Text from Healing From
Hate Crimes
Text/Images Copyright © 1995-2001. All Rights Reserved.
Your Honor:
Since the commission of the Hate Crimes, my reaction has been
to attempt to stifle my outrage; to try and minimize the degree
of disruption in my life and in that of my family; and foremost,
to try to move forward with our lives in order to restore some
sense of normalcy. As a result of seeing Richard Campos on television
and hearing his flippant comments, this focus was lost. Subsequently,
I was reminded of the instruction of the great Irish Statesman,
Sir Edmund Burke: "It is not what a lawyer tells me I may
do, but what humanity, reason, and justice tell me I ought to
do."
In this light, I am writing to strongly urge the court in fulfilling
its duties to: 1) sentence Richard Campos to the maximum term
of incarceration provided by law; 2) remand him into the custody
of the California Department of Corrections; and 3) give him no
special consideration that may be otherwise provided. I am fully
aware that many people consider my request harsh and unfeeling
in light of Richard Campos' youth, inoffensive appearance, relative
emotional immaturity, and previous problematic history of bizarre,
irrational behavior. Nonetheless, I am firmly convinced it is
the only appropriate sentence.
I am not unmindful of the undisputedly difficult task given the
court to weigh, on the one hand, the need to ensure the debt he
owes to society will be repaid for the pain, suffering, and loss
inflicted on victims as a consequence of his crimes; and, on the
other hand, the duty of the court to consider the special protection
afforded under California law that provides for rehabilitation
for youthful offenders through commitment to the California Youth
Authority. If rumors are correct, the balance has been tilted
to the latter opinion, if the recommendation received by the court,
as a result of Mr. Campos' brief period of diagnostic observation
and evaluation, is that he be committed to the care of the Youth
Authority. Regrettably, I must vigorously disagree with this recommendation,
if in fact it has been made, due to other significant, overriding
issues I would hope the court will address.
In reaching its decision I would first ask the court to carefully
review the incredibly detrimental effects of Richard Campos' acts
of violence on his victims. While I would not attempt to speak
for other victims, I can emphatically assure the court on my behalf
and that of my family, on October 3, 1993, when he maliciously
tossed his firebomb at our home, Mr. Campos irreversibly changed
our lives forever. We will never forget the terror that night.
If at this point in time, I can find no mercy in my heart for
Richard Campos, it is because I have gradually realized, along
with my family, that while the initial negative effects we experienced
were devastating, lingering after-effects may prove to be even
more destructive.
If I were the only one affected, I might view the situation differently,
but I cannot overlook the stress caused on my wife, our six children
and seven grandchildren. Our children and their children can no
longer visit our home with confidence and safety; and our daughter
will not even consider letting her children sleep in the bedroom
struck by the firebomb at the front of the house. Although we
do not openly discuss it, I believe the fear never leaves the
back of any of our minds. No mere words can communicate our respective
and mutual experiences to bring to life for the court the reality
of our emotional pain, suffering, and difficulties. Nevertheless,
I will attempt to catalog a few, which include loss of personal
freedom of movement without security protection, total disruption
of my life by being forced to leave Sacramento for brief periods;
frequent sleepless nights; repressed anger; sustained periods
of emotional pain; effective loss of privacy; loss of any sense
of personal security; inability to work productively; financial
and property loss; and unavoidable stress, among others.
Second, I would ask the court to give strong consideration to
the fact Richard Campos is an unmitigated, significant threat
to the community. Only a sentence to any adult correctional facility
for the maximum term prescribed by law can assure the community
of safety from his life-threatening acts of violence. Should he
be made a ward of the Youth Authority, and regardless of any recommendation
from the court, it is my understanding that Richard Campos could
be immediately placed back with his parents, or into a non-secured
residential care facility in the community. And even if institutionalized,
he could be released in a very few months at the discretion of
the Director. My point is, no guarantee exists whatsoever that
he will not be back in the community shortly, and thereby able
to continue using his life to terrorize the lives of others. This
possibility is entirely unacceptable; and I implore the court
to give great weight to the future safety, not only of his past
victims, but of future potential victims as well.
But in the event the court feels inclined to follow the rumored
recommendaton for commitment to the Youth Authority, I would ask,
in all its wisdom and experience, for the court to reflect on
its institutional knowledge as to any reasonable prognosis for
a successful rehabilitation of Richard Campos. At nineteen (19)
years of age, I find it extremely difficult to imagine any amount
of psychological counseling and guidance, and remedial academic/vocational
training will substantially modify his value structure, belief
system, and behavior patterns. Over an extended term in a young
men's adult facility, I cannot help but believe the probability
for significant behavioral change will be much greater, in that
by necessity, he will learn self-control, self-discipline, and
a strong awareness of the consequences of his behavior.
Third, I would urge the court to give paramount consideration
to Richard Campos' past demeanor and the sheer arrogance of his
recent demeanor. Over the many months of the trials, he often
appeared to be either watching his victims with ill-disguised
disdain or half-smiling with satisfaction as details of the damage
to victims were recounted. More importantly, he refused to admit
his guilt; to demonstrate remorse for the impact on his victims;
or to cooperate with authorities. Equally reprehensible were his
recent televised comments, where at this late date, an admission
of guilt may finally be construed, but only within the context
of his jocular statement to the effect his boredom with producing
hate posters led him to the production of firebombs.
Fourth, I hope the court will not overlook the sensationalism
attached to Richard Campos' Hate Crimes, wherein he specifically
targeted minority and other segments of the community, nor fail
to take note of the extensive media coverage his crimes generated
and extraordinary public attention given this young man. He stands
to this day unrepentant, and whatever sentence the court delivers
will make a strong, public statement to others of the consequences,
or lack thereof, of committing this type of crime. If there is
to be any deterrent effect at all, the court must demonstrate
zero tolerance and deliver the maximum sentence prescribed by
law. Additionally, it is imperative the court send a strong message
to the community that racial persecution has no place in society;
and therefore, the court will show no mercy in this area.
In conclusion, I would offer a personal consideration. When the
court delivers its sentence upon Richard Campos, I ask the court
to contemplate the unnecessary cruelty of the irreversible life
sentence Richard Campos delivered to me and my family, by virtue
of his refusal to identify and cooperate in the apprehension of
his accomplices. Without knowing me, he convicted me without benefit
of trial or appeal; and left us with the lifelong consequences
of always wondering who may still be out there to strike again
in the night. Almost more than any other factor, Richard Campos'
decision in this regard was unconscionable; and on this basis
if no other, I request he receive the absolute maximum punishment
the court can provide.
I will sincerely appreciate your careful consideration of my request,
and genuinely thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Jimmie R. Yee
Councilmember, District 4
[Sacramento City Council]
Healing
from Hate Crimes
Victim
Witness Statement, 1995 Sentencing
Summer
of Hate, Sign of Hope
Help
Make Hate Homeless
Rock-Soft
Fences
Internet
Filtering, Letter to Senator John McCain
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