My Name is ZACHARY PETTUS. I am currently in a California State Prison serving a “Life Sentence” for 1st degree murder. I have been in this nightmare of a situation for over 20 years.
In 1983 at the age of 19, I was wrongfully arrested in Orange County California for murder. A few months later I was convicted of the crime. I was convicted of this crime with NO REAL OR SOLID EVIDENCE, just the bias of an unfair justice system, trying to close another crime that they didn’t want to fully investigate. In this situation, I became the victim.
Before this whole ordeal I was just a young kid attended school hoping to be the next great something, a dream of many teens. However, my dream and dreams turned into a very long crazy and wild nightmare.
As a native of Cincinnati, Ohio I had only been in California for a little over 3 months before I was arrested. As a teen I had never been arrested or had any contact with the law. This is why I refer to my situation as a nightmare.
Although I have been wrongfully incarcerated for such a long time, I have started and been involved in many programs in the correctional system. I try to stay positive despite my present situation. My staying focused and positivity has been with the help of some very good friends and loving family. My immediate hope is to end this crazy ordeal and situation and return to a life of FREEDOM. Meanwhile I will continue to remain positive and make the best of my present situation as possible.
I hope that if you are reading this, you will be understanding and willing to speak out and stand up for what is right. There are many victims of this crime besides myself. There is the lady that lost her life, her family and friends, and my family and friends. Each day we all suffer because the real perpetrator of this crime was allowed to go free.
I would like to close with these words: “LIFE WILL HAVE MANY STREETS AND ROADS, TRAVEL THEM WITH A GOOD HEART AND LOVE”.
THANK YOU
ZACHARY PETTUS
Ps) Please feel free to write me. I will read each letter and write you back. If you can assist me in anyway, please read my information on this web site, especially the article by Dan Yount and my Facts Sheet.
Again I thank you.
ZACHARY PETTUS, D-03315
FACILITY C-1-129
P. O. BOX 5246
CORCORAN, CA. 93212