Hello to Everyone!

The time has come. My son's trial starts tomorrow, and I'm terrified. According to the attorney, we will be making the jury selection and that's it. He also told me that the trial could last till Thursday or Friday. I'll be sick all week. There's a lot of evidence against my son. Even if my son wanted to plea, the prosecutor won't take any offers. I never had to go through something like this and I am just terrified.

I visited with my son yesterday and he seemed to be okay. He is very upset because he have to stay in the state jail until the trial is over. He said he is taking all of his personal stuff with him so it won't come up missing. I am just so worried.

Please help me get through this. I need some more of y'all's encouraging words to help me. Not to mention, my dad just had a kidney transplant and it is rejecting his body. He, too seem to be in good spirits, but I am also scared for him. I don't know how much more I can handle. I will keep y'all posted.

Cyndie,

Good luck to you and your son. I know it will be a trying time for you. Try to keep your chin up and pray for the best. You and your family are in my prayers.

Hugs, Denise

cyndie- you and your family are also in my prayers-
as denise said, tink positive and pray for the best-
we are here for you whatever the outcome-

Sherri and Denise/Billy

Thanks for y'all's support and prayers. You too will be in my prayers as well. I will keep everyone informed of my son's trial. Again, thanks!! PEACE

CYNDIE

MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.... MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU DURING THE TRIAL.... I SURE HOPE THAT REAL JUSTICE IS SERVED FOR YOU BOTH.


MY PRAYERS

DONNA

cyndie ~ i hope things go smoothly for you and your son this week. you are both in my thoughts. best of luck to your father as well. i will keep him in my thoughts. you have so much on you now, cyndie, and i commend you for keeping your head up! you are a strong woman, and i am hoping all works out for you and yours. *hugs*

Thank you Donna and Aprilcat.

We selected our jury today. I didn't realize this process take a while to do. Tomorrow is when the trial begins and hopefully on Wednesday, they will have a verdict. Continue to keep us in y'alls thoughts and prayers as I will do the same for you all. Take care. PEACE!

Cyndie,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know how it turned out. Keep faith.

I hope that a prayer from me and all 5 of our kids helps.Steve&kids

Thinking of you and your son and father, Cyndie.

Thanks to everyone for the support and encouraging words. I will keep y'all posted. PEACE!

Hang in there Cyndie, I know this has to be a scary time for you and your Son. Just stay as strong as you can. I know you must be wanting to just lay down and cry what with this and the fear you have for your father but you need to remain strong just a little while longer. Your in my prayers...

Cheenna~I am hangin' in. Tomorrow is our time to testify. I am so scared. I'm afraid I'll mess things up when I am cross examined. Right now, it doesn't take much for that to happen. Hopefully, everything will go well and he will get a short prison term or probation. Thanks Cheenna for responding. I will keep y'all posted. PEACE!

Cyndie,

Just wanted to let you know that my thoughts are with you and yours . Keep us posted and holler if you need anything.

Susan

Thanks Susan!

I feel so humiliated. I feel as if I just fed my son to a pack of wolves. I can't go into detail, but the State twisted everything around till I was totally confused. I didn't know anything. I feel just awful. Tomorrow is the argument stuff, verdict then sentencing. I hope I get through this. By the way, my dad is doing much better. Thanks to all! PEACE!

Just wanted to send you support and encouragement for the days ahead. Things seem to move both soooo slow and way too fast when it's our kids who are involved. Try to stay present in the moment and aware. Best regards.

Thanks Conmom,

I'm trying to hang in, but it seems harder and harder each day. I think tomorrow will be the last day for the trial before sentencing. I'm not sure. I will keep y'all posted. Again, thanks for the support! PEACE!

Cyndie,

Please don't feel humiliated, HOLD YOUR HEAD UP!!! Things were looking bad when you said the prosecuter wasn't even interested in a deal. I wasn't going to mention this, & I probably shoudn't now. I was sitting around with some old convict friends of mine. We get together alot, mostly cause we understand each other & what we all have been through. Well anyway I ran your sons story by them to get their reaction. One guy got really pissed we had to tell him to calm his ass down. The consensus was when the DA said no deals they were going to try & come down hard on him. So this has nothing to do with what you did or didn't do. You have nothing to blame yourself for. Just do what youv'e done. Stand by your son. -------Ken

Good luck with the verdict and sentencing. I realize it must be hard right now, but we're here supporting you and your son every step of the way.

ThanKs Ken and Danielle!

I feel the sentencing is going to be a hard one. Right now, I think more prayers would be the answer. After that, I guess the only thing we can do is an appeal.

By the way, I received a response from the State Bar concerning my complaint. They stated my complaint doesn't warrant an investigation, but I can appeal their decision. Should I appeal their decision? I sure nothing is going to happen if I do. Let me know what y'all think. Thanks again!
PEACE!

Hang in there Cyndie. You are in my prayers, as well as your son.

CYNDI:

I WAS SITTING HERE READING ALL THE POSTS AND WAS REMEMBERING THE WEEK AND 1/2 TRIAL THAT I WENT THROUGH WITH MY SON 12 YEARS AGO.... I REMEMBER HOW SICK IS WAS AND HOW I HURT. I REMEMBER HOW I WANTED TO SCREAM OUT "THAT IS NOT TRUE" TO A LOT OF THE TESTIMONY.... I REMEMBER HOW I WANTED TO BE THE ATTORNEY, BECAUSE I FELT THAT THE ONE WE HAD WAS NOT DOING HIS JOB....

MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU SWEETHEART.... I REALLY DO KNOW YOUR HURT.... I WILL PRAY FOR STRENTH FOR YOU.... I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE SENTENCE TODAY IS NOT AS HARD AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT....

GIVE YOUR SON A HUG AND TRY HARD TO KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE EVEN AFTER THE SENTENCE.... THERE ARE REASONS FOR EVERYTHING.... GOD HAS A JOB FOR EACH OF US AND SOMETIMES I THINK HE GIVES US TRIALS TO INSURE THAT WE CAN DO WHAT HE WANTS US TO DO...

PRAY HON, EACH HOUR..

MY LOVE
DONNA

I think this is the hardest on mothers. I was reading through the newspaper archive about Richard's trial and the news reporters always reported everytime Richard's mother broke down during the trial. It really broke her heart as I know your heart is breaking too. I'll pray for God to give your courage and strenght. Just realize you are in a situation you cannot control and let God take care of things.

My love and prayers are with you, Cyndie...

Thanks to all!!

My son was found guilty. The sentencing phase is this morning. I cried all night. Yesterday was the argument stuff and verdict. It was terrible. The State made the jurors believe my son is an uncontrollable animal and the maximum sentence is what she thinks he need. I am getting really sad again, so I will talk to y'all later. PEACE!!

Cyndie, I am so very sorry to hear that. You & your son are in my prayers. PLEASE go easy & take care of YOURSELF. ----Ken

CYNDIE:

MAY GOD BLESS YOU.... NOW IS THE TIME.... YOU MUST TIE A KNOT IN YOUR ROPE AND HANG ON.... THIS IS NOT FUN... BUT IT WILL GET BETTER.... MY SON WAS SENTENCED TO MAXIMUM TOO. THEY DID THE VERY SAME THING TO HIM AS YOU DESCRIBE... HE WAS SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS. CONSEQUTIVE. THAT IS WHY HE HAS SERVED 12 YEARS ALRREADY. BUT, I WILL SAY THIS, HE HAS GROWN... HE HAS BECOME A WONDERFUL MAN.... HE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD WHEN HE DOES GET TO COME HOME.... HE DOES PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH NOW IN PRISON. HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP QUITE A FEW OF THEM...

YOUR SON TOO, WILL FIND HIS PLACE ON EARTH.... STAY BESIDE HIM... DO NOT LET THIS GET THE BEST OF YOU.... FIGHT CYNDIE, FIGHT... AND PRAY,PRAY,PRAY

MY LOVE

DONNA

CYNDIE-MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR SON--WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

Thanks for everyone's support.

Well the sentence is 99 years. Yes, 99 YEARS!! My baby is going to spend his entire life in prison. He is only 17 years old. We are definitely appealing this!! I am angry, hurt, depressed, sad, etc. Words cannot express how I feel right now. One of the newspaper editor's contacted me and asked me if I wish to comment on the sentencing since they are writing an article about the trial. Is all of this necessary?

I guess I will get started on the appeal. How do I do that? What's required? Again, thanks for y'all's support. PEACE!

CYNIE-I AM SO SORRY ABOUT THE SENTENCE- I DON'T EVEN REALLY KNOW WHAT TO SAY RIGHT NOW AS I KNOW THERE ARE NO WORDSB THAT CAN REALLY COMFORT YOU --BUT DO STAY POSITIVE, AND 5HERE IS STILL HOPE IN AN APPEAL. CYNDIE, WE LOVE YOU AND CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR SON VERY MUCH--WE ARE HERE FOR YOU; PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO

GOD BLESS YOU

Hang on to us, everyone here has gone through some type of pain and we will reach out to you and help you through all of this. Anything we can do to help from research, writing to even just lending an ear. WE ARE HERE!

Thanks Sherri,

Again, I just can't express in words how I feel. I am praying really really hard for a good outcome in an appeal. I know it will take a while, but we will continue do what we have to-to win this. Take care. PEACE!

Thanks Joy.

Words can't explain my pain I feel right now. It doesn't matter if my son participated or acted solely in this offense, he was overcharged in his sentencing, even his attorney was surprised. I guess we have to appeal, appeal, appeal now. My son is still in good spirits. They took his shoelaces, I guess normal procedure after sentencing. He didn't like that and he didn't know why until he called home and we told him. Gotta go to work. Take care. PEACE!

Cyndie--I am so sorry about the sentencing. That is a ridiculously long sentence for a 17 year old. Good luck on the appeal. Don't lose hope. I, too, am at a loss for words. Hang in there and remember that we are all here for you.

Thanks Cepora!

I think 99 years is too extreme. There was an article in the newspaper about the trial. One of the staff members called us to get our feelings on the fairness of the sentencing. Our statement was not printed in the paper at all. That goes to show you that no one wants to hear the "other side."

I spoke to my son last night and he is still upset he is in that isolation booth on "watch." He said he was going to call me sometime today. Well, I have to keep the line clear. Will check back with y'all later. PEACE!

Cyndie,

Oh my God, I am so very sorry to hear about this. It makes me want to cry. What in gods name to they think they are doing? Yes, appeal. There has to be something you can appeal on. To do a good job on an appeal you need a good lawyer. Certain appeals have to be filed in a certain time frame, so it can't be put off. Your son should also try & study as much law as he can. Appeals can take years, & in that time your son can learn alot to help himself out. Also if the appeals drag on & funds get low, he may have to file his own appeals. If you send him any books they should be books on the law & appeals. They must be soft cover & don't send him anything till he gets to his prison, as many prisons are very resrtictive on what they allow prisoners to take from county jail to state prison. Also because of his age they may keep him in Ad Seg for awhile, which will give him a lot of time to read up. He also needs to get all the copies of his trial paper work. You may have to pay for transcripts etc. You may be able to get alot of this, He needs as much as he can get his hands on. Arrest reports, detective notes, everything. You can probably get most of the court papers from his lawyer, & court reporters sell copies of the court transcripts.

Next he needs to start working out, to put some weight on & to grow facial hair, a beard is best. Exercise will keep him from getting depressed, keep his thinking clear, gives him something to do, & will help him incase he has to defend himself. I don't know about where your at but in Calif. they put young prisoners in Ad Seg when they first get to the joint, sometimes for years till they think he's ready to go to a mainline yard, especially if they are going to a 3 or 4 yard.

Again, my heart goes out to you, your son, your whole family. Please, Cyndie, take the time to take care of yourself too.
If I can be of any help please feel free to contact me.----Ken

Thanks Ken!

We are definitely going to appeal. Our attorney said the court report will be ready in about six to eight weeks. In the meantime, I need to find a good attorney to appeal. Our current attorney said he would recommend a couple of people after he withdraw from the case. I am not sure if I want another attorney from the same town.

Do you know if my son will get a copy of the report, detective and police reports, witness statement etc? If so, will they send it to him or to me and I forward it to him? I'll keep y'all posted. Thanks again! PEACE!

Cyndie,

They never gave me anything. I had to ask for copies of everything. His lawyer can get you copies or tell you where to go to get copies. He probably wont get everything but ask for everything & get what you can. Also a trial transcript will have to be purchased from the court reporter, your attorney can help you do this. They can be expensive. You may be able to request a copy on CD or floppy instead of paper, it's been awhile since I got a set. Court reporters nowdays put everything on computer disc, & just run copies from their disc. They should be able to burn you a copy, & you can print it out yourself. Something to look into. Good luck-----Ken

P.S. You may be able to use the publicity to drum up support for your son, or may be his appeals, or help you find a lawyer who is sympathetic to your cause. If your interested I have some ideas, they are a long shot but may work. E-mail me & I'll give you more details.

Cyndie,

I sent you a message... What I want to add here is about an attorney I know of who is a very good criminal attorney. He commands unbelievable respect in TX courts as his rep. precedes him. His name is "Scrappy" (Clifton ?) Holmes, he is in Longview. There is another criminal attorney there as well who is good. Her name is Liz Fulton, she used to be a partner with Scrappy, now in own office. I once hired her and although she did me no good, I have heard she is a good attorney. I would suggest you "interview" several attorneys before making up your mind. But, start with Scrappy!
I just thought of another one, he is young but experienced having worked for a time in DA's office so he knows the mind set of both sides. His name is Scott Williams in Athens.

please Cyndie, take heed of my message and take care of yourself first.

your in my heart and prayers

Cheena-I responded to your email and thanks for the information. I am going to check out the two attorneys you told me about and I will let you know.

I did talk to my son today. He is doing okay. He is still in isolation until he goes back to the other facility. The other facility is much nicer and he is in regular population. I hope he returns to that facility on Monday. I think that would make things a little better for him.

I will be okay. It is very difficult for me right now, but I will be okay. I have scheduled an appointment to talk to a counselor to help cope through all of this. I will keep y'all posted. Again, thanks for y'alls support! PEACE!

luv and hugs...

Cheena, I am holding on! PEACE!

Cyndie,I'm just so sorry and feel bad because I have no useful input. My thoughts and prayers are most definetly with you.

Thanks Valerie for the prayers. PEACE!

Cyndie,
Just wanted to give you my support and let you know that my thoughts are with you. Stay stong and take care of yourself. It sounds as if you are staying strong -- lean on us when things get tough.

Take care,

Susan

Thanks Susan. It is difficult, but I am trying to be strong. I spoke to my son today. He seem to be okay. He's ready to go back to the other facility. It is much cleaner, and we can visit without being behind a glass. Hopefully I will be able to see him this weekend. Again, thanks to you and everyone for y'all's support. PEACE!

I am so sorry, Cyndie. I will send up many prayers for a better outcome to this down the road.

vnvdvc-Thanks for your prayers. PEACE!

CYNDIE:

MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU BOTH.... 99 YEARS, THAT IS WORSE THAT THE 50 MY SON RECEIVED CONSEQUTIVE. I KNOW YOUR HURT.... MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.... APPEAL, APPEAL AND APPEAL AGAIN.... HIS SENTENCE MUST BE REDUCED AT ALL COSTS. THAT IS WHY BUTCH IS STILL IN PRISON.... WE COULD NOT GET HIS SENTENCE REDUCED BECAUSE WE DID NOT HIRE A GOOD CRIMINAL ATTORNEY TO DO THE APPEALS FOR US...

FIND OUT ABOUT GOOD ATTORNEYS.. IT WILL COST YOU SOME MONEY, BUT, IF YOU CAN GET IT AT ALL, THIS IS YOUR BEST ANSWER.

ALSO, SOMETIMES ATTORNIES WILL WORK WITH YOU AND LET YOU PAY SOME ALONG IF YOU PAY A LOT UP FRONT..

TRY TO KEEP YOU HOPE UP... TRY TO KEEP YOUR SON'S UP... GET MAD.... MAKE SURE YOU ARE SO ANGRY THAT YOU WANT TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY WILL NOT DEFEAT YOU..... KEEP YOURSELF IN A PROFESSIONAL MODE THO, DON'T LET THEM MAKE YOU LOOSE YOUR TEMPER WITH THEM... YOU WILL NEED THEM IN SOME INSTANCES.... SOMETIMES IT PAYS TO MAKE THEM FEEL SORRY FOR YOU. I CANNOT IMAGINE A 99 YEAR SENTENCE FOR A 17 YEAR OLD.....

GOD BLESS YOU CYNDIE.... WE ARE HERE WHEN YOU NEED TO VENT.... WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP SUPPORT YOU.


MY LOVE AND PRAYERS
DONNA

Thanks Donna!

They finally moved my son back to the other facility that is much cleaner. He seem to be okay. We are going to appeal, appeal, appeal. I am not sure how much it is going to cost and I am not sure I can afford it, but if I have to refinance my home, ask relatives, etc. I will do just that. I was told on Thursday, my son will go to court to request an appeal which is standard procedure according to the current attorney. At that time, he will withdraw from the case and they will hire a State appellate attorney. I haven't found an appellate attorney yet, so we are going to go with the State until we can find someone. Do you know if we hire an attorney, do we have to pay for the time the State appointed an attorney until the time of termination?

It hurt so bad to know my son won't be home any time soon. I still can't believe they gave him such a long time. There are people out there who commit worse crimes and still get less time. I just don't understand. We still aren't convinced, to include his attorney that this offense was committed by my son. There were other people involved, but my son is the only one they have for this crime. I guess that is one thing the appellate attorney can work on. I will keep you posted. I am going to set up some counseling sessions tomorrow to help me cope with this tradegy. Thanks for y'all's support.

CYNDIE:

BLESS YOU.... YES, THIS WILL BE A LONG PROCESS. NO YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY THE STATE APPELLATE ATTORNEY FOR ANY TIME HE WORKS.... JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE COPIES OF ANY INFORMATION HE PREPARES SO THAT WHEN YOU GET A NEW ATTORNEY, YOU CAN GIVE IT TO HIM.... THAT WILL SAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME..

YES, GO GET SOME COUNSELING.... I HAVE HAD TO DO THAT ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 12 YEARS.... IT DOES HELP.... ALSO, STAY CLOSE TO THE CHURCH AND GOD... PUT THIS BURDEN IN GOD'S HANDS... YOU WILL BEGIN TO SEE HOW MUCH BETTER IT WILL BE.

MY LOVE
DONNA

CYNDIE-WE ARE ALL PRAYING FOR YOU AND ARE BEHIND YOU 100%!!

Thanks Sherri and Donna!


We are doing much better today, including my son. We're going to visit him this weekend and I can't wait.

I haven't received any return phone calls from the attorneys or support advocate groups. I guess I have to be a little more patience. Gotta go. I will keep y'all posted. PEACE!!

Cyndie,

Bug the crap out of them. At least a call a week just to let them know your not going away.--------Ken

Ken,

I will. They announced on the radio how unfair this is for my son. As you mentioned before, maybe all of this publicity will help in this long haul. I will keep you posted. PEACE!!

Hello Everyone!

I visited with my son this afternoon and he is doing just fine. He told me they gave him a daily job shortly after returning from court. He said it is basically doing janitorial/supply maintenance stuff. He said it's okay, just something to keep him busy. My son also told me not to worry. He is handling all of this very well, better than me. Maybe it's the "youth in him." Also, he mentioned to me about having his appeal trial at a different court in another county. Is that possible? He said we can request that. Is that true? If so, who and how do we go about doing that? PEACE!!

Mybe I should have posted this question in the LEGAL thread. PEACE!

I am glad to hear your son is holding up well. I hope you take care of yourself as well. You are in my prayers.

Thanks Cepora!

I really can't believe how well my son is holding up. I cry almost everyday when I think about his sentence. He tell me not to worry, and to stay strong which I am trying to do. His new job also seem to help since he talk about it everytime he calls. Thanks for the prayers and you and yours will be in my prayers too! PEACE!

I think it may be a change of venue he has to request? Or something similar. Can you change venues for an appeal or does it have to remain in the same court? I guess we will have to rely on the more legal-minded among us to answer. Maybe you are right about starting a thread about it in the legal forum. It might get quicker attention there.
I'm glad to hear he is doing a bit better for the time being!

Holding good thoughts for you and your son.

I never heard of venue request. What's that? Yes, I do need to post my question in the legal thread which I am about to do. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your reponse! PEACE!

Thanks Valerie!

You and yours will be in our prayers as well. Take care! PEACE!

Cyndie,

I replied to your post in legal help, but this is a more detailed answer.

I believe you can file your appeals to the appeals court covering the district of the state your in (these are different judges in different courts). You may have to make your first appeal to the trial judge but knowing he will just deny it, it will be nothing more than a step to the appeals court which is where you will get your best chance at relief. State's operate differently so check with your lawyer. The thing you may have to worry about & keep in mind for the future, is that appeals courts have a habit of refering it back to the original court with directions on how the court can correct it's mistake. You may then want to think about trying to get a new judge, but thats down the line, & it may not be necessary.-----Ken

Jerry, (tek4real) might be able to give you more info. He's done appeals before so he knows more than I do about this.----Ken

Ken-Again, thanks for your quick response!

This stuff is so confusing. I will keep you posted on everything! thanks! PEACE!

Cyndie,
How are you holding up? I have been thinking about you, and your son, and just wanted to say a quick hello. You and your son are in my prayers.

Hi Cepora,

I am doing okay. My son is doing okay too! He tell me every time we talk not to worry about him. He will be okay. I just wish I could do more for him right now. Thanks for the prayers and support. PEACE!!

Originally posted by cchilds3862
Hello to Everyone!

The time has come. My son's trial starts tomorrow, and I'm terrified. According to the attorney, we will be making the jury selection and that's it. He also told me that the trial could last till Thursday or Friday. I'll be sick all week. There's a lot of evidence against my son. Even if my son wanted to plea, the prosecutor won't take any offers. I never had to go through something like this and I am just terrified.

I visited with my son yesterday and he seemed to be okay. He is very upset because he have to stay in the state jail until the trial is over. He said he is taking all of his personal stuff with him so it won't come up missing. I am just so worried.

Please help me get through this. I need some more of y'all's encouraging words to help me. Not to mention, my dad just had a kidney transplant and it is rejecting his body. He, too seem to be in good spirits, but I am also scared for him. I don't know how much more I can handle. I will keep y'all posted.

Hello all...Cyndie I hope and pray all goes well I know I am late with this praying all goes well for you and your son glad to hear your dad is doing better...will keep you in my prayers.

JER-I am hanging in, but it is really hard. Thanks for your prayers. PEACE!