For the past 16 years I've been incarcerated for a crime I did not commit. I did not know the victim, nor did I have a confrontation with him on the night of his tragic death. Weeks after my arrest, another man went to the sheriff's office and confessed to shooting the victim. For reasons that remain unclear, he was released. I encourage you to read a story about that confession, which was published yesterday: See For Yourself: Bodyguard Confesses To Club Shooting That Sent Rapper To Prison: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/confession-mac-phipps-murder_us_570bfae6e4b014223249b696?shgp88amwiwfjemi I had no criminal record prior to this incident. No weapon was ever found linking me to the crime. There was no evidence whatsoever that I shot and killed the victim. The state's two witnesses told conflicting stories, and one of them recanted while on the stand. She later told a reporter she had been threatened by investigators to finger me as the shooter. District Attorney Walter Reed, who oversaw the prosecution that resulted in my 30 year prison sentence, is now standing trial on unrelated federal corruption charges. Rapper Killer Mike, University of Richmond Professor Erik Nielson and Andrea L. Dennis, an associate professor of law at the University of Georgia, wrote an op-ed about these issues yesterday: Louisiana Rapper’s Case Speaks to Bigger Problems in the Criminal Justice System: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrea-l-dennis/louisiana-rappers-case-sp_b_9774504.html#comments The mother of my son was pregnant at the time of my arrest and gave birth to him while I was behind bars. Today, my son is a sophomore in high school. I missed his first steps, his first words, and his first day of school. I will never know what it feels like to change his diaper or to see him ride a bike for the first time. However, with your support, I will get to dress him for his senior prom and watch him graduate with his class. These moments I will cherish just as I know my parents cherish those memories of me. Thank you all for signing the petition. Please continue efforts to share it on social media. I look forward to seeing you soon. Mac