Following a high profile trial, I was convicted as an UNARMED AIDER/ABETTOR, who neither participated nor encouraged any part of the crimes and yet I received a sentence of Life without the Possibility of Parole. I was the sixth of eight children born to loving and devoted parents. I was taught (in their tradition) to work hard, respect others, be humble and accountable for your actions. A typical teenager, I fell in love with muscle cars and the outside world of teenage craziness. In September of 1978 my world was turned upside down when I learned a warrant had been issued for my arrest in connection with a new pickup truck, I admittedly stole and sold to my older brother. The truck had been abandoned at a home invasion robbery. Being innocent of anything to do with the crime, I had little fear and was confident that I’d soon be cleared. Much to my surprise, as I sat in a jail cell (along with my older brother) I learned it was more than just the truck they’d found. There was a total of 10 separate incidents that had been committed related to my truck; murder, robberies and sexual assault. Because I refused to give information on my brother and a third party, I was formally charged with all. I’ve spent the past 38 years in acceptance of my part as an auto thief and how circumstances as small as they seemed to be to a teenager has cost others their lives and me the majority of my life here on earth. Still I’ve learned to help others in various roles, while constantly on the path of becoming that being God created me to be. I would like the citizens of this state to know, the redeemable men and women, WHO HAVE NOT COMMITTED AN ACT OF MURDER, are being punished far more harshly than those who have in fact murdered some more than once. Those with first and second degree murder are made eligible for parole after 15 or 25 years. Armed with this knowledge I pray you will assist LWOP’s in the movement to educate the public and change this draconian, unnecessary punishment called Life without Parole!