In the midst of a country divided by contentious political issues and a seemingly endless cycle of violence, one woman’s unwavering conviction stands out. Angelique Broussard, daughter of the late Alfred Bourgeois, has been tirelessly fighting for her father’s name to be cleared. Despite her father being executed four years ago, Angelique remains convinced of his innocence and has made it her mission to prove it.
For Angelique, the pain of losing her father was compounded by the circumstances surrounding his death. In 2019, former President Donald Trump carried out a relentless spree of executions, with Alfred Bourgeois being one of the victims. He was put to death for the murder of his two-year-old daughter, a crime which Angelique firmly believes he did not commit.
The evidence supporting his innocence is strong and compelling. The case against Alfred Bourgeois was built on the testimony of two medical examiners who claimed the child’s death was a result of physical abuse. However, more recent medical examinations have raised doubts about their conclusions, with one expert testifying that the child’s injuries were consistent with a fall, not abuse.
Despite this new evidence, Angelique’s pleas for a stay of execution were rejected by Trump’s administration. “I just don’t understand how they can ignore the facts and allow an innocent man to be put to death,” she says. “It’s a miscarriage of justice, and it breaks my heart every day.”
But Angelique refuses to let her father’s death be in vain. She has continued to fight for his exoneration, taking her case all the way to President Joe Biden’s administration. With the new president’s moratorium on federal executions, Angelique saw a glimmer of hope. She penned an emotional letter to Biden, begging him to review her father’s case and clear his name.
“I know my dad’s case is just one of many, and the weight of your decisions must feel overwhelming,” Angelique wrote to Biden. “But I ask you, as a father and a leader, to consider the innocence of my dad and the injustice that has been done to him and our family.”
Angelique’s plea did not go unheard. In March 2021, the Department of Justice confirmed that they would review the cases of Alfred Bourgeois and other death row inmates, following the president’s moratorium on executions. For Angelique, this was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. “I know my dad was innocent, and I believe that the truth will come out eventually,” she says. “I won’t stop fighting until my father’s name is cleared.”
Angelique’s unwavering determination and resilience in the face of immense pain and loss is a testament to the strength of a daughter’s love for her father. She is not alone in her fight, as she has received support from activists, lawyers, and individuals who have been moved by her story. They have all joined her in urging President Biden to take action and right the wrong that was done to Alfred Bourgeois and his family.
But Angelique’s fight goes beyond her father’s case. She has become an advocate for criminal justice reform, calling for an end to the death penalty and a fairer justice system for all. “My dad’s case is one of many examples of the flaws in our justice system,” she says. “I hope that by raising awareness of his case, we can also bring attention to these larger issues and push for change.”
As Angelique continues her battle for her father’s legacy, she remains inspired by his courage and strength. “My dad always maintained his innocence until the very end,” she says with pride. “His fight for justice lives on through me, and I will not rest until he is exonerated.”
Angelique Broussard’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, a single voice can make a difference. Her determination and perseverance in seeking justice for her father serves as a beacon of hope and motivation for others to stand up and fight for what is right. And with President Biden’s review of her father’s case, there is a glimmer of hope that one day, Alfred Bourgeois’ name will be cleared and his family will finally find peace.
