I'm not Innocent, I'm guilty of what I was charged with: aggravated malicious wounding, malicious wounding, armed robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, conspiracy and abduction. All together 28 charges to which I played guilty to 14 of them, virginia's sentencing guidelines suggested that I received a maximum 28 years, this is after factoring in all circumstances. In January of 1998 at the age of 16,I stood in front of Judge Westbrook J. Parker and was sentenced to 188 years. He suspended 115 years of the sentence,that left me with a sentence of 73 years, with good behavior I could be out in 62 years and 6 months. The average life expectancy of a African American man United States is 72, I will have to live 7 years past that point in order to leave prison alive.

There's more, I've taken every available program, some I'm restricted from due to the length of my sentence, but my persistency  resulted in me receiving over 20 certificates in everything from Anger Management to Early Childhood Education. I've been infraction-free for the last 7 years, steadily focusing on my rehabilitation. I was a G.E.D. tutor for almost 6 years, when I could no longer do that I started a nonprofit organization (I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D.). Just me needing to do some good in the community I once did so much bad in. 20 years (2017)into my sentence I filed for a conditional part into this day no decision. I had two adult co-defendants, one who served this time and one who received a conditional part a year ago. The Virginia Houses of Congress passed a bill and the Governor signed it into law stating juveniles giving excessive sentences(wich the Supreme Court of the United States ruled was cruel and unusual punishment in 2011) would be eligible for parole.After 24 years I'm now parole eligible. While I've done a lot on my own I need y'all to sign this petition to let the Parole Board of Virginia know that my possible release is supported by the community.

Thank you - Rashard L. Leary