This piece is from the front page of today's Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/1981629

We might have a little discussion going on this. I seems a little unusual.

Love,

Ray

Hi Ray,

I read the article and yes I can see why the situation is a little unusual. I commend you on getting to know this young man.

I fear that you have quite the uphill battle in attaining parole for Jon. I say this because the victim's mother/family is so outspoken on any leniency for a reduction of time or parole. But what would be interesting to know is how, although the mother protested the parole of Dillon ~who had 20 years ~ hes was granted the parole. Maybe some of the answers lay here in how a parole hearing for Jon may go. From what the article states, the efforts that Jon has made and accomplished should be very positive factors to a parole board.

Do you know why the other three who received the 15 year terms are still serving their sentence? I would have thought they would be out on parole before Dillion?

He must have made quite the impression on you to have you be willing to pass on your talk show to him!!:) And from all that he has accomplished he should be granted the parole!

Pam

Pam,
Jon's lawyer was the least competent of the group. Even the four court appointed lawyers in the mix could at least try a case, Jon's father chose a friend of a frend that had never tried a criminal case and he pretty much sold Jon out. I had to intervene to prevent the sentence from being enhanced to prevent Jon from being considered for parole until he had served many more years. Chance was the only member of the group that had been "handled" before and he knew how to better navigate the system Texas does not have parole hearings. Each voting member considers the file separately and the process stops when two votes match. I plan to see the first voter before he or she decides and hope to convince that vote to become an advocate for Jon. I am well known to the prison system and the Parole Board. My credibility is well and carefully maintained.
Jon is remarkable intelligent and will carry the scar of conviction for a horrible crime the rest of his life. There is no way he can run from his past so I have convinced him that the best way to have a life is to wear his conviction openly and turn it as positively as possible. That is what I have done and Charles Colson has done the same thing in a different way. I care for all these young men. Two have INS problems that I am providing lawyers to address. I have advocated for the parole of each and twice that has been successful. I write each every week.
I may be wrong about a lot of things but I have done the right thing with these men. At one point some of them may have been homophobic (four were gay when the assault happened) but now they all have a gay uncle who cares for them and they love in return.

It sure sound like Jon has the right person on his side. I know he has done a lot of work to better himself while in prison, but the support of those like you can make such a difference!

Do you talk to Jon's father now? It seems a little difficult to understand that he would hold any hard feelings against you, with all you have done and the advocating you continue to do?

Also, is there ANY chance you can ever talk to the victims mother? I would think that you would be the person that could get through to her and maybe have her see things in a different 'light'?

Best Wishes Ray!

Pam

Pam,
Jim Buice called this morning his voice was trembling and he again thanked me for my efforts on behalf of his son. Nancy (Paul's mother) was supportive of my efforts trying to identify the assailants who attacked her son but when I began to exercize some influence on the prosecutor and court to get some of them probation (all who touched Paul Brussard except the one who identified the others went to prison. The others were given probation. Two would later violate and go to prison) she turned against what I was doing and insisted that all the assailants get life in prison. That was neither realistic nor even possible under the circumstances. She and a victim's rights group that uses her pain shamelessly are probably the loudest critics of my efforts on behalf of all Texas inmates but she lives in Georga. I am in communication with her other children on a periodic basis. She objects to their communication with me. I have tried to connect them up with Jon but so far that has not happened. I hope to do that someday perhaps after Jon gets out.

Ray..I think I hear your name from Pam. Have you heard of my Fiance Randy Wood's story? Think you could help? I would really appreciate some input. He's going back to county for a new hearing Oct 17.
Sara

I tried to go to the link and it said "no such article". Can you repost it, Ray? I really would like to read it.

I am sorry but I did not keep a text copy of the article. I am sure it is available in the Chronicle archieve. You might try a search there on Jon Buice, Ray Hill or the story reporter Susan Bardwell

OK thank you very much!