3-Strike Stories: Robert Andri
Family History:
Robert was born December 3, 1941. He has a daughter of age 30 and a son of age 28.
The Strikes:
At the age of 19 (in 1961), I robbed 2 different banks in the same day. My conscience
got to me though, and I turned myself in. I spent 3 months in jail, 5 years in formal
probation. These counted as two Strikes.
At the age of 55, I had a gun for protection that was NOT loaded, called 911 for an
intruder, and a few months later I was arrested at my home for having the gun and
sentenced under the 3-Strikes law. The probation officer recommended 25 years to life;
however, the judge, luckily, used Romero and gave me only 5 years probation.
The Story:
My name is Robert Andri and I'm a victim of the 3-Strikes law. Since I was a child and
until I was 17 my father both physically and mentally abused me. At 19 I was an immature,
mixed up kid who didn't care about life. After weeks of eating out of trash cans and
sleeping in the park, I attempted and robbed two different banks in the same day. I did
these crimes WITHOUT a gun. A short time later my conscience got to me and I turned myself
in. I spent the next 3 months in jail in LA County awaiting sentencing. Judge Yankwioh who
was considered a very tough but fair federal judge at the time sentenced me to 5 years
probation. The judge explained in the court room that he felt because I didn't have a gun
I was not a violent person and consequently didn't commit a violent crime. I vowed never
to disobey the law again.
I worked as many hours as I could and sometimes held down 3 jobs. A few years after my
release I got married and had a family. I started my business out of my garage. I have
been in business now for almost 29 years. My business has grown over the years and has
been very successful. I lived in an ocean front home and the City of Laguna had an
ordinance that would not allow me any type of walls to secure my property. I was not aware
I couldn't have a gun. I purchased one and never put bullets in it. I had an intruder,
called 911, and a few months later the police came to my house and arrested me--and
subsequently was arrested under the 3-Strikes law.
Other Comments:
I feel like the 3-Strikes law should be for 3 violent crimes--not for 2 crimes and a
misdemeanor. The law is very confusing and should be made clear. There should also be a
time limit on previous crimes after people have rehabilitated themselves and proven to be
law abiding citizens.
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: 7/7/97.