AFTER SERVING 20 YEARS OF AN EXCESSIVE 85 YEAR SENTENCE…IT’S TIME TO BRING CHRISTOPHER HOME TO HIS FAMILY.  SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TO GRANT CHRISTOPHER CLEMENCY!

In what was a clear case of self defense Christopher was sentenced to an obscenely excessive 85 years for injuring the officers who, during a routine traffic stop, handcuffed him to a fence and pepper sprayed, choked, & beat him mercilessly in this horrific display of police brutality!

 A lot has been said recently about our legal system and prison industry sending people away with these lengthy, unjust prison sentences. They hope society will eventually just stop caring and soon forget about them. Well, after 20 years and counting, we still haven’t stopped caring and we still haven’t forgotten about Christopher Blank. 

   Our hearts shattered the day that our Christopher was unjustly sentenced to a horrific 85 years. We stood in shock knowing that this truly loving man had just been stolen from us, and that his entire life had been stolen from him. There is no shortage of kind words that can be said about Christopher.  He is one of the most genuine and compassionate people we know, a loyal friend and loving father to his daughter…someone whose smile can light up an entire room. We ask that you please take a moment to learn the truth surrounding Christopher’s tragic case and help us return a good man to his loved ones. 

     In a case full of lies, coverups, and biased media coverage, Christopher Blank was convicted of attempted murder against three police officers who during a routine traffic stop handcuffed him to a fence and admittedly choked, kicked, kneed, punched, and pepper sprayed him repeatedly. Unable to breathe and struggling for his life, Christopher begged them to stop.  While down on his knees with one officer on his back choking him, and the other officer kicking and beating him, Christopher was able to find one of their weapons.  And then, through tears and pepper spray, he blindly fired at his assailants, forcing them to disengage and pause their attack. This action saved his life. 

      During a pretrial hearing the judge had the incredible naïveté to ask: If Mr Blank thought the officers were being excessive and abusive, why didn’t he just submit to them and then file a complaint later.  The obvious answer: He wasn’t offered that option. But also, because there are endless examples proving that there might not have been a “later”.  Would the judge have suggested that question to the man in Wisconsin who died from a officer’s knee on his neck? Or to the man in New York who died after the police put him in a chokehold right on the sidewalk in broad daylight? Of course not. But Christopher was desperate and fortunate enough to survive. 

     After freeing himself from the fence by shooting the handcuff, Christopher tried to get himself to safety. It was moments later that the third officer appeared and shot Christopher twice from behind, and then tried to lie about it. He said that he only fired because Christopher was pointing a gun at him.  However, at trial a doctor verified under oath that Christopher was shot in the back. 

     If any of this information sounds new to you, you’re not alone. Most people didn’t have access to the actual trial transcripts, like they do now. So, they had to rely on the local media, who in those days, would routinely suppress any reports or facts that didn’t conform to the Atlantic County prosecutor’s official storyline. Christopher’s case was in the press for well over a year leading up to trial and not once did they interview him, his attorney, or anyone else from his side. During trial they refused to report any information that conflicted with their lynch mob narrative. Things such as (but, not limited to): 9 of the 12 jury members being closely related to law enforcement; or the judge allowing off duty police officers, in full uniform, to stack the courtroom gallery and outside hallways in an effort to intimidate the jury; or Officer Constantino testifying that Christopher never struck them once during both struggles; or the Atlantic county investigator allowing the destruction of the fence Christopher was handcuffed to so it couldn’t be examined and used at trial. 

     From top to bottom, this entire case was political. The only thing that mattered was making an example out of him. To them, Christopher crossed “the thin blue line,” and for that he needed to be severely punished—even if that punishment had no resemblance to justice. Realities like this are becoming very obvious to people around the country, as more and more tragedies surrounding law enforcement are getting exposed. Think about it for a moment: the average sentence for an actual premeditated murder is 15-25 years, yet Christopher was sentenced to 85 years for defending himself in a situation that was not premeditated, wasn’t his weapon, and where no one died, or was even permanently injured. What does this tell you about our justice system and their arbitrary and unequal treatment towards people? It tells you that Lady Justice isn’t as blind as she’d like us all to believe. 

     Regardless of where you stand, whether concerning law enforcement in general, or this case in particular, everyone can agree that 85 years is outrageously excessive. This is highlighted by the fact that 15 years of Christopher’s 85 year sentence was for the third officer that he never touched, but who actually shot him!  Everything about this sentence screams injustice and needs to be overturned immediately.

     Thankfully attitudes are starting to change towards the justice system. That is why this needs to be reevaluated by a new generation. Today, this case would not have even been brought to trial. The officers involved testified to things (choking, beating, etc) that cops today would never have admitted to. But, back then, people blindly believed and supported anything they said or did. Now, because of things like cell phones and body cameras, we are starting to wake up to a sober reality: Law enforcement and Justice are not always the same thing, and a badge does not make a person righteous. The truth is coming out of the shadows. One of the most disappointing aspects of this tragedy is that 15 years ago his generation didn’t even blink when this oppressive sentence was handed down. It was just blindly accepted as “that’s just how the system works”. Hopefully a new generation will help our family and friends raise a voice of opposition against a conviction and sentence that should’ve been changed long ago. We are asking for your signature in support of justice as we continue to fight through the legal and political systems. And remember, this isn’t just some cause, there is a real person wasting away as we speak. Please help us free a loving man and restore him to his daughter and family.
 
  For more information & to learn all the ways you can help visit our website: Read our blog which includes a detailed account written by Chris revealing the truth surrounding his case, and all the lies, cover ups, and manipulations it took to convict an innocent man . Join our mailing list to stay updated. https://freechrisblank.org/

 Show your support by sharing this link with friends and posting on all social media platforms: https://change.org/freechrisblank

Please share and follow our “FreeChrisBlank” Facebook page @ https://fb.me/freechrisblank

Visit our causes page @  https://www.causes.com/cause/freechrisblank

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For full case details: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sdV-gQpCAYIwM8oRTqCKI8ma8QPgHxRz2_z4zj2XE40/edit

Christopher and I, along with his daughter Maddie, Jessica, family and friends would like to thank everyone for their anticipated consideration and support, and for taking a moment to learn the truth. 

**This is the Official petition for Christopher Blank and is the only petition authorized and supported by Chris and his family**

#freechrisblank

#EndNERA

#EndExtendedTermSentencing

#EndPoliceChokeholds

#EndPoliceBrutality