ABOUT
Crandell Ojore McKinnon, was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1967, months after the Newark Uprising, that left parts of the city broken, chattered, and burnt-out. Out of the Uprising and amongst the righteous anger of the people he was raised by his single mother and grandfather, along with his three siblings. At the age of five his father was arrested for murder-robbery, in an attempt to feed his heroin addiction and would eventually be sentenced to life in prison. Just as well, this spared hOjore's mother, siblings, and Ojore from his terrorizing abuse.
As a child Ojore was confronted with the hash reality of his brick tenement environment. His young life in the tenement Housing Projects introduced him to violence, gangs, drugs and hustling, moreover, a poverty he was oblivious to. Learning to survive in this environment was part of Ojore's Pre-K education. From those he idolized, he was schooled in the ways of the Housing Projects and taught to navigate a predaceous and chaotic neighborhood. This education shaped Ojore's perspective of society and instilled an ambitious focus within him which spurred him into the street life.
At the age of nine his family and him relocated to Los Angeles, California (eventually throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties), for a better life and change of scenery. Though he now resided in a different state the environment, struggles and troubles were fairly similar in nature. By the age of thirteen Ojore was dissolute and entrenched in the street life of gangs, drugs and hustling. Engaging in the street life-style he forged a commitment to gang membership that appeared to hold camaraderie, solidarity and loyality, but eventually came to realize it held non of those qualities; but stripped him of his family obligations and commitment to his daughter. This realization was not a moment of epiphany, but many years of trials and tribulations, contemplation and self reflection. It took work to detach himself from those psychological attachments developed from childhood and brought him hardships, trouble and confinement.
While in the process of actively changing his life and mentality there were those who only seen Ojore as incorrigible and maintained a dogged pursuit of him with the intent of seeing him imprisoned for life or dead. Harboring this attitude were closed minded, wayward, unscrupulous and racist police who framed Ojore for two homicides, which led to him being kidnapped from his family for crimes he DID NOT COMMIT!
Viewing him as their adversary, these paddy-rollers (police) were compelled to manufacture evidence against him and portray a misleading account of his involvement in the crimes for which he is now stranded on death row for.
The rational for this injustice and miscarriage of justice is to achieve retribution for past indiscretions these paddy-rollers presume Ojore is responsible for and punishment for his contempt and challenge to their authority.
Never has he waivered on his INNOCENCE and for refusing to accept a sentence of "Life Without Parole" and the waiver of his appeal, the death penalty was vehemently persued.
In January 1999, Ojore was wrongfully convicted of two separate homicides; weeks later the death penalty was imposed and in March he was shipped to San Quentin State Prison, death row.
We (his family and friends) as well as Ojore leave it to you to study his legal predicament and peruse the information on this site and come to your own conclusion as to the nature of Ojore's circumstances. If you agree with him: He is INNOCENT or a SERIOUS MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE occurred, we ask for your support and help in saving his life and procuring his freedom!
