Contact the officials and organizations below and tell them how you feel about Corey's incarceration and what you want them to do about it
Let's advocate for a justice system that embodies fairness and transparency. Corey, deserving of compassion and a second chance at life, depends on us. By spreading the word and reaching out to people with the power to Influence, we amplify our collective voice. Together, in solidarity, we can catch the attention of those who can make the crucial changes to redeem Corey's life. Click below to read a quick FAQ section to learn why we are contacting the people below, how it will help Corey's cause and a few ideas on how to write them.
I was advised by a fellow advocate organization that emails and letters are much more effective if followed up with a phone call.
I will be updating this page with phone numbers soon.
Below is a sample letter a dear friend wrote that I found to be a great example for people to see in case they don't know where to start.
Thank you Hilary.
Good afternoon Ms. Hart,
I am writing you to bring attention to the case of my friend Corey Reynolds. Corey is currently serving an unjust life sentence due to negative side effects of a medication, resulting in two Volusia County deputies being injured in 2011. Corey was sentenced to a mandatory minimum of life without the possibility of parole. Sentencing should not be a one size fits all approach. Corey is not, nor was he ever a hardened criminal. I have known Corey Reynolds for 27 years and he is a deep, caring individual that is against violence. Everybody that knows Corey was completely flabbergasted when we heard what happened because we know the events that led to his incarceration are not who he is. Corey is a kind and caring man, a deep thinker, an incredible artist, and an amazing friend. He has been in prison and deprived of the opportunity to be a productive member of society for long enough. There are more than a couple issues in Corey's case and he deserves to have a second look at his sentence where all factors are considered.
The side effects of his medication need to be looked at. I have experienced negative effects of medications in the past that resulted in visual disturbances, suicidal ideation, engaging in risky behaviors that I would never do under normal circumstances, and acting out of character. Luckily, I did not end up in a situation where the rest of my life was judged on my behavior during that time. Unfortunately for Corey, that is precisely what happened.
Additionally, one of the injured officers was later found to be corrupt and lost his law enforcement license forever. Deputy John Braman was charged with grand theft, petty theft, and official misconduct. The life of an officer should not hold more value than the life of any other human, especially when they abuse their power. Because the individuals that were injured were law enforcement, a mandatory minimum sentence was given.
There is also a problem with the judge in his trial. Judge Margaret W. Hudson's husband retired from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office as the Commander of Investigative Services. After retirement, he continued with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office as a volunteer reserve deputy. That is a huge conflict of interest. The system is broken and has failed Corey Reynolds as well as many others.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Please help to correct this miscarriage of justice and bring Corey home where he belongs.
Respectfully,
Hilaryanne O'Bryant
Disabled U.S. Army Veteran
123-456-7890
123 Street Rd.
Somewhereville, FL 32738
[email protected]
OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY
R.J. LARIZZA, 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
101 N Alabama Ave
DeLand, FL 32724
(386) 822-6400
https://www.sao7.com/Deland-Office-10-7.html
Unfortunately, this office does not provide an email address. Contacting the state attorney needs to be done by mail, phone, and/or in person. To make it more convenient for you, if you write your letter in an email to [email protected], and I will personally print and mail the letter on your behalf. To maintain authenticity, it is preferable if you attached a digital signature and contact information, but it is not absolutely necessary.
Dianne Hart: Florida Representative for District 63
Official Contact page
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/DHart61/
This woman is a very kind and caring representative who is passionate about prison and justice reform.
State Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg)
He introduced a bill in 2019 that would have eliminated minimum mandatory life sentences
He now leads the Florida Policy Project, a nonprofit, bipartisan think tank that works on four areas of public policy he championed as a lawmaker: transportation, criminal justice, property insurance and housing affordability
https://floridapolicyproject.com/news-events/five-questions-with-former-state-sen-jeff-brandes/
Florida Representative Susan Valdés
Her official page as well as how to email her directly
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/contactmember.aspx?MemberId=4752
District Office Address: Suite B 2221 North Himes Avenue Tampa, FL 33607-3139
District Office Phone: (813) 673-4673
Her official Facebook profile
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100057704784169
Webster Barnaby - representative of West Volusia and Criminal Justice Subcommittee Vice Chair
Contact page
While this person doesn't seem to have a record for publicly helping victims in the system he is, after all, the representative for West Volusia where Corey Reynolds' case took place. He is also the criminal justice subcommittee vice chair, which tells me as an elected official he has an extra interest in finding justice for those who deserve it. Am I right?
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM.org)
Famm is dedicated to changing laws, sentencing and prison conditions for the betterment of society a a whole.
Corey Reynolds is sentenced to a mandatory minimum life sentence, a one size fits all, inhumane, heartless and thoughtless law that circumvents the United States Constitution's clause of separation of power by giving authority to the state prosecutor to sentence the people they charge with crime. This law takes the power away from the judge and jury to decide a person's punishment for a crime, and ignores any mitigating factors that usually go towards determining a fair and just sentence.
Corey Reynolds' case is a textbook case as to why minimum mandatory sentencing is cruel and unjust.
Contact FAMM.org and elicit help to fight for Corey Reynolds' redemption.
FAQ
How do we ensure that the people we are contacting know exactly who Corey Reynolds is?
To ensure the representatives, organizations, and the prosecutor knows exactly who you are advocating for you should include key identifying factors.
Firstly, before any court case number, or legal identifiers, Corey should always be referred to as Corey Reynolds. Also, it helps to associate the name with an event. For example: Corey Reynolds, the guy who suffered the negative side effects from medication back in November 2011 and subsequently injured two cops.
This puts a story to a name, much like you do with any famous name. Corey's name becomes associated with the guy who's unjustly doing life in prison because of a medications side effects.
Other identifiers
- Time, location, event - November 2011 in deltona Florida, Corey Reynolds injures two Volusia county deputies
- Prison info - Corey Reynolds DC# C07572 Avon Park Correctional Institution
- The least accurate and most dehumanizing way to learn about Corey's situation mentions nothing of the medication, which is the very reason he was condemned to begin with. That would be to read the tragic disaster also known as his court records.
I'm not sure what to say to these people. Can you help guide me on what to write?
If you know Corey, tell them. Attest to his reputation, his character, how long you have known him etc.
If you don't know Corey tell them what you learned about his story. How it moved you. How you feel about giving Corey the redemption he deserve.
Maybe you have your own personal experiences with negative side effects of medication. Or perhaps you have been misjudged and the truth has set you free.
Hold your public officials accountable to represent YOU and the causes you believe in. This is what they are elected to do. Our system has deviated tremendously from the fair and balanced court we envisioned to exemplify our morals and sense of justice. I'm not saying these representatives are responsible for the degradation. In fact, the people above have been hand selected because they have taken time to advocate for people just like Corey, and change unfair laws and legislation. These are the influencers who are helping to make our system right again.
What impact will contacting these people make?
The goal is to aid in the effort of our next step: Corey, teamed with his lawyer and psychopharmacology expert Dr. Daniel Buffington will be approaching the state prosecutor with a request for a reconsideration into Corey's sentence. With the help of the public, and some key government officials and advocacy groups, the prosecutor will not be able to sweep Corey under the rug so easily.