George Downey Conviction Appeal Fund

Hello, and thank you in advance for clicking the link. This is a fundraising campaign to help the family of George Downey Jr. raise funds for legal fees necessary to appeal a conviction and an unreasonably harsh prison sentence.

Most people know George as a loving husband, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend. George is a funny guy, always making people laugh and he has a huge smile that lights up the room. In recent years, George and had rediscovered his Christian faith.

After his time as a Tuckahoe Tiger (HS Football and Basketball), George was a student and fraternity member at Johnson & Wales University and a Prince Hall Mason.

In 2013, George moved to Florida looking for a better life and more opportunity for his family. Things were going well, he was enjoying a successful career in auto sales, when his legal nightmare began.

In 2020, George was convicted of a gun charge in Hernando County, Florida, while acting in self-defense. By all accounts, George was poorly represented by his state appointed public defender. His attorney was ill-prepared and failed to mount a vigorous defense on George’s behalf. Although no life was lost, George became a victim of archaic mandatory minimum sentencing laws. George was given the harshest sentence possible, 25 years to life in a Florida State Prison. If George does not win an appeal, and ends up serving his full sentence, he will be a 70-year-old man when he leaves prison.

Passed into law in the 1990s, Florida's “10-20-Life” law requires judges to order mandatory minimum sentences of up to 25 years to life for the commission of certain crimes.

Over the years, many of Florida’s judges have come out against the 10-20-Life law, for its harshness and unintended consequences. The law was a longtime target of criticism for its strict and often excessive mandatory minimum guidelines. It ties judges’ hands, forcing them to hand down strict sentences that they sometimes do not wish to impose on defendants. Even George’s sentencing judge said in open court, “if I had more discretion, George would not be serving 25 years to life…”.

So now, the ONLY hope George Downey has, is to WIN an appeal of his conviction!!!

Historically, these types of mandatory minimums disproportionately effect people of color. Please help us fight this injustice in the USA.

We are a group comprised of George’s family, friends, former classmates, and co-workers, that are trying to raise money for his legal appeal. We do not believe George should be in jail until he’s 70 years old.

Since George has been incarcerated, he’s missing opportunities to support his family when they need him most. His father, George Senior has developed chronic illness. And George was not around to emotionally support his wife around the time of his Stepson’s untimely passing.

We’re asking for your help to raise money for George’s legal fees during this appeal process. We’ve retained one of the best appeals attorneys in the state of Florida, but the fees are expensive.

Please partner with us and help us raise $40,000 for George’s appeal. We’re asking you to CONTRIBUTE and SHARE. Contribute whatever monetary donation you can possibly afford. And PLEASE SHARE this story and fundraising effort via social media…along with the hashtag #FreeGeorge

Please...a man’s life depends on your help!!! Thanks in advance for your generous support. #FreeGeorge