3-Strike Stories: Gerald Gower
D-85698
The Strikes:
1. In 1970, Armed Robbery, served 11 - years at Soledad Prison.
2. In 1986, Residential Burglary, served 9 - years Folsom Prison.
3. In 1995, Auto Burglary, Sentenced to 25 years to life.
The Story:
I am a white male, 53 years old. I was arrested approximately one moth from
my release. I am married and my wife had had an on-going medical condition. At
this time 12/1/97 she has had a set-back and lies in a coma, at a time when she
should use my support & presence.
At this time I am doing 25 to life for a wrongful conviction of breaking
into a car where there was a fingernail clippers and tire gauge taken. The car
window had been shattered to gain entry. The 911 call stated a black man had
broken into a car. Officer Jamar testified the description given was of a
Possible Black Man wearing a red tank top & blue jeans. Additionally, it
was a light complected male Black. As I stated, I am a white male, I had no
cuts or glass particles on me. There was a black male on a embankment but he
was not questioned. When the witness on the scene said it was a black man, the
officer stated "we have the guilty person (indicating me sitting in the
patrol car).
Other Comments:
I believe the Three Strikes law is unjust. For anyone to be given 25
straight years (no time cut), even (IF) they were guilty of taking a tire gauge
& fingernail clippers is OVER-KILL ! A person is presumed guilty if he has
a record, or the D.A. tries to put this point acorss to the jury. The cost of a
private attorney is beyond the reach of a average ex-felon who now must fight
for his life. In addition, there is no family visits for lifers, thus
destroying family ties (Wife, Children etc.) .
Please send questions or comments to facts@mediaone.net.
Everything on this web site can be distributed to the general public,
reprinted, or reposted without permission of Families to Amend California's
3-Strikes.
Date last modified: 11/11/98.