Hi, my name is James Trimble and I'm incarcerated in Maryland. It was a case of murder, and at the age of 17 I was sentenced to death.

Through nine long years of appeals I managed to get the death sentence overturned. In exchange for the death sentence I was given an additional life sentence. 20 years later, and now at the age of 37, I still sit in prison serving three life sentences and 40 years.

That sentence is a death sentence in itself, but with any luck I might get released when I'm 65. At that age the state no longer wants to deal with you due to the health problems that old age brings with it.

With that in mind, I contacted the Social Security Department and asked how much income I could expect to get when I turn 65. I was told that I'd get nothing because I hadn't paid in enough for the years I worked between ages 16 and 17.

I made mistakes as a kid, but I didn't deserve the sentence I received. Keep in mind that I had 4 older co-defendants who got their life sentences reduced to 5 years and got out after only 3 ? years. I'm not rich and can't afford the legal defense that they had. I'm desperately seeking a sentence reduction so that maybe I can have a productive life in the free world.

Since I?ve been in prison I've taken such programs as "Alternatives to Violence" and gotten both my GED and my Bachelor of Science degree. I would like to apply this knowledge to be a productive and contributing citizen once again, but I need help.

I've tried contacting many different organizations with friendly names such as the Pro Bono Action Center, the ACLU, the Innocence Project, and many, many others. I tried writing lawyers at random with the hope that they could assist me with some pro bono help, but the results were always the same. If I didn't have money, I didn't have and couldn't get a lawyer. Everyone I write requesting help always sends me to the public defender who insists time and time again that they can't be of any help to me. I don't know where else to turn for the legal system just continues to send me in circles, and I'm getting nowhere.

I would like to get some DNA testing done, but without a lawyer and without money to pay for it that's next to impossible.

I reach out to all those who read this with the hope that one of you could point me in the right direction or assist me in some way or another in finding the help I desperately need. You may contact me directly at the following address, and I want you to know that I'd appreciate anything at all that you could do for me.