1/ Thread illustrating that the system does not “listen to the victims”...2 years ago, our family was victimized when my elderly “auntie-mom” who had Alzheimer’s was financially exploited & left for dead by someone who posed as a friend and caregiver. You can read the story here: https://twitter.com/amberspeaksup/status/1217234735761674240

2/ In Feb., the victim advocate called to say that the sentencing would take place in May, but that the defense was asking for a continuance to allow the convicted to have knee surgery before he served time. She tried to guide our impact statements to ensure that he was denied.

3/ Much to her surprise, I explained that while we understand the system, we wished for accountability & rehabilitation. I reminded her that his sentence was NOT to a life of physical pain due to lack of healthcare. We had no problems with a continuance. #restorativejustice

4/ Yesterday I got another call. With excitement, the advocate told me that most elective surgeries have been canceled, so his sentencing will move forward. She went on to say how UNFORTUNATE IT WAS that many attorneys were successfully using #COVID19 as an “excuse” to delay...

5/ That I should be prepared that the judge may consider the threat of #Covidbehindbars a valid argument to delay his sentencing. I can’t express the swirl of emotions that I felt at that moment, mostly at the pain of the situation & the callousness of her comments.

6/ I told her again that I did not feel that any sentence should lead to poor health care & strongly believe that NO PERSON, even the one who so horribly victimized our family, should be placed in the way of this virus. He was not sentenced to DEATH. #valuallhumans

7/ I was again, reminded that this case was the state’s (not about us) & asked to submit our victim impact statements in a timely fashion. The harm of having our voices minimized and ignored, once again, cuts to the core - especially after all we have been through. #donomoreharm

8/ We will use our statements, to share our pain, but not to call for vengeance, even in light of the irreparable harm that we have experienced, but to call for an opportunity for healing, even for him. This is something that our “justice system” doesn’t know a thing about.

9/ If you think this story is helpful, please feel free to retweet and share. #CJreform @AmpersandsRJ @JoshuaBHoe #restorativejustice #covid19 #covidbehindbars #valueallhumans /END