Sandra had almost forgotten about the child she had at 17, but her life was turned upside down again when a woman from Florida's Capital Collateral Regional Counsel – South arrived at her front door with news that her son, Barry Randolph, was on death row. Sixty years after Sandra gave him up for adoption, she finally got to know her son and realized that his troubled past had been shaped by the very circumstances of his adoption.
Sandra's decision to give her son away for adoption was made by her parents, who were determined to protect their family's reputation. They sent Barry to live with a couple in New York City, but the household was chaotic and abusive. Sandra's brother Jermaine remembers that their father would tie him up and beat him with a broomstick and a belt.
Despite the challenges he faced, Malcolm showed resilience and a strong sense of justice. He became involved in community activism and even spent time on death row, where he mentored younger men and maintained a spotless disciplinary record. However, when Sandra visited him before his execution, she was struck by the similarities between their lives - they both lived with anxiety and fear.
Malcolm's case highlights the need for reform in the US justice system, particularly when it comes to death penalty cases involving juveniles. The fact that he spent over three decades studying his faith, mentoring younger men on death row, mediating conflicts, and maintaining a spotless disciplinary record raises questions about the fairness of the death penalty.
Sandra's story also underscores the complexity of adoption and its impact on families. Her decision to give her son away for adoption was made with good intentions, but it ultimately led to Malcolm's troubled past. Sandra's struggles to come to terms with her past and her relationship with her son serve as a reminder that forgiveness and understanding are essential for healing.
The case against Malik Abdul-Sajjad is a heartbreaking example of the devastating consequences of the US justice system. Despite his efforts to make the most of the time he had left, he was ultimately executed by lethal injection on November 20, 2025, at the age of 57. His family and friends are left to grapple with the trauma and pain of losing someone who deserved a second chance.
The story of Malik Abdul-Sajjad serves as a wake-up call for the US justice system to re-examine its stance on capital punishment. With over 60 people still on death row, it is time to consider alternatives that prioritize rehabilitation and restorative justice. The fate of those like Malcolm who are left behind by the justice system highlights the need for systemic change and a renewed commitment to human rights and dignity.
Sandra's decision to give her son away for adoption was made by her parents, who were determined to protect their family's reputation. They sent Barry to live with a couple in New York City, but the household was chaotic and abusive. Sandra's brother Jermaine remembers that their father would tie him up and beat him with a broomstick and a belt.
Despite the challenges he faced, Malcolm showed resilience and a strong sense of justice. He became involved in community activism and even spent time on death row, where he mentored younger men and maintained a spotless disciplinary record. However, when Sandra visited him before his execution, she was struck by the similarities between their lives - they both lived with anxiety and fear.
Malcolm's case highlights the need for reform in the US justice system, particularly when it comes to death penalty cases involving juveniles. The fact that he spent over three decades studying his faith, mentoring younger men on death row, mediating conflicts, and maintaining a spotless disciplinary record raises questions about the fairness of the death penalty.
Sandra's story also underscores the complexity of adoption and its impact on families. Her decision to give her son away for adoption was made with good intentions, but it ultimately led to Malcolm's troubled past. Sandra's struggles to come to terms with her past and her relationship with her son serve as a reminder that forgiveness and understanding are essential for healing.
The case against Malik Abdul-Sajjad is a heartbreaking example of the devastating consequences of the US justice system. Despite his efforts to make the most of the time he had left, he was ultimately executed by lethal injection on November 20, 2025, at the age of 57. His family and friends are left to grapple with the trauma and pain of losing someone who deserved a second chance.
The story of Malik Abdul-Sajjad serves as a wake-up call for the US justice system to re-examine its stance on capital punishment. With over 60 people still on death row, it is time to consider alternatives that prioritize rehabilitation and restorative justice. The fate of those like Malcolm who are left behind by the justice system highlights the need for systemic change and a renewed commitment to human rights and dignity.
This case is a real eye-opener, right? I mean, can you imagine having your life turned upside down 60 years later just because you made a decision that was meant to protect yourself? It's like, what does that say about the US system of adoption and family courts? Is it really fair to penalize someone for something their parents did when they were young?
this story of Sandra and her son Barry just broke my heart, it's like they were living parallel lives but on opposite sides of a traumatic experience... I mean, can you blame her parents for trying to protect their family's reputation, but sending their child away to be abused is just heartbreaking. And the fact that Malcolm spent 3 decades studying his faith and mentoring others while on death row raises so many questions about the fairness of the system... like what even is justice at this point? 
... that's not fair at all. and the fact that the US is still using the death penalty is just plain wrong 
... we need to rethink our whole justice system and make sure people are treated with dignity and respect 
... it's time for some serious reform 
I feel bad for Sandra having to go through all this after not even knowing her son existed she must've been feeling like her whole world got turned upside down again just when she thought things were gonna be better 
it's crazy how something as well-intentioned as adoption can lead to so many negative consequences I hope Sandra finds some kind of closure and peace now that she knows her son was executed, but like what can you even do with this situation? 
the justice system needs to seriously re-examine its stance on capital punishment & prioritize rehabilitation & restorative justice 
60 people still on death row is too many - we need systemic change ASAP 
also, it's wild that Malcolm spent 3 decades studying & mentoring people on death row & yet he still got executed lol what even is that?! 
anywayz i think this case highlights the need for some serious reform in our justice system. We gotta start thinking about alternatives to the death penalty that prioritize rehabilitation & helping people make amends 
I'm so saddened by this story, it's heartbreaking to think about how many people like Barry and Malik have been through such trauma just because they got caught up in the wrong system 
. It's a total waste of life, you know? I think we need to seriously rethink our justice system, prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, and give people like Malik and Barry a second chance 
. We can't keep relying on the same old methods that have been proven to fail time and time again 
.
. It's not fair to take away someone's life just because of a mistake they made as a kid.
.
. And now he's gone 
.
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. I mean, Sandra's parents didn't even give her all the facts before she gave Malcolm up for adoption 
. It's like, we need to be more careful and compassionate when it comes to family decisions 
.
. It's time for change 
!
. And now we're talking about how the justice system is so flawed that even after spending decades studying and doing good stuff on death row, he still got executed 
. It's just not right that these people, especially juveniles, are facing the death penalty. I mean, 3 decades of studying his faith and mentoring others on death row? That's some real growth right there 
. Let's work towards a more compassionate and fair society for everyone