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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Trial & My Cousin
Greeting, DU Community:
In the 14 months since an off-duty cop shot my cousin and his son, in a tragic incident sparked by road rage, the DU community has provided me with a great deal of support and assistance. You have: allowed me to vent; communicated much-appreciated humanity; and participated in a campaign to let the District Attorney and County Court Judge know that bail was not an acceptable option in this case.
I have attempted to keep people updated on events relating to the upcoming trial. We had originally anticipated it would take place in the fall of this year. Then, it was moved back to January of 2016. And now, Ive been informed that it will likely begin in April of 2016.
Court systems, like all bureaucracies, move at their own pace. This creates a bit of stress for my cousin, who wants to get it over with. But as Im familiar with the system, Im able to keep things on track on our side. When the thug came up with his second and third official version of that days events -- each sworn to, each distinct -- it upsets my cousin. I remind him that, when one tells the truth, they need only to remember and tell the same story; but when one tells numerous lies, they have to keep track of all of them.
This coming week, I will be delivering a packet of documents to the District Attorney, which includes yet another statement -- signed by the murderer -- that has not yet been seen by the prosecution. It will help to convict the thug. In fact, when the defense attorney learns of it, I suspect that it might make copping a plea deal seem like a better alternative, than going to trial.
I certainly have appreciated all the support from the DU community. I shall continue to keep you up-dated, as the trial approaches.
Sincerely,
H2O Man
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,308 posts)Thank you for this timely update. I have been wondering what, if anything, was happening.
Your little packet of documents cheer me enormously. I want to see that thug put away for a very very long time.
Please tell your cousin that we are all cheering him on and hope that he can continue to be patient.
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)At risk of sounding obnoxious, I will say that I'm pleased with my ability to access the information in that packet of documents .....especially the lies of the thug, on my cousin's case. (The other things, from another case, are certainly important, too ....but my cousin's case is the most important to me.)
immoderate
(20,885 posts)My thoughts are with you. Keep 'em honest H2O Man.
--imm
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)Justice will prevail in this case. I have no doubt.
While I normally encourage people to enjoy the process, though, I can see this being drawn out as damaging to my family. But it doesn't compare, as far as "damaging," to having this good young man killed in such a vicious manner.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)H2O Man
(73,333 posts)We will get through this. And the support of friends on DU is very important. We set the bar high, for example, as far as citizens contacting the DA and judge per bail. Set the county's record for number of contacts. And that's still being talked about, among the region's attorneys.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Thanks for the update, and I hope the creep is put away for a very long time.
I can't imagine the stress this must be causing you and your family.
niyad
(112,438 posts)mopinko
(69,809 posts)i have been plagued with a few legal woes this past 2 years. they all end next week. imma have a party.
and my woes are NOTHING.LIKE.YOURS.
just petty shit that i knew would be ok in the end.
hang in there my friend. your family is lucky to have you.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)In my own dealings with the legal system -- a couple of years as a paralegal and then my own divorce -- I was annoyed and horrified at how slowly things went. Original court dates were just an exercise in pure fantasy.
And, as a former airline ticket agent, let me say that attorneys were generally the ones who'd get most incensed over a fifteen minute delay. This from the same people who keep lawsuits hanging out there for years at a time.
I do hope things end in appropriate justice.
tblue37
(64,982 posts)Hekate
(90,202 posts)KT2000
(20,544 posts)was going. Hope your packet does result in a plea so all can find some peace sooner.
Dems to Win
(2,161 posts)I'm glad the murderer is sitting in jail during these delays.
Full support to you and your family.
Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)I've found that more often than not the truth does tend to expose itself in time. Patience and the certainty that it will all come out in the end is not easy to endure. But as I've always said. The Truth is truly a good thing to know. It may be very painful, but still, it's always a good thing to know.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,273 posts)Somehow I missed this guy was an off duty cop.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)If the case does go to trial, do you have any idea what the sentencing guidelines require? Actually, it would be good to know even if the case is settled. Sometimes the prosecutor asks the family for their thoughts on the terms of the deal, and should this happen in this case, having that information in your hand would be a good thing.
Best wishes to you and your family for finding the strength to continue to cope and perhaps one day heal from your loss. I know the pain never truly goes away, but the day will come when you think of them, you can smile thinking of the good times and the love that was shared.
Regards,
Sam
Octafish
(55,745 posts)And may Justice be served.
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)mmonk
(52,589 posts)Best of luck in this quest.
Thespian2
(2,741 posts)Very sorry for the beating your family is taking from an incredibly slow justice system...
hlthe2b
(101,730 posts)How did you manage to get a signed statement that the DA has not seen? It sounds like the defendant has been mouthing off indiscriminately and I agree with you that that will likely be his undoing.
Thinking of you and your family. I know the pain is still fresh and the holidays (and trial delays) can only heighten it.
to you and yours.
mountain grammy
(26,571 posts)I'll be happy for you when this killer is put away for good. Not revenge, just protecting the lives of people from a real menace.
malaise
(267,834 posts)I can imagine what your cousin is experiencing - any death is hard but cold blooded murder is way worse - let alone by an agent of the state.
Warpy
(110,913 posts)because the murderer in that case confessed and didn't recant. He avoided the DP that way and eventually died in prison. I still have the lurid pulp "true crime" magazine about it that came out a few months after the murder. Life can give us strange souvenirs.
I'm surprised Officer Dirtbag hasn't plea bargained down to something that will have him back on the street in 5 years Since he keeps changing his story (probably to keep living with himself), it's not looking good for presenting himself as an upstanding representative of Truth, Justice and the American Way. He's likely arrogant enough to think his former career is a permanent get out of jail free card.
Just know that others have been through surviving a murder in the family and have come out the other end, some of us even able to forgive the murderer at long last, although that's not a requirement. Unfortunately, the only way out is through.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)I've wonderdd about this. Thanks for sharing an update.
Sensitive soul
(71 posts)The wheels of justice are always slow. Patience will be you and your cousins virtue. Justice will prevail.
-K
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)I worked on my buddy Rubin's case for most of the twenty years it took to get justice. This case is simple -- and almost fast -- in comparison.
question everything
(47,271 posts)what an experience you and your family have been going.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)uppityperson
(115,674 posts)spanone
(135,637 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)on the sentencing.
Be well and at peace.