Ricardo Vega is currently serving a Life Sentence in the Florida State Prison. Ricardo was charged and convicted in Orange County in 2005 of a robbery with a deadly weapon. During the trial his alibi did not testify and his family was also advised by his lawyer not to testify on his behalf. As far as evidence, there was no video surveillance, no finger print, nor was there any DNA tying him to the case. Ricardo had two different public defenders at the time. We do not believe he was given a proper representation, which led to an unfair trial. To cause further confusions in the case, the witnesses to the crime were two detectives and the victim who did not speak English. The victims statement was written by one of the officers who did not know Spanish. The only people that testified was the two detectives, the victim and Ricardo himself.
Ricardo was arrested on 10/2/2005 for another incident which charges were dropped. We believe this is how the detectives concluded and stated he fit the descriptions of the robber for the case he is serving time. The mugshot of the robber also did not fit the description of Ricardo. At the time of the arrest Ricardo had a BB gun and this is the gun that was suspected to be used during the robbery. The BB gun was not shown to the jury, for them to decide if this was a deadly weapon or just an armed robbery. The robber was wearing a ski mask and long sleeved shirt on a September day which was hot in Florida. Per the detectives, the robber used long sleeves to cover up his tattoos. At the time of his booking in the Orange County Jail, it was noted that Ricardo had NO tattoos (he does now but not when he was arrested).
Ricardo was offered a plea deal of 10 years but his Public Defender thought doing a speedy trial would be better since he was innocent of the crime and the evidence was not sufficient, once again risking him being found guilty, and losing his freedom and chance at a better life. Even if he is guilty or not guilty of the crime, which we know he is INNOCENT of the crime, giving him a Life sentence was unjust. We are made to believe that the justice system if here to serve justice and protect all. In this case, I think he was the victim of over sentencing. It was too extreme of a sentence. Even if he was given years for the crime, that would have been more acceptable than the sentence he is currently doing LIFE, never giving him an opportunity to make something of himself and have a family, which supports him fully.
Ricardo has been sitting in a cell for the past 12 years (in October it will be 13 years) of his arrest and serving time for a crime he did not commit. Ricardo had no prior convictions so the point system was not used to give him a proper sentence.
Ricardo has maintained his discipline; Ricardo learned to cherish life while in Prison. He is a very smart man, he taught English classes, ran the Drug program, and a was a mentor to other inmates, he was also a facilitator.
I am very proud of the man that Ricardo has become, he is not the same person anymore as he was before his arrest.
By signing this petition it will not affect you in anyway, no one is going to call you and ask you about this petition. We are not asking for Ricardo to be set free today, we just would like for his sentence to be reduced so he can come out and enjoy life as he should. Enjoy his family, learn a trade, get a job, and become a great citizen.
Remember this, you may not know Ricardo Vega. But you may come across a Ricardo Vega in your life because he can be any one in your family; your husband, friend, boyfriend, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, son, son in law or even your father.
If others have been given a second chance to start fresh, why can’t Ricardo Vega?
All signatures are appreciated, this is just to show support so Ricardo Vega can get a chance at court to reduce his sentence.
Thank you for taking the time to read and sign the petition for us.
Evamarie Vega