Keelon Jenkins also known as Keelo G is a 46 year old black male that has spent the last 26 years serving time in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. At 21 years old Keelon was sentenced to Life Without the Possibility of Parole. Over the past 26 years Keelon has taken the steps needed to better himself even though he was told he would never be a free man. We must now stand in the gap for Keelo to say that these types of sentences are unacceptable in our communities. The system has failed Keelo in many ways first within the trial itself and then when they sentenced a 21 year old to serve his last living days locked away. 
Words from Keelon:

Hi my name is Keelon Jenkins, many know me as “Keelo G” this is the name I have come to be, but not the name that describes the name that I am today. You see it is a street moniker that was given to me over 35 years ago growing up in East Oakland,CA, at a time when “hubbaz” better known as crack infested the environment I grew up in. Looking back I wonder how I even survived, maybe it’s because at 21 I was arrested for Robbery/Murder.

On September 20, 1994 a innocent man by the name of Jeffery Spencer JR lost his life while doing his duties as an employee of Brinks Armored Car Company. Hence, I was convicted of killing Mr. Spencer during an attempted robbery and given life without the possibility of parole. Basically I was sentenced to death not by lethal injection or gas, but a slow life of misery and despair.

As I compose this, I am met with a difficult challenge. The challenge of trying to convey that I am wrongfully convicted, and given a disproportionate sentence, but at the same time not disrespecting or dishonoring Mr. Spencer and making his life minimal or expandable. The latter is the most important of the two. A family lost a loved one, and a man lost his right to prosperity and God-given right to the pursuit of happiness. 26 years later I understand the fruits of life. I understand how precious and delicate life is. I know because I have experienced what it’s like to be alive and dead at the same time. I know the pain of having my family grieve in desperation of having their child, loved one, brother, uncle, and potential husband not there with them or there for them. I will try my best to explain without denouncing the life of Jeffery. 

I was convicted of being the actual killer but there is physical evidence amidst that proves that I am not tall enough to have killed Mr. Spencer. The trajectory of the bullets path would’ve had to come from someone much taller than I. The thing about it, both law enforcement and the Alameda District Attorney’s Office knew this as well as my attorney William DuBois, but yet I stand here a 47 year old man who has served more time in prison than I have a free man. Moreover, case factors in my case shows a story of a young man who never intended to kill anyone. 

The fruit from a poisonous tree bares a New Man! A man of redemption. A man who has taken the time to reinvent and restructure his troubled young adults. I want to revisit many legislators that I know are products of Mass Incarceration and it’s intent to lock up minorities and throw away the key. Mainly life without the possibility of parole, some are sitting in prison New Men and New Women who deserve second chances, and given that second chance will and can shape a new culture in our communities. To lock someone up for the remainder of their lives is disproportionate, especially for unintentional and/or accidental/incidental killings that were subsequently to a crime such as robbery, burglary, ect. The law has changed but not totally fitting to many case factors that warrant lighter convictions and sentences.

If you are possibly taken by this story please join us in the Free Keelo G movement. Blessings to you in Prosperity.