PLEASE HELP
Brandon Hein needs your help now more than ever!
His last and final appeal was denied on April 12, 2010, exhausting his legal options. Governor Schwarzenegger has the power to fully commute Brandon's sentence and release him this year.
The Governor leaves office in January 2011 so time is short. Please help Brandon by writing to the Governor now!
Thanks to the Governor, Brandon does have a chance at parole, but not for another 10 years and a parole hearing is no guarantee of release. Brandon has been incarcerated for 15 years (as of May 23, 2010).
Please write to Governor Schwarzenegger to
release Brandon Hein from Prison.
- You do not have to be a resident of CA to write. Anyone can make a difference.
- You do not have to know Brandon or his family personally to write.
- Write as often as you’d like — weekly, monthly, anytime. It will help. (One of Brandon’s supporters has written to the Governor every day!)
We understand if you have never written to a politician, it can be hard to decide what to say. To help you get started we have included some examples and suggestions below. (Click here to view the instructions in a printable PDF).
Please ask your friends to write, too!
- Getting the details right
- Example letter with alternate suggestions
- Writing more than once
- Fax/Email example
Thank you!
The Friends of Brandon Hein
freebh@brandonhein.com1. Getting the details right — Letters to the Governor
Most effective message:
Mail a letter that is either handwritten or typed (must by legible).
Other options
- Call the Governor's office (916-445-2841)
- Send a Friends of Brandon Hein Supporter fax (916-558-3160) or email (official site: http://gov.ca.gov/interact). See example here.
Please be sure to spell his name correctly. It's a tough one!Mail it to the correct address:
The Honorable Governor Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Legal Affairs / Re: Brandon Hein
Sacramento, CA 95814Be respectful. The Governor has already commuted the "without parole" portion of Brandon's sentence and for this we are deeply grateful.
Be sure of your facts. If you decide to include information about the case you can use the details below for reference or just check with us before you send the letter (email us at freebh@brandonhein.com)
- Brandon was 18 years old when he was arrested on May 23, 1995. He and his friends were involved in a spontaneous, backyard brawl over marijuana on May 22nd that resulted in the death of another teenager, Jimmy Farris.
- Even though Brandon did not have a weapon and did not kill anyone, he was sentenced to Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole. He has been incarcerated in LA County Jail and CA State Prison ever since (15 years as of May 23, 2010).
- Brandon’s final appeal was filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 2008. Oral arguments were heard on Oct. 7, 2009.
- On April 12, 2010, his appeal was denied. This has exhausted Brandon’s legal options.
- On March 17, 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger granted a partial commutation which removed the “without parole” portion of Brandon’s sentence. As a result, Brandon will be eligible for parole in approximately 10 years. This is not a guarantee of release, just a chance to go before the Parole Board. If denied, he may not be allowed to appear before the Board for another 3 to 15 years (at the Board’s discretion).
- Since being incarcerated Brandon has worked hard to make good use of his time. He received his GED, completed correspondence courses from Indiana University (paid for by his family), is a self taught artist and writer, has had various jobs in prison, participated in the Reaching Out Convicts to Kids (R.O.C.K.) program, earned certificates for prison sponsored self-improvement programs, helped students with their reports about his case and what life is like in prison, and has always advised young people to make better choices than he did as a teenager.
Fax/Email Example
Use or adapt the letter below by copying it into a word document and faxing it with a cover sheet. Or copy it into your email message. Be sure to sign it with your full contact information (name, address and phone number) before sending. Send Fax to (916-558-3160) or email (official site: http://gov.ca.gov/interact)
The Friends of Brandon Hein
www.brandonhein.com
The Honorable Governor Schwarzenegger
Legal Affairs / Re: Brandon Hein
Sacramento, CA 95814Dear Governor,
I am a responsible, tax paying citizen who feels strongly that Brandon Hein, an inmate at Centinela State Prison, should be released. I understand that Brandon is eligible for parole in 10 years but I respectfully ask that you fully commute the remainder of his sentence of 29-years-to-life and release him before you leave office in January 2011.
I believe you should do this for the sake of:
Justice: Our legal system is founded on the notion of fair trial and punishment. The courts have failed to mitigate the inappropriate sentence that resulted from this misapplication of the Felony Murder Rule and to address the severe prosecutorial misconduct that tainted Brandon’s right to due process, even while stating on record that it occurred. Brandon has exhausted his legal options. This is a shameful injustice.
Fiscal Responsibility: Incarcerating Brandon in a maximum security prison for an additional 10 years, or more if he is not granted parole at his first hearing, will cost taxpayers approximately $36,000 per year, with nothing to be gained as a result. This is in addition to the estimated $400,000 to $500,000 already paid for 15 years served as of May 23, 2010. Brandon has the skills, drive and strong support network needed to make it on the outside. He is worthy of another chance to contribute to society.
Humanity: Brandon was a teenager who made poor choices and who was guilty of underage drinking and throwing punches in a spontaneous backyard brawl. He has already been incarcerated for 15 years serving as much, and in many cases more, time than inmates found guilty of intentionally and directly causing the death of another. This is a wrong that must be righted.
Again, I respectfully ask that you please release Brandon from prison before you leave office in January.
Sincerely,
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