him home to his family and give him the chance to make amends.