I am trying to help Ronnie get a chance of Parole and I decided to write a letter to the Governor. I thought if anyone could help he could... I was wondering if I could get some feed back on it...Please help me and tell what you think.

Dear Governor Wise,
My name is Amber Perez and I am writing you on behalf of a West Virginia inmate, named Ronnie Worley. He is currently being held at Potomac Highlands Regional Jail. My goal for this letter is to explain to you some circumstances and I pray for your help in this matter. I put my complete faith in God, that you will do all you are able to, to help me reach my goals.
I have known Ronnie for nine (9) years, and he is a good friend of mine, in fact, you even met Ronnie a few times at the homecoming parades in Winfield when you were Congressman. Ronnie was a member of the distinguished Winfield High School Marching band, and I have enclosed a letter from the high school band director, on Ronnie’s behalf as well.
In 2001, Ronnie was charged and convicted of First Degree Murder. Although, I know Ronnie admits to this horrendous crime, he has expressed deep remorse for what he did.
Ronnie has also turned his life over completely to God; he in fact, has taught me how to live my life by God. I am not requesting a pardon for Ronnie, simply a sentence re-evaluation. He was sentenced to Life with No Mercy. Although he committed an extreme crime, you have to understand that the Ronnie Worley that I grew up with, would never, in his right mind, commit such a heinous act.
We all make mistakes and Ronnie’s first mistake was falling into a group of people that he thought were his friends, who turned him onto drugs and alcohol. His second mistake was becoming a user of drugs and alcohol, or rather, an abuser of such things. But his biggest mistake of all was the crime he committed. Which I have expressed, he is beyond remorseful for.
So many crimes go unjustified and unpunished, this is one that can never be justified but the offender has been and is being punished now. This crime was committed under extreme circumstances of a countless amount of drugs and a severe amount of alcohol. Though that does not justify the crime, neither does the sentence handed to Ronnie.
I know that no amount of remorse, apologies, or prayer can bring back the victim, but I pray and put my faith in God, that you will help my friend. With a sentence of Life with No Mercy, most inmates would not bother with trying to change their lives, there would be no hope for rehabilitation, but each case is different, as is Ronnie’s. He has been born again, rehabilitated, and all I request now is for my friend, as well as his friends and family, to at least have something to look forward to; a chance of parole and a chance to be home again one day to prove his faith and rehabilitation.
Governor Wise, I know you too are a man of God, I ask you to remember as I quote Colossians 3:12-13 “…Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves; you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Please agree to tenderhearted mercy here, and have mercy on my friend and his family, and allow him a chance to return home to them.
All I ask is that you pray for guidance in your decision, and I know it is probably not possible, as you are a busy man, but if you could find the time to visit Ronnie, talk to him and see for yourself, he is a changed man, as well as a man of God.

Respectfully,

This is a very eloquent and well written letter. The only thing I would change would be the part where it seems that in a slight way, you're blaming the people he fell in with for his beginning drugs. You may not have meant it that way, but that's how it sounds. It would be much more impressive if you were to leave out that part or if you were to say that, "after joining this group of friends, he made the decision to join them in using drugs and alcohol." It's very important that you acknowledge in the letter that he made the choice for himself. Otherwise it's a very good letter and I commend you for it. I wish you well with it.

thanks for the advice...I never realized it until you pointed it out, but I see what you mean. Thanks!

You're very welcome! I'm glad I could be of any help. Good luck with the Governor!

REVISED!!!!


Dear Governor Wise,
My name is Amber Perez and I am writing you on behalf of a West Virginia inmate, named Ronnie Worley. He is currently being held at Potomac Highlands Regional Jail. My goal for this letter is to explain to you some circumstances and I pray for your help in this matter. I put my complete faith in God, that you will do all you are able to, to help me reach my goals.
I have known Ronnie for nine (9) years, and he is a good friend of mine, in fact, you even met Ronnie a few times at the homecoming parades in Winfield when you were Congressman. Ronnie was a member of the distinguished Winfield High School Marching band, and I have enclosed a letter from Mr. Woodard, the high school band director, on Ronnie’s behalf as well.
In 2001, Ronnie was charged and convicted of First Degree Murder. Although, I know Ronnie admits to this horrendous crime, he has expressed deep remorse for what he did.
Ronnie has also turned his life over completely to God; he in fact, has taught me how to live my life by God. I am not requesting a pardon for Ronnie, simply a sentence re-evaluation. He was sentenced to Life with No Mercy. Although he committed an extreme crime, you have to understand that the Ronnie Worley that I grew up with, would never, in his right mind, commit such a heinous act.
We all make mistakes and Ronnie’s first mistake was falling into a group of people that he thought were his friends, who turned him onto drugs and alcohol. His second mistake was choosing to become a user of drugs and alcohol, or rather, an abuser of such things. But his biggest mistake of all was the crime he committed. Which I have expressed, he is beyond remorseful for.
So many crimes go unjustified and unpunished, this is one that can never be justified but the offender has been and is being punished now. This crime was committed under extreme circumstances of a countless amount of drugs and a severe amount of alcohol. Though that does not justify the crime, neither does the sentence handed to Ronnie.
I know that no amount of remorse, apologies, or prayer can bring back the victim, but I pray and put my faith in God, that you will help my friend. With a sentence of Life with No Mercy, most inmates would not bother with trying to change their lives, there would be no hope for rehabilitation, but each case is different, as is Ronnie’s. He has been born again, rehabilitated, and all I request now is for my friend, as well as his friends and family, to at least have something to look forward to; a chance of parole and a chance to be home again one day to prove his faith and rehabilitation.
Governor Wise, I know you too are a man of God, I ask you to remember as I quote Colossians 3:12-13 “…Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves; you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Please agree to tenderhearted mercy here, and have mercy on my friend and his family, and allow him a chance to return home to them.
All I ask is that you pray for guidance in your decision, and I know it is probably not possible, as you are a busy man, but if you could find the time to visit Ronnie, talk to him and see for yourself, he is a changed man, as well as a man of God.

Respectfully,

Well, it still sounds as if the friends are being blamed. He chose to become friends with these people and to use drugs and alcohol, which then led to his abusing the substances. You really should state it as:

He became friends with a group of people who were into substance abuse and he made the choice to indulge in drugs and alcohol with them, which led to his becoming a substance abuser.

If he's doing anything to address the abuse issues such as AA/NA meetings, that would be very helpful to include in the letter, too.

I agree w/Toi this part :We all make mistakes and Ronnie’s first mistake was falling into a group of people that he thought were his friends, who turned him onto drugs and alcohol. His second mistake was choosing to become a user of drugs and alcohol, or rather, an abuser of such things.

Sounds as if he is NOT taking responsiblity and you should try and list any actions he has taken to PROVE "rehabilitation" or making amends to the victims family etc and why he would NOW be a productive member of society,does he have a job skill to be gainfully employed?Does he have POSITIVE outside support that he didn't have before to help him? That sort of thing,I hope it helps him :)

HOW'S THIS????


We all make mistakes and Ronnie’s first mistake was becoming friends with a group of people who were into substance abuse and he made the choice to indulge in drugs and alcohol with them, which led to his becoming a substance abuser. But his biggest mistake of all was the crime he committed. Which I have expressed, he is beyond remorseful for.


I'm not sure about AA/NA....he doesn't know I'm writing this letter. Not that he would mind...I just wanted to kind of surprise him. He told me to do anything and everything that I wanted that I thought could help, hence the idea for the letter to the Governor. He is an extremely intelligent individual but as for a "special trade or skill" I'm not sure about that. He is a very talented musician, maybe he could help to teach someone who doesn't know about music. HELP on this part please!!!?????

He has God as a positive outside support that he didn't have before. And his family and me.

That sounds a bit better,how you re worded it.I would dig a little deeper about the rest though(just MY opinion) I too am a Christian but just "finding God" is NOT going to be a free ticket out :( That's why I say from what I heard from Bryan and others if he's tried to apologize to the victims family(letters or face to face talks) and would become a productive I would ask Ronnie about those programs or any others he's done(there are several necessary for drug abusers/offenders) or ask his family. I don't think I am explaining this quite right :( As an example Bryan could attempt to make amends by seeking forgiveness from the victims of his crime and turn his negative choices around to positives by seeking to join or start a group to speak to/work with "at risk" kids who were headed down the wrong road just like him and speak out against racism,also stating the courses he had taken to gain skills(he had NONE) and the work he does now that could transfer over into the free world,including his extensive work in the library for which he does not get paid but does gain skills and recommendations and references from those he works for and with.He has been offered a job on the outside if he had parole too.These type of things if mentioned I would think could only strengthen Ronnie's case. I think I would mention the letter to him if only to get more helpful info thereby making it HOPEFULLY a more effective letter. Please feel free to PM if you have q's I don't think I explained this very well!

Worleysgirl, that last revision was just right! I think that's very well done. And Bryansgirrl is giving you some great suggestions, too. If he hasn't been in prison very long, though, then he wouldn't have had time to do a lot of reaching out to others to make a difference, so that might be overlooked if you don't have anything like that to add.

He has been in for 2 and a half years. But still in a regional Jail...not a prison yet. I don't think they offer things like this in the Regional Jails here. I'll ask Ronnie though. As for the family of the victim...they moved and no one knows where.

Yeah I would guess he's not offered alot in a regional jail then,if it isn't possible to seek forgiveness from the victims I would state this as well,he cannot locate them but is more than willing to seek forgiveness if given the opportunity to do so. Sorry I don't have more helpful info!

The governor has very limited powers when it comes to early parole for a offender.

Governors have the power to pardon but not grant parole. Only the state parole board has that power.

I would also send a lettet to the sentencing judge for a sentence reduction.

I found out last night that hte judge is not the one that sentenced him to LWOP, the jury did, and in the state of WV that is the one sentence that a judge cannot suspend. What do I do now?????

A friend of mine is real close friends with Ronnie and she would like to see him get out on parole also. However he did commit first degree murder, that does not just get a slap on the wirst. Even though she loves him and wants to come home soon he does have to do his time for doing the crime. I must say Ronnie has his family,you AND her!!!! And she is willing to help him as much as possible.

Well THAT certainly sounds interesting!!!!

it does doesn't it?????
I would love to know who this girl is that loves my fiance...I didn't catch that part the first time I read that post.

Sounds like someone got some splainin to do!:yes: :argh

Nah, I don't worry about it, cuz I know when he comes home, and he will be home, that he is coming home to me. I am cuirous however, as to who your friend is. Cuz if she loves him so much, why hasn't she tried to make contact with him in the past 2 and a half years??? I mean, it's not hard to find out where he is and how to address a letter to him. Unless of course your friend is Roni, then I know she has contacted him. And Ronnie and I have discussed Roni, I know she has a "family" of her own, and that "there is a "type" of love there but only as friends." Ronnie's words...not mine.

BryansGRRL.....you know, you have expressed your congratulations.....we are getting married ASAP!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! I have come to find out in the past almost 10 years, and especially in the past 4 months what true love really is. Ronnie and I have it. We ARE soul mates. As a matter of fact, our wedding rings have already been ordered, and they are Celtic Wedding Bands, that in Gaelic say, "my soul friend; friend of my soul" I am SOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!

Well THAT is EXCELLENT news!:yes: I AM happy for you both,I sent Bryan a pic of a ring w/runes on it and think if that would be approved I will get him that one as its very HIM!:) I'm still practicing my new name anticipating!!!!hehehehe

Well if you feel it's important to know my friend has been in contact with him , alot. And no it's not Roni. I think he has more then just one friend, hahaha. But they are friends for sure, and they have a special kind of love , they are very close. They have a very good and close friendship, and I think if you are going to be his wife soon you should just accepted it and don't act so jealous. She has been there for him long time now , yes since he has been inside. Don't go act crazy, after all Ronnie is in jail he needs his friends to be there for him and to love him.

I am not jealous by any means. I have tallked to Ronnie though, and he has no clue who you are talking about. As I said, I'm not jealous, I am very secure in our love. But as i said in the private message I sent you, we could use all the help that we can get. So if your friend really wants to help get him home, please have her contact me, I'm not gonna go all insane, crazy girlfriend on her I promise. I gave my email address in the private message. PLEASE, have her contact me. Thanks!

And BryansGRRL....I practice quite frequently too!!! hehehe...Actually Ronnie already calls me Mrs. Worley!!!

Ronnie figured it out! He's such a genious! He knows who your friend is, so...don't need to know anymore, I already do. Still not jealous though....hahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahhahahahahha ha!

You know funny thing Bryan is VERY private and doesn't "do" emotions!!!But he bought me a card awhile back on it said Happy Anniversary to my wife,its a amusing memory for us both cause I was so shocked! Very glad your "day" is coming soon!Have a great time:)

WORLEYSGIRL............I'm so glad u figured it out HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I'm glad u had a good laugh HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.If u really know,for sure, I told u , u had no reason to be acting so jealous. Just enjoy your jailbird man,they r the best kind to have.HAHHAHAHAHAHA