Next week the United States Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of juvenile life without parole in some fashion…
A story behind the story:
As arguments took place in the Supreme Court Chambers, one visitor listened particularly intently to the arguments.
Her name is Sharletta Evans and her three-year-old son had been killed in a drive-by by two juveniles.
Those two juveniles are currently serving life without parole in Colorado’s prisons.
Sharletta was there to support attorney Bryan Stevenson in his efforts to end life sentences for juveniles like those who killed her three-year-old.
Sharletta didn’t come easily to forgiveness. A deeply spiritual woman, she arrived at those chambers and at her decision over many years, in face of much familial opposition, and despite her own personal pain.
A few months after sitting in the U.S. Supreme Court Chambers, Sharletta found herself sitting in the visiting room of a high-level prison, facing one of her son’s young killers.
Restorative justice advocates and DOC officials had spent months readying Sharletta and the young prisoner for this moment.
The meeting lasted most of the day.
Sharletta and her remaining son forgave this young prisoner.
And, in the end, agreed to the young prisoner’s request: that he could call her “Mom.”
If Sharletta Evans can forgive, can’t Governor Hickenlooper?
Sign Our Petition – http://www.change.org/petitions/gov-john-hickenlooper-turn-back-the-clock-on-juvenile-sentences
Share Our Video: http://youtu.be/TN9rVXJZNnM/ Turn Back the Clock!
40 years of juvenile justice in a flash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75xZ2WWPv9k&feature=youtu.be
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