We, the undersigned, write to express our grave concerns about the ongoing injustice faced by Fred Tate, a 49-year-old father of two, who has endured years of undue hardship at the hands of a justice system that has failed to treat him fairly. We respectfully request a thorough review of his case and advocate for his immediate rehabilitation and release.

 

Background

At just 17 years old, Fred found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Tragically, someone in his company committed a crime that resulted in the loss of life. Although Fred did not commit the crime, his presence at the scene led to charges against him. Misadvised by legal counsel, Kenny Lawson at the time, Fred was urged to proceed to accept a plea deal, ultimately leading to his conviction. Despite his lack of involvement in the act itself, Fred was sentenced to a lengthy prison term, while his accomplice was released before him.

Upon his release, Fred was not provided with the tools necessary for successful reintegration into society. Without proper rehabilitation or support, he faced further challenges, including a charge for possession of a weapon under disability. The parole board sentenced him to 11 additional years, not focusing on what was best for Fred but rather perpetuating a cycle of incarceration.

Fred's difficulties continued when, after attempting to rebuild his life, he was stopped by law enforcement while riding a motorcycle. During the encounter, he was treated with undue force, subjected to invasive searches, and sentenced to a program. Despite completing the program successfully, the same parole board that sentenced him at age 17 issued a “holder,” resulting in an additional five years of incarceration—a decision that feels unjust and duplicative, as though he was being punished twice for the same crime.

 

The Call for Justice

Fred Tate’s story is not one of violence but of systemic failure. He has no history of harming others. He is a father striving to be present in the lives of his 15- and 14-year-old sons. Despite his best efforts to acclimate to society, the justice system has continually impeded his progress.

 

We firmly believe the following:

1. Fred was misrepresented and misadvised at a critical juncture in his youth. Had he received fair legal counsel, he might never have been convicted of a crime he did not commit.
2. Fred’s repeated incarceration highlights systemic gaps in rehabilitation and reentry support. His lack of proper reintegration support set him up for failure rather than success.
3. Fred has been treated disproportionately to the circumstances of his actions. The decision to add additional years to his sentence undermines justice and fairness, especially considering his non-violent history.
4. Fred’s rights have been violated, and he deserves the opportunity to rebuild his life. From his initial sentencing to his later encounters with law enforcement, he has been treated unjustly.
    

Our Plea

Fred Tate deserves a second chance. We urge the justice system to recognize the significant errors in his case and to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. Fred is a non-violent individual who has taken responsibility for his mistakes. However, he should not be made to suffer unnecessarily for crimes he did not commit or for the system’s failure to properly reintegrate him into society.

 

We call for:

• A full review of Fred Tate’s case.
• The removal of the “holder” and any additional sentences imposed by the parole board.
• A fair and just pathway for Fred’s immediate release.
• Access to comprehensive rehabilitation and support programs to help Fred reintegrate into society and be the father his children need.
  Fred Tate’s story reflects a justice system in need of reform. Let us not allow another person to be lost to the failures of this system. Justice for Fred Tate is long overdue.