“We don’t get how we are all tied to the prison industrial complex. Nobody’s out.” – Mariame Kaba, interviewed by Mahogany L. Browne, 2019
Having a conversation with a political prisoner would be rare under any circumstance, but considering Jay Burton has been wrongfully convicted for 36+ years, the dialogue facilitated by this article is a testament to modern ingenuity and revolutionary spirit. Be sure to follow Jay’s freedom campaign on Instagram @Freedom4JayBurton and support his previously published books at the links provided.
The value of words is often misconstrued by the constant sensory blitz of the internet, television, cell phones, and social media algorithms.
However, to a political prisoner like Jay Burton, every word is a lifeline that carries his freedom dreams. None is taken for granted.
Instead of your typical back and forth, the contents of this article have been stitched together from multiple discussions and correspondence between the authors.
So how best to frame the injustice that has stolen Jay Burton from his community, his loved ones, and challenged the fullness of his humanity?
Let him tell you himself.
Scott Scheffer: So Jay, you were framed up at 16 by L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies that were a part of one of the many gangs in the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department (the Lynwood Vikings), can you tell us some of the details of how they cooked up evidence against you and the lack of a fair trial?
Jay Burton: There are many facts surrounding my 1989 arrest. On July 18, 1989, I was arrested for a burglary that I participated in with a couple of friends. They got away, but I was caught in the act of burglarizing a car. I was sent to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, California, where I remained until Sept. 28, 1989.
During the summer of 1989, as I was fighting the burglary case in juvenile court, I was subsequently bound over to adult court to face murder and five attempted murder charges. Never once had I been officially charged with the murder and attempted murder; however, I was convicted in June of 1990 of all counts, one murder and five attempted murders.
At my trial, there was an informant who testified that lead detectives Ronald Sale and Dale Christensen were members of the Lynwood Vikings, a L.A. County Sheriff’s Department gang. The informant testified that he was on drugs, and he was trying to work a deal with the prosecution because he was fighting several cases while being held in the Los Angeles County Jail. Part of the informant’s job was to testify that he saw me get out of a car that was allegedly used in a gang drive-by shooting.
However, during my 1990 trial, the informant recanted all of his previous testimony. Meaning he admitted the inaccuracy of everything he had previously testified to during my trial. He had admitted that he was only informing for the prosecution so he could get a lesser sentence and get out of his own trouble.
This made it clear in front of the jury that he was lying about ever telling the detectives that he saw me in the car after the shooting occurred.
The District Attorney came up with a story stating that the informant was scared to testify against me. Despite the shaky informant, their argument hinged on a piece of physical evidence they claim contains the fingerprint of my left ring finger, the grip of an AK-47.
My trial attorney never once asked for a copy of the photographic evidence the DA claimed. Never questioned its authenticity. Nothing.
So basically, the Lynwood Vikings made a false narrative that I was just another gang banger who shot at a rival gang, the DA manufactured false evidence that they claim shows my fingerprint on the alleged murder weapon, and it was never proven at trial that the gun they claim even did the crimes they convicted me of.
And, for the record, I am 100% sure that the fingerprint on the murder weapon does not belong to me. But I can only prove that if the L.A. Sheriff’s Department or the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office turns over the fingerprint itself, which they have failed to do for over 36 years.
I continue to maintain my innocence despite the falsified features of my trials.
Scott: We’ve learned that during your long incarceration, you’ve studied law and become someone that other inmates rely on for legal help. Can you talk about that a little bit for our readers?
Jay: During the years of my incarceration, I have become an advocate for social justice. I have become what they call a “jailhouse lawyer” and have successfully filed post-conviction appeals for other prisoners. I’ve also settled civil lawsuits against the state for the housing conditions I am subjected to.
To put it plainly, I have become a threat to the establishment because I refuse to conform to the slavery I’ve been condemned to.
Scott: Can you give us some details about the punishment you’ve endured at the hands of the prison administration during the 36-plus years of your incarceration? Do you think your time has been impacted by your political awareness?
Jay: Because I took on the path to help prisoners and to fight against an unjust system, I have been treated like a target to be disposed of. I previously was forced to serve some 9 years in solitary confinement.
Yes, I have spent time in solitary for disciplinary reasons as well. I am probably what is considered a “program failure” in prison. Not that I am bragging about being a program failure, I refuse to conform to a system built on oppression.
Scott: As supporters spread the word about your case, what do you think is the most important message we need to tell people?
Jay: That no 16-year-old child should ever be sitting behind bars for decades, guilty or innocent. Do not allow this prison, a state-sanctioned killing factory, to continue this theft of my life, my freedom, and my humanity. I want to go home and be with my family. HELP ME. #FreeJayBurton Follow my campaign for freedom @Freedom4JayBurton
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