Justice for Sammie: Help Fight Wrongful Conviction

Help Sammie Smith Fight for Justice and Reclaim His Future

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Advocates of Justice,

I am reaching out to you with an open heart and a humble request to help my son, Sammie Smith, as he faces the fight of his life—a fight for his freedom, justice, and the chance to fulfill his incredible potential. Sammie’s life has been defined by resilience in the face of unimaginable hardships, systemic failures, and now, a wrongful conviction that threatens to steal his future.

A Childhood Marked by Loss and Struggle

Sammie grew up in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. At just five years old, his life was upended by tragedy. The devastation led to my child becoming defiant, withdrawn and depressed because all of his structured role models were stripped from his life. These back-to-back losses left an emotional void that shaped the years to come.

As a young, single parent, Sammie’s pain and his emotional needs unintentionally went unaddressed. He began acting out in school, struggling with anger and sensitivity, and was often misunderstood by the adults around him. Despite his challenges, Sammie was bright and talented. Teachers attributed his struggles to boredom, and I tried to redirect his energy by enrolling him in football and boxing.

A Promising Talent Derailed by Systemic Failure

Boxing became Sammie’s passion, providing him with structure and discipline. He excelled in the sport, and was a registered USA boxer for 11 years before turning professional. However, at just 15 years old, Sammie’s life took a devastating turn. A high school classroom fight led to him breaking another student’s jaw. Instead of restorative justice, Sammie was thrust into a punitive juvenile system where he became trapped for years.

A harsh and punitive judge subjected Sammie to repeated detentions for minor infractions—low grades, missed programs, and even positive marijuana tests. By the time Sammie aged out of the system at 21, he had been detained over 175 times, with each (non-crime) detention unfairly counted as an arrest. This left him with a deeply damaging record that now impacts his adult life.

A Wrongful Conviction Based on Circumstantial Evidence

Two years ago, Sammie was arrested and charged in connection with armed robberies of cellphone stores in Montgomery County. Despite no concrete evidence tying him to the crime—no DNA, no witnesses identifying him, no stolen merchandise in his possession—Sammie was convicted. A weak defense failed to present critical evidence in his favor, and the prosecutor relied on circumstantial evidence and a controversial “accomplice liability” charge. Sammie’s lawyer agreed with the prosecutor to add “accomplice liability” charge on at the very end of trial without the knowledge and consent from Sammie. This resulted in securing a conviction.

Sammie’s only connection to the case was being in the back seat of a car hours after the alleged crime occurred. The clothes, handgun, and other evidence presented by the prosecution had no ties to Sammie. Yet, due to ineffective legal representation, Sammie was found guilty and now faces an unjust sentence.

A Loving Father and Role Model

Beyond being a son and fighter, Sammie is also a devoted father to his 10-year-old son. His son looks up to him as a source of strength, inspiration, and love. Sammie has always strived to set a positive example for his son, and now his absence threatens to leave a void in the young boy’s life.

We cannot let the system turn Sammie’s son into another child without a father. This injustice would not only steal Sammie’s future but also rob his son of the guidance and love every child deserves.

Why We Need Your Help

Sammie has one final chance to appeal his case and prove his innocence. We urgently need to hire a skilled legal team to fight for him. The funds raised will be used for:

• Retaining an experienced defense attorney to handle his appeal

• Filing motions and securing expert witnesses

• Investigative resources to uncover the truth and strengthen his case

Our goal is to raise the necessary funds by mid-February 2025 so we can file the paperwork immediately after Sammie’s sentencing in March.

How You Can Help

1. Donate: Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to justice for Sammie.

2. Share His Story: Spread the word on social media, within your networks, and with anyone who might help amplify Sammie’s voice.

3. Offer Resources: If you have legal connections, advocacy experience, or other resources, your support could make a life-changing difference.

A Second Chance for Sammie

Sammie is not defined by his past but by his resilience, determination, and the promise of a brighter future. He dreams of continuing his boxing career (which is still a strong possibility), mentoring at-risk youth, and using his story to inspire others. With your help, we can give him the chance to live his life as a free man, fulfill his dreams and ensure his son grows up with the love and guidance of a father.

After consulting with highly experienced attorneys, we’ve learned that the cost for Sammie’s legal fees will range from $50,000 to $75,000. These fees cover filing motions, handling his appeal, securing expert witnesses, investigating resources to uncover the truth, and providing him with proper representation for a retrial. Let's ensure Sammie has a fair chance at justice.

This is not just about Sammie—it’s about fighting against systemic injustice and failures that tear families apart and giving his son the chance to grow up with the love, guidance, and presence of his father in this cruel world. We are praying that, together, we can raise the funds by the end of February 2025 to make this possible.

Any amount you can contribute will make a difference. If you are unable to contribute financially, sharing Sammie’s story with others can also help immensely.

Thank you again for your time, compassion, and support. Together, we can help Sammie prove his innocence and rewrite his story.