Transcription
"The worst thing that we have done is not the sum of who we are."
Dear outside world,
Here, lately, I received a letter from a beautiful pen-friend name Shereess. She asked me some very important questions and suggested that I share my answers with you all on the outside. The first question she asked me was, "How do you feel about being incarcerated?"
I hate being incarcerated! Being in prison is no place for a human being to be. It's a place where they strip your human dignity away, where they take everything that means something to you and turn it to nothing. It's a place where they transform you from a human being to a prison being. It's a place where you are surrounded by dogs, rats, snakes, and wild pussy cats. You are considered nothing more than a number and treated like an animal in a cage.
"Do you feel you're refreshed?" I am "reborn" because since my incarceration I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. I'm born again, and I do not think or act the way I used to. I've been able to transform prison confinement into spiritual refinement and I'm letting my light shine.
"Are you remorseful?" Yes, I'm very remorseful for my actions in the 1985 prison riot because people got hurt and families' lives were affected. I've taken full responsibility for my actions in the prison riot. I've asked the Lord for forgiveness, and since that time I have not been involved in any other incident. But the 142 year prison sentence they gave me for the riot when no one was killed isn't fair.
"If you could be free today, how would you act and what would you do?" I've been incarcerated now for thirty years and the one thing I would not do if I was free today is try to make up for lost time, because it can never be found again. I would stop and start my life over. I would visit the grave sites of my beloved parents, who passed away since my incarceration, and would say goodbye to them. I would visit my daughter whom I've never seen physically and tell her I'm sorry and ask for her forgiveness for not being there as a father should be for his child. I would find a good church and continue living a God fearing life of love and helping others. I figure that as long as I keep God in my life first, everything else will work out.
Thank you, Shereess, for asking me these questions. I hope my answers gave you and others who read this a little insight of prison life and an understanding of who I am. I'm strong but human.
Please read my writings on the BTB site and go online to see my interview on MSNBC Lock Up titled "Sticks and Stone."
Peace to all,
Christopher Trotter
D-306 #862556
P.O Box 1111
Carusle, IN 47838
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Replies (3)
Just saw your episode on MSNBC earlier this evening. What struck me most was when you said people take things for granted and how you appreciated the simple things...a glass of cold ice water and a sliver of a window where you could see the sky, moon and stars after being in solitary confinement for ten years. I wondered while watching what one would do daily in that situation. I myself know I'd go crazy. I respected your ability to maintain your head and still come out a positive strong person. People on the outside do care for people such as yourself. Everyone makes mistakes...some more than others and many are lucky never to get caught. I think your sentence is extreme and I just and hope you are able to appeal or get it overturned. People in prison need to be rehabilitated and built up....not treated like numbers or animals. Showing respect and educating ... Positive reinforcement is the only way. Keep your head up Mr. Trotter and I pray your life turns out as it should.
Peace,
J.C
I'm Patricia Shelton A friend of Christopher Trotter.
I'm writing today as plea of justice/freedom for Chris to all of you that send encouraging words and sentiment.
Chris needs people in his life not only to write but to take action in his call for freedom/release from the belly of the beast that he was unfairly sentenced to, see him as your son/daughter walking down the hallway at school trying to get to class before the bell sounds but notices a fellow classmate being bullied or mistreated by another student or teacher. OK! as I was raised my inner conscience will take place and hear the words of my parents say if you see someone being hurt or in danger step up and help out it's the right thing to do. Your Son/Daughter just did and trying to keep the classmate from any further abuse, things are getting out of hand before you know it the whole school is in a uproar. Judge I was just trying to help! it's my senior year of high school! I'll be going to college soon! I have big plans for my life, no one was killed or placed in a wheelchair for the rest of they'er lives they get to go home and prosper. Judge says you are a disgrace to society and I sentence you to 142 years case closed. Hey free world! Christopher Trotter has served not only his time but he has served our country in the United States Armed Forces, Christopher deserves a second chance of life, he sure has helped save mine.
Please stand with me in getting Christopher's call for release out to the rest of the world to hear/help.
We don't want this to become one of our loved ones possibly making a wrong turn in life and then being judge to serve a sentence that none of us could bare.