Former Kaiser Pro Bono Client Is Released After Nearly 34 Years in Prison
Former Kaiser client Vincent Gregory is now a free man for the first time in his adult life!
Vincent was a “juvenile lifer” who was sentenced to life in prison for a crime committed on his 16th birthday. Several years ago, Kaiser partner Courtney Forrest began representing Vincent pro bono to help him with his application for parole. Courtney invested countless hours visiting Vincent, collecting and reviewing records, and interviewing his friends and family.
Courtney and Vincent developed a parole packet that highlight Vincent’s truly remarkable rehabilitation over the last 30+ years. While in prison Vincent earned a GED and a paralegal degree, and completed dozens of career development courses. He deepened his spiritual life, leading weekly religious meetings and conducting one-on-one Bible study with other inmates. Vincent also founded a group called Y.O.U.T.H. Journey, an inmate-led self-help organization that aims to prevent reoffending.
Although Vincent’s first application for parole was denied, he never gave up hope. He continued striving to meet his personal goal of “being a leader of good instead of following the bad.”
Building on Courtney’s earlier work, another of Vincent’s lawyers then filed a motion for modification of his sentence under Maryland’s Juvenile Restoration Act. The court granted the motion and Vincent was finally released from prison on December 18, 2023 – just a few days shy of his 50th birthday.
Vincent was welcomed home with open arms by his aunt, uncle, and sister. He intends to begin working soon and looks forward to being active in the Jehovah’s Witness ministry alongside his aunt and uncle. Courtney and the entire Kaiser firm are overjoyed for Vincent and wish him the best!
