IMPORTANT!! Please Read and Reply to Poll

[Doll4BabyBoy]

My LO has 12 more years to go we are under
1/2 his time, I keep thinking I am over half
through this!

[Dazzler]

Doll, I hope the second half goes much faster than the first half....that's such a long time to wait....bless you both.

[pats]

My son was given LWOP based on accountability. How can you be accountabile for the impulsive actions another took?  Prosecutorial misconduct, coerced and threatened witnesses who have now recanted and another who got a "deal" from the State.  He would have made up a lie about his mother to get the deal he got.  We are currently in the courts fighting for a new trial.  If that is granted, there is no doublt he will win.  Keep us in your prayers.  We can never give up hope.  Hope and Faith is what keep us going.

[Dazzler]

Good Luck pats...I hope your son beats the charge in a new trial...

[downtownchicago]

It's not really appropriate for this thread, but I was just looking at the ILCS about "legal accountability", and it seems to me that, in theory at least, if the witnesses recant then it would be difficult to convict someone of accountability.

... a person is not so accountable ... if:  Before the commission of the offense, he terminates his effort to promote or facilitate such commission, and does one of the following: wholly deprives his prior efforts of effectiveness in such commission, or gives timely warning to the proper law enforcement authorities, or otherwise makes proper effort to prevent the commission of the offense.

So if he stopped assisting (if he had been assisting) or he made an effort to prevent the crime, he is not legally  accountable.

 

[loving_Liz]

Liz is doing 60 years, she has to serve half that 15 more to go (if the PC fails) her brother is LWOP

[dnnmb]

My husband was incarcerated since 1997.  He was sentenced to 46 years. He was 16.   He is in stateville.

[His Angel18]

My b/f was incarcerated in 1995 and has 75 yrs.  Currently in Stateville
               His Angel18

[hotchocolat77]

I just wanted to say, my heart goes out to all of you with loved ones serving these kinds of sentences. How heartbreaking for you. My h got 11 yrs, which seemed like forever to me, on the downhill slide now, hopefully sometime this year or next. I see now how lucky he and I both are. Love to you all

[westerly]

My son has been incarcerated since 2006.  He's supposed to be released in 2020.  He's currently at Pinckneyville.  My daughter in law was incarcerated in 2006 and is expected to be released in 2010.  She is being deported though when she is released.

[jgraff49]

Reading all of these posts, I have such a feeling of dread and heartache for all of you whose love ones are to be gone for so long.  My son is not a long term inmate but religiously he calls every Sunday (other days as well but random) at 1:00.  We have been sitting around all day waiting for him to call but no call has come through.  I was hoping he was at a softball game but now I'm worried that he got into trouble or was hurt.  He's been down i Vandalia for over a year without one ticket and just recently got approved for work release.  I'm so worried that somethig happened and he's in seg.  Does anyone know if this would jeopardize his work release?
JG

[sweetsallie]

 
My son is serving 15 years at 85% which comes to 12.7 years, he entered when he was 17 years old in 2007. It will be two years next month. I think sometimes how will we make the next decade! But, then my heart goes out to all of you with loved ones with LWOP. I am so deeply sorry! I try to remember that we are alive and can still see one another. I pray for miracles everyday. I become so infuriated with this non rehabilitative so called justice system! My prayers for your loved ones and God Bless you all! Again, I am so very sorry!!

[becca]

My son just got sentenced.  He is currently at Stateville.  Going to be moved to Danville.   14 years but they are appealing.   Can anyone tell me anything to relieve my mind?  He is our only son and child.

[ChicagoTarheel]

Becca,

My heart goes out to you.  This site is a wonderful source of information as well as many caring people who are in situations similar to yours.  Nothing can ever take the place of having our loved ones by our side but you can get through this !!! 

Welcome ! 

[hbmom]

Becca I am so sorry! my son is currently in stateville (r&c), 2 year sentence.....not sure where he will be going, so I dont really know anything about danville but I am sure someone else does, there is alot of information on this site and it is a great support place... hang in there...the pain will ease up!

[lilipus39]

   My guy has LWOP the new death penalty also, he's been incarcerated since 1995, he was 21 at the time, he's in hatesville/statesville

[wildcat7]

My husband took 20 years but served three in Cook County awaiting trial. Since he must serve 85% , that is three years off of twenty (17) minus time served (another three). He comes home in early June 2023. 13 and one half years to go! At least I have a day to look forward to. The waiting and not knowing what was going to happen was the worst part. The visits also makes the time go faster...it is already 2010! We have to look up and be positive for each other and our lo's that are incarcerated! Everyone be blessed! 

[lvanrs2]

My husband didnt have that much time but my thoughts go out to those who have lengthy sentences and their families.  Its a hard road especially if the inmate has been wrongfully convicted.

[wildcat7]

Yes, it can be difficult. I asked my husband to take the time instead of trying to fight the corrupt Cook County System (his ex wife works for the sheriff's department, so enough said). The detectives even said that they believed in their hearts that she was lying but there was no way to fight her and her lying gang of family members. Anyway, I will be here for my husband through this because he listened to me and took the time. You are right; bless those that are wrongfully imprisoned. Like my mom always says "Payday cometh! Just sit back and do the right thing"

[lvanrs2]

The prosecutor was seeking 30 years for my husband but after a long wait in the county jail they finally came down to 10 and I told him to take it because had he gone to trial he would have gotten the 30 years and I told him he would die in prison.  He couldn't have won because he is actually guilty of his crime and he knew when we hired the attorney it was just to minimize the amount of time.  He accepts responsibility for his actions so that helps us alot.