What Does True Justice Look Like? In Conversation with Gunner Johnson and Brett May

What Does True Justice Look Like? In Conversation with Gunner Johnson and Brett May

Gunner Johnson (pictured, on right) survived a home invasion robbery in which he was shot twice and a close friend was killed while sleeping in the next room. He later committed a crime himself, an action for which he takes full responsibility and understands to be connected to the injuries and trauma he experienced as a victim. Brett May (pictured, on left) was convicted of a crime that took someone’s life and served 24 years of a life without parole sentence. He also knows the pain of losing loved ones to homicide, having lost multiple childhood friends while growing up in the street life. For many years, Brett viewed those deaths as inevitable casualties of that world. It wasn’t until much later that he recognized himself as a survivor — someone carrying profound grief and trauma while also confronting the accountability and remorse for the harm he caused. That dual truth shapes how he understands justice today.

Gunner and Brett speak from their experiences and describe what accountability asks of a person. They will speak about how each of them found their way toward healing and an understanding of justice.

Survivor Action For Equity (SAFE) is a coalition of people who have lost loved ones to homicide and who believe that a life without parole sentence handed down to someone barely out of their teens deserves a second look. Audience questions are welcome.

SAFE welcomes new members who have lost loved ones to homicide. Learn more at SurvivorAction.org. If you're not a survivor but would like to support this work, reach out to learn how.

Gunner Johnson is a survivor, restorative justice practitioner, and higher education professional working to advance second chances for justice-impacted people. Having lived through both harm and incarceration himself, he has transformed that experience into a commitment to healing, accountability, and systems change, working alongside survivors, people who have caused harm, and formerly incarcerated individuals to show that accountability and redemption can coexist. Gunner is the director of the UC Davis Underground Scholars Program, where he supports formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students in accessing higher education, building community, and achieving academic success. He also advocates for policies that strengthen public safety by giving people meaningful pathways to accountability, education, and restoration. His work is grounded in the conviction that every person is more than the worst thing they have ever done, and that second chances build stronger individuals, families, and communities.

Brett May is the Founder and Executive Director of the LWOP Foundation, shaped by his lived experience and 24 years served on a Life Without Parole sentence before earning a Commutation from Governor Gavin Newsom. He now works across universities, juvenile halls, and correctional facilities, providing trauma-informed guidance and expanding opportunities for justice-impacted people. Brett is completing his B.A. in Psychology at Cal State San Bernardino and brings firsthand insight into what real transformation requires.

Thanks to Pfau Library, Project Rebound, and the Information Technology Services team for making this event possible! Series organizers (alphabetical) are Amber Broaden (CSUSB and CSU Dominguez Hills, Psychology), Stan Futch (President, Westside Action Group), Michael German (Brennan Center for Justice), Robie Madrigal (Pfau Library), Dr. Jeremy Murray (CSUSB History), Matt Patino (Crafton Hills College Adjunct Faculty), Dr. Mary Texeira (CSUSB Sociology). Click here to view previous panels in the Conversations on Race and Policing series (link). Thanks to Project Rebound and the CSUSB Pfau Library for their support of this event! Thanks to Thinh Ly, Parker Brooks, and the Information Technology Services team!