I remember it like it was yesterday. It was in April of last year that, in an instant, the life I once owned belonged to the police. My home was literally destroyed by smoke bombs and savage destruction, with no understandable explanation. I found myself a victim of police violence, to find that the officers were hunting for my youngest of nine children. A shocking and horrify spectical spread quickly across Western Michigan. It was cold, clinical, and final. It told a story of an 18-year-old young man, a homicide, ending with a felony first-degree murder and felony firearm charges. To the public, Kaiden Cole, my youngest son, became a name in a headline.

But to those who know him, before April 12th, 2025, Kaiden was the youngest of 9 children, an athlete, one month from graduating high school, and looking forward to starting college. This version, along with the alleged murder, promotes an incomplete story.

Kaiden’s story shook our community to its core. A local event, held in a community restaurant, became a young man's nightmare when a member of the unlicensed security team, armed with an automatic weapon, became verbally and physically aggressive toward Kaiden and his friends. Refused admission, Kaiden walked away and was publicly pursued. Upon leaving the scene, hearing the screams of others in the parking lot, Kaiden turned around to see his assailant aiming a gun at his chest. In self-defense, Kaiden, with a firearm of his own, defended his life and those around him by firing one shot into the bulletproof vest worn by his aggressor in hopes of getting himself and others to safety.

After turning himself in to the police, Kaiden and I found out the man succumbed to a single gunshot just above his chest. What began as a night of fun ended with the loss of life and freedom. What began as a night of fun ended with Kaiden defending his life, only to find himself thrust into adulthood under the weight of unimaginable charges.

Kaiden has spent over one year reliving that awful night, knowing that he took a life. Kaiden's life, too, changed direction in a second. Once, a normal teenager, now my son is facing life in prison without parole. The public defender, with good intentions, found himself, along with myself, my family, the court deputies and staff, and all local community members near the courthouse, facing the verbal, physical, and mental brutality of the guard's family and friends.

The guard's mother, via social media, called and gathered hordes of people, armed and violently angry, to stalk and physically attack Kaiden and all related to him for months before the trial. From day one of three, my family and I met with face-to-face death threats from armed men and women, who actively threatened the lives of the jury, including the deputies on duty. All of this mayhem was recorded and reported on local news broadcasts and social media, with no security provided for us throughout the trial.

Kaiden's trial was dictated by fear, not justice. Kaiden deserves, like every person charged with a crime, a strong legal defense, and for Kaiden's truth to be heard. Without objecting to the inconsistent testimony presented by the guard's representation, Kaiden's defense was lacking. All facts in evidence were not disclosed, nor were crucial witnesses called to the stand, yet they were all deposed and meant to speak on Kaiden's behalf. In all, Kaiden did not receive a full and fair defense in court. Hence, this appeal, led by a legal team that believes in my son and, like me, believes Kaiden deserves a full and fair defense in court.

All funds will be solely for Kaiden's legal defense, legal fees, expert witnesses, attaining all court documents, and a full defense team, including other necessary case-related expenses.

Unfortunately, we are fighting an uphill battle against a system that feels daunting and overwhelming at times, with legal fees mounting faster than we can manage.

Whether you choose to give or simply share, your support helps ensure that due process is upheld and that this case is handled with the care and attention that Kaiden deserves.