This petition was written by Angel Ortiz but the web page was created by his family in hopes of gaining community support for commutation (Sentence reduction) petition that was submitted to the Governor of the state of California Mr.Gavin Newsom. By this petition in no way am I or will I ever try to justify the seriousness of my harmful actions, consequences and crimes that I am solely and fully responsible for. However, I believe my current exemplary programming and changes that I have made as a man over the course of almost 18 years of incarceration and my case factors qualify for a review of my programming. 
  At the age of seventeen, during the lowest part of my life after my father died unexpectedly and while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana I attended a friends party where two fights broke out that numerous people tried to break up but where unsuccessful. I wasn’t part of the fights but when I felt they got out of control, in my lack of better judgment and anger control I shot and murdered a man and seriously injured another man.  As a juvenile I was tried as an adult and rightfully convicted for murder and attempted murder with gun enhancement. My sentence totaled 40 years to life.
   Since coming to prison I have faced many challenges but have succeeded to become a better person. I have excepted full responsibility and accountability for my harmful actions, consequences, and crimes in which I am very guilty ashamed and remorseful for. I have been fortunate enough to take advantage of the countless rehabilitation groups that help me address and change my issues, to learn insight to my crime to realize the magnitude of my crime to break me as a person to repent for my sins and to feel and demonstrate long-standing and profound remorse. I have obtained my GED received over 60 certificates from different self help groups and a Associates in Arts in Social and Behavioral Science. Numerous staff members have given me laudatory reports that attest to my positive behavior. I volunteer my time in charitable events such as cancer walk, suicide prevention, food drives. I tutor inmates in their  educational and rehabilitation goals. I also gave back to the community by helping out the at risk youth in the youth diversion program called Reaching Out Challenging Kids (R.O.C.K). I am aware that God has blessed me with tremendous mercy and grace, so today the way I live my life and all my accomplishments are in honor of my victims. I know that prison has made an amazing transformation and has served its purpose in rehabilitating me. 
    With your mercy and support by signing my petition I will have a greater chance that Governor Mr. Gavin Newsom signs my petition of commutation. I would be able to gain the meaningful opportunity to obtain release at a parole board hearing sooner than I hope and expect, for a couple of reasons. Those being every day I have a burning desire to take full responsibility and accountability to speak the truth. I would also like to provide my victims, their respective families, loved ones, and friends answers to their unanswered questions and hope to help them in their healing process. I would like to hold myself accountable before the great state of California, it’s commissioners, my victims, and the greater community, to demonstrate my whole hearted remorse, insight, authentic change, and integrity. I can assure you that I am no longer that 17-year-old who struggled with responsibility, addiction, criminal thinking, and anger issues that I was when I committed my offenses; that boy is unidentifiable in comparison to the honest, responsible, and mature man I am today. I am ready to be a productive, law abiding, and contributing member of society. 

Thank you for your valuable time, consideration and help.

Angel Ortiz