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H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 01:43 PM Dec 2015

The 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, I’ve 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 I’m familiar with “the system,” I’m able to keep things on track on our side. When the thug came up with his second and third official version of that day’s 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

34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Trial & My Cousin (Original Post) H2O Man Dec 2015 OP
My dear H20 Man... CaliforniaPeggy Dec 2015 #1
Thanks, Buddy! H2O Man Dec 2015 #6
Thanks for the update. immoderate Dec 2015 #2
Thank you, my Friend! H2O Man Dec 2015 #29
Hang in there - "the wheels of the gods grind slowly, bu they grind exceedingly fine." hedgehog Dec 2015 #3
Thank you. H2O Man Dec 2015 #30
I remember your previous posts about this. cwydro Dec 2015 #4
thank you for keeping us updated. know that your whole du family is with you and your family. niyad Dec 2015 #5
being entrenched in the legal system is like being sick. mopinko Dec 2015 #7
Thank you for keeping us informed. SheilaT Dec 2015 #8
I am reminded of the _Jarndyce v. Jarndyce_ case in Charles Dickens' tblue37 Dec 2015 #14
You and your family are in my thoughts -- thanks for keeping us updated. Blessings to you all. Hekate Dec 2015 #9
Thank you - wondered how this KT2000 Dec 2015 #10
Thanks for the update Dems to Win Dec 2015 #11
() Jack Rabbit Dec 2015 #12
Your patience for waiting for the truth to be exposed is commendable lunatica Dec 2015 #13
Thanks for the update. Hassin Bin Sober Dec 2015 #15
So, so sorry for this tragedy that has fallen upon your family Samantha Dec 2015 #16
Godspeed. Octafish Dec 2015 #17
You're a good cousin, H2O Man. The strength, intelligence and endurance you have are inspiring. Dont call me Shirley Dec 2015 #18
Thanks for the update. mmonk Dec 2015 #19
Thank you... Thespian2 Dec 2015 #20
I have been wondering, H20 Man Thx for updating. A question if that is ok.... hlthe2b Dec 2015 #21
Thanks for the update. mountain grammy Dec 2015 #22
Thanks for the updates WaterMan malaise Dec 2015 #23
My family was spared a trial Warpy Dec 2015 #24
Just so sad. Tragic. MannyGoldstein Dec 2015 #25
My dear H2O man Sensitive soul Dec 2015 #26
Right. H2O Man Dec 2015 #28
Hoping for the best question everything Dec 2015 #27
Best to you and your family as this goes on. madfloridian Dec 2015 #31
It is frustrating to have it go on so long. Best wishes to you and yours, thank you for the update uppityperson Dec 2015 #32
K&R... spanone Dec 2015 #33
I wrote a letter to the judge on the bail issue. I hope to write one msanthrope Dec 2015 #34

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,308 posts)
1. My dear H20 Man...
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 01:49 PM
Dec 2015

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)
6. Thanks, Buddy!
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 02:01 PM
Dec 2015

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.)

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
29. Thank you, my Friend!
Wed Dec 16, 2015, 12:49 AM
Dec 2015

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.

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
30. Thank you.
Wed Dec 16, 2015, 12:52 AM
Dec 2015

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)
4. I remember your previous posts about this.
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 01:55 PM
Dec 2015

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.

mopinko

(69,809 posts)
7. being entrenched in the legal system is like being sick.
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 02:07 PM
Dec 2015

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)
8. Thank you for keeping us informed.
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 02:21 PM
Dec 2015

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)
14. I am reminded of the _Jarndyce v. Jarndyce_ case in Charles Dickens'
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 02:47 PM
Dec 2015
Bleak House, which went on forever, destroying numerous lives in the process. He wrote that novel in part to show how deeply unjust such endless delays can be.

KT2000

(20,544 posts)
10. Thank you - wondered how this
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 02:33 PM
Dec 2015

was going. Hope your packet does result in a plea so all can find some peace sooner.

 

Dems to Win

(2,161 posts)
11. Thanks for the update
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 02:39 PM
Dec 2015

I'm glad the murderer is sitting in jail during these delays.

Full support to you and your family.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
13. Your patience for waiting for the truth to be exposed is commendable
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 02:43 PM
Dec 2015

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.

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
16. So, so sorry for this tragedy that has fallen upon your family
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 03:10 PM
Dec 2015

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

Thespian2

(2,741 posts)
20. Thank you...
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 04:16 PM
Dec 2015

Very sorry for the beating your family is taking from an incredibly slow justice system...


hlthe2b

(101,730 posts)
21. I have been wondering, H20 Man Thx for updating. A question if that is ok....
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 04:17 PM
Dec 2015

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)
22. Thanks for the update.
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 04:27 PM
Dec 2015

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)
23. Thanks for the updates WaterMan
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 04:47 PM
Dec 2015

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)
24. My family was spared a trial
Sat Dec 12, 2015, 04:56 PM
Dec 2015

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.

Sensitive soul

(71 posts)
26. My dear H2O man
Wed Dec 16, 2015, 12:19 AM
Dec 2015

The wheels of justice are always slow. Patience will be you and your cousins virtue. Justice will prevail.
-K

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
28. Right.
Wed Dec 16, 2015, 12:46 AM
Dec 2015

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.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
34. I wrote a letter to the judge on the bail issue. I hope to write one
Wed Dec 16, 2015, 03:52 AM
Dec 2015

on the sentencing.

Be well and at peace.

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