Justice for Connor: Why We’re Fighting for Bail Reform
Our family has lived through the unimaginable. Connor Mediate’s killers were granted bail while awaiting trial — one even fathered a child while on house arrest. For us, this isn’t justice. It’s a broken system that puts violent offenders back on the streets while families like ours serve a life sentence of grief.
We are speaking out not just for Connor, but for every family who has been failed by a justice system that too often prioritizes offenders’ rights over victims’ safety.
Who Connor Was
Connor was more than just a name in a case file. He was a son, a brother, and a friend who brought energy, humor, and love into our lives. He had a bright future ahead of him, full of goals and dreams that were cut short in an instant.
Our family continues to live with the pain of losing Connor every single day. That grief is made worse by a justice system that has allowed those responsible for his death to walk free while awaiting trial.
When people ask us why we are fighting so hard, the answer is simple: Connor mattered. His life mattered. And we refuse to let his memory be diminished by a system that treated his killers with leniency they did not deserve.
Why We’re Speaking Out
The legal system is supposed to protect victims and their families. Instead, we’ve seen firsthand how bail decisions can retraumatize families and put communities at risk. Those accused of felony murder should not be allowed to walk free before trial.
This fight is bigger than Connor. It’s about making sure no other family has to endure the same pain we live with every day. When someone accused of a serious crime is released on bail, it sends a dangerous message: that public safety and victims’ families are secondary to the rights of the accused.
The Problem with Bail in Felony Murder Cases
Bail is designed to ensure that defendants return to court and do not pose a threat to society while awaiting trial. In practice, however, it can do the opposite. In Georgia and across the nation, individuals charged with violent crimes — including felony murder — have been allowed to post bail and return to their communities.
The consequences are devastating:
- Families are retraumatized when they see offenders walking free.
- Communities lose trust in the justice system.
- Defendants sometimes reoffend while on bail.
In Connor’s case, bail wasn’t just a legal technicality — it was a betrayal. Knowing that his killers were out living their lives, while ours was destroyed, has added unbearable weight to our grief.
Our Goal: Bail Reform for Felony Murder Cases
We are calling for bail reform in Georgia to ensure that those charged with the most serious crimes remain behind bars until trial. This is not about revenge; it’s about fairness, safety, and justice.
We believe this reform will:
- Protect families from further trauma.
- Keep dangerous offenders off the streets.
- Restore trust in the justice system.
Bail reform is not a partisan issue. It’s a public safety issue. Victims and their families deserve to know that justice will be taken seriously.
The Bigger Picture: Protecting Every Family
Our fight for Connor is part of a larger movement. Across the country, families are asking why those accused of violent crimes are given the opportunity to walk free while awaiting trial.
The truth is simple: victims’ families are the ones serving the real life sentence. We live with loss every day. We live with trauma every day. And yet, the system too often prioritizes the freedom of the accused over the safety of the community. That must change.
How You Can Help
We’ve launched the Justice for Connor Petition to push lawmakers to take action. Every signature brings us one step closer to real change. When you sign, you are not just supporting our family — you are standing with every family who has been let down by the justice system.
Join the Movement
This is not just our fight. It is a fight for every parent, every sibling, every child, and every community member who believes that justice should mean something.
Here’s how you can help today:
- Sign the petition and share it with your friends and family.
- Follow Justice for Connor on social media and help us spread the word.
- Contact your legislators and tell them bail reform for felony murder cases must be a priority.
Together, we can turn grief into action.
About Justice for Connor
Justice for Connor is a grassroots movement led by Connor’s family and supporters. Our mission is clear: turn grief into action by fighting for legislative reforms that protect families, keep dangerous offenders off the streets, and make justice work for victims — not against them.
