If one person reads this post and writes before 1:00pm central Friday June 1st I will be happy. I know its short notice but our letters could make the critical difference during her sentencing.
email your letter to mpls4cece@gmail.com and the support committee will print and hand carry them to the judge.
From the Support Cece McDonald Committee
Write to Judge Moreno!
CeCe's sentencing is scheduled for this coming
Monday, June 4, at 1:30pm. Our expectation is that she will be sentenced to 41 months in prison (between time already served and time off for good behavior, the time left that she'll remain incarcerated is likely under two years), in accordance with her plea agreement.
HOWEVER, we believe that CeCe's status as an African American transgender woman makes her especially vulnerable to abuse while incarcerated, and so we are asking Judge Moreno to exercise his judicial discretion and order that she serve her sentence *on house arrest rather than in prison.*
We are calling on supporters to take a few minutes and write a letter to Judge Moreno, urging him to order house arrest rather than prison.
Letters should be addressed to Judge Daniel C. Moreno, but *submitted to the CeCe Support Committee via email (mpls4cece@gmail.com) by THIS FRIDAY, June 1, AT NOON.* We're going to deliver them all at once to the judge personally.
We have met with her lawyers and the following are their suggestions on how best to write letters.
Please consider the following points when crafting your letter:
-Genuine sentiment and honesty are more important than length and eloquence. Don't worry about how articulate your letter is--just say what you mean (in a respectful manner)!
-Letters should speak to any or all of the following topics:
--That house arrest is a reasonable option given the offense CeCe pled to and which adequately addresses her vulnerability in the prison system
--CeCe's good character (explain your relationship to her in the letter, and include anecdotal evidence of what a loving, caring and constructive person she is)
--That CeCe poses no threat to the community
--Ways that CeCe's imprisonment will have an unduly negative impact on her friends and family (if you have personal knowledge of this)
-DO NOT disparage or even comment on Dean Schmitz, or any of the other people (including CeCe's attacker) present that night.
-DO NOT comment on issues of innocence vs. guilt. DO NOT claim that CeCe is innocent, or that she was falsely or unfairly convicted or coerced into taking a plea deal, or that she acted in self-defense. In considering her sentence, the Judge will be looking at whether or not CeCe takes full responsibility for the action she pled guilty to, and any arguments undermining that taking of responsibility may do more harm than good.
-DO NOT use the letter to make arguments about the unjust nature of the criminal legal system. We all feel it, but the Judge won't!
In solidarity,
the CeCe Support Committee
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The following is a letter sent by a friend. You can use it as a example, if you wish. You can find my letter at the bottom of the post. Your letter does not have to be long, just words from your heart.
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Dear Judge Daniel C. Moreno,
I am writing you in regard to the case of CeCe McDonald who has a sentencing hearing scheduled on June 4, 2012 at 1:30 PM.
... I would like to ask you to show discretion and take into account her time served along with good behavior in her sentence. Please take into consideration the possibility of allowing her serve her sentence under house arrest.
I feel incarceration in a public facility could be detrimental to CeCe’s mental health and physical safety since she is not only African American but also a transgender woman. I fear this will make her even more vulnerable to physical abuse if housed with the general population.
While I do not personally know CeCe I have followed her case since the beginning and have had many communications with her support group. In following those communications I do truly believe that CeCe wants to take full responsibility for her actions. I know she has a solid support system of family and friends which will give her a solid foundation of support during the service of her sentence. She is of no danger to herself or a threat to the community.
Thank you for taking all options into consideration and I hope you will give CeCe a chance to redeem herself and have the opportunity to give back to her community.
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The letter I just sent.......
Dear Judge Daniel C. Moreno,
I am writing you in regard to the case of CeCe McDonald who has a sentencing hearing scheduled on June 4, 2012 at 1:30 PM.
As a advocate and columnist I have become aware of the terrible times transgender people in general population face, and this would even be worst for Cece being a woman of color.
I have been following this case since the beginning and have faithfully read her supporters statements. I believe Cece could be trusted to do her time under house arrest. She is of no threat to the general population and I believe, not a risk to flee.
Cece has an amazing support network who truly care for her waiting to help this young woman become a productive citizen.
Thank you,
Kelli Busey
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies (Co Admin)
http://dallastaa.ning.com
planetransgender
http://planetransgender.blogspot.com
