IMPACT: STEPHAN LONG

Project Description

CASE STUDY: STEPHAN LONG

THE CHALLENGE

On June 13, 2023, Stephan Long, a 26-year-old Black man, faced two counts of first-degree murder after using his legally owned firearm to defend himself against two masked white assailants who attacked him on I-25. Despite acting in clear self-defense, the charges highlighted systemic racial bias in Colorado’s self-defense laws, which disproportionately affect Black individuals. Data shows that while fatal shootings by white individuals of Black victims are deemed justifiable 34% of the time, the rate falls to just 3% when the roles are reversed. This discrepancy exemplifies the unequal application of self-defense laws, further compounded by the overcharging practices of District Attorneys like Denver DA, Beth McCann. DJP recognized Stephan’s case as part of a troubling pattern of criminalizing Black men for exercising their legal rights.

OUR APPROACH

After being contacted by the family, the Denver Justice Project intervened as advocates and intermediaries for Stephan Long and his family, providing trauma-informed support and strategic assistance. We held weekly strategy meetings that resulted in organizing community rallies, speaking at Denver City Council, and launching social media campaigns and press conferences to bring Stephan’s story to the public eye. Our efforts included mobilizing community for court support and lobbying local and state officials to hold authorities accountable for their actions. By centering Stephan’s narrative, we fostered community engagement through Weeks of Action, which included petitions and letter-writing campaigns. DJP also worked tirelessly to shape public discourse around racial bias in self-defense laws, utilizing media outreach, election season, and community partnerships to ensure that the injustices faced by Stephan were front and center.

THE IMPACT

DJP’s relentless advocacy led to significant progress in Stephan Long’s case. On October 18, 2023, one first degree murder charge was dropped, followed by the dismissal of the remaining charge on August 22, 2024, when DA McCann acknowledged the validity of Stephan’s self-defense claim. These victories underscored the importance of applying public pressure while addressing racial inequities in the legal system. DJP’s efforts not only supported Stephan’s fight, but also laid the groundwork for broader discussions on self-defense laws and their implications for Black individuals, ensuring that his case contributes to lasting change in the legal landscape. This was a victory born from the relentless efforts of the community but we must remember that the harm was not dismissed as soon as the charges are. During this process, Stephan was connected with a powerful civil attorney who has agreed to represent him and we will continue to support Stephan and his family as they begin their journey towards healing.