Over the last few months, a petition aimed at freeing Ross Ulbricht from prison has garnered 100,000 signatures. The request addressed to U.S. president Donald Trump and hosted on Change.org explains that Ulbricht deserves clemency because his investigation, trial, and sentencing were rife with abuse.
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After Reaching the Milestone, Ulbricht Petition Now Aims for 150,000 Signatures
Ross Ulbricht is serving a double life sentence plus 40 years for his involvement with the creation of the Silk Road marketplace. Ulbricht has spent the last five years in prison after U.S. law enforcement arrested him on Oct. 1, 2013, at the San Francisco Public Library. Since then, Ulbricht and his family have tried to appeal the judgment with the supreme court system and a post-conviction relief extension, which were both denied. After dealing with the courts last July, the Ulbricht family started a petition on Change.org asking Donald Trump to pardon Ulbricht and allow him to be released from prison. Four months later, Ulbricht’s clemency petition has reached 103,980 signatures and climbing.
Ulbricht’s petition emphasizes many points that explain how the Silk Road investigation and trial showed rampant corruption. For instance, many people to this day question how the government accessed the Silk Road server and seemingly produced warrantless seizures across internet traffic. Then two rogue officers involved with the Silk Road case were caught stealing bitcoins from the government and blatantly covering up evidence. The judge and prosecution also denied Ulbricht’s right to cross-examination and witnesses were barred from testifying. In addition to these issues, further evidence emerged showing many flaws throughout the Silk Road investigation and trial.
Hope for a Second Chance
The appeal to Trump details that the double life sentence for non-violent crimes sends a “shock to the conscience.” “Ross did not get a fair trial and his sentence was draconian — Justice was not served,” the petition notes.
The letter to Trump says that the undersigned seek mercy for Ulbricht and mentions that he has also garnered 100 letters from individuals all around the world speaking on behalf of his character. Ross’s mother Lyn Ulbricht has told news.Bitcoin.com many times in the past that her son’s case affects everyone living in the U.S. “Without fair trials, we are in big trouble — Fair trial is the framework of our freedom,” explained Lyn in an in-depth interview after her son was sentenced to life in prison.
The corruption throughout the entire Silk Road case has gathered a lot of attention and support from people who believe Ulbricht’s arrest and sentence was unjust. Further, there are many trials that have given the American people reason to believe the justice system is broken. However, the Ulbricht family’s petition to the president says Ross still clings to hope of getting a second chance. “A future where he can be reunited with his loved ones, and use his education, knowledge, and skills to give to his community and society as a whole — Please sign this petition and help us bring Ross home,” the appeal concludes.
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Images via Shutterstock, and the Change.org Ross Ulbricht clemency petition.
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