"Thank God for delivering me and releasing my shackles.
Thank you all for the love and support during this tempest in our lives. The last forty-eight hours has been a time of praise, love, tears, and rest for Becky, Kara, Ben and I. Today, I spent the afternoon reading the many letters that were written in support of me. I am truly humbled by the love and support from our family and friends. We are blessed beyond measure.
If I may share an abridged version of what happened for those that don't know.
The Background
From 1993 until 1995 I was hanging out with "the wrong crowd" and I began drinking alcohol, experimenting with drugs, then eventually using drugs (marijuana, pills, cocaine). I functioned socially and professionally, but felt myself sliding down a slippery slope. In 1996, I decided it was time to stop the foolish behavior and clean my act up. I stopped using all drugs, except the occasional use of alcohol starting in 1996.
From 1996 to 2006, my life was exceptionally blessed. I met Becky, married Becky, fathered Kara and Ben, grew a successful business, and enjoyed life. However in 2006, business took a dramatic turn for the worse. The Real Estate and Mortgage business all but died, which motivated me to work harder and longer hours. Another change in my life was the increasing usage of alcohol to cope with stress. This increasing abuse of alcohol led me to make another poor decision, the use of cocaine. Remorsefully, three weeks prior to the birth of Ben, I bought cocaine. The following four Friday nights I was drinking alcohol and smoking cocaine all without the knowledge of my wife, family, friends, or anyone.
The Incident
Friday, October 6, 2006, I was working Real Estate in an upscale, Windermere community. At approximately 5:30 PM, I met a potential client that offered me a tour of her home. As I was leaving her home, I was reaching in my left pocket to hand her a business card, and reached in my right pocket to pull out a pen. To my shock, I did not pull out a pen, but rather a glass pipe used to smoke cocaine. I had forgotten that I put the pipe in my pocket, with the intention of using it later in the evening. When the client saw the pipe, she immediately struck my hand and the glass broke against the wall. She then was screaming "help", pulled my gold chain off, began striking, kicking, and biting... she freaked out and attacked me. I was in shock, restrained her arms to keep her from hitting me, then let her go. I grabbed my gold chain that she pulled off and quickly left her house and drove away.
The Aftermath
Ten minutes later I pulled into my garage and came home to Becky, two year old Kara, and three week old Ben. I was ashamed, and embarrassed over the use of the drugs and my possession of the drug paraphernalia. So, I kept it to myself, and after the family went to sleep, I typed my recollection of the events and searched the internet for an attorney. This was a Friday night, and I was not sure what the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia was - either a misdemeanor or a felony. First thing Monday morning, I spoke to an attorney, and he advised me that I was facing a potential misdemeanor charge. I had asked the attorney to contact the police to make a statement, and clear up any potential misunderstanding with the woman. I was advised to not make the statement, and that he would handle it.
The Arrest
A $2,500 (legal retainer) and four weeks later, I got a call from my lawyer advising me to turn myself in. I was advised that the police were charging me not with the misdemeanor drug paraphernalia, but a felony burglary and false imprisonment. When I arrived the next morning, the same lawyer then told me that I was also being charged with a felony attempted sexual battery. I was facing three felony charges, and I was in complete shock and disbelief. I walked into the police station where my lawyer told me to cooperate as he left me. The detective led me to her office and never asked me a question. As she typed an incident report, I noticed that she had gotten my name from my lawyer two weeks prior. So, the police had two weeks to put a case together and my lawyer said nothing to me. I was given a ride to jail, where I bonded out six hours later. While in jail I found out why the woman reacted to the pipe the way she did. I read that she thought it was either a "syringe" or a "knife" and that I was going to attack her. So, the struggle was instigated by her fear when she saw the pipe.
The next day, I went to see my lawyer. I asked him how the police found me, and why I was not able to give a statement. My lawyer said that he did not know how the police located me. I told my first lawyer that the incident report named my attorney as the informant and he sheepishly denied (lied) contacting the police and giving them my name. I can only guess that my first lawyer thought that I had deep pockets and he could defend me, all the while he threw me under the bus. I should have listened to my gut and spoke to the police immediately. Anyway, I fired my first lawyer.
The Defense
The next eighteen months and $30,000 were difficult. I had a new attorney, but still had never spoken with the police. I offered drug tests, polygraph tests, spent more than twenty-five days in court, and cooperated 100%. The platform for my defense was strong. Over twenty-two points in the evidence and statements for the prosecution were false, contrived and contrary to the charges I faced. I was confident that I'd be cleared of all the charges that I faced.
In addition, this time allowed me to grow closer to the Lord. Through this time I steadily increased my spiritual diet. Not only snacking Sunday in church, but steadily through the week. My Faith in the Lord was growing daily through fellowship, study, and prayer (thanks to many of you). I developed a love relationship with my Father, Lord and Savior. God is good!
The Trial
Finally, on May 5, 2008, I had my day in court. Many of you were supporting us either in the court room, or in your thoughts and prayers. I was confident because I knew the truth, and a jury would certainly discern the truth when presented with the facts. My lawyer and the prosecutor assured us all that the trial would take no longer than a day. I can only guess that my lawyer and the prosecutor had more important affairs since they watched their watches through the day. Without any more detail, I feel that my lawyer did a poor job presenting the facts, and bringing to light the truth.
The jury deliberated no more than thirty minutes, and I was found guilty of third degree felony false imprisonment because the jury believed that I restrained her from leaving her home. Additionally, I was convicted of two misdemeanor battery charges because the jury believed that I grabbed her, rather than restrained her from hitting me. In shock and in tears, I decided to delay the sentencing in favor of a PSI (Pre-Sentence Investigation). A PSI is given to first time offenders and it gives the Judge additional time to consider my character, and the facts in the case. Before I was cuffed, I gave my wedding band, watch, wallet, and necklace to my lawyer. After being fingerprinted, a tearful Becky said that she "loved me", then I was led away. In the next room, the bailiff had told me that he and the Judge believed me to be innocent, but the decision was left to my jury. God was there, and He kept me full of peace and calm.
The Incarceration
Jail... I really don't want to get into much detail with respect to time. Let's just say that it was the worst experience of my life. In the future, I plan to document this entire ordeal including my experiences in jail, but for now let's just say I saw it all. God was there, and He shielded me from the evil that was around me.
Actually, for three weeks I was housed in a Christian dorm where I had six to seven hours a day of church services. This was actually a good experience for me, in addition to the Bible study, I read a book per day and grew stronger in my Faith. God let me grow in that Christian dorm for three weeks, then I was transferred to another part of the jail. I was moved to Horizons 4C, and specifically to a place that was know as the "Fight Club" because the correction officers would make the inmates fight each other, wagering on the fights. The inmates called Horizons 4C "Gladiator Camp" because only the winning fighters were left. Again, God was with me. He placed me in such a place to show me not to despair, but to embrace Him. I not only survived, but thrived and did it without compromising my walk with the Lord. God is good.
Anyway, enough about jail...
The Sentencing
The night before June 18th, I did not sleep. I was preparing for my sentencing by reading my Bible (read Psalms and New Testament) and I made notes in the event I spoke to the Judge. At 4:30 AM I was dressed and ready for breakfast (cold oatmeal and not-so cold milk), I then was ready to leave for the court house. While I was waiting to be transported, an officer told me that I could not bring my small pocket Bible. So, I quickly complied and put the Bible back on my bunk. On the way to the court house, I realized that I did not have either my Bible, or my notes from the night before. I felt naked and unprepared.
We arrived at the court house near dawn, just a bit after 6:00 AM. I was moved to a holding cell with seven other inmates that were awaiting their court appearances as well. From approximately 6:00 AM until 9:45 AM, all I could hear is the jibber jabber and foolish conversation of my peers in the holding cell. I could not bring my mind to quiet and lift my prayers to the Lord...
Promptly, at 9:45 AM, I was prepared to move up to the court room for sentencing. Shackled at the feet, waist, and wrists I was led to the court room by the very same bailiff that told me that he thought I was innocent seven weeks prior at my trial. In the elevator I was able to say a quick prayer, something like, "sorry I could not pray earlier, my mind was flooded with noise and confusion, please guide me in the court room." Well, I admit that as I stood in that elevator I was feeling alone. I felt like I lost my connection to God, and was naked without his Word in my hand. As we stepped from the elevator and approached the door to the court room I looked down to the floor. There I noticed a small pocket Bible identical to the Bible that I had left on my bunk hours before. I asked the officer if I could hold the Bible in the court room during my sentencing. The officer said, "Sure, you can have it. It was not there when I came down to get you." God was with me and I held on tight with white knuckles. He blessed me with peace and calm as I walked in to the court room.
I was comforted to see the court room full of support and I was cautiously optimistic that the outcome in the sentencing would be favorable. I was given an opportunity to speak first and I can tell you that what I said was not what I prepared the night before.
Next to speak were Gloria (previous co-worker), my Pastor, Father-In-Law Richard, then my Wife spoke to the Judge. I remained composed during the statements until my wife spoke. She was the quarterback in the effort to push for the PSI and organized the supporting letters that everyone wrote for the Judge. She did all these things while being a "Mommy" and a "Daddy" in my absence to Kara and Ben. She is the most wonderful gift in my life, she is the mother of my children, and she is my wife. So, I was crying like a baby by the time she finished speaking to the Judge. God filled that court room with love and support.
Then, we heard from the two voices in that court room that mattered the least. My lawyer and the prosecutor. My lawyer asked for leiniancy in an eloquent, yet canned unemotional way. The prosecutor demanded that I get a minimum twenty-four months in jail and five years probation.
Surprisingly, the Judge again looked to me and allowed me to close with a statement. I can again tell you that it was not the statement that I prepared the night before. I was not speaking in tongues, but the Lord guided my words.
Finally, the Judge read my sentence. Forty-six days time served on the two misdemeanors, adjudication withheld (no conviction) on the felony, four years probation (eligible for early termination), and one-hundred hours community service. The Judge then stated, "Your children will get cuddle time tonight with their Daddy". I again could not contain the tears. I looked back at a court room, also in tears, and I thanked everyone. The Judge gave me a sentence below what my own lawyer asked for as a minimum. God delivered me and released my shackles.
The Release
At about 1:00 PM, I returned to jail so that they could process my release. While I was in a holding cell in the transport area a couple of inmates came in. I heard someone say, "Rob", and I looked up to see an unfamiliar face. He told me his name was Mike, and I immediately knew who he was. Mike and an old friend named John were "the wrong crowd" that I hung around with from 1993 until 1995. They were into drugs when I started hanging out with them, and I eventually joined them and that is when I started my drug abuse. So I asked Mike why he was in jail. He said that he was in for trafficking cocaine and he was just on his way back from his methadone treatment when he saw me. I told him that I was sorry to see him in jail, but glad to see he was alive. I then told him about my story, why I was there in jail, what I went through in my case, and that I had just been sentenced to probation. The whole time I was speaking to Mike, my knuckles were still white as I was holding that small pocket Bible from the court room. I continued to tell him that this is what carried me through as I held the Bible up. I told him that through it all, God was with me and would carry me through. I encouraged him to get to know God, and start talking to Him. After fifteen minutes or so, I told Mike that I was glad to see he was alive, that I hoped he got clean, and that I never wanted to see him again.
I gave my "Testimony" to Mike without thinking about it. I did not realize what I was doing, and certainly did not plan it. Of all the people God could have put in front of me, He put Mike in front of me. The same guy that got me into drugs, and those same drugs that got me into trouble. Just as I was about to be released and go home, I "Testified" to my mentor in drug abuse and was able to shut the door on a chapter in my life. God is good.
At 9:00 PM I walked outside the jail and saw Becky waiting for me. After a long hug, I walked over to Kara's door to give her a big hug and kiss. Ben slept peacefully in his car seat. God is good.
The police are not perfect, the legal system is not perfect, the media is not perfect, and I am far from perfect. I have learned that in this imperfect world that justice is not always served. But, now I know that in this imperfect world there is a way to living a "perfect" life. I pray that I have the strength to continue to immerse myself in God's Word and live by God's Word.
"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:12
