INJUSTICE! FATHER REMOVED FROM FAMILY

Dear All,

It is with a broken heart that I write to request your donations to hire an Appeals Attorney. On February 23, 2024 my son Anthony was unfairly sentenced to 110 months in jail which totals up to nearly 9 years. I am a single mom of 2 and we’re a very small and close knit family. I’m proud to say they are good people. My son Anthony has never been in trouble with the law and he has no previous criminal record, but unfortunately, Anthony made a mistake by working with people who he felt were honest. The prosecution was out for blood by any means necessary and Anthony stood his ground and tried to fight because what he was being accused of was not true. At sentencing the judge made an example of him by giving him double the sentence compared to his counterparts. This was unjust! Articles online and newspapers have identified him as a MIDDLEMAN which isn’t true. The sentencing doesn’t add up and was an injustice for Anthony and would take him away from his family and 2 sons for a long time. Anthony was the only black defendant in this case and the only one that couldn’t afford a good lawyer. They gave the person with less money and resources more jail time while the others got a slap on the wrist because of their wealth and influences (one person received 24 months while another received 30 months). This case has gone on for 5 years and my son has lost everything he’s worked for over the years and has nothing to his name. I am not in good health and he helps to take care of me and he would be devastated if something should happen to me while he’s been in jail for so long. At the start of the case he had to hire two lawyers. The first lawyer was paid $45,000 with the family’s help and this lawyer did nothing to help my son and later was disbarred. Not only did the second lawyer mishandle his case, she also gave him poor representation while asking for thousands of dollars that he already could barely afford. Our family has nothing left. The law doesn’t look out for people with little money and my son didn’t get a fair trial. The leader who caused all of this started working for the prosecutors, so that he wouldn’t receive any jail time.

The judge was unfair with his sentencing. He told us to appeal knowing that we don’t have funds to do so. I’m asking for help if you can look deep down in your heart to make a donation to help me hire an appeals attorney to regain Anthony’s freedom. No amount is too small. My family would greatly appreciate it. Thank you and may god bless you.

Sincerely,

Denise Merritt