Growing up in Winston-Salem, NC, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of our flawed justice system. Today, I am writing this petition with a heavy heart to shed light on the unjust treatment and excessive charges faced by Terence Smith, a young man who deserves a second chance at life.

Terence's story is deeply personal to me. At the age of 17, he made a poor decision to ride with an acquaintance to purchase a small amount of marijuana. Little did he know that this decision would forever change his life. During that ill-fated encounter, his acquaintance committed armed robbery and attempted murder by shooting three innocent individuals present at the scene. The victim’s initial and continued statements are that Terence did not harm them in any way, and that he was not the shooter. 

Despite Terence's limited involvement and lack of knowledge about his acquaintance's intentions, he was charged with both Attempted Armed Robbery and Armed Robbery. As if these charges were not enough for someone who was merely present during the incident, our current District Attorney and then prosecutor Jim O'Neill decided to add five additional charges when Terence refused an unfair plea deal that would have sent him away for ten years. Not only that, he urged the judge to "boxcar" the sentences, so they would run consecutively, thereby giving a lengthier sentence. A trial that concluded in five days left Terence sentenced to 51-66 years behind bars.

It is clear that Terence has been caught in the crossfire of an overzealous prosecution seeking harsh penalties rather than considering individual circumstances. This excessive charging not only undermines justice but also fails to recognize Terence as a young person who deserves rehabilitation and support instead of being locked away for the majority of his life due to a childhood mistake. In 2022 the North Carolina Supreme Court made it unlawful for a minor to be sentenced to more than forty years, offering a chance at parole after 25 years, even in cases where lives were lost (State v. Kelliher).

We believe it is crucial to address this injustice and advocate for Terence's release from prison. Our community should stand united against such disproportionate punishment that perpetuates cycles of incarceration without addressing underlying issues or providing opportunities for redemption.

While we understand the seriousness of armed robbery cases and acknowledge the pain caused by such crimes, it is essential not to lose sight of fairness in our pursuit of justice. We call upon District Attorney Jim O'Neill to review this case with compassion and reconsider the charges imposed on Terence Smith.

We urge the citizens of Winston-Salem, NC and beyond to join us in signing this petition to demand justice for Terence. Together, we can send a powerful message that excessive charging and harsh sentencing should not define our justice system. Let us stand up for fairness and give Terence a chance to rebuild his life.

#JusticeForTerenceSmith #EndExcessiveCharging #SecondChanceForYouth