Carnell has served almost 20 years of a 27-year prison sentence he received, because he exercised his constitutional right to a fair trial.
In 2004, my brother, Carnell “Casino” McGill was just 20 years old when he was offered an 8-year plea deal for the armed robbery charges he was accused of. Three of his friends were also charged in the incident. My brother's co-defendants were offered the same plea, which they all decided to take because they were frightened. Carnell had blind faith in justice, so he declined the plea offer and opted to go to trial. It was his first offense, and there was little evidence, but to my family's surprise, he was found guilty and convicted. To our horror, Carnell was sentenced to 27 years in state prison, which was more than 3 times the amount of time his co-defendants would serve - FOR THE EXACT SAME CHARGES!
Carnell’s friends/co-defendants have all served their 8-year sentences and were released over 10 years ago. They were allowed to come home and live their lives. Carnell received unnecessarily harsh sentencing - for his first offense – but he deserves the same thing. He's now 37 years old, and he should be allowed to come home and live his life.
The judge who sentenced my brother ignored the many good character witnesses and positive accomplishments Carnell had in his favor. He said "To he whom much is given, much is expected" and used it all against him. The judge gave him 20 years for armed robbery, and 7 additional years for reckless endangerment. The judge could have allowed Carnell to serve both his 20-year sentence and 7-year sentence concurrently, but he specified for the sentences to run consecutively – FOR A TOTAL OF 27 YEARS!
The 7-year reckless endangerment sentence was due to a police chase. The officer driving the police vehicle rammed it into the back of Carnell’s car, which caused him to crash into a fire hydrant. Because of this, Carnell received a reckless endangerment charge that resulted in an additional 7-year sentence.
Police are now being exposed for corruption and mishandling justice all around the country. Carnell’s situation needs to be reevaluated.
To date, Carnell has served almost 17 years in prison. This just about completes his 20-year sentence. If Governor Cuomo would commute Carnell’s 20 year and 7 year sentences and allow them to run concurrently, he would be eligible to come home very soon.
In NY state, the average cost of keeping an inmate incarcerated is well over $70,000 annually. Carnell should not be a burden to tax payers. Our family has the means to support him when he gets out, with income generated by the businesses he’s personally mentored, encouraged, and advised us to establish. Amongst others, we own Black Nile Seafood and Soul Food, Synergy Publications, McGills Open Arms Family Day Care, and Ex-Factor Pest Control. These companies provide jobs for people and help to support families. Carnell is a very bright optimist who puts God first. He has plans to create even more jobs that will decrease the recidivism rate for ex-cons. He personally founded SEC-CON LIFE, LLC, which is geared to do just that.
An asset to his community, a well-loved brother, a great father, a beloved son, an adored uncle, a devoted husband, and also a revered friend, Carnell deserves another chance at life. He went to prison at 20-years old, and is now 37. Our family has been broken for almost 20 years. We need Carnell home, for we are incomplete without him. Our mother has atrial fibrillation due to congestive heart failure. Our father has prostate cancer. Our sister has Chronic Kidney Disease, and is in dire need of a kidney, and Carnell would be the best match for her. His coming home could save our sister's life.
Governor Cuomo, please commute my brother’s sentence from consecutive to concurrent, which will allow Carnell to serve just 20 years, instead of 27 years. Words cannot express how much his freedom would change my family's lives.
