The Story of Jamie Fuller

Fuller’s story is a powerful testament that redemption and growth are possible through even the most challenging circumstances. His journey in prison was one of profound transformation.

At 16, Jamie Fuller fatally stabbed his 14 year old cheerleader girlfriend Amy Carnevale in a murder of jealousy and aggression. He then buried her body at United Shoe Pond, and even boasted about it to friends.

Redemption

The story of Jamie Fuller is a testament to the extraordinary potential for transformation that exists within the human spirit. Born into adversity, he faced myriad challenges and obstacles throughout his life, yet beneath the surface was a multifaceted individual with untapped potential. He would ultimately venture into the world of crime, but through his choices and actions, he would ultimately emerge a fundamentally changed man with a fervent commitment to redemption.

In 1991, Fuller murdered his on-again off-again girlfriend Amy Carnevale after the two struggled in their relationship over her desire to break up. Her gruesome murder would garner national attention and be the inspiration for a Lifetime movie. Fuller stabbed and stomped on the 14-year-old girl to kill her in an act of jealousy and anger, boasting about it to his friends. He also discarded her body in a pond, and her remains were later found by police.

During his incarceration and parole eligibility period, Fuller embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and transformation. He seized every opportunity to educate himself and confront his past, and emerged from the experience as a deeply changed person with a steadfast commitment to redemption.

Advocacy and inspiration are the dual pillars upon which Fuller has built his post-prison career. He continues to advocate for criminal justice reform and athlete welfare, while also using his experiences to inspire others on their own journeys to redemption.

In 2019, Fuller was scheduled to appear before the Massachusetts Parole Board for his parole hearing, but the hearing was postponed. He currently serves a life sentence, but is eligible to seek freedom at age 43 under a 2013 Supreme Judicial Court ruling that declared life without parole for juveniles unconstitutional. He will continue to fight for his freedom, and is determined to make the most of this second chance. The doctrine of Redemption is a topic that has been debated by Christians from the very beginnings of the faith. It is a profoundly complex and ever-evolving subject, as new questions and new contexts are constantly being introduced to the discussion.

Advocacy

Jamie Fuller is an inspirational figure whose remarkable journey offers a powerful lesson in the potential for transformation, even within the confines of prison walls. During his 26 years in prison, he faced hardships and made many choices, each of which contributed to the profound change that would come to define his life. He is now poised to begin a new chapter, one that will see him use his second chance to contribute to society and advocate for reforms in criminal justice and athlete welfare.

As a teenager, Jamie Fuller had an ill-tempered temperament and was jealous of those who he considered to be more successful than him. He grew up in challenging circumstances, and educational obstacles — along with the weight of peer pressures — conspired to derail his early promise. By the time he was incarcerated, he had become a violent gang member.

Ultimately, the murders of two Wichita Falls women in 2016 served as the catalyst for his conviction and subsequent life sentence. On Oct. 9, 2016, Fuller drove a woman’s car to her apartment in Wichita Falls with the intention of robbing them. When he arrived, Shantalle Shabrea Vallier said she had told him Fuller was a gang member and that she didn’t want witnesses in the house.

Vallier later changed her testimony, saying she was afraid and had not been coerced. She said she lied when she told police Fuller was going to her house to rob them because she was afraid Fuller would kill her and her children. She said she only admitted her involvement because Fuller threatened to shoot her and her family.

During his incarceration, Jamie Fuller became involved in several projects, including founding the international pressure group, Change Cycling Now, alongside legendary three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and journalists Paul Kimmage and David Walsh. The campaign aimed to replace the then UCI president Pat McQuaid, who had faced growing global criticism for his handling of doping issues and the Lance Armstrong scandal. Fuller’s advocacy work has helped to spark discussions about ethical practices in sports and the importance of protecting athletes from being coerced into illegal behavior.

Inspiration

Jamie Fuller’s story embodies the profound transformation that can take place when determination and resilience lead the way. Her early life was a landscape of challenges, etched by educational obstacles and weighty peer pressures that drove her toward dangerous paths. Her involvement in criminal activities escalated, shaped by misguided choices that ultimately led her into encounters with the criminal justice system.

Fuller’s teenage infatuation with her 14-year-old girlfriend Amy Carnevale spiraled into lethal aggression. On August 23, 1993, she lured her to a wooded area with the promise of a party. In a bloodbath that left her dead, she was stabbed in the back and neck and had her throat slit. The gruesome killing would eventually lead to Fuller’s conviction for her murder and a life sentence in prison.

After 26 years behind bars, at the age of 43, Fuller became eligible for parole. The moment marked a turning point in his life and an opportunity to demonstrate the significant changes he had undergone during his time in incarceration.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the works of renowned artists Aldo Casanova and James Fuller are displayed together at the Scioto Arts Center. This exhibition is an opportunity to rediscover the commonalities between these two acclaimed, local talents whose work reflects an unmistakable appreciation for the beauty of nature and humanity’s connection to it.

Our next guest is an entrepreneur and global sports activist, founder of the global pressure group Change Soccer Now and chairman of Australian sporting compression wear company SKINS. He has been a staunch opponent of doping, corruption and homophobia in elite sports and the voice behind countless global campaigns, including #NewFIFANow. He also leads a global campaign for world rugby to redistribute resources to poorer rugby nations. Today, he joins us to discuss his work to improve the sporting landscape and promote human rights.

Building a Better Future

Jamie Fuller’s story of redemption is a testament to the power of resilience and transformation. His harrowing journey within prison walls served as the crucible for profound personal growth, resulting in the development of an unwavering belief that every person has the capacity to change their lives for the better. His advocacy work extends beyond prison walls, highlighting ethical practices in sport and championing athlete welfare. His journey continues to inspire countless individuals, both inside and outside the penal system, reminding them that second chances are possible.

For 26 years, Jamie Fuller lived behind prison walls, navigating the complex dynamics of life in maximum security. These years were a time of introspection, where he confronted the challenges that had led him down the criminal path and searched for ways to transform himself. The enduring relationships he formed within these walls became sources of support and inspiration, proving that even in the most challenging circumstances, opportunities for personal growth abound.

Fuller was born in Titusville, PA and raised in Centerville, Ohio. He had an innate ability to connect with people and nurture deep friendships, leaving a lasting impact on those she touched. She was a natural storyteller who had a gift for bringing joy to those around her. She was a loyal friend to her family, friends and co-workers.

Jamie Fuller passed away on Wednesday May 6, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. She was a mother, daughter, sister, niece and friend to many. She leaves behind her parents Salena and Jay Fuller of Portsmouth, Ohio, her husband Chris of Bear Lake, Ohio, brother Gavin Fuller and his wife Alissa of Centreville, Ohio and sister Kodie Fuller of Titusville, Pennsylvania; nephews Michael and Dylan of Pearland, Texas and Avian and Miles of Lucasville, Ohio; and a host of other family and friends.