Hello Everyone!

I am still waiting for the sentencing of my son. It's been one year and two months. Some say the waiting may be in our favor. Some say the prosecutors are going through my son's entire junvenile record to see if they can add to his sentencing. I just don't know.

At my son's last hearing, his attorney requested 10 discoveries and they were all granted. This information must be received within 10 days. They requested this stuff last year, and never received it. I am not sure who to believe. You think your attorney would keep you informed on the status of the case, NOT. I call our attorney every week to check on the case. I feel as if I am being a "bother" to him. However, he does return my calls, but no new information is given. The grand jury trial is scheduled in June. I am scared stiff. My son is only 17 yrs old, certified as an adult, and maybe facing a lot of time for a crime he didn't commit. I know, I know, no one wants to think their child could/would do any type of criminal activity. My son didn't commit the crime, but has knowledge of the crime and was in the area when this crime took place. It happened in a nearby subdivision and the one and only witness supposedly identified my son. The witness saw a man between the age of 18-21, with gold rimmed glasses wearing shorts and a white T-shirt. My son doesn't wear glasses now and on that day at the time this happened had on black heavily starched jeans with a white T-shirt. Because my son does have a troubled past, evidence placing him at the scene, knowledge of the crime (interrogated without my knowledge and an attorney present) and living nearby the crime scene gave the State enough to keep him lockdown. My son told the investigators everything he knows about this crime. But they believe he is the guilty one. One of the discoveries the attorney is requesting is a copy of the photo lineup they showed the witness. The photo lineup was a xeroxed copy presented to the witness which showed my son at age 13 years old. At that time, he wore silver/pewter type frames. There are a lot of questions we need to get answers before the jury trial, if we go that far. In the meantime, the waiting is driving me crazy.

To relieve some of the stress and anger, I read what you guys posts. I totally understand what the majority of y'all are going through. I want to reply, but can't because I need some encouraging words too. Once I am stronger and better able to deal with this, I, too, hope to be supportive for you guys.

I will keep y'all posted on what is going on in my life. As always, I will continue to pray for all and their loved ones lockdown. PEACE!

CYNDIE-I AM GLAD YOU POSTED. I AM SORRY TO HEAR ALL THAT BOTH YOU AND YOUR SON HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH. SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED THROUGH IMPROPER PROCEDURES RIGHT FROM THE START. HOPEFULLY, YOUR ATTORNEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET EVIDENCE THAT WILL HELP CLEAR YOUR SON. AS A MOTHER, ICAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW HARD IT WOULD BE TO WATCH YOUR CHILD GO THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS -MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, AND WE ARE HERE FOR YOU WHENEVER YOU NEED US.

Sherri,

Thanks for responding.

I did get a chance to have a picture taken with my son at visitation today. The theme, "MOTHER's DAY." I have been looking at this picture since I had it taken this morning. Oh, how I wish my son was home. I wish I could post the picture, but I am not that advanced using all of the other gadgets attached to my computer. When I learn, I will post the picture.

I will keep y'all posted on my son's trial. Again, thanks for listening! PEACE!

CYNDIE-I'LL BE THINKING ABOUT YOU AND HOPING FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME-HOPE TO SEE THAT PICTURE SOON!! GLAD YOU WERE ABLE TO VISIT, AND I KNOW HOW HARD IT MUST HAVE BEEN TO COME HOME WITHOUT HIM--HOPEFULLY THINGS WILL GO WELL AND HE WILL BE HOME SOON--AGAIN, YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS

cyndie:

My prayers and all the love I can muster, go out to you and your son.... I too have traveled this path for many years.... I know the confusion, the depression and the anger that you now feel.

I have even wanted to break into the prison and physically break my son out and run... But, I know that would never work because we would both end up getting shot or something.

I know it does not seem so now, but things do get easier. There will always be bad days, but it seems that they can be delt with a little better as time goes on..... Try to keep your son involved in education or other things that will help him go through the hours during the day. This will help you too because you know at least he is learning and becomming a better educated person for when he does come home and he will.

My prayers and blessings to you

Donna

Sherrie,

Thanks for responding. I will definitely keep you posted on my son's case. PEACE!

Hey Donna!

Thanks for responding. I'm on my lunch break so I will post later. Just wanted to read the replies. Thanks again!

Hi Cyndie

I hope it all works out well for your son.

I also know what it feels like to be a "bother" to the attorney. He is always in a big hurry and talks about a hundred words a second and is rushing off to do this or that.

I too am not too supportive of anyone else yet because of the turmoil that I am going through and trying to find my way. I hope one day that I can become more involved and help others here, but right now I am having trouble helping myself.

Take care and keep us posted.

Susan

Hello Susan,

I think just having a place to vent, such as this site has helped me deal with some of the stress-especially talking to Ms. Donna (budwoman). Without her, I don't think I would have made it this far.

The things we go through for our kids. My son thinks he is invincible (even now). I have tried talking to my parents. My mom is feeling the same pain, but my dad think that locking him up will "do him some good." I love my dad very much, but I try not to talk about my son because I am afraid he may say something negative. My dad did tell me he is concerned about my health since all of this stress has taken over my life.

On Friday, I will call my son's attorney to ask about the status of the discoveries he requested. I'm sure he will tell me that the prosecutor is sick and didn't get a chance to give him the requested info. I will keep y'all posted.

Ms. Susan, you hang in there, as I will too!! You and yours will be in my prayers. Take Care! PEACE!

Hi Ms. Donna!

I talk to my son through phone calls or letters and he doesn't want to get involved in any type of higher learning, at least not right now. He has been lockdown over a year now. He says he sleep most of the day away trying to make the days go by faster. He's not active in sports anymore. My son is 6'5" and plays basketball very well. He's in good spirits when I visit. He has always been a clown so he's always joking. When I mention education, he changes the subject. I wish he would at least go to the law library while he's there. Maybe as he get older he will see that he need an education to make it out in the "free."

I've been asking myself, "what did I do different to make this happen to my middle child?" My oldest is 20 yrs old and doing fine. My youngest is 9 yrs old and an "A" honor roll student in excel classes. Maybe my son was crying out for his birth father to be in his life. I just don't know. Maybe I was over protective when he was younger. He brings that up sometimes. Maybe he's right. I just don't know. Well, maybe we will get another chance and I will do better.

As always, thanks Ms. Donna for listening (reading). You and yours will be in my daily prayers. Take care!! PEACE!