Chavez
Yvonne Chavez isn't asking for any gifts, much less mercy. This Highland Park resident seeks for her brother, Antonio Chavez, and his friend, José Beltrán, to receive what any human being wants when accused of a crime: for the evidence to be reviewed and justice to be served.
It has been 27 years since both men were accused of the murder of another young Latino. Yvonne maintains that from the outset, the charges were fabricated, and numerous pieces of evidence indicating others' guilt were overlooked: witnesses, coerced statements, and fabrication of evidence.
"The police and detectives tried to reduce it to a gang problem when my brother didn't belong to any," says Yvonne.
At the time, she was only 14 years old and unaware of what was happening around her. Her family's silence didn't help her understand what was going on. It took several years before she began to uncover what was happening and many of the new pieces of evidence she now holds: people in the neighborhood who refused to speak out of fear of reprisal, coerced statements, and a silence surrounding the case that condemned her brother and his friend to a life behind bars.
Since then, her purpose in life has been to fight until the new evidence is reviewed, the inconsistencies in the evidence under which they were convicted are exposed, and they receive the justice they deserve. Their case is in a long line of cases subject to review in the City Prosecutor's Office; reaching an evaluation could take years. But considering the backgrounds outlined in the petition, Antonio and José's case deserves urgent attention from the authorities.
Some politicians have listened to Yvonne, as have some organizations and community members, but it's not enough.
Let's show our support by signing this petition urging George Gascon's office to expedite this case that has been accepted and under review since March 2021. There are numerous cases being reviewed, but the lack of legal representation and resources for Antonio has caused delays. If not for Antonio and Jose, for the victim's mother's repeated pleas for them to be released.
Yvonne appreciates the Conviction Integrity Unit's attention to the case, but emphasizes that after 27 years, it is crucial for a review to take place.
Cases of wrongful convictions are not resolved thirty or forty years later with monetary compensation or the making of a Hollywood movie. This story is not a happy one; let's make it understood that Latinos deserve the same treatment and care in the judicial process as someone with money and influential lawyers. Yvonne's voice must be heard.
Antonio and Jose have been separated from their family for 27 years due to LAPD CRASH and LADA’s Hard Core Gang Unit’s corrupt practices in the 1990s. The police unjustly framed them with fabricated evidence instead of conducting a thorough investigation, neglecting crucial evidence and witnesses who could have proven their innocence. The newly obtained 911 dispatch audio strongly supports their claim of innocence. This plea is not meant to criticize the current LAPD or LADA but to urge them to rectify a past injustice. LAPD has a well-documented history of racial profiling within its ranks. For those interested, look into Mario Rocha B180415’s case in the same neighborhood, marred by racial profiling. LAPD CRASH knowingly and willingly framed innocent youth for crimes they didn’t commit and falsely labeled them as gang members to fit the narrative. Mario was eventually exonerated after nearly ten years, with the help of a pro bono law firm. We acknowledge the ongoing efforts of the LADA Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), reviewing over 100 cases with many others warranting further examination. We urge Gascon and other relevant authorities to provide the CIU with the necessary resources to enhance their positive impact. While appreciating their work, the imperative to address our situation promptly is crucial based on the available evidence. I urge everyone to share and sign to expedite a thorough review of the new evidence and damning evidence of official misconduct.
There is no conceivable way that Antonio or Jose are guilty. The evidence is clear, and there are witnesses who can corroborate their alibi, their innocence. 27 years wrongly incarcerated is a terrible injustice. Free Antonio! Free Jose!
I am signing this because i believe Antonio and Jose deserve justice. Antonio was stripped away from a life outside bars. He is innocent and deserves to live the life he should have lived before he was wrongfully convicted. We not only seek justice for Antonio, but for the victims family. They deserve to know who the real killer was.
My uncle Antonio and Jose should be home. We need everyone’s help to bring their case the attention it needs.
I am signing this petition in support of a friend who has been fighting for his life for 27 years despite the fact that he is innocent. Tony is a very humble and thoughtful man who wants to go home to his family. He is very considerate of others feelings. His fight is to go home and take care of his parents and enjoy his family who have supported him through his ordeal.
I have known Antonio since he was 8 years old. His family is hars working migrants. I’ve also known Jose when he was a teenager. Both were youths known in our community. I also knew the deceased boy who was friends with my youngest son. This violence and injustice impacted many families, including mine. I often think of them as I am privileged to have most of my son’s still with me, but Antonio’s, Jose’s and the victim’s mothers do not. Right this injustice 27 years is too long.
Quiero que mi hijo Antonio vuelve a casa. Lo necesito conmigo.
I am signing because it’s the right thing to do. Our community needs to stand together in unity for this case.
I would like to see justice prevail.
It is time my nephew gets justice himself and gets to go home to his family that has been waiting for him all these years.
I work in resentencing and mitigation and am an impacted family member. I have clients who are wrongfully convicted and know what it does to families. The lack of accountability and transparency of these matters and the overarching CJ system inflicts pain and injustice to the communities for generations to come.
I am signing to bring awareness to this case that took the lives and justice from both boys who were wrongfully prosecuted and convicted. It’s an injustice to them and their families, as well as to their families.
Because I believe in my heart Antonio and Jose are innocents.
I believe him to be innocent of this crime
Tony and Jose are innocent. I grew up with Tony and his family since we were kids. I know all the families who were (are) affected by this grave injustice and corruption by LAPD. Our Latino community needs help. We have been racially profiled and disregarded since our existence and it’s time everyone rallies for our loved ones. Tony and Jose are innocent, they never deserved to spend a day in prison, nevertheless, 27 years.
I am signing because Antonio was denied his right to a fair trial and deserves to have the evidence reviewed.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” Let’s bring these men home.
I believe the criminal justice system needs to be reformed and held accountable for its past wrongs and the way investigations were done.
Fre my friend Tony he is innocent
Free Tony and Jose they are innocent.
Justice!
Antonio and Jose are innocent and they need to be free!! We need Justice asap and they need to go home!
There is not substantial evidence for the conviction of Antonio Chavez and José Beltrán.
My uncle tony is innocent. I watch my mom tirelessly work on his case every opportunity she gets and still raises me and my younger brother all by herself while working a full time job. This injustice system not only victimized my uncle and his friend, Jose, they also revictimized the victim’s family and surviving victims because they are also living our same nightmare. I want LAPD and the District Attorney to do right by our community, by me and my brothers. We too are affected by it, we have to watch our mom go through the mental and physical burden, she misses out on invaluable time with us too. As kids we deserve better and we deserve our uncle to be with us. My mom is raising us by herself while doing everything she can for us and him.
Jóse and Antonio deserve freedom & justice.
Everyone deserves a fair trial and thorough consideration when accused of a crime
Because I want my friend have her Son at home.
My uncle and his friend are innocent and need to come home. I need him to play basketball with and do things with him as a family. Im 13 years and I need my uncle. I know about his case and my mom went to school with the victim his cousin, and i know his mom misses her son. She is nice. This is not right. Free my uncle and Jose
This is unfair and he deserves a new investigation
It is wrong for a man to be wrongfully convicted for a crime where there is overwhelming evidence of his innocence.
This has been an injustice for too long. The evidence proves their innocence!
I believe he is innocent.
Injustice for members of our community! We need this cased to be reviewed and the facts will set Antonio and Jose justice.
I am signing because I want justice!
I believe them to be innocent of the crime.
My friend would never take a life that’s not who he is
Antonio is a really good guy. He is a very friendly, funny, caring, and respectful guy.
He deserves to be free.
I am signing because Antonio has been incarcerated 27 years now for a crime he did NOT commit! He needs to be set free.
I am signing because I believe he is innocent.
Justice needs to be served. These men will have to live with this trauma for the rest of their lives for a tragedy they are completely innocent of. No one is asking for a free get out of jail pass, we are asking that the old and newly found evidence be reviewed and scrutinized so that Antonio and Jose receive their freedom back so that justice is truly served…
I am signing because when we look up the cost of incarceration in Northeast LA on Million Dollar Hoods, we see: $640,334 in Glassell Park $500,362 in Montecito Heights $433,938 in Cypress Park $286,381 in Atwater Village $627,463 in Eagle Rock and over 2 million dollars ($2,087407) in Highland Park. We deserve justice for our loved ones who are wrongfully convicted, we deserve justice for our families, we deserve justice for our community! A future without mass incarceration starts today.
I believe they are wrongfully convicted and have the support of the community when they are released
I am signing because both of them deserved a fair and just trial! There lives have been placed on hold and taken from their families because of dirty cops!
Justice needs to be done in this case. I definitely support this cause. There’s an issue and after so many years of incarceration they should be top priority, I stand by their advocacy.
I am deeply troubled by the unjust conviction and decades-long imprisonment of two innocent men. I demand a thorough examination of their cases due to the disregard for justice and potential threat to public safety posed by the true perpetrator remaining at large, while they unjustly serves a life sentence for a crime they didn’t commit. Correct this grave miscarriage of justice and restore hope to them and their families.
Jose and Antonio are innocent and need to be freed now.
I have read 1,100 pages of trial transcript and numerous national magazine articles showing that my husband was factually wrongfully convicted by corrupt police and a notorious DA out of Mobile, Alabama. I know from firsthand research and experience that wrongful convictions do happen, ESPECIALLY to minorities, and that it’s time we, as a society, hold the people responsible accountable. There is no more room in 2024 for quick to convict, slow to review. Innocent lives are being taken by a corrupt and reckless system. Mrs. Coleman Founder & Director of Advocacy Justice for Leonard Coleman Campaign
I am signing because I believe everyone deserves a second chance specially when it’s a wrongful conviction.
Because I hate that things like this happens and nobody does nothing about it
I am a reformed man myself
Signing because I know what it’s like for somebody to be innocent until proven guilty my son is sitting in prison for 15 years for not speaking up on his friends and. But he now realizes those same friends I call you bro will be the same ones leaving you to take the fall. He’s taking accountability for his own actions for things that he did in his past #freevonni
He deserves justice!!!!!!
I am signing this because my cousin is innocent. Anyone innocent should not be behind bars. He deserves to be free from this grave injustice.
…
He deserves justice
Family support
I support justice.
Justice needs to be served
Tony and his friend need justice. I remember growing up with Tony’s sisters and he was such a loving brother.
I am signing because i believe the evidence did not point to him and he is innocent and deserves his freedom.
I am signing because I seen it first hand what injustice feels like. The innocent deserve a voice. And this petition helps give them the voice they deserve.
I believe everyone should be given the opportunity to have all the evidence reviewed in a timely manner when there is question about wrongdoing and suppression of information and evidence.
I’m signing this petition because I believe that Antonio and José did not receive a fair trial. It is disheartening to see that the ethnicity of the victim can sometimes determine the level of concern in these cases. When there is more evidence pointing to innocence rather than guilt, it is crucial for a thorough investigation to take place. This case was closed in a matter of days. Antonio and José were unfairly taken from a private residence and subjected to a questionable lineup without proper evidence. It is troubling that crucial evidence was mishandled by the authorities, putting them at a disadvantage during their trial. They were not given the presumption of innocence that they deserved, and their right to a fair trial was denied. The timeline and physical evidence clearly demonstrates their complete innocence. Thank you for your support and advocacy for those who have been unjustly imprisoned. With deep admiration, gratitude, and hope for a future with zero wrongful convictions. Please Mr. Gascón, Free José & Antonio, and all the wrongfully convicted! In solidarity, B.D
Es tiempo de detener las injusticias
I believe it’s time that we acknowledge the victims of a broken system.
I’m signing because Wrongfully Convictions do exist and this case is one of them – Justice for Antonio and Jose! Enough with corrupt system ! Had this been there loved ones I’m sure they wouldn’t appreciate it either and would be fighting for there voices to be heard ! These two men and there family have endured enough! It’s time too welcome home both Antonio & Jose home with there loving families! Justice !
Wrongful convictions are a threat to our society. It’s beyond clear that this case was grossly mishandled and needs review.
I feel they where wrongful convinced
I support.
I know that police lie and fabricate stories to close a case . We know Jose & Antonio are innocent . Los Angeles county is known for wrongfully accusing and convicting black and brown communities .
My husband was also convicted for a crime he did not commit for 12 years now, since the age of 15. This story resonates to the core, because there were also u just and coerced details that are part of his conviction. This is in hope to bring those wrongfully convicted some Justice and freedom.
Because this is a typical case of Latinos not being well-represented and in 2024, STILL, being racially profiled. With this type of evidence (and much less), a white person would NEVER have seen more than a day in jail.
Because I would like to see this innocent man and his friend come home soon!!!!
Wrongfully accused
I am signing because Antonio is my cousin and he deserves justice for being wrongfully convicted. I was robbed on getting to know him and all that time is never going to come back. He deserves to be free and the victims family deserves justice to find out who the real killer is.
Tony and Jose deserve justice!
I believe In fairness and the innocence of Tony Chavez
I am signing this petition because he was in my apartment in front of my face along with Jose when this shooting happened. They are innocent!!
Tony is innocent and needs to be home! We need justice
I believe that they are innocent and deserve to come home to their family and their community.
Tony is innocent and needs to be home! We need justice
No innocent people should be in prison.