To: President Donald Trump, The Virginia State House, The Virginia State Senate, Governor Ralph Northam, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Restore Yusef Hasan Sykes' Freedom. He is INNOCENT!
Fighting for my Freedom. I just want to be home with my family, wife and kids.
Why is this important?
9 years ago I was caught up in a crime that cost Javon Johnson his life and me my freedom. On the night the crime happened the victim and I had got into an argument in front of my apartment that got out of control. In the midst of me and the victim arguing I pulled out my weapon (kept it on safety). I simply asked the victim to go ahead and leave from in front my place. The victim and I exchanged words as he put his hands up and told me all right. A few of his friends as well as mine stepped in to calm the situation down. Once I realized it wasn't that serious, I then lowered my weapon placing it in my pocket while the victim and his friends walked away. In the midst of them walking away, one of his friends stated that it wasn't over. One of the guys I was with asked me to let him see my weapon. I told him "No it's not worth it" as I pulled my weapon out and aimed it STRAIGHT into the air, emptying all the bullets out. The reason why I fired into the air was simply just to scare the group. Once I discharged my weapon into the air, one of the victim's friends discharged his weapon in my direction, making the situation get out of control. Once the shots were fired, the victim and his friends started running. While he was running, one of the guys I was with came running out from behind the building and fired the fatal shot that took the victim's life. once the guy I was with fired the shot he came running to me and the guys I was with and said "I handled that for you." my only question to him was Why? I admit I made the wrong decision by pulling out my weapon, but my intention was NEVER to take anyone's life. My apologies go out to the Johnson family and friends. If I had the chance to rewind that night I would have just talked it out and then walked away. It truly wasn't worth it.
All through my transcripts they tell you that I didn't fire the shot that took the victim's life. The detectives, the victim's family, his friends and others know the person that really committed the crime, but NO ONE wants to be brave and tell the truth. We all live by this code of the streets "Don't Snitch" but my question is why let an innocent man sit in prison for a crime some one else committed? the reason I am writing this petition is because I am currently fighting for my freedom so I can make it home to my wife, kids and family. for those that believe in my innocence and those that know the truth please sign this petition so I can regain my freedom.
Facts in my case that prove I'm INNOCENT
During my trial: 3 of the victims friends who were eye witnesses were asked what did I do with my weapon? All 3 of them stated I pulled my weapon out then put it back in my pocket without discharging it. they were also asked did they see me fire the fatal shot that entered the victim? All 3 stated No! Also none of there stories were the same. They all had different stories.
During my trial: the commonwealth misled the jury and admitted it, but due to my lawyer not striking at the correct time the couldn't throw the charge out. also my lawyer admitted to my family that he did NOT represent me correctly.
During my trial: none of the evidence they had pointed to me. The detectives collected numerous shell casings and bullet fragments from the crime scene and panels on the wall and NONE of them had my finger prints on them. The crime scene detective admitted that there was more than 1 weapon fired and used, but never presented a weapon at trial. The weapons they said were fired that night was 2 (.380, .40 caliber, berretta) The 2 (.380) had different lands and grooves, 1 to the right and 1 to the left. My family hired a Ballistic Expert that stated that a (.380) can only cause damage at 50ft. The victim was 255ft away from me when he was struck. A (.380) can only cause damage at 50ft. That proves I DIDN'T fire the fatal shot. When the victim got hit, he was kneeling down by some cars. There was at least 25 cars where he was at and none of them were struck by a bullet. That proves that the person that fired the fatal shot was at close range. During my trial I had at least 20 or more witnesses that stated that someone else fired the fatal shot and a few actually told the name of the person that fired the fatal shot. Even though the detectives and commonwealth knew the information about the person that committed the crime they still never indicted nor questioned him. He came to court but when it was time to come forward he had left the courtroom.
For those that know my case and the truth, all I am asking for is your help. My aim is to get as many people as possible to sign this petition so I can make it home to my wife and kids. Again my apologies go out to the Johnson family for the role I played which was just arguing with their son and firing my weapon straight into the air. I truly pray that the Johnson family finds the right person that committed this crime.
Please support my petition
Thank You!
Mr. Sykes
All through my transcripts they tell you that I didn't fire the shot that took the victim's life. The detectives, the victim's family, his friends and others know the person that really committed the crime, but NO ONE wants to be brave and tell the truth. We all live by this code of the streets "Don't Snitch" but my question is why let an innocent man sit in prison for a crime some one else committed? the reason I am writing this petition is because I am currently fighting for my freedom so I can make it home to my wife, kids and family. for those that believe in my innocence and those that know the truth please sign this petition so I can regain my freedom.
Facts in my case that prove I'm INNOCENT
During my trial: 3 of the victims friends who were eye witnesses were asked what did I do with my weapon? All 3 of them stated I pulled my weapon out then put it back in my pocket without discharging it. they were also asked did they see me fire the fatal shot that entered the victim? All 3 stated No! Also none of there stories were the same. They all had different stories.
During my trial: the commonwealth misled the jury and admitted it, but due to my lawyer not striking at the correct time the couldn't throw the charge out. also my lawyer admitted to my family that he did NOT represent me correctly.
During my trial: none of the evidence they had pointed to me. The detectives collected numerous shell casings and bullet fragments from the crime scene and panels on the wall and NONE of them had my finger prints on them. The crime scene detective admitted that there was more than 1 weapon fired and used, but never presented a weapon at trial. The weapons they said were fired that night was 2 (.380, .40 caliber, berretta) The 2 (.380) had different lands and grooves, 1 to the right and 1 to the left. My family hired a Ballistic Expert that stated that a (.380) can only cause damage at 50ft. The victim was 255ft away from me when he was struck. A (.380) can only cause damage at 50ft. That proves I DIDN'T fire the fatal shot. When the victim got hit, he was kneeling down by some cars. There was at least 25 cars where he was at and none of them were struck by a bullet. That proves that the person that fired the fatal shot was at close range. During my trial I had at least 20 or more witnesses that stated that someone else fired the fatal shot and a few actually told the name of the person that fired the fatal shot. Even though the detectives and commonwealth knew the information about the person that committed the crime they still never indicted nor questioned him. He came to court but when it was time to come forward he had left the courtroom.
For those that know my case and the truth, all I am asking for is your help. My aim is to get as many people as possible to sign this petition so I can make it home to my wife and kids. Again my apologies go out to the Johnson family for the role I played which was just arguing with their son and firing my weapon straight into the air. I truly pray that the Johnson family finds the right person that committed this crime.
Please support my petition
Thank You!
Mr. Sykes