Honoring JJ: A Fight for Justice

My baby brother, JJ, was tragically taken from us on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024. He was murdered in prison, a place he should have never been. To say the least, our justice system & prisons are in major need of reform. It’s easy to believe that those who are incarcerated should be there or that prisoners should deserve murder or mistreatment while behind bars. But prison is a place where no loved one should be; it’s truly terrifying.

I want to encourage you to awaken to Oklahoma’s prison systems. Oklahoma’s DOC is one of the worst in the Nation, with the highest rate of violence & inmate deaths. Many inmates are scared for their lives daily. Is this how Oklahoma is “correcting” behaviors - with unnecessary and cruel trauma. People like my brother, who was just trying to serve out his short term, had his whole life ahead of him. As his sister, I wanted to believe he was safe in prison and had solace that he wasn’t out on the streets. What he needed was a drug rehabilitation program. The root cause of all of his criminal charges was drug-related. He was not a bad person or a monster. I never knew him to be violent; he was loved and wanted to love. The system failed him time and time again. He had some tools for success but lacked resources. Every time he would be on the right path, life kept throwing punches. He always remained positive despite any challenges and worked hard to try to climb above.

At 33, with less than three years left to serve, he still had a lot of life before him. He did not deserve to be murdered. He left behind not only myself, his parents, a host of other relatives and friends, but his pride and joy - his nine-year-old daughter, Alivia, whom he cherished. I cannot fathom the thought that my brother was potentially murdered over a food tray – basic human needs. He was so giving, even in times when he had nothing to give but love and a smile. He was a like-able person.

I am starting this fundraiser, after receiving several request to make donations on his behalf. Proceeds will be utilized to support prison reform and to establish a trust for his daughter. Again, I appreciate the outpouring of love and support.