Phal Sok
However, he testified that he picked my photo out of anger, familiarity, and a similarity in facial structure. When asked to make an in-court identification, he took a good look at me and made no identification. He also testified that the person who robbed him had been playing an arcade game prior to robbing him. Police reports show the game had been dusted for fingerprints and no matches were found. He was mistaken in picking my photo. Only these two testified at the hearing, and for trial, the video store owner didn’t even show, neither his wife, nor uncle, also victims.
However, four of the sewing shop victims appeared for the fist time and testified that a group came into the shop and robbed them at gun-point. They also testified to picking my photo, but only one was asked to make an in-court identification and she refused. Based on them picking me out only by a picture I was convicted of robbing three of these victims.
When the robbery took place I was somewhere else with someone else. As true as that is, alibis aren’t the greatest defense, but forensic science is a mind changer; DNA has proven that. For me, technology has produced 'brain fingerprinting' tests that determine cognitive recognition of things such as images/objects. I believe it offers exoneration for me. According to police reports and testimony, there were three other victims whom I’ve never seen. The test would prove that’s true. The real robber would recognize them, I wouldn’t. Infact, I’ve never even been to the place and wouldn’t recognize it. I’ve only seen what little was shown at trial by photo. One question I ask, 'how can I be guilty of physically robbing a place I’ve never set foot in and people I’ve never seen'?
The obstacle lies in getting the test. I don’t know where or how to get it and I fear it is costly beyond my means. I’ve spared some details in being brief, but I hope I have your confidence and your helping hand. I’d greatly appreciate any help you may offer to clear my name, to overturn this sentence, and to avoid the threat of deportation.
Thank you.
Phal Sok, #P85430
CSATF/SP 6-Gym-118M
PO Box 5244
Corcoran, CA 93212
U.S.A.
However, four of the sewing shop victims appeared for the fist time and testified that a group came into the shop and robbed them at gun-point. They also testified to picking my photo, but only one was asked to make an in-court identification and she refused. Based on them picking me out only by a picture I was convicted of robbing three of these victims.
When the robbery took place I was somewhere else with someone else. As true as that is, alibis aren’t the greatest defense, but forensic science is a mind changer; DNA has proven that. For me, technology has produced 'brain fingerprinting' tests that determine cognitive recognition of things such as images/objects. I believe it offers exoneration for me. According to police reports and testimony, there were three other victims whom I’ve never seen. The test would prove that’s true. The real robber would recognize them, I wouldn’t. Infact, I’ve never even been to the place and wouldn’t recognize it. I’ve only seen what little was shown at trial by photo. One question I ask, 'how can I be guilty of physically robbing a place I’ve never set foot in and people I’ve never seen'?
The obstacle lies in getting the test. I don’t know where or how to get it and I fear it is costly beyond my means. I’ve spared some details in being brief, but I hope I have your confidence and your helping hand. I’d greatly appreciate any help you may offer to clear my name, to overturn this sentence, and to avoid the threat of deportation.
Thank you.
Phal Sok, #P85430
CSATF/SP 6-Gym-118M
PO Box 5244
Corcoran, CA 93212
U.S.A.
| Convicted of: | Armed Robbery |
| Sentenced To: | 23 years 8 months imprisonment |
Thank you for allowing me a moment to share with you.
I am serving 23 years 8 months after which I am subject to deportation. I was only 17 at the time I was arrested and just a ‘Permanent Resident Alien”.
In March 2000, I was convicted of being part of a group that robbed a sewing shop. I was in juvenile court, but the prosecutor petitioned for criminal law and I was remanded to adult court as a juvenile. At a hearing determining what would stand trial, the investigating officer testified that several people had identified me through photographs, including the owner of a video store that had also been robbed.
I am serving 23 years 8 months after which I am subject to deportation. I was only 17 at the time I was arrested and just a ‘Permanent Resident Alien”.
In March 2000, I was convicted of being part of a group that robbed a sewing shop. I was in juvenile court, but the prosecutor petitioned for criminal law and I was remanded to adult court as a juvenile. At a hearing determining what would stand trial, the investigating officer testified that several people had identified me through photographs, including the owner of a video store that had also been robbed.