The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Nathan K. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Observe - Judicial Trial
This report strikes close to home. Approximately four years ago my cousin Kevin DeMott was accused of attempted armed robbery. He had been in and out of juvenile detention for about three years prior to this incident and had been diagnosed with several mental illnesses. Although Kevin was still a minor he was charged as an adult and convicted.
It was an enormous shock to my whole family. Kevin was placed in a high security prison in Lapeer County. About a year later he began being shifted around a lot. The Michigan Department of Corrections moved him to several prisons during the course of his incarceration. These frequent changes became a source of great frustration for his loved ones.
After being verbally provoked for many days at one of the prisons, Kevin lost his temper and struck one of the officers. This action brought him back before the court and so began my attendance at many legal hearings.
The court charged him with malicious actions against an officer of the state of Michigan. Because my aunt (Kevin’s mom) spoke passionately about how Kevin was mistreated behind bars, MDOC wanted to get him out of the prison system and annul the wrong that had been done.
After many court hearings, and an appearance before the parole board, he was released. Before adjourning, the judge gave Kevin a warning. Kevin was told that if he messed up, the judge would prosecute him to the full extent of the crime he had committed.
After being released Kevin did well, although his adjustment was a struggle. He found a job after a few months and it lasted about three weeks. Kevin missed the structured schedule that he had had in prison and asked to be put back in jail. He was admitted but ended up tearing up his cell and attempted to assault an officer. That incident brought about a preliminary hearing, and I attended it. My mother testified on Kevin’s behalf and here is what she said:
"Your Honor, I am Kevin's Aunt Janet. I stand before you today asking for your kind consideration in dealing with him. Truly Kevin was acting improperly when he destroyed property and assaulted an officer in the Branch County Jail several weeks ago. We are extremely sorry that that situation took place and offer our apologies for any harm the officer may have incurred.
"Kevin is a hard wording, respectful young man who has made tremendous progress in all areas of his life over the last two years. Although he has had many situations where he has lost control of himself, these have become fewer as he has worked diligently to take control of his emotions. I have been actively involved with him; writing to him and visiting him while he was incarcerated, and having him in my home when he was released. He is extremely intelligent and hard working and I believe that God has a special calling upon his life, along with many others, as well as Kevin himself. However, he needs the opportunity to have the professional and spiritual help that he will receive at such a place as Pine Rest, if you would see fit to place him in a program like that. He will not receive these opportunities in the prison setting, as we have already witnessed.
"On the other hand, Kevin has stated to me in the last weeks he was having a very difficult time adjusting to being out of the prison after years of being incarcerated. A program such as this would also give him an opportunity to gradually work his way into the general population. Thank you for your consideration of Kevin’s future. It’s my hope that you will see Kevin as I do – a bright young man with hope for a fulfilling and productive future – given the needed help to develop his abilities to cope with his illness."
The judge was very open to what was said in the testimony and stated that he would do all in his power to help Kevin.
Kevin's experiences have given me an eye-opening look into the judicial system and how it deals with people facing complex situations.
