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Jose A Rivas
In the year 2001 two guys, my blood brother and I drove from TX, USA to TN USA to rob some money from some drug dealers. My brother and I did not know the victims but were invited to make some cash. As we walked to the victims house we could see them at a distance. After some time they left and we descended on the house and started searching for the money. After looking in various places we came out empty handed.
One of the guys changed the plans and decided to wait for them to return. We entered the house and waited. We did have guns, I had a 22, which later in the investigation showed was never fired. When the couple pulled-up, two of the guys shoved them to the ground and demanded money. They gave us the location of the money and I picked it up. The moment I obtained the money I was told to leave the house, which I did, and sat outside in the vehicle; that’s when I heard multiple gun shots. We drove away and nobody ever said a word about the incident.
In August of 2003 my brother and I were arrested- almost three years after the crime took place and I had never spoken-up about it. The fact that my brother remained in the house when the murders took place held me back from making that call. I love him like any family loves their parents and siblings and did not want to see him sent to prison. I know I did wrong, and deserve to be punished, but a 60 year sentence is just as if I pulled the trigger. All three of my co-defendants gave statements saying I was not in the house at the time of the murders, but the State still handed me down a 60 year sentence.
I don’t know much about the law but I do feel I have been unfairly/illegally sentenced. I’m looking for an organization or lawyer(s) who would be willing to assist me on a pro-bono basis. I understand I should be punished but want to be sentenced fairly. If you could please help me, in any way possible, I would be forever grateful.
Thank you.
Jose
Jose Rivas. #396017
North East Correctional Inst
PO Box 5000
Mountain City
TN 37683
U.S.A.
One of the guys changed the plans and decided to wait for them to return. We entered the house and waited. We did have guns, I had a 22, which later in the investigation showed was never fired. When the couple pulled-up, two of the guys shoved them to the ground and demanded money. They gave us the location of the money and I picked it up. The moment I obtained the money I was told to leave the house, which I did, and sat outside in the vehicle; that’s when I heard multiple gun shots. We drove away and nobody ever said a word about the incident.
In August of 2003 my brother and I were arrested- almost three years after the crime took place and I had never spoken-up about it. The fact that my brother remained in the house when the murders took place held me back from making that call. I love him like any family loves their parents and siblings and did not want to see him sent to prison. I know I did wrong, and deserve to be punished, but a 60 year sentence is just as if I pulled the trigger. All three of my co-defendants gave statements saying I was not in the house at the time of the murders, but the State still handed me down a 60 year sentence.
I don’t know much about the law but I do feel I have been unfairly/illegally sentenced. I’m looking for an organization or lawyer(s) who would be willing to assist me on a pro-bono basis. I understand I should be punished but want to be sentenced fairly. If you could please help me, in any way possible, I would be forever grateful.
Thank you.
Jose
Jose Rivas. #396017
North East Correctional Inst
PO Box 5000
Mountain City
TN 37683
U.S.A.
Convicted of 2 Counts Facilitation to Commit Felony Murder.
Sentenced to 60 Years Imprisonment.
Sentenced to 60 Years Imprisonment.
