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.
79 Comments
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!!
Write a Reply or Comment
You should Sign In or Sign Up account to post comment.