My name is John Keith. I am a professor who teaches astrophysics at the University of Louisiana. I have a double major in cosmology and architectural engineering which I attained upon my graduation in December of 1940. There are many who are judged by the color of their skin and may have a misconception of what that person may be capable of. Through my hardships and successes, I hope to become a shining example to not just the black community, but the society which also chose to believe that colored people do not have equal rights or opportunities.
As I have inspired many people throughout my life, Jefferson had intentions to get a degree in the same field as I did. He first began college in August 1946 as a freshman. Though Jefferson was a very quiet individual, he aspired to be someone great, to a degree that even non-colored people would see that African Americans should have the same respect as anyone else. Jefferson was amongst the brightest students in my class while remaining an average of a 4.18 GPA.
With Jefferson's inspiration and personality, I do not believe that Jefferson would have been the one to plan the murder. However, the jury already founded him guilty and is sentenced to death. Knowing this, I am not writing this letter to you to release him, but to alleviate the magnitude of the punishment and choose to keep him in prison for the remainder of his life. I deeply ask of you to consider those who you will hurt if they execute him.
Sincerely,
John Keith
