I am writing from a cell in the California prison system, not to ask for an excuse, but to ask for mercy and common sense in the name of justice. Sixteen years ago, I made mistakes that led to a prison sentence. Following an incident at my property, I was convicted of nonviolent offenses: being a felon in possession of an unloaded firearm, receiving stolen property and failure to appear. Most heartbreaking of all, my partner is fighting Stage 4 cancer without the support of her primary caregiver. Today, I am asking the court and the District Attorney to exercise the mercy and compassion the law permits.