Starlets petition for clemency
Starlets petition for clemency
The Issue
My name is Starlet R. Kizer register number 14831-042. I'm an inmate at F.C.I Tallahassee, Federal Prison in Tallahassee, Florida.
On November of 2010, a Federal Grand Jury indicted me, my Mother, my ex-boyfriend and two of his friends on a four count indictment for Armed Bank Robbery, I was acquitted for one robbery, but was convicted of two counts of aiding and abetting in the brandishing of a weapon; 924(c).
On June 28, 2012, I was sentenced to serve 385 months in Federal Prison. I was sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 7 years for the FIRST 924(c). I was found guilty of the second bank robbery and sentenced to serve one month. The lost count of the indictment was also aiding and abetting and i was convicted and sentenced to serve a SECOND mandatory minimum of 25 years. These TWO 924(c) charges gave me a total of 32 years to serve consecutively.
My mother and i are both serving the same amount of time for a crime in which no one was physically harmed and no one needed medical attention. She is currently in FCI Aliceville, in Alabama. I left behind my amazing grandparents, who are now in their 80's. One sister, two brothers and my loving father. At the time of my arrest I had two beautiful nieces. After 10 years of being incarcerated, I now have five nieces, and one nephew. My oldest niece is now 11 years old, and she recently has been diagnosed with heart problems due to high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, leading to her undergoing surgery to hopefully correct the issue. When I get the opportunity to talk to her on the phone or see her on video visit, I can hear the hurt and pain in her voice, which rips my heart to pieces. My last conversation with her brought tears to my eyes as she told me " Te-Te, I'm waiting for you to come home and I don't care how long it takes, but I don't want us to be separated for to much longer." As i try to stay composed in here and do my best not to show emotion by crying, I just cannot hold back the tears as I always tell her, "Keep praying and ask God to send me home soon." Hearing a 11 year old child crying for her aunt to come home and not being able to console her is an experience and noise i will NEVER forget. Sometimes minutes, hours and even days after the call ends, I can still hear her cries resonating in my ears and it is so heart wrenching. I compare it to a person running nails down a blackboard. It makes me cringe!
Being incarcerated has been a huge burden on my family because they are struggling to care for my mother and me, as well as take care of their day to day living. The daily routine of prison has completely changed my views on life and I am prepared to become a law abiding, tax paying citizen of the United States. I admit my actions were unjust and someone could have lost their life including myself. I apologize deeply to my victims for the strife that was brought upon their lives. Not being able to spend time with my family for birthdays, graduations, and holidays has made me appreciate the small things that we sometimes take for granted. I agree, I do deserve to be punished for my foolish behavior, however, 32 years is a harsh punishment for a person as myself with NO criminal history.
During my period of incarceration, I have been a member of the Suicide Watch Cadre Program through the Psychology Department. The program allows you to be trusted with full responsibility to make sure the other inmates who are having a difficult time adjusting to prison are closely monitored during a four hour shift. Sometimes I had to work the overnight shift, which was from 10pm-2am or 2am-6am, as well as work my regular job once my shift was complete. I am currently working full time at a Unicor Call Center as a Line Supervisor and Coach. I have completed over 7,000 hours of educational programs including a CQIA Training Course and a Customer Service Apprenticeship, which taught me to be more responsible; have better leadership and communication skills. I have paid my fines and restitution in full totaling $9,875.34.I have not had any incident reports since 2015. I recently completed a Computer Programming course through Stanford Career Institute. I have also completed several educational programs the BOP offers to better myself for re-entry into society.
Before my arrest on November 9,2010, I was a student at University of Memphis with a full academic scholarship seeking a degree in Computer Engineering Technology. I held jobs at FedEx, Nike, UPS, and Chick-Fil-A. I was also preparing to go into the military. I would like to return home earlier than expected so that i can continue my education and help take care of my aging grandparents and nieces. I am capable and ready to re-enter society where I can be a valuable asset rather than a burden to my family. I have a VERY STRONG support system, which will keep me out of trouble. I am praying for some relief through the courts or through the power that is in the stroke of President Biden's pen to sign my clemency. I am ready to become a productive citizen for my community and loved ones. I admit that i am a woman who has made bad decisions like many of us have and I deeply regret my horrible choices that caused me to miss out on important moments with my family. I have definitely defeated and elevated above my past, which does not define WHO I AM.
Even though I am not scheduled to be released until April 8, 2038, I accept full responsibility for my actions, which were unjust. I have apologized to my victims and I have asked God for forgiveness. I am a mature woman and no longer the immature child I was at the time of this offense. I want to use my experience to mentor at risk youth with an emphasis on young girls whom are misguided and explain to them the importance of sound decision making and not falling in with the wrong crowd.
The courts believe that giving out longer sentences will stop people form returning to prison. However, I feel like longer sentences should ONLY be given to people who have an extensive criminal record and are a TRUE threat to society, or people who have crimes that are extremely violent in nature. For instance in my case, I was sentenced to one month for Armed Bank Robbery. That in itself tells you that I am NOT extremely violent. I do not pose as a threat to my community and I am not a public safety risk.
If a judge can go below the sentencing guideline and sentence me to one month, why is it that they are not allowed to go below the mandatory minimums??? My judge stated at my sentencing that she did not want to sentence me to the mandatory minimum, but she had to because of the "law". This mandatory minimum theory HAS TO END!!!
I would like to encourage you to sign my petition for clemency and thank you for your time and support with helping me Fight for Freedom.
Yours Truly,
Starlet Kizer
569
The Issue
My name is Starlet R. Kizer register number 14831-042. I'm an inmate at F.C.I Tallahassee, Federal Prison in Tallahassee, Florida.
On November of 2010, a Federal Grand Jury indicted me, my Mother, my ex-boyfriend and two of his friends on a four count indictment for Armed Bank Robbery, I was acquitted for one robbery, but was convicted of two counts of aiding and abetting in the brandishing of a weapon; 924(c).
On June 28, 2012, I was sentenced to serve 385 months in Federal Prison. I was sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 7 years for the FIRST 924(c). I was found guilty of the second bank robbery and sentenced to serve one month. The lost count of the indictment was also aiding and abetting and i was convicted and sentenced to serve a SECOND mandatory minimum of 25 years. These TWO 924(c) charges gave me a total of 32 years to serve consecutively.
My mother and i are both serving the same amount of time for a crime in which no one was physically harmed and no one needed medical attention. She is currently in FCI Aliceville, in Alabama. I left behind my amazing grandparents, who are now in their 80's. One sister, two brothers and my loving father. At the time of my arrest I had two beautiful nieces. After 10 years of being incarcerated, I now have five nieces, and one nephew. My oldest niece is now 11 years old, and she recently has been diagnosed with heart problems due to high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, leading to her undergoing surgery to hopefully correct the issue. When I get the opportunity to talk to her on the phone or see her on video visit, I can hear the hurt and pain in her voice, which rips my heart to pieces. My last conversation with her brought tears to my eyes as she told me " Te-Te, I'm waiting for you to come home and I don't care how long it takes, but I don't want us to be separated for to much longer." As i try to stay composed in here and do my best not to show emotion by crying, I just cannot hold back the tears as I always tell her, "Keep praying and ask God to send me home soon." Hearing a 11 year old child crying for her aunt to come home and not being able to console her is an experience and noise i will NEVER forget. Sometimes minutes, hours and even days after the call ends, I can still hear her cries resonating in my ears and it is so heart wrenching. I compare it to a person running nails down a blackboard. It makes me cringe!
Being incarcerated has been a huge burden on my family because they are struggling to care for my mother and me, as well as take care of their day to day living. The daily routine of prison has completely changed my views on life and I am prepared to become a law abiding, tax paying citizen of the United States. I admit my actions were unjust and someone could have lost their life including myself. I apologize deeply to my victims for the strife that was brought upon their lives. Not being able to spend time with my family for birthdays, graduations, and holidays has made me appreciate the small things that we sometimes take for granted. I agree, I do deserve to be punished for my foolish behavior, however, 32 years is a harsh punishment for a person as myself with NO criminal history.
During my period of incarceration, I have been a member of the Suicide Watch Cadre Program through the Psychology Department. The program allows you to be trusted with full responsibility to make sure the other inmates who are having a difficult time adjusting to prison are closely monitored during a four hour shift. Sometimes I had to work the overnight shift, which was from 10pm-2am or 2am-6am, as well as work my regular job once my shift was complete. I am currently working full time at a Unicor Call Center as a Line Supervisor and Coach. I have completed over 7,000 hours of educational programs including a CQIA Training Course and a Customer Service Apprenticeship, which taught me to be more responsible; have better leadership and communication skills. I have paid my fines and restitution in full totaling $9,875.34.I have not had any incident reports since 2015. I recently completed a Computer Programming course through Stanford Career Institute. I have also completed several educational programs the BOP offers to better myself for re-entry into society.
Before my arrest on November 9,2010, I was a student at University of Memphis with a full academic scholarship seeking a degree in Computer Engineering Technology. I held jobs at FedEx, Nike, UPS, and Chick-Fil-A. I was also preparing to go into the military. I would like to return home earlier than expected so that i can continue my education and help take care of my aging grandparents and nieces. I am capable and ready to re-enter society where I can be a valuable asset rather than a burden to my family. I have a VERY STRONG support system, which will keep me out of trouble. I am praying for some relief through the courts or through the power that is in the stroke of President Biden's pen to sign my clemency. I am ready to become a productive citizen for my community and loved ones. I admit that i am a woman who has made bad decisions like many of us have and I deeply regret my horrible choices that caused me to miss out on important moments with my family. I have definitely defeated and elevated above my past, which does not define WHO I AM.
Even though I am not scheduled to be released until April 8, 2038, I accept full responsibility for my actions, which were unjust. I have apologized to my victims and I have asked God for forgiveness. I am a mature woman and no longer the immature child I was at the time of this offense. I want to use my experience to mentor at risk youth with an emphasis on young girls whom are misguided and explain to them the importance of sound decision making and not falling in with the wrong crowd.
The courts believe that giving out longer sentences will stop people form returning to prison. However, I feel like longer sentences should ONLY be given to people who have an extensive criminal record and are a TRUE threat to society, or people who have crimes that are extremely violent in nature. For instance in my case, I was sentenced to one month for Armed Bank Robbery. That in itself tells you that I am NOT extremely violent. I do not pose as a threat to my community and I am not a public safety risk.
If a judge can go below the sentencing guideline and sentence me to one month, why is it that they are not allowed to go below the mandatory minimums??? My judge stated at my sentencing that she did not want to sentence me to the mandatory minimum, but she had to because of the "law". This mandatory minimum theory HAS TO END!!!
I would like to encourage you to sign my petition for clemency and thank you for your time and support with helping me Fight for Freedom.
Yours Truly,
Starlet Kizer
569
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Petition created on May 10, 2021