Julius started out life in a small agricultural town in the south.  He was raised by his elderly grandparents.  He grew up without a father and a largely absent mother.  When an older male from a large urban environment came to his small town he was deeply influenced by him as a role model.  This male introduced gangs to him and his friends. 

 

When Julius was 14, he was sent to another state to live with his mother who was struggling.  Living with his mother, it was not uncommon for Julius to come home and find an eviction notice on the apartment door, an empty refrigerator or that the electricity had been turned off. 

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To survive, Julius needed money.  He made it the only way he knew how: selling drugs.  As time went on, he attempted to become a legitimate businessman, going to school, attending conferences and conventions, and opening retail stores. 

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The violence of the drug trade came to Julius.  This began a series of retaliatory events that ultimately led to Julius’s unconstitutional conviction and sentence.

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Whereas Julius was given a death sentence, one of his partners was given a sentence of life in prison and the other partner was given a term of years and is now on the streets.

 

The success of Julius’s incarceration is due to the fact that Julius has undergone a transformation.  He sees and understands his life differently.  Through his faith in Jesus, he has changed his approach to living.  Julius works in the prison, to pay his restitution.   He listens to, and counsels people, some who are in the prison with him and others who are hundreds of miles away.

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Julius asks for clemency, so that he can continue his work of counseling others to avoid the mistakes he has made.  He promises to hold up his half of the bargain: To be a man of God… to help others… and to live a righteous life.