Michael Edwards desperately needs our help!
On October 12th, 1993, Michael Edwards was arrested for selling cocaine on 2 separate occasions to his disgruntled, x-girlfriend, Rene Cianci, in order to support his drug addiction. Unbeknown to Michael, in retaliation of his break-up from her, Rene had contacted a detective she knew from one of her prior arrests. She offered to be an informant to set Michael up in a drug transaction. Thereby, this set the ball in motion to get him arrested and, ultimately, sent to prison.
As a teenager, Michael started using drugs
in an attempt to fill a void in his life most likely caused by the untimely death of his father, Dr. William R.Edwards, Jr. Throughout the following years, Michael has been convicted of several drug-related crimes directly related to what he had become, a cocaine addict. Nevertheless, the courts have NEVER sentenced him to a drug
treatment program.
On the day of Michael’s trial in March 1994, Assistant
State Attorney Andrew Swett offered Michael 15 years in prison to plead guilty. The prosecutor indicated if he didn’t take the plea and proceeded with the jury trial, he would ask Judge
Rosman to sentence Michael to 60 years as a habitual offender if he were found guilty.
Michael opted for the jury trial because Rene, his x-girlfriend-turned-informant, went to Michael’s attorney, Ralph Chandler, and
swore under oath in an affidavit that Michael was not the one who actually
sold her the cocaine, thereby, recanting her original story. In addition, she told Michael and others she was
not going to testify. Subsequently, Michael refused the plea and exercised his right to a trial. Unfortunately, he was found guilty and Mr. Swett asked Judge Rosman to sentence Michael to a total
of 60 years for his sales convictions.
Almost thirteen years later, on 9/6/2006, Judge Rosman held a hearing concerning a motion to mitigate Michael’s sentence, filed by Michael’s nephew, Attorney Brian Edwards. After hearing testimony from over two dozen supporters, including retired State Attorney Joseph D’Alessandro, whose office prosecuted Michael’s case, Judge Rosman felt he did not have jurisdiction to reduce Michael’s sentence, even though he was deeply moved by the testimony.
At this 9/6/2006 hearing, Assistant State Attorney Cynthia Ross recommended that Michael try to get his sentence reduced through the clemency process and said that “this was one of the most uplifting and saddening days to stand in court on behalf of the state. Uplifting because this individual Michael Edwards has a family and community with enormous support and it would appear has made a difference and changed his life. That doesn’t happen often and it is remarkable to see.”
In response to a letter from Michael’s current attorney, Mr. Baya Harrison III, Ms. Ross wrote that her office will “allow the clemency board to rule as it deems appropriate” instead of opposing clemency.
His application for Executive Clemency was filed in April 2009, requesting his extremely harsh and unprecedented sentence for a non-violent drug offense be commuted to time served. Almost 3 years later, Michael’s application was returned as “untimely” because present laws state inmates must serve 1/3 of their sentence in order to be eligible for commutation. Due to this rule change made in March 2011, the Office of Executive Clemency says Michael will not be eligible until 9/2/2014, which is 20 years from the date he was sentenced.
In order to expedite matters, we need to convince Governor Scott or one Cabinet Member to invoke
Clemency Rule 17 and place Michael’s case on an upcoming agenda to commute his extremely harsh and excessive sentence. Clemency Rule 17 states " in cases of exceptional merit, any member of the Clemency Board (the Governor or one Cabinet Member) may place a case on an upcoming agenda for consideration." Michael's record should meet the “exceptional merit
criteria” due to the 19 years he has already served for a non-violent drug offense along with his exemplary
record while incarcerated. His 60 year sentence far exceeds any present
sentencing guidelines for similar non-violent drug offenses.
It is obvious to all who know Michael that he has taken full responsibility for his past mistakes and is remorseful for the emotionally trauma he has caused his family and friends. He is serious about rebuilding his life in a positive way once he is released from prison and is dedicated to his moral obligations to society. The earnest support from his family and friends will advocate a successful transition.
It is obvious to all who know Michael that he has taken full responsibility for his past mistakes and is remorseful for the emotionally trauma he has caused his family and friends. He is serious about rebuilding his life in a positive way once he is released from prison and is dedicated to his moral obligations to society. The earnest support from his family and friends will advocate a successful transition.
NOW, Michael’s only hope is for Governor Scott and/or one Cabinet Member
to invoke Clemency Rule 17 and commute his unprecedented sentence. Any
reasonable person would agree that the 19 years Michael has spent in prison is
more than enough punishment for his non-violent drug offense. It is hard to even imagine that if Michael is not granted this clemency,
he will have to serve at least another 21 years in prison...
PLEASE take a moment to help correct this grave injustice to Michael Edwards by contacting the Governor and Cabinet Members.
In addition, any words of encouragement, letters and pictures are always greatly appreciated & can be sent to:
Michael Edwards, 717273, A1-201L
P.O. Box 7171
South Bay, FL 33493-7171
P.O. Box 7171
South Bay, FL 33493-7171
THANK YOU!
