The Prentiss Banks lll Defense Fund

In 1991, Mr. Banks was convicted of felony murder and robbery special circumstance for his role in a robbery that resulted in the death of a victim. No witness could identify Mr. Banks as the gunman nor a participant in the heist during his trial. No conclusive evidence was used to prove he was the murderer.

The jury was not informed that he required the intent to kill to be found guilty of aiding and abetting a murderer, nor that he could only be found guilty if he'd been a key participant in the heist and acted with reckless disregard for human life. As an 18-year-old first-time offender with no criminal history, the prosecution presented and pursued Mr. Banks in the most aggressive hostile manner permitted by law.

Mr. Banks has spent 32 years of his life in prison, serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, and we believe he has served time more than the terms of his criminal charge. The Prentiss Banks III Defense Fund, which is reaching out to the community, is now supporting Mr. Banks' legal defense. We, as a community, are now aware of the deep roots of injustice in our legal system, and we jointly think that no man, woman, or child should be denied or denied legal counsel because they cannot afford it.

Mr. Banks has requested that any remaining funds from his legal defense be donated to charities such as The Marjaree Mason Center, which helps single mothers and children who have been victims of domestic abuse.