I’m calling on Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to commute the life sentence of Amelia Bird. Amelia was a victim of horrific abuse and a system that wanted to blame the victim. Since I’ve heard Amelia’s story, I knew I had to share it and help her get her freedom.

Amelia Bird is my mother’s cellmate. At the age of 16, she was being sexually and physically abused by her brother and father. She tried to escape through drug abuse and finding someone to protect her. Amelia started seeing Chad Brantley, an unstable and violent man, and would vent to him about the abuse. One day, she said words she lived to regret: that she wished her father and brother were dead.

Chad broke into her family’s house and shot Amelia’s parents while she was sleeping a few doors down. Amelia’s mom was killed. The man who had been abusing her lived.

Amelia’s words came back to haunt her. She was accused of having her boyfriend shoot her parents. Devastated by the loss of her mom, dealing with the trauma of abuse, and now facing a trial, proved too much for Amelia. She pled guilty to 2nd degree murder, and was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without eligibility for parole until she is 60.

Many groups have raised Amelia’s case as an injustice that needs to be righted. The only person who can do that is Gov. Nixon. Amelia is only 27 and has so much life to live. She was a victim and shouldn’t be behind bars. With your signature, we can help justice prevail for Amelia Bird. Please tell Gov. Nixon to commute Amelia Bird’s sentence.