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Angie Mc
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Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Feb 12 2009 at 4:06pm | IP Logged
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Elliana Jane Strocchio died at the hands of a criminally reckless
driver. She was buried the day before her fourth birthday. Her
family needs your help. They ask that you write a letter and send it
to letters4ellie @ yahoo dot com addressed to the judge hearing the case
and ask him to *not reduce the bail of the defendant so that he
remains in jail.*
Below my signature is a copy of the letter Ellie's mother sent me
with more information. As mothers and citizens, it is our right and
responsibility to let the judge know we are sickened by this tragedy
and that we want safety on our streets.
I came to know Taunya shortly after I came to Arizona 5 years ago.
She was preparing to become a La Leche League Leader and I was
privileged to correspond with her about something central to her
life - mothering. Her joy in mothering Elliana and Frankie (6yo) is
beautiful, true, and active. She enjoys their company as nursing
babies, growing toddlers, and homeschooling children. Her children
are perfect and amazing to her. As you can see by the picture in her
obituary, Elliana is precious. Taunya describes her as, "God's
bright light." Her husband Frank and their family belong to a parish in my area.
Please pray for this family and consider helping Taunya by writing a
letter, however long or brief, and send it to
letters4ellie @ yahoo dot com . Taunya is grieving and controls so very
little in this matter. Help Ellie's mother to bring a basketful of
letters to the judge.
Love,
Angie
*************************
We want to update those of you who are writing letters. The bond
hearing has been moved up to the end of February. We now have a due
date for our letters.
*We need the letters by February 18th(next Wednesday).*
These letters will make difference. This is the only way for the
judge to have a true understanding of this case. During the trial,
we will be unable to talk about or even show a picture of Ellie to
the court or jury. Without your words to paint a picture of who she
was for the judge, she is merely a victim on paper. Please tell the
judge not to consider a reduction in bail.
We can't thank you enough for taking the time to write for us, for
Ellie, for Joann, for our community, for your family.
We have attached the information for letters below should you need it.
Thank you cannot express our gratitude for your support.
Frank and Taunya
We are so blessed to be surrounded by our family and friends. You
should know that your support and love give us bits of strength to
take the steps we must as we try to begin moving forward. So many of
you are willing to help us with any need and we are grateful. We
have a need for you now.
We need you to write a letter for us. We need as many letters as
possible to go to the judge in this case. You don't have to send the
letter to the judge, you can send it to us via email and we will
deliver it to the judge on the appropriate court date.
Why do we need letters?
The judge will read EVERY letter that is sent. Letters play an
important role in court cases particularly at the time of bail
changes and sentencing. We want the judge to know that our community
will not stand for behavior such as this.
We want you to know more about the man that hit Ellie and her Grandma
(Ellie's Grandmother is recovering at her home, but will face many
challenges going forward due to her injuries and very likely will
suffer permanent disability). Know that this was no "mistake" ,
this was a terrible choice he made. This man has a previous DUI
(combination drugs and alcohol), and in the past has violated
parole...the list goes on (this is public information). His clear
disrespect for the law makes him dangerous to our community. He has a
history of making poor choices and has been doing so for years. As
we were all living our lives as good citizens the past several years,
he was taking little bits from our community all the while. He has
been given TOO MANY chances. He does not deserve to drive, or even
walk among those of us who are safe, kind and compassionate. He poses
a risk to those of us who everyday buckle our children securely into
a car seat thinking that we are protecting them.
He has been arrested and sits in jail with a significant One Million
dollar cash bond. He is charged with 2nd degree murder, and
aggravated assault(Joann-Grandma). Having him return to our community
puts us all at risk.
This letter is regarding a motion by the defense to reduce his bail.
If it is reduced, he will be eligible for release. If he is released
on bail, not only does he pose a serious danger to our community, we
believe that he is also a flight risk. Based upon his history(AZ
Supreme Court Case history-public record), we are concerned that he
will continue making dangerous choices and will likely disregard the
law and court restrictions as he has in the past.
When you write your letter you may address it Dear Judge John
Ditsworth or Your Honor. Tell the judge about Ellie. Tell the judge
about our family. Tell him/her who you are to us, friend, family or a
family friend, co-worker, neighbor, etc. Tell him how you see the
effects of this accident on us. You can tell him how you feel and how
it has affected you. Finally, be sure to tell him that you think this
man should not be free to roam our streets.
Please remember to include your name, your city and or state and even
your title. We want the judge to see where these letters are coming
from and that all types of individuals are writing them.
ANYONE can write a letter. Many of you have told us that you have
friends and family that have heard and want to help. They can help.
Please encourage them to write a letter.
Not only will you be helping us for Ellie, but you will also be
protecting your own children, your family.
Please email me with any questions regarding your letter.
We will be asking for a similar letter regarding the sentencing trial
as well and will let you know about that in the future.
Send letters to letters4ellie @ yahoo dot com
Thank you
Taunya and Frank Strocchio
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Angie Mc
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Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Feb 12 2009 at 4:12pm | IP Logged
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I can't get the link above to take you directly to her obituary. Please type in "Strocchio" at the site and search. Thank you.
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 13 2009 at 10:31am | IP Logged
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I plan to bump this daily through the 18th.
Thank you!
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 14 2009 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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Bump.
Thank you!
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 17 2009 at 9:45pm | IP Logged
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Bump.
Thank you!
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 26 2009 at 5:15pm | IP Logged
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Please pray for the Strocchio family. Tomorrow, 2/27, is the hearing regarding the motion to reduce bond. Below is an update and thank you from the family for those who wrote letters. If you live in the greater Phoenix area and would like information about how to attend the hearing, PM me.
Love,
Angie
*****************
Thank you for your letters.
Because you all care so much-The judge has received 400 letters. We are grateful for your help and humbled by your love and passion for our family.. We were proud to present these letters to the judge as you represent our family, friends and community with such strength, integrity and love. We are blessed to be surrounded by all of you.
Thank you for considering the timeliness. The judge needed to receive them in enough time to review all of them before the hearing. The hearing is tomorrow, Feb. 27th. Anyone can attend the hearing, just like the letters, the more, the better. We will update you on the outcome of the hearing tomorrow. More detailed information about the hearing is attached below.
EVERY letter is now in the case file. Your words, thoughts and feelings will be permanently included in this case file... Thank you for giving us, Ellie, a voice. During the trial, the jury will not get to know Ellie, but only and simply the facts in the case. The focus will be on the defendant and his level of guilt. Our greatest fear is to have Ellie blend in as another word on a piece of paper. Ellie is such a light, and thanks to all of you, we feel that Judge Ditsworth will have a better understanding of who she was and what she meant to us. He will also see a strong, united and protective community that insists on safety and lawfulness for its citizens.
(Edited to remove information specific to local community.)
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 27 2009 at 10:18pm | IP Logged
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One Million Stands! Here's the update from Ellie's family:
Judge Ditsworth has ordered that the bail remain as it is-One Million cash.
Your letters and your support contributed to this outcome. The court today ruled in favor of safety and justice.
Thanks to those of you who were standing behind us today in court. Your physical presence meant so much and gave us so much strength. How could anyone ignore so many eyes focused with such worthy intention? The prosecuters felt your strength and commented on your unity after the hearing today. They told us to tell you, "Thank you" from them also. Thank you to those of you who sent your thoughts of support via email, text and phone calls. Thank you to those of you who prayed for us on this day from afar.
This is a strong start for the case and a strong message from Judge Ditsworth. We will keep you updated as we move through the next several hearings toward the trial in the coming months.
Thank you for helping us direct Ellie's light. It shined brightly today.
If you would like more information about today's hearing you may go to www.12news.com or watch Channel 12 news-Joe Dana-at 5pm and 10pm. Something will also air on Channel 5- Omadelle Nelson at 5:30 as they were also present in the courtroom.
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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4Real Forums : We Pray to the Lord
Topic: Bail Stands! RETragedy - Write Letter
