Polly Klaas
I feel like I have been betrayed by my beloved California, as have the other families of people killed by California’s death row killers, who are responsible for murdering more than 1,000 people, including 229 children and 43 police officers. By extension the victim families and friends of the nearly 1,400 lifers that Governor Brown has paroled since taking office in 2011 have also been betrayed, as have the victims of the 18,000 felons who were released from prison early as a result of Governor Brown’s prison realignment plan.
Richard Davis killed Polly Klaas
As a crime victim whose 12-year-old daughter was killed by an unrepentant and violent psychopath, I fully expected that it would only be a matter of time before justice would be served after Judge William Hastings imposed the death sentence with this admonition, “Mr. Davis, this is always a traumatic and emotional decision for a judge. You made it very easy today by your conduct.”
Alex Hamilton killed Police officer Larry Alasater
Unfortunately, in California, courtroom sentences literally aren’t worth the paper that they are printed on. Just the other day United States District Court Judge Cormac J. Carney declared California’s death penalty unconstitutional because a sense of uncertainty and delay, “violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.”
Trailside Killer David Carpenter raped & murdered at least five women
That Polly’s killer has been on death row for seventeen-years without being executed may be unusual, but it is certainly not cruel. It was cruel when he kidnapped, raped and strangled my Polly in order to, “avoid AIDS by getting a young one,” as was revealed at trial. It was cruel when the judge arbitrarily decided that neither he nor California’s other 747 death row killers will face the sentence imposed upon them by a jury of their peers. It is cruel when the will of the people and the law of the land are subverted by a powerful and unrepresentative minority.
Ramon Salcido murdered seven relatives including his wife and two daughters
I will never understand how activist judges, the ACLU, the defense bar, and other prison rights apologists are willing to undermine the criminal justice system, betray victims and their families, and endanger innocent people for the approval of killers, rapists and thugs. That they seek the endorsement of society’s underbelly links them to depravity, amorality and future victimization, yet they will never be held accountable for their actions. Might these decisions and this trend represent the death of punishment in California?
California has become a cater to the criminal State in every sense. Sadly much of the general public has no clue just how dangerous AB109 is. We have laws in place that are continually ignored and rewritten that favor the criminal and slap the victims and their families in the face. Life seems to have no value in our court system anymore. The Judge in my daughters case actually said .. “There are two tragedies here. Someone lost their life and someone is going to jail.” I can’t help but wonder if going to jail is a tragedy why we have laws? Would the Judge say the same words if his child was in a grave? My child’s life wasn’t “lost” , I can’t go find it and give it back. Her life was TAKEN by another’s actions, another’s choices. The Judge also told the offender he wasn’t a bad person. Being on this side of the “system” was a HUGE wake-up as to how things really work. We were told my daughters killer would do 85% of his lousy 6 year sentence. Yet AB109 considers him a non serious non violent criminal, even though my daughter was killed by him. After missing just two Thanksgivings away from his family he will be home weeks before this one. Less than 50% time served , refusing to come to a court hearing, having access to FB while in prison and posting photos of visits and saying my daughter is his guardian angel and this was God’s plan along with saying F the system and F Uncle Sam he is going home. The ACLU stands for All Criminals Love Us and the victims are long forgotten. There is more sympathy for the criminal in this State than the victims. AB109 is a disaster. My deeper condolences to your family and I share your disgust for our “system” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0xHiQujLns
Mark, we met during the search for Brianna Dennison in Reno, NV and I found you to be a compassionate and thoughtful person. I am so sorry you are having to deal with this injustice so many years after your sweet daughters death. My prayers are with you that you may someday know justice and have peace.
I’m sick to my stomach, & ASHAMED to say that I was born & partially raised right here in Santa Barbara County. Since I’ve returned to help care for gpa, I’ve read more “pro sex offender” rulings in 2 weeks in Santa Maria Times than I can count. My own sister came from IA to this great state to attend college, fell victim to sexual predator in SLO COUNTY who PLED GUILTY & STILL avoided jail after RE-OFFENDING & CALEB MULLIGAN (that hope that piece of garbage reads this) was NEVER FORCED TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDER. Polly was the same age as me. It could have BEEN me. I wish I had the honor to hug you & THANK YOU for trudging on through the joke of the CA justice system–one that is SO careful not to abuse or violate criminal rights. What about the LUVES slaughtered & victims left behind. What about innocent people? Where are the rights protecting us? May God’s justice be swift & painful. God bless you.
I am generally against the death penalty, however I would like to see Polly’s killer put to death. I remember when she was missing. I lived in Marin at the time and wanted to go look for her. I am sorry you are going through this
I agree that these people ought to have more humane treatment…they should immediately be shot. Disgusting that our children won’t ever again know freedom, and these scum bags will live on.
Even if many of us saw this injustice coming, it still did nothing to stop the blow of betrayal from the government. Why have laws, and punishment, if everyone knows justice will never be served? Over the years, so much empathy has been given to the offenders, and the victims go forgotten in the courts. However, Polly, and so many others will NEVER be forgotten by those who truly count. Those that act with love, and grace. I am so sorry Marc, but please know we support you, and all the other families that are hurt by this.
I’m so very sorry Marc. This is beyond insane.
Marc, Reading your post, at first a sense of shock hit me, but then immediately went away. Because I am painstakingly aware of our so called “Justice” system. As I am sure you remember our fight with and for justice in Utah. Which you joined in to assist us by personally sending a letter to the parole board in 2005, who were deciding his fate. It was a fight from the gate in 1994 until he finally died in Prison in 2010. As you know my daughter lived. Although suffered through the hell he put her through for at least 10 years. And sometimes still has issues. My heart and Ashley’s heart have been with you from the moment we heard of you. I remember seeing you on the news at the trial, and telling her, “That Daddy is fighting for his little girl, she is in heaven, because that man hurt her.” She was only 7 at the time, and we were somewhere in the middle of our trial against her perpetrator (Grand Father). You truly are a hero to us, and so many countless others. Through all of your endless hard work, blood, sweat and tears, You have created an amazing legacy for Polly. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I have a network of approx. 6000 people on my facebook page and through my facebook groups even more. Email me through my email enclosed here. I don’t even go into my email on my facebook account because it is overflowing with nonsense. Let’s ALL join forces and get the word out…Justice must be served!!!
I couldn’t agree more with you Marc. It’s too bad you & countless other victims of crime & betrayal from the Justice system couldn’t march in Washington like Martin Luther King Jr. did. It defies logic to worry about cruel & inhumane treatment of criminals who have done the most vile acts to men, women & children. At the very least, the punishment should be the same as their crimes! As exhausted & defeated you must feel, please don’t give up. You are doing a fantastic job helping others & bringing it to the public every time you speak on TV. My thoughts & prayers are always there.
This is tragic Marc. What can we as citizens, do to change this? There MUST be justice! Without justice, these monsters win, and I won’t stand quietly by and watch this happen. Please tell me what steps we can take to stand up for the death penalty? I will pass it along in hopes of getting supporters. My heart hurts for you and others, who have been, as you put it, betrayed by the state of California.