Petition To Pardon Pittman Monday February 21, 2005 10:49pm    Posted By: Jenny Gaither Do you think the U.S. needs to send more troops to Iraq?  Yes  No  Not sure ___  ABC News 4 Interact  ___    • Signup for eNews Alerts    • ABC News 4 Pulse Poll    • Whats Your Opinion?    • Printable Version    • E-Mail This Story Columbia - requests to pardon teen killer christopher pittman are pouring into governor sanford's office. Child rights activists are jumping to Pittman's defense.. saying the 30-year adult sentence is too harsh for the teenager. People from across the world.. the U.K., Ireland and even Ghana are speaking out against South Carolina's law.. that allowed Pittman to be tried as an adult. Hearing this on CourtTV.. pushed a Michigan woman into action. "I was absolutely outraged so I decided I had to do something," Barbara Andrews says. Andrews formed this petition.. 409 signatures when we shot this, just a few hours ago.. since then, dozens have signed.. asking Governor Sanford for a pardon. "We're not going to stop fighting for him- we're going to get him out. He's not going to be in there 30 years," says Pittman's sister, Danielle Fitchum. Justice for Juveniles has this form letter.. you can send.. some folks are wearing white ribbons to support Pittman.. and Freedom Fighters for Christopher has been formed.. Andrews says, "We're hoping to get 1000 signatures on the first and send that one in then immediately we'll put the second one into motion." In the second petition.. they'll ask for a reduced sentence.. so Pittman is out by age 21.. what is law in some states. "In a double murder, I think this sentence was very justified, 30 years," Prosecutor John Meadors says. The activists want that changed.. they want you to write lawmakers.. to get legislation that would ban the prosecution of kids under the age of 14 as adults. Justice for Juveniles says within the next 2 days the defense will be filing a motion to reduce Pittman's sentence to 9 years. » Find More Articles Related To This One Copyright 2005 WCIV, LLC.

HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS STORY? TELL US ABOUT IT BELOW!  Viewer Comments on Petition To Pardon Pittman blaizefla IP: Logged Posted: 02/23 10:29a I was solely saddened when I heard the verdict from the Jury finding Christopher guilty. I was even more saddened and outraged when I read an interview with one of the jurors who stated "We thought the drug issue was a smoke screen". These psycotropic drugs administered to children do cause mood swings, anger, severe depression. My daughter was on one and I watched her go from a sweet loving child, into an angry, mean spirited monster. This was in about a months time. Yes, I took her to a doctor and had her weaned right back off the drug. If the administiring of these drugs is not watched closely and a child is over dosed with them, especially one who is approaching their teens, is causes even more of a threat. Christopher did not deserve the guilty verdict and even though Judge Peiper felt he had to follow the letter of the law put forth before him by the State of South Carolina, he could have set a presidence. He heard the expert witness's, he knew he was dealing with a child, why could he have not weighed this information properly? We all need to ask this question: WHO IN COURT, has he"credentials", to "by law" "certify" a child as an "adult"??? Where did "they" get their training in "child development"???? Where is their "legal" certificate, that proves "they" are "QUALIFIED" to make this most important decision?? A CHILD WILL NEVER BE AN ADULT until the developmental stages of "growing" stops, which is, medically,usually in the early twenties. There is an awesome website that helps families and educate them, http://www.anniearmenlive.org/ visit there and you will see. I am an administrator for http:://www.kidsincourt.com and we also work hard for Children who are being tried as adults. A child can't be a child on Monday and can’t be deemed an adult on Tuesday. It just isn't possible. Sincerely Katy Porter administrator for http://www.kidsincourt.com/ Alabama Knightgale IP: Logged Posted: 02/22 10:31p Greetings, The thinking ability/rationale of a child of 12 certainly differs with that of an adult, added to that, the abuse/abandonment/drugs given to this child.  Many adults are, in fact responsible for this tragedy, leading up to that dreadful day. The father himself should hold some accountability in this case---also why on earth, were the guns NOT locked up, so no one could get them so easily??. Just how much "abuse"overall, is a 12 yr old brain suppose to endure??---Many are indeed responsible for this tragedy, but ONLY ONE is PUNISHED, Christopher Pittman. This must and deserves this nation's help, tho this was indeed a terrible tragedy and the victims and their families ARE NOT forgotten, but this child DESERVES a chance to gain LIFE ANEW. 30 YRS prison time is a "living death" sentence, a state sanctioned child abuse, within the "so called" "justice" system. The juvenile justice system needs reform so desperately, for the sake of Chris, TYLER EDMONDS(MS),Jake & Evan(WA) and so many others "children",some waiting years, before even coming to a trial.....I URGE everyone, to please sign and support this petition for Chris and for justice for all "children". Please follow Cari's assistance guidelines on how you can write a support letter to the judge. Thank You Knightgale Asst. Administrator KIDS IN COURT http://www.kidsincourt IsaacLC IP: Logged Posted: 02/22 9:29p Thank you Channel 4 for running this story!! It doesn't seem that too many people in Charleston are interested in Christopher's case. I sent an email with the link to the petition website and not one of the folks I sent it to has signed. :0( Half of the people in my address book live in Charleston!! It's time for South Carolina to make drastic changes in our laws governing juvenile offenders. Anyone who has any amount of common sense knows that this child didn't receive a fair trial. PLEASE, folks, sign the petition and write letters to our politicians now! There will be no change unless it is demanded! j laqua IP: Logged Posted: 02/22 1:16p Christopher Pittman was and still is a child.  Until the scientific evidence is presented removing all doubt about the effect of anitdepressants and children, we should have more than reasonable doubt about a child's actions.  Christopher is one of hundreds of children in this country alone affected by antidepressants.  Go to Justice for Juveniles.org folks!  Wake up before we lose more children.  Christopher Pittman is a child and should be tried as a juvenile in a juvenile court. Cari Barichello IP: Logged Posted: 02/22 1:08p Please visit http://www.justiceforjuveniles.org./ Home page will guide you on how to write the judge on Christophers behalf. Cari Barichello/Administrator of http://www.justiceforjuveniles.org/ *** READ ALL 8 POSTS ON THIS STORY *** Opinions and Feedback You need to be a registered member of ABC News 4 to leave comments on news stories. Not A Member Yet? 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