All,
It is time once again for Mr. Solis to be placed in mandatory review and consideration for parole. This year we are grateful for small favors in that notification of the initiation of this process was delayed until after the anniversary of James' death and the holidays - while not intentional on their part we are thankful to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the delay.
I am including a sample letter that is ready for you to use as is - simply add your signature or modify and personalize as you feel led to do, including creating your own.
I do so appreciate that year after year you have all been gracious in giving your time, your thoughts and voice to this process.
As in years past you can mail the letter (snail style) or email your letter to Angela McCown, Director of Victim Services Division at victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us or you may fax your letter to her attention (512) 452-0825. If you create your own letter please be sure to include Mr. Solis' full name, State ID and TDCJ ID that I have included on the sample letter attached to ensure your letter is routed to the correct file.
We have been asked to forward our letters by January 20th. If you are unable to do so but still wish to send the letter please do so anyway. As you know from past years the review process normally takes four to six months.
Again, at a time when we struggle to find the rights words to express the depth of our appreciation we simply say thank you...
Sincerely,
-Pip
*****************************************************
IN MEMORY OF
James Cucovatz
March 29, 1986- December 18, 2004
January 11, 2011
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 Mandatory Review on 01-04-2011
Dear Board of Pardons and Paroles Panel,
This is the fifth letter that many friends and family have written in memory of James Cucovatz, killed by Mr. Santos Solis on December 18, 2004. Mr. Solis was sentenced on October 13, 2005 and as of the date of this letter, he has served only 5 years and 90 days of his 10 year sentence.
At the sentencing Teresa told Mr. Solis that we were all left to try and make sense of something senseless. James has been dead for 6 years – there is no making sense of Mr. Solis’ recklessness and criminal behavior that took James’ life.
As family and friends have struggled with the “Why” of James’ death, I wonder, “What has Mr. Solis learned since he began his sentence in October, 2005?” Has he done anything to address his alcohol and drug abuse? Has he gained any insight and awareness as to his past and future life choices? Has he felt any significant and true remorse? I doubt it. In 2008, he tested positive for marijuana; despite the availability of treatment programs for substance abuse, as of the last parole review, he had not participated in any. Has his behavior changed? Has he been rehabilitated? All objective indications are that the taking of James’ life has not changed him, that he has learned nothing.
While Mr. Solis is given the right under Texas laws and system procedures to have his file placed in Mandatory Review for consideration to be paroled, it remains my belief that when Mr. Solis accepted a plea to receive his 10 year sentence he should be required to serve the entire sentence.
If he is released on parole, I respectfully recommend consideration be given to include stipulations that require Mr. Solis to continue to accept responsibility for his actions. These may include: release to a halfway house during which he should be required to maintain sobriety and participate in a 12-step program that includes a therapeutic component as well as AA and NA support meetings. On-going sobriety monitored through regular blood testing and participation in AA and NA should be a condition until discharge from parole and a condition of reinstating his driver’s license.
Once his license is reinstated his vehicle should be equipped with an ignition interlock device until his successful discharge from parole.
At Mr. Solis’ sentencing, Teresa also urged him to acknowledge the significance of James’ life by spending his time in prison thinking of a way to honor James’ memory by advocacy and community service once he was released and free to do so. Throughout the duration of his mandatory supervision should he be paroled, Mr. Solis should be required to work with agencies providing education and awareness of driving while intoxicated.
Mr. Solis is being provided a second chance; James gets no second chance. James should be celebrating his 25th birthday this year but he is not here; where there should be laughter there is silence.
Please do not minimize the violent and deadly actions of Mr. Solis by granting him parole. If the decision is made to grant parole I implore you to include stringent mandated requirements.
Respectfully submitted,
Attachments:
