Justice for Dashonn

juries.

Rafuse appeared in Windsor court June 23 and received a conditional release on his own $1,000 non-cash recognizance. The Crown did not oppose his release. He is due in court July 25 for election and plea. The protest will occur at 9:30 a.m. that day, States said.

“Andrew was released from custody, and the Crown prosecutor did not even try to oppose his release. He did not even ask for a show cause hearing. It was difficult to tell whether he represented Dashonn/Windsor or (the defendant) Andrew,” said States, in an email, about why she’s upset.

States said she feels the Crown is biased against her son and their family because of previous run-ins with the law.

“Both of my children, my black children, have been through the court system,” said States. “Both of my children were denied bail; again on less serious offenses. He went hard on my kids when he prosecuted them. I expected him to do the same with Andrew.”

In a previous interview with the Journal- Advertiser, Dashonn States’ cousin, Amber Roy, said he was turning his life around after spending time in jail.

“It seems to me, when he came out of jail, he really turned his life around and had a different perspective. He was the same happy-go-lucky, live freely every day person, but he just seemed to be more passionate about certain things and realized a lot of things,” Roy said.

He had his sights set on becoming a mechanic and settling down and raising a family, she said.

States said she hopes the protest will show the Crown and court system that they are willing to fight for justice.

“…We are willing to fight for justice for Dashonn. We’re not just going to sit back and be silent while... anyone makes a half-hearted, sluggish attempt on this case,” said States.

“Dashonn’s life mattered.”