My mother was tragically killed on September 5th, 2023. She was on her way to work when the defendant, who was driving uninsured, under the influence, ran a red light, sped at three times the speed limit, and caused her death. This tragedy has changed me and my family in ways that words cannot fully describe. We are not the same. We will never be the same. We have been traumatized. My mother was not just a person—she was the heart of our family.

She was a pillar of support in all of our lives: she helped me till a community garden, showed up at every family business' grand opening, and financially backed her family and friend's new business ventures. When someone was in need, who may have been a close friend, she would offer up her home as a refuge and a safe place. Her perfume, her laughter, her presence—are the things we can never replace. She was endlessly pursuing her passion as a house music DJ, co-creating a house music festival here in Baltimore and DJing live on the radio for 88.9. 

My heart is broken, and the pain of losing her is suffocating. I miss her hugs, reassuring words, and her constant presence in my life. The memories, though cherished, make the loss feel even sharper. I remember the phone calls and the trips to the radio station with her, and I am haunted by the reality that she will never meet my children, and my nieces will never get to experience the love and guidance of their No-No, their grandmother. They ask for her all the time, but I have to tell them she is gone.

The defendant has pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter, a crime with a maximum sentence of 10 years in Maryland. Unfortunately, the state is offering him a plea deal that would suspend all but 4 years of his sentence. This feels deeply unjust, and my family and I believe that the sentence should reflect the severity of the crime and the immense pain caused by his actions. We are petitioning for the maximum sentence allowed by law.

As part of this effort, I have created a petition to gather signatures from the community. We are aiming for over 1,000 signatures to show the demand for justice and to send a message that my mother’s life and the impact of her loss should not be minimized.

I am planning to take the petition to the sentencing hearing on January 13th, and I’m hoping to gather as many signatures as possible before then. Your support would truly make a difference.