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
