3-Strike Stories: George Cottingham
PLEASANT VALLEY STATE PRISON
P.O. BOX 8503
COALINGA, CA. 93210
April 2, 1998
I am currently serving twenty-five to life on the three strikes Law at pleasant valley
state prison.
Let me begin by telling you something about myself. I am fifty years old and from San
Diego, California. I am serving my sentence due to a 2nd degree commercial burglary. My
strikes are armed robbery in 1967 and again in 1972, 30 years ago and twenty-five years
ago. They discharged me off parole for those crimes, then began getting into trouble
again, nothing serious or violent.
I should also tell you what I am about to say is not an excuse or justification for
lapse in judgement and bad behavior. I feel it is an insight to what my thinking was
during my criminal years.
I was born in 1948 when a Blackman had almost no chance too active his dreams. I grew
up during many changes for black people in the 60's. Still, I could point to one as an
example of success other than Dope Dealers and Pimps. Remember this was a time when they
were spitting on Martin Luther King, putting him in Jail for wanting to be American with
full and equal civil rights. That is when and how it started for me.
Let me fast forward somewhat. In the late 80's until the time of my arrest I was
heavily involved in rock cocaine as a user. One thing is certain, the longer you remain on
the street the sooner some form of Drugs you will find necessary to manage. I continued to
make bad choices.
In 1995 I broke into a Beauty shop, stole some stereo equipment and as I was leaving
the owner confronted me. I got into my car and drove away leaving the owner standing
behind my car where he got my licence plate number.
My continuing question is, if I deserve a life sentence as one of the worst offenders
would I have left the only witness to my crime standing there to inform on me. I am not a
serious or violent felon. I am a Drug Addict who in times of need does simple and stupid
things. No one has been physically injured because of my actions. I will not claim there
was any loss's for them. They were innocent
victims.
I think that mandatory sentencing paints everyone with the dame brush when nothing
could be furthest from the truth. It makes robots out of Judges. There is a climate where
Judges are afraid to practice law, instead they act like Politicians who have to take a
head count before they act.
Recently I went back to court on Romero. My trial Judge Michael Bollman denied
lessening my sentence. This was the same Judge who in the record said to me and I quote,
do you know who Yogi Berra is. I said yes, the Baseball Player. That is right said your
honor, he has a saying, it is not overt until it is over. Stay out of trouble. There is
some thing happening in the courts that may help you. If it happens, you will be all
right.
Before my Trial Judge knew, he had discretion he tried to get the D.A. to make me a
deal. Everyone wondered why the Judge made an about face. As I found out later my Trial
Judge was running for Re-Election.
I want to write F.A.C.T.S. to say thank you as I mentioned before there is not the
Political will to tell the public the truth. That they waste the thousand of tax dollars
on Nonviolent felons receiving lift sentences. I would be the first to agree something had
to be done with me. I am not suggesting I should not pay a price. Take responsibility for
what I have done. I am now housed with murderers, Gang members, Rapist and other violent
felons while the state continues to build New Prisons to provide space. I should be in
fire camp, cleaning freeways and parks. That is a better way for me to pay my debt to
society.
Please convey my deep appreciation to senator Barbara Lee and John Vasconcellous for
having not my interest at heart but the publics.
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: 6/3/98.