*To: The Honorable Members of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, The California State Bar, and Concerned Citizens of Monterey County**

*To Whom It May Concern:**

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our outrage and deep concern regarding the handling of cases within the Monterey County judicial system, particularly in relation to the tragic death of Elazer James Black. As family members and advocates for justice, we feel compelled to bring attention to the numerous injustices and lack of respect for victims' families that have become all too common in our legal proceedings.

**Background:**

On May 31, 2020, our beloved brother, Elazer James Black, lost his life at Salinas Valley State Prison. Despite the gravity of this loss, we have witnessed a disturbing pattern in the judicial handling of the case against the suspect responsible for his death. The plea deals negotiated by the attorney have consistently favored the defendant, a criminal already incarcerated for attempted murder, resulting in only a mere three years of justice for our family. This is a stark and painful reminder that the rights and wishes of victims’ families often go unheard.

We, the undersigned citizens of California are writing to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing issues within the judicial system, particularly as it pertains to the treatment of victims and their families. It has come to our attention that the current practices, especially those involving plea deals, are not only unjust but are also failing to uphold the rights and wishes of victims and their families in our community.

**Background:**

In recent cases, we have witnessed troubling patterns where attorneys representing the prosecution have made plea deals that seem to prioritize the interests of defendants over the rights and wishes of victims and their families. This has led to a sense of betrayal among those who have already suffered deeply due to the actions of offenders. Families are often left feeling unheard, unrepresented, and ultimately victimized once again by a system that is supposed to protect them.

**Our Concerns Include:**

1. **Lack of Communication:** Families are not adequately informed about the plea deal process or given the opportunity to express their views and desires regarding the outcome of cases involving their loved ones.

2. **Favoring Defendants Over Victims:** Plea deals that seem to favor defendants, often resulting in reduced sentences or lesser charges, undermine the severity of the crimes committed and trivialize the pain and suffering experienced by victims and their families.

3. **Inadequate Representation:** Attorneys representing victims often do not advocate strongly enough for the wishes of the families, leading to outcomes that do not reflect the severity of the crimes or the experiences of the victims.

4. **Lack of Accountability:** There appears to be little accountability for attorneys who do not prioritize the needs and wishes of victims, resulting in a system that fails to uphold justice.

**Our Demands:**

In light of these concerns, we respectfully demand the following actions to restore justice and ensure that victims and their families are given the respect and consideration they deserve:

1. **Victim Advocacy Training:** Implement training programs for attorneys to ensure they understand the importance of advocating for the wishes of victims and their families in all proceedings.

2. **Mandatory Communication Protocols:** Establish clear protocols requiring attorneys to communicate directly with victims’ families regarding plea deals and case developments, ensuring that their voices are heard and considered.

3. **Judicial Oversight:** Create a system of oversight that allows for review and accountability of plea deals to ensure they are fair and just, taking into account the impact on victims and their families.

4. **Victim Impact Statements:** Ensure that victim impact statements are given significant weight in the judicial process, particularly during plea negotiations.

5. **Community Engagement:** Foster better communication between the judicial system and the community to ensure that the judicial system reflects the values and needs of the residents of Monterey County.

6. *Cover-Up of Important Communications**: The dismissal of our emails by the judge, the district attorney, and the opposing counsel feels like an attempt to cover up our concerns. As victims, we deserve to have our communications taken seriously and treated with the respect they warrant. The refusal to enter our emails into the record is unacceptable and undermines our trust in the judicial system.

7. Lack of Response from Judicial Officials**: Attempts to communicate our concerns directly to Judge Stephanie E. Husley have been met with indifference. Despite reaching out to express our desire to have our voices heard and our wishes respected, our emails have not been acknowledged or entered into the official record. This lack of transparency is alarming and raises questions about the integrity of the judicial process.

**Conclusion:**

We believe that every victim and their family deserves to be treated with dignity and respect throughout the judicial process. The current practices in Monterey County are failing to provide this basic standard of justice. We urge you to take our concerns seriously and work towards implementing these necessary reforms to create a more equitable and just judicial system for all residents of Monterey County.

We, the undersigned, respectfully request that our voices be heard and that changes be made to ensure a more just and equitable system in Monterey County.

**Sincerely,**
- Coleman Family, Black Family & more.