Johnnie Lee Savory's story exemplifies what he calls the "awkward wrath of a broken criminal justice system."
Falsely accused and unjustly convicted for double homicide at the age of 14, Johnnie spent 30 years in prison, all the while fighting to clear his name.
Virtually everyone who has looked at the facts of Johnnie's case, from Northwestern's Center on Wrongful Convictions to several former State's Attorneys and federal judges, agree that it was a shameful miscarriage of justice.
And yet, Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons refuses to test the DNA on the evidence that was used to unjustly convict him, and so far Governor Blagojevich has not ordered him to perform the test.
Despite the injustice he has suffered, Johnnie radiates hope, a profound compassion for others, and a deep love of justice.
In this clip, which was filmed by Rob Runyan, Johnnie talks about how his love of life gives him the strength to fight back.
Here's a transcription of Johnnie's talk:
"You have a choice. There is no gray area.
And it's best said by Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption, if you can remember the movie.
'Get busy living, or get busy dying.' Because those are the only two choices you have.
What does your life mean to you? How much value did you put on it?
My life is priceless. So I'm going to get busy living.
It's the people's choice--no matter what your circumstances are, no matter how painful they may be.
You know, I never got to go on my first prom, never got to go to high school.
Does that hurt? It hurts.
Am I in pain? Of course.
But I am alive.
They wanted to kill me at 14. They wanted to give me the death penalty. And they wanted to give it to me again at 17.
So, unlike many people that's on Death Row, I made it.
Now my job is to see that it doesn't happen to anyone else. And that's it."
'And what's the best way to do that?'
"Fight. I love fighting."
You can join Johnnie's fight for justice today by sending one e-mail.
Click here and tell IL Governor Rod Blagojevich to order DNA testing on the evidence that was used to send Johnnie to prison for 30 years for a crime he did not commit.
If you're on facebook, look up Johnnie Lee Savory and join the Justice for Savory group.
Also, Saturday, September 13th, Johnnie will be participating in a Rainbow Push Coalition Saturday Morning Forum on DNA testing and exoneration. Click here for more information.
If you have any questions or comments about Justice for Savory, send us an e-mai at justiceforsavory@gmail.com
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John Maki
John Maki is a new media consultant for Chicago non-profits. In his spare time, John is also a multi-media producer and contributor for The Windy Citizen. Before working in new media, John taught high school literature, and before that was a graduate student in English literature at the University of Chicago. John is currently in his third year at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
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I think probably more correct to say that I am confident that the Johnnie Lee was able to survive in prison only because he fought for his life. The fight - and it is our life.
The term "'Get busy living, or get busy dying" is so accurate! It really defines how more people should look at life.
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