My first defense attorney, McMurphree, suggested I get a couple of “good guy” letters for the Judge from friends and neighbors. It just so happened that many of my acquaintances were in the legal profession. I knew several lawyers, attorneys, and an elected Judge through my kids’ many activities. Both my boys were in hockey, baseball, and scouting. Angelo Toreador, my son’s Den Leader (I was the Assistant Den Leader) came through with a home run.
Dear Judge Judgeson, I am an Attorney for [redacted]. I have known Justin for the past three years, through activities our sons participate in together. Our sons are in scouting together, and play hockey against each other, on opposing teams. Rarely if ever have I seen Justin’s wife at any of the scouting or sporting events. My family and I recently attended an evening of come and go stargazing atop the local Science Museum. As we were arriving, Justin and his children were leaving. Again, Justin and his boys were there without Justin’s wife, the boys’ mother. I don’t know why Justin has fallen afoul of the law with this uncharacteristic behavior, and the children must be safe, but I do believe the children are better off with Justin in their lives, and I’m not at all certain that they will continue to have the enriching experiences such as those mentioned if Justin is no longer caring for them. I am available to discuss this further if need be. Angelo Toreador
Wow. Thank you, Angelo. He said a lot more in his letter, but I’ll leave a bit out for now. About a year earlier I had confided in him that my wife was thinking about divorce. He said “Justin, many people get divorced, and sometimes they are better off for it.” We were both Catholic, and (sometimes) attended the same church. I didn’t want a divorce, but I might have saved myself a lot of trouble if I had just said to my wife “OK, let’s get divorced” when she had first brought it up.
Shocked in the Suburbs 