Well, I got 81 years. They used one post from here (and one sentence actually – as was pointed out by Sam) to help ramp up my sentence. Honestly, if they can only find one post, from a blog that I’ve been keeping for almost a year, to be offended by, then I’m doing okay. Of course, they chose my angry and bitter post, where I was pissed at the world, to bring into Court… they couldn’t have gone with the posts where I’ve stated that while I’d like to be made at her, I can’t… grrr.
Thank you to all of my minions who wrote letters and came to speak on my behalf. (Note: the above reference to ‘minions’ is a joke. The only time I had minions was when I played Overlord.) I bet you didn’t expect to be equated with Mansonites, did ya? Yeah, surprised me too.
I’m only asking for support from my friends and family until/unless/whatever my appeals either go through or are denied. Of course, I absolutely understand if you choose not to do so.
Oh, I’m including the statement I was supposed to read at sentencing, but didn’t because I just couldn’t bring myself to care.
My Statement for Sentencing:
My attorney stood before this Court and insisted that the evidence and witnesses that I wished to present were either irrelevant or inadmissible. I’d like to go over what you should have seen at trial.
First and foremost, there are the medical records and testimony from doctors at Children’s Hospital, our family doctor, and the Polaris Urgent Care stating that, a few months prior to my arrest, I had taken Chelsea in to be examined and interviewed for signs of sexual assault and to be treated for a urinary infection.
I took her to Children’s Hospital and placed her in a room full of medical professionals, who have years of experience doing physical examinations and interviews with children who have been sexually molested, and at the end of that examination it was determined that nothing had been done to her sexually, that it was only a simple infection.
I still haven’t received an adequate explanation as to why this evidence was not admitted.
Secondly, the evidence and testimony from my then-girlfriend Sharon regarding the various articles of clothing found in my closet that directly contradicted Wendy’s testimony that I had purchased these articles of clothing for her. This evidence consisted of receipts and spreadsheets detailing not only when these items of clothing were purchased, but for whom they were purchased.
You should have also heard testimony from women with whom I have been in sexual relationships and who could have easily identified my genitals. These are people who, regardless of any personal relationship with me, would not hesitate to condemn me if they identified me in those pictures.
Not only that, but you should have heard testimony from a wide variety of witnesses detailing false accusations, from sexual abuse at church to physical abuse by her uncle. Testimony from people present at both lice incidents that can directly contradict Wendy’s testimony. Testimony from family friends who were afraid to be alone with Wendy for precisely these reasons.
The lack of vasectomy scars in the photos, the fact that it was clearly not a 300-pound man in the photos… how is it that I am the only person to bring this up in Court? The fact that the second bag of lingerie was not only still in the package, but of an adult size and would have fit her like socks on a rooster? Or the absolutely insane idea that I would put anyone who was even suspected of having lice in my room, much less in my bed?
I understand that the defense does not have to produce evidence, but I also understand that if you have evidence that clears your client, you should present that evidence to the Court.
Your Honor, if I had anything to do with these charges I would have taken the first deal offered, or entered a plea of guilty when it was only seven counts on the indictment. Certainly, I would have jumped at the chance to avoid prosecution on the other 17 charges. The fact that I did not admit guilty for something I did not do purely to save myself a considerable amount of prison time should, at least, indicate my sincerity.
Clearly, Your Honor, I have very little chance of convincing this Court that I am innocent of these charges, and almost no hope of leniency, but at the very least I wanted to point out that what was presented at trial was by no means the whole story, and that very serious mistakes were made in the handling of my defense.
Sir, I am not a rapist or a pedophile, I am not a danger to the community, and I ask for a sentence that will allow me to prove that and a chance to rebuild my life.
4 Comments
Don’t stop fighting man. They win when you stop. I’ve been here for you — whether in spirit or in body — from the beginning a year ago, and I’m not giving up yet. I wish I could have been there for the sentencing, but I’m hoping Ellie explained that by now.
As for my role as a Mansonite, I still can’t even put to words how disgusted I am with the judge. Justice is blind huh? Unbiased? I think you missed something along the road to those robes your honor. Leave the commentary like that for the prosecution. They do a better job of it, and they can get away with it better.
And while I know he probably didn’t care about what I wrote (if he ever read it), I’m hoping that Ellie got it to you at least. For those out there who read this blog, I wanted to share at least what I sent in (names of course changed as we’ve been doing all along here).
I love you as if you were my brother man. Hold together. We’ll get you through this.
—-
I am writing this letter on behalf of my friend {Zejan}. {Zejan} has been my friend for approximately six years, since shortly after he was employed by Pacer International (where I am still employed). We both worked in the IT field, and through having to work on a joint project, we developed a rapport with each other, quickly growing to be close friends. I consider him to be a brother to me in all respects except sharing parents.
Since I first came to know {Zejan}, I have known him to be one of the more generous, self-sacrificing, and trustworthy people I have ever met. As a coworker, I have never seen someone with as tireless of a work ethic. I have watched him work back-to-back shifts regularly to make up for staffing issues. I’ve also seen him work second shift one night, go home, do laundry and get two hours of sleep, get his kids ready for school, and then come back to work first shift. I never could understand how he ever did it all. His knowledge at his job was indispensable and the department has been at a loss without his input and skills.
As a parent, we also shared many stories and trials over the years. As a single dad taking care of four children full-time (one of which wasn’t even his), he amazed me. He did everything he could to provide food, clothing, shelter, and the care every child needs with homework and general support just to talk with their parent. This may seem like an exaggeration, but know for a fact that he would go without eating for a number of days so that his kids would have enough food. On top of it, I also know that he would even make plasma donations – more often than recommended – in order to get a bit of extra cash when he wasn’t getting enough overtime at the office.
When times were better for him (and he was able to provide for both his children and himself easily), as a friend, {Zejan}’s generosity was unparalleled. It seems small, but he was often too prideful to accept something as simple as a cheeseburger bought for him when he was down on his luck. On the other hand, he wouldn’t have a second thought to buy lunch or dinner for another coworker for someone else when they were in the same situation. Whether it was a side comment of wishing they had the spare change for a can of pop or sighing that they didn’t have anything for lunch that day, {Zejan} would soon be out picking up whatever they wanted. It is just a part of who he is as a person.
This is the person who you only see on your docket as William Bleigh. This is still the person who I have visited on several occasions over the last nine months. From the first day I went to visit him, I’m certain he knows full well the seriousness of the charges against him. Innocence and guilt are for attorneys to argue and (in this case) juries to decide, and for judges to pass sentence against. Pleading with you on the basis of my belief in his innocence is meaningless at this point in the process. I disagree with the results, but we all have to deal with the outcome.
Unfortunately, as of now I will be unable to make it for the day of sentencing as I had initially intended. Since I cannot say it in person, this letter will have to stand for me to say to you plainly that I know my friend. {Zejan} is a caring, generous, and self-sacrificing person. He has been a diligent worker, a devoted father, and the best friend since the first days I’ve known him.
Hopefully this letter reaches you in time, and I ask you to consider all that I have said here and I implore you to be as lenient as you see fit on the day of his sentencing.
I have been compared to Charlie Manson before, mostly for appearance, but this is the first time I’ve been compared to his followers. I knew the judge was biased during the trial as he, several times, injected further questions to help the prosecution. I really don’t care what the judge, or anyone else, thinks of me for supporting my friend during this. The man actually said The problem I have with this is probable going to be seen as a matter of semantics but, Charlie manson did not have friends and supporters, he had followers and tools for an agenda. The comparison is not applicable.
[EDIT] Actually, the thing that I found to be the most offensive at the sentencing was at the very end, after the judge dismissed everyone. Thinking that it was over and it was okay to leave I started to stand up, several bailiff types proceeded to block the seats on our side of the courtroom and instructed us to wait until the other side left before allowing us to leave ourselves. I have learned to tolerate such treatment as I have always held true to keeping my own individual look but everyone else on that side of the room was as normal looking as normal can get. To see them all treated as a potential threat, or some kind of criminal was simply ridiculous.
I could say a lot more on this, but it would never make a difference, besides, the minor injustices in the treatment of the supporters and friends are nothing compared to the greater injustices of the system itself. [/EDIT]
I swore I would write a letter, but I did not. I could not think of words that I thought would have any affect on a judge that was not only convinced of Zejan’s guilt but seemed to have taken a personal disliking for him and had already shown that he was angry that Zejan was using his right to a trial instead of just caving in to prosecution and taking a plea bargain. After sitting through the sentencing I feel that I was right, there was nothing I could say to change that man’s mind…
Just so you know, my husband said (in regards to the Mansonite comment) “You see that is the problem with Delaware, Its a good old boy network and apparently the judge thinks it’s still 1969- because who uses Charles Manson as an example for anything anymore??”
Personally, I’m glad I was sick and couldn’t be there because I would have probably said something and I don’t think these people are above sending a pregnant woman to jail for standing up for her friends.
Oh yeah, and we plan to move out of Delaware as soon as we can, I’m not paying taxes to these jerks!!
Probably going to move back in with my parents while I go to school to get my Masters degree. Wait- aren’t we all supposed to be uneducated thugs because our friend was accused of these horrible things??? (that he didn’t do)