Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Yes I Am
By Jacque Wilson
West Modesto isn’t just where I’m from—it’s who I am. It’s the soil where my roots were planted, the community that shaped my identity, and the foundation of my family’s legacy. For over 50 years, my father, Mack Wilson, has been a pillar of this community—a veteran, an advocate for the poor, and a voice for the voiceless. He raised seven sons—Jacq, Michael, Maurice Lamont, Gardol, Lance, and Neko—and one daughter, Dominique, teaching us the values of faith, justice, and hard work. Equally pivotal were my two mothers, Brenda Wilson and Ruby Jean Kennedy, whose love and guidance strengthened our foundation. They instilled in us a deep belief in God, the importance of family, and a commitment to community. Their unwavering support was often the wind beneath our wings, lifting us in moments of doubt and grounding us in principles that have guided my life and career.
My twin brother, Jacq Wilson, now a district attorney in Alameda County, and I, a San Francisco public defender for 22 years, have devoted our lives to justice, fairness, and service. Though we stand on opposite sides of the courtroom, we are united in our commitment to making the world a better place. This is a story about my brothers, our family, and how I became my brothers’ and community’s keeper.
The Fight for Neko
In 2009, my brother Neko was arrested and charged with felony murder in Fresno County. He wasn’t at the scene when two people were murdered, but under California’s old felony murder law, he was held culpable simply because prosecutors alleged he had helped plan the robbery. At the time, this outdated law allowed someone to face first-degree murder charges—even the death penalty—if they participated in a felony that led to a killing, regardless of their intent or presence at the scene.
For nine grueling years, Neko sat in jail, awaiting a trial that never came. Prosecutors sought the death penalty, and the weight of this injustice bore heavily on our family. But I refused to let my brother’s life be stolen by an unjust system. Seven years after Neko’s arrest, I took over his case and became his attorney. I challenged every aspect of the case against him. My father, Mack Wilson, campaigned tirelessly in Sacramento, and together we worked to highlight the flaws in the felony murder rule. Alongside a coalition of advocates, we pushed for systemic reform to protect Neko and others like him.
In 2018, these efforts led to the passage of Senate Bill 1437, a landmark reform of California’s felony murder rule authored by Senator Nancy Skinner. The bill restricted murder charges to those who directly committed a killing, intended to kill, or acted with reckless indifference to human life. Since its passage, SB 1437 has brought home an estimated 1,000 people, cut over 18,000 years off unjust sentences, and saved California taxpayers billions of dollars.
Neko became the first person released under this new law. Today, he works at our family business, Best for Less Auto Sales, in Modesto. He has rebuilt his life, reconnected with his daughter, and found stability. His story is a testament to the transformative power of second chances.
Changing Laws in Arizona
Shortly after his release, Neko faced another uphill battle. Arizona prosecutors sought to imprison him for nearly ten years on a decades-old marijuana charge. Held without bail in deplorable jail conditions, Neko was once again caught in the crosshairs of the criminal legal system. But I wasn’t going to back down. Drawing on the lessons learned from SB 1437, we fought Neko’s case all the way to the Arizona Supreme Court. After 17 months of litigation, Neko was released, and the charges were resolved with a fine that friends and family paid.
These victories were not just about my brother—they were about proving that fairness and justice can prevail, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Fighting for Lance
My brother Lance Wilson’s story is another chapter in our family’s long battle with injustice. Convicted on federal drug charges, Lance’s lengthy prison sentence reflected the devastating impact of the War on Drugs, particularly on Black and Brown communities.
Through relentless advocacy, I fought for Lance’s release. Lance was ultimately freed under the First Step Act. Today, he works at The Worker Agency, contributing meaningfully to society and proving that people given second chances can thrive.
A Legacy of Advocacy
Advocacy is in our blood. My twin brother, Jacq, and I co-founded Advocates for Justice, an organization dedicated to addressing systemic inequities and building opportunities for people to reclaim their lives. Together, we’ve tackled issues ranging from discriminatory school discipline policies in Modesto to criminal justice reform across the state. My father, Mack Wilson, has been the guiding force behind it all. A veteran and tireless community advocate, he raised us with a deep commitment to faith, service, and justice. And our mothers, Brenda Wilson and Ruby Jean Kennedy, reinforced those values, giving us the strength to face adversity and the compassion to serve others.
As a proud product of Modesto’s public schools and local colleges—having attended Franklin Elementary School, Mark Twain Junior High, Modesto High School, Modesto Junior College, and Stanislaus State University before earning my law degree—I know the importance of strong community roots. My education and upbringing in Modesto prepared me to fight for justice, not just for my family, but for my community.
My Brother’s Keeper
The phrase “my brother’s keeper” has long served as a reminder of our duty to show compassion, support, and accountability toward others, especially those in need. It suggests a moral obligation to look out for one another in a shared sense of humanity. The stories of Neko and Lance are not just about individual triumph—they’re about the power of second chances and the importance of systemic reform. Through SB 1437, we’ve seen lives transformed and families reunited. This law has saved California taxpayers billions of dollars while restoring fairness to our criminal justice system.
Neko now runs our family’s business in Modesto. Lance works for an organization dedicated to social change. My sister Dominique and my other brothers—Jacq, Michael, Maurice Lamont, and Gardol—have each played a vital role in shaping who I am today. Together, we are a testament to the resilience and strength of a family united by love and purpose.
When I reflect on our journey—from West Modesto to the courtroom—I am reminded of what my father always says: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” That philosophy has guided every fight I’ve undertaken, every case I’ve argued, and every life I’ve tried to uplift.
At the end of the day, Yes I am my brother’s keeper. And I always will be.
Thank you Jeremiah Williams for connecting us with this amazing and powerful story of brotherly love and support.
