Sentencing Day May 30, 2009 (more detail)

I remember speaking with my daughter Rochelle about the sentencing.  My sister's were unable to drive from Visalia, CA to attend the sentencing with me..My daughter told me she wished to attend..My son also requested,  but when the day came it was too much for him. My daughter and I drove to my aunt Pat's house in Mountain View.  I love my aunt! I was also feeling ashamed because the Quince was for her granddaughter.  My cousin's are awesome and they supported me.

The morning of sentencing we headed for the court house on Hedding street in San Jose.  We all made some small talk and headed to the court room.  My stomach was in knots...I felt like I was trembling inside my entire body.  As I walked into the room and give my name they asked if I was the "victim."  I said, "yes" and I was instructed to provide 3 copies of any paperwork one for the judge, one for the DA and one for the public defender. Each of the copies I gave had a copy of my physical injury photos...As I had just sat down I noticed he was standing and the judge was speaking to him...no one acknowledged me..not the DA or the Judge.  I sat for a second and I thought..OH MY GOSH! She was not informed that I was here...what do I do? As the judge is speaking to the suspect and I interrupt and start walking to the podium with the microphone...the bailiff starts approaching me.  And I as loud as I can speak I say..I'M THE VICTIM AND I AM GOING TO READ A VICTIM STATEMENT!" The Judge said, "oh, I did not realize you were here. State your name...I did..and the District Attorney stood up and said, "take all the time you need." During this time I look up to get a look at the criminal standing next to his public defender handcuffed to another inmate.
The public defender and the defendant were speaking to each other rather loud as I started to read. They were acting like they were just going to ignore my letter.  Here, I am standing, shaking, trying so hard not to cry, barely able to speak and the public defender is speaking to him???? I was stopped by the Judge.. she said, " Excuse me Miss Alvarez for one moment.".  As I stopped reading I looked up holding back my tears.  The Judge looks at the Public defender and says, "Mr. Public Defender! You need to be quiet right this second! I do not want to hear one word out of you or anyone else in this court room! This women was brave enough to come and speak today and you will listen!  We need more people like Miss Alvarez. I don't want to hear one word from anyone.  Do you understand me!" he says, "yes".  She apologizes again and asks me to continue and to start from the beginning.. I finished reading my victim statement and the Judge said, "Miss Alvarez I would like to say, Thank you for reading your statement. You are very brave."  A gentlemen standing behind me also said, "great job."......I was able to get through the letter because by the 3rd time I had to stop and get a grip..I turned around at the seats and saw my daughter.  For a split second I felt as if I was just going to BUST out in tears.  A second later I could feel my daughter Rochelle grab my hand and give me a hug!  She said, "you can do it mom!"  She stood by my side looking directly at B wile i was reading my victim statement.  She said he had no reaction..he just stood with a blank look.  She said the guy's all chained up with him were looking over at him.

The sentence was read...we left the court house...Thank God for my cousin's and my daughter this day!! I'm telling you.. My cousin's just show you love! They all made me feel very good!