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Next
Parole Appearance
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03-2008
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Mailing
Address:
John B. Valverde
#92A5665
Green Haven Correctional Facility (Annex)
PO Box 4000
Stormville, NY 12582
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Letter of Support
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This profile of John Valverde is sponsored by his family, friends and supporters. The Report for the Parole Board, which follows this introduction, contains the information that was presented to the Parole Board for John’s last parole hearing in 2004, in John’s own words. Along with this you will also find a letter of apology John wrote to the victim’s family and submitted to a victim-offender mediator. In 1991, John ended the life of a man who had raped his girlfriend. After going to the police on 4 separate occasions and being told there was nothing they could do, John used poor judgment and decided to confront the offender on his own. He wanted the offender to know of the damage he had caused and make the offender feel accountable in some way. This naive attempt to do what was, right, turned very wrong. During his trial, the District Attorney from New York County portrayed John’s crime as a murder. We understand the D.A.’s professional desire to obtain a conviction on the most serious charge, but a jury completely rejected this portrayal, acquitted John of murder, and found that John acted under extreme emotional distress when he fired one fatal bullet. Instead of murder, John was convicted of the lesser charges of manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. John’s case was highly publicized in the media and he appeared on The Donahue Show, The Maury Povich Show, and Inside Edition while out on bail in 1992. During sentencing, the judge stated that she was making-an example of John to send the message that taking the law into one’s own hands will not be tolerated. John was sentenced to 8 to 24 years and 2 to 6 years, respectively, for an aggregate term of 10 to 30 years in prison. This made him eligible for parole at the ten year mark, as long as he met all the standards outlined in Executive Law 259-i and displayed remorse, responsibility, redemption and rehabilitation. We believe no one exemplifies these more than John Valverde and that no one has fulfilled the requirements of the Executive Law in a more exemplary fashion. Yet, John has already been denied parole twice. When he committed this crime, John’s anger about what had happened to his girlfriend along with his uncontrolled frustration, anxiety, pain and feelings of helplessness took over. John has learned how his extreme emotional state combined with his lack of maturity or understanding of how to deal with those strong emotions dramatically influenced his thinking, which then influenced his behavior, resulting in his violent reaction. John lacked the self-awareness and self-control to prevent a terrible wrong doing at his own hands. He, and all others who suffered terribly as a result of what he did, will live with that for the rest of our lives. With the benefit of time, increased maturity, much soul searching, a lot of teaming, greater understanding and with the help of many mentors, we are certain that never again could such a thing ever happen with John. The circumstances of John’s case are unique, perhaps in the entire N.Y. State prison system, and are completely isolated. John was 20 years old when his then girlfriend was raped. After his arrest, time on bail, trial and current time in prison, John will be 36 when he appears before the Parole Board for a third time in 2006. He has spent all his 20s and now half his 30s paying for his actions. Before this crime, John had never had any contact with the police and criminal justice system. He was in college, working. and beloved by his family and friends. Since the crime, he has led an exemplary life in prison. His crime was an aberration. Even the Attorney General, during one of John’s parole appeals, conceded that John is a role model prisoner who poses no threat to society. John now has a profound commitment to being. life-giving in all that he does. We believe his record and history while in prison indicate that, and are 100% confident that commitment will carry through the rest of his life. John knows he owes a debt to society and to all those for whom he caused so much pain. We wholeheartedly believe John is ready now to continue that commitment even more effectively “on the outside.” It is our hope and prayer that John’s actions and contributions while incarcerated will be viewed as indicative of what John not only can, but will, accomplish. Never again will he be the kind of person who allows his emotions to outweigh his rationale. Also, we have no doubt that the learning and increased understanding that John has gained in so many different ways will make a positive difference in this world. He cannot change the past-much as he wishes he could-and he wishes that every day. But, he can and will change the future. This is John’s promise and we know he will honor it. We ask that you please take the time to read the Report for the Parole Board, which follows. We believe the Parole Board is not reading any of John’s letters of support nor giving proper consideration to his file or him as an individual. Instead, the Parole Board is adopting the view the District Attorney used at John’s trial and categorizing him as a violent felony offender without applying the Executive Law in a just manner, and without considering all the circumstances of John’s case and his exemplary record and future plans. Governor Pataki’s agenda to automatically repeatedly deny parole to individuals based solely on the nature of the crime has never been more obvious than in John’s case. The Courts and criminal justice system as a whole are well aware of this illegal practice, but only the public can change it. Whatever message had to be sent and example made, along with the punishment that was necessary, has been fulfilled. John has earned a second chance. We thank you for taking the time to read John’s profile and welcome you to join us and the thousands who are calling for John’s release at his next parole board. REPORT FOR PAROLE BOARD(The victim’s family name has been edited out of respect for their privacy) Personal Statement: I want to express my deep remorse for ending J--- S-------‘s life and for the pain I brought to his family. I am horrified that I could have ever taken his life, and I know nothing can minimize the severity of my crime. Every single day I suffer with the thought of the damage I did . But I realize that my suffering cannot begin to compare to the anguish I have caused. I pray daily for healing and peace for the S-------- family. I have come to face directly my undeniable guilt and I fully understand that I am responsible for every step I took and every choice I made. The consequences of my actions have been horrific for so many people. I know I owe an enormous debt to the S------- family, society, and to all those for whom I caused such pain. I desperately wish I could reverse my actions so that Mr. S------ would be alive today. For the rest of my life I will pay for the crime I committed-and I should. I have tried to start that process by trying to give of myself in every way possible during my incarceration. I have every intention of continuing to do so upon my release. These are not just words to me. I feel this down to the core of my very being. I sincerely believe that now I can best serve in society. I am blessed in that I have an extremely supportive family along with devoted and supportive friends and a strong support system. I also have a good place to live and employment waiting so I am in an excellent position to focus more intently on additional ways to make a positive difference in service to others. If I am unable to change the past, at least I can try to make a positive difference now and in the future. This is my promise to the S------- family, my own family, my friends, society, and God. Incarceration History: I have endeavored to avail myself of many positive programs during my incarceration, to take a leadership role in the creation and implementation of many of these programs, and to contribute significantly to the lives of others (Please see the summary of activities, entitled “Institutional Adjustment, below). Additionally, I have an unblemished disciplinary record during my entire period of incarceration. I pray that my institutional record will be viewed as indicative of the life of responsibility I lead and the absolute commitment I have to making amends every day of my life. INSTITUTIONAL ADJUSTMENT I have acquired education, training, skills and experience that have helped me reinforce the changes I have made in my life and that have aided me in my service to others. I have dedicated myself completely to leading a life of responsibility and insuring I will never again think like, nor be, the person I was when I committed my crime. I will continue to maintain this attitude, and be committed to making amends, for the rest of my life. COLLEGE EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS THERAPEUTIC PRROGRAMS PROGRAM ASSIGNMENTS VOLUNTEER WORK Release Plans: I have the option of living with my mother in Queens, New York, or my brother and his family in Long Island, where he is an attorney. I have assured employment at the law firm of Burstein & Rabinowitz, P.C., in Queens, LuVal Courier Service in Queens, or Equity Action Mortgage Corporation in Long Island (these letters of employment are in my parole file). I also have volunteer opportunities with Hudson Link for Higher Education, in Prison, Inc., an organization I helped create and implement, and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. I plan to speak to youth groups about the dangers and consequences of guns and the importance of education. Additionally, I have opportunities to enroll in law school or another graduate school that interest me greatly. Finally, as previously mentioned, I am blessed with family, friends and mentors to help me in my transition, and who support my future plans to serve others. Closing Statement: I will never forget the damage I did to Mr. S------- and his family or fail to regret it far beyond my ability to convey. I humbly ask for a chance to continue to make amends in society. I am aware of the difficult and awesome responsibility you must feel as you endeavor to make the right decision when someone comes before you. I believe I am worthy and deserving of your trust. I have matured and developed the strength to trust in the ethic of responsibility that now guides my life. I assure you that, should you choose to release me, you would never have cause to regret that decision.
* * * January 27, 2003 Dear Ms. F------ and family, I turn to you with my deepest remorse and sorrow, praying I will not bring you further anguish than that which I have already caused you. More than ten years have passed since we saw each other in the courtroom. I hate the person I was and eternally regret not expressing sorrow and begging your forgiveness from the very beginning. Thinking about that time stirs emotions with no name; shame, guilt and pain beyond words. I lacked the courage and character to apologize back then when I was hiding behind excuses. Then I selfishly put you all through the anguish of a trial. I will never again defend who I was and the horrible damage I did. I was so blind, ignorant and desperate. Today, I have faced my guilt honestly and fully understand that I am completely responsible for ending your brother’s life. The pain I caused you, and so many, consumes me. Not a day goes by that I don’t suffer for taking his life and for the devastation I brought to your lives. But I know my suffering cannot even begin to compare to yours. I wanted you to know that I have dedicated myself to erasing the person I was and serving others in an effort to at least try to make amends. In the courses I teach and the workshops I facilitate, I share my process of denial to responsibility with others and encourage them to lead lives of true remorse and responsibility. I have witnessed men change their lives for the better and that has reinforced my own changes. I have not just put my time into this. I have invested my entire life. I know my debt is a life-long one and that my life is now for serving others, not for myself. I am committed to giving in every way I can for the rest of my life. If there is anything I can do to aid in your peace and healing, I want to do it. It is my sincere hope that somehow, someway, this might bring you and your family some peace. I would certainly understand if you could not accept my apology or sense my remorse as sincere as it is genuinely felt and experienced. I even wonder if I could if the circumstances were reversed. I pray every single day for Mr. S------ and for you all. I also pray for strength to be able to give of myself in any way possible to make amends and somehow contribute to your peace and healing. I never forget the damage I did and the pain I caused. I never will. I did not want another day to pass without letting you all. know how deeply sorry I am. Respectfully,
Letter of Support
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• City University of New York School of Law – Accepted as a J.D. candidate (2002 & 2004)
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