You may not remember the name Jermaine Pascasio but in 2003 the then 19 year old was charged for the horrendous murder of businessman Inez Leal. It was a killing that so outraged the business community that it forced a one day shutdown of city businesses and the re-introduction of BDF patrols. In 2006 he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. But his conviction was overturned on a technicality and after a new trial – Jermaine Pascasio walked out of the courtroom a free man in 2007. He has remained a free man since then because instead of returning to a life of crime – the now 25 year old Jermaine Pascasio – who now goes by the name Jermaine McDougall - has turned his life around – and has become Youth for the Future’s newest poster boy for reform with purpose. Keith Swift found out more.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This was a handcuffed Jermaine Pascasio dodging our camera as he walked down the steps of the Supreme Court in 2006 after he was convicted of killing businessman – Inez Leal. But that was then and this is Jermaine McDougal aka Jermaine Pascasio today.
[Jermaine Directing Computer Class at Youth for the Future]
Incredibly – the once convicted killer has gone from convict to the head of Youth for the future’s Resource Center where the 25 year old offers computer tutorials and typing classes.
Jermaine McDougal, Head – YFF Resource Center
“I enjoy learning new stuff everyday and also by teaching others I am learning at the same time because sometimes some of the classmates ask questions and I have to search to answer that problem for them. Teaching young people and old people who didn’t know how to use the computer before basically doing computer repair and stuff like that.”
Keith Swift,
How long have you been doing it?
Jermaine McDougal,
“One year working at Youth for the Future.”
Keith Swift,
How did you learn to do it?
Jermaine McDougal,
“When I was at prison at Kolbe, they had a computer program going
on and I decided that I will have part in it and educate myself in something I never knew about before.”
Jermaine still maintains his innocence – and he is a free man today because he was granted a retrial which - never made it to a jury. Still for the then 21 year old – he had been convicted in the court of public opinion.
Jermaine McDougal,
“Three years ago I was in prison, charged for murder – something I never did before. They accused me wrongfully and today I am free by the grace of God.”
Keith Swift,
Did you ever think that after being in jail for four years that you would be able to be out here free?
Jermaine McDougal,
“Sure, that was my thought everyday and my prayer.”
Keith Swift,
How hard was it for people to look at you seriously and give you a second chance?
Jermaine McDougal,
“Well by me proving myself and that is what I was doing everyday. I try to be an example to other young people like myself, try to give them positive ideas and encourage them to do what is right.”
Keith Swift,
What do you say to the family of the man you are accused of killing who might be looking at that and while I am happy you’ve changed your life and other people might be but to them you’re still a killer?
Jermaine McDougal,
“Well they just have to keep on praying to God and the truth will come out someday. The father knows my heart.”
Keith Swift,
So you didn’t do it?
Jermaine McDougal,
“I didn’t do it. I am innocent.”
Youth for the Future and Kolbe toasted celebrated Jermaine Mcdougal’s success at a luncheon yesterday. For them
– he is the poster boy for reform.
Dianne Finnegan, Director - Youth for the Future
“He plays a major role there in making a difference in young people’s lives.”
Keith Swift,
So what’s so special about him doing that, why is the fact that he’s doing it special?
Dianne Finnegan,
“Because oftentimes we choose to label and judge the individuals who have made mistakes in their lives as if though they have no other direction or no other path to turn and I want people to know, especially those who contemplate whether they should give them second chances that he is one of those living examples that if you continue to mentor and guide them, they can become again a good citizen within our community.”
Jermaine McDougal,
“I went to prison and when I came out nobody wanted to hire me because I came from jail but what I have to say to the business community out there is don’t discriminate against someone who went to prison. Give that person a chance to prove really who they are because if it wasn’t for Miss Dianne, I would have ended up back in prison and I proved to her exactly who am I.
There is hope. You go to prison and it doesn’t mean it is the end of your life. You can get a next chance and you can prove to people who you really is and that is what I am doing everyday as I live. I am not who you think I am.”
The resource center at Youth for the Future is open and the classes are free. Jermaine Dougal maintains his innocence but we must mention that his new trial crumbled because the main witness who testified in the first trial – a police officer - refused to do so in the second trial.
