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Dear Family and Friends,
I am writing to you today to let you know about a 22 year injustice and fight for freedom for my son Jonathan Johnson. In 1998, our 14 year old son was convicted of a first time non violent offense in adult criminal court system.
Up until this occurred and to this day our family has had a devout Christian upbringing and values based in love. These values played a part in Jonathan taking accountability for his mistake, being forthcoming, and exhibiting remorse for his choice. At the time my naivety of law enforcement tactics, lack of resources, and faith made me believe that my son being forthright would be an advantage to receiving a just consequence in the juvenile court. This was the expectation set by the investigation but the State of Arizona decided to make an example out of my son.
Jonathan was subsequently sentenced to a lifetime conviction with no chance of mitigating his terms even into adulthood despite him being a child at the time.
By all accounts my son should be a success story for the criminal justice system and proof that we are not defined for life by a singular moment in time.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. Navigating lifetime probation since the age of 14 has affected so many areas of my sons life for 22 years that any sense of normalcy that he would have had was taken that day.
Our family has been devastated for 22 years having experienced the restrictions, surveillance, limitations, and nearly impossible expectations to perform every day for two decades.
If any of you know Jonathan you know he has the biggest heart, kindest spirit, and hardest work ethic. Since his conviction at 14 he has had recommendations from multiple doctors, therapists, and juvenile advocates that he should have never been tried in the adult court. He has been an upstanding and successful member in society to this day.
After years of research we finally acquired representation that believes Jonathan has a strong case for clemency; but we have a long road ahead.
Based on the quote: Attorneys for Freedom finds the research, and 22 year case load will require $15,000 and may be more depending on how high we have to escalate in the court system.
We need to cover all fees as soon as possible. I've started a fundraiser to collect donations for Jonathan's Freedom. We believe this will give Jonathan the best opportunity to seek actual justice.
All the love from my family to yours.
Don Johnson
I am writing to you today to let you know about a 22 year injustice and fight for freedom for my son Jonathan Johnson. In 1998, our 14 year old son was convicted of a first time non violent offense in adult criminal court system.
Up until this occurred and to this day our family has had a devout Christian upbringing and values based in love. These values played a part in Jonathan taking accountability for his mistake, being forthcoming, and exhibiting remorse for his choice. At the time my naivety of law enforcement tactics, lack of resources, and faith made me believe that my son being forthright would be an advantage to receiving a just consequence in the juvenile court. This was the expectation set by the investigation but the State of Arizona decided to make an example out of my son.
Jonathan was subsequently sentenced to a lifetime conviction with no chance of mitigating his terms even into adulthood despite him being a child at the time.
By all accounts my son should be a success story for the criminal justice system and proof that we are not defined for life by a singular moment in time.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. Navigating lifetime probation since the age of 14 has affected so many areas of my sons life for 22 years that any sense of normalcy that he would have had was taken that day.
Our family has been devastated for 22 years having experienced the restrictions, surveillance, limitations, and nearly impossible expectations to perform every day for two decades.
If any of you know Jonathan you know he has the biggest heart, kindest spirit, and hardest work ethic. Since his conviction at 14 he has had recommendations from multiple doctors, therapists, and juvenile advocates that he should have never been tried in the adult court. He has been an upstanding and successful member in society to this day.
After years of research we finally acquired representation that believes Jonathan has a strong case for clemency; but we have a long road ahead.
Based on the quote: Attorneys for Freedom finds the research, and 22 year case load will require $15,000 and may be more depending on how high we have to escalate in the court system.
We need to cover all fees as soon as possible. I've started a fundraiser to collect donations for Jonathan's Freedom. We believe this will give Jonathan the best opportunity to seek actual justice.
All the love from my family to yours.
Don Johnson
Organizer and beneficiary
DeJan Johnson
Beneficiary