Necessary Blackness Podcast sat down with Aunt of Elijah Nichols, Kindra Nichols for an exclusive one on one interview. This is the first time the family has spoken out about the injustice faced by their loved one. Elijah Nichols promising career as a football star was derailed after he had to defend himself at a white frat party against 3 aggressors. The 18-year old was attending college and was a proud father to a newborn baby before being handed a 45 year sentence.

The sentencing of Elijah Nichols is a tragedy and reeks with racist implication from Judge Joey Showwalter, who sentenced Dustin Lee Moore, who attended the same school, to 2 months for killing a student during a hazing. However, Elijah will have to serve a 45 year suspended sentence for defending himself against 3 white students at a frat party. Mr. Showwalter seems to always use his discretion coupled with leniency when the defendant is White but, impose the maximum amount of sentence to Black defendants. When a freshman was busted on campus for selling marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine, Mr. Showwalter used the mercy of the court despite the defendant being found with $25,000 in cash and a 9mm gun which was found during a search of his on-campus apartment.

Judge Joey Showalter is known for holding fundraisers and speaking on behalf go local and state Republican candidate and is a staunch support of President Donald Trump. Many believe the sentencing of Elijah to 45 years is symbolic to Trump being the 45th President of the United States.

We are asking for everyone to sign the petition and to help in the family fundraising efforts to bring Elijah home.

Petition: https://www.change.org/p/ralph-s-northam-justice-for-elijah-nichols

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/n5h2p-attorney-fees-for-elijah-nichols