My name is Andrew Johnson ,31. I was sentenced to an unjustly long sentence that has disconnected me from my family at a time they needed me most. Life is short, and unfortunately, the walls of my incarceration didn't allow me the opportunity to bid farewell to my father, who passed away. As I am shut behind the bars, my mother battles grave health issues outside. My relevant link to the world is dimming with the growing age of my only niece and sister who are growing without me. I am yet to experience the joy of fatherhood, to which my sentence is a hindering wall.

Sadly, my story is not unique. As per the NAACP, 1 in every 3 black men in the USA can expect to go to prison in their lifetime, an unjust fact that heavily contrasts with other racial groups. I urge you to look at my story, hidden among countless similar cases, and act. A study by the National Research Council indicates that lengthier prison sentences do little to deter crime, instead creating a cycle of hardship and lost opportunities.

 In order to understand my story in further detail, please continue to read below. 

 

Hello, my name is Andrew Johnson. I am a 31-year-old African American male, born March 11, 1993, in the city of Camden, New Jersey to a beautiful woman named Ms. Vanessa Bussie Ross. I grew up with a hard nose military type stepfather named Mr. Howard Ross, regretfully and sorrowfully now deceased. My stepfather was one who believed in a close, and loving family unit. He continually fostered discipline, respect, and honor in our household. He was my true first example of what a man, a father, and a leader of a family should represent. He worked 12 hour shifts some days to provide for my family and I. He always made certain my two older sisters and I had an environment where we can thrive and excel at anything we wanted. My Stepfather, Mother, and my two older sisters were all I had growing up. I am sure it was that reason alone that kept us all so close. I loved sports and played basketball, football all throughout my young life up until high school. I also had a love for music.

 

   In school I was a relatively decent and respectful student, I was a relatively popular kid in school. I maintained average grades, not quite a straight “A” student but I did complete my assignments and tried hard to do well because I clearly understood I had to do this if I wanted to achieve my goals in life.

 

   I was not one to party, hang out, or do drugs. I despised the thought of even selling drugs. As my mother always told me, “It was my responsibility to steer clear and stay out of trouble. I was also part of and graduated from PAL, (The Police Athletic League). Even though you don’t know me I wish to say that I am a man of integrity, honor and respect. And I try to be every bit of the man and person my Stepfather and my mother showed and wished me how to be. 

 

   Of course, like many teens in search of themselves I also had a few flaws and made some mistakes. I am presently incarcerated in New Jersey State Prison on a 37-year sentence, which ultimately means I must serve 31 years until I am eligible for parole. Please understand, I didn't receive 37 years because of the crimes they say I committed, nor did I receive this sentence because of the person the courts found me to be. I have a of 37-yearsentence because I chose to take a route focused on provingmy innocence to a jury of my peers through trial.

  

   You would think to receive this a sentence of 37 years which is under NERA (The No Early Release Act) usually a person who receives this type of sentence either killed or serious hurt someone. This is not the sentence for a first-time crime committed by an adult. I killed no one, I assaulted no one, I raped no one, I exercised or showed any act of vengeance or violence, in short, I broke no law that closely qualified me to be awarded this sentence. 

 

   Keep in mind, my story is not one of a long lengthy criminal history, nor is it one that supports a progression to being that of a career criminal. My story is not about a kid from a poor neighborhood who was causing problems in the streets. My story is one like many others incarcerated.One where a Judge made a decision that will improperly impact a young man for the rest of his life by imposing a penalty that does not fit the crime. Furthermore, the judge’s decision to make an example of me because I chose to travel a route focused on proving my innocents instead of plea bargaining for a crime, I did not commit is in my view the true crime in this. Whether innocent or guilty there is a presumption that you should take a plea instead proving one’s innocence. 

 

   If you can lend me a moment and give me the luxury to take you inside the heart of the conditions under which I am being confined, I can show you how I am being incarcerated and locked up unjustly for a unbelievableamount of time. I am looking for someone’s help in every corner in America that is willing to take a close look at this case and see that this is wrong and see the real truth behind all the injustice served me. Understand my ultimate goal is to be released, get my life back and go back home with my family. I pray that the lord sheds mercy on me and extends someone wo can help me, the wisdom to see the truth in all of this.

 

An Explanation Of My Case

 

   I was accused of 2 armed robberies which allegedly occurred in the early morning of August 2, 2012. One robbery was on a 7-11 establishment and the secondoccurring approximately 30 minutes later at a Wendy's restaurant. 

 

   On the day of August 4, 2012, an attempted robbery was called in on another 7-11 in a similar area. Two individuals were found and picked up in the area and arrested. I was NOT one of the men apprehended or arrested at the scene. Both men arrested that night were questioned and confessed to the crimes. The police asked the men arrestedabout me and insisted I had to have been involved. Now, I’m sure this may sound strange, and it does, I’m sure your question is, why would the police just throw my name out there as an assailant if I am not, wasn’t there or was not arrested at the scene of the crime. Why would my name be added to this investigation without just cause. Especially if I was not involved in any way? Unfortunately, that is a question I am still in search of an answer for. Honestly,neither one of the men caught have ever killed anyone or serious harmed anyone. Not to mention, neither of the men arrested that night said I was involved or mentioned my name. But the police continually asked if I was involve & both men said no I was not involved each time. You would think the police would not further question or insist I was involved at that point, right? Wrong, the police threatened and insisted the men were lying and that they better say I was involved but with what evidence did they insist or make these accusations? 

 

   After hours of cross examination and police pressure the two men tired and exhausted gave into the demand and said I was a coconspirator of this crime. After a jury trial I was convicted based on the testimony of these two men who apparently made some deal on a lie. Both men received lighter sentences for their testimony at trial. Whether truthful or untruthful, and to guarantee the accused kept the same story the prosecutor wanted them to the prosecutor held sentencing of the two convicted men until after I was tried, and a verdict was reached. This was to ensure they kept their side of the bargain.

 

   Keeping it real and to the if those men did not testify against me for the state they would have been facing over 25 years in prison or go to trial. But how could they go to trial if they have already confessed? Do you see the applied pressure and the burden they have placed on these men? Cooperate or face the wrath of the courts, and since they've already confessed, they could be sentenced to any range the prosecutor proposed. If these men were going to give truthful testimony, why pressure them and why decide not to sentence them until after they give testimony against me? They had plead guilty over 18 months before I was set to go to trial, but the prosecution refused to make the sentence final until after my trial because the state wanted to make sure they said what they wanted them to say! You may ask, what was their plea deals? One of the men received a sentence of 9 years and the other 12 years. This is very favorable considering, if found guilty, they could face up to 60 years. 

 

   But, your question at this point should be, how does a man whom they say has committed the same exact crime receive 37 years? As a matter fact let’s include one of the men who pled guilty even assaulted the clerk with a metal bat causing him to need medical attention and need staples in his head. Even during my trial, I was not accused of causing any harm. Why then is the sentence range so widely different? The punishment should at minimum fit the crime, right? Was I being punished for exercising my constitutional right to go to trial? Even if the state argues those two men deserve leniency for their (false) cooperation, is the difference of 28 years in prison the result? I was the youngest of three individuals convicted and I received more than both men combined.

  

   Since being incarcerated I have managed to stay clear oftrouble and disciplinary actions and sanctions. My Stepfather passed away in 2020. All I have now is my mother, grandparents and siblings who all believe in me and are still fighting for my release. My mother has dealt with a few health problems all of her life, & my grandparents are getting older each day. They actually need more assistance now more than ever. I also have a niece that looks up to me and a sister who needs her little brother. 

 

   All this makes me realize the importance of life and its many sacrifices. At 19, I was not able to understand that maybe I would have to lose a battle to win a war. Meaning, that the system has forced me to sacrifice valuable time important to my life. The amount of time I served made me look at how important it is to get my life back and be available as a free man for my family. Whether you believe me to be Guilty or Innocent does not matter now because I have already served time that will never be returned to me. Know this, I am still fighting for my freedom as I have been for years and it still seems there is no release date nowhere in sight. 

 

 

   However, I just want to be back at home with my family and love ones. I have been sentenced to more time in prison then repeat offenders and people who have been found guilty for murder. A 37-year sentence means that from the age of 19 until I am approximately 51 years old, I will spend that much time behind bars. Then I will be released on 10 years parole. How am I expected to thrive in a constantly changing world that I left as a kid? Once I am released, I will have to work hard to be a responsible,independent, active upstanding person in our present society. With no real job skills or experience, no kids, and parents who are getting older what real chance am I being given. What does this say about a system that supposedly has a duty and sworn purpose of rehabilitating individualswho were incarcerated and released. Each individual incarcerated is a special case I’m sure you will agree, but what chance does a man have to show he has changed when you sentence him to a mandatory 37 years in prison? 

 

   Whether or not he is rehabilitated is not attached to the sentence itself and in no way affects the amount of time he has to do. Even knowing this, I have made it my duty to grow and make the most of my time in prison. I have completed several programs including: mental health awareness, alternative to violence, Successful Employment and Lawful Living (SEALL), Occupational Safety Service Inc for Welding\Gas Cylinder, Certificate of achievement for completing a safety course on blood borne/ Airborne Pathogens, Certificate of achievement for Safety course on Hazardous Material Transportation training program, Career Readiness and training, Living in balance. As well as being involved in the music ministry in the church learning how to play the piano. If I have not said enough already, outside of my parents, grandparents and siblings, God has been the #1 guidance & influence throughout my incarceration. Even though I was not by any means a bad person, before being incarcerated. God has transformed my view on life from one of a teenage boy to that of a man of God. Even within these prison walls I find solitude in Gods words. I now aspire to own a business one day, to find a wife get married and raise a family of my own one day. But aside from that, I have come to an understanding on the mental conditions of men in prison, and the lack of mental help and other needed resources for men and woman in prisons. So, in my future I hope to work with men and woman suffering from with mental health issues who are in prison now or have been released. I have read many mental health books so I can better familiar myself with certain conditions. One book I read is titled "Black Mental Health Matters" by Aaron Snyder. I have a great deal of compassion for anybody in need of help. Anybody that knows me will say I'm a giver. 

 

So, these charges are not a reflection of my character. If I was released today, I have made plans and reachable goals for the next 24 to 36 months. I would seek any employment, but I would enjoy hanging on the sides of building cleaning window for starters. or doing some kind of janitorial work while working towards my Commercial Driver’s License. I figure driving for money would give me a career and since I've lost so much time behind bars I could get paid to travel and see the world. I am involved in the Toast Master Program learning how to speak and edify my words. So, talking in front of crowds won't scare me too much. I do hope to speak for the men and woman without a voice and help better the conditions of everyone I come in contact with.

 

 

 

  I hope after reading this letter and reviewing the facts of my case you can and will clearly see that I do not belong in prison. I have already served time and paid all restitution Ihave already served 12 years and counting in prison. Both the men who confessed to these crimes have been home and back with their loved ones. I am the last man fighting for my life. The judge and prosecution want the public to believe this is a fair sentence. However, me and my family knows this is unfair and unjust. We are asking for any help in this matter even if it’s just a comment on Facebook, a reference to a good lawyer who fully understands and is willing to fight for my release and my freedom or simply a prayer for God to lead us in the right direction to receive real and true justice. I will post my online petition requesting a sentence reduction very soon @ my Facebook: Andrew Johnson