Anthony P. Cole was a very energetic kid with a big heart. He loved to play soccer, football, and run track and field. He even attained a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Doe and would later go to states for Track and Field in High school. "Cole is a hell an athlete." His coaches would say. What many don't know, is that Anthony grew up with very little resources. For a time, he and his mother were homeless and without a car. As a result, he traveled more than most. From one friends house to another, or from one shelter to another. Never getting to settle down until his mother bought a home for them to live in, in Huntington around 2003. However, a life of travel made it impossible for the young Cole to settle. As he bounced throughout the city of Huntington, he found himself surrounded by negative influences and trauma.

Poverty, trauma, and poor life decisions would lead to his imprisonment at the young age of nineteen years old. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2011 and was convicted and charged in 2012. You will find no excuses here. In fact,  Anthony himself gave no excuses when he owned up to his crimes 12 years ago. Anthony Cole is now thirty-one years old. He was recently moved to a low security prison because of his excellent behavior. At this low security prison he is helping dementia patients, continuing his education, and playing basketball and working out. Throughout the last twelve or so years, Anthony Cole has committed himself to improving himself. He earned his Paralegal certification, and took on actual cases defending those who had no one to defend them. He wants to get out of prison and go to law school in order to study how he can best help the black community. He has redirected his energy inward, working on his body and soul--exercising and studying theology. He earned a bachelors degree in communications at Ashland University. AU’s National Communication Association Honors Society, specifically the Alpha Alpha Rho Chapter, accepted Anthony Cole into the National Communication Association Honors Society. On the certificate, they recognized Anthony’s high standard of scholarship and how he demonstrates commitment to professional and public service. Anthony went from skipping classes to being a scholar. From hurting the community to dedicating himself to bettering the community. And all of this he has accomplished while in prison. I can only imagine how much he can do outside. How much he can offer the community. Whether it be utilizing his communication skills to guide the misguided. Through encouraging fitness utilizing his knowledge of weight training and exercise. Or utilizing his paralegal certification to work for the state and offer guidance, counseling, or defense for those without. Or whether it be all of the above. The community, especially in Huntington, wrought with misguided souls, requires Anthony Cole. Requires a man who can say I have been in that hole, I have done awful things too, he can show them another way. He can show them a way out, and in the process, help to heal the community he hurt 11 years ago. Anthony has grown. Anthony has changed. He is not who used to be. Please sign this petition.