I hope this finds you in good health and high spirits. My name is Mark Mitchell Jr., and I am writing to you with a heavy heart, seeking your empathetic understanding and support for a cause that is incredibly close to my soul.

For the past 39 years, my father has been incarcerated, and despite our enduring bond, I have never witnessed him as a free man. In 1984, at the tender age of 19, he made a life-altering mistake by participating in a robbery with two friends. Tragically, during the course of the crime, Herbert Baker shot and killed the owner of the oil company. The consequences were severe - my father, along with Eric Joseph, was convicted of 1st Degree Murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Herbert Baker, on the other hand, received the death penalty.

The years that followed brought immense hardship for my father. He endured the heartbreaking loss of both parents and, in 2003, faced the unimaginable pain of losing his only daughter in a tragic car accident, leaving behind a grandson. The weight of these personal tragedies has been especially challenging behind prison walls.

Compounding the injustice, Herbert Baker was granted a new trial in 2005, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, and was paroled in 2019. Meanwhile, my father’s appeal was denied, and he remains confined to the prison walls.

I implore you to consider the glaring disparity in sentencing in this case and join me in urging our State Representatives and Senators to support the commutation of my father’s sentence. A plea for clemency is not just about legalities; it’s about compassion, humanity, and recognizing the potential for redemption.

Please take a moment to sign towards the Board of Pardons, expressing your support for my father’s cause. No one should endure a lifetime behind bars while the one responsible for taking lives walks free. Your time, love, and support can make a world of difference.

Thank you for considering this heartfelt appeal.

Sincerely,
Mark Mitchell Jr.

We understand that crimes warrant punishment; however, we believe in second chances and rehabilitation over retribution. The Vera Institute of Justice reports that people aged 55 and older who leave prison have lower recidivism rates compared to those under 55 (Vera Institute). Given this data, it's clear that my father-in-law deserves an opportunity for commutation.

This isn't just about one man's freedom; it's about reforming a system that too often hands down excessively harsh sentences without considering individual circumstances or potential for change.

We implore you to stand with us in seeking justice not just for my father but also for others trapped in similar situations. Your signature can make all the difference—help us bring him home and advocate for fairer sentencing laws across our city and country. Please sign this petition today.