My name is Mercedes Burnam, and I am the niece of David Phillips inmate # 74167 at the Lovelock Correctional Facility in Lovelock, Nevada. I am starting this petition for family and friends of David Phillips, in the hope that you will consider sponsoring David for the upcoming Pardons Board Hearing after reading this petition and seeing how much his family and friends are here to support David in his journey to transition back into society. 

David pled guilty of murder with the use of a deadly weapon, on July 16th 2002. He was sentenced to a term of 20 years to life for the murder and another consecutive term of 20 years to life with a deadly weapon. In 2020 Daivd Phillips was paroled from the primary sentence of the deadly weapon enhancement to the weapon enhancement; Daivd Phillips was paroled from this charge because he took special classes that help rehabilitate inmates. As of 2007 Nevada changed their NRS 193.165 law to a lower sentencing for the use of a Deadly Weapon Enhancement, back in 2002 it was a life sentence, just five short years later is when the law was changed and no longer carries a life sentencing, it is now only 1 to 20 years added onto a murder charge. Just five years after my Uncle David was sentenced, other inmates were not held to the same standard as he was.

No body is trying to diminish the crime my Uncle Daivd committed, we just want the pardon boards to see that after over 23 years in prison he has been rehabilitated and wants to continue to grow as a better individual; that one day soon become a contributing member of society once again. If the pardon board will show him some mercy and grant him parole to give him the chance to prove it. David Phillips has spent the last 24 years in prison programming and volunteering as an inmate facilitator for the structured living program, orientation programs for new inmates, and a facilitator for the alternative to violence project for over 10 years now. All of this shows that he has come to terms with what he did and is helping others do the same. David Phillips has also been working for Silver State Industries since 2014, he moved up the ranks fast to a foreman for his hard work and willingness to learn and help others, which shows true leadership skills. By him doing this he is also learning a trade that will help him once he gets out of prison to integrate back into society and gain employment, he is also helping fellow inmates learn new skills as well so they can improve their own lives. In the 24 years David Phillips has been in prison he has only been in trouble once and it was for a non-violent citation; he got in trouble for a tattoo needle in July of 2003. 

The fact that David Phillips has only had one citation and has been doing nothing, but improvement programs for 24 years is impressive, most people who are not in prison do not even attempt to self-improve. Saying its impressive is an understatement in the fact that in 24 years in one of the most violent places in the world he has never been citated for violence. David Phillips family and friends truly believe he would not have a hard time integrating back into society, especially since he has done it before when he got out of the military.

We all ask that the Pardons Board show inmate David Phillips # 74167 some compassion, fairness, and forgiveness, and have the weapon enhancement commuted to a term that would grant him parole at his next hearing. From David Phillips prison record shows he is committed to changing and has proven he can change and become a better person then he was 24 years ago. It's because of all this that every one of his friends and family who signs this petition is in full support of David Phillips and will always be there for him in his transition. 

Note: There is a current application for commutation.

For all of the friends and family who sign this petition in support of David Phillips getting parole, please sign the petition and add your relationship to David Phillips, age and contact information, if allowed.