Good morning Dear Members - Allison Stiller, Victim Advocate for the County of Santa Clara (408)792-1086 astiller@da.sccgov.org contacted me. She truly is a wonderful person. Allison emailed me telling me how glad she was to see us involved with promoting Justice and support for victims of animal cruelty. "For people who feel their voice or concerns aren't being heard currently, one thing that the group can to do to provide a voice and memory of your cats is to contact your local and state representative and draft legislation towards insuring there is stiffer penalties for those that harm animals and/or an animal registry similar to Megan's Law be created as a result of the offender's conviction" I have asked her for a list as I know that many of us would like to do this. We are blessed as not only to have Allison to assist us but we are also very fortunate to have DA Ellis who has done a phenomenal job and is pursuing this case vigorously. Thumper and the other victims case is the in the hands of Justice and we are so blessed to know that DA Ellis is working tirelessly to see that Justice is done. I am 100% confident that justice will be served! Unfortunately justice takes time and even though we would like for this case to be over and justice be served to the full extent we must be patient. DA Ellis reminded us that "this case is progressing as it should. This is a complicated felony case with multiple criminal charges and, therefore, takes time to properly move through the criminal justice system. While it may be frustrating to members of the community, it is essential that the case be handled properly to protect the integrity of the prosecution. In addition, there is ongoing investigation by both the District Attorney's Office and San Jose Police Department. Some of this investigation will take time. Your patience is greatly appreciated." In the email from DA Ellis that I posted this weekend she goes on to say "I cannot stress enough that outside interference in an ongoing criminal prosecution can lead to disastrous results, including the potential for mistrial...While I believe you are all acting with good intentions, I ask that you please leave the investigation to the District Attorney's Office and San Jose Police Department." The best thing we can do now is: 1) Continue submitting tips to SJPD and DA Ellis. 2) Continue showing up to each court hearing as many of you know it's not an all day thing as our case almost always is the first one heard. 3) Continue collecting more signatures for the petition with the hopes that we can convey to the judge at sentencing that there is strong support for this case from the community 4) Provide a voice and memory to our cats by contacting our local and state representative and draft legislation towards insuring there is stiffer penalties for those that harm animals and/or an animal registry similar to Megan's Law be created as a result of the offender's conviction (more to come on this) 5) Take time to care for yourselves and one another ( I will be posting in a separate post groups that are available to us) 6) Join Justice for Our Catz FB page for updates on this case As always.... I am so humbled to be part of this group and thank you for the support you provide to us (the victims) and one another. Thank you for being the voice to the voiceless!! I am hopeful that this is the start to something bigger!! With much Respect!! Myriam Martinez Justice4catz@gmail.com