This is Gregory E. Stacey, #0497397,  and an inmate in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections serving a sentence of life without parole for the charges of Armed Roberry and the indictment of Violent Habitual Felon. For the past 231 months (19 years, 3 months) this prison system has been his home, and it will continue to be without your help. This petition is about more than about Gregory's, sentence. This petition is about the years that have passed, the lessons learned, and the hope that people can grow beyond a chapter that carries weight but not the whole story. For nearly two decades, Gregory has lived behind prison walls.

In that time, the world has changed, and so has he. During his time of incarceration, Gregory has made meaningful use of every opportunity for growth by taking classes, earning multiple certificates, learning trades such as computer technology, carpentry, and brick masonry, participating in the North Carolina Field Ministry seminary program, serving as a FAC II mentor and substance-abuse counselor, and consistently completing the many rehabilitative and self-improvement programs available to him over the years.
Many of us believe justice should hold people accountable, but it should also leave room for reflection, growth, and review. Behind every case number is a human being, and behind every human being is a family that continues to love and wait. By signing, you are not excusing the past, but recognizing the possibility of change. You are standing for fairness, for proportional sentencing, and for a justice system that remembers humanity. This petition is not one just seeking your signature for Gregory, it's seeking your signature because your tired of knowing the system is wrong, you are tired of hearing how the system has wronged both men and women, you are tired of the knowledge that no one has changed or addressed change to the system.

I ask for your signature because your tired of seeing and hearing about black and brown men and women being over sentenced for sentences that were shouldve been "light sentences" and not life sentences.  Gregory's crime only required a sentence of 14 years maximum, instead he was given life without parole.  His crime did not involve murder, sexual assault, or physical harm to anyone. And yet, he is serving a sentence that leaves no room for second chances, no recognition of the growth, learning, and personal change he has worked toward over the years. We know the system is not always fair. There are men convicted of serious crimes, including rape, and murder who did not receive life sentences, while Gregory, whose crime caused no physical harm.

This year on, November 3, 2026, will mark 20 years that Gregory has been incarcerated. Many people feel the system is broken. At times, it seems more focused on securing convictions than on making sure justice is truly fair. In Gregory’s case, serious concerns were raised about a crime scene technician who processed the scene and was fired before his trial. This raises important questions about why she was terminated and why she was not called to testify in court. Instead of fully addressing what led to her dismissal and how it may have affected the case, it appeared that more attention was given to protecting her name and reputation. That leaves real questions about whether everything was handled fairly and openly. This is the same technician who sealed all the evidence in the case, keeping it hidden from both Gregory and the public. Because of this secrecy, Gregory is still in prison today. 

If you’re tired of an unfair system, if you believe that justice should matter, then I ask you to take action by signing this petition and standing with Gregory. 

Gregory Stacey is a son, a father, an uncle, a brother, a boyfriend, a friend. He gives love freely, and he is loved in return. He is a life interrupted by injustice,but he could be any of us...He could be, YOU!

By signing this petition, you are standing with us in asking Governor Josh Stein to grant Gregory E. Stacey a pardon or clemency and to give him the opportunity for a second chance after nearly twenty years of demonstrated growth, reflection, and transformation.