FRANK WHITE: From what we could gather, early in the evening on
April 10, the four kids were at the Aurora Mall.
They were at the arcade.
They were playing different games.
At one point, one of them handed out these three weapons.
They were intent on committing some type of crime that night.
Chris was a completely innocent bystander who just happened
to go in to use an ATM.
They didn't say a word to him.
They used him as a target, and so cold blooded about it.
HOLLYND HOSKINS: Things moved really quickly.
They were all found guilty.
Curtis Brooks was guilty of felony murder.
It's a mandatory life without parole sentence.
He didn't aim a gun at anyone.
And he didn't shoot anyone.
But now, based on the US Supreme Court's decision
that life without parole sentences for juveniles
is unconstitutional, Curtis Brooks will be re-sentenced.
He should not get a second chance for this.
Chris's family doesn't get a second chance.
I don't get a second chance.
I think those four should do all life in prison
and never see the outside of those bars.
JOYCE RAMOS: I have had to fight for him, to keep them
where they are, since the day they were put in prison.
I've written so many letters.
They don't realize what they do to these families, who
thought they closed that part of that book.
They took a life.
You need to spend life in prison without parole.
He absolutely deserved to go to prison.
That day on April 10, 1995, I was homeless.
And I met some guys that offered me a place to stay.
They told me that they had a car.
But they made the comment, don't trip on how we get it.
I wasn't a stupid kid.
I knew what it meant.
We were going to go take a car.
I didn't have a sense that somebody was going to die.
[music playing]
ASHLEY RATLIFF: Here we go, part two of the re-sentencing.
The only sentence that would bring justice
is no more than 30 years.
You're basically saying, if you kill somebody,
we can only hold you to a certain-- you know, you're not
going to be in there for life.
So where is the justice?
JUDGE: Please be seated.
All right, this is the case of the People
of the state of Colorado versus Curtis Brooks.
Obviously, we're set for a re-sentencing hearing today.
But late yesterday, the people filed
a petition pursuant to Rule 21.
[dramatic music]
HOLLYND HOSKINS: I have faith in the judicial system.
And I have hoped that the courts would
correct this severe sentencing disparity.
But we have applied for clemency on behalf of Curtis Brooks.
And we've asked that the governor, Governor
Hickenlooper, grant Curtis clemency,
and to correct this severe sentencing disparity himself.
Clemency is where the governor can commute or reduce
a defendant's sentence.
[music playing]
Like, I can only imagine, like,
how Curtis must be feeling.
Like, this waiting and waiting and waiting, all of--
he's been waiting for 24 years.
24 years.
24 calendar years is too long for a 15-year-old
who didn't hurt or kill anyone.
And certainly, life without parole is unconscionable.
[gasp]
The release is out.
[exhales]
Oh my gosh.
[exhales]
Hi.
HOLLYND HOSKINS: Come here.
Oh my god.
Oh my gosh.
Just got it.
[gasp]
Governor Hickenlooper announces clemency
for offenders, December, Friday, 14.
Oh my god.
I'm going to look for Curtis's.
It's 110 pages.
Oh my god.
This is the most amazing--
yes! - Woo!
Curtis Brooks!
There it is!
OK, now the statute in which Mr. Brooks was sentenced
is unconstitutional, pursuant to Miller v Alabama.
Granting this commutation is in the interests of justice.
Grant of clemency--
(WHISPERING) Oh my god.
--be, and hereby is granted a limited
commutation such that he is granted
parole effective July 1, 2019.
Woo hoo!
He shall remain on parole for five years.
[phone ringing]
Oh god.
WOMAN (ON PHONE): Global Town Link
has a collect call for you.
HOLLYND HOSKINS: Curtis?
CURTIS BROOKS (ON PHONE): Yes.
HOLLYND HOSKINS: I've got the order in my hand.
Curtis, it's amazing.
You have a two-page letter from Governor Hickenlooper to you.
Sorry.
This is about you, not me.
So stop crying, Hollynd.
Governor Hickenlooper says, "Mr. Brooks,
after learning about your case and your character,
I am commuting your sentence by granting you parole,
effective July 1, 2019."
CURTIS BROOKS (ON PHONE): Well, it's officially official now.
(LAUGHING) Yeah.
CURTIS BROOKS: I always felt like if I continued
to just live a path of ignorance and not change,
then he truly would have died for nothing.
As a kid, everyone I touched, I impacted negatively.
I want to be a person that impacts people positively now.