Thomas Wade sentenced to life at age 20 for alleged theft of a car stereo equalizer and a bath mat
Wade was sentenced to life without parole before his twenty-first birthday for breaking into a previously stolen unoccupied vehicle.
On the day of his arrest, officers signaled for Wade to pull his car over, and he complied, exiting the vehicle and submitting to a pat-down along with a friend riding with him.
Upon searching Wade’s car, officers discovered a bath mat and car stereo equalizer in the car, allegedly belonging to the owner of the stolen vehicle, and arrested the men.
Wade maintains these items belonged to him and were not stolen property. The officers also later found a revolver on the ground beside the stolen vehicle. In his appeal, Wade argued that he was never in possession of the firearm, and noted that his fingerprints were not found on the weapon.
He says the separation from his family has been difficult for him. He told the ACLU, “I missed all of my kids’ child hood. It hurt like hell.” He tries to remain optimistic, stating, “I know deep in my heart I will make it. I’ll take it one day at a time.”
Wade's stepfather, Maurice Jordan, told the ACLU, “They gave him life and that don’t make no sense at all because he didn’t kill anybody .…I feel like he’s served the time he should have served, and more.”
Read full story at ACLU Special Report. A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses.
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As voters, citizens, taxpayers and bystanders, we as a society have inhumanely punished thousands of nonviolent people. Currently Washington DC and 30 states have compensation statutes for wrongfully convicted inmates. Congress’ recommended amount is $63,000 for each year served. On the other hand, overly sentenced victims who in many cases have suffered equally or worse typically receive $20 and a bus ticket if they are fortunate enough to ever be released.
Select the link below to donate directly to Wade to help him with legal and other expenses. Most of these inhumanely sentenced inmates don't remember the last time they were able to buy personal items or snacks from the commissary. No donation is too small. JPAY is used for state inmates and Western Union for federal.
No Harsh Justice inmate has ever been convicted of a violent crime.
Donate to Wade's Legal Fund (Select Florida, Inmate ID=365779)
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