3-Strike Stories: Wallace C
Family History:
Born September 1958 England
My own story:
I joined the arme in 1976, no more than one week out of high school. Never been
in ounce of trouble or did any drugs, life was good until I went to Korea.
The Strikes:
At 29 years old pled guilty to 15 counts of residential burglary, sentenced
to 14 years state prison. At age 37, 2nd degree burglary of unoccupied
residence 25 to life.
The Story:
When I joined the service during peace time I learned that when I went to
Korea it was everything but that. Drugs became my safe haven during that time.
i figured that if I died I wouldn't feel too much pain beause I would be in a
euphoric or numb state. I was married and had a new born at that time. When my
tour of duty was over I honorably discharge with medals and commendations. when
I came back to the states and my family things were different. My sife and I
divorced 6 mos after my return. I had applied for state jobs & federal jobs
and was place high on their waiting lists. At the same time Ronald Reagan had
cut back by 3/4 assistance to service members and state & federal agencies.
I started using rock cocaine, after getting countless jobs all ending in lack
of work or cutbacks, along with no steady income and no place to stay.
As a drug addicted tansient I burglarized for my drugs, food, clothes,
hygiene and lodging. By the time I was arrested I had committed about 4 1st
degree and about as many 2nd degree burglaries. 7 days prior to my arrest I
pulled over by sherriffs walking from a neighborhood park that supected of drug
activities. I was sentenced for drugs, finger printed and let go. In court I
was told if I pleaded guilty to ten counts for 14 years insted of going to
trial and DA clapping 33 counts for 16 yrs but as I now find out that I have 15
convictions with 18 more counts I never knew of or did time for that was my
1988 case.
When I poroled from prison I had saved enough money to obtain tranportation
and a place to live, plus three days after my release I had a job as a
warehouseman. 4 mos later I was out of work. 6 mos later I was a transient
again on drugs sleeping in vacant house where I was arrested fro 2nd degree
burglary of an unoccupied residence under the 3-Strikes gave me 25 to life.
Other Comments:
What was publicly announced was used only to get the public to vote
favorable, I would have voted in myself but underneath, the law is so vague
that it allows the state to conduct a modern day witch hunt. I tod the
"system" for help and fairness but the "system" is not here
to help or to be fair.
3-Strike Stories: Mother of Wallace C
Family History:
Wallace, born Septmeber 28, 1958.
Wally was always a quiet, polite child and young man, he graduated high/school
and enlisted (1979) in the U.S. Army, received 2 good conduct medals after 4
1/2 yrs in the service, 1 yr served in the DMZ (Helicopter squad retriveing
bodies and body parts). Became addicted to drugs in the DMZ.
The Strikes:
At age 27, arrested for residentual burglaries plea bargained sentented to
15 years in prisonment served 8 years (was charged with 30, plea bargained for
10)(first offense). On April 23, 1996 picked up or arrested at a vacant house
sharged with 2nd Burglary sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The Story:
My son served 8 years. Wally werved 8 years in Cal State Prison System for
residential burglary. Wallace is a veteran who was in the DMZ helicopter squad.
He picked up body and body parts. He was 23 year od at that time and became a
drug addict while he was in the DMZ. Wallace was not in trouble prior to 1986.
He was never the same when he came home from the service. He was a good teen
not even a parking ticket until he went into the service. he did not smoke, dip
or chew tobacco nor drink alcohol. When he returned from combat he did all of
the above. Wallace had a 10 inch drug when he was arrested in 1988 and a drug
pipe when he was arrested in 1996. Yet we have asked for help and drugs was
never addressed in the courts. He is at the new Corcoran Drug Rehab Center. He
has been sentenced 25 years to life in prison. he was a 17 year old son. This
was Three STrikes because of multi priors 1988.
Other Comments:
I believed the system would help my son who needs help as a vet and drug
addict. My son is part of a system that's not designed to help people who needs
it. Just punish, release and punish again. Do not expect the "System"
to be of any assistance to you. Look in your phone book for churches and
hospitals.
Please send questions or comments to facts@mediaone.net.
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reprinted, or reposted without permission of Families to Amend California's
3-Strikes.
Date last modified: 11/11/98.