This story involves a killer that never stood trial and an innocent man who did. Markelus Carter was convicted of Ken Warrington's murder without any evidence outside of the lies of people looking to benefit themselves. He was singled out because he was outspoken about injustice and the easiest and most convenient person to blame. Markelus had never met Ken face-to-face and never had any run-ins with the man he was accused of killing.

What happened to put most of this in motion took place on February 23, 2009. Ken Warrington was found dead at Sonya Burkholder's house. Markelus was immediately made the suspect by police, who say that he killed Warrington out of jealousy. This was far from the truth.

Sonya Burkholder, the mother of Markelus' kids, was seeing Warrington and many other men — which was proven during the trial — as well as constantly trying to be with Markelus and control who he could see. Sonya on many occasions stared fights with people that Markelus was seeing. All of this was disregarded or buried by the police because it didn't fit the narrative they wanted to push.

The police intimidated, threatened and lied to everyone Markelus knew to try and isolate him and push their story into the public by using the local media, especially the TV stations and newspapers. The Lima News reporter who was covering the trial was being passed notes by the prosecution all through trial, but when Markelus wanted to speak to the reporter the prosecutors objected and judge Reed placed a gage order preventing it. They disregarded any information that proved that Markelus had nothing to do with Ken's murder, or that he was a jealous person. The police and the local legal system conspired to get a conviction regardless of the truth.

Prejudice and the lack of equal protection in Lima, has caused major problems in the community, such as, distrust and a lack of confidence in the police, prosecution and judges who constructively conspire and aid each other's lies instead of true justice.

In 2007, Markelus was the victim of false accusations, by Sonya, that put him and his kids in a potentially deadly situation. Sonya lied to the police about an event that did not happen. Instead of investigating and looking at the facts, Markelus was arrested by multiple agency's S.W.A.T. officers.

Markelus was accused of holding his kids hostage and barricading them in their home. He was charged with domestic violence and obstruction. These charges were dropped after Sonya's lies were exposed in court. Markelus' concerns about the incident were brushed off by police because they involved Sonya, a white woman, who made the false report against him, a black man, who was looking for justice. Even though the incident didn't happen, Magistrate judge Deb Drexler allowed a protection order against Markelus to stand. Giving the appearance that Markelus posed a threat to Sonya.

Over a year later, Ken was killed at Sonya's house and the Lima Police Department used this as a way to silence Markelus. All LPD officers were involved, and the prosecution used this case for their own personal and pecuniary gains. It even led to LPD officer David Gillespie writing a letter of apology to Markelus after his conviction.

Remember, this murder took place 2/23/09. Markelus was indicted in 2014, after soliciting people in prison to lie to benefit themselves. Steve Upham was willing to do just that to try and get out of prison. He said he was told by Markelus that he did the murder in 2010. If this were true, why didn't he go to someone then, instead of waiting until 2014, when the police went to prison?

Everyone that looks at the facts, including The Ohio Innocence Project, has the same question; How are you in prison for this murder?

This is not an isolated case of how the local legal system works. But nothing will change until more people stand up for truth, including honest police officers.

Let's band together for truth, balance, and accountability in the legal system. Power is for us, not those who work for us. Contact all your city leaders and politicians to rally behind all the Markelus' out there, and hold the legal system accountable for the truth.

What will you do before this happens to you and yours? #BlackAndBlue.