This nightmare began in late august of 2006, when our son was questioned by the police for a breaking and entering. By the middle of september he was being held without bail awaiting trial on a murder charge. His trial ended february 5 2009, he was sentenced to life without possibility of parole. Our son is currently at m.c.i. concord, awaiting transfer to either sousa-baranowski or m.c.i. cedar junction. I still cannot believe this is happening.

Thank you for coming forward. I know this is really rough. Can he try for clemency or a pardon? Or is that not allowed? Because your lawyers have x time to file all the motions for an Appeal. I think it is either 30 or 60 days from the trial.

My son got 25 yrs but his legal aid lawyer filed 13 motions where the justice system had failed and gave due cause for an appeal. Ask your lawyer what he is doing toward the filing of the motions for just cause for an appeal. Also post trial clemency within I think 30 or 60 days also .

Hope this gave you hope where little was left.

I pray that it will be reassessed and see what can be done to help the situation.

Love Rhea

I don't know whether he can get clemency or a pardon,but i doubt it. As for motions, his lawyer filed some during the trial. The lawyer also has filed a notice for appeal. Nate [my son ], has another sentencing hearing on february 26 for the rest of the charges having to do with this trial. Pretty much all we can hope for is that the sentences will be run concurrently instead of consecutively. Then joy of joys, we get to go through another trial on the charges that were separated from this trial. Thank you for trying to bring me a little hope. Thanks also for the prayers, we sure need alot of them. I am also feeling hurt and annoyed with my previously friendly and supportive neighbor,because when i asked her [ this was very hard for me to do ], to write a small letter of support for the court telling about the kind of person she knew Nate to be, she said she would have to "pray" on it and that she didn't really know him. How soon it is forgotten that Nate and my husband would go over and shovel their driveway free of snow before they [ the neighbors] got home from work. Just needed to vent the hurt.

I don't know whether he can get clemency or a pardon,but i doubt it. As for motions, his lawyer filed some during the trial. The lawyer also has filed a notice for appeal. Nate [my son ], has another sentencing hearing on february 26 for the rest of the charges having to do with this trial. Pretty much all we can hope for is that the sentences will be run concurrently instead of consecutively. Then joy of joys, we get to go through another trial on the charges that were separated from this trial. Thank you for trying to bring me a little hope. Thanks also for the prayers, we sure need alot of them. I am also feeling hurt and annoyed with my previously friendly and supportive neighbor,because when i asked her [ this was very hard for me to do ], to write a small letter of support for the court telling about the kind of person she knew Nate to be, she said she would have to "pray" on it and that she didn't really know him. How soon it is forgotten that Nate and my husband would go over and shovel their driveway free of snow before they [ the neighbors] got home from work. Just needed to vent the hurt.

Vent away because we know how you feel.My daughter was arrested April 2007 and sentenced on October 3 2008 for aggravated manslaughter. She also was caught up with the wrong people. I had people say they were going to write letters for my daughter but never got around to it. I wrote letters and myself and a friend were the only ones to show up at court for sentencing. Her siblings do not write or really bother with her. I don't talk about her except to a few select people because unless they have been through this, they really don't understand and are ever so judgmental and it hurts too much.

Yes it does hurt horribly when ones do not see that this could happen to their child or themselves also. Anyone can end up in prison...you do not have to be guilty of really anything and can end up there.

People are very quick to judge and those sometimes whom are supposed Christains are worse than others. My family members that are the least supportive are the ones that brag constantly about what great god fearing good Christains they are. We know the truth, Jesus wopuld never have treated us or my son like they have....but they still think they are A#1 grade A true Christains while for some reason they think we are heathens....It would be funny if they were anyone but family.

Some evidently prayed on the matter amnd decided that they are not ever going to write clemency letters. Well I am sorry that is not my definition of a true Christain.

Sorry another person question about support bothered me. New one here has not got family support. That just sticks in my gullet!

So I will end my post here now....I am venting when I was trying to give support myself. LOL!

Love you all!
Rhea

I was so glad to hear that my sons siblings are not the only ones who have not written. I have two sons who visit him when he actually has visits left, but another son in another state that has yet to even write to him, seven months! It is interesting to see how people try to justify not writing or getting involved. I think their biggest justification is to say, "well he should not have been where he was in the first place". It could have very easily been one of them. Hard to be patient with them when I know how much it would help him to hear from them.

My nephew spent about 7 years in a Fl prison . James was charged with att murder. He was defending a girl! My girls were quite young back then and received a letter from him. I would NOT let them answer the letter, but NOW I realize I should have written him....too late! At that time, I was afraid of the stigma of "prison"......I am so very ashamed.......Now, my son is in prison and I am BEGGING for family to write him...James was released a few years ago and is a new father! God help us all...........Love, Barbara

Oh Barb, don't be ashamed..we know better now don't we. My son in law will not let my grandchildren have contact with my daughter. If they draw a picture or such, I will take it and send it to my daughter. Heaven forbid that her sister (their mom) would write her. My daughter even sent her sister and the kids birthday cards and did she get any acknowledgement for that? No. I got a picture from my daughter done at her prison and all my son could say was she looks okay. He expresses no desire to talk to her or write her or see her. It hurts my heart because she will come home one day and I want them to be there for her. How can she turn her life around if they don't support her? You are right...God help us all...

Just remember He sees what is happening and what His Son told them about Mary Madelene....she was purer in her heart then they were. He sees and He will hold them accountable.

Yes Barb. You did what you did years ago.....but you have changed and have learned the same way we all did....it can happen to good people too.

So maybe we should be a little more forgiving but I still think if it happened to one of my neices or nephews I would have offered to write clemency letters and letters and cards and gifts to them in prison. I do not believe I would have turned my back.

My take only!
Rhea

These posts are from 2009, but I'm hoping some are still active? My 18 year old son is in jail, awaiting trial. I'm able to speak with him by phone and I've mailed him a letter and a Bible. I'm terrified for his safety and have trouble focusing on anything else during the day. I pray continuously for strength for him and myself and our family. Any words of wisdom for surviving this nightmare are appreciated.

Hi, ScaredMom18, I just found this group as well. My son is 15, facing charges, and possibly being certified as an adult. I'm scared of what might happen to him. His attorney is saying they won't certify him, but I'm still very nervous.

23 y.o daughter first offence, also just found this group. I am sick to the core with worry. Never been a fan of rollercoasters and definetely want off this one. Feel helpless. I have 2 close friends who I have told but feel so alone and lost.

I have no answers, but sadly, I know how you feel. (((Hugs))).

My son is going in on May 22..i am devastated