Ray is coming home. I am still processing the news but I know deep down this only happened because you refused to look away. This victory belongs to you and I am just so incredibly grateful that we finally reached this day.
May 20, 2017
Final supporters
To:
Governor Rick Snyder, State of Michigan
Dear Gov. Snyder:
In 1973, Raymond Gray was convicted of a murder he didn't commit. He is in the 43rd year of a life sentence in a Michigan prison and is up for parole. I've been working on freeing him for the last eight years. The facts are these.
Ray Gray was a 21-year-old amateur boxer about to go pro. An artist, he was going to simultaneously attend art school. Then he got framed. His ex-girlfriend fingered him as one of the two hold-up men who murdered a drug dealer.
Ray had witnesses to say he was home at the time. It was a bench trial and the judge didn't believe him. Instead, he sentenced him to life. Eight years later, Charles Mathews confessed in an affidavit that he was one of the hold-up men. The second hold-up man, now deceased, was Tyrone Pugh.
From day one, Ray has maintained his innocence. I investigated and found everything he said to be true. Since going to prison, Ray has been a model prisoner. A mentor to younger prisoners, he has become a well known and respected artist behind bars.
We respectfully request that you commute his sentence.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 3, 2017
April 1, 2017
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many of you have stepped up for Ray. If we could get just a little more momentum going before we hit our next milestone it would mean the world to him.
January 17, 2016
I checked the page this morning and saw one hundred signatures staring back at me. I truly never imagined this many people would listen to Ray's story but you all have proven me wrong. This is entirely your doing.
Reached 100 supporters
January 16, 2016
January 15, 2016
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have taken an interest in Ray's story. If you could send this link to a few people today who might care about his case, it would mean so much for our momentum.
147 Comments
I just read Mr. Gray's story on the website the lineup. i am so sorry that this justice system has failed you so badly. i pray for your release and your happiness. i am an artist as well and also must say i love your work. Good luck Mr. Gray, ill be praying for you!
Please release my Uncle Raymond Gray. He has served 43 years for a crime that he did not commit. My family and I are praying that he can be reunited with us all very soon.
I'm shocked after reading up on this case. A man is in jail for 43 years without the system recognizing case shattering evidence that exonerates him. This is blatant racism and those involved should be ashamed and tried in the same manner.
As a survivor of crime that unintentionally made a mistaken eyewitness ID which left a serial rapist on the streets, this is a travesty of epic proportion!! What a travesty to everyone!
It's horrible what was done to this man. Not only should he be freed and all charges dropped, he should be rewarded damages by the state. Charges should be brought against the DA's office and the police officers involved in covering all the evidence that could have exhonerated him 43 years ago.
Free this artistic soul of a man who wrongly convicted
Free Ray !
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Ray is coming home. I am still processing the news but I know deep down this only happened because you refused to look away. This victory belongs to you and I am just so incredibly grateful that we finally reached this day.
May 20, 2017
Final supporters
To:
Governor Rick Snyder, State of Michigan
Dear Gov. Snyder:
In 1973, Raymond Gray was convicted of a murder he didn't commit. He is in the 43rd year of a life sentence in a Michigan prison and is up for parole. I've been working on freeing him for the last eight years. The facts are these.
Ray Gray was a 21-year-old amateur boxer about to go pro. An artist, he was going to simultaneously attend art school. Then he got framed. His ex-girlfriend fingered him as one of the two hold-up men who murdered a drug dealer.
Ray had witnesses to say he was home at the time. It was a bench trial and the judge didn't believe him. Instead, he sentenced him to life. Eight years later, Charles Mathews confessed in an affidavit that he was one of the hold-up men. The second hold-up man, now deceased, was Tyrone Pugh.
From day one, Ray has maintained his innocence. I investigated and found everything he said to be true. Since going to prison, Ray has been a model prisoner. A mentor to younger prisoners, he has become a well known and respected artist behind bars.
We respectfully request that you commute his sentence.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 3, 2017
April 1, 2017
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many of you have stepped up for Ray. If we could get just a little more momentum going before we hit our next milestone it would mean the world to him.
January 17, 2016
I checked the page this morning and saw one hundred signatures staring back at me. I truly never imagined this many people would listen to Ray's story but you all have proven me wrong. This is entirely your doing.
Reached 100 supporters
January 16, 2016
January 15, 2016
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have taken an interest in Ray's story. If you could send this link to a few people today who might care about his case, it would mean so much for our momentum.
147 Comments
Governor Rick Snyder, How do you sleep at night, knowing this wrongful conviction is being ignored? Make this right! 40+ years of this innocent mans life is inexcusable with today’s science, not to mention him being turned down for parole long after the true killer confessed in writing, so many years ago!
I just read Mr. Gray's story on the website the lineup. i am so sorry that this justice system has failed you so badly. i pray for your release and your happiness. i am an artist as well and also must say i love your work. Good luck Mr. Gray, ill be praying for you!
Please release my Uncle Raymond Gray. He has served 43 years for a crime that he did not commit. My family and I are praying that he can be reunited with us all very soon.
I'm shocked after reading up on this case. A man is in jail for 43 years without the system recognizing case shattering evidence that exonerates him. This is blatant racism and those involved should be ashamed and tried in the same manner.
As a survivor of crime that unintentionally made a mistaken eyewitness ID which left a serial rapist on the streets, this is a travesty of epic proportion!! What a travesty to everyone!
It's horrible what was done to this man. Not only should he be freed and all charges dropped, he should be rewarded damages by the state. Charges should be brought against the DA's office and the police officers involved in covering all the evidence that could have exhonerated him 43 years ago.
Free this artistic soul of a man who wrongly convicted
Free Ray !
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Governor Rick Snyder, How do you sleep at night, knowing this wrongful conviction is being ignored? Make this right! 40+ years of this innocent mans life is inexcusable with today’s science, not to mention him being turned down for parole long after the true killer confessed in writing, so many years ago!