The eleventh hour

For those of you who don’t know – tomorrow is Jace sentencing. It’s been a long time coming, and a day I had hoped would never arrive.

Jace just called me on his daily 3 hour ‘recreation’. I told him about the case last week where a young man in similar circumstances received time served and probation. This is our hope for Jace as well. My friend Dan had sent me the link:

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Judge-gives-time-served-probation-for-man-13396550.php

Interesting to note that in New York they say the defendent was looking at 4 years. No clue how Washington state sees 10 years (a recent sentence in a similar case of a young man) as a ‘just’ punishment. It’s outrageous.

So I am here, having just spoken to my son, his words and thoughts still lingering in my head, trying to write my final version of what I will say to the judge. they tell me it doesn’t really matter what I say. It does to me.

Here goes:

“Before I start I need to say two things for the record:

There have been a number of references in Jace case to a DUI and drinking problem. These are 100% fabricated.

My son was never presented with any plea deals to consider, even though I understand there were some offered.

My name is Kathleen Hambrick and I am Jace mother.

Everybody who knows Jace, also knows he is addicted to video games. He would role plays as military, a wizard, or law enforcement daily.

For a 20 year old, with ADHD and a gaming addiction, the ‘gamer girl’ ad placed by police had a dis proportionally strong pull to Jace.

ADHD has affected my sons schooling, and kept him from fulfilling his life long dream of military service.

Now, my son, just 20 at the time of the offense, with no previous criminal record, is supposed to go to prison?

My son is a good person, intelligent with a sharp wit, and an altruistic nature. He is determined to finish his degree in game design. Additionally, I am nearly 60 years old and single, I rely on my son to help me maintain our home.

Last week, in Albany New York, a 24 year old was sentenced in a similar proactive police sting case. Judge Peter Lynch said he grasped that a 24 year old man, with the full support of his family, was found guilty in a victim less crime, but that a ‘just’ sentence was probation, and the months the defendant had already served in jail.

I’m begging you to see that my son is young and was foolish, that he has the full support of his family who needs him at home, and that this one mistake should not forever negatively alter our lives. Please do not ruin my sons life with lifelong registration and prison.

Thank you”