| These are some of the letter that help out to give Clyde Baldrige 15 years in prison so I thought I would like to share them with you.... And I would like to say thanks to everyone that helped out!!!! |
| On Saturday, September 16, 2000 our lives changed forever dur to the carlessness of Clyde Baldridge. Mr. Baldridge took the life of a special young man of William Michael Tanton. "Little Mike", as we called him. I am writing this letter because my family and I want to express how much we love and miss Little Mike. He was a young man, who would do anything for anyone. Small in size, but had a heart as big as the universe. There are so many kids on the wrong track these days, yet here you had a young man at 20 who worked full-time, had an apartment and behicle of his own and was making plans for College. Clyde Baldridge took all of this away from Little Mike. Mike spoke of career choices and family quite often, but now he will never have the chance achieve any of those dreams. I have a lot of anger in my heart for Clyde Baldridge, because he ended Mike's dreams. I'll never forgive him for the anguish he has caused to all of us who love Mike. I do not feel sorry for Clyde Baldrige. He knew what he was doing when he took his first drink. Mr. Baldridge took a young life and must not be allowed to grow old enjoying his life. We cannot bring Little Mike back, but setting forth a punishment that could prevent Mr. Baldridge from every having the chance to take a life again, can aid in the healing process for all of us who grieve and also allow Mike to rest in peace. (Lynda Woods) My name is Shelby I'm ten yrs old I'd like to tell you about an important person to my life and that's my Mike-Mike he was my very close cousin I always ask my mom and family why mike mike died and they say god wanted him home so he can be my guardian angel. What I remember most about Mike is he token me at to eat at a Seafood restauart, play pool with him always go out to eat on his birthday go eat on holidays he was loving he was funny, and he was fun to be with he also helped me play softball and at one of my games he also ref the game. I cry sometimes for Mike-Mike and wish he was her so I could see him even though I can't see him I know he can see me it makes me feel sad but at least I have Mike-Mike to watch over me. Sometimes I can hear what Mike-Mike would say or kid about what I'm thinking I miss my Mike-Mike and wish he was here and I will always love him with all my heart and always remember him (Shelby Storey) I am writing this in memory of my nephew Michael Tanton. And other victims to be due to drunk driving. Michael died Sept 15, 2000. That date will always be embedded in my mind. ON that evening when my sister called me to let me know that Michael was in a n accident we all rushed to be by his side. Not knowing what was facing us. When we got there. It sure was a slap in the face especially when we found out that it was all due to someone that was drunk one person took a big chunk out of our hearts. My daughter Shelby was very close to Michael. Michael would take her out to eat, which Shelby would brag that it was a date. He was always there to watch my kids to play in their activities and now since he's gone. She cries herself to sleep and wants to know why. She has his sunglasses on her dresser. She sleeps in his t-shirt, just wanting to be close to him. My 5 yr old now wants to know when I am dying. He understand that the elderly dies, but he doesn't understand why Michael did. Now he wants to know if he is going to die. My children have been through alot. My mother their nanny dies 3 yrs ago with breast cancer. THeir great-great grandmother died Aug 10 2000, Their grandfather died Sept 7 a week later Michael died now Shelby would ask why do bad things happen to me? I tell her when God calls you home. But, how do I explain to Shelby when she knows that it was due to being drunk. She knows that it was due to drinking and that it was caused by a man, that Michael left this world. Why should the people who get D.W.I's get off with repeated warnings? If Michael had survived he would have forgiven Hoping the man would learn from this experience. So, now that he isn't with us. It is showing us what drunk diriving can do. Teach Clyde Baldridge a lesson. It was very stupid fo him to leave that bar drunk and now look how many lives are destroyed. It ds not worth it. (His Aunt Leslie Welsh) I would like to tell you about Michael. He was a fine young man and planned much for his life and because of one man's choice to drive after drinking it was all for nothing. I believe when someone makes a choice to drink and not designate a driver that automobile becomes a lethal weapon just like a gun it is the same to me as killing someone with a gun. I think it should be considered murder also. When you have someone taken from you in such a tragic way without being able to tell him goodbye it kills a part of you also life is never the same. I had already lost a son he was murdered and his killer never found. Michael was like my son he came to me with his problems or just talks and we grew very close I loved him as my son. Now it is liek loosing another son. I also had to deal with my son who lost his best friend. He was devastated. His life will never be the same and he should not have had to go through all this so young. No kid should ever have to go through that. Also think of the pain you have put your family through. They don't deserve that either. You were selfish when you only thought about self gratification for yourself only. I know you have to live with this the rest of your life but at least you have a life Michael no longer has a life you took it from him. Michael was reduced to an animal by you. He was run down and killed and you did not even have the decency to stop and listen for even his last words or to comfort him in his last moments. He might have wanted to tell his Mother for the last time how much he loved her but you did not even give him that chance. You never even acted like you knew you hit him. You are an animal and don't deserve to live either I hope if nothing else ever comes out of this. I hope one day you never have to go look at one of your kids in a box that a drunk driver put him in. Judge I know he will never get to hear those above words but I wanted you to know how I feel. I think society thinks alcohol is ok but it is wrong just like any other durg and should be handled that way. It kills and ruins families as much if not more than drugs. I am tired of it being death with just a slap on the hand. This man took a precious life our kids are blessing from God. (Pamela Beasley) This letter is about the concern of Mike Tanton. I have know Mike most of my life. Him and my brother Jason was best friends. He was more like a brother to me than a good friend. Mike was always there for anyone when they need someone to talk to. I used to ride on the wrecker with him every time I had a chance to. He would call me on Fridays and ask me if I wanted to ride on the wrecker with him because he knew that I enjoyed riding on it. Jason and Mike were roommates for years. He was known as the little guy with a big smile. Every time you seen him he had a smile on his face. He never let anyone get him down. He was always happy and took life one day at a time and enjoyed it. Mike was the kind of person that would help anyone that needed help. If someone needed help late at night you could plan on Mike being there to help you. When Mike was in high school he would get up at 5:30 a.m. every morning to go to church and then he would go on to school. He had planned a big future. He wanted to go on a mission for his church. When he got the job of being a wrecker driver he was so excited. He enjoyed doing what he did best his job because he always met new people. He never had anything bad to say about anyone. He was a great person. I don' t think he hardly ever had an enemy because he was never mean to anyone. This tragedy has changed so many people. To some people life will never be the same without Mike. Mike was a loving and caring person. Mike will be missed by a lot of people in this community because he was a great guy. He had a wholse life to live ahead of him. (Crista Beasley) Nothing you say or write expresses the hurt this family as gone through the past 9 months. Please remember that your families also drive on the same roads. (Terry Russell) |