To: Governor and the Illinois Parole Board. We the people of the The State of Illinois and nationwide respectfully request that the Illinois Parole Board grant the immediate clemency of Tammy S. Fyke.
In 1985 Tammy Fyke (21) gave birth to Candice who weighed a mere two pounds. At home Candi required around the clock care, hourly feedings and an apnea Brady cardia monitor . After months of sleeping in 30-minute intervals Tammy was exhausted. Her greatest fear was falling sound asleep and failing to hear Candi's monitor. In desperation Tammy began to use the white powder her husband Doug offered to help her stay awake. Later Tammy learned the powder was cocaine and she was addicted. Soon Doug began to sell both cocaine and marijuana to pay for Candi's extensive medical bills because Tammy had been unable to leave Candi and return to work at an insurance company.
Doug's drug deals, through his friend Bobby, upset the local dealers who felt Bobby was hurting their business. The dealers wanted to kill Bobby. Doug and Tammy tried to relocate Bobby out of town to protect him but during the relocation process Bobby reached into his coat for a cigarette and was killed instantly. The shooter believed Bobby was reaching for a gun. Tammy was one of seven people convicted for Bobby's death. She received a 60 year sentence because of a law that held her legally responsible for the shooter.
In prison Tammy has earned a Bachelor Degree in Pastoral Theology, a Bachelor in Christian Education and a Master's of Divinity. Tammy is currently pursing her Doctorate of Divinity. Tammy is the founder and president of NIP Ministries, Inc., a 24 branch ministerial outreach which she chartered in 1999. Tammy is the author of God Whispers and is currently working on two additional manuscripts. She has appeared on Focus 4, and the aspiring women TV. show and given radio interviews. Tammy and Doug are now divorced, she has two children and five grandchildren.
Tammy did not have a jury trial. Her attorney made arrangements for her to enter into a stipulated bench trial. Tammy agreed to this because she wrongly believed that she would still be able to present her evidence. At the actual proceeding Tammy was not allowed to even refute the States evidence. The only evidence against her was a co defendant who had also been charged with first degree murder. In exchange for his testimony he was released after he had testified. There was nothing except his testimony against her.
Tammy's accomplishments from behind bars are outstanding; she is a model minimum security inmate. Daily she reaches out to help others, but now Tammy needs your help. She has served 22 years of the 60 year sentence. Soon she will file a petition for commutation, but without your help Tammy will remain locked away for another seven and a half years. You can help Tammy by simply signing the petition
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