PETITION FOR APPEAL: SEEKING JUSTICE FOR COURTNEY BRITTON

Introduction:
My name is Courtney Britton, born and raised in Miami, Florida. I am writing this petition to appeal my conviction for manslaughter, which I believe is a wrongful conviction. I am the victim of a violent robbery, and my actions were taken in self-defense out of genuine fear for my life.

I extend my deepest condolences to Joshua’s family for their loss; I carry no ill will and never intended harm. However, I acted to survive in an unavoidable and terrifying moment. I now find myself wrongfully imprisoned, and I humbly ask for your support to help me fight for justice.

What Happened:
On the night in question, I was lured into an ambush orchestrated by three individuals. My cousin introduced me to two strangers claiming to be travelers from California. The encounter seemed harmless at first. One of them, Kelvin (also known as Joshua), began flirting with me—calling me handsome, asking for my number, and expressing interest in getting to know me.

As my cousin walked away, I let my guard down. Suddenly, Joshua pressed an object—wrapped in a jacket or towel—into my chest and demanded, “Give it all up.” I froze in shock as the object, which I believed to be a gun, pressed harder against me. Joshua then snatched my chain. Terrified, I swatted at the weapon and yelled, “They robbed me!”

At that point, I was surrounded: Joshua stood in front of me, Fulton (another suspect) was nearby, and an unidentified man was at my car’s passenger side. Out of fear, I armed myself with my legally owned firearm. Joshua then gestured as though he was about to shoot me, and in that moment of life-or-death terror, I discharged a single round.

I was scared. I wanted to live. I reacted instinctively to protect myself against a deadly threat.

The Legal Injustice:
Despite being the victim of an armed robbery, I was unfairly convicted. Critical issues were overlooked in my case:

Failure to Investigate the Robbery
Law enforcement did not fully investigate my claims of being robbed at gunpoint. Instead of pursuing the truth, they focused solely on convicting me for the shooting.
Violation of My Constitutional Rights
After I requested legal counsel, officers continued questioning me in violation of my rights. These statements were later used against me at trial, which was unjust and unlawful.
Conflict of Interest with My Attorney
My defense attorney had a prior professional relationship with the district attorney. This conflict of interest raised serious concerns about my representation. Despite requesting a delay to seek alternative counsel, the court denied my plea, forcing me to move forward with compromised representation.
Why I Deserve Another Chance:
My actions were not malicious; they were driven by fear for my life during a violent robbery. Florida law, specifically “Stand Your Ground” (§ 776.013, Fla. Stat.), affirms my right to defend myself when facing an imminent deadly threat.

Additionally:

I fully complied with house arrest conditions for over three years while awaiting trial.
I cooperated fully with law enforcement.
These facts demonstrate my character and the isolated nature of this tragic incident. Unfortunately, they were not adequately presented during my trial.

My Request for Support:
The events of that night haunt me, and I deeply regret the loss of life. I never intended for any of this to happen. I was ambushed, scared, and simply trying to survive.

Now, I am fighting for my freedom and the chance to clear my name. Your support will help me:

Secure new, competent legal representation to pursue my appeal.
Present the full truth and circumstances surrounding my case.
Work toward justice and reunite with my loved ones.
I humbly ask for your donations, prayers, and shares of my story. Every contribution—big or small—will help me in this fight for justice and give me hope for a fair future.

Closing Statement:
Thank you for taking the time to hear my story. Your support, kindness, and generosity mean the world to me. I trust that the truth will be heard, and justice will prevail.

With sincere gratitude,
Courtney Britton