From the Family of Cedric Dickerson

Petition to Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Board of Parole:
Grant Clemency for Cedric Dickerson — A Second Chance for a Juvenile Sentenced to Life Without Parole

We, the family of Cedric Dickerson, are asking for justice, fairness, and mercy.

Cedric Dickerson has been incarcerated for over 30 years for a crime he has consistently maintained he did not commit. He was only 16 years old at the time of his conviction—a child whose life was decided before he had the chance to grow, mature, or be heard with the fairness he deserved.

Serious concerns have also been raised regarding the medical examiner’s testimony presented at trial. The official report does not appear to align with statements made in court, particularly regarding claims about the nature of the fatal injury. These inconsistencies raise important questions about the accuracy and reliability of the evidence used to secure his conviction and sentence.

Today, the law has evolved to recognize what should have always been understood: children are different.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Miller v. Alabama ruled that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional because they fail to consider a child’s capacity for change, growth, and rehabilitation.

Following that decision, the Tennessee Supreme Court addressed this issue in Tennessee v. Booker. This ruling recognized that sentencing juveniles to life terms without a meaningful opportunity for release violates constitutional protections. As a result, more than 135 juvenile offenders in Tennessee were granted a chance at parole.

However, Cedric Dickerson is one of only 13 individuals who were left behind.

While others were given hope, Cedric remains sentenced to life without parole.

This is not just a legal issue—it is a human one.

Cedric was a child when he entered the system. Over the decades, he has grown, reflected, and developed ideas focused on prison reform and reducing recidivism. He believes in rehabilitation and wants to contribute positively to society.

Yet despite these changes—and despite the legal recognition that children deserve second chances—he has been denied even the opportunity to be considered for parole.

Keeping Cedric incarcerated for life without parole ignores both evolving legal standards and the fundamental belief that people, especially children, can change.

We are asking for clemency.
We are asking for fairness.

We respectfully urge Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Board of Parole to grant Cedric Dickerson clemency or, at minimum, provide him with a meaningful opportunity for parole review.

No child should be condemned to die in prison without hope.

Sign this petition to support clemency for Cedric Dickerson and give him the second chance he deserves.

 Thank you Taketha Johnson