Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Sunday, July 17, 2011

Juvenile killer granted clemency released from prison | granted, released, juvenile - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

Juvenile killer granted clemency released from prison | granted, released, juvenile - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

The last time Charles Limbrick Jr. walked without shackles, he was a child.

Now he’s a free man.

Limbrick, one of the youngest killers in Colorado Springs’ history, was released from prison earlier this month after nearly 23 years behind bars — ending a grueling effort to free him by lawyers, politicians and the man who oversaw his prosecution.

“I thought frankly, he’d probably have a better chance at integration into society at 37 ... than 55,” said John Suthers, Colorado’s Attorney General and the 4th Judicial District Attorney when Limbrick was convicted.

“I thought it was a fairly appropriate case to consider commutation.”

At the age of 14, Limbrick waited in his house with a .357-caliber gun. He pulled the trigger when his mother walked through the front door of their house near Mitchell High School.

Suthers said Limbrick and a friend planned to run away in September 1988 and hatched the murder plot so Betty Limbrick wouldn’t follow them.

The murder was “a heinous crime, very meditated,” Suthers said, and one based off of “kind of naïve juvenile logic.”

It was also unexpected.

Limbrick didn’t have a criminal past. Hours before he shot his mother in the hand and head, Limbrick gave a speech at his school, vying for class president.

“It was very clear that Chuck was a pretty bright young man,” Suthers said.

Suthers became one of Limbrick’s staunchest advocates for early release. Limbrick was sentenced to life in prison in June 1989 with the possibility of parole, and at age 15, was the youngest person in an adult correctional facility.

Limbrick kept a good record in prison and became active in prison ministry, sang in the prison choir and recorded Christian music CDs.

Volunteers in the prison said “absolutely wonderful things” about Limbrick, Suthers said.

Former Gov. Bill Owens offered Limbrick the first hope of early release, giving the man a limited commutation in December 2006. Four years later, out-going Gov. Bill Ritter wiped away the rest of his sentence.

Limbrick was released on July 1.

“For a 15-year-old that commits murder, 22, 23 years is a long time,” Suthers said. “And I suspect if he’s going to make it, this is a good time to let him have a shot at it.”


4 comments:

WendeeWoo18 said...

This young man should have been made to say why he ambushed his poor mother when she got home from work (to support him by the way)...Why did he murder his own mom?? He would have to be sick in the head to pull a gun on her. What was he thinking @ the time?? Before releasing him back into society, he should have been forced to finally tell the truth. I hope they aren't making a big mistake by releasing this juvenile delinquent way too soon. If anyone else is harmed, their blood in on "their" hands...shame...

Unknown said...

Im speechlis this is a sad story an he still a scumbagg rather hes free r not im still upset for what he did to his mom in 88,But hope hes a better person wit his blessing of fredom...

Unknown said...

Karma will get the scumbag just rely on God willing, and karma

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord that He is the One who forgives us of our sins daily and allows each day to be a new day and a clean start. ! John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God is faithful in His word (1 John v. 10) and righteous in the blood of Jesus His Son (v. 7). His word is the word of the truth of His gospel (Eph. 1:13), which tells us that He will forgive us our sins because of Christ (Acts 10:43); and the blood of Christ has fulfilled His righteous requirements that He might forgive us our sins (Matt. 26:28). If we confess our sins, He, according to His word and based on the redemption through the blood of Jesus, forgives us because He must be faithful in His word and righteous in the blood of Jesus; otherwise, He would be unfaithful and unrighteous. Our confession is needed for His forgiveness. Such forgiveness of God, which is for the restoration of our fellowship with Him, is conditional; it depends on our confession. We are not here to judge others but to love all of God's people as Christ loves us. Christ is the only Righteous One.
Charles Limbrick Jr. John 1:12 says:But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name.
Go in peace. If you have confessed with your mouth, believed in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and received God in your heart to be your life and Savior...you have been saved and the blood of Jesus has freed you from all sin....you have been forgiven. He has showed you mercy and fine grace. Hallelujah. Such a testimony you have. PRAISE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST