DRIVING TO MAKE CHANGE!
"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change and the secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building a new because change is the law of life."
WELCOME READERS
Greetings! My name is Christopher Butler, and the following is my detailed request for parole consideration.
I was convicted in the State of Mississippi on a simple charge of possession of marijuana on July 28, 2017. This was my third conviction on the same charge in twenty-five (25) years. My two prior convictions occurred in 1997 while I was a teenager. In receiving my third conviction of this charge, the State of Mississippi chose to seek the habitual offender statute, which resulted in my thirty (30) year sentence to become mandatory. In my humble opinion, the sentence was rather harsh for such a rather minor charge.
Family of Chris
We have established a website for the purpose of bringing awareness to people concerning the injustice of the law regarding the habitual offender statute and the sentencing guidelines of the State of Mississippi. In a sense, these laws essentially bury an individual convicted of a non-violent crime. Christopher Butler can attest to this and he is using himself and his situation to show the injustice of it. The State of Mississippi knows the crime Butler committed, but lack any knowledge of the man that Mr. Butler has become as a result of his crime.
Christopher Butler has given considerable thought to his situation of being convicted of possession of marijuana. He has thought of things such as, "Who is the victim," of his crime? That is a question which is difficult to answer for most people, however, Christopher Butler has achieved the dominant answer. He believes the true answer to this is ,that there's no real way to measure how many people could have possibly been hurt by this crime because there are so many unknowns in this matter. Many lives could have been harmed unintentionally by his decision to deal with marijuana illegally. Christopher Butler himself is also a victim of this crime. He did not have any intention to harm anyone , not the State of Mississippi, nor any other individual. His children have suffered as well as his other family members. This has forced Butler to change his outlook on life in general and weigh the consequences of his actions to the consequences of his children and family. There is no doubt to what must happen, Butler must change his ways so that he will not let his children down or his other family members. Butler has decided that their future is much more important than his own, and that in actuality, his future is his children and family. Butler has focused on changing his ways since being incarcerated. Butler is currently enrolled in junior college classes with Mississippi Delta Community College and is doing quite well. He also is considered as having a leadership position on his housing zone at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. He provides counseling to the younger inmates, and helps to settle arguments and problems between inmates. As a matter of fact, Butler is somewhat of a model inmate to the other inmates. This is supported by the various letters of recommendation attached to this request.
The basis for this request is the result of House Bill #2795, which went into effect July 1, 2021. This Bill made it possible for individuals convicted as non-violent habitual offenders to petition the sentencing judge for parole eligibility. In conjunction with the requirements of this Bill, it is essential that Butler receive all the support and recommendations that can be obtained for the purpose of showing the court that society believes individuals such as Butler who is subjected to harsh punishment for a non-violent crime (simple possession of marijuana) and deserves relief.
Attached within this request is a copy of Christopher Butler's Petition for Parole Eligibility. Please read it in its entirety, and should you agree that Butler is deserving of such relief from the courts, simply scroll to the very bottom of this document and click on the email box. This will guide you directly to the email address. It will be greatly appreciated if you would leave a electronic letter in support of Butler's request, in your own words. (The "how to" is located at the end of this petition) Your letter of support will go a long way with the judge to see that citizen from within our Mississippi community and all around this nation agree and support the relief which Butler and his family are seeking.
Thanking you in advance.
May God Bless you and keep you!
Hebrews 13:3
CHRIS BUTLER'S PETITION
IN THE COURT OF HINDS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI
CHRISTOPHER BUTLER PETITIONER
VS. CAUSE NO. 12-452
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI RESPONDENT
MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A MDOC CASE PLAN TO EARN FUTURE PAROLE
COME NOW, CHRISTOPHER BUTLER, PETITIONER, PRO SE, AND FILES HIS MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY UNDER SENATE BILL 2795, SECTION (2) 47-7-3 (1)(h)(iv), LINE 132 THROUGH 147, IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A MDOC CASE PLAN TO EARN FUTURE PAROLE UNDER SENATE BILL 2795, SECTION (3) 47-7-3.1 (1), LINE 200 THROUGH 204 IN SUPPORT THEREOF, WOULD SHOW UNTO THE COURT THE FOLLOWING, TO WIT:
I.
IDENTITY OF PROCEEDING IN WHICH PETITIONER WAS CONVICTED:
PETITIONER WAS INDICTED BY A HINDS COUNTY GRAND JURY ON THE CHARGE OF POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, IN VIOLATION OF MISS. CODE ANN. SECTION 41-29-139, THAT INDICTMENT WAS AMENDED TO INCLUDE ENHANCEMENT MISS. CODE ANN. SECTION 99-19-81 AND ENHANCEMENT MISS. CODE ANN. SECTION 41-29-147. PETITIONER WAS FOUND GUILTY AND WAS SENTENCED BY THE HONORABLE JEFF WEILL TO SERVE A TERM OF THIRTY (30) YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. ENTRY OF JUDGEMENT OF CONVICTION AND SENTENCE WAS IMPOSED ON THE 28th DAY OF JULY 2017. (SEE EXHIBIT “1” LABELED SENTENCING ORDER CASE # 12-0-452 AND EXHIBIT “2” LABELED SPECIAL NOTE OF IMPORTANT FACTS)
II.
IN SUPPORT FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY
1.
ENACTED IN 2014 MISSISSIPPI CODE SECTION 47-7-3(1)(g)(iii) AND AMENDED JULY 1st, 2021, MISSISSIPPI CODE SECTION 47-7-3(1)(h)(iv) MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE ENACTED SENATE BILL 2795 “MISSISSIPPI EARNED PAROLE ELIGIBILITY ACT” WHICH ALTERED AND EXPANDED PAROLE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE BETTER, GIVING INMATES SOMETHING TO STRIVE FOR WHILE INCARCERATED AND PAYING THEIR DEBTS TO SOCIETY. (SEE EXHIBIT “3” LABELED SENATE BILL 2795, PAGE 1, LINES 26-27)
2.
PETITIONER IS NOT SEEKING PAROLE ELIGIBILITY MERELY FOR THE BENEFITS OF HIS RELEASE, BECAUSE PETITIONER UNDERSTANDS IN ORDER TO BE RELEASED ON PAROLE, IT FIRST MUST BE EARNED. PETITIONER IS SEEKING CONSIDERATION FROM THIS HONORABLE COURT FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY SOLELY FOR HIM TO BETTER ESTABLISH THE CRITERIA FOR HIS CASE PLAN, WHICH THEN WOULD ALLOW THE PETITIONER THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN PAROLE AS THE NEWLY AMENDED LAW INTENDS. SENATE BILL 2795 ENACTED PROVISIONS TO PROVIDE FOR INMATES CASE PLANNING AND TO PRESCRIBE DATES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO COMPLETE CASE PLANS FOR PAROLE ELIGIBLE INMATES TO ENSURE THAT THE PLAN IS ACHIEVABLE. (SEE EXHIBIT “3” LABELED SENATE BILL 2795, PAGE 1 LINES 6-10)
3.
SECTION (3) 47-7-3.1 (4) PROVIDES THAT ANY INMATE WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT (48) MONTHS OF HIS PAROLE ELIGIBILITY AND WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE CLASSIFICATION BOARD SHALL RECEIVE PRIORITY FOR PLACEMENT IN ANY EDUCATIONAL, DEVELOPMENT, AND JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT ARE PART OF HIS OR HER CASE PLAN. (SEE EXHIBIT “3” LABELED SENATE BILL 2795, PAGE 7, LINES 164-172)
4.
SINCE ARRIVING BACK INTO MDOC CUSTODY SEPTEMBER 11th, 2020, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PETITIONER TO ATTEND REHABILITATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS HAS BEEN REDUCED SUBSTANTIALLY. MDOC DOES NOT PROVIDE AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES OF SUCH PROGRAMS AS THE FBOP. PETITIONER IS CONCERNED THAT DUE TO HIS EXTENSIVE RELEASE DATE AND HIS CURRENT PAROLE INELIGIBILITY, IT WILL FURTHER PROHIBIT HIS OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER REHABILITATE HIMSELF THROUGH THE ALREADY MINIMUM PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVIDED BY MDOC, BECAUSE THE PETITIONER WILL NOT BE PRIORITIZED AS IT PERTAINS TO RECEIVING A PAROLE CASE PLAN AS IS ESTABLISHED BY LAW IN SENATE BILL 2795.
5.
WITH RESPECTS TO EACH PAROLE ELIGIBLE INMATE TO THE CUSTODY OF MDOC BEFORE JULY 1st, 2021, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COMPLETE THE CASE PLAN BY JANUARY 1st, 2022 MEANING IF CONSIDERATION FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY IS GRANTED, THE PETITIONER OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND, PARTICIPATE AND COMPLETE REHABILITATING PROGRAMS WILL BE PRIORITIZED. (SEE EXHIBIT “3” LABELED SENATE BILL 2795, PAGE 9, LINES 216-218)
6.
IF GRANTED, PETITIONER WOULD BE WELL WITHIN THE 48 MONTHS TO QUALIFY FOR A CASE PLAN BECAUSE 25% OF A 30 YEAR SENTENCE WOULD PLACE PAROLE ELIGIBILITY IN 7 ½ YEARS OF THAT 30 YEAR SENTENCE.
7.
PETITIONER HAS SERVED 18 MONTHS IN PRE-TRIAL DETENTION FROM JANUARY 19th, 2016 UNTIL HE WAS CONVICTED AND SENTENCED ON JULY 28th, 2017. HE HAS BEEN SERVING THE REMAINDER OF HIS SENTENCE BETWEEN FEDERAL CUSTODY AND STATE CUSTODY UNTIL THIS PRESENT DAY, WHICH PUTS THE PETITIONER WITHIN LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF THE 25% PAROLE ELIGIBILITY DATE AND WELL WITHIN THE 48 MONTHS REQUIRED BY LAW IN SENATE BILL 2795. (SEE EXHIBIT “4” LABELED MDOC SENTENCING COMPUTATION AND YAZOO MEDIUM FCC SENTENCING COMPUTATION)
8.
PETITIONER FILES THIS PETITION REQUESTING CONSIDERATION FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY PURSUANT TO MISS. CODE ANN. 47-7-3 (1)(h)(iv), WHICH SENATE BILL 2795 FURTHER AMENDED THE LAW THAT ONCE PROHIBITED PAROLE ELIGIBILITY FOR ANY PERSON CONVICTED AS A HABITUAL OFFENDER BY ALLOWING CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES TO RECOMMEND A NON-VIOLENT OFFENDER FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY. (SEE EXHIBIT “3” LABELED SENATE BILL 2795 PAGE 6, LINES 132-147)
9.
THE CONVICTION ON WHICH PETITIONER IS SERVING IS NOT A CRIME OF VIOLENCE PURSUANT TO MISS. CODE ANN. 97-3-2.
10.
PETITIONER IS NOT A VIOLENT HABITUAL OFFENDER. HE HAS NOT CAUSED VIOLENCE OR PHYSICAL HARM UPON ANYONE. THE OVERWHELMING WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATES THAT HE PRESENTS MINIMAL THREAT TO SOCIETY. PETITIONER HAS CONSISTENTLY RECEIVED EXCELLENT, LOW SCORES IN CONNECTION WITH EACH INMATE CLASSIFICATION REVIEW - INCLUDING A SCORE OF -2 WITH -4 BEING THE LOWEST THREAT LEVEL AN INMATE CAN POSSIBLY RECEIVE. THE PETITIONER'S EXCESSIVE SENTENCE IS THE REASON HIS SCORING CAN'T GET ANY LOWER.
11.
PETITIONER PRIOR CONVICTIONS ARE ALL NON-VIOLENT OR DRUG RELATED CRIMES. (SEE EXHIBIT “5” LABELED CERTIFICATES OF RECORDS)
12.
DUE TO THE PETITIONER’S HABITUAL OFFENDER STATUS, MISS. CODE ANN. 99-19-81 BEFORE JULY 1st, 2018, DID NOT ALLOW THE COURT TO SHOW MERCY IN SENTENCING, NOR DID IT ALLOW FOR THE STATE TO OFFER ANY TYPE OF PLEA THAT WOULD REDUCE SENTENCING. (SEE EXHIBIT “6” LABELED HOUSE BILL 387, SECTION 12, PAGE 26 AND EXHIBIT “7” LABELED JOHN E. WRENN VS STATE OF MISSISSIPPI CASE # 2015-CA-00696-COA)
13.
IF IT PLEASES THE COURT, PETITIONER INSERTED AN EXAMPLE FOR THE COURT IN MICHAEL DYE VS STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO SHOW THE INTENDED MERCY OF THE AMENDED LAW FOR INMATES CONVICTED AS NON-VIOLENT HABITUAL OFFENDERS. (SEE EXHIBIT “8” LABELED MICHAEL DYE VS STATE OF MISSISSIPPI)
14.
IF PETITIONER IS GRANTED THE PRIVILEGE FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY, IT WILL MAXIMIZE HIS OPPORTUNITIES TO FURTHER HIS EFFORTS IN REHABILITATION, AS TO NOW HE IS INELIGIBLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. FURTHER, PETITIONER SHOULD BE GRANTED PAROLE CONSIDERATION FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS.
15.
THE PETITIONER HAS AN EXEMPLARY RECORD OF CONDUCT AND WORK ETHIC WHICH SHOW HIS ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO ABIDE BY ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS. (SEE EXHIBIT “9” LABELED PROGRESS REPORT)
16.
THE PETITIONER HAS NOT RECEIVED A RULE INFRACTION DURING HIS INCARCERATION IN FEDERAL OR STATE CUSTODY. (SEE EXHIBIT “9” LABELED PROGRESS REPORT)
17.
THE PETITIONER HAS REHABILITATED HIMSELF TREMENDOUSLY DESPITE ALL THE OBSTACLES AND HEARTACHES THROWN HIS WAY DURING THIS JOURNEY OF INCARCERATION.
18.
THROUGH THE NUMEROUS COURSES AND PROGRAMS OFFERED IN FEDERAL CUSTODY, AS WELL AS THE DETERMINATION TO CHANGE, SAID PETITIONER HAS GAINED NOT ONLY A SENSE OF SELF WORTH, BUT A TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF SELF CONTROL, AND A NEW FOUND LOVE TO FIGHT FOR HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS FOR THOSE WHO OTHERWISE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FIGHT FOR THEMSELVES SUCH AS PRISONERS.
19.
THE PETITIONER HAS GAINED SEVERAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS DURING HIS INCARCERATION INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: COMPLETION OF THE ADULT CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS, COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE, CLASS ELECTRONIC LAW LIBRARY, STOCK MARKET I, STOCK MARKET II, AND CAREER WELDING. COMPLETION OF FEDERAL ACE COURSES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO GOVERNMENT AND CIVICS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, STOP THE VIOLENCE, SELF AWARENESS, VICTIM IMPACT, INFECTIOUS DISEASE COURSE, FDIC MONEY SMART PART I, FDIC MONEY SMART PART II, AND IN OUT DAD PARENT PROGRAM. COMPLETION OF FEDERAL ACE CRC COURSES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: ENTREPRENEUR: OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESSES, DIGITAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS, 9 TO 5 BEATS TO LIFE, PROFESSIONALISM 101, RESUME-COVER LETTERS- PORTFOLIOS, BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM, BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS, COMMON JOB INTERVIEW MISTAKES, GREEN JOBS, JOB SURVIVAL: ADVANCE JOB SKILLS, STARTING FRESH, WHEN PRESENTATION COUNTS, DIGITAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS MARKETING, YOU’RE THE BOSS: STARTING AND RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS, TRANSITION TO WORK AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY, GET HIRED AND GO SERIES, PAROLE TO PAYROLL, RELEASE AND REINTEGRATION PREPARATION, OUT FOR GOOD: STAY OUT, DOWN BUT NOT OUT, COUNTDOWN TO FREEDOM, LIFE AFTER PRISON AND LIVING FREE. COMPLETION OF FEDERAL RPP COURSES INCLUDED BUT NOT LIMITED TO BUSINESS PLANNING I, BUSINESS PLANNING II, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS I AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS II. COMPLETION OF FEDERAL MANDATED DRUG EDUCATIONAL COURSE AND COMPLETION OF VOLUNTARY NON-RESIDENTIAL DRUG PROGRAM. COMPLETION OF SPIRITUAL COURSES SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO THEOLOGY I, THEOLOGY II, FAITH BASED A&D PROGRAM, AND PETITIONER HAS BEEN BAPTIZED SINCE HIS INCARCERATION. (SEE EXHIBIT “10” LABELED CERTIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATES, AND AWARDS)
20.
SEVERAL LAWFUL CITIZENS OF THE HINDS COUNTY COMMUNITY AND THE PETITIONER FAMILY MEMBERS ARE WILLING TO ASSIST HIM IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT UPON HIS RELEASE ONCE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAROLE IS EARNED AND TO CONTINUE REHABILITATING HIMSELF IN SOCIETY. (SEE EXHIBIT “11” LABELED LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND RECOMMENDATION)
21.
THESE LAWFUL CITIZENS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE WILLING TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER REGARDING THE ASSISTANCE THAT WILL BE CONTRIBUTED.
22.
THE STRONG FAMILY SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY TIES THE PETITIONER HAS IS EVIDENT THROUGH HIS HAVING A LOVING AND CARING HOME AND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT UPON RELEASE.
23.
I, PETITIONER, THROUGH AN UNSHAKABLE FOUNDATION OF FAITH, HAS BEEN HUMBLED BY THIS LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE, I SEEK FORGIVENESS IN MY DEDICATION TO CORRECTING MY PAST MISTAKES AND I PRAY THIS HONORABLE COURT HEARS MY PLEA TO BE AFFORDED THE LIBERTY TO BECOME A LAW ABIDING AND PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY. BY EARNING A CHANCE OF PAROLE IN THE FUTURE MONTHS TO COME THROUGH THE OPPORTUNITY THAT SENATE BILL 2795 PROVIDES. IT IS THE PETITIONER'S BELIEF THAT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI WOULD BE MUCH BETTER SERVED IF THE PETITIONER WERE GRANTED THIS RELIEF AND PERMITTED TO RE-ENTER SOCIETY IN THE COMING MONTHS.
Mississippi Criminal Justice Reform
Parole Eligibility For Nonviolent Habitual Offender Marijuana Convictions
How to leave your letter of support and recommendation
A letter of support can be sent in email form to this email address: mr.c.butler833@gmail.com
In the subject box of the email , it should read : ( In Support Of Parole Eligibility For Christopher Butler )
The body of the email should read as follows:
1.) Your first and last name
2.) Your address
3.) Your phone number
4.) Your email address
5.) Your place of employment
6.) Your relations/relationship with Christopher Butler
In your open greeting you should address the court with : ( Dear Honorable Court, )
Then explain to the court that you read the petition, and in your own words, why you believe that the court should grant me the relief that I'm seeking. Be sure to base it off the petition and what you know of me as person.
Your closing greeting you should thank the court for receiving your letter of support on my behalf and end it with a:Sincerely, (Your Name)
BELOW IS ONLY AN
EXAMPLE
OF HOW YOU SHOULD
COMPOSE YOUR LETTER
OF SUPPORT IN
EMAIL FORM!
👇👇👇👇👇
This Must Be Done Before May 1,2023
