My Beloved Family,

I wrote a letter to Governor Fletcher today, asking him to look at Louis's case and see if he could help him in any way. I told him how it concerned me that such a long sentence might do more harm than good. I also told him about the staff from the Juvenile Detention Center where he spent the first year coming to court to testify in his behalf. Perhaps if he looks at the case and reads their testimony, he will be moved to help him.

Louis got into a fight last week. I don't know if it was because prison has changed him (he has no history of violence) or if it was unavoidable. Either way, I want him away from there if at all possible.

He has learned his lesson. Actually, he had learned that when this all went to court. That was why the Juvenile officers testified on his behalf. They had tears in their eyes when they heard his sentence. Since then, he has grown so very much. It is time for him to come home and start building a new life.

Namaste

Dear Susan,
Sending prayers for your son.
May all things work out well for him.

Love,
Sue

Dear Susan,
This is very distressing news. Joining in prayer that that you son will be able to come home and start a normal life.

Love
Vicky

Dear Susan,

I remember when this problem started, and I am very sorry that your son's trouble did not have a more favourable resolution.
Adding my prayers that everything will be solved favourably and quickly.

Love, Inda

Joining this loving prayer.

Thank you all so much. By the time I had finished writing that letter to Governor Fletcher yesterday, I was in tears. It brought back so many painful memories. Louis will be able to call again in about two weeks so maybe I can find out more about what is going on.

Namaste

Dear Susan, I join in prayer for your dear son Louis, may Universe conspire to realize your intentions for his highest good.

Love,
Margherita

Dear Susan,

I am very sorry to find out that your son has been unfairly punished.
Joining in prayer that things will turn out favouraly for your son and for you.

Love,
yoko

Continuing to pray for Louis and for you.
May there be a good solution to the existing problem.
Sending hope and comfort.

Love, Inda

Adding more prayers for your son.
May there be a good outcome to this problem.

Love
Vicky

Continuing to send prayers, positive vibes... and hugs all around!

May the best that can happen, happen for all concerned. Amen. And so it is.

Love and lightening, Teo

Kentucky Constitution
Section 77
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Power of Governor to remit fines and forfeitures, grant reprieves and pardons -- No power to remit fees.

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He shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures, commute sentences, grant reprieves and pardons, except in case of impeachment, and he shall file with each application therefor a statement of the reasons for his decision thereon, which application and statement shall always be open to public inspection. In cases of treason, he shall have power to grant reprieves until the end of the next session of the General Assembly, in which the power of pardoning shall be vested; but he shall have no power to remit the fees of the Clerk, Sheriff or Commonwealth's Attorney in penal or criminal cases.

Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
History: Not yet amended.
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Now they've gone and done it. Mama is mad!!!!!


I received the following letter today from James W. P'Keefe, the Executive Director of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.

Dear Ms. Gann

Please be advised your letter to Governor Fletcher has been referred to me for review and response. I am deeply troubled in this case as I am the letters from many mother's who write expressing the love and support they have for their sons and daughters now incarcerated.

The sentence does seem severe but the police crime report states the victim was struck in the head with an unknown object, rendering her unconscious and she fell to the ground. (This was the initial assumption of the police investigating the case, however, the Neurologist who treated her and later testified in court said the injuries were consistent with her falling and hitting her head on the pavement as Louis had said in his confession and later testimony.) She was severely injured. (This is also true and caused Louis great remorse. Fortunately, she did recover.) The law is very specific in crimes of violence and thus the 85% of sentence must be served. (This part of the letter merely irritated me. This idiot didn't bother to look at the court prceedings, only the police report.)

(Now for the part that really angered me. I have this terrible aversion to being lied to.) The Governor has no control over enacted law and cannot change the sentence. (That's funny, doesn't section 77 of the constitution say quite specifically that the governor....shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures, commute sentences, grant reprieves and pardons....?) Louis should take advantage of all educational courses, college courses, and learn a trade or vocation during the time remaining.

I am terribly sorry the Governor cannot intervene in such cases but he cannot. I wish Louis the very best and hopefully he will choose the right path in the futures. Thank you for your letter.

Sincerely,

James W. O'Keefe
Executive Director

~~~~~~~~~

To add insult to injury, this letter comes just a few short months after our dear governor granted a blanket pardon to anyone except himself who was being investigated over his administrations hiring practices. For himself, he just took the Fifth. Amendment, that is, I am unfamiliar with his drinking habits. So, our Executive Director of Justice and Public Safety is not only unfamiliar with the Kentucky Constitution, but also of current events.

~~~~~~~~~

There. I think I feel better. Maybe after a good night's sleep I will be able to figure out step two. Something a bit more civilized than the steps I have had running through my head since I read that letter this evening.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. It looks like I am going to need more of them. If I bang that wall long enough and hard enough, it just might fall down.



Namaste,(yes, even Governor Fletcher and James W. O'Keefe)

Susan

Dear Susan,
Thank you for sharing this information with us. I wish I could help; maybe my added prayers will send a healing message to the right person and help your son in this difficult time.

Love
Vicky

Dear Susan,
I don't know what to say to all this, except that I will keeep your son and you in my prayers.

Thank you for the update.
Sending positive energy for a favourable outcome for all concerned.

Love,
Sue

Dear Susan,

Thank you for keeping us informed.
Continuing to send prayers to Louis and yourself.
May things be settled to everyone's satisfaction.

Love, Inda

Dear Vicky and Sue,

Thank you for your continued prayers. That, and having someplace to vent my frustration at 3 in the morning are saving my sanity through this.

It seems that Toronto is my home for very special Angels. Last night (or, actually the wee hours of this morning) another friend from Toronto woke up and came online. We chatted until 5 and he really helped me calm down. If it hadn't been for Razi, I'm not sure I would have gotten to sleep at all.

The assumption that Mrs. Fuller had been hit in the head was made by the people who came out of the bingo hall and found her. And it was a logical assumption, anyone would probably have made it. But it made it into the police report through their statements and has haunted us ever since. Whatever faults my son had at the time, he did not, would not, could not hit an old woman in the head.

I remember the second time I went to see him at the juvenile facility where they held him until his trial. It was one of those really good days in the visitation room. Everyone was talking and laughing, including the guards. Everyone but Louis, that is. Nothing I said could get a smile out of him. Finally, I got aggravated. I told him that I realized that wasn't where he wanted to be, but that he had put himself there and he might as well make the best of it. He gave me the oddest look and said, "Mom, I'm not upset because I'm in here. It's that lady in the hospital. Everytime I start to have a good time, I remember her, and it feels like I don't have the right to enjoy myself." I've often wished I had a recording of that conversation, or that it had been heard by someone whose testimony carries more weight than a Mother's.

Since that day, Louis has done a lot of growing up. He has become a fine young man and I am more proud of him that he can ever understand. Now that he has been transferred to Eastern Kentucky, I am very concerned about the people he is forced to associate with and what their influence will do to him. That is why I am trying to convince Governor Fletcher to do something to help him.

Namaste

Hi Inda,

You must have come on and posted while I was replying to Vicky and Sue. Thank you so very much for your prayers and support in all this. You were there for me from the very beginning and I will always appreciate it.

Namaste

Continuing to send love and prayers. May bright light of awareness encircle your son and all involved. And so it is.

Love, Teo

I know why I love coming here. I'm surrounded by Angels!!!

Teo, your prayers help hold me up, and that beautiful picture is so perfect.

Thanks to all of you. Always.

Dear Susan,

Adding my prayers to all the others for the wellbeing of your son.
May this distressing situation be terminated soon with the best possible outcome.

Love,
yoko