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Post by PIP on Feb 14, 2009 14:46:08 GMT -6
Guys, he is up again. This is a different time of year and which is a bit unnerving for me, usually he goes into review in July. I don't understand why he is going into review this quickly, unless he didn't get reviewed last year (I don't remember ~ I get so upset when I receive these letters)
Anyway, I have copy/pasted the letter we sent from the previous years here. I do not have the new director's email address. If any of you do, please post it here.
IN MEMORY OF
James Cucovatz March 29, 1986- December 18, 2004
February 14, 2009
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services Division Attn: Angela McCown, Director 8712 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 265 P.O. Box 13401 Austin, TX 78711-3401
RE: Offender: Solis, Santos III State ID: 07296364 TDCJ ID: 01334571 Placed in Parole Review on 07-03-2007
Dear Board of Pardons and Paroles Panel,
I am writing in memory of James Cucovatz, killed by Mr. Santos Solis on December 18, 2004.
Mr. Solis was 20 years old. After a night of partying, intoxicated, with cocaine and marijuana in his system, he decided to get behind the wheel of his car. He drove in the wrong direction on Interstate 20 in Odessa, Texas for over 2 miles before striking the car James was in, head-on.
He killed James. He killed Angela Martinez and seriously injured Angela’s sister, Crystal.
Mr. Solis was sentenced on October 13, 2005. At the writing of this letter he has served a little over 3 years of a 10 year sentence for killing James. Mr. Solis accepted a plea to receive his 10 year sentence and he should have to serve the full sentence. He took the plea; he now must fulfill his entire sentence and suffer the serious consequences of his deadly actions.
On April 13, 2006 Mr. Solis was also sentenced to 2 years for a State Jail Felony for possession of marijuana (Maverick County, Texas, Cause Number 05-05-05761-MCRAJA). This sentence is to run concurrently.
While James Cucovatz and Angela Martinez are dead, the system has been good to Mr. Solis.
Mr. Solis used his vehicle on December 18, 2004 as a deadly weapon. He chose to take drugs and to drink alcohol and then get behind the wheel and drive. He willfully committed an act of deadly violence killing James Cucovatz and Angela Martinez.
Please do not minimize the violent and deadly actions of Mr. Solis by granting him parole. Parole for Mr. Solis is a failure of the criminal system and a failure of justice for James Cucovatz and Angela Martinez. Mr. Solis must serve his entire 10 year sentence.
Respectfully submitted,
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Post by PIP on Feb 14, 2009 14:50:33 GMT -6
Bump
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Post by Kay on Feb 14, 2009 15:03:37 GMT -6
Letter sent today, Dear Girl And here's the e-mail: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us Texas prints the letters and places them in the offender's folder. You will receive an acknowledgment.
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Post by PIP on Feb 14, 2009 15:04:36 GMT -6
Letter sent today, Dear Girl And here's the e-mail: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us Texas prints the letters and places them in the offender's folder. You will receive an acknowledgment. Thank you!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2009 15:16:23 GMT -6
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Post by PIP on Feb 14, 2009 15:17:56 GMT -6
I was an extra jerk this year and attached the last picture I have of James to the email with a bold comment on the bottom that looks like this: I have attached the last picture I will ever have of my nephew to this email.
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Post by PIP on Feb 14, 2009 15:19:09 GMT -6
Oh, and the letter I got was dated February 10, so we actually only have 6 days now.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2009 15:28:18 GMT -6
I was an extra jerk this year and attached the last picture I have of James to the email with a bold comment on the bottom that looks like this: I have attached the last picture I will ever have of my nephew to this email.That is not being a jerk. That is being a realist, and reminding them to please do the same because James was real. He was not just a statistic, this is who you used to get to see.
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Post by PIP on Feb 14, 2009 15:28:22 GMT -6
I just went through the past emails I sent and he did get reviewed in July last year...
Does anyone know why they would change the review pattern or timing? I am really freaked out that he might get out this time.
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Post by Tracy on Feb 14, 2009 20:38:37 GMT -6
I will email(ed) mine right now.
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Post by PIP on Feb 14, 2009 23:17:37 GMT -6
Here is a copy of the new letter that was written for this year's review. If any of you haven't sent a letter yet and still would like to, you can use either one. Just be sure to include the Santos' Name, State ID, and TDJC ID in the subject of your email. We have until February 24. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I thought I would also include SOME of James' mother Teresa's email to those of us who write these letters every year with you here: In preparation for next year I want you to be aware that the automatic release date for Mr. Solis as of today is May 29, 2010. This date is set automatically and calculated based on the categorization of his offense and time served and good time credit. This does not mean he will automatically be released. His file is still required to be reviewed and approval granted before this would occur. You can see this calculation by visiting www.tdcj.state.tx.us and clicking on offender information and entering Mr. Solis' name and his State and TDCJ identification numbers. The reality of James' death never leaves me but there are times that the reality is magnified and the pain intensified. I am blessed to have always found comfort in family and friends - especially my dear sweet husband. I have shared with some of you that I am grateful to have a voice in the process and at the same time I find this to be excruciatingly painful. Thank you so very much for your willingness to stay this journey. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ February 14, 2009 Texas Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services Division Attn: Angela McCown, Director 8712 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 265 Austin, TX 78757-6899 RE: Offender: Solis, Santos III State ID: 07296364 TDCJ ID: 01334571 Placed in Parole Review on 02-10-2009 Dear Board of Pardons and Paroles Panel, This letter is in memory of James Cucovatz, killed by Mr. Santos Solis on December 18, 2004. James’ life ended and the lives of his family have been forever changed because of a senseless and willful criminal act of violence on the part of Mr. Santos Solis. Mr. Solis was 20 years old at the time of his offense. After a night of partying, intoxicated, with cocaine and marijuana in his system, he decided to get behind the wheel of his car. He drove in the wrong direction on Interstate 20 in Midland, Texas for over 2 miles before striking the car James was in, head-on. He killed James. He killed Angela Martinez and seriously injured Angela’s sister, Crystal. Mr. Solis was sentenced on October 13, 2005. At the writing of this letter he has served but 3 years and 4 months of a 10 year sentence for killing James. Mr. Solis accepted a plea to receive his 10 year sentence and he should have to serve the full sentence; he now must fulfill his entire sentence and suffer the serious consequences of his deadly actions. On April 13, 2006 Mr. Solis was also sentenced to 2 years for a State Jail Felony for possession of marijuana (Maverick County, Texas, Cause Number 05-05-05761-MCRAJA). This sentence was to run concurrently. This parole review process is not just about Mr. Solis. His actions did not occur in isolation or in a vacuum; they had fatal consequences. He ended the lives of two young individuals; James was one of those people. In so doing, the lives of James’ family and friends have all suffered tremendously. His crime was against the three young people in that car but the consequences reach far beyond Interstate 20 in Midland, TX. For those who loved James, their lives now contain a profound sense of emptiness and longing for a son, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, and a friend who can never be returned. Mr. Solis will have the opportunity to return to his family. While Mr. Solis accepted a mere 10 year sentence, James’ loved ones have been sentenced to the rest of their lives without him. James gets no second chance at life. Mr. Solis will get a second chance at life and after serving his entire 10 year sentence he will be but a young 31 year old with a lifetime of living ahead of him. He committed a deadly criminal act and then negotiated and agreed to accept a 10 year sentence; simply a 10 year sentence for killing two people. While James and Angela are dead, the system has been good to Mr. Solis. According to Texas law, each year Mr. Solis is given the right to a review process and consideration for parole. This means that every year family and friends must organize, pour more salt in an unhealing wound, and be a voice in search of justice for James. He should have to serve out his entire 10 year sentence; that was the deal he made and to which he agreed. Serving his entire sentence is the only “just” action. We implore you; please do not minimize the violent and deadly actions of Mr. Solis by granting him parole. Parole for Mr. Solis is a failure of the criminal system and a failure of justice for James and Angela. Mr. Solis must serve his entire 10 year sentence. Respectfully submitted,
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Post by PIP on Feb 14, 2009 23:27:38 GMT -6
And, I was wrong, I sent my letter last year out of habit, thinking that my notification was over looked. It wasn't. Last year, Mr. Solis was not eligible for parole, because of some "disciplinary activity" during 2008. I guess, he thinks it is ok to ignore the rules while he is in prison, the same way he ignored them when he killed James. I am REALLY REALLY pleased to learn that he is learning his lesson [Sarcasm intended].
I get so mad about parole. PAROLE? WTF? It was a plea bargain! *&%^%^*((&^%F%F%^&(*(^%%&*((O))!!!!!!
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Post by SubSurfCPO(ret) on Feb 15, 2009 6:50:29 GMT -6
Pardon me for being new, but can anyone send an e-mail even if you are not a resident of Texas?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2009 8:56:04 GMT -6
Sent
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2009 8:56:35 GMT -6
Pardon me for being new, but can anyone send an e-mail even if you are not a resident of Texas? can't hurt!
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Post by PIP on Feb 15, 2009 9:03:04 GMT -6
Pardon me for being new, but can anyone send an e-mail even if you are not a resident of Texas? Yes. Anyone can send an email. I don't live in TX. James has family members and people who love him in at least 4 states. EVERY SINGLE LETTER/EMAIL COUNTS. And thank you for asking.
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Post by PIP on Feb 15, 2009 9:05:34 GMT -6
Sent Thank you LyLy. And everyone else who has sent emails, this time and in the past.
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Post by Lisa on Feb 15, 2009 9:38:37 GMT -6
Pardon me for being new, but can anyone send an e-mail even if you are not a resident of Texas? Yes. Anyone can send an email. I don't live in TX. James has family members and people who love him in at least 4 states. EVERY SINGLE LETTER/EMAIL COUNTS. And thank you for asking. I sent mine, and I do live in Texas. I signed it with multiple names, too. Mine, my husband's, Natalie's, Natalie's husband's, Britt's, and Britt's girlfriend's. Told the parole board we're sick of reading about people getting killed by drunk drivers every time we pick up a newspaper, because we are. Hope it helps.
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Post by PIP on Feb 15, 2009 10:15:41 GMT -6
Yes. Anyone can send an email. I don't live in TX. James has family members and people who love him in at least 4 states. EVERY SINGLE LETTER/EMAIL COUNTS. And thank you for asking. I sent mine, and I do live in Texas. I signed it with multiple names, too. Mine, my husband's, Natalie's, Natalie's husband's, Britt's, and Britt's girlfriend's. Told the parole board we're sick of reading about people getting killed by drunk drivers every time we pick up a newspaper, because we are. Hope it helps. I am sure it will, Lisa. Thank you so much and please thank everyone else who signed for me.
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jbpro
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Member of the Month - 3/09
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Post by jbpro on Feb 15, 2009 12:23:39 GMT -6
Sent, I know this is terrible for you and your family. All you can do is fight to make sure he serves what "LITTLE" time he got.
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Post by SubSurfCPO(ret) on Feb 16, 2009 8:53:51 GMT -6
Pardon me for being new, but can anyone send an e-mail even if you are not a resident of Texas? Sent!
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Post by PIP on Feb 16, 2009 20:19:06 GMT -6
I would like to thank all of you who have written letters and emails ~ this time ~ and over the years. I really appreciate it. I wish I could share with you all why James has such an impact on my life ~ what I feel I owe him ~ how he changed me and how much he loved and gave to others.
I am sorry ~ for all of you who will never meet this wonderful young man ~ you will never read a new motocross article written by James, or never get the chance to hear him announce a competition. I am sorry none of you will ever know his tenderness and his sense of right and wrong.
It's just bullshyt that he is gone and it is bullshyt that my only means of expressing my anger with respect to my lost is to write an email ~ WITHIN 10 DAYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is NO way anyone could "get" even a FRACTION of what this world lost the day we lost James ~ and I assure you ~ we ALL lost him.
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Post by missy on Feb 18, 2009 16:25:26 GMT -6
My email has been sent
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Post by Stormyweather on Feb 18, 2009 17:00:05 GMT -6
I have to ask. If he agreed to serve his full sentence, why is he even up for parole?
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Post by Tracy on Feb 18, 2009 18:06:45 GMT -6
I would like to thank all of you who have written letters and emails ~ this time ~ and over the years. I really appreciate it. I wish I could share with you all why James has such an impact on my life ~ what I feel I owe him ~ how he changed me and how much he loved and gave to others. I am sorry ~ for all of you who will never meet this wonderful young man ~ you will never read a new motocross article written by James, or never get the chance to hear him announce a competition. I am sorry none of you will ever know his tenderness and his sense of right and wrong. It's just bullshyt that he is gone and it is bullshyt that my only means of expressing my anger with respect to my lost is to write an email ~ WITHIN 10 DAYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is NO way anyone could "get" even a FRACTION of what this world lost the day we lost James ~ and I assure you ~ we ALL lost him. You're very welcome, I hope all the letters help! And sorry for your loss, lets hope this guy at least has to serve out the extent of his pitiful sentence. He should have gotten LWOP minimum, another thing ill never understand is why is it when you murder someone with your car the sentencing is so much less, murder is murder.
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Post by kingsindanger on Feb 19, 2009 21:43:25 GMT -6
Sent.
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Post by PIP on Jun 27, 2009 20:50:17 GMT -6
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