Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

"In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful the Bestower of Mercy."

As salaamu alaykum (peace be upon you)

I hope everyone is well. My name is Jerome Adkinson,

currently serving a life sentence for aggravated malicious wounding. Here's a little bit about myself. I am a devout Muslim who's maintained leadership positions within the inmate population to teach other Muslims about the religion. When I converted to Islam, I didn't know how to read the Qur'an so l decided to learn Arabic.

I have since been able to reach back and teach others the language as well. Wherever I was placed throughout my incarceration, l have continued to make positive contributions to the prison community. I have also received certificates for custodial maintenance, painting/drywall, thinking for a change, substance abuse, anger management, and breaking barriers. I currently plan to further my education by enrolling into college courses in the future. I was also the motivational speaker for the mental health SAM pod at SX |I State Prison.

I have been constantly striving to speak to young gang members about leaving their 

gangs so that they can live a more productive life style as they enter into the prison system. My best friend whom has been on this journey with me for 24 plus years has grown to become more than that.

She's now my fiancé and l've known her since I was 14 years old. As soon as the opportunity presents itself we plan to get married. My fiancé is one amazing Queen, not just because she loves me but because she truly loves God.

A look at a briet summary of my reason (s) for my current pardon status to be Granted.

Dear reader, the concept of proportionality of lengthy terms-of-years sentences, the Untied States Supreme Court first examines all the circumstances of a case to determined whether the sentence is excessive. In determining whether my sentence was excessive, my sentencing Judge had to look no further than my guidelines. The sentence for which I received was excessive, unjust, and far outside what should have been adequate to keep Virginia safe. This sentence is central to the Eighth Amendment ban against cruel and unusual punishment. It's not a day that goes by that I don't think about what happened to DJ. I am truly remorseful. 

So naturally, my thoughts are befuddled when I attempt to reconcile this paradoxica question: How does the Virginia Parole Board - members of whom are appointed by the Governor release men for double homicide, homicide, murder, rape, armed robberies (where people have gotten severely injured), and sexual predator who fail to register as sex offenders.

However I am still incarcerated after these individuals were given a chance and released back into society, whereas I need to languish in prison until an undetermined date in the unforeseeable future because my sentencing Judge Verbena Askew (long removed from the bench since then due to more than one instance of poor professional judgement) decided to go excessively above my sentencing guidelines without providing an explanation on the record as to why she was doing so, as my trial appeal read, "Defendant was sentenced to life in prison. The Virginia Sentencing guidelines call for a range of punishment of 4 years 8 months to 10 years 4 months, with a midpoint range of 8 years 8 months. As long the sentence imposed by the court is within the range of sentence set by the legislature for a particular crime the sentence, the 

sentence will not be disturbed on appeal.

Hunt v. Commonwealth, 25 Va. App. 395;

488 S.E. 2d 672 (1997). Va. Code Section

19-2.298.01 requires the court to review the guidelines and to file a written explanation of any departure from the guidelines.

Obviously the guidelines are an important tool in the equal administration of Justice, so much so that a Judge must explain his/ her departure from the guidelines..." The court did NOT do that, Judges are not suppose to rule on their personal feelings/ emotions. I understand that they are human but they have to follow the law, or they'll think their above the law even after being forced off the bench. This crime was in fact unintentional and my sentence guidelines called for 10 years 4 months as my high. I have been incarcerated for 27 plus years, almost serving three decades, in October it'll be 28 years. That's 18 more years than my guidelines, for a 27 year old young man who had and has no felonies on his record. I didn't commit any type murder, rape, or any violent robbery. I sought help for, not my sake, but purely for the victim's. I went to a neighbor for assistant, he came over, and "|" allowed him to enter the apartment. We agreed that the victim needs to go to the 

hospital. Had I not done that wouldn't I be considered a cruel human being? Wouldn't the matter have been intentional?

While living in a violent prison society, I have not before nor after committed any additional crimes. I have not been violent nor was l ever before my incarceration.

While murder, drugs, and abuse have surrounded me and these walls for 27 plus years, God has kept me safe. I am asking for someone, anyone to please give me some assistant concerning this matter.

Log on to the Jpay app to email me. Thank you very much.

Abdul Rahman (Jerome Adkinson)

#1117341.