“From Connecticut to the Nation: A Stand for Disability Justice”

I’m sharing an important update about my open letter (PI2505934), which addresses critical issues of accountability and reform in Connecticut with implications that resonate far beyond our state. I’ve received a reply from the Attorney General’s office, and the conversation is ongoing.

Now, I need your help to make a difference—whether you’re in Connecticut or elsewhere:

• Contact Connecticut’s leaders and oversight agencies to urge action on the issues raised in my letter.
• Share this post, the open letter, and my correspondence across your networks and on social media to amplify our collective call for reform.
• Write letters of support to officials or media outlets, highlighting the need for accountability and systemic change.

Your voice can help drive change in Connecticut and set an example for others. Thank you for standing with me.

Cover Letter

Dear Elected Leaders, Justice Officials, Media Representatives, and Fellow Citizens,

I write to you today with urgency—as a survivor of traumatic brain injury, an advocate, and a witness to sweeping systemic failures that harm countless Americans with invisible disabilities. My experience, detailed in the open letter below, “Craig Sears vs. the System: My Battle Against Injustice, Misdiagnosis, and the Bridgeport Police,” is not unique. Instead, it reflects a broader crisis affecting the disability community throughout Connecticut and across our nation.

For years, I was misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and wrongfully targeted by the very institutions meant to protect me. My case illustrates how prejudice, lack of disability awareness, and official misconduct can devastate lives and erode public trust in our justice system. Even with clear evidence of my innocence, fabricated charges and denial of basic accommodations resulted in years of struggle and trauma.

This is not just my battle. It is a call to action for all who believe in fairness, accountability, and equal justice. I urge policymakers, agency leaders, and community stakeholders to review my story and support urgent reforms—especially the establishment of a Disability Justice Oversight Commission and a national public registry of official misconduct. These changes are essential to prevent further injustice and to protect the rights and dignity of all people with disabilities.

I respectfully request a meeting or formal response from your office to discuss these critical issues and my policy recommendations. I am available for testimony, collaboration, or further dialogue at your earliest convenience.

I also invite members of the media, fellow advocates, and the public to read and share my open letter, and to join a growing movement demanding transparency, oversight, and true justice.

Thank you for your attention and commitment to meaningful change.

Sincerely,

Craig Sears

A Call for Justice: Addressing the Plight of Individuals with Invisible Disabilities

My journey is not solely my own; it mirrors the struggles of countless Americans living with invisible disabilities—misunderstood and mistreated by institutions meant to protect us. For years, the Bridgeport Police Department and Connecticut's judicial system failed to comprehend the complexities of traumatic brain injury (TBI), exposing a crisis at the intersection of medicine, law enforcement, and justice.

The Onset of My Ordeal

My ordeal began with a misdiagnosis that triggered a cascade of institutional neglect and societal prejudice. As I sought medical clarity and legal recognition, my disability became a target for exploitation—not just by the public, but by those in uniform and on the bench.

Misinterpretation and Exploitation

The consequences were dire. My symptoms were repeatedly misinterpreted as intoxication or criminal behavior, leading to wrongful encounters with law enforcement. The most egregious instance involved Detective Jeffrey A. Holtz of the Bridgeport Police Department, who fabricated evidence, doctored photographs, and manipulated audio recordings in an attempt to frame me for a crime I did not commit. Despite overwhelming proof of my innocence—including alibis, medical documentation, and forensic analysis—the court system willfully ignored the facts. Instead of upholding justice, the courts denied me basic accommodations and exploited my disability, turning the legal process into a weapon against me.

A Systemic Issue

My case isn't unique. It reflects how invisible disabilities are routinely misunderstood and mishandled by those in power. Many in the disability community have been misdiagnosed, institutionalized, or unjustly arrested due to systemic ignorance and bias. My legal battle was marked by a pattern of misconduct at every level. From manipulated evidence to false witness statements, from ignored motions to unacknowledged appeals, the system seemed designed to protect its own rather than those it was meant to serve. Even after exposing the fabrications—including the use of unrelated photos, tampered audio, and invented victims—my quest for accountability was met with silence or outright dismissal. Key figures, including Detective Holtz and Judge McShane, played central roles in a cover-up that left my life—and my reputation—in shambles.

Advocacy and Reform

Refusing to be silenced, I documented every step, filed citizen complaints, and brought my case before the police commissioner's board, internal affairs, and state and federal authorities. Each level failed to investigate or resolve the matter, creating what I call the "accountability gap." But my fight isn't only for myself. I have become a voice for others, advocating for reforms like mandatory TBI awareness training for law enforcement and fairer plea deal processes for those with disabilities. I support peer groups and help others navigate the same hostile systems.

Personal Experience as Advocacy

My advocacy is rooted in lived experience: understanding brain injuries isn't theoretical for me—it's my reality. Dispelling myths and stigma isn't just important—it's essential for justice and inclusion. Through community, peer support, and public action, I have found resilience—and a mission. I urge others to join me, contact legislators, and build coalitions for change.

Ongoing Struggles and Determination

Yet, the struggle continues. Institutional resistance, legal loopholes, and the persistent threat of retaliation make this battle exhausting and, at times, isolating. Still, my determination is unwavering: I will not let their lies or their failures define me or destroy others. I am committed to exposing the truth, holding power accountable, and ensuring invisible disabilities are seen and respected in every system.

A Call to Action

For anyone who believes in justice, my journey is a call to action—a reminder that silence enables injustice, but collective voices and evidence-based advocacy can drive real change. Read my story, join the movement, and help end the cycle of neglect and discrimination that has gone on for far too long.

Envisioning a Just Future

Imagine a world where prejudice against people with disabilities is not simply challenged, but completely dismantled—a world where inequality gives way to opportunity, and indifference is replaced by justice. In this vision, courtrooms are guided by evidence, not bias, ensuring that every voice—especially those the system so often tries to silence—is heard and valued. As we reflect on this vision, it is crucial to acknowledge the current legislative landscape shaping these efforts. Significant gaps persist: inadequate funding for disability advocacy, fragmented enforcement of disability rights, and inconsistent implementation of key protections all hinder meaningful progress. While existing laws, such as disability-specific provisions within broader civil rights frameworks, are essential, they demand consistent enforcement and continuous enhancement. Through thoughtful policy and collective action, we can transform society from one that erodes the foundations of justice to one that upholds them for its most vulnerable members.

Concrete Steps for Reform

This journey begins with concrete advocacy—such as the establishment of a Disability Justice Oversight Commission, which I will outline below. Together, we can bridge the gap between aspiration and action. As a survivor of traumatic brain injury and a dedicated advocate, I share my story not out of self-pity but with the fervent hope of preventing others from enduring the same misconduct and injustice inflicted by those wielding power without accountability. I know firsthand what it means to be rendered invisible, to have my truth overshadowed by the lies of others. Some skeptics may question my account, but the facts are clear: I was proven innocent in a court of law.

The Fight for Accountability

Consider this: For three and a half relentless years, I navigated the labyrinthine halls of Bridgeport Superior Court (G.A. 2, 172 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604), fighting not just for my freedom, but for the very integrity of truth itself. Investigations revealed that Detective Jeffrey Holtz (badge 40462) of the Bridgeport Police Department orchestrated a campaign of deception—manufacturing evidence, linking a stock photo of a car to my case, fabricating traffic data, and exploiting personal details about my disability sourced online. The car in the photo was not mine. The so-called evidence included doctored audio recordings and irrelevant interviews—a grotesque collage of tampering and fabrication. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, official misconduct contributed to 54% of wrongful convictions in the United States in 2022—my case is not an outlier, but part of a deeply troubling pattern. This statistic underscores that the actions of one detective reflect a national crisis demanding urgent reform.

Personal Background

My name is Craig Sears. I am an independent person living with a brain injury and a witness to a system that too often fails those it should protect. I have spent years advocating for the brain injury survivor community, participating in the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program, and fighting for dignity and autonomy. Before waiver services existed, I was institutionalized simply because there was nowhere else for me to go. I know the isolation of padded cells and the silence of deferred dreams.

Proposed Legislative Reforms

Connecticut General Statutes 54-56d (Competency to Stand Trial) is designed to protect vulnerable individuals but is too often used punitively. For example, John Doe, a Connecticut defendant, suffered extended incompetency findings due to a lack of periodic reassessments—resulting in unnecessary confinement and delayed justice. To address such issues, I propose amending this statute to mandate personalized competency reassessments at least every six months for individuals with disabilities. These reassessments should involve independent medical experts, clear criteria for competency, and a structured review process to swiftly challenge adverse findings.

Advocacy for Systemic Change

In the mid-1990s, I joined a class action lawsuit with the Brain Injury Association to fight for the ABI waiver—a reform that transformed lives. This waiver now allows organizations to provide non-medical services, helping people with traumatic brain injuries live in their communities rather than being institutionalized. For example, Jane Doe, once facing permanent institutionalization after a severe injury, now lives independently and mentors others, thanks to the waiver. Her story proves that advocacy can deliver real progress. Yet over 5.3 million Americans live with disabilities from brain injuries, many still trapped in broken systems.

Broadening the Scope of Advocacy

My advocacy extends beyond my own experience. I fight for children and young adults nationwide, amplifying the voices that are too often unheard. If my efforts restore dignity to even one person, they are worthwhile. Advocacy is not part-time—disability does not rest, and neither do I. Relentless advocacy and refusal to be silenced define my mission—not just for myself, but for all people with disabilities who suffer systemic failures.

Ongoing Challenges and Stigma

Even after exoneration, the shadow of false charges haunts me. The trauma of wrongful accusation, public humiliation, and the ongoing struggle to clear my name have left deep scars on my reputation and mental health. This stigma undermines my access to vital services. Legal experts note that such collateral consequences are among the most damaging, yet least addressed, outcomes of miscarriages of justice.

Call for National Reform

To move from empathy to action, I urge policymakers and the public to support a national public registry documenting official misconduct, modeled after the National Registry of Exonerations. This registry would bear witness to injustice, serve as a deterrent, hold wrongdoers accountable, and drive systemic reform. While some may raise concerns about privacy and due process, I propose strict safeguards: use of unique identifiers instead of personal details, limited access to validated organizations, encrypted data, and a fair challenge process involving an independent review panel to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Addressing Systemic Failures

I have witnessed how legal and law enforcement systems can be weaponized against the vulnerable. Injustice thrives when officers lack disability training, legal protections are weak, and oversight is ineffective. A 2020 Ruderman Family Foundation report revealed that up to half of the people killed by police in the U.S. have a disability—highlighting the magnitude of this crisis. States like California and New York have implemented disability-focused police training, and countries like the United Kingdom have established oversight bodies to monitor police conduct with vulnerable individuals—demonstrating that reform is both possible and effective.

Navigating the Legal System as a Disabled Person

Navigating the legal system as a disabled person feels like being trapped in a maze with no exit. Requests for reasonable accommodation are often dismissed, and legal counsel may pressure clients into plea deals for crimes they did not commit. Yet, I remain undeterred. In partnership with national and local organizations, I champion systemic reform. My policy proposal is to establish a statewide, independent Disability Justice Oversight Commission, empowered to conduct biannual audits of law enforcement interactions with individuals with disabilities, mandate comprehensive disability awareness and de-escalation training for all officers, and create a transparent and accessible reporting system for grievances and appeals.

Proposed Structure of the Commission

This commission should comprise legal experts, disability advocates, law enforcement representatives, and community leaders, ensuring a balanced perspective and genuine accountability. Its recommendations should be reported annually to the state legislature and made publicly available.

My journey is a call to action for justice, transparency, and reform—not just for myself, but for all who face similar barriers. I invite you to meet with me, review my evidence, and work together for systemic change. Please let my experience be the catalyst for meaningful reform in Connecticut and beyond.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues further and to provide any additional documentation you may require.

Sincerely,

Craig Sears