Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 10-27-15 Edition

Local
Inmates Challenge State’s Conviction Laws
Ex-NBA Basketball Player To Talk About Dangers Of Drugs And Alcohol
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Kenneth Kendrick and Edwin Williams aren’t saying they shouldn’t be pun- ished for the crimes they committed. What both men are saying, however, is their sentences are unconstitu- tional and don’t fit the crimes they were charged with com- mitting.
On August 11, 1991, Williams was sentenced to life in prison on robbery and armed kidnapping charges. On March 9, 1995, Kendrick was sentenced to life in prison on similar charges.
“It is our opinion that our civil rights were violated when we were sentenced, and we’re filing a Civil Rights Complaint Form in an effort to either be released from prison, or get our sentences reduced,’ said Kendrick.
“We’re also filing a law- suit against the state saying our sentences were unjust and excessive.”
Kendrick and Williams said in the two decades they’ve spent in prison, they’ve seen other in- mates serving lengthy sen- tences for offenses that don’t warrant it, and almost all of them are African American.
KENNETH KENDRICK
“We are being ware- housed by the criminal jus- tice system with the implication that’s where soci- ety wants us to be,” said Williams.
“I do agree punishment is warranted, but to take a man’s life away from him and no one’s life was taken during any of the crimes we commit- ted.”
Kendrick and Williams said they are sur- rounded by young Black males who are serving long sentences for drugs, and that can’t be fair.
“It’s bad enough they tar- get these young guys, but to take their lives away because of drugs can’t be right,” said Kendrick.
“We hope to bring atten- tion to the sentencing guide- lines being used in Florida
EDWIN WILLIAMS
and expose them as being ex- cessive and unjust.”
Kendrick and Williams said they are aware of advocates against mandatory minimum sen- tencing practices, but it seems the Criminal Justice System wants to keep things the way they are.
“Everyone deserves a sec- ond chance,” said Williams. “How can you say some- one can’t be rehabilitated if you haven’t tried? I think the prisons need to give these guys a head start when they are released so they won’t
come back.”
Kendrick and
Williams hope their effort will spark an effort to correct the sentencing guidelines, and give young African American males a chance to reunite with their families.
Former NBA professional basketball player, Chris Herren, will tell his tale of descent into addiction and speak to students, parents and the Tampa Bay commu- nity about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
The event will take place on Thursday, October 29th, at the Tampa Preparatory School Gymnasium, 727 W. Cass Street, Tampa, FL. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the presentation starts at 7:00 p.m.
His miraculous recovery and his new life mission is to share his story with audi- ences in the hopes of reaching at least one person and mak- ing a difference in their life.
This event is free and
CHRIS HERREN
open to the public. Free t- shirts for the first 200 stu- dents. For more information on this event, please e-mail: dacco.org or call (813) 384- 4216.
FYI
USF Hosts ‘Trick Or Treat With The Greeks’
The Department of Housing & Residential Education at the University of South Florida will host the fourth annual “Trick or Treat with the Greeks” event for the local community from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28 in the USF Greek Village, located in the northeast area of campus south of Fletcher Ave.
Families are invited to bring their elementary school-aged children out for a candy-filled evening of activities including Glow Stick Balloons, Ring the Pumpkin, Mummy Wrapping and many more. Community members are invited to dress in costumes, however it’s not required.
The event is free to attend.
Parking will be available in lot 35 just south of the Greek Village. Attendees may also park in lots 3C and 3B adjacent to the Marshall Student Center.
For reasonable accommodation please contact Cody Porter at 813-974-9186 (FL Relay 711) or codyporter@usf.edu.
PAGE 12 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015