Do you have a loved one that is incarcerated and was sentenced too harshly; especially at a young age??

We are asking Policy makers to reduce sentencing laws.  We are asking that these laws help, not only new offenders, but past offenders as well.  Plainly stated, some of  the current laws are quite unjust and are not equal across the board. Families are broken, needlessly, due to harsh sentencing. Please  reunite our family by releasing Christopher.

Here's our story...

 

My name is Marci Thrasher, and I am petitioning to you because I am at a complete and total loss. I’m reaching out to anyone and everyone who might have the power and ability to help.

I grew up believing that the United States was the land of the free; a home for retribution and second chances, with a fair justice system.Well, I no longer believe these things to be true, because I feel that our legal system has failed several of its citizens, and our laws are truly falling short of the dream!

 I now truly understand St. Augustine’s quote, “An unjust law is no law at all.”

Augustine went on to say, “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” Well for once in my life I feel that being a law abiding citizen isn’t enough when laws are so unjust. I am writing to you on behalf of a classmate, a young man that I’ve known since 1995. I’m writing on his behalf because he’s unable to do so for himself, and I feel that an immense injustice has been placed upon him.

His name is Christopher Adam Charles Emmanuel, and he was always a happy go lucky person;a brilliant adolescent and straight A student.However, at the age of 18; an age where one should never be considered an adult, Christopher became caught up with the wrong crowd, and, with a group of those friends, got into a heated disagreement with some peers.  During this disagreement a firearm was discharged, andthe bullet ended up piercing and fatally wounding an innocent grandmother and her grandchild.

 A jury trial was held, and it was determined that the fatal shot came from a hand gun used by someone in the group, and that Christopher was not the gunmen.  Cleared of all murder charges, Christopher was then convicted of two counts of aggravated assault and sentenced to 40 years in Prison.  Yes, you heard me correctly, 40 years!

 Christopher was convicted in CLAYTON COUNTY, GEORGIA.  Christopher was only 18 at the time of the incident, which means that he will be imprisoned until the age of 58; his earliest date for parole being 2031, when he will be 46.

 The Mother/Daughter of the victims was present at the sentencing trial, and she herself said that she felt that Christopher had been sentenced too harshly. The actual gunman/shooter was released after taking a plea for cooperating with the police. This case was a huge injustice to all involved, including the victims.

 I agree with the mother of the victims; this sentencing was too harsh. Where is the chance for retribution? Where is the chance to show that he’s grown or learned from his mistake? Where is Christopher’s second chance? Everyone makes mistakes at some point in their lives, yet to take away his entire life for aggravated assault; when he wasn’t even the gunmen?

 Christopher resides in the state of Georgia at Calhoun State Prison. He is getting ready to have his 29th birthday and his 10 year anniversary of being in prison; since being sentenced.   He has beenstriving to improve himself; currently enrolled with Ashworth College, working on an associate’s degree in marketing.  Christopher  receives his coursework through the mail. He’s striving really hard to overcome every obstacle and maintain a positive outlook, being hopeful that all is not lost

 I’m petitioning to you, searching for answers and for help. I’m asking that you seek to learn more about this young man, an help to get his sentencing reduced; to give him another chance. I’m asking for hope, for a second chance for a young man that made a stupid decision to hang with the wrong crowd. I’m asking that he be given a chance to use the degree he’s earning,a chance to show and prove that he’s grown from an adolescent child to a mature adult that makes wise decisions. Please help Christopher, and others like Christopher; who were sentenced too harshly, in the state of Georgia.

 Please give Christopher a 2nd chance.  Please help to change sentencing laws, so that the maximum sentence doesn’t outweigh the crime.  I’m sure that, if Christopher is given a second chance to live freely, he’ll never take it for granted again. It is very scary to think of how much control and power the decisions of others can have over a person’s life.  Are our lives truly our own?  Because anything and everything we possess can be taken away, in the blink of an eye, and there’s nothing we can do or say about it.

I look to you as the voice of the people…Can you help us?... Will you help us? Please sign our petition to support us and others like us. 

I thank you for your time

Sincerely,

Marci Thrasher

www.2ndChanceAtLife.us

2ndChanceAtLife.us@gmail.com