AsATeamWeMater.Life

DeAndre Daniels, who is a graduate of DeVry University and at the time of his arrest was enrolled in college, in pursuit of more degrees at DeVry, has been wrongfully convicted since 2012 for a shooting that resulted in no death or no severe bodily injury to the victim. Prosecutors chose to prosecute DeAndre knowing that they had no evidence against him. His conviction is based solely on a prior statement made by a witness who testified that she never saw DeAndre with a gun nor seen him shoot the victim. The victim also testified he never seen nor met DeAndre. No physical evidence links DeAndre to the crime nor to the scene of the crime. Credible eyewitness testimony gives a description of the shooter in which DeAndre did not match! Now new eyewitness testimony has come forth to corroborate this testimony. Witnesses who could testify for DeAndre's whereabouts at the time of the shooting were never contacted. We who know DeAndre know he does not have an evil bone in his body. A man who championed family, faith, and fun would not attempt to murder anyone! A member of Christ Fellowship Church at the time of his arrest diligently expressed his faith and although not perfect by a long shot, not a murderer, who needs to spend the rest of his life in prison.  All parties who were involved in the incident acknowledge that DeAndre was not! DeAndre has maintained his innocence and is pleading with any court to give him a fair hearing to comb through the evidence and correct an injustice that does not define our criminal justice system. Not only was DeAndre convicted of a crime he did not commit, but his sentence for the crime also goes against the fundamental fairness of our justice system. DeAndre was sentenced to 47 years, a de facto life sentence, for Attempt Murder. No credible evidence shows any intent to kill, and the victim suffered a non-life-threatening wound to the leg. Why should a man, innocent at that, spend the rest of his life in jail when no one was severely injured? We must correct this injustice and demand "Justice For DeAndre"!

The problem is that most cases in McLean County result in sentences that are overwhelmingly disparate. Especially when it comes to people of color convicted of crimes. No person should be sentenced harshly because they exercise their right to a trial. Prosecutors should seek rehabilitation in sentencing instead of punishment. A word of wisdom from the Holy Scripture, "I desire compassion not slaughterer!" Furthermore, when evidence against a person is unbelievable or disavowed prosecutors should not maliciously prosecute and paint pictures that fit their narratives but should deal in facts!