Help Free Datwan Ramsey: Fight for a Writ of Innocence

Justice for Datwan Ramsey: A Father Stolen from His Family by Injustice

The picture you see above tells the story of a moment that should have been filled with joy and hope—a father cradling his newborn daughter. But that moment marked the beginning of a broken home, not because of choice, but because of injustice.

Datwan Ramsey, a loving father, was wrongfully taken from his family in 2010, the victim of systemic police misconduct and a legal system that failed him. His daughter, who barely had the chance to know her father, has grown up without him. Like so many Black men wrongfully imprisoned, Datwan has spent over a decade fighting against a system that was designed to work against him.

A Story of Corruption and Misconduct

Datwan’s wrongful conviction is not an isolated case—it is the result of a pattern of corruption within the Baltimore Police Department. Two officers, Detective Joseph Landsman Jr. and Officer Marvin Sydnor, played pivotal roles in his unjust imprisonment. Sydnor, who came out of retirement to aid in prosecuting Datwan, and Landsman Jr., who has a troubling record of misconduct, used coerced statements and suppressed evidence to secure his conviction.

The Ripple Effect of Injustice

This isn’t just Datwan’s story. It’s the story of countless Black men torn from their families due to police misconduct and systemic racism. It’s the story of a daughter forced to grow up fatherless, and of a family shattered by an injustice that should never have happened.

How Your Donations Will Help

We are seeking to raise $40,000 to help reunite Datwan with his daughter and bring an end to this painful chapter:

• $25,000: Retain experienced legal counsel to file a writ of innocence or post-conviction motion.

• $10,000: Hire expert witnesses to testify about police misconduct and coerced statements.

• $5,000: Cover investigative costs, including public records requests, IAD file retrieval, and filing fees.

These funds will allow us to present the strongest possible case for Datwan’s exoneration and ensure justice is served.

Why This Matters

This fight is bigger than one man’s freedom. By helping Datwan, we take a stand against the systemic issues that allow wrongful convictions to happen. Together, we can:

• Reunite a father with his daughter after over a decade of separation.

• Hold Detective Landsman Jr., Officer Sydnor, and others accountable for their actions.

• Advocate for fairness, transparency, and a justice system that protects rather than destroys families.

How You Can Help

1. Donate: Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to justice.

2. Share: Spread Datwan’s story on social media and within your community.

3. Advocate: Join us in demanding transparency and accountability from those responsible for this injustice.

Why Now?

New evidence has emerged, and we must act quickly to file the necessary motions. The time to bring Datwan home is now. With your help, we can fight for his freedom and ensure that his daughter no longer grows up fatherless.

This is more than a fundraiser—it’s a fight for justice, a stand for family, and a chance to make right what was so painfully wrong. Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can reunite Datwan with his family and give them the future they deserve.