Support the Ashley McKenzie Legal Defense Fund: http://bit.ly/...
Hello everyone,
I'm new to Daily Kos, so I apologize if I'm breaking any rules here.
My friend is currently facing 6-15 years in prison in California based on an assault charge. She has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has a long history of difficulties with mental health. We feel the 6-15 years plea bargain is outrageously unfair. She is a 24-year-old African American young woman named Ashley.
My friend has been working with the public defender in Los Angeles County, who has simply been unable to devote the time and resources needed to fight this. I have stepped in and retained a private counsel for my friend.
We are fundraising to see if we can do anything to help my friend receive 1 year of mental health inpatient care, which she needs, rather than prison time, which will accomplish nothing. Ashley (my friend) has already received a letter from the LA County Department of Mental Health strongly supporting her receiving mental health care instead of prison. Her mental health counselor was shocked to hear that she would be facing 6 years in prison instead of receiving care.
If you are interested in donating, even $10 or $20, Ashley's family and I would be incredibly grateful. The link to our site is here: http://bit.ly/...
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, at andrew.b.gerst at gmail.com.
Thank you so much,
Andrew