Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 6-21-19

Feature
Program For Juveniles Leads To Man’s Release From Prison
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
“I planned to be in prison for the rest of my life, but God laughed at me....” Lorenzo McCoy
A man who spent the last 23 years in prison, is grateful for that time – it made him a better man. Now making Tampa his home, he has com- pleted the first phase of Abe Brown Ministries’
“Ready4Work Hillsborough.”
Lorenzo McCoy, 49, was released from
prison in Lake City on April 9, 2019, birthday of his daughter. He got a ride to his aunt’s home in Orlando (Dr. Cheryl Johnson).
Because he was a juvenile when the offense oc- curred, McCoy was released from prison through the Juvenile Sentencing Act.
Having been incarcerated for 23 years, McCoy had gained about 75 pounds. “There were no clothes to fit me. They gave me these tight, gray shorts, a tight muscle belly shirt and brogang boots. But, I was happier than a man out of Brooks Brothers with a 5 piece suit.” His release came with: no probation, no supervision, no DACCO, no parole. “No one can tell me about God and how powerful He is. God saw fit to release me back to society.”
His first meal of Maryland Fried Chicken (white meat), drowned in hot sauce, immediately shot his blood pressure up, and sent him seeking help..
Having received 2 life sentences, “I planned to be in prison for the rest of my life, but God laughed at me,” he said.
McCoy was incarcerated as a juvenile. But, a 2011 new law made it possible for him to be re- leased, although he had been convicted of a seri-
ous crime.
McCoy
said there are
6 decisions
that he made
that changed
his life for-
ever. 1) He
went against
words from
his mother
that led to his
getting a girl
pregnant. 2)
He dropped
out of school;
3) sold drugs ...Released from prison after 23 years and went to
jail; 4) used
drugs; 5) took a man’s life in 1987 in an armed robbery (it remained a cold case until 1996); and 6) he went to jail for 23 years.
“From 1987 to 1996, I was living with demons from the past. I was glad to admit what had hap- pened,” he explained.
McCoy had a son, Lorenzo Harris, born in 1988, a daughter, Keanna in 1990 and another daughter, Precious, born in 1995. Keanna, who was in the Army, died in a car crash in 2008. She was 18 years old. He also lost his parents while in- carcerated.
“I turned away from God in December, 2008, because of all the hurt, pain, misery I’d caused oth- ers,” he said.
In 2009, he was transferred to Baker Correc- tional Re-Entry Camp. While there, he wrote a play, “Necessary Evil,” that the administration al- lowed him to present. “I thank God for that oppor- tunity.”
This was the start of many other positive things he did while incarcerated at several institutions. At Sumter, there was Bound To Speak Gavel Club, a Toastmasters International organiza- tion. At Hardee Correctional, he became
LORENZO McCOY
McCoy when he was released from prison 2 months ago.
the President of Hardee Caucus Gavel Club, in 2012. He then went on to organize Youth REALM (Raise, Encourage to be Achieving Leading Men).
There are so many who have had and continue to have an impact on his life: Rev. Abe Brown, who he met twice, but never thought he’d be a part of his program; retired couple, Mr. and Mrs. Herb Scott; case manager, D. Griggs; educator, Dr. Mack Brown; Ms. Maria Guess, who helped with his dress code; career coach, Shelsie Jaeanty; account executive, Andre Perks; Capt. Savinsky and the ‘B’ shift at Hardee C. I.; Brothers in Blue who stood by him; and many, many others who helped to connect the dots.
Although he’s out, McCoy, who is originally from Leesburg/Eatonville, remembers the room- mate he left behind, Luis Vega, who gave his life to Christ.
McCoy starts on a new job on Friday, June 21, 2019.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019