Betrayed

 .He wasn't the brightest star in the east but he still flickered. It was easy to see how he could be set up, and he was. He ended up being the product of a scheme hatched by wanna be gangbangers. I would find out about his story from one of my tutors who grew up with him in his neighborhood. My tutor said his life was threatened many times by the same wannabe gangsters. He believed they were the devil incarnate. Their hearts cold and evil. They wanted to be accepted by a notorious gang on the east side of the city, and used his friend Donny to do it. He would be their look out. Donny was described as being as dumb as a box of rocks. Unfortunately for Donny, they robbed and killed the neighborhood paper boy. A real accomplishment. The community was up in arms and someone would have to pay.  

  He wasn't thinking to clearly when the police picked him up and took him in for questioning. He was stunned to be implicated by his friends and told the police he wasn't in the area. They had other witnesses that claimed he was there. He went to trial with a public defender and needless to say he was found guilty. Donny was totally betrayed. My tutor informed me that he didn't have a mean bone in his body, and took his betrayal hard. I found that to be true. My introduction to Donny was his taking the GED exams. His academic teacher was intent on getting him his GED, because Donny had unfortunately been labeled an imbecile by his peers. The teacher believed he was anything but stupid and would help him get his diploma.

   I remember giving him one test at a time and within a period of a just under five years he ended up with his GED. He was totally elated. I think he was happier knowing that he would not have to test again, and feel the sting of defeat. He passed. He would go on to become the first paroled juvenile lifer under Governor Granholm's administration. He was also part of our Academic and Vocational ceremony graduation and I know my colleague was proud of him. He said so. Donnie served 39 years for a murder he didn't commit. His church group was essential in a letter writing campaign based on getting him released. It worked and he was released. My friend working at the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency kept me informed on how Donny was doing. He was living at home with his mom and working two jobs. He still couldn't believe he was free.  .. Prison Stories To be Continued.......