FEATURING KEDRIAN P. LAWRENCE

  Kedrian had never been in trouble or incarcerated prior to this incident. In fact he was known in his neighborhood as the kid with the lawn mower always trying to make an honest dollar. He even helped one of his neighbors with the laborious task of constructing a new swimming pool. His neighbor rewarded him with a brand new desk top computer while his mom stood by beaming with pride. What a shocker it was to everyone when they found out that Kedrian had been convicted of a crime that carried 22 years of hard time with 15 years of probation to follow.

Convicted of armed robbery at age 18, no weapon in his possession, no one physically hurt or injured, Kedrian has now been incarcerated for six years. Even behind prison walls, he’s taken the initiative to accomplish his GED and achieve a Certificate of Achievement as a Brick Mason. Kedrian, like many of our young men and women, was associated with the wrong people in the wrong places at the wrong time doing the wrong thing. And for his actions, a just punishment was warranted.  But is justice best served when you lock away a turbulent teen for the most productive years of his life without the possibility of parole?  With no parole in place, what Board will take a look at his progress and his personal growth? However, reinstating Parole will ensure that many young people, like Kedrian, are not locked away forever and forgotten.  Just the mere hope of Parole is a master motivator that turns inner darkness into an inspiration that defies the surrender of heart and soul. The Reinstatement of Parole for the right people, at the right time, and for all the right reasons is just the right thing to do.
                                                                 You be the judge.
                              “Was Kedrian given Too Much Time For The Crime?”

Crime:          Armed Robbery
Time:           22 years followed by 15 years probation
County:       Seminole
Judge:         Marlene Alva