Letter #1
Dear Texas Senate,
We are the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers. https://teenkillers.org/. We are urging you to vote against HB 686 for the reasons given below. https://teenkillers.org/legislation/texas-h-b-no-686/.
- HB 686 is dangerous
We know that recidivism is out of control. A May 2018 U.S. Department of Justice report on state prisoner recidivism followed a sample of over 400,000 prisoners released by 30 states in 2005. Nearly 45% of the released offenders were re-arrested within one year of release. About 68% were arrested within three years, 79% within six years, and 83% within nine years. https://www.ojp.gov/library/publications/2018-update-prisoner-recidivism-9-year-follow-period-2005-2014.
On our website, we document nearly 100 examples of dangerous early releases. https://teenkillers.org/myths-about-the-juvenile-life-sentence/dangerous-early-release/.
We know that many violent criminals are psychopaths–they are manipulative and have no compassion or remorse. Currently, there is no cure for psychopathy. Making psychopaths parole-eligible, even though it is a scientific fact that they will always remain dangerous, is irresponsible. https://teenkillers.org/juvenile-lifers/psychopathology-teen-killers/.
- HB 686 would hurt victims
Many victims whose loved ones are brutally murdered or whose lives are destroyed by violent criminals oppose the criminals’ release. To prevent release, they will speak up at parole hearings. The parole process is very traumatizing for victims. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD flare up. They relive the horrific experiences and suffer nightmares, flashbacks, and panic attacks. For many victims, the release of the assailant is not only an injustice, but a potential danger. Many victims fear retaliation and justifiably so–perpetrators do sometimes hunt down victims and retaliate against them. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/rape-suspect-washington-post-alexandria-crime/65-13310ff6-43bf-444d-acc3-e229d7699b6b. Victims’ understandable fear of the offenders is indescribable.
- HB 686 is unjust
Contrary to what juvenile offender advocates claim, some juveniles commit evil crimes with a complete understanding of the consequences. A great example is Jose Arredondo, 16, from Laredo. He kidnapped and raped a two-year-old girl and beat and strangled her to death. https://teenkillers.org/juvenile-lifers/offenders-cases-state/texas-offenders/jose-arredondo/.
Another example is Kendrick Morris, who raped two women. One of the victims, 18-year-old Queena Vuong, was beaten so severely by Morris that she was left paralyzed, blind, unable to speak, and with profound intellectual disabilities. https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime/article137413133.html.
We are begging you to stand up for safety, victims’ rights, and justice, and vote no on HB 686.
Letter #2
Dear Texas Senate,
We are the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers. We are urging you to vote against HB 686 because the bill would significantly harm victims.
Many victims whose loved ones are brutally murdered or whose lives are destroyed by violent criminals oppose the criminals’ release. To prevent release, they will speak up at parole hearings. The parole process is very traumatizing for victims. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD flare up. They relive the horrific experiences and suffer nightmares, flashbacks, and panic attacks. For many victims, the release of the assailant is not only an injustice, but a potential danger. Many victims fear retaliation and justifiably so–perpetrators do sometimes hunt down victims and retaliate against them. Victims’ understandable fear of the offenders is indescribable.
We beg you to protect victims and vote against HB 686.
Letter # 3
Dear Texas House,
We are the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers. We are urging you to vote against HB 2341 and HB 2177 because the bills would significantly harm victims.
Many victims whose loved ones are brutally murdered or whose lives are destroyed by violent criminals oppose the criminals’ release. To prevent release, they will speak up at parole hearings. The parole process is very traumatizing for victims. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD flare up. They relive the horrific experiences and suffer nightmares, flashbacks, and panic attacks. For many victims, the release of the assailant is not only an injustice, but a potential danger. Many victims fear retaliation and justifiably so–perpetrators do sometimes hunt down victims and retaliate against them. Victims’ understandable fear of the offenders is indescribable.
We beg you to protect victims and vote against HB 2341 and HB 2177.
Letter #4
Dear Texas House,
The National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers is once again emailing to urge you to vote against HB 2341 and HB 2177. This legislation is extremely dangerous. We know that recidivism is out of control. A May 2018 U.S. Department of Justice report on state prisoner recidivism followed a sample of over 400,000 prisoners released by 30 states in 2005. Nearly 45% of the released offenders were re-arrested within one year of release. About 68% were arrested within three years, 79% within six years, and 83% within nine years.
This page summarizes several studies on recidivism among juvenile offenders.
On our website, we document nearly 100 examples of dangerous early releases.
We know that many violent criminals are psychopaths–they are manipulative and have no compassion or remorse. Currently, there is no cure for psychopathy. Making psychopaths parole-eligible, even though it is a scientific fact that they will always remain dangerous, is irresponsible.
Sincerely,
NOVJM
Letter #5
Dear Texas Senate,
We are the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers. We are begging you to oppose House Bill 686 , which would endanger Texas citizens.
We know that recidivism rates are high. A May 2018 U.S. Department of Justice report on state prisoner recidivism followed a sample of over 400,000 prisoners released by 30 states in 2005. Nearly 45% of the released offenders were re-arrested within one year of release. About 68% were arrested within three years, 79% within six years, and 83% within nine years.
On our website, we document nearly 100 examples of dangerous early releases.
Just recently, in DC, a convicted murderer who was released early due to the District’s ban on juvenile life without parole was charged with another murder. Darrell Moore was 16 when he and a gang invaded a home, terrorized the occupants, and murdered a woman. Moore was sentenced to 66 years to life in prison. But DC’s Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act, which allows juvenile and young adult offenders to be released after 15 years, gave Moore another shot at freedom. Moore was released and has since been charged with another murder.
HB 686 will allow many more Darrell Moores to obtain release, leading to horrific and even fatal consequences. We urge you to vote against this dangerous bill.
Sincerely,
NOVJM
Letter #6
Dear Texas Senate,
We are the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers. We are again begging you to oppose House Bill 686.
HB 686 is extremely dangerous, given the high rates of recidivism. And it is unjust, as it disregards the brutality of some crimes. It would also retraumatize victims by making them endure painful parole hearings. House Bill 686 is completely unnecessary (SCOTUS has never required state legislatures to ban life without parole for juveniles or young adults) and will benefit no one but the violent criminals.
HB 686 is cruel to victims
Many victims whose loved ones are brutally murdered or whose lives are destroyed by violent criminals oppose the criminals’ release. To prevent release, they will speak up at parole hearings. The parole process is very traumatizing for victims. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD flare up. They relive the horrific experiences and suffer nightmares, flashbacks, and panic attacks. For many victims, the release of the assailant is not only an injustice, but a potential danger. Many victims fear retaliation and justifiably so–perpetrators do sometimes hunt down victims and retaliate against them.
HB 686 is unnecessary
The Supreme Court has NEVER ruled that juvenile life without parole is unconstitutional.
In Graham v. Florida, SCOTUS banned juvenile life without parole for non-homicide crimes.
In Miller v. Alabama, SCOTUS banned mandatory life without parole for juveniles. In Miller, the Court held that a sentencing authority must consider a juvenile killer’s youth before sentencing them to life without parole. The sentencing authority must also have the discretion to impose a lesser sentence that allows for the offender to be released.
* In Jones v. Mississippi, SCOTUS ruled that a sentencing authority is not required to make a separate factual finding of permanent incorrigibility before sentencing a juvenile killer to life without parole.
NEVER has the Supreme Court stated that juvenile life without parole is unconstitutional.
Conclusion
HB 686, while well-intended, will have severe negative consequences for victims. The only beneficiaries will be violent criminals. Please vote against this dangerous and traumatic bill.
Letter #7
Dear Texas Senate,
We are the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers. We are again asking you to oppose House Bill 686. We feel it necessary to point out that, contrary to what juvenile offender advocates claim, life without parole is a constitutional sentence for juvenile murderers. Though the Supreme Court has restricted juvenile life without parole, they have never banned it.
* In Graham v. Florida, SCOTUS banned juvenile life without parole for non-homicide crimes.
* In Miller v. Alabama, SCOTUS banned mandatory life without parole for juveniles. In Miller, the Court held that a sentencing authority must consider a juvenile killer’s youth before sentencing them to life without parole. The sentencing authority must also have the discretion to impose a lesser sentence that allows for the offender to be released.
* In Jones v. Mississippi, SCOTUS ruled that a sentencing authority is not required to make a separate factual finding of permanent incorrigibility before sentencing a juvenile killer to life without parole.
HB 686 is not necessary to comply with Supreme Court rulings.
Sincerely,
NOVJM
