One of my most beloved clients died on Wednesday. With his wife's permission, I want to tell you about him because he deserved so much more and it absolutely did not have to be this way. 1/

Before he became my client, this man was on parole for felony murder. He had been out for well over a decade- successful, productive, great job, married, taking care of his elderly mother, daughter on the honor roll and getting ready to start college. 2/

He went to an office party and some folks were smoking weed. He later tested positive for marijuana on a random drug test administered by his PO. The cops came to his house at 2 a.m., terrified him and his family, and arrested him. BECAUSE OF A DRUG TEST 3/

They reimposed his LIFE sentence. I remember meeting him for the first time. He was fifty-something years old. I'll never forget his eyes, the resignation and sadness. 4/

After TWO YEARS, we were able to get him out through a Motion for Drug Treatment. The State fought us on it too. 5/

TWO YEARS OF HIS LIFE FOR A JOINT. I can't fathom the trauma of being ripped out of your life and sent BACK after you had rebuilt a beautiful life. I later heard that during those two terrible years, he was not receiving his blood pressure medication on a regular basis. 6/

His wife even offered to provide his medication to the prison so that he would receive it on a regular basis. After he was released he ended up needing dialysis and ultimately, a transplant. 7/

We stayed in touch. He was enjoying his life, his wife, his kids, his grandkids, his dog. Right before the pandemic, he had a stroke. His wife let me know and we talked about what a fighter he is and how much it sucked that she couldn't be with him. He was alone. 8/

She would give me periodic updates. He was holding on. It made him happy to see his dog on facetime. Last week she told me she was getting everything ready to bring him home. Whatever time he had left, she wanted it to be at home. 9/

Yesterday she texted me that he died. Before she could bring him home. Before his children and grandchildren could fly in and say goodbye. Before he could see his dog. He's gone. He was a wonderful man and he is gone. 10/

I'm so angry. They stole those two years of his life. He should not have been there. He should have gotten his medication. It was so pointless and cruel. He should still be here. After he was released, he reached back. He helped other men. 11/

His wife and family suffered every day he was gone and they grieve now. EVERY DAY IN PRISON IS DANGEROUS. Every. Day. The world lost a beautiful soul, a loyal, generous, hardworking, kind man. He was my friend. It did not have to be this way. /fin

I can’t tell his story without talking about what a wonderful person he was, but to be clear- no one deserves what happened to him, virtuous or not. It was monstrous.