After the crime took place, Ronald was tried as an adult, to be tried as an adult at just thirteen years of age is an injustice in itself. Ronald's friend Sean who was also involved put 100% blame on Ronald, telling police he was merely in the house. Sean only pleaded guilty to burglary, something Ronald also did along with his other convictions, the thing being Sean was sentenced to 5 years for his part in the burglary and Ronald was sentenced to 20 years for his. How can two people partake in the same crime, both plead guilty and one person get 15 years more than the other? Surely in any case the prison time should of been the same for both Ronald & Sean?
If the judge in Ronald's case had decided to have his sentences run concurrently, Ronald would have been out of Indiana State Prison in 2010, but unfortunately he didn't and therefore Ronald is spending 170 years in prison without possibility for parole until he turns 100 years of age. For most people that is the heart breaker, as no one is saying what Ronald did wasn't bad, or should be gone unpunished but that he has already spent 25 years of his life in a maximum security prison since he was 15. He turned from a boy to a man, with little life experience over a mistake that not only cost the life of those two woman, but alas, his own!
This campaign is a group of people who have come together to get their voices heard over the Ronald L. Sanford case, have his case looked at and hopefully somewhere along the time give him back his life. During his interview he comments that "It will always be with me, for the rest of my life. I always say it's like an albatross around my neck. No matter where I go or what I do for the rest of my life, it will always be with me". For a man who has educated himself, rehabilitated himself and bettered himself into the man he is today to never be given a chance of normal life is tragic. I've heard negative comments on our quest to help Ronald, saying he shouldn't be free'd because of his crimes but his words show no matter where he is he will never be 'free' because he will always have to live with what he has done wherever he is, whatever he is doing. Surely 25 years on, he deserves a second chance to live?
Please, If you haven't heard enough about Ronald's case follow some links to find out more, and even sign the petition to get our voice louder.
Trevor McDonald interviews Ronald;
here
Follow me on twitter to be kept up to date with our campaign as it happens;
here
Like our Facebook page and interact with us, other members & have your own voice heard on here
hello, trying to get in touch with the folks who are trying to help ronald. i do not use facebook as a matter of principle. how can i get in touch with you all
ReplyDeletethank you
miriam
I wish there was a way to help him. His case should at least be reviewed. Children should be tried as children.
DeleteI DONT KNOW WHETHER THIS HELPS HIM GETTING FREE OR NOT.
DeleteBUT WHEN I SEE HIS MUGSHOTS ON GOOGLE IMAGES, I NOTICE DIFFERENT HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS. ARE THOSE TAKEN AT DIFFERENT TIMES? IF YES, THEN THE T-SHIRT THAT HE IS WEARING LOOKS THE SAME TO ME.
I believe Ronald has rehabilitated. He is very articulate in what he says, and I sense growth and remorse in his interviews.
DeleteI hope he is released. I believe from what I have seen that he has paid enough in time for what happened when he had at 13years not developed or had good parenting. give him a chance!
DeleteGO HERE NOW TO SIGN PETITION!!!!!!
Deletehttps://www.thepetitionsite.com/700/380/826/free-ronald-l-sanford-enough-is-enough/
HI Miriam
ReplyDeletehere is the online petition form:-
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/rlsanford/signatures
Who was the judge who sent this boy to prison for 170 years?What about the boy who was with him who was 2 years older and served a mere 2 years in prison.At least give him some hope and give him parole after 30 years.makes me feel very sad.
Deletecertainly not what I asked about. I have signed it a long time ago. but I got your email address although no one bothered to get in touch with me. I guess you do not need help.
ReplyDeleteI am the third part of this story. I am the one that got away. Sean and Ronald both know me. I still resonate....shock....of their images on the TV, knowing that I would have been there, perhaps. Sean, you and I had a knife fight that might have prevented it. Sean, you were the only one with a knife. Remember, my lil bro attacked you with a ruler? Still.... to close though, I was recently moved. Weird this anniversary....I am so moved. Sean, pay respect to our perseverance and the humblest roots of friendship. You will never find a deeper connection or a better friend. I do not have the words.
ReplyDeleteI was right there then. We know why he did what he did. It was fucked up. Ronald had fucked up hair cut, dirty clothes, and smelled funny, but it did not stop him from rising. He was a force, though ill willed at the time. He was smart, we were identified as gifted. Sean, was not. Held back a couple of times I think. Ronald disturbed class on a regular. Sean ran the hallways.
ReplyDeleteHello
DeleteNothing has been said about R.L's childhood. Its all so disturbing. I mean they just threw R.L. away! Was there protest? What happened?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteSean Rowe is at New Castle Correctional Facility. He is in there for molestation. At least that was what he was convicted for, whether it is true I do not know nor trust the system especially for Afro-Americans and people of color. He is supposed to get out in 2014. His DOC# is 891046
Dear All
ReplyDeleteWhat is the movement on freeing Ronald L Sanford? I read somewhere that the governer of Indiana would a petition signed by a 100,000 people to eview his case!
I know we all get caught up in our lives and it is easy to forget Ronald in jail, but i was wandering or hoping that progress had been made on his case.
My name is samara and I am britsish. After watching Trevor McDonald's docunebtary and seeing Sanfords case my world view has been completely rocked. Sanford has transformed from a mindless youngster to a real man. Living in Britain I see the same transformation as an 1& year old girl. Many boys my age have a violent mentality and do not fear consequences however I have seen the transform into real mature men. After learning from the consequences. I believe if someone held a conversation with Sanford oblivious to his past they would think he was a regular well rounded knowledgable man. And I don't think anyone can doubt that. The man has spent 25 years essentially a life sentence. It's time for him to prove to us he is no longer a mindless young boy. I think everyone must know this deep Down. I would really appreciate it if you could email me to keep me updated on the case!
ReplyDeleteSamara.laboriel@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you all the best
what can we do?
Deletewhat can we do?
Deletemy name is salman and just after watching the ITV documentary i googled Ronald L Sanford and this blog comes up.butt i cant c any activity on it from long time would anyone please update about his petition whats happening with that.and is there anyway if we can send a letter to Ronald in jail.please if someone can provide any information regarding this i will be very thankful.i wana write to Ronald.
ReplyDeleteI am from Europe and I saw the interview of Sir Trevor Mc Donald yesterday, I was so shocked, I could not sleep the whole night. I am not a friend of the Execution law, nor am I a friend of murderer, but I think that he should be free by now, he was 13 years old, he was still a child, come on, 170 years of prison, this is really ridiculous. Other people get 10 years for murder I guess if he would have been a white guy he would be free by now.
ReplyDeleteI am from germany and i also saw Ronald on TV on 12. November. I was very shocked and i want to write Roland. If anyone need his adress:
Deleteronald L. sanford
#875353
Indiana State Prison
PO BOX41
MICHIGAN CITY
I N 46360
10 months ago Report Abuse
I'm from germany too, very intersting plan to write Ronald! Did you get an answer?
DeleteConsidering you're from another country, it would be best you don't comment on what you don't understand. Considering you come from one of THE MOST evil countries on the planet, you'd think you'd be more polite & careful not to offend people. I'll wager you know next to nothing about our legal system except what you watch on the telly. Let's discuss the MILLIONS of people killed in a horrific fashion in your country & how your countrymen gladly participated in the torture.
DeleteI wrote to President Obama 4 months ago when the program first aired in the United Kingdom, but I received no acknowledgement. After tonight watching President Obama's moving talk on the death of Nelson Mandela, about how Mandela inspired him, fought for justice, understanding and forgiveness, I am going to write to President Obama again. We must all do this.
ReplyDeletehttp://wh.gov/iXe08
Deletesign it.
If Ronald had committed his crime in England he would have been tried as a juvenile, and been free by now (no doubt with a university degree, given his intelligence). You only have to cite the case of Venables and Thompson (James Bulger murder) who were nurtured throughout their incarceration and have now been released. I have personal knowledge of a 'lifer' who served 18 years here for a premeditated stabbing. Ronald has clearly become a thoughtful, articulate and above all remorseful man, whose experience of prison life could surely be put to effective use with young people, should he so desire. Without diminishing his crime in any way, I say let him have a chance to pay his debt to society in a free, active, positive way.
ReplyDeleteRonald's "writings on the wall" that I saw in the tv documantary will be a permanent inspiration for the rest of my life. Thank you Ronald!
ReplyDeleteI have just watched right now the TV program, and i feel so trouble about Ronald's case... when i think about you, about Ronald, the only thing comes to my mind is everybody needs a second chance, and you have never get one...I would like to have a correspondance with him...excuse my English, i'm French
ReplyDeleteIch werde alles tun was mir möglich ist um Ihn zu retten. Er hat viel mehr gebüßt als er müsste. Und wenn er frei ist lade ich Ihn gern zu mir ein.
ReplyDeleteich bin dabei
Deletebin auch dabei
DeleteAfter watching the 12 year old lifer last night on Channel 4*UK), it has renewed my interest again in the US system.
ReplyDeleteHowever the documentary failed to mention that Paul Gingerich's case been reviewed, retried, and he is to spend the rest of his sentence in juvi and will not goto adult prison, thank the good Lord for that.
Infact with his brilliant behaviour he may be out at 18, good news.
However in the case of Ronald L Sanford, the governer would review his case if he recieved a 100,000 petitions.
I have no idea if his petition is still on going, the ipetition website for Ronald L Sanford is no longer in use, terrible how people forget.
But who will fight for Ronald? He seems very well rehabilitated now and deserves a life outside his cell.
I guess if he was white he may have got a better deal.
I agree with you and wonder the same. State systems are very rigid, society has to get very "loud" bevor things change. What about starting a new petition?
Deletehttps://www.thepetitionsite.com/700/380/826/free-ronald-l-sanford-enough-is-enough/
Deletewhat if it was YOUR grandmother he savagely MURDERED? Anyone who can butcher an old woman at age 13 is born a monster. a NATURAL killer.
ReplyDeleteThere is no natural killer, the environment takes the responsibility for it. You didn't think much about it.
DeleteIf yall feel ronald needs to be in prison, then just go to Hell. He was 13. A kid. A uneducated kid. You cant hold him responsible as a adult and give him 170 years. Be fuckin real. God gives us second ,third and forth chances , wtf is wrong with you devil's saying he should die in prison🤦🏾♀️ I feel very bad for the 2 victims. But it was actually 4 . 2 kids were victims of this fucked up ( white man court) injustice system. ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE! FREE RONALD
DeleteHe doesn't even deserve to live let alone be free. What is wrong with you people?
ReplyDeleteHe speaks well but I'm HAPPY as hell he will die in prison. Murder is not a mistake. He is a savage beast.. an animal. Nothing less. All of you trying to free him are pathetic suckers and you will fail.
Aparrantley his accomplice, who was 15, was the main instigator behind the attackeand it is documented that the 15 year old took a deal to stitch up Ronald in turn for leniency!
DeleteSo maybe you shoul read the facts before getting all emotional!
I am not diminishing what Ronald L Sanford did, but it seems to me and the rest of the world that looks fairly well rehabilitated to me!
I can just imagine ROnald L Sanford going around to schools speaking to children, getting his poetry published, there is a life outside waiting for him and i pray he/we find a way to get him out.
But already his online petition is closed, so now what!
To follow on Ronald L Sanford's accomplice has been in and out of ail for years, including child porn.
DeleteSo i guess they got the wrong Animal hey Adam?
I say they should give the two old ladies a second chance. The Sanford criminal HAS his second chance, he is alive even though he murdered two defenseless old women- imagine having to see your sibling murdered by home invaders, on the last hour of your life?
DeleteCan anybody delete this primitiv comment?
ReplyDeleteI do love the harshness of the American judicial system but I am torn, he should of never been tried as an adult, you are NOT fully responsible for your actions at that age. But punishment should be given for murder, but 170 years? What is the point of that, it will not teach him remorse or rehabilitate him [I believe he has taught himself that] he should be given the chance for parole much much earlier and maybe have only served what our pathetic British judicial system calls life 21 years? I hope his appeals go well.
ReplyDeleteIm watching this again and its heartbreaking. God I was an absolute rebel at 13 years old and now Ive been a Dentist for 6 years. Yes he killed two elderly women but he was 13 years old!!!! He's now in his 40s and he has served a life sentence for this, his best years no doubt.
ReplyDeleteHe's never had an 18th birthday party, 21st, 30th, never probably been with a woman, been to the pub or a club, been abroad, been to a restaurant, made a group of life long friends and he never will... its so sad :(
Im having a good life but I get sad when I think of all the life experiences I will never have or what could've been. I can't imagine what it must be like to never have any hope.
Does anyone know if his petition is still going on?
I wish one of the wealthy celebrities out there would help and hire an amazing lawyer to help him instead of buying yet another Rolls. They could change someones life so spectacularly :( I hope one day he will be free :(
THis linke will break your heart:-
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scribes.eu/2013/01/ronald-l-sanford-170-years-in-indiana_23.html
Oh Lord please have mercy on Ronal L Sanford's soul and set him free from jail
Break my heart??? I am as happy as can be that he is where he belongs!!!
Deletehttps://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/review-ronald-l-sanfords-case/bFNjhkRv
ReplyDeletePLEASE SIGN ASAP FOR RONALD
Great!!! The petition site has been taken down!!! Fantastic!!!!
DeleteThis animal deserfes everything he gets. I hope he rots in there.
ReplyDeleteSpread this link to petition the white house for clemency for Ronald. 26 years is enough.
ReplyDeletehttp://wh.gov/iXe08
The petition was closeed down. It had TWO SIGNATURES!!!! Good job people!! He stays right where he belongs!!!!
DeleteI can't get ronald out my head. He should never of committed the crime but he's accepted that he has and has openly admitted that its scarred him for life. He shouldn't of been tried as an adult when he was still a child! Does anyone have a recent address for him? I would love to write to him. He deserves company in paper if he can never have it in person. Poor guy
ReplyDeleteBritish jury system is a joke!!! Aggreed but American system is bullshite.
ReplyDeleteHe should be put to death. He killed 2 people. Cause they wouldn't let him cut their grass. All he had to do was go to a few more houses and he would not be where he is today. He belongs behind bars the rest of h is life. Should be the death sentence.
ReplyDeleteHe should be put to death. He killed 2 people. Cause they wouldn't let him cut their grass. All he had to do was go to a few more houses and he would not be where he is today. He belongs behind bars the rest of h is life. Should be the death sentence.
ReplyDeleteHope u see how he fills u prick
DeleteHope u see how he fills u prick
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMr Walters is more bothered that a black kid now a man killed two white woman and I agree the crime is not justifiable but I believe he has done long enough ? If it was a white kid killing a black women would he get 170 years I don't believe he would I don't think the colour of a man's skin should determine how long he gets. But that seam's to be the way in good old u.s.a Am sorry I just hate racists and people using that word and I don't wish to divert away from the crime it's self but come on he was 13 just a kid punish him yes but don't destroy him give him a chance
ReplyDeleteJust let the man go
ReplyDeleteNo ones perfect he's done the time
What judge could put him away for 170 he's never going to see the out side again now
If he was in England he would of done his time and been out am not saying he should get out here and now but give him a chance after all he was only a kid when his crime took place he is now a man and full of remorse as everyone can see
ReplyDeleteIf he was in England he would of done his time and been out am not saying he should get out here and now but give him a chance after all he was only a kid when his crime took place he is now a man and full of remorse as everyone can see
ReplyDeleteI come back two years later to see he's still in there! Sad, very sad indeed.
ReplyDeleteWOW. This man needs a second chance.
ReplyDeleteja, hat er verdient.
Deleteso heart breaking is there anything we can do to free this man :(
ReplyDeleteWhat is the status of freeing Ronald L Sanford?
ReplyDeleteseems there are plenty of ppl who are just feeling sorry for him and not actually doing anything. How about setting up a public funding project like fundme or some other site to hire a lawyer
ReplyDeletelet the little bird free...so sad he got this type sentence when he was just a little boy..please free him
ReplyDeleteWhat is the actual situation of Ronald Sanford ? is anything happened ?
ReplyDeleteI notice that he is now blocked from receiving money
ReplyDeletehi brad, are you in mail contact with him or how do you get this info ?
DeleteI am doing an EPQ which involves a comparison between his crime and that of Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, two 10 year old boys who abducted, tortured and killed a 2 year old boy in Liverpool, England in 1993. The differences between the cases are shocking and highlights the injustices of Sanford's case. Anyone who thinks that he deserves to die for his crime, or that his punishment is just, is quite frankly an idiot. Does a 13 year old boy really have the capability to kill an elderly woman and then wait until her sister to return home before he kills her too? What about Sean Rowe in this situation - He is 2 years older than Sanford, at 15, and has already had previous run-ins with the law. Surely he would have been able to stop this crime: He will be stronger physically and mentally, and lets not forget that he immediately requested a plea deal upon his arrest, placing all the blame onto Sanford right away - If he was innocent this would not have been needed. Lets not also forget than Sanford left that scene with nothing: he gained nothing at all from the murder of those two ladies, they were his neighbours. Rowe on the other hand left with $5, which he used to go to the Fair, something that an innocent child would not have been able to do if they had just witnessed a crime as violent and sickening as this one. Which of the two was more capable of committing the crime? I don't believe that anyone apart from the four that were in the house will ever know what happened on that day, but I do know that Ronald Sanford has served his time and that he is remorseful for his actions.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone would like to contact me about either of the cases, or for any information that I have found, please email me at:
beckyharris19998@gmail.com
I am not by any means claiming to be an expert on this case but it has stayed with me since I first watched the documentary on ITV, and from that moment something did not sit well with me.
Hi
DeleteI have just watched the programme, is Ronald still in prison?
I agree with you, something was clearly ignored for the plea deal to go ahead & possibly put the wrong boy in jail.
I feel for the family of the 2 ladies who were murdered, but surely they would want the right person in jail!
I agree with some of what you say Becky. I am from Australia and our crime rate is considerably lower than in America. Our sentencing is very different. I was shocked by the fact that people get such sentences there. TBH I wonder why a judicial system would bother sentencing someone to so many years. Clearly there is no belief in rehabilitation in these states. In which case (although totally against it) I don't understand why tax payers are paying for long slow death sentences rather than just doing it. Surely they must have so little faith in their programs to do this. In the case of Ronald, I am truly perplexed. He deserved time.. obviously. But if a country truly believes that they cannot rehabilitate a 13 year old child, then they need better programs. Ronald is now self educated, very literate and shows promise as a man who could be an asset to society. I work as a teacher in Juvenile Detention in Australia, and would be horrified (and would quit) if we were supposed to simply give up on 13 year old children!! Good luck with your cause Ronald, and well done to your supporters!
ReplyDeleteHello everyone. This story just recently hit me and it hit me like a ton of bricks for some reason. I'd really like to communicate with this man, Bro. Ronald. He should NOT be in that place. He should have been released so long ago and it saddens me. If anyone has any information an how I can reach him, please let me know. You can reach me at penelopelanelle@gmail.com or 443.515.7108. Thank you so much. God bless.
ReplyDeleteOh my Gosh. I am kind of touched and short of words. I hope they look into his case and review it. Free Ronald Sanford 👍👍
ReplyDeletelet him out
ReplyDeleteA truly heart-breaking story, except shockingly it is real life. This poor man, an obvious victim of bad justice, deserves to live the rest of his life in liberty. He isn't a risk and he isn't dangerous judging by his demeanour, his sentence is only a waste of American tax payers money. I am a University student in the UK studying Criminology, and I am using this case for a conference about 'youth offenders' as victims. If anyone has any current information that would be great. Please contact me at 15594373@students.lincoln.ac.uk
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for u he deserves a second chance
ReplyDeleteLet him out he has done enough time
ReplyDeleteAsk the two dead sisters who were in their 80s
ReplyDeleteif he should get parole? Oh ya right ,their
still dead. Beng that he's in ad seg ,shows he
can't can control himself even in prison!
NO PAROLE...
forgive he has paid enough for his actions and i believe he isn't the responsible one and he was blamed for more he did
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI UNDER WAT RONALD DID WAS WRONG HE DESERVED WHAT HE GOT BUT THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE WAS ONLYH A KID I THINK HE DESERVES A SECOND CHACE SINCE HE HAS NOT SEEN A PITCH OF LIFE.... FREE RONALD L SANFORD
ReplyDeleteFree him!
ReplyDeletefreee him the story touched me im from malta he has done enough time for that murder and he didnt deserve 170 years punish the other victim too not only 2 years
ReplyDeletefree him he deserves a second chance
ReplyDeleteRoland is not the same person who committed those heinous crimes at age 13. He is a completely different person and deserves a re-evaluation. 100 years without parole? I feel totally heartbroken. There must exist something to help him. I can't forget his story and voice from the documentary. I'm compelled to come around and google for him. I feel very sorry for him.
ReplyDeleteI share the petition of Ronald since 1 year ! Rhe Results are very little ! But better than nothing .....
ReplyDeletehttps://www.change.org/p/curtis-hill-supreme-court-president-donald-trump-free-ronald-l-sanford