Family and friends of Jeff Mizanskey gathered at the Capitol on Monday to deliver to Gov. Jay Nixon more than 360,000 signatures from a petition asking for Mizanskey's clemency.
"After 20 years in prison, our family needs Gov. Nixon to show compassion to my father and realize that he's paid his debt to society," said Chris Mizanskey, Jeff Mizanskey's son. "Over the years, he's been forced to watch people in prison for murder, rape, robberies and all kinds of violent crimes get to go home on parole. But, my dad never gets that chance."
Jeff Mizanskey, now 61, was sentenced to life in prison without parole because of three felony drug offenses, making him a prior and persistent drug offender.
The Sedalia man's first offense was in 1984 when he sold an ounce of marijuana to an undercover informant, and the next day a half pound of marijuana was found in his home. His second offense was in 1991 when he was caught in possession of several ounces of marijuana. His third offense was in 1993 when he was caught driving a friend to a deal that turned out to be a sting operation.
Those close to Jeff Mizanskey believe he has paid his dues and should be released from prison.
Rep. Jeremy LaFaver, D-Kansas City, told reporters Monday that it's no secret how he feels about Missouri's marijuana laws. LaFaver pleaded guilty and was convicted last year of possession of a little less than 2 grams of marijuana.
He said he knows he did wrong and he accepted the consequences. He believes Jeff Mizanskey's punishment is harsh.
"Frankly, when something is against the law, the punishment needs to match the crime," LaFaver said. "I see an injustice here."
Michael Mizanskey, Jeff's brother, promised their mother when she was dying of cancer that he would do everything in his power to get Jeff released.
"I implore him (Nixon) to grant him clemency," Michael Mizanskey said. "Twenty years is more than enough."