In 1997 Darnell Foxx was a 15 year old kid on the Westside of Chicago. Like many of the kids his age growing up in one of Chicago’s most segregated and disadvantaged communities Darnell had very little understanding of the systemic problem proliferating in his community. Such problems like failing schools, disparate poverty, dysfunctional family structure, and the psychological self hate issues caused by the abundance of drugs, guns and violence. But just because he didn’t understand why his community was like this doesn’t mean he didn’t feel the weight of these conditions impact on his life.
At the young age of 15 Darnell was out running the streets in a gang and fighting in a gang war. Mind you we are not talking about a child soldier in Africa but he was a mislead, misinformed and misused child soldier right here in America.
On 6-24-97 Darnell Foxx killed two people. He was arrested, charged and ultimately convicted then sentenced to a prison term of natural life plus 60 years. Supposedly America has an adult criminal justice system and a juvenile justice system. But depending on the severity and seriousness of the offense juveniles can be charged as adults. Based on Darnell’s experience they can be sentenced as adults. Just barely 18 years old when sentenced, Darnell became one of Illinois “Juvenile Lifers”.
Earlier this year Darnell got his sentence reduced because in 2012 a Supreme Court ruling called into question the practice of imposing life sentences on juveniles. For Darnell it’s been a harrowing journey from the violent streets of Chicago, to committing a horrific tragic crime as a child, to feeling hopeless in Illinois’ worst maximum prison, to getting a chance to redeem his life.
Here’s Darnell’s story in his own words only on the Prisoners Exchange Real “lnsight From The Inside”!
P. E: Tell us how you grew up? You know break it down for us, tell us about your home life, your area, but especially how you ended up out there in the streets the way you were.
Foxx: I grew up in the Austin area on the Westside of Chicago. I was fatherless.. Meaning I never knew my father. My mother began using drugs sometime around the late 80’s – —early 90’s. She has two sisters that helped her raise me and my four siblings. I’m the third child of her three boys and two girls. As my mother’s drug use got worse we had to move around a lot. I remember failing the second grade and moving 8 times before starting sixth grade. I was physically abused growing up. I was whooped with belts, broom sticks, hangers, extension cords and paddles basically anything they could get their hands on.
My mother never held a job so money was tight. That’s why my older brother and I ended up selling drugs and opting for the streets. Out West was rough, I got bullied until I learned how to fight. This was happening before I was ten years old. I fought alot growing up. It was violent so I grew up in violence. The area had drug spots and gun violence. I was just trying to survive, make it through high school, and survive a way that I didn’t become a victim of constant bullying.
P.E: We can relate to how you grew up, so what can you tell us about the day of the murders?
Foxx: The victims in this crime was shot and killed because of a gang war. This was retaliation, people was getting shot on both sides of a gang war. At the time when you lose people in the streets hurt and anger can make you unstable. Being involved in a culture where murder is accepted, you can be fooled into doing something as horrific and tragic as I did. Two people died, one was a pregnant woman and two more got wounded. In my sentencing hearing I apologized to the deceased family members.
P. E: How do you feel about your trial? Was it fair? Didyou understand what was going on the age of 15 until you were eventually convicted at I8?
Foxx: At trial I didn’t feel as though my public defender fought hard enough because of things I’ve learned. I know he could have tried harder to convince the jury that the statement I made against myself was coerced. The statement was the only thing in the way of me beating the charges.
I fought the case for 2 1/2 years and during that whole time was incarcerated in the county jail. I wasn’t fearful of getting a life sentence because I was just as lost in the jail as I was in the streets.
Even though I was a juvenile, the crime was severe enough for me to be tried and sentenced as an adult. I feel like they should have a special extended sentence bracket for juveniles that fit into that category.
Being a juvenile lifer has imposed alot of stress, destructive and suicidal emotions to handle daily. You know you could die in jail being a juvenile lifer.
P. E: What is prison Iike for a juvenile? Tell us about the experience especially how it was for you being a juvenile lifer?
Foxx: On December 20, 1998, I was sentenced to life plus 60 years. I was barely 18 years old. My D.O.B. is Il-I-81. I didn’t cry. I knew the fight had just begun. I always felt like I would get out. No matter how dark my thoughts got I always told myself “do your legal work”. I worked hard. It was rough being a juvenile lifer. I didn’t want to die in jail. So having that life sentence almost gives you an I don’t give a fuck mentality. I ended up in segregation (the hole) for a protest. I spent a year in seg.
Being in Menard C.C. for 14 years has affected me to the point where I feel like I was out of touch with reality and society. Being so young and far away from my family and friends, I didn’t feel connected to my loved ones. Not talking to them or seeing them made me feel disconnected from life. I could have killed myself plenty of times but I just felt like I would get out.
After 19 years I ended up getting a slight blessing on June 6, 2016. I was resentenced to 73 years at 50%. I will never understand why the judge wants me to do 17 more years after hearing my family history, my growth in jail, my apology to the victims and their families, and my future plans. I guess the judge don’t understand punishment.
Interpolative
In 2012 the United States Supreme Court ruled in the case of Miller vs. Alabama that the imposition of a mandatory natural life sentence for juveniles violated the 8th Admendment of the Constitution’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment. Determinig to sentence a minor to a term of life eliminated any chance for the opportunity for rehabilitation. The juvenile mind shouldn’t be judged by the same standards of the adult mind. For more info research: Miller vs. Alabama.
This is the ruling that allowed Darnell to petition the Court for a new sentence–—-
P. E: Tell us about wnen you learned about the Miller case and just how difficult it was to get to the point of actually having your sentence reduced?
Foxx: I felt a little joy! I filed my Post-Conviction petition in 2008 claiming I was illegally arrested. My lawyer ammended it and challenged my sentence in the amended version.
The whole time I was on edge. I was nervous and anxious to get this sky scraper (life sentence), off my back. Not being in control of your future is scary. The Courts are shaky, they don’t aIways go the same way you read the law. So I remained skeptical all the way to the end.
P.E: You have gone from being a youngster in prison to becoming a man in prison. What is that like? Highs and Lows?
Foxx: I’m conflicted because this had to happen to prevent me from creating future destruction and becoming less likely to change for the better. I hate this whole cycle of crime and violence had to happen for me to become a responsible man, but mentally I just don’ t see how this revised sentence is a good memory in my history on Earth. I’m paranoid because death inside prison is real. It can come from the guards killing you or another inmate.
I’ve learned a lot through reading and learning from different people. I learned about Moorish Science and got my G. E. D. I received a certificate in “Thinking For a Change” and “The Impact of Crime On Victims”.
While on the streets I got shot at over 15 times and got shot once when I was 15 years old. While in the county jail I saw gang fights with shanks that reinforces why I’m on high alert for violence or being attacked because I know being off my square can cost me. I relate it to P.T.S.D.
P. E: I understand you still have a lot of time to do (17 1/2 years), that would scare most cats senseless, but considering how much time you’ve already done what are your goals going forward? What do you hope to accomplish?
Foxx: Yeah, the judge wants me to do 17 more years,that’s wild. I already gave them 19.
Since I got out of Menard I will appeal the judge’s decision to give me 73 years. Also get my illegal arrest issue heard. I’m going to try to get some vocational schooling in…
PE: Unfortunately there are no vocational classes at Hill C.C. nor at several other Level-2 (Medium), security prisons.
Foxx: Hopefully I can get a job because in Menard C.C. I was never able to get one.
My plan is to stay busy just in case I don’t get my time reduced, because I don’t need to be stuck in the cell like that doing almost another 20 years.
This jail experience is too harsh on my mental with what my family is going through and not being able to assist them. Along with not being able to get intimate with a woman has been extremely difficult. With 17 more years to do I plan to try my best to keep busy with writing fiction novels, along with schooling and a job hopefully.
PE: Is there anything else you want to address? I’m sure there are young men out there in society who don’t know what all they are risking being in the streets out there. What would you say to a youngster out there toting them guns, or to yourself 19 years ago?
Foxx: I would tell the shorties out there to go to school and do your best. The streets is a dead-end ain’t nothing slick about shooting and killing people who are going through tne same pain you are going through. Ain’t nothing cool about coming to jail. Committing crime is not an activity you should indulge in.
If you think you don’ t have a future or place in this world you are wrong. Work hard and find your place in this world. Even if your clothes are dirty and other kids roast you, just know your future is way brighter if you finish school and possibly go to college. You can be anything just know that and be willing to work hard ass hell to become great. Avoid the streets at all cost and don’t commit any crimes.
I entered the streets because I didn’t have no guidance plus my mother was on drugs, and my older brother was out there already. But that’s the worst decision I ever made. One thing you can never get back is time and death. So try your best to appreciate life even though things are difficult for now. There’s a strong possibility that if you are willing to work hard and make sound judgements your future will be greater. JUST STAY STRONG!!!
—Final comment from Darnell Foxx—
As a young teenager I committed this horrible crime without understanding the depth of destruction I will cause to the victims family and my family. I was too immature to grasp the future. I didn’t care about my life or anybody else’s life. As a 34 year old man I have learned to appreciate life.
P.E. will continue to conduct interviews like this to give activists, organizations, groups or any concerned citizens a real look at incarcerated men and incarcerated life. Real “Insight From the Inside”!!!
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