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by Kunta Kinta Green
I’m 37 years old, a husband and father of seven children with two grandkids. On July 15, 2009, I was arrested and charged with second degree murder. Prior to my arrest, I had a very promising future. I was a college student majoring in film, I own and operated Coastal Fence Co., Just Fence It, Price Low Fence Co. and Grave Yard Records, a successful recording studio, in Shreveport, Louisiana. I was very well known in the community for creating jobs and being positive.
On July 14, 2009, the day before my arrest, my wife and daughter, who was only 13 years old, were assaulted by a man. He broke my wife’s nose with his gun in this assault.
We made an incident report with the Shreveport Police Department, and we were assured by SPD this person, who was later identified as Deolandis Johnson, would be arrested for the assault against my wife and daughter. But on the morning of July 15, Deolandis Johnson, aka DJ, a person I did not know nor did he know my wife and kids, followed me to a convenience store where I stop on my way to my job.
I was in my company truck, which has magnetic signs advertising my business and phone number in huge, bright red letters on both doors and on the tailgate. Deolandis Johnson approached my truck and pulled out his gun and began to pull the trigger, aiming at my head, before I returned fire, striking him at least three times. He died from his injuries.
The entire incident was recorded on security cameras, and the video also captured another person by the name of Elmo White tampering with the police investigation before the police arrived on the scene by removing DJ’s gun off of his body to make it seem as if he had no gun. Elmo White is a convicted felon and a possible confidential informant for the Shreveport police. He has never been charged for his actions with any crime by District Attorney Bill Edwards, Judge Ramona Emanuel or the grand jury.
I was indicted for second degree murder and forced by threats to plead guilty to manslaughter because of Elmo White’s actions and the corruption of the officials who handled this case by withholding evidence and turning a blind eye to the reality and seriousness of this case. District Attorney Edwards intentionally withheld evidence – including the video of the incident – to strengthen his indictment of me so that the state of Louisiana could get a conviction.
Edwards told my attorney, Ross Owen, if I did not plead guilty to manslaughter, he would see that I was sentenced to 80 years. So basically, I still lost my case even though I was acquitted on the original charge of second degree murder.
I pled guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 17 years. Now my parents, wife and family have the video of the shooting that the DA withheld.
The photo on this page of me and my beautiful wife, Lawanda Green, was taken about a week before my incarceration. I weighed 230 pounds then, but after being incarcerated and forced to live in poor conditions with only small portions of food, I’ve lost 80 pounds. As I write this letter, I’m in pain. My feet are swollen, and we have poor health care from the nurse.
Clemency campaign
My best chance for freedom is clemency granted by Gov. Bobby Jindal, and I need letters of support from people
- I’ve done business with
- I’ve employed
- I’ve had a professional relationship with
or anyone who has known me in any way. The writer should tell who you are, where you live, how you know me or my family and anything laid on your heart to say in support of my being granted clemency.
Head your letter, “Dear Governor Jindal,” but don’t send it directly to him. Send it to me for inclusion in my clemency application packet. My address is Kunta Kinta Green, 357008, DWCC H2B, 670 Bell Hill Rd, Homer LA 71040.
I close for now with a word of faith: “I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Matthew 25:36
