This is very important not only to the children and family of the person wrongfully convicted and abused by the Justice system; but it is important to society as a whole.

In this case, a Black man, husband, dedicated father, hard worker, loyal friend, son and brother was attacked outside his home with 4 children in his care. The attacker was armed with a knife and under the influence of drugs and alcohol which an autopsy later revealed.

Leon Balfour had nothing on his mind except to have a nice family weekend, fishing and enjoying the outdoors. As he exited his home with the children ages from 5 months to 8 years old, he approached his vehicle only to be attacked by a stranger who came out of the bushes behind where Leon had parked his car. The attacker immediately demanded Leon to hand over his car keys and his infant son. When Leon refused the attackers demands, the attacker punched Leon in the mouth causing several lacerations to his mouth. What is even more disturbing, the attacker also lunged at the infant several times but Leon cradle the baby, used his own body as a shield and fell to the floor to protect the infant from what would have been fatal blows to his head.

As Leon fell to the floor, the attacker then began to pursue the other children who screamed in horror for HELP!. Leon called out to the attacker to STOP, at which point the attacker directed his attention to Leon. The attacker took his shirt off, wrap it around his hand and began chasing Leon with the knife in his hand.

A struggle developed and the attacker was stabbed. Leon gathered the children and took them to safety inside their home while the attacker was still acting erratic and apparently trying to make his way to Leon's front door, as an eye witness described. Eventually, the attacker collapsed to the floor. He was pronounced dead when the authorities arrived.

As soon as Leon entered his home he instructed his fiance' to call 911. His fiance' noticed that Leon was bleeding profusely from his mouth. As soon as the police arrived they arrested Leon, for no other explanation other than the color of his skin because they did not conduct an investigation. The police were notified several times while on the scence that there was an eye witness who not only saw the entire incident; but the witness also observed the attacker lurking in the parking lot the entire night prior to the incident clearly plotting the attack he launched on Leon and his family. The witness also told an investigator that the attacker's car was parked behind some trees with a direct, clear view of Leon's front door. The blatantly ignored all notifications and did not speak with the eye witness or search the attackers vehicle which was taken from the scene by the attackers brother, who did not contact the police until 2 days later to advise that he had the attackers vehicle in his possession. EVIDENCE TAMPERING?

The Judge is this case denied the defense from mentioning the attackers criminal and drug addiction history. What was even more disturbing, the court did not give the jury instructions on the 'forcible felonies' (attempted robbery & kidnapping) when the attacker demanded Leon's car key and his infant son or instructions on 'self defense'.
The prosecutor stated in court at sentencing that "she has a conflict of interest" in this case. Why was she even put on the case? Why did she accept the case knowing that there was a conflict of interest issue?

What happened to 'Standing your Ground' and 'Self Defense'?
Does a person only have a right to immunity from prosecution under these laws if they are white?
Is it illegal for a black person to defend his life, family and home?

Why was Leon sentenced for 'standing his ground' at his own home?

HOW DO YOU WALK OUT OF YOUR HOME WITH MINOR CHILDREN TO GO ON A FAMILY OUTING AND GET CHARGED WITH A CRIME FOR DEFENDING YOURSELF AND FAMILY?

We need your help in making sure that this never happens to other black people and that laws that are put in place are not only applicable to the white community.

CALLING FOR CHANGE IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM ON BEHALF OF LEON, HIS FAMILY AND HIS CHILDREN WHO ARE DEVASTATED BECAUSE THEY KNOW HE WAS ONLY PROTECTING THEM, HIMSELF AND THEIR HOME!  ALL 5 OF THEM NEED THEIR DAD!

Sign to Support this petition for 'GRANTING LEON A NEW TRIAL OR FREEDOM'.

Together WE CAN all make a difference!