Joseph Lagerman was sentenced to 32.5 years in prison for firing his gun into the floor of his own home.
No one was hurt.
No one was threatened.

He aimed at the ground in a moment of despair.

This is not justice.

This is punishment without proportion.

Joey was 22. High on cocaine. Panicked. 

After an argument, his girlfriend left and returned with two strangers. 
Joey asked them to leave.
Police surrounded his home.
He shut himself in the bathroom.
He said: “I want to die… I’ll make them kill me.”
He fired the gun at the floor.
That’s the act that cost him three decades of his life.

• Off-the-record hearings Joey wasn’t told about
• Smiling officers photographed post-arrest, later claiming trauma
• A judge comparing himself to Yoda, calling Joey “Darth Vader”
• A defense attorney who barely defended
• A prosecutor who twisted panic into menace

Now, Joey trains German Shepherds to help veterans.

He carries grief for his family with quiet strength.
He apologized to officers and their families.
Those officers in turn asked the judge for the maximum punishment. 
He is not a danger.
He is a man who made a mistake in fear and despair.

Joey lost his mother when he was very young, his father passed away while he was incarcerated. Now, his sister is alone and she asks that you see her brother for who he really is not how they painted him. 
We need to help bring Joey home! 

Joey had no ill intent, he never aimed the gun at anyone, he wanted the police to hear the gun so they would come in shooting with hope they’d kill him. Thankfully that didn’t happen. 

What We’re Asking For

• A full review of Joey’s plea and sentencing
• Recognition that his sentence violates the Eighth Amendment
• Consideration of new evidence and courtroom misconduct
• A reduction that reflects facts, not fear.