JUDICIAL  Jackasses

  

Please consider the following:  

      

August 12, 2007

 

A  SPECIAL  PLEA

 

 

My name is Tory Lennert.  I am an inmate at Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Facility in Oklahoma.  I pled guilty to 1^st degree manslaughter in 2001.  On August 12, 200, I made a terrible mistake, that night I was drinking (blood alcohol level .11) at the Brick-town pub, and I got behind the wheel of my car.  Leaving, I thought I was cool playing loud music.  From a stop sign, I hit my gas, way too hard, showing off, I lost control.  My accelerator stuck on me, and for some reason the brakes would not stop me.  Mrs. Robinson was struck.  I didn’t see the car launch Mrs. Robinson into the air but that is what I learned later had happened.  I immediately pulled over, after managing to get the car under control, and ran back to the scene.  I was very concerned for the people around because my car had been going wild.  As I was running back I was yelling, “Is everyone alright?”  I wasn’t sure.  I heard people say, “NO,” before I saw Mary.  I knew something bad must have happened, I just didn’t know exactly what.   When I did see Mary lying on the ground, not moving, with blood coming out of the back of her head, I was crushed with an overwhelming sense of sorrow and regret.  I remember screaming, “Someone call an ambulance!”  I waited for the ambulance and the police to arrive on the scene.  There was not much I could do to help Mary.  I turned myself in and cooperated fully.

 

I was out on bond and sat at my apartment completely depressed over what I had done to Mrs. Robinson.  I drank alcohol to numb my pain and guilt.  I needed prison at that time to snap me back into reality, to become the person I used to be, the former Decorated Marine that volunteered in my community, the person that was happy with himself, a person who had a good family life.  I started to hate myself.  In one year I turned into a person that I never imagined I could become.  I was jobless, needy, and depressed.  I took handouts from my family.  I was racked with guilt, pain, and fear.  I knew I was going to prison.  I went to all my court dates and faced up to my crime and finally in 2001, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. 

 

There are 9,125 days in 25 years.  I have more than half that number down to less than 4,000 remaining.  In the years I have been in prison I have forgiven myself for my mistakes.  I still am very sorry the Robinson  family had to lose someone they loved.  At times the pains of regret and sorrow still plagues me.  I have to live with that.  The Robinson family has to live with much worse.  I do understand that.  I have focused myself, in prison, on other things though, like, to better myself, to not let lost time and guilt bring me to despair, which so easily happens to many.  I decided to change myself for the better.  

 

My first 4 years in prison were tough at the medium security prison in Lawton.  I survived the shocking prison culture and managed to complete a 12-month drug/alcohol program.  I maintained perfect conduct.  I also completed a culinary art vo-tech which helped me a lot.  I kept a job in the OCI garment factory, too.  In February 2006 I was transferred to JEHCC minimum security prison in Hodgens Oklahoma.  I have had perfect conduct here too and even have earned my AA degree from Rose State College since I’ve been here.  I completed “Thinking For A Change” as well and have 10 plus Bible studies certificates.  There are no more programs that I can take.  I have done all that they have to offer.  I feel that I am rehabilitated completely.  I have just been ‘paying my debt’ to the Robinson family in my mind.

 

With all that said, the main reason I’m writing this letter is because I was asked to do so.  My mother came to visit me recently which I thought was going to be a normal visit.  It wasn’t.  “My cancer came back,” she said.  She’s diagnosed with stage 4 metastases breast cancer spread to the brain and lungs.  She already had brain surgery to remove tumors to buy her more time.  She is a Vietnam Veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange and other carcinogen chemicals during the war.  She had both breasts removed 15 years ago and received chemotherapy.  We thought she beat the cancer then.  Well, obviously not as it has returned and now she has 6 months or so to live…or less.  She is currently in and out of the Veterans Hospital in Oklahoma City

 

I have 7 siblings all of whom are in need.  My mother needs me to keep the family together when she is gone.  She made me promise that I would do that; keep the family together.  “They need you so badly.  Things are awfully tough on everyone now.” She said.  She’s especially worried about the youngest, Taylor,  a 14 year old who is in need of guardianship and special attention.  She wants me to be Taylor’s guardian and also Timmy’s, who is 17.  I love my family more than anything in the world and I would love to do this for my mother and family and also for myself.  I am 33 years old and the only one really capable of the job.  My 31-year-old sister is mentally challenged.  I have a 24-year-old brother who lives in California.  I have a 21-year-old sister who is a student at Oklahoma University and an 18-year-old sister who just graduated from Mustang High School.  The problem for my very distraught mother is mostly Timmy and Taylor who are, as stated, only 17 and 14 respectively  Timmy and Taylor not only need someone to be their guardians but also someone who loves them.  I am the only one qualified in my mother’s eyes.  I concur with my mother who sees me as the only one qualified to master the task.   During our visit she was in tears telling me how much the family needs me now …and in here I am helpless to be of any benefit.  To be of any use to my family…or anyone.  All the kids, and I say “kids” though some are in their 20s, are really still just that, “kids,” in my mother’s eyes.  Though even in their early 20s they can’t really take care of themselves on their own..  They are college students now.  My mother wants me to keep the family together by maintaining the home.  All of them;  Tina and Tifani, 21 and 18, are going to need a place to stay also until they finish their college.  They all need a man in their life; the brother I used to be.  I’m prepared to do this for my family except for the fact that I am in prison with about 3,000 more days left, about 8 years.

 

My mother wants me to keep the family home in tact, which she owns, by paying the taxes, insurance, utilities and normal maintence and finish raising Tayler and Timmy until they are 18…

 

To provide care for Taylor, who will always need the extra care of a “special needs” individual  and Timmy until he attains 18 and will be able to take care of himself….

 

Taylor is ADHS and attends special education classes.  She will be at a high risk for predators  luring with drugs without a good role model and guidance from me who is sensitive to her needs. 

 

 

My plan to help my family, if I am allowed, would be this:  I would keep my mother’s home and be a guardian for Taylor and Timmy as they need and my mother wants for them.  Tina and Tifani would continue to live in our home contributing to the utilities.  I would work either in the oil field or construction.  The minor children and Taylor would  receive survivors benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs due to our mother being a Disabled Veteran as I am the best candidate for the job that needs to be done.

I have the love and understanding that is needed that a disinterested appointed ‘guardian for hire’ would lack.  I am the only man in their lives as our father died of cancer also in 1995.

 

I cannot undo the damage I have caused to the Robinson family.  That will weigh on my conscience the rest of my life.  I am asking that what I have paid satisfies my debt to the State and that I am given the chance to be returned, even if conditionally.  My normal parole hearing date is December, 2009.   An early   Early parole? Commutation?   Either, to be restored to a productive member of the community, and for my family who desperately needs me thus helping my family, instead of being a burden to them as well as the rest of society by remaining in prison.

Thank you for reading my plea.  Please help me if you can.

 

            [signed]              Tory Lennert    413368

                             James Hamilton Correctional Facility

                             53468 Mineral Spring Road

                             Hodgen, Oklahoma 74939

 

 

Please read the following plea from Tory's mother,

 

Vicki Lennert:

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________

The owner of this site is a 100% Disabled Navy Veteran.  A past Service Officer for the DAV while a resident of Idaho between 1974 and 1984.  As such I ask that the reader consider seriously writing to the parole board concerning this matter.  It will only cost a 42c stamp.

 

I feel this struggling family deserves at least this much.  I ask this small favor for the Lennerts that will mean a great deal for them.

 

Please write:  

Pardon & Parole Board

 

4040 N. Lincoln Blvd Suite 219

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

Thank you.  J.S.