Casey looks to bring light into the world

Casey Harper grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating from North High School in 1988. A long downward spiral with drugs led him all over the western U.S., and ultimately to selling drugs in Arizona. A drug fueled, multi-state theft spree in 1994 from Wall Drug in South Dakota, through Wyoming and Colorado, and finally to northern Arizona ended in the worst moment of Casey's life when he was pulled over and ultimately shot a police officer. 

The officer recovered and was back on the force until his retirement; he is still alive today. 

Casey was convicted in 1995 of attempted murder with the enhanced charge because it was a police officer, and sentenced to 20 years. All of this was a just and correct sentence for his crime. He served 100 percent of his sentence on Sept. 5, 2015. 

Within that time, on Aug. 9, 2010, Casey's mother, Diane, took her own life. Casey's mother was his touchstone, his best friend, and Casey was not allowed a furlough to attend his mother's funeral. 

Now Casey's father, pictured at left, above, has turned 70, and Casey wants to spend time with his dad while he can. 

Casey is now in prison (serving time in Iowa since his transfer in 1997) on the consecutive charges of theft. One conviction was for 16 years, and one for 3. It's now two years into his longer conviction, and he is eligible to apply for clemency just on that charge. Then he would have to serve two years of the three year sentence before being able to apply for clemency on that charge. 

After 22 years, getting out in another four may not seem so bad. 

Casey has steadily worked while in prison, has been a leader of inmate council and other organizations. He has done art and woodwork throughout his years. He mentors younger inmates. He has completed certification in several computer programs, including Microsoft Office. He has run the hobby shop, worked on maintenance, worked as a steward, and held other jobs during his sentence. He's read hundreds of books and done all he could to educate himself while in prison. He is a fantastic correspondent and has inspired many people with his optimism. He continues to study restorative justice through the works of Howard Zehr. If there's a charity run or similar event in his prison, he always participates.  

He describes himself as "generally a happy guy" despite his diagnosis of bipolar disorder. 

Now 47, Casey's back and knees are giving him issues, and his health is not what it could be. He used to run during yard time, but has fewer opportunities to do so. He generally lives minimally as there are not that many supporters who are able to send him money. He often does not have a coat, boots, decent shoes so that he spends weeks in the winter never going outside. 

The money raised will be held in trust until Casey and his supporters find the right lawyer to help navigate the system and petition for his release, whether on parole, through clemency, or through gaining early release. Remember, he is held on theft charges from the burglaries he committed on his way through the western states to deliver drugs, money and jewelry to Arizona. The shots fired were devastating, and he served 100 percent of his time, giving up his youth in exchange for the damage he did. 

Please help Casey get released before he turns 50, before time runs out with his father, so he can re-establish relationships with his brothers, so he can replace all the darkness he brought to the world with light from good works and helping others. He still has plenty of energy and marketable skills, and could work perhaps another 20-25 years. 

Funded Justice