Free at Last

At age 21, Ronald McKeithen was sentenced to life without parole under Alabama’s merciless “three strikes” law. He devoted decades behind bars to art, learning, and service. Appleseed took on his case in 2020 and won his release.

In His Own Words

Ronald McKeithen describes what it was like to leave prison after 37 years in his guest blog post.

In 1984, Ronald McKeithen was convicted of first-degree robbery for a convenience store hold-up in Birmingham. There were no physical injuries or shots fired, but several hundred dollars was taken. The judge had no choice but to sentence Ronald to spend the rest of his life in prison; life without parole was mandatory under Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act (HFOA) because Ronald had three nonviolent property crimes in his past, two stemming from a single incident.

The State of Alabama gave up on Ronald McKeithen, but he did not give up on himself. He earned a GED, then tutored others. He became a licensed barber, then cut hair to support himself in prison. He became an artist, a poet, led book clubs and a debate program. Altogether, he completed more than 110 classes and programs ranging from drug treatment to commercial foods to Vipassana meditation. “You do not have the luxury of being unproductive if you are in prison trying to get out,” he recently remarked.

Professors at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and others who volunteered at Donaldson Correctional Facility realized Ronald had gifts that needed to be shared beyond prison walls. Journalist Beth Shelburne highlighted his case as an example of the glaring injustices created by the HFOA. Yet when Ronald reached out to Appleseed, he had not spoken with a lawyer in 35 years. We took on his case this summer.

Ronald McKeithen had much more than new lawyers fighting for him. Ultimately, the victims in his case and Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr supported his petition for release. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Shanta Owens granted the petition. On December 16, 2020, Ronald emerged from Donaldson Correctional Facility to the welcoming embrace of a community dedicated to ensuring this remarkable man reaches his potential after 37 years of incarceration. Now 58, he dreams of attending UAB, of creating a greeting card business with his artwork, and of mentoring young people struggling with the same issues he struggled with so long ago.

Below are the reflections from the cross-section of people who made Ronald’s freedom possible and are supporting him as he creates a new life.

REFLECTIONS

Journalist Beth Shelburne from Birmingham was among the supporters who gathered outside Donaldson prison to greet Ronald as he was released after 37 years of incarceration for robbery. Beth wrote extensively about Ronald’s case and Alabama’s draconian Habitual Felony Offender Law. She was a tireless advocate and connected him with Appleseed lawyers, which eventually led to his freedom.

Appleseed Executive Director Carla Crowder, who represented Ronald in his post conviction proceedings, greets him as he leaves Donaldson prison with a few belongings and art supplies. When Appleseed first began working with Ronald in the summer of 2020, it had been 35 years since he had spoken with a lawyer.

The first weekend of his release, Ronald enjoyed an Atlanta Falcons game, courtesy of the Offender Alumni Association. The National Football League’s Inspire Change program also provided critical support to Alabama Appleseed in our efforts to challenge the Habitual Felony Offender Act.

Ronald pursued countless educational and rehabilitative opportunities during his incarceration, from barbering to meditation to poetry and debate. He also discovered an incredible talent for art. Here is a small sample of his work. Already, his drawings have been featured on greeting cards and he is exploring ways to use this talent to help support himself.

Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr
joined Appleseed’s post-conviction petition supporting sentencing relief for Ronald McKeithen after reviewing the case and recognizing that the victims also supported release. “What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong,” Mr. Carr said. “In this case, 37 years for a convenience store robbery with no physical injury was long enough. In no way do I support violent crime. However, we have to be courageous enough to look at the facts, consult the victims, and consider sentence reforms on a case-by-case basis.”
Farooq Janjua and Mansour Butt, small business owners
who were the victims in the 1983 robbery which resulted in Mr. McKeithen’s mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without parole, were shocked to learn he was still incarcerated for this crime. They eagerly signed affidavits supporting release. “We are glad he is out and he can do something for the community,” said Mr. Janjua. “Thirty seven years – that is way too long of a sentence for that crime.” Their unbounded support was critical to Mr. McKeithen’s freedom.
Dr. Connie Kohler, retired emerita professor of health behavior at UAB School of Public Health,
has known Ronald for 5 years as a volunteer teaching at Donaldson Correctional Facility. She provided an affidavit to help the Court understand Ronald’s character. “I have seen many facets of his personality over the years. He is kind and considerate, very smart, an excellent writer, a talented artist and art teacher, self-possessed, consistently motivated to learn and produce. He is a strategic thinker and exhibits integrity and strong leadership among his peers. In other words, he is as well rounded as any doctoral student I’ve taught,” Dr. Kohler wrote in her affidavit. She traveled to Donaldson to greet Ronald at his release.
The Jefferson County Memorial Project (JCMP), a grassroots organization
focused on memorializing victims or racial terror and expanding the county’s understanding of past and present racial injustice, first published Ronald’s artwork to its Liberated Voices blog on its website, then created greeting cards from his original drawings. Proceeds from these cards go towards supporting Ronald. Now that he is home, Ronald will be working with JCMP and other advocates to find additional ways to share his stunning artwork with the community. “Ronald is a leader in JCMP’s mission of advocacy around reform where racial injustice still exists today through bringing a voice to the voiceless,” Joi Brown, Jefferson Memorial Project Director, said in describing Ronald’s work with the organization.
Dena Dickerson, Program Director with the Offender Alumni Association,
a peer support nonprofit run by formerly incarcerated people engaged Ron in communications prior to his released. This was to assist in the mental/emotional transition, build a trusting relationship, promote accountability, responsibility to society and self, and assess his needs. Ron was accepted immediately into OAA’s program upon his release to continue developing the life skills that will enhance his ability to make positive contributions to society and his community, while connecting him to resources, and a network of positive peers that will continue to mentor him. OAA has assisted Ron with housing, transportation, counseling, emotional, and mental stability, as well as social support. After 37 years behind bars, it is critical that he always has someone to turn to and is never alone in navigating the challenges of life on the outside.
Beth Shelburne, investigative journalist
who has written extensively about Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act. She was instrumental in raising awareness about the extreme unfairness of Ronald McKeithen’s sentence and became a source of encouragement when it seemed his chances for relief were dim. “I can’t overstate how knowing Ron has changed me. I asked him to help me understand his sentence and he went above and beyond, writing me over 100 letters about his deepest pains and regrets as well as his art, poetry and the life he built for himself behind the walls of prison. Ron taught me to question everything I thought I knew about our criminal justice system and seeing him finally walk out of prison was singularly remarkable. I also know there are many other men and women buried alive by terminal punishment and Ron inspires me to continue working on their behalf. I am thankful to know him and proud to call Ron my friend.”
James Sokol, retired Senior Vice President for Morgan Stanley
became friends with Ron as a volunteer in book groups at Donaldson Correctional Facility. Mr. Sokol has helped provide support and transportation, including accompanying Ronald to the Birmingham Museum of Art, the first place he wanted to visit upon release. “He has done so much more for me than I have done for him,” Mr. Sokol said in describing his friendship with Ronald.
Alex LaGanke, Appleseed Legal Fellow and recent graduate from Cumberland School of Law
worked on Ronald’s legal case then assisted him to secure a social security card, identification, and bank account after he was released. She also had the pleasure of introducing him to Chick-Fil-A’s spicy chicken sandwich. “I never thought I’d have so much fun hanging out with a man my dad’s age (no offense, Dad), but it’s been a blast and a half. Aside from the shining moment of witnessing Ronald admire waffle fries and realize that Chick-fil-A sauce is in fact better than honey mustard, having my entire body sprayed with gasoline at the gas station and facilitating fun conversations – like how to budget and what not to put in the microwave – take the cake. To know Ron is to love him, and I’m honored to have played a small role in his well-deserved release so that many more can experience the world through his eyes.”

“I’m experiencing a rebirth, a second chance at life, and every day has been a blessing.”

Ronald McKeithen

Free at Last

REFLECTIONS

Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr

Farooq Janjua and Mansour Butt, small business owners

Dr. Connie Kohler, retired emerita professor of health behavior at UAB School of Public Health,

The Jefferson County Memorial Project (JCMP), a grassroots organization

Dena Dickerson, Program Director with the Offender Alumni Association,

Beth Shelburne, investigative journalist

James Sokol, retired Senior Vice President for Morgan Stanley

Alex LaGanke, Appleseed Legal Fellow and recent graduate from Cumberland School of Law

“I’m experiencing a rebirth, a second chance at life, and every day has been a blessing.”

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