My name is Marlon Da'von Gray. I have served 34 years in prison of a Life Without the Possibility of Parole sentence for a murder I committed as a teen. I accept full and unwavering responsibility for my actions and I am deeply remorseful for taking a Man's life. My remorse is authentic and comes through the realization of the depth of consequences of my actions and how those actions deeply affected so many members of many families, including my own.

Much of the last 34 years in prison was turbulent for me. As a result, my infractions were many in the early years. However, I have matured and made many improvements in my life in a genuine effort to build a better me so that I am never that same 18 year old I was during the commission of my crime. I have all but extinguished the gang mentality and lifestyle that landed me here. I am a better person as a result of this level of maturity and awareness. I am 53 years  old now. A Husband and Father. I have participated in several self-help classes and workshops since my incarceration. Such as: Alcoholics Anonymous. I am Chairman of this class so  I facilitate the curriculum for tuesday night fellowships in an effort to assist inmates  in  overcoming their addictions. I am Chairman of CGA (Criminal & Gangs Anonymous), where I prepare the curriculum and facilitate this class and help other inmates severe gang ties. I am also a member of CIP (Council Inmate Program). (These ILTAGS  have raised thousands of dollars for organizations like homeless shelters and victims impact, as well as local schools and shelters. In 2017, I participated in the distribution of 30k to several different charities ranging from cancer clinics to clothing donation centers). I am a facilitator in the Alternatives to Violence Project. (AVP) and PREP (Partnership for reentry Program). I am a member of  the  Men  of  Vision Think Tank (MOVTT). A group of men here in this facility who create programs to make things better for the inmate and staff population/interaction. We speak to at-risk teens who are brought into the facility, and recently had the opportunity to speak to Imperial Valley College students in the criminal justice department to demonstrate the importance of the new rehabilitative programs offered throughout CDCR and how these programs have affected the lives of so many inmates. I have taken courses at ACCI for Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence,  Offender  Responsibility and Anger Management. I have received certification in each of these classes. I am also  a member of the Anti-recidivism Coalition (ARC), and on January 28, 2020, I was chosen to participate in the statewide ''Day of Peace" ceremony which was held in all 32 prisons. I was chosen   to  make   a   speech   on  peace   and   reconciliation.  I   started   the   facility newsletter "E=MindTap2"    This newsletter consist of articles of change. How it has come about in our  lives and the importance of holding on to the idea of maintaining this perspective because changing your life is vital to our recovery. I am also a college student at two different colleges; Coastline Community College where I am currently enrolled in Counseling, Psychology and Philosophy (Elements of Morality) and I am enrolled in IVC (Imperial Valley  College)  taking  Music Theory, Sociology, Two Math classes, History, Advanced English, Political Science, Oral Communications, and Alcohol and Drug Studies. I have a projected graduation day around 2021 and I will receive my AA in Sociology. The steps I have made to positively impact the lives of others includes my letters to an organization called Prisoner Letters For Our Struggling Youth and Mothers With A Message.  My letters are read to the youth  in an effort to impact their lives  in a way that my own was not. I also donate my job paycheck (I'm the Chapel Clerk) to Mothers With A Message every month. I have also donated to The Place For Grace. Which is an organization that keeps families connected through readings and recordings. These are the things I have done to change my life for the better. And I promise you that it will continue.

I have maintained family support throughout my incarceration. My Wife and kids come to see me just about every weekend. I have had the pleasure to spend my days and nights with my wife during overnight family visits as an LWOP inmate. You can only reach this by your positive behavior. My parents and siblings also come to see me to this day. Sadly, since this writing, my Father recently passed away in November. Two days before Thanksgiving. He was very proud of the person that I have become, and I'm fortunate that he was able to see this before he passed.  My kids are great students in school and I play an active role in their upbringing. I encourage them to strive for excellence but I also educate them about the importance of just being good Human Beings. They both feed the homeless and my Daughter is part of the GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) at her high school at only 15 years old. This is the tolerance that my Wife and I teach our kids. My Wife, Dani, is my biggest supporter and she serves as inspiration  to every step I take in this process. I can't thank her enough.

I am asking that you allow me to demonstrate that I am completely worthy of a second chance at life. I am definitely not the same person I used to be. That person no longer exists. I am an insightful, remorseful, more forgiving person today. Due in part to all that I have learned and been through during the course of my incarceration, and, in part, to all of the people I have met along the way. My Sponsors (Mary Soza, Theresa Shelton and John G) included. Thank you for the sacrifices you make to impact my life! I have a family to come home to and the support of family and friends. If given the opportunity I believe the Governor will certainly see that I have changed my life and deserve a second chance to give back to the society that I once took advantage of and neglected. I can't change the past but I can change my future.

I am a Husband and Father. I would love to have the opportunity to make my family whole. My absence is felt every day in my family. My presence would be critical to filling that void. Thank you so much for taking the time to hear my story and showing your support.