Help Clifton Jones Restart His Life
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On April 15, 2021, Clifton Jones was released after serving 15 years for wrongful involuntary manslaughter and child abuse convictions following the tragic death of his son.
In December 2005, Clifton lost his newborn son, Clifton, Jr. , or “CJ”, after an accidental trip-and-fall in his home. Tripping over a shoe, and unable to break his stumble, he and his son fell into a wall, causing CJ to hit the back of his head. Clifton rushed CJ to the hospital, but CJ succumbed to his injuries. Before having the opportunity to grieve this tremendous loss, Clifton was arrested and charged with murder and child abuse.
Despite unanimous agreement from all who testified that Clifton was a loving and devoted father, the prosecution relied on testimony from medical experts regarding “shaken baby syndrome,” a form of brain injury resulting from abusive trauma to an infant or toddler. Experts testified that the trip-and-fall could not have caused CJ’s death, and therefore that it *must* have been abuse. Based on that expert testimony, Clifton was convicted and sentenced to 25 years-to-life, with his earliest parole hearing in 2027.
Over the past decade, the medical consensus around “shaken baby syndrome” has changed. And there is now an understanding that accidental short falls--contrary to what the medical experts testified to in Clifton's trials---can indeed cause serious head trauma and death in infants. Simply put, the new science shows that the medical evidence in Clifton's trials was false.
In April 2021, Clifton's legal team successfully worked with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office to file a motion to re-sentence Clifton to a lesser sentence, allowing him to be released immediately and without parole.
Clifton has since moved to the South to join his family who has waited for this day for 15 years. Before leaving California, Clifton finally got to visit CJ's grave and mourn his first and only child.
ABOUT THIS FUNDRAISER:
Imagine trying to start your life at 45 years old, with nothing to get you started, and after spending most of your adult life in prison for a crime you did not commit. What you would need? How much money would it take to build a life from scratch and start out on the right path?
I'm one of the attorneys who was privileged to represent Clifton and finally bring him justice. His legal team is trying to help him get back on his feet, but we need your help. Clifton needs everything. Suits for job interviews, clothes for daily living, a car or transportation funds---everything. We can't give him back the 15 years of his life he lost, but what we can give him his money. Money to help him rebuild his life, money to help him get to/from work, money to help him rent an apartment, and money to help him finally achieve his dreams.
In December 2005, Clifton lost his newborn son, Clifton, Jr. , or “CJ”, after an accidental trip-and-fall in his home. Tripping over a shoe, and unable to break his stumble, he and his son fell into a wall, causing CJ to hit the back of his head. Clifton rushed CJ to the hospital, but CJ succumbed to his injuries. Before having the opportunity to grieve this tremendous loss, Clifton was arrested and charged with murder and child abuse.
Despite unanimous agreement from all who testified that Clifton was a loving and devoted father, the prosecution relied on testimony from medical experts regarding “shaken baby syndrome,” a form of brain injury resulting from abusive trauma to an infant or toddler. Experts testified that the trip-and-fall could not have caused CJ’s death, and therefore that it *must* have been abuse. Based on that expert testimony, Clifton was convicted and sentenced to 25 years-to-life, with his earliest parole hearing in 2027.
Over the past decade, the medical consensus around “shaken baby syndrome” has changed. And there is now an understanding that accidental short falls--contrary to what the medical experts testified to in Clifton's trials---can indeed cause serious head trauma and death in infants. Simply put, the new science shows that the medical evidence in Clifton's trials was false.
In April 2021, Clifton's legal team successfully worked with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office to file a motion to re-sentence Clifton to a lesser sentence, allowing him to be released immediately and without parole.
Clifton has since moved to the South to join his family who has waited for this day for 15 years. Before leaving California, Clifton finally got to visit CJ's grave and mourn his first and only child.
ABOUT THIS FUNDRAISER:
Imagine trying to start your life at 45 years old, with nothing to get you started, and after spending most of your adult life in prison for a crime you did not commit. What you would need? How much money would it take to build a life from scratch and start out on the right path?
I'm one of the attorneys who was privileged to represent Clifton and finally bring him justice. His legal team is trying to help him get back on his feet, but we need your help. Clifton needs everything. Suits for job interviews, clothes for daily living, a car or transportation funds---everything. We can't give him back the 15 years of his life he lost, but what we can give him his money. Money to help him rebuild his life, money to help him get to/from work, money to help him rent an apartment, and money to help him finally achieve his dreams.
Organizer and beneficiary
Anjali Srinivasan
Organizer
Oakland, CA
LaDonna Thomas
Beneficiary