3-Strike Stories: Tou V. Moua
Family History:
I'm a 23 yr. old Asian male, was recently attending San Joaquin Valley
College, majoring in Business Administration and also a member of Tree
Fresno.
My father (George Moua) is a custodian at Central High School and my mother (Pa
Lee) plays a very important part in our family life.
We've been California residents for about 17 yrs. now and is currently residing
in Clovis, Ca.
The Story:
In 1995, I was given a plea bargain for 2 residential burglary which was to
count as two strikes against me in the future without my knowledge. I served 15
months in the California Correctional Center in Susanville for those two
felonies.
My third strike, which occurred on June 2, 1997, was for possession of
stolen property which included a celluar phone, two piece of jewelry, baseball
cards and CD's. Which are non-violent crimes and are in truth not even stolen.
Judge Lawrence J. O'neil was the residing and sentencing judge who turned
down the Romero Decision and sentece me to 25 yrs. in prison due to racial
discrimination, not to mention the Fresno Police Department's part in
with-holding evidences and not returning them to my family!
I had a wonderful life as a college student and was changing to become a
better person. I had a beautiful girlfriend, a good car and a loving family.
But when this incident happened and I was given 25 yrs. to life. It shocked my
family and cause us alot of grief and suffering and because we're a
middle-class family. My family can't even hire me a decent lawyer to defend me,
for I believe that this is really a major role, why I and many others are in
the Prison System today.
If, you ask me? I think it's kinda sad to live in a country we love and be
treated bad because we're incompotent and poor!
Other Comments:
I believe that the 3-Strikes Law was an excellent thought to begin with
but, it went too far and beyond control. The courts today are abusing their
judicial power and just sentencing people such as myself to 25 yr. to life,
like it's candy.
I think that this is wrong and we, as families and frends should work
together and abate, amend this law for us non-violent crimes. And start putting
those that are serious such as: rapist, murderer, etc. . . away, not us that
don't deserve it. Thank you!!!
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.