This is going to be a teaser because I've got to start working in about five minutes - I'm sorry, I fell asleep on the couch last night and never made it to PTO.

It's a long horrible story and I promise will fill in the blanks tonight after I am thru working. It was pretty much a nightmare.

But the answer to what you all are waiting to hear is - no. They flopped him to August 2009 (5 years).

I'm OK, he's OK, we're surviving.

More later... thank you all for all the support, prayers, good thoughts and kind words... much love...

oh lynn...i was praying for the best...never excepted a 5 year send off....hang in there....


your friend,

DeniseJ

You are strong.. you will get thru this.. here's a hug from me to help you a little


((((((((((hugs))))))))))

FIVE YEARS?????? lys im SO sorry! i never expected that, ever!!!! did he have protestors or something?? mark had protestors but they only set him off 2 years, what are these people thinking?????

did they say anything about maybe helping him get to a different facility or something? im just amazed girl, really. please let us know what happenned as soon as you get a moment!

Lynn, like everyone else, I am in shock over the FIVE YEARS, ohmygosh. Well, we are anxious to hear what happened so will look forward to hearing from you soon. My heart is hurting for you and Brian.

Care

I am very sorry to hear about your set off. But, I am glad your taking it so well. I have been before the very same parole board. Once for myself and once for my sister. They set up on their pedestal and look down there nose's at you. Just hang on there is alway's hope. Usually when they see change's they will move the date's up again.
I am praying for you.........Kat

Awww, Lys!!! :( I'm soooo sorry!!! I was praying so hard for ya'll yesterday...and trust me...you and Brian were on my mind all day long. 5 years...OMG! I, like the others, am just in shock and disbelief! What are these people thinking??? :(
I'm glad that ya'll are doing okay with all of this...but, you and Brain are STILL in my prayers...my heart hurts for you both!! :(

huggs,
Selena

I am so sorry...which doesn't quite seem enough to say. I know what Joey told me about Brian...how he was a pretty decent guy....and the day that Brian called me, I could tell by his manner... that was a true statement. My heart goes out to you.

Kay

I'm so sorry to hear the news Lynn.
Hang in there and know we are all here for you!
(((((hugs)))))

((((((((((((((((((((( hugs ))))))))))))))))))))))

JJT

girl u definately deserved this to turn out better...my heart goes out to you...

I'm truly sorry to hear this Lysbeth.Like somebody else said that just doen't seem like enough to say,but I don't know what else to say.I can feel your pain,but I'm glad to hear that y'all are okay with it.I'll keep y'all in my prayers.

Geeze....what to say! I am soooooo very sorry! ************************{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Sorry to hear the 5 year set off but that is the norm for Alabama. I have learned the hard way. My husband came up for parole in 2002 and was set off for 5 years. He had met all the requirements that the parole board set, had a job and home plan and I had after care set up for him ($300 downpayment and no refund when turned down) and still the parole board turned him down and not only turned him down but set him off another 5 years. He had been set off 1 year the first time , then 3 years and this time 5 years. No reason, just told me 5 years. I had a petition from friends and also had support with me at the hearing. Nothing you do with this parole board is ever enough. They are under the governor (which they say he has no authority over them) but to get a parole in Alabama with a violent crime does not happen unless you have pull or know the right person. Even hiring a lawyer to appear with you doesn not help. I have sunk thousands of dollars on lawyer, Susan James to name one and all they do is take the money and run. Promise you this and that and then never anything happens. We have done more for ourself by filing our own appealsl then any lawyer has done for us. We are now in the Supreme Court and hoping for some good news in a couple of weeks.

It's hard and it's a long road, but you can survive it and get through the rough times if you stick together and support each other. That is the only way my husband and I have been able to get through all the disappointments and heartaches we've had. We shared them together and kept communication open between us.:) hang in there and you will be together one day. That is what keeps us going. Alabama is one of the worse places to be in a state prison.:mad:

Also has anyone heard that they were going to bring back good time for inmates with violent crimes? My husband has heard a rumor but you know how prison rumors go. I haven't been able to find anything in writing. We're heard that something is suppose to take place in October but afraid to get our hopes up. Please let me know if you have any information on this.:confused:

Saying that I am sorry for such sad news doesn't seem adequate, but I did want you to know many people here can relate to your hurt and disappointment...(((Hugs)))

Sorry to hear the news.Don't give up.God is still in control and he can turn this thing around.Keep yuor faith and never stop praying.Tell God exactly what you want and stick to it. And most of all always BELIEVE!!!!!! I don't know you,but I love you and am praying for you!!!!

God Bless You!Keep your head up.There's nothing to look down for.And remember this scripture." Greater is HE that is in me,than he that is in the world."All things are possible with GOD!!!!!
Luv ya,Janice

You and Brian are in my prayers.

I am so deeply sorry. I can't even think what would help except to ask God to hold you both and help you keep on keeping on.

I'm sorry to hear that, I believe we all know how painful that turndown is. I don't know if you know or not but when someone is set of for 5 years they can appeal and come back up sooner. If you haven't already you may want to talk to Steve Sirmon and get the details. (maybe a little bright side to this for you) Good Luck!
PJ

:grouphug: to YOU!

First of all, thank you all for being such bright and wonderful reminders of what PTO is all about, it's good to come back here today to find such reminders like this.

Second of all, I apologize for not getting on last night and posting either... as some know I have been sick for the past week with some weird thing where sinus drainage is not only forcing itself up but also everything I try to eat too - I have barely eaten since last Thursday. My nerves being totally shot with all that's been going on here at home lately obviously has been the main aggravator as now everything's starting to get better, but anyway, last night I was desperately trying to keep food down - I have been SO hungry - and I kind of wound up overdoing it with the cough syrup and Benadryl trying to kill the drainage and keep something down (which was mostly successful, thank god). Anyway, I couldn't have typed even if I'd tried.

It was just bad all around. I had been really sick Thursday night and since then had been back and forth about whether I was even going to be able to go or not but I was pretty determined I was going to be there, I wanted to see their faces if they said no. I got better and worse and back and forth over the weekend and was just hoping my body was going to let me do this. There were other stressful factors too in making this trip - right now was just not the best time for me to be going anywhere at all for much more than 8 hours or so. I'd already decided I was just going to have to leave in the middle of the night and drive down and get there Monday morning.

Sunday night I was trying to get ready and everything was just going wrong - I couldn't find my shoes, I couldn't find (and discovered I probably accidentally threw away) my contacts, the puppies were messing things up quicker than I could clean up behind them - it was just one thing after another, and I was starving and in and out of the bathroom constantly and feeling terrible. Somehow I managed to pull myself together (mostly thanks to my mom, who had to listen to me having a breakdown on the phone long distance) and got on the road about 2 a.m.

I was later getting there than planned because I had to stop at about a dozen gas stations between Memphis and Tupelo to get sick and every time I thought ok, I just need to turn back around and go home... but then I'd feel better and decide to press on and a few miles down the road I'd be feeling sick again and having to watch for somewhere else to stop. Something I took to try and stop it that wasn't supposed to make you sleepy (but my mother informed me later it has made her groggy before) had me having so much trouble keeping both eyes open between Tupelo and Birmingham that I was seriously afraid, and even more afraid that the fear I was going to nod off at the wheel wasn't going to be enough to keep me awake either. So, it was pretty much the nightmare drive from hell. Fortunately that grogginess pretty much passed by the time I actually got into Birmingham.

Brian's folks were already in Montgomery when I got to Birmingham and told me on the phone there were probably about fifty people in front of them, so we're kind of expecting to probably be there most of the day.

I get to Montgomery and take a wrong turn and end up driving through some just lovely (ahem) neighborhoods trying to find my way back around, and eventually get back on the right track and am probably about a mile or two from the Board building when my cell phone rings again and Brian's brother is calling to see if I'm close, and then he tells me they think we may be the first hearing. Because the victim's family was first in line.

You all know that I didn't have a lot of hope that he was going to make parole this time (our 4th time up). We weren't expecting this - they have never been there before. And I sure wasn't expecting, not just a couple of family members but the whole freakin' family, someone from the Attorney General's office, and someone from some victim's rights group (not sure if it was an arm of the Board itself or some independent group) to be there.

It wouldn't have mattered what we'd said, who had spoken, nothing we could have done would have made any difference, I don't believe. The disciplinaries did not help, but even if he'd had his hearing on time (and therefore would not have had those disciplinaries), it would have gone down the same way with them there. The only thing that MIGHT have is if were Alabama held their hearings reasonably like most states and had the inmate there to speak for themselves - Brian might could have turned that around, were he allowed to speak on his own behalf - I doubt it though. Those family members are so angry and in so much pain, and so full of hatred, the 20 years to his EOS date are not enough for them, much less the 14 he has done. The only thing that would have satisfied them when he was sentenced is if he'd been sentenced to death; nothing's going to satisfy them now. I understand their grief and their pain, of course I do; they are so angry and so full of hatred and vengeance they can't see anything but that. They are always going to believe what they so desperately need to believe, even in the face of all the evidence to the contrary. I feel sorrier for them than I do us, in that respect...

And just like at sentencing, it was said that the victim's sister and mother fear for their lives if he was released. At the sentencing, the judge basically said (and probably rolled his eyes while saying it) that Brian had never set foot in the state of Alabama before then, and he really didn't think that he would ever return to be a "threat to (their) neighborhoods (or themselves)" etc., etc. You betcha, if we ever get him the heck out of Alabama he will never be setting foot in that stinkin' state again. :rolleyes:

Anyway, it was just horrible, it was pretty much a huge comedy of errors. Sidney Williams interrupted his stepdad twice and admonished him for commenting on instances in which he was not personally present (however are instances in which the report on file actually says exactly what his stepdad was trying to say), yet the victim's side was allowed to make all kinds of statements on things in which the family member speaking was not present. I mean, it was just ridiculously unbalanced.

I also think that if one side is having an attorney there than the other side should be notified beforehand in order to have the option of having the same, but, you know, as usual with Alabama that would be reasonable and fair and ain't nothing reasonable nor fair down there...

In short, because he is this terrible, awful, violent offender, they set him off for five years. First I was in shock over the whole family thing and then over that, I expected to hear three again. He was reset to August 2009; his EOS date is in June 2010. What's the point? I'm sure that is their point. They don't want him out, period. We said similarly and he said himself that night that when August 2009 came he pretty much felt like telling them what they can do with their hearing... why even bother.

And how dumb is that on the Board's part, really? What incentive or encouragement does that give anyone to behave and do good for the next six years? I would hate to see what happens when they do something like this to an inmate in the system who doesn't have the morals and ethics and values that he does... someone with lesser morals and values, that's like giving them the go-ahead to cause all kinds of trouble and chaos. Certainly there's no incentive or encouragement to stay clean, etc. - it doesn't matter one bit what he does or doesn't do now, other than hopefully wanting to stay out of the hole, you know. He still isn't getting out before 2010, no matter what.

Anyway... well, we're okay and he actually seems more relieved than anything else. I rather unexpectedly wound up being the one who had to tell him and he basically said, "Well, good... I don't ever have to sweat this out like this again." He is right to a point, in a way it is a relief - now we know for sure what we are dealing with for the next six years. We've got a lot of picking up and sorting out to do - this summer and this whole past several months since they moved him to Easterling has been so hard on us all - I'm sure we've still got some rough struggling ahead after it all sinks in a little more - but we're back to working thru it all together again, a start anyway. There's been lots of different chapters in our fifteen years we've known each other - this is just another brand new one.

I'm pretty much convinced they don't read the support letters. And after that experience and seeing the board face to face, it's my opinion that maybe you have a chance if there is no opposing victim's side and especially if they are not protesting - but otherwise, you might as well give it up because the way they treated and spoke to them vs. the way we were treated would have been obviously unbalanced to anyone.

Many of you longtime PTO'ers and my PTO colleagues have heard me and others talk about from time to time why PTO does not have a section for victims or victim's rights... this is yet another example, really. Victims and their families have thousands of things available to them on the Internet and otherwise... those of us, we don't have so much. But that's a huge reason why PTO is even here at all. Thank goodness. :yes:

More thoughts later if they come to mind, for now I am over and out, it's going to take a little bit to recover and bounce back after this nightmare...

lynn, first of all...i feel ya pain...as you know my first husband was hit and killed by a drunk driver back in 91...the victims unit at the Attorney General's office contacted me...and to be very honest..they pumped me (and my husband family) up to be more angry than we really are...they inforce that angry and hurt into the vicitms...

TAKE CARE..

DeniseJ

Lysbeth your post brings tears to my eyes. I hate the way things are in this screwed up system. Everything they do is unfair where our loved ones are concerned. My heart goes out to you and Brian and his family. You all will remain in my prayers. Stay Strong!
HUGS, Lace

Lynn

I'm really really sorry for both you and Brian, and I'm really sorry you had to go through this masquerade, especially when you were so sick.

This next parole review in 2009 makes no sense, and is like a slap in your face !! :mad: I really understand Brian when he says he will tell them what they can do with their hearing !!! In a way it would be a slap in the victims' face, they would see they have lost all their power over him and you, and have nothing left but their anger and hatred. I hope for them they will some day find some sort of peace in their hearts.

Of course, you know we will always be here for you for the next years, the PTO family is on your side and always will be.

(((HUGS)))

Love
Phil xoxo

Lyn for you and Brian (((((((hugs))))))))) I am sorry just isn't enough.
But I am so proud of the way you and Brian are holding your heads up and going on.

The AG's office always feeds on the victims feelings and tells them how much better they will feel if this guy pays. That is the way they work, sad.

I feel sorry for the victims, not for what happened to them, but for all the hate and anger that is eating them alive. They will never have peace until they let go of all that hate and anger. Unfortunatly the State feeds on that anger to get what they want. Because of that you are right no matter what Brian and people like Brian don't stand a chance in H***.

Please tell Brian that my thoughts and prayers are with him and you.

hugs
softie

I hope you get to feeling better, you have been missed.

((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) You and brian are in my thoughts and prayers

Lysbeth so so so sorry doesn't evenbegin to feel as though it would be enough to heal the fresh wounds Alabama has now inflicted on you and Brians hearts. And to be sick as well for you to come in to a room full of hatefull and vengeful people does not begin to make the day anybetter. I wish I could pop outa my puter and just give you a huge hug and say you and Brian will get thru this, but in lew of that know my heart and soul and prayers are there with you two. I know you will be strong in the days to come and you and Brian will somehow come up with another plan.


((((((HUGS)))))))) as the tears roll

GSPack

Lysbeth, I'm so sorry about what happened. I almost cried reading your post...what an awful experience and to be sick on top of that. I hope you get to feeling better soon and ya'll are in my prayers!

PJ

**********************************{lysbeth}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} what a nightmare. You guys are so strong my mind is blown.

(((hugs))) I'm so sorry you both had to go thru this.... Parole board hearings seem like a charade to me....

Deb

I am in shock- shock that he was flopped for another 5, but mostly shocked at how INSANE our system really is.
Lynn- you both are in our hearts and in our prayers (as usual).
I wonder how good the family feels tonight? I guess this means they feel "safer" now?
They would feel a helluva lot better if they could get rid of the hatred that's been stuck in their hearts for years and years.
Stay strong you!!!!! Love, hugs, strength, and positive energy (as much as I can muster) coming your way!!!
I hope you are feeling better physically???
((((((((hugs)))))))))))
me

lysbeth, ive really tried to think about this and figure out some way of telling you exactly how my heart goes out to you and i just cant, i cant feel your pain for you as ive never walked in your shoes before, i just wouldnt make it.....so if its any help at all know this, others look up to your for the strength you put in this! YOU matter to others!

Again- not to post twice, but I still can't comprehend this whole thing. It doesn't sit well at all-
You are definitely a source of inspiration to those who feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
For what its worth- well, I just don't even know what to say.
I am at a loss- and it took me two posts to basically say that.
Hugs-