Prayers Needed-Update for Monday, April 25

[monik7]

Next Monday at 9:00 a.m. PDT will be here in just a few days. I'm pretty sure the hearing will go forward this time. I have no idea how long it will last. Through the efforts of many to get the word out, there have been more than 40 letters sent to the judge pleading for justice for Joshua in the form of a sentence of life without parole. I'm better prepared now to deliver my impact statement, but that doesn't mean I'm not nervous and scared out of my wits. There will be 4 of us speaking, two friends of Joshua, my ex, and me. I would really appreciate prayers that the judge will agree with us that this guy needs to stay in prison for the rest of his life and gives him a sentence of "life without parole."
Sandi

[avalen]

Will keep my prayers going

[chalet05]

You've been in my thoughts on the drive to Washington. I will be so happy for you when this is over and praying for the right outcome. You'll do fine once you get started! Sending lots of love and hugs!!

[grammynmaggie]

Prayers...

[MandysMom]

Thoughts and prayers for justice for Joshua and peace for your family.
Velda

[Bethers]

I've been keeping you and this situation in my thoughts and prayers. I hope this day comes and that your wishes come true regarding the outcome.

[cnq50b]

You are in my thoughts & prayers. Hoping the judge takes to heart what you & the others have to say & makes the right decision.

[SoCalGalcas]

Sandi, you have them! Prayers that is. Be strong, and don't let the turkeys get you down. Will be thinking of you. Love ya, Lyn.

[Othersharon]

Sandi, will be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way. You can do this!

[Liz]

Praying for courage for you as you face this task again. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide and voice. (((Hugs)))

[monik7]

I'm back from the hearing. Another harrowing experience. I got to meet our attorney for the first time outside of the courtroom. She then joined the DA and attorneys for the guy who murdered Joshua in the judge's chambers. They were in there for a long time. The hearing was supposed to start at 9:00, but our attorney didn't come out until about 9:30 and told us in all likelihood, we were going to lose. The judge seemed to have already made her decision. I almost would have rather not heard that. She also told us that Joshua's two friends would not be allowed to speak, only my ex and me. Then she went back in and we waited outside the courtroom until after 10:00. I had asked my daughter if I could speak last and thankfully my ex wanted to go first. My daughter had asked that we be videotaped so our statements could be played at any future parole hearings if the judge rules that he should get a lesser sentence. My ex has quite a thick Spanish accent and he read his statement rather fast. I hope the judge was able to understand him. I'd been practicing my statement all week and was discouraged I was never able to deliver it perfectly at home. But thankfully in the courtroom, it did come off perfectly.

After our statements, all the attorneys went up to discuss things with the judge. When our attorney excused herself to come and talk to us, she said the judge's demeanor was completely different from when they met earlier. She seemed much more friendly and apparently was affected quite a lot by our statements.

So, in the end, the judge continued the hearing again because she wants to see all of the transcripts from the trial, coroner's report, etc. I don't know why those weren't provided to her by the DA before. So we went from being told we were probably going to lose to getting a continuance. That's good because it still leaves us a chance that the judge might rule in our favor and put this guy away for good. The judge did explain to the attorneys though that if she sentences him to life without parole, he will still have 2 chances to appeal her decision. So this could go on for quite a long time. A prime example of how the system victimizes the victims.

The bad thing is that the new hearing date is June 13, exactly the week I had reservations at my primo site at Thomas Canyon where PattyK used to work in the Ruby Mtns. of northeast Nevada and that site is not available again until August. But, I'll just have to change it. Justice for Joshua is too important. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. We're still going to need them.
Sandi

[avalen]

Thanks for the update, I was hoping it would be over so you didn't have to suffer through this anymore.

[Carolinagal]

I was so ready to read that it was over for you and in your favor, I'm so sorry it isn't, will keep you in my prayers. Sorry too, that you had to cancel your fun plans in a great area. Thinking of you !!

CArol

[chalet05]

Sandi, I have been thinking of you all day and am so sorry this isn't over! All I can say about the continuance is that there is hope after the way the day started with the judge. Just keep breathing! Hugs dear friend!!

[cnq50b]

Thanks for the update, Sandi. We all hoped that it would be over after today - at least a continuance is better than how the day started out.
Will keep you, the judge & Joshua in my prayers. Sounds like whatever you said had an impact. As Anita said, keep breathing...
Take care,
Catherine