3-Strike Stories: Mario Gonzalez
Family History:
I am 47 years old. I am the second oldest in a family of 12 offspring. My father is
deceased. I have a mother, six sisters and two brothers still living. My family is settled
in San Diego County.
The Strikes:
Although I have 5 Strikes that resulted from an armed robbery conviction in 1975,
another conviction in 1976, and a burglary/ADW conviction in 1984, I was struck out for
petty theft with a prior in 1996.
The Story:
I have been a drug addict since 1969. All of my convictions have been directly and
indirectly related to drug and alcohol abuse. My most recent conviction was petty theft w/
a prior while under the influence. Along with about $44 worth of cosmetics taken from a
Thrifty store the police also found the addict's paraphernalia: syringe, burnt bottle cap,
wet cottons, and tourniquet.
My mother is 65 years old, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces,
and one daughter (24 years old), two sons (23 and 18 years old)--and the whole family
thinks and feels that the 3-Strikes law should not be applied to persons like me who do
not have a serious or violent conviction. 25 years to life and a $2,000 restitution fine
(court costs, the judge said) is a rather unfair and ridiculous sentence for petty theft.
Other Comments:
Petty theft is a misdemeanor by itself; it was my prior convictions that made me
eligible for the 3-Strikes. The judge had the discretion to strike anyone or all of my
strikes when I was sentenced, as the Supreme Court had already ruled on the
"Romero" case; however she didn't give me a break.
The case number is SF99209, San Diego Superior Court; D027245, Court of Appeal. Linda
Quinn was the sentencing judge.
Please send questions or comments to facts@mediaone.net.
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reposted without permission of Families to Amend California's 3-Strikes.
Date last modified: 7/5/97.