Granholm to decide whether to free Efren Paredes

The case of Efrén Paredes, Jr. is a terrible injustice. It is an unfortunate example of how the justice system fails people of color in counties that mete out justice disproportionately to people of color. I believe our Governor is a leader of conscience and an independent thinker. I also believe that she possess the wisdom and experience to recognize a glaring injustice like this. One that has received international attention and an outpouring of support for Efrén's release. Efrén poses no risk or danger to the public whatsoever and would make a wonderful and productive citizen if released. The Governor doesn't need the Parole Board to define an injustice for her when three men were exonerated last year in this state for crimes they did not commit and the Parole Board ignored their pleas for release as well. This is an issue of humanity, not politics.

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Open Letter to Governor Granholm:

You have the power to right a terrible wrong and injustice in the case of Efren Paredes Jr. Even a cursory view of the trial transcript would lead any open-minded person to see there was reasonable doubt. However, if you don't want to deal with the question of innocence or wrongful conviction, find it in yourself to at least view this in terms of the injustice of sentencing juveniles to life without parole. As of today, the United States is still the only country in the world continuing to sentence children to life in prison without any hopes of parole. Even Somalia, yes Somalia has discontinued this practice. I have traveled and spoken of this case in other countries and find people continually amazed that the U.S. is willing to incarcerate youth for the rest of their lives.

We love to pat ourselves on the back in the U.S. about how we are an example of democracy and freedom. Yet, we continue to show hypocrisy in how we mete justice in our own country. We continue to fail to recognize the disproportionate numbers of Latino and African American youth whom juries find guilty of heinous crimes, only to realize years later were actually innocent.

Governor, I once saw you speak in Battle Creek at an event Desmond Tutu was also speaking at. I went to the event to hear Tutu speak as he is a hero of mine for his efforts against apartheid in South Africa. However, I was blown away by your speech that night and actually left the event more grateful that I had heard you. You talked about human rights and how people in Michigan could do work and make positive efforts that could resonate around the world.

This case concerning Efren Paredes Jr. is international and has implications around the world. I want to be proud of my country, but I cannot be if we continue to give only lip service about justice and continue to only talk the talk but not walk the walk. I am ashamed that we are the only country in the world who don't see youth as being redeemable and worthy of rehabilitation. Have we slipped that far? Have we grown so hungry for retribution that we are willing to lock children away for the rest of their lives? I hope we haven't. Despite the troubles we have in our nation, I continue to have hope that we can rise above these tests and trials of our nation's character.

Many say that you won't have the courage to do what is right here and commute Efren Paredes Jr. I hope and pray that you have the courage to do what is right here. If ,as Velia Koppenhoefer wrote in her letter, you look at this as an issue of humanity, I believe you will make the right choice.