THE UNDEFENDED VICTIM

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rewritten for our beloved Tiffany

For me, no gavel hammers.
The scales were never weighed.
My crime was that of "Victim"
MY LIFE, the price I paid.
And when my life was taken...
Why were MY "rights" not read?
And the statement "Overruled."
When they pronounced me DEAD!

No lawyer to call on me,
To take the witness stand.
My fate was decided when--
Left in a DRUNKARD'S hand.

Yet, NOW the courtroom's crowded,
A lawyer pleads HIS case...
And the glimmer of a tear,
Creeps down his 'sober' face.
OH, that I could take the stand..
They'd witness my LAST BREATH,
And they could see the TERROR,
I went through facing DEATH!

But they missed MY "Pleading" Cries.
The look upon MY face.
...The scales have not yet been,
"Balanced" in this case!

If I could tell the jury,
Exactly how it was,
The FEAR and PAIN I went through
Struck down without a cause.
Can the jury weigh it all..
..Now listening to his pleas?
The only emotion now..
..His hopes of going free.

The final verdict now is in!
The defendent...in tears.
If only I'D done so WELL!
Given TEN to TWENTY YEARS.

TIFFANY'S CASE - THE CONSEQUENCES

The drunk driver that killed Tiffany was charged with Negligent Homicide, a felony. He spent the next 7 months free on bail going through the steps of legal manuevering.

As the trial date approached, he chose to plead guilty rather than go to trial. On May 22, 1997 he received a sentence of ten (10) years with two (2) years suspended ... to be spent under the supervision of the Montana Department of Corrections...ineligible for parole until he completed chemical dependency treatment.

With good behavior, and after approximately 1 year in the system, the Department of Corrections felt he had satisfied the terms of the (8 year) sentence and recommended his release.

Of the one year of incarceration, approx. 4 months was spent in the County jail (due to lack of room anywhere else). A few months were spent processing through the State Prison. About 3 months spent in an intensive chemical dependency treatment program at Boot Camp. Upon graduation from the Boot Camp, two months was spent at a Pre-release Center working for a gravel firm.

For the term of the two years suspended sentence he will be required to report to a probation officer once a month, not possess firearms, and will not to drink intoxicants.

Forward to FIRE TO THE SKY [lnflower.gif]

"Feelings" Midi file is playing.

Comments?

Email:

rsnell@digisys.net

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