Thank you for the opportunity to hear and to share my story. Today I can confidently say that I am responsible, reliable, trustworthy, make sound decisions, and lead by example.

However, I did not start life out with this mindset. I take full responsibility for every decision I have made and therefore will be transparent. At 12 years old I was introduced to marijuana, a few months later I started drinking beer. My usage started out as recreation and later became a toxic coping mechanism to avoid problems, negative emotions, and reality. Domestic violence was prevalent in my home growing up. At 16 years old I begin a cycle of one verbal and physically abusive relationship after the next. The more I went through the more I drank and smoked to drown it all out. This lifestyle was one filled with dysfunctional domestic relationships and friendships.

24 years ago, I met a guy I'll call John Doe. He introduced me to a couple that lived near us. John Doe's and my relationship got so toxic that I ended up pressing charges on him and we broke up. None the less I still hung with the female from the couple I knew through him. 22 h years ago, I set up a date between her and the now victim to have sex with each other. I introduced them and left the house so they could be together. I went up the street and drank some beers. When I returned the door was open and a robbery was taking place. I hit the victim on the leg and once on the head with a 120z. Budweiser beer bottle that I found on his floor, didn't break, to be honest, I don't know why I did it other than drunk and making a dumb decision.

 I went to trial before my co-defendants; it was determined that nothing I did caused the victim's death. None the less I was sentenced to life under the criminal responsibility theory. The victim was alive when we left his home and found dead days later on the opposite side of his house .The person police say killed the victim was sentenced to 4 (F-O-U-R-) years at 30% for reckless homicide after 1 was convicted of felony murder and held criminally responsible for his actions. (This is what the criminal responsibility bill allows. I was convicted under that theory of FELONY MURDER for the actions of someone else. That someone else was convicted of RECKLESS HOMICIDE for his own actions. How am I responsible for his actions than he is for his own actions?

Since I have been incarcerated, I have taken Domestic Violence, Anger Education, Commitment Il Change (that teaches the power of consequences), AA (alcohol & drug training), M. R. T. (how to face your past and take responsibility for your actions) along with 45 other classes/ programs.

In addition to that I have obtained my G.E.D, become a certified paralegal, certified computer technician, certified Serv Safe with manager's training. I have also obtained my business cooperate law diploma and became Infectious Disease Control Facilitator.

Now as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (C.P.R.S.) I spend a significant amount of my spare time mentoring others. I enjoy watching lives be transformed, especially in the Cognitive Behavior Class where I work. Remorse is a verb and every day I live my life demonstrating that I will never be the person I was before I was incarcerated.

I am gravely sorry that the victim in this case lost his life. And I am sorry for his family's heart ache. I pray that they will forgive me. I have taken full responsibility for my actions by living a transformed life for over 22 years. I pray that I don't spend the rest of my life locked up for my co-defendant's actions. Before this crime he did time for Attempted Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery. After this conviction, while incarcerated he obtained several disciplinaries for assault on staff and assault on other inmates. The Tennessee Board of Parole still released him in 2018. I filed for clemency in 2019. This is my first time being in prison, I have no violent disciplinaries since I have been incarcerated, had endorsement letters from all 3 Wardens, over 60 recommendation letters from staff, letters from family confirming I have a home to go to after I leave, and a General Manger saying I am offered a job upon release. That same parole board has yet to give me a hearing.

This is what the criminal responsibility law allows. The most dangerous criminals to be released while someone else saves their time. How did releasing a murderer back on the streets make society safer?

Thanks again for the opportunity to be heard

Latisha Jones #325241