GJP Stories
Will's Story
Will never had a chance. The oldest of six children, his father was a drug dealer and his mother an addict. His role model was an uncle in prison. When asked why he chose him as role model, Will replied: “Because he never hit me.”
Will never had a chance. The oldest of six children, his father was a drug dealer and his mother an addict. His role model was an uncle in prison. When asked why he chose him as role model, Will replied: “Because he never hit me.”
Antoine's Story
Celebrating eleven years clean, and Antoine Stevens still calls himself a newcomer (N.B. Antoine Stevens is not our client’s real name).
Celebrating eleven years clean, and Antoine Stevens still calls himself a newcomer (N.B. Antoine Stevens is not our client’s real name).
Regina's Story
Regina Sullivan (N.B. not our client’s real name) planned to be the chain-breaker, the one who wasn’t afflicted by the generational curse. “I thought, ‘there’s no way I’d ever let a man get me there,’” she says, still seemingly baffled. She was smart, college-educated, and the mother of a daughter she adored. And she was headed to jail on a domestic violence charge.
Regina Sullivan (N.B. not our client’s real name) planned to be the chain-breaker, the one who wasn’t afflicted by the generational curse. “I thought, ‘there’s no way I’d ever let a man get me there,’” she says, still seemingly baffled. She was smart, college-educated, and the mother of a daughter she adored. And she was headed to jail on a domestic violence charge.
Ernesto's Story
This was a mistake. It had to be. He’d been at home all night, drinking and partying with friends in a neighborhood not far from where he’d grown up. “I’m thinking I’m about to get out,” says Ernesto, “that it must be a joke,” because what else could it be?
No joke, Ernesto Green (N.B. Ernesto Green is not our client’s real name) was in serious trouble.
This was a mistake. It had to be. He’d been at home all night, drinking and partying with friends in a neighborhood not far from where he’d grown up. “I’m thinking I’m about to get out,” says Ernesto, “that it must be a joke,” because what else could it be?
No joke, Ernesto Green (N.B. Ernesto Green is not our client’s real name) was in serious trouble.
Eric's Story
Eric Foley’s outcome sounds like a perfect end to an otherwise harrowing experience.…except that he served eight months in jail…except that he dropped out of college because he was arrested…except that it took 2 years to get his case dismissed… except that the police had no basis on which to arrest him in the first place…Unfortunately cases like Mr. Foley’s are often not the exceptions in Georgia but the rule.
Eric Foley’s outcome sounds like a perfect end to an otherwise harrowing experience.…except that he served eight months in jail…except that he dropped out of college because he was arrested…except that it took 2 years to get his case dismissed… except that the police had no basis on which to arrest him in the first place…Unfortunately cases like Mr. Foley’s are often not the exceptions in Georgia but the rule.
Yolanda's Story
Yolanda was incarcerated at a county jail charged with armed robbery. The turning point in our decision to accept Yolanda as a client was our visit to Yolanda’s home where we met her six children. Yolanda’s children would suffer devastating consequences if she had to serve hard time in prison.
Yolanda was incarcerated at a county jail charged with armed robbery. The turning point in our decision to accept Yolanda as a client was our visit to Yolanda’s home where we met her six children. Yolanda’s children would suffer devastating consequences if she had to serve hard time in prison.
The First Family - Carl’s Story
By Douglas Ammar
At Carl’s one-year clean “birthday” party, he paid me the highest compliment. Carl asked me to give him his chip (his one-year clean medallion – a 12-Step tradition). With most of the staff in attendance Carl said that GJP was his first family. GJP had weathered storms with Carl: two cases, one parole revocation, prison time, addiction, working with New Horizon Landscaping, encouraging him to confront his past, holding his hand and loving him all the while. We had been up and down with Carl. That night was a time to celebrate our journey together.
It took a tragic and senseless death to bring Carl and GJP together. Nearly four years ago, on a clear Sunday afternoon in an Atlanta housing project, three teenage boys were horsing around upstairs. Carl and the boy’s mother were downstairs. As the boys got ready to go to the mall, the oldest (Ed,16) found a gun. Ed started playing with it, pointing it around the room, and then the gun went off, accidentally killing his 14-year-old brother Kevin.
By Douglas Ammar
At Carl’s one-year clean “birthday” party, he paid me the highest compliment. Carl asked me to give him his chip (his one-year clean medallion – a 12-Step tradition). With most of the staff in attendance Carl said that GJP was his first family. GJP had weathered storms with Carl: two cases, one parole revocation, prison time, addiction, working with New Horizon Landscaping, encouraging him to confront his past, holding his hand and loving him all the while. We had been up and down with Carl. That night was a time to celebrate our journey together.
It took a tragic and senseless death to bring Carl and GJP together. Nearly four years ago, on a clear Sunday afternoon in an Atlanta housing project, three teenage boys were horsing around upstairs. Carl and the boy’s mother were downstairs. As the boys got ready to go to the mall, the oldest (Ed,16) found a gun. Ed started playing with it, pointing it around the room, and then the gun went off, accidentally killing his 14-year-old brother Kevin.
Bonner’s Story
__By David Rocchio__
Locked up at age 16 and sentenced to five years, he had already served three when we met. He was a convicted armed robber, the first prisoner that I met in Georgia. In the car on the way to the prison, I learned of the particulars regarding his case: after finishing work he had gotten drunk and robbed a woman walking down the street. He didn’t know her. It was a random act of violence. His mother contacted Georgia Justice Project (GJP) soon after he was arrested. We agreed to represent him believing that our holistic approach could make a difference in his life. He failed three lie detector tests before breaking down and admitting that he committed the crime. As is our practice, we continued the relationship with him, regardless of the outcome of the case. This would be a standard visit—one of about 25 that I would perform that year. My stomach was churning.
__By David Rocchio__
Locked up at age 16 and sentenced to five years, he had already served three when we met. He was a convicted armed robber, the first prisoner that I met in Georgia. In the car on the way to the prison, I learned of the particulars regarding his case: after finishing work he had gotten drunk and robbed a woman walking down the street. He didn’t know her. It was a random act of violence. His mother contacted Georgia Justice Project (GJP) soon after he was arrested. We agreed to represent him believing that our holistic approach could make a difference in his life. He failed three lie detector tests before breaking down and admitting that he committed the crime. As is our practice, we continued the relationship with him, regardless of the outcome of the case. This would be a standard visit—one of about 25 that I would perform that year. My stomach was churning.
Darren’s Story
The crime occurred at 9:00 pm. A neighbor saw Darren standing by a car. Ten minutes later the police arrested him as he walked around the neighborhood. He was charged with breaking into the car. It seemed like an open and shut case…except that he was merely at the crime scene, which is not a crime. Except that Darren was innocent. Except that Darren was mentally retarded. Yet, the system threatened to roll over him like it does so many. Usually a two-page police report is the Court’s sole source for the alleged facts of a crime. One side of a story hurriedly scribbled down.
The crime occurred at 9:00 pm. A neighbor saw Darren standing by a car. Ten minutes later the police arrested him as he walked around the neighborhood. He was charged with breaking into the car. It seemed like an open and shut case…except that he was merely at the crime scene, which is not a crime. Except that Darren was innocent. Except that Darren was mentally retarded. Yet, the system threatened to roll over him like it does so many. Usually a two-page police report is the Court’s sole source for the alleged facts of a crime. One side of a story hurriedly scribbled down.
Cedric’s Story
__By Douglas Ammar__
Originally published in “Matters of Justice,” Spring 1998
Five years ago, Cedric called GJP. In jail for his umpteenth drug related case, he wanted legal help. His drug addiction had landed him in jail and prison more times than he could count. He was tired. There was a problem . . . and he didn’t have the answer.
__By Douglas Ammar__
Originally published in “Matters of Justice,” Spring 1998
Five years ago, Cedric called GJP. In jail for his umpteenth drug related case, he wanted legal help. His drug addiction had landed him in jail and prison more times than he could count. He was tired. There was a problem . . . and he didn’t have the answer.