Bryce Mata’s Story
As a child, Bryce was severely raped, abused, and neglected by his parents. He was eventually taken out of her parents’ custody and put in the foster system in Illinois, where he spent much of her adolescence. As a result of the trauma he experienced, he was also institutionalized for two years.
In 1998, at 28 years old, Bryce stabbed and killed John Draheim in his home after he attempted to sexually assault him. Earlier in the evening, Draheim came on to Mata and when Mata refused his advances indicating he was, at the time, a lesbian. Draheim declared Mata “just hadn’t been f*cked by the right man yet.”
At the time that Bryce stabbed Draheim, he was experiencing extreme emotional distress from the attempted assault, exacerbated by a long history of previous sexual abuse. Afterwards, he called his then-girlfriend crying and so upset that he could hardly speak. His girlfriend and his girlfriend’s step-mother both testified at trial that, after the incident, they saw a bite mark and bruises all over Bryce’s body. A forensic psychologist testified that Bryce did not have the “mental capacity” to “premeditate,” “deliberate” or have the necessary “intent to murder.”
Draheim had a documented history of violence against women. In 1991, his wife called the police after he assaulted her. In 1995, he was convicted of domestic battery for assaulting his wife. In 1997, an order of protection was entered against him, naming his wife and children as protected parties.
Bryce was charged with murder and, despite significant mitigating circumstances, including his extensive history of experiencing child abuse and the attempted sexual assault by Draheim, prosecutors sought the death penalty. To secure it, the State shamefully premised their prosecution of Bryce on a deeply homophobic and sexist theory that Bryce’s then lesbian identity caused him to kill.
The state’s use of his racial and sexual identity as a weapon to demonize and prejudice him before the jury was successful. In 1999, Bryce was convicted and sentenced to death. He was on death row for four years until, in 2003, Governor Ryan commuted Bryce’s sentence to natural life in prison as part of a mass commutation of death row sentences.
Since his incarceration, Bryce has worked hard to understand his trauma and be of service to those around him. Despite the circumstances, he is remorseful for killing John Draheim, writing in a handwritten letter he submitted with his clemency petition, “I wake up everyday and wish that I could go back and change what happened…I hope that one day I can be forgiven, even if it is only by a small percentage of those hurt.”
Over the last 23 years of incarceration, Bryce has become known for his mentorship, kindness, work ethic, affinity for animals, and love of reading. In letters of support for his clemency, his friends write that he is someone who is always “willing to help the next person,” has “a very delightful, amazing soul” and “has put in the effort to be better and change to make a difference.” Another friend writes that, “When one is having a hard time, he can be counted upon to lend a helping hand. I am proud to call him my friend.”
He has earned his GED while incarcerated, and has taken college courses, including becoming certified in Computer Technology and as a Pet Groomer. He has worked in the coveted Helping Paws program which trains dogs to be of service to disabled people and is certified as an Americans with Disabilities Aide. Like so many in prison, Bryce can do more to help others if he were free in society than he can do while imprisoned. He deserves to be free and we deserve the benefit of his presence in the free world.
In 1998, at 28 years old, Bryce stabbed and killed John Draheim in his home after he attempted to sexually assault him. Earlier in the evening, Draheim came on to Mata and when Mata refused his advances indicating he was, at the time, a lesbian. Draheim declared Mata “just hadn’t been f*cked by the right man yet.”
At the time that Bryce stabbed Draheim, he was experiencing extreme emotional distress from the attempted assault, exacerbated by a long history of previous sexual abuse. Afterwards, he called his then-girlfriend crying and so upset that he could hardly speak. His girlfriend and his girlfriend’s step-mother both testified at trial that, after the incident, they saw a bite mark and bruises all over Bryce’s body. A forensic psychologist testified that Bryce did not have the “mental capacity” to “premeditate,” “deliberate” or have the necessary “intent to murder.”
Draheim had a documented history of violence against women. In 1991, his wife called the police after he assaulted her. In 1995, he was convicted of domestic battery for assaulting his wife. In 1997, an order of protection was entered against him, naming his wife and children as protected parties.
Bryce was charged with murder and, despite significant mitigating circumstances, including his extensive history of experiencing child abuse and the attempted sexual assault by Draheim, prosecutors sought the death penalty. To secure it, the State shamefully premised their prosecution of Bryce on a deeply homophobic and sexist theory that Bryce’s then lesbian identity caused him to kill.
The state’s use of his racial and sexual identity as a weapon to demonize and prejudice him before the jury was successful. In 1999, Bryce was convicted and sentenced to death. He was on death row for four years until, in 2003, Governor Ryan commuted Bryce’s sentence to natural life in prison as part of a mass commutation of death row sentences.
Since his incarceration, Bryce has worked hard to understand his trauma and be of service to those around him. Despite the circumstances, he is remorseful for killing John Draheim, writing in a handwritten letter he submitted with his clemency petition, “I wake up everyday and wish that I could go back and change what happened…I hope that one day I can be forgiven, even if it is only by a small percentage of those hurt.”
Over the last 23 years of incarceration, Bryce has become known for his mentorship, kindness, work ethic, affinity for animals, and love of reading. In letters of support for his clemency, his friends write that he is someone who is always “willing to help the next person,” has “a very delightful, amazing soul” and “has put in the effort to be better and change to make a difference.” Another friend writes that, “When one is having a hard time, he can be counted upon to lend a helping hand. I am proud to call him my friend.”
He has earned his GED while incarcerated, and has taken college courses, including becoming certified in Computer Technology and as a Pet Groomer. He has worked in the coveted Helping Paws program which trains dogs to be of service to disabled people and is certified as an Americans with Disabilities Aide. Like so many in prison, Bryce can do more to help others if he were free in society than he can do while imprisoned. He deserves to be free and we deserve the benefit of his presence in the free world.
