Let this petition serve as an introduction to a brother, father, and a greatly missed son. Rivera Peoples was 18 years old when he was wrongfully convicted by our criminal justice system. His conviction of criminal responsibility for the conduct of another landed him a sentence of life plus 100 years. 

He has maintained his innocence, and is only seeking to have his fair day in court after almost 15 years wrongfully incarcerated.

Rivera was denied a fair trial. His judge was extremely hostile and biased towards him. Rivera's trial attorney and prosecutor knew that he was innocent. Yet due to the shaky foundation of his conviction, Rivera faced the injustice of his life and freedom being taken from him. Imagine him being buried alive in prison. Proof of Rivera's innocence and receipts of the injustice he endured is well documented.

(free our peoples link)

Rivera was impacted by false perjured testimony of leniency seeking co-defendant Brian Moreland. Another co-defendant and Rivera’s biological brother, Antonio Harris, is on record telling the truth of Rivera's innocence. The judge would not allow the mention of this evidence establishing Rivera's innocence. Therefore the lies prevailed while the desire of the court with its hidden agenda to convict Rivera were revealed.

The reality of Rivera's poverty meant chances were he would not have a fair trial and he didn't. A biased judge, an unethical prosecutor, and a ineffective attorney, who never met with Rivera to prepare a proper defense were the authorities guiding this show. It was beyond unconstitutional to allow evidence of Rivera's innocence to be excluded from being heard by the jury. Trial Judge Blackburn abused her authority several times in this case assuring Rivera would be convicted and sentenced unjustly.

Rivera has not become bitter, but better, making it his goal and lifestyle to become so much more than the trash he was attempted to be made out to be. Obtaining his paralegal certificate, authoring his first book, maintaining a positive and healthy relationship with his children are all many of the reasons true justice should be served in this case.