Jena Six Defense Fund

How funds are managed

One hundred percent of the funds in the Jena Six Defense Fund are dedicated to the legal defense of Robert Bailey, Jr., Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis, Theo Shaw, and Jesse Ray Beard; no money from the Fund has gone or will go to ColorOfChange for administrative overhead or for any other purpose.

Each family has the ability to direct one-fifth of the money in the Jena Six Defense Fund to attorneys representing one of the Jena Six. The families also can direct money from the Fund to expert witnesses, investigators, or other professionals working on the case, if requested by one of the representing attorneys. Disbursements from the Fund will be made within forty-eight hours (excluding weekends) upon the receipt of a request by a family accompanied by appropriate documentation.

As of October 4th, 2007, we have collected $212,039.90 into the Jena Six Defense Fund and $210,809.90 has been spent thus far on attorneys’ fees, investigators, and expert witnesses, at the direction of the families.

We have explained to the families that we believe it is important that they get the best possible legal defense and that they be billed in accordance with the agreements they have with the attorneys. We have encouraged them to have very clear retainer agreements.

Contributions made go directly to the ColorOfChange.org Jena Six Defense Fund. This fund is managed by ColorOfChange, giving us the ability so can ensure funds are used only for bonafide legal expenses.

Contributions made by check prior to 11/9/07 were made out to a fund controlled by the parents of the Jena 6. We facilitated the processing of these checks, but we cannot make the same assurance about how money is spent because we have no hand in managing it.

Should you have any questions, please email us at info@colorofchange.org.