Below is an open letter from Dietrick Mitchell’s Aunt requesting petitioners for clemency from Governor Ritter. Please download, print,  sign and pass the petition on to friends and family. Make sure to send it to Linda Mitchell before January 29, 2010.

As you know, my nephew, Dietrick Mitchell was involved in a hit and run accident in August, 1991 where a young man lost his life. Dietrick was tried as an adult for First Degree Murder – Extreme Indifference. He was found guilty and sentenced to Life Without Parole.

Dietrick has been incarcerated for over 18 years. Dietrick was 16 years old at the time of the incident and he is now 34 years old. He will be 35 years old in February, 2010.

Normally, a case of this nature would carry a 1 to 2 year sentence but because this occurred in 1991 (prior to the Summer of Violence in 1993), when the State of Colorado was in a panic because “gang activity” had started occurring within the State, numerous minority teenage males were sentenced disproportionally.

It is time for a change and we, as residents of the State of Colorado, should be willing to act on some of these cases now.

I understand the hurt and pain of the victims family and know that a life was cut short senselessly. Our prayers will never cease for the family members of Danny.

However, I am asking you, family members, friends, acquaintances, individuals whom I have established working relationships with to print page 3 (the Continuation Sheet), sign it, have your family and friends sign the sheet and return to me.

We would like to have hard copies of the signed Petition sheets sent to Governor Ritters’ office by January 29, 2010, therefore, I’m asking you to print page 3 and collect signatures. If your signature is the only one on the sheet, please know how much I appreciate that. You can return that signed sheet to me by email at mitchell462@msn.com or mail it to my home address: 17502 E. Ohio Circle, Aurora, Colorado 80017. All sheets can be returned in the same manner.

Thank you for your support!

Linda Mitchell and Family

Download the Petition for Dietrick now.