Aaron Vargas - Sentencing

It is with sadness and shock that I update you all on Aaron Vargas' sentencing. He was sentenced today to 9 years in prison. Details as to what the judge said before he handed down the sentence were not stated. I can only imagine what it could have been.

I am quite aware that the justice system does not always work, but this sentencing today has made me more aware that victims of child sexual abuse will never be heard and understood. I read blogs around the net where these victims speak their pain through the written word and I come away "numb". A gentleman committed suicide just over a month ago because of the torment and pain he endured his entire life do to the child sexual abuse that was done to him. With all the love and support of his family, he still could not come away from feeling shamed and lost from the abuse. Now, another has lost 9 more years of his life due to a pedophile. What is wrong with this world? Why do we care about a pedohile who abused numerous children? Who ruined their lives? Who took away their childhood and maybe the rest of their lives? Bleeding heart liberals anger me. There is nothing more precious than a child, their innocense! WHEN will we all stand up and be the VOICE for a child? I understand that vigilante justice is not the answer, but from what has been told regarding Aaron's case, he did not mean to shoot his abuser. His abuser asked to babysit his baby daughter, we can only imagine what type of fear that brought on Aaron. Why is it that normal, compassionate, empathetic people can see that as a threat but the "officials" cannot? Things need to change immediately.

Aaron's sister Mindy went above and beyond in trying to get justice for her brother. As I have said many times, I applaud her. I hope this does not deter her from advocating for child abuse victims. She and her supporters got the public and the media to see what type of epidemic we have in our country regarding child sexual abuse/rape. And now, hopefully the media will report on the injustice this man has been handed to him. Congratulations, Mindy! Proud is not even the right word that can describe what I feel for you. Your hard work and determination was not lost on the public. You are a true hero!

This is a statement that Mindy wrote on her Facebook page:

"Aaron got sentenced to 9 years. We need to go to the Governor and ask him to step in. I will organize a protest at the State Capitol. I will change the petition to target the Governor. If anyone as other ideas, please let me know. I'm still kind of in shock. I was told that filing an appeal is not an option. I believe he will have to serve just over 6 years."


Mindy, I wish I could be there to protest with you. I stand her now speaking my outrage at this injustice, FREE AARON VARGAS!!! He has sufferend too much in his young life.

I found this article of what the judge said, I agree to a point. 9 years is too long:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fort-bragg-killing-20100616,0,5605133.story

Aaron Vargas - Update

I wanted to give an update on what is going on with the Aaron Vargas case. Aaron has plead no contest to voluntary manslaughter. There are two hearings coming up, June 14th and June 15th. The 14th hearing, they will hear the facts of the case. On the 15th, he will be sentenced. Mindy has been asking for all of us to write the judge a letter to ask for treatment instead of prison time. Please email your letters to Saveaaron@yahoo.com. There are currently over 2,000 people on the Facebook page and as of last weekend, Mindy has only received 60 letters. Please do all that you can to help Aaron. Also, I have been forwarded this latest message from Mindy:

"The DA's office is going to be asking for the maximum of 10 years in prison. You can e-mail the DA's office at the attached link or you can e-mail the DA directly at Meredith@Lintott4da.org. Or you can phone the DA at 707-972-3260. The gag order has been lifted, and it states on the DA's website, "Meredith is happy to discuss the issues with you!""

Mendocino County — District Attorney — Feedback and Email (Website Email)
www.co.mendocino.ca.us

Please continue to show your support for Aaron Vargas.

Thank you.

Troy

Aaron Vargas Update

UPDATE 4/5/10: Aaron has a hearing tomorrow at 1:30, he will be pleading to voluntary manslaughter. Needless to say, this upsets me quite a bit. How can we change the system if the system is allowed to keep abusing true victims. If you are in Fort Bragg and can make it to the hearing, please do so, Mindy has asked that all who can, please come.


I wanted to give a short update on Aaron Vargas. His trial is coming up quickly, it will be on April 20th, 2010. There are still things that need to be done, please write a letter to the judge for sentencing. Please address letters to Judge Ronald Brown and urge him to give leniency and let Aaron get help. Please put your contact information on the letter (it won't be shared). You can email letters to SaveAaron@yahoo.com. If you need to mail the letter, please email me and I will give you a mailing address to send it to. There will also be a rally on the 17th, to show the DA how much Aaron is supported by his community and the nation.

We all need to show our support for Aaron. If you go to his website: www.saveaaron.com, there is a button on top that says "How You Can Help". Please click there, Aaron's address to where you can write him is there along with how you can send him a "care pack". There are so many victims such as Aaron. Your support and words can help them all.

I thank you all for following Aaron's case. I pray that justice will be served and Aaron will be able to go home to his fiance and his daughter. He deserves to live a pain/fear-free adulthood.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Aaron.

Thank you,


Troy

Aaron Vargas - Trial Continuance?

UPDATE 3/8/10: The hearing on the continuance was changed to this Friday at 8:30am. They're hoping the trial will only be continued to April 20th, and that the March jury selection dates will stay the same.


Here is an update about Aaron Vargas. The prosecution is asking for another continuance for the case to go to trial. Apparently, two of their witnesses will not be available during the time of the trial, wich was set for March 22nd. Here are words from Mindy, Aaron's sister:


"There will be a protest on Saturday, March 20th from 11am-1pm on the corner of Laurel & Main Streets in Fort Bragg (next to Town Hall). The Fort Bragg Whale Festival is happening that weekend, so the town will be busy. I am expecting the media to be there filming.

For all of you newbies, there is a Save Aaron online store where you can purchase pins, clothing, bumperstickers, and more! I just added new products. www.cafepress.com/saveaaron

It is especially important for Mendocino County residents to display Save Aaron merchandise so that the country will see (through the media) that we support Aaron. It would be great to get pics of people with the merchandise so that I can post them on the website. You can email pics to: SaveAaron@yahoo.com

The prosecutor has asked that the trial be continued. The defense opposes this request. There will be a hearing on March 19th at 9am. Aaron is not taking this news well. The trial has been continued several times and it sends him on an emotional rollercoaster. Please write to Aaron:

Aaron Vargas, Inmate# 71742
Mendocino County Jail
951 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482

Thank you!"

Again,for anyone new to this case; please see: http://www.saveaaron.com

Thank you,

Troy

Aaron Vargas - The Media Takes His Story

Here are a few links where you can read the newest information regarding Aaron's case. The San Fransisco Chronicle did a front page story last weekend. His sister has said that his story will also be on "Good Morning America!" very soon! I am hoping that with the new media attention, Aaron will have justice and he will be able to go home to his baby girl.

For those of you new to Aaron's case, you can goto his website: www.saveaaron.com There you will find all of his information. Please also sign the petition and pass his website and the petition on to your friends. The DA needs to understand that Aaron is a victim of sexual child abuse.

Thank you.

Troy

http://www.sonomacountygazette.com/blog/2010/02/update-on-aaron-vargas-abuse-on-trial.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/21/MNDU1C2M7E.DTL

Aaron Vargas - Fort Bragg, CA - End the Silence of Abuse

I not only write about protective parents and their children, I write about judicial injustice as a whole.

Please read about Aaron Vargas. This gentleman has been aressted for murdering the child molester that sexually abused him when he was a child and then mentally and emotionally abused him into adult-hood. There are numerous articles regarding Aaron. His sister Mindy has been diligently getting his story into the main-stream media. 20/20 is on the case. The San Fransisco Chronicle will be running a story in their paper. Please, go to: www.saveaaron.com for the latest news in this case. Sign the petition and see if there is any other way you can help.

I will now copy the posts I made for Aaron that were on my other blog to this one:

Save Aaron Vargas – A Must Read

Originally published: September 30, 2009

There is a young gentleman in jail at this very moment for allegedly murdering his tormentor/abuser for years. The family of the pedophile do not want this man in jail, nor do they want him prosecuted for his murder.

Please go to: saveaaron.com, read the entire story. It is shocking, disturbing and sad. If you agree that Aaron should not be in jail, please then go to his petition site and sign. The pedophile ASKED to babysit Aarons newborn baby girl, which sent Aaron spiriling into a downward spin. Not being able to function knowing this man could possibly get anywhere close to his child, he made a decision that most everyone else in his situation may make. I know for certain that I would do just as he did. Its apparent that pedophiles/abusers are seen as the victims and the victim is the one prosecuted. Now, I know most of you think vigilante justice is not the way to go; but ask yourself one little question: What if it was your little newborn daughter that may be touched by the same man that abused you for years? That noone did anything about? He did the world a favor, I commend him!

Aaron, I am on your side. I have signed your petition. I wish I could be there for the benefit, sadly I do not live near you. You are in my prayers and thoughts. I can only hope and pray that you will receive the justice you deserve.

Aaron Vargas – Pre-Trial Hearing – Somer Thompson – Elizabeth Olten

Originally published on: October 23, 2009

I know that Aaron Vargas, the gentleman accused of murdering the pedophile that tortured him physically and mentally for years, had a pre-trial hearing today at 9:30 am in Frt. Bragg, California.

If anyone has any information that they can give to us regarding that hearing, it would be greatly appreciated.
I also want to say Rest In Peace baby Somer Renee Thompson, a little 7 year old girl that was abducted on Monday and later found Wednesday in a landfill located in Georgia. Baby girl, you will be greatly missed by your friends and family.You are loved by our nation. May justice be served for your death.

Also, Rest In Peace Elizabeth Olten, a 9 year old from Missouri that dissappeared two days ago and her body was found today in the woods where an exhaustive search was taking place. Your friends and family will miss you dearly, you are loved by our nation. May justice be served from your death.
America, there is something terribly going wrong with the world today when a child cannot walk a mile without being kidnapped and then harmed. We need to stand up and fight for our children. We need to make some noise, hell, we need to make a tremendous amount of noise and tell these animals that WE WILL NOT LET YOU HAVE ANOTHER CHILD!!!!!

Thank you for all who read.

Troy

Aaron Vargas – Hearing on Friday, December 4th

Originally published: December 2, 2009

UPDATE 1/03/10: The next hearing is January 22nd at 9am in Ukiah. The trial begins on March 1st. Please, if you are able to, go to the hearing and trial to show your support. We need to end the silence of abuse. The DA believes that Aaron’s sexual abuse by Darrell is not relevant and SELF SERVING!!! WE all need to stand up for the true victims of sexual child abuse.

There is a status hearing Friday, December 4th in Aaron Vargas’ case. Everyone keeping up on this story read where Aaron needed an expert witness with expertise in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder syndrome. I am happy to say that they did find someone who can help Aaron. Aaron’s lawyer has also requested that the trial be continued because the expert isn’t available in January. They are hoping that the judge’s calendar will allow it to only be postponed for three weeks or so, but one never knows with schedules such as these. The last time the DA asked for a continuance, it was postponed for almost four months because the judge had to reside over two other murder trials.

I would ask that if anyone has a bona-fide, tried-and-true fundraising idea, please post it here in the comments area. Aaron is still in need of funds for his defense and it is slow going at the moment. They have already done a concert in October and a float in a Labor Day parade and also a benefit dinner in May. If you don’t want to comment here, please go to: www.saveaaron.com and leave your suggestions there. Fundraising is time-consuming and if anyone and everyone has an idea, it would help his family tremendously.

If you live in Frt. Bragg, California; please try to go to the hearing on Friday to show your support for Aaron. It is being held at 10am at the Ukiah Courthouse (Room B). The DA in this case is looking to have Aaron be in prison for 50 years to life. I cannot fathom how this is still happening to the victims of sexual abuse. It seems to me that the victims are being held responsible for their abuser’s actions. In my opinion, Aaron did not set out to kill McNeill. If you have read his story, I would hope you came away with that this monster who sexually abused and mentally tortured Aaron for years was going after his little newborn baby. Aaron deserves justice. Even the child molester’s family does not want Aaron prosecuted for what happened to their husband and father. What does that say to you? Why is it the DA cannot see this? Why punish Aaron any more than he has already been punished? A family member said, “Let me tell you a little bit about what kind of person Aaron is, he is worried about how he is going to repay everyone that has donated to his defense fund instead of worrying about his pending trial.” I have to say that he does not sound like a threat to society.

Thank you for reading,

Troy

UPDATE: 12/02/09

Aaron’s trial is going to be postponed. We will find out Friday when the new trial date is, and I will let everyone know.

We really need to spread the word about Aaron’s case. If you wouldn’t mind suggesting Aaron as a friend and inviting all of your friends to this group, that would be great. If there is anything else that you can think of doing to spread the word, please do so – everything helps. You can also go to http://www.facebook.com/l/cd06d;www.saveaaron.com/HOW_YOU_CAN_HELP.php to see what you can do to help.

E-mailing the Mendocino County District Attorney is a really easy and great way to help. You can do so by going to this link http://www.facebook.com/l/cd06d;www.co.mendocino.ca.us/cgi-bin/feedback.pl?department=1&page=/da/index.htm. The DA is trying to put Aaron away for 50 years-to-life. Election time is coming in just a few months and if the voters voice their opposition to Aaron receiving a strict sentence it will have an affect. If you live in Sonoma or Mendocino counties please tell them in your e-mail that you do and that you will be voting in the upcoming election. Mendocino County District Attorney Meredith Lintott is up for re-election. Jill Ravitch, the former prosecutor on the case, is running for Sonoma County DA. Beth Norman took over as prosecutor just a few weeks prior to Ravitch announcing her campaign. If you don’t already know, Ravitch is the one who objected to testimony of the sexual abuse and called it “self-serving” and “irrelevant”. You can read two articles, which include quotes from Ravitch, at this link http://www.facebook.com/l/cd06d;www.fredamoon.com/ToKillaPredator-TheAVA.html.

****To all of you in Sonoma County: If you go to hair designer Stella Stevens and mention Aaron, she will donate all of the proceeds to Aaron’s legal defense fund! She cut my hair the other day and she does awesome work! Call 573-9692 or 696-5046 for an appointment. She’s located at Radici Hair Studio – 847 4th Street in Santa Rosa.


Aaron Vargas’ Hearing – Friday, January 22 – Changes

Originally published: January 21, 2010 by troyofillinois

UPDATE: Apparently nothing happened at the hearing today. It seems that they keep wanting an answer to what evidence may be used or not in the upcoming trial starting March 1, 2010. Sadly, they are not receiving this. The judge keeps delaying stating he doesn’t have time to rule on it and then rescheduling the hearings. I haven’t seen a new date as of yet, but when I do I will post it. Thank you for all your support.

UPDATE: This is directly from Aaron Vargas’ Facebook Notes:

“Today’s Hearing
Today at 5:24pm

“No ruling today, again. Another hearing was scheduled for Feb 5th at 10am. We were told that we’d get a ruling then, but we’ve heard that about 6 times. There are a couple of issues that are supposed to be addressed and 2 hours have been set aside on the 5th to do so. The new item is that the DA’s expert psychiatrist wants to examine Aaron. We are objecting to this. If the judge allows it then Aaron’s lawyer wants to be present and if he can’t be present he wants it to be recorded. I think this brings up some issues regarding Aaron’s rights. Also, the DA’s office went through many hours of Aaron’s recorded phone conversations from the jail and they made a disc with 6 conversations on it. They want their expert psychiatrist to review it, but the prosecutor says it won’t be admitted as evidence. But if their expert reviews it then it has become part of the case. The issue of other victims testifying will be addressed during the trial as it comes up. The trial may have to be postpone again, but hopefully just a couples of weeks. Our expert psychiatrist will be on another vacation in March that may or may not conflict with his testimony. The issue of the DA’s expert examining Aaron might affect the trial date because if she is allowed to examine him it might not happen in time for trial.
Selena, my parents, and I did an interview with Ukiah Valley TV after the hearing. 20/20 was there and filmed us being interviewed. As of now it looks like 20/20 will have some footage up on their website in late Feb or so to introduce the story. They filmed me at my house yesterday working for the cause and answering some interview questions. Chris Cuomo will probably be here mid-late Feb to do the formal interviews. The show might air in May. I’ll keep everyone posted on that.
Thank you to everyone who has driven to the hearings. I know it is an inconvenience, and it is frustrating when we don’t get a ruling. I was told that some protests needs to happen again at the courthouse in order to help Aaron’s case. I’m working on getting an advocate from a sexual abuse organization to the courthouse for Aaron. We basically need to show that the public is outraged and we’re going to be vocal about it. The DA is out for blood in this case and they need to be met with opposition. I know that Lintott is banking on winning the upcoming election, so she needs to hear from the voters.”

Trial For Aaron Vargas Will Begin March 22nd, 2010

Originally published: February 5, 2010 by troyofillinois

There was a hearing today in the Aaron Vargas case. Here is a note from his Facebook page:

“Today’s Hearing…
The Prosecution Throws a Tantrum, and the Judge Finds a Loophole
ADA Beth Norman filed a motion last month asking that the judge order Aaron to undergo a psychiatric examination by their expert, Dr. Emily Keram. The motion was prompted by Assembly Bill 1516, which went into effect on the first of this year. The bill requires the court to order (when the prosecution requests it) the defendant to submit to an examination by a prosecution-retained mental health expert whenever the defendant places his or her mental state in issue. The defense objected to the motion and argued on the grounds that it violates Aaron’s Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

Dr. Keram took the stand to testify as to why she believes it is important that she examine Aaron – her arguments being that she couldn’t thoroughly rebut the defense’s psychiatric expert’s testimony if she hasn’t examined Aaron herself. Being that she hasn’t yet examined Aaron, she sounds very confident that she is going to form an opinion that will contradict the defense’s experts – that opinion being that Aaron has PTSD. Beth Norman stated that she has retained Dr. Keram to rebut the defense’s psychiatric expert, and Dr. Keram reiterated the point more than once, so why would she even need to examine Aaron if her opinion has already been formed? It is obvious that she is nothing more than a mouthpiece for the prosecutions arguments and she will give whatever opinion that she is paid to give.

Listening to the prosecution’s hired mouthpiece dance around the defense’s questions, for what felt like an eternity, gave me a headache and caused the bailiff to nod off. I kept glancing over at him waiting for the buttons to pop off his shirt, which was at maximum capacity and then some. In all fairness, it may have been Beth Norman’s child-like temper tantrums, in response to the judge’s reluctance to trample over Aaron’s Fifth Amendment rights, that gave me the headache. The judge finally put us all out of our misery when he came up with a way to get around the pesky Fifth Amendment issue – let Dr. Keram and her “call it like he’s sees it” colleague examine Aaron after he waves his Fifth Amendment rights during the trial in order to testify.

So the prosecution will get their psychiatric examination. Dr. Keram will put Aaron through at least an entire day of tests and questions, all to arrive at the already formed opinion that she has been paid to give. One question the taxpayer’s should be asking is “how much are we paying her to give that opinion?”
You can read more articles regarding Aaron here on my blog and please also go to his website, sign the petition and help in anyway you can: www.saveaaron.com.

Thank you for reading.

Troy