Romeo Hardin has been in continual incarceration since age 15, in violation of his civil and human rights. Romeo was (according to the Des Moines Register) the youngest person in the State of Iowa to be sentenced to life without parole. His sentence is in violation of Due Process to Iowa Code section 232.45 and, as well as International law. Iowa code 232.45 provides that a child cannot be waived to adult court unless there is no reasonable prospect of rehabilitation. In juvenile court, children are subject to residential treatment and released at age 18or 21. In adult court, children have no access to treatment and do life in a maximum security prison. At the waiver hearing to determine Romeo Hardin's fate, the state of Iowa juvenile court officer Chris Wayatt testified that "Romeo has never been in a residential treatment center. There are available programs in the juvenile court" and “there is likelihood of success for Romeo in these programs.†It was Romeo’s right under Equal protection to remain in juvenile court and receive treatment. However, Romeo was unjustly and unnecessarily waived to adult court and sentenced to Life. In 1995 the United States signed CRC article 37(a), which prohibits capital punishment and life without parole for children as a human rights violation. Convention/International law was active at the time of Romeo's sentencing. There is new evidence that proves his actual innocence. Romeo's post-conviction appeal was filed November 18, 2002. According to Iowa code 822.6, the State of Iowa has 30 days to reply or a judgment is entered in favor of the Plaintiff/Applicant (Romeo, in this case). The State of Iowa did not respond until January 18th 2006- more than 3years too late. However, the Scott County District Court refused to issue an order ruling in favor of Romeo. The Scott County District Court will stop at nothing to deny Romeo his freedom, even violating its own laws. Between November 2002 and today, Romeo has not requested one continuance, but Scott County District Court has forced continuances for 3 years to prevent Romeo from litigating this case. The court has appointed counsel who has refused to meet with Romeo, respond to his letters or represent Romeo's interests. Romeo will not agree to be represented by counsel he does not know or hasn’t communicated with. He has requested to represent himself because he can't afford competent representation, but the state refuses. Iowa has a long standing practice of waiving Black and Latino children. This state is 2% black, and yet Black people represent more than half of its prison population. Black youth made up of 58% population of juvenile offenders admitted in to adult prisons in 1997. Romeo is in prison in violation of his rights. He needs your support and assistance to see his day in court. If you can provide legal assistance, exposure, or donations to Romeo’s legal defense please contact us.
Please write Romeo at:
Romeo C. Hardin-#1102753-P.O. Box 316-Ft. Madison IA 52627
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