***UPDATE*** Personalized letter from Melanie written July 12th, 2021

I would like to first extend my gratitude to all who have shown support, whether by donation or by just even sharing the link to get the word out on my situation. Thank you so much! It was by your support that my lawyer was able to accomplish our goal successfully in the fight to minimize my sentence of 15 years-which was recommended by the jury-to 10 years, by way of Judge Wheat of Arlington County Circuit Court.

My sentencing hearing brought a mixture of emotion and surprise. Not only did Judge Wheat agree to the 10 (the Mandatory Minimum), but she also stated that because of the MM she couldn't go any lower. Which, by her tone and demeanor hinted that she would've gone even lower if she could. Even more surprisingly, the prosecution was in agreement with the 10 years, which is highly irregular to agree with the defense.

With sentencing complete comes an opportunity to reduce my sentencing even further, beyond the Mandatory Minimum! And only the prosecution has the power to file a motion to the judge to do so in what is called "rule 35" . It is just a matter of getting the prosecution to do it. My lawyer spoke with the head prosecutor of Arlington County (who is also against Mandatory Minimums) who stated she would support a lower sentence closer to my guidelines (about 5 1/2 years) . If this were to happen, I could be home in 1 to 1 1/2 years!

My lawyer is requesting $3,500 for this next, and hopefully final, phase. And $1,500 upfront as a retainer. However, the kicker is this.. now that sentencing is complete, the clock is ticking as to when I could be transported to D.O.C. (prison) and if that were to happen before getting the prosecution to file the motion, the chance of success doing it after drops significantly. Therefore, the process on retaining my lawyer needs to begin ASAP because I could go at any time without warning as to when.

Meeting with my lawyer recently has definitely given me hope that I will come home sooner rather than later, and his confidence in being able to do so is even more assuring. The foundation has already been laid, and it is now time to complete our final goal of what we have set out to do and worked so hard for: to bring me home to my family where I belong, with my daughter, sisters, niece, brothers, and mother.

You all have gotten me to where I need to be so that this could even be possible! Our fundraising goal is much more attainable this time than the last. So please, again, I ask you to do what you can, as soon as you can, to help me get home to my family who need me now more than ever since my father passed away last year. I cannot emphasize enough, the sooner the better. Anything helps, it all adds up. Even if you're unable to donate, thank you for just taking the time to read this, but you can help by sharing this link with all of your friends and family.

Thank you to all who are making this dream possible. Help Bring Me Home!!!

-Melanie

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“Prisons don’t disappear social problems, they disappear human beings.”

- Masked Racism (1998) by Angela Davis

This quote explains simply how prisons aren’t the solution. Until the prison industrial complex is abolished these words will continue to hold power and illuminate the truth of our society.

As Melanie's sister and power of attorney, I will be managing this account and will be allocating all funds to her lawyer for legal fees.

As I sit here writing this, I think to myself, "What would be the first thing I would ask myself if I were reading this like you?" "Why should I go out of my way for someone I don't even know?" Well, simply put... because I could so easily be you, your friend, your sister, your daughter, your mother. It doesn't take much to end-up where I am; just being at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and trusting the wrong person.

I am not a bad person, just a good person with flaws. One of which is being loyal to a fault. That has always been my downfall; loving too hard. I'm also a mother, a daughter, a sister, and an aunt. I have a family who love me & needs me. What's more, the family I was kept away from as a child, whom I was told by my father's family didn't love me, I now have in my life after 33yrs. A beautiful sister, loving niece, a caring brother and the sweetest 2nd mother.

I say 'second" because even though she didn't birth me, as my (step-mother) she never treated me as anything less than her own. Add all of them to my mother, two additional sisters, another brother, and 2 step-brothers! None of them I ever had the chance to grow up with or even really know. Not at least until recently, since I was raised alone and bounced from one family member to another by my dad's family as a child. It is they who have stepped up into my life after years of separation to be all I've ever wanted and needed out of life. They are the support system I was not allowed to have as a child and I am so grateful and blessed to have them in my corner when I need them most.

Most importantly, the one thing in my life I am most proud of is my daughter. My only child. Who is all I could ever ask for and more! The one person I love more than anyone in this whole world but consequently the one most hurt by my incarceration. Everything I do, I do for her. She is my absolute world and I would have nothing to live for without her. I owe her my life and yet, she deserves so much more than I could ever give her.

Recently I missed her 18th birthday, and before that she lost her grandfather-my father, who cherished her-in August 2020. I should have been there for her, and I should have been there with him in the hospital when his heart gave out. It is because of me he died alone. It is because of my unjust incarceration that I was absent when my family needed me most. For that, I beat myself up every day, and could never forgive myself. And in just a few months my daughter will be graduating with honors from high school without me to hold her, and cry, and tell her I love her and how proud of her I am. I have to live the rest of my life knowing I've missed some of the most important moments of her life.

I took my case to trial (with a court-appointed attorney) hoping for a fair jury, but knowing my chances of being acquitted were not great. I wasn't going to plead guilty to charges where I did no wrong, knowing I was facing a minimum of 10yrs if convicted. I was just the easiest to convict because of my record and that all the courts care about, a conviction. NOT THE TRUTH! So, would you have plead guilty, or would you have stood up and fought for YOUR FREEDOM ?

I have already given Arlington County & the State of Virginia 8yrs of my life by trusting someone who I thought was a friend and by being coerced by another court appointed attorney to plea guilty without any kind of deal (as is the case with first time offenders) whom I later found out was also working with the police and prosecution. That, I refuse to do again. As of right now, I have a real chance of going for re-trial with an attorney whom my aunt retained on my behalf just to turn around and terminate the contract 2 days after my father died. But, as a blessing from God, the attorney has chose not to drop my case knowing I have no money. I highly doubt he would be so generous if he didn't believe I deserved to be free and have a chance to get my freedom back. However, there are things that need to be done, such as hiring a finger print expert & an investigator to investigate the jury. These things require funds and without either on my side it decreases my chance for re-trial significantly.

It is for these reasons I humbly ask for your to contribute to my fight for freedom. So that I may be the mother my daughter needs, and so I can get back to my family that I never knew or had before.

Truly yours,

Melanie Odell

Bring Melanie Home

By Sara Morales

Bring Melanie Home

Mutual Aid Request for Lawyer Fees & Commissary Essentials