Hello, my name is Jamel Dontez Hatcher, also known as BlaCc Iz Jesus. 

Most people believe, like you, that human beings have the capacity for redemption and reconciliation. My prayer is that you keep that energy as you read my story.  

Over 15 years ago I made a horribly tragic mistake and have spent the last decade tying to right the wrongs of that accident. I am the cause of the death of Danielle Boone - a woman I deeply loved and the mother of my beautiful daughter. Words cannot express how much anguish I feel every single day knowing that such an incredible woman is no longer here and that I’m the reason why. There is no excuse for the stupidity that led to this tragic accident and the pain that has rocked both Danielle’s and my family. 

I am currently serving an over 20 year sentence for involuntary manslaughter. I've spent this time doing as much creating as possible. Creating through the artistry of spoken word and curriculum dedicated to restorative justice in hope that it will bring a bit of balance that I've disrupted to those who love Danielle Boone. Overall, what I pray for most is a merciful opportunity for redemption, which is why this site was created.

Dear reader, please know, that I did not take Danielle's life on purpose. It was truly an accident. I could never purposely cause that kind of harm to any person, let alone the mother of my child. The events of that night will forever haunt me, and I’ve spent the last 14 years becoming the kind of man where nothing close to that incident could happen again, as well as doing all I can to make sure every man I encounter has similar resolve.

A horrific combination of drunkenness, anger with a friend who had just left the home Danielle and I shared, and a toxic masculine energy that allowed me to believe I was invincible, left me flippantly stumbling around waving a gun, finding it “funny” to make empty threats to my male friend who had long left the house.

When I pulled the trigger, I wholeheartedly thought the gun was on safety, but that really doesn’t matter. Because me being that reckless and stupid caused Danielle to lose her life. Grief, shock and fear took over. Soon after, I heard sirens and ran. I spent the next several hours in an intoxicated stupor and when I gained the ability to feel, I tried to harm myself.

Once incarcerated, and after a couple of years of denial and self-loathing that was medicated through drugs and alcohol, I made the choice to become who God created me to be and do all could to ensure that Danielle’s death wasn’t completely in vain. I reached out to her family and re-connected with her grandparents. Receiving their forgiveness gave me a new appreciation for life, that I honestly didn’t believe I deserved. Danielle's grandmother, even ten years later, continues to be a mentor, friend, and inspiration in my life.

Because my crime was an accident and I was not previously in a physically abusive relationship with Danielle, I initially didn’t consider my role as abuser. After much reading, contemplation and humbling myself to the truths of trauma, I came to realize that my mentalities, including believing that it was OK to have a gun while intoxicated, especially in a home with my partner and child, was highly abusive. Danielle’s grandmother inspired me to begin the “Domestic Anger Negativity Inner Errors Limited Life Evaluation” Project for Change, also known as the DANIELLE Project for Change.

Through the DANIELLE Project I was able to honestly tell my story, learnings, and path to healing in a productive way while giving other men who are incarcerated the tools to have healthy, communicative relationships as well. Through it I’ve taught other inmates about preventing violence against women and the negative thinking errors that are associated with violence that can show up physically, verbally, emotionally, socially, mentally, financially or in a combination. This program has become a place not just to prevent awful things from happening, but a space where men can learn how to be agents of change and create good things through communication, relationship and community. The program ran for four years with nearly 200 men completing it. The program only ended this year after its staff advisor retired. Yet, it’s been so successful, that it’s gotten the attention of North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center and they’ve asked that I run the program there upon my release. Most men in my situation don't get to be blessed with this forgiveness, nor are they able to use the gifts I've been blessed with to turn this sort of tragedy into something that can help others.

I made bad choices before and immediately following my crime. I understand the magnitude of the pain I have caused by my choices. I am humbly asking for a chance for redemption. I am asking for an opportunity to do some good in this world. Nothing can ever erase what I have done, but I will spend the rest of my life as a public servant who’s combating the issues that led to my own downfall, including violence against women and men, teen alcoholism, and teen and adult domestic violence. Even though I was able to change my thinking and negative behaviors there are so many young people who are not as fortunate.

I came to prison as a level 3 security and through my good behavior, I worked my way down to a level 1 security. During that time, among other things, I completed the IOP, as well as training to be a chemical dependency counselor’s assistant. I completed vocational training for graphic design and wrote, directed, and produced a film called "From Tragedy to Triumph." It is a film about this story through speeches and poetry. Danielle's Grandmother and a few of my family members were part of the film.

There is zero likelihood that I’ll return to any criminal activity, and most certainly there is no chance that I’d repeat an act that horrifically impacts so many lives, including my own. I have a supportive and loving family and a church congregation who are ready to welcome me back home. I have several friends and family members with connections to workplaces that are willing to consider hiring me, particularly in the area of construction, a field I was in prior to my arrest. I look forward to once again working with my hands and renovating homes while making a decent living. I plan to eventually combine my learnings from that trade and the real estate education I’ve received since becoming incarcerated, to eventually start my own business of property management and renovation.

Although my crime was violent, because of the circumstances of it – along with my own tenacity for change - I statistically have the least likelihood of recidivism. During my incarceration I completed the intensive outpatient program (IOP), which required me to go through cognitive behavioral therapy and I attended NA and AA meetings. During this time, I realized that my addictions played a role in the ills of my life and contributed to my mental health decline and what ultimately led me to prison for the first and last time. My thought process was skewed. I recognize that staying clean and sober is essential to me being grounded and clear so that I make smart and wise choices, no matter my circumstances.

Faithful reader, my story is messy and complicated. But the simple version is this, I was a man who let fear, addiction and mental illness control me. During sentencing, after I agreed to the stipulations of the plea deal that my public defender gave me, my judge acknowledged that he thought it was a shame that I was getting as many years as I was for this offense. I’m doing the intentional work to earn the forgiveness of others and myself. That work is not finished. I know that one day I shall be released - not just from physical prison, but from the mental captivity that comes with it. As I await that day, I'll push for life, love and reconciliation with all those impacted by my choices. Hear my voice and read my words with all this in mind. 

This is BlaCc Iz Jesus. 

Humbly Submitted, 

BlaCc Iz Jesus. 

I Love You. I always have and always will.

I know that one day you'll discover that I am your biological father. I don't know what age you will be or what kind of reaction you will have to my story - which is a part of your story - but if you are reading this you have likely discovered the truth. 

I know that you are seeking answers to a million different questions. The answers to most of those questions will be difficult for me to say. The hardest day of my life will be the day that I get to face you and give you these truths. 

There are some conversations I will not share with the world, I will only share them with you. If and when that time comes, I will fill in all the blanks for you. It was never my decision to hide the truth from you. I felt that you should have been made aware under the care of counseling back when you were a small child. 

Unfortunately, it was not my decision to make. 

When I came to prison I lost any rights I had for you and I only get to see you grow up through pictures of you and newspaper articles about you. Even though many would argue that I have no right to be proud of you, I AM! Every time I read about how great of a season you had, I feel so very proud! 

My worst fear is you never wanting to know me. 

In my heart, all I want is to have a relationship with you. I want to love my daughter and have you one day love your father. What keeps me up at night is the thought of you hating me forever. 

What happened with your biological mother was an accident. I loved your mother. I made some tragic choices the night she died that I can never take back or justify. I have spent years working on myself to become far from the drunken boy who made those tragic choices. Every stride I take towards becoming a better man I do with you on my mind. Every program I run, every bit of knowledge I obtain, every poem, article, or endeavor I embark on I have you at the forefront of my mind. I love you and pray to God that you give me a chance one day to be in your life.

Sincerely your Biological father.