Letter: Illinois Prison Review Board on Donald L. Grant

February 22, 1995
Letter to Illinois Prison Review Board
 


22 Feb 95

To: Prison Review Board of Donald L. Grant (L0 2079)

From: James A. Landrith, Jr.

I am the grandson of Robert Jackson and a former U.S. Marine working on the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission in Arlington, Virginia.

Once a year, I am forced to remember a man who killed without justification. That memory is especially bitter this year as I realize that Donald Grant could be released.

Parole for Donald Grant would mean freedom for a man who took the very same freedom from Robert Jackson in 1976. Donald Grant took my grandfather’s life, but the taking did not stop there. Grant stole a husband from Mary Jackson. He took a beloved father from his 6 children and he stole future memories from grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will never be able to know the man he was. All they have are their parent’s memories.

As long as Donald Grant breathes, he owes. He owes his life for taking a life. To release Donald Grant (LO 2079) at this time is to condone the murder of my grandfather and to accept the guilt and blame for this murderer’s future criminal activities. I don’t know anyone who could say they condone his actions or are willing to assume responsibility for his actions and I am sure the board feels the same and will deny parole accordingly. I cannot express in words how disgusted and enraged I will be if another family like mine has to write letters every year and put flowers on a grave because a Prison Review Board decided that Donald Grant should be released to kill again.

Respectfully submitted,

JAMES A. LANDRITH, JR.

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