FATHER'S DAY

I pulled up the blog stuff and was looking it over.  I ran across something here on the 2 of 12 under the picture of me and my borther with our chaps on that I would like to make some changes to

It says here that I got married.....and wanted to get away from problems that brewed up over the years with my dad due to his drinking.

I don't want to hurt my dad in any way.  He's an extremely good man and has worked hard to overcome his own troubled existence. 

Daddy never had anything but the best intentions for me and still does to this day.  He will be 68 in July and still gets up each day for work to help the family survive.

This man loves me very much and vise-versa and it hurts me to even thing about possibly causing him any undue heartache.

He always had our best interest in  mind.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

6These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.

References for Deuteronomy 6:6

• Cross References

• 13 6:6 - ver 8; Dt 11:18 ; 30:14 ; 32:46 ; Ps 26:2 ; 37:31 ; 40:8 ; 119:11 ; Pr 3:3 ; Isa 51:7 ; Jer 17:1 ; 31:33 ; Eze 40:4

7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

References for Deuteronomy 6:7

• Cross References

• 14 6:7 - Dt 4:9 ; 11:19 ; Pr 22:6 ; Eph 6:4

8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

References for Deuteronomy 6:8

• Cross References

• 15 6:8 - S ver 6; S Ex 13:9 ; Mt 23:5 S ver 6; S Ex 13:9 ,16; Dt 11:18

9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

GREATER LATER

Thank you for the story ma'am.  It's a definite sad story but I also works to help me realize that things could always be worse. 

Like I said earlier, it's hard to see outside of this box sometimes.  But if I take a minute to think, it's easy to see, I really have little to complain about.

Like you said, I have family that love me, I can still help others, and I've got a few good friends. 

Thank you for the encouragement and the kind words.  It'll be greater later.

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)

THE PRODIGAL SON

So...I wanted to let the last post sink in a little bit. 

Have you ever in your life imagined such a tragedy as what happened to Jonathan McComb?  In all this time I cannot get his story out of my mind.

It gives me so much peace...his dream...

"Daddy, you made it, we didn't, Jesus picked us up at the river."

So...

One man who lost everything...tragically

One man who squandered everything...tragically

Who does God love the most?

Luke 15:11-32New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Lost Son

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

AND WE THINK OUR TROUBLES ARE DIFFICULT

A Texas man who lost his wife and two young children when the house they were staying at was swept away by the floodwaters, speaks for the first time about what happened. CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Months have passed since the deadly floods in Wimberley, Texas, but not a day goes by that Jonathan McComb doesn't think about them. McComb lost his wife, two young children, and several close friends when their house was swept away by the floodwaters.

He was the only one who made it out alive. McComb has spent the six months since the flood recovering and paying homage to the friends and family he lost. He said his first dream about his family since he lost them was vivid. They were in a pastoral paradise when his daughter ran up to him. "She said, 'We didn't make it, Daddy. You did. We got picked up by a man in the river — and it was Jesus. And we are in Heaven.' And I woke up immediately and I looked for them and knew they weren't there, and tried to get back in that dream.

That was a big dream for me. I pray to have that dream every night before I go to bed." McComb and his dog, Maggie, are all that's left of his family. "Just me and her now... A lot of good memories", said Jonathan McComb. Five months ago, McComb, his wife Laura, his six-year-old son Andrew, and four-year-old daughter Leighton were staying in a riverside home in Wimberley, Texas, for the 2015 Memorial Day weekend with two other families. Like so much else, the home — with nine people inside — was swept away by a wall of water that came down the Blanco River. As they huddled in the moving structure, Jonathan says he never lost faith. "I prayed quite a bit going down the river," he said. "Even as we were together, we prayed, and by myself, I prayed."

The terrifying scene in the dark of night got worse when their floating house hit a bridge and then began to fall apart. The wrenching moments that followed are now his private pain. McComb will only pick up the story much further downstream, where he continued — in more ways than one — with his struggle to be the lone survivor. "At one point underwater, I just said, 'I am done,'" McComb told us. "I said, 'Take me home, I am going to Heaven,' and I just went limp underwater." Somehow, he held on. Badly battered, with broken ribs and a collapsed lung, McComb made it to a beach, scaled a cliff, and reached a house. "Where I got out was either 9 or 12 miles down the river," he said. McComb was cared for by a kind stranger there. The stranger later placed a stone marker at the spot where McComb made it, and dedicated it to his family.

Over the last several months, McComb has gathered a lot of frames and set out on a mission at home to memorialize all the life his loved ones lived, captured in pictures. In addition to putting up photos, McComb has kept his kids' rooms as they were, left their backpacks hanging on the wall, and maintained their play table as happily messy as it was when it was the domain of his children. A stone marker placed at the spot where Jonathan McComb made it to safety is dedicated to his family that did not make it. (Photo: WFAA) "It keeps the memory alive," McComb said. "I don't know what I would do without the memories. That's what pushes me along the most, I guess." He still wears his wedding ring. And he happily picks out landmarks all over Corpus Christi that remind him of cherished family time. Others keep the memories alive, too.

Yellow ribbons still cling to trees in Corpus Christi in remembrance of the local families lost in the Wimberley floods, including members of the McComb family and their close friends in the Carey and Charba families. As bad as his personal loss was, Jonathan says the tragedy has brought about a remarkable showing of positivity and togetherness that goes far beyond his local community. "I am just humbled by all the love and support from everybody, and all the humanity," McComb said. There have been thousands of people who have been involved: search and recovery volunteers, the people who've offered meals, those who have prayed unceasingly, and the friends and perfect strangers who have reached out from around the world to offer uplifting messages that are still pouring in. Jonathan McComb's children's backpacks sit undisturbed. Jonathan McComb's children's backpacks sit undisturbed.

Jonathan McComb sees those messages when he logs on to his wife's Facebook page. She was clearly loved. "I have sat there before thinking it was 30 minutes," McComb said, "and two-and-a-half hours later, I'm still sitting there, crying and struggling to read the screen through my tears." He says there have been plenty of tears or sorrow; but many tears of joy, too. Some steadfast volunteers are still looking for his daughter and still looking for the body of six-year-old William Charba. The volunteers still looking have a special place in the hearts of the families involved. "We can't thank you enough," McComb said. He waits for the remaining bodies to be found, so all involved can get closure.

Until then, he takes comfort that, like his wife and son, his young daughter was a good Christian, "And whether she is laid to rest in the river somewhere or in a coffin, I know where she is at the end... and that's Heaven." He also prays regularly that those still missing will be found.

JOB

If you have lived life at all you have more than likely received news that you could have lived without...

• the divorce is final
• the baby has health issues
• the cancer is back
• the job is over
• my child has been killed

In Chuckwa's case...his devastating news is that all hope has been dashed... hope of obtaining a new hearing to plead his case and perhaps have the chance to plead guilty to manslaughter versus capital murder.  No nice letter, no kind doctor, no...just words on a card...

denied... without written order

I must say that when I heard the audio clip from Judge Smith, I was a little taken back by the finality of it all.  There was a part of me that thought Chuckwa might really get a break.  I really worried about what would happen when he found out.  I worried that I might actually have to be the one to tell him.  I worried.  What will this terrible news do to the morale of a man who already lives with little.

read below...

"well, guess what?  Let me tell you.  I got notice from the Court of Appeals this morning that my writ was denied.  I don't know for sure what it means that it was "denied without written order" but that's what it says on the card.  So it's on to the next step.  I already got my stuff out and am ready to go to work.  I got to go through everything and get it all sorted out and organized for this next step.  And I've got some studying to do on it.  This is all new to me.  I started to let the news get me down and to just say forget all this stuff, but that feeling went away pretty soon.  I can't give up.  That's not a winning attitude.  I've got all the time in the world to work on it so that is what I am about to get busy on."

I have often wondered what I would do in the instance of having nothing left like Job.  Would I have the will to continue..the faith to endure?  Do you know someone who has lost it all?  I do.  And I believe that the world if full of sympathetic people because some of these things have ALMOST happened to them.  They have almost happened to me and almost is enough to tear you up!

Job 1:13-22
When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God  and said:

“We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death.
The Lord alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the Lord!”

AND THAT IS ALL

Judge Smith delivers the announcement to the HPO

Amos 5:24

but let justice roll on like a river

righteosness like a never failing stream

A NEW GANG

District Attorney Barrett Dye is being sworn in as

he takes the place of prosecutor David Scott who passed away suddenly at the young age of 53.

Dye will be leaving the position at the end of his term and the new DA will take over the new trial 

IF 

one is granted to Chuckwa

Joe Meraz is the only candidate to file for a place and will become the new District Attorney

In the March primary, a new District Judge was elected to replace retiring Judge William Smith.  Smith has served as judge for Hansford, Ochiltree and Hutchinson County for 20 + years

Judge William D. Smith

After attending a forum where Brancheau and his opponent spoke in a forum, I was won over by one single comment Brancheau made and it was this...

I have been asked how I can defend a murderer when I know they are guilty and my answer is this...everyone in our country has a right to a fair trial and yes it might be hard to defend a bad person, but when I find myself in that position, I fight for the law...I fight to defend what is right and true and so my effort is spent in defending the law.

I am extremely intrigued with what will happen in this case.  It could be one of a few scenarios, including that a new hearing will be denied and "that will be that".  But if Chuckwa is granted a new hearing, he will be appointed a new defense attorney, and all the others will be new as well.  

In no way has Chuckwa ever implied his innocence and in no way have I every written a word to him that conveyed I accepted that he took the life of another man.  It is a very strange position to be in when one finds one's self able to carry on a human connection with someone who has done something bad.  I believe we all have that capacity in our core...most all of us are capable of forgiveness.  And forgiveness is not mine to grant to Chuckwa, but I am able to see a side to this case that perhaps, he indeed, did not receive justice....12 of his peers may get the opportunity to decide.

The decision might make a difference in 20 years or 40 years...

ALL HE WANTED

I can scarcely believe that I have been corresponding with Chuckwa since September 7, 2012.  In fact, I am keeping it all in a notebook and had to go back and look to make sure it had been that long.

All he ever wanted was a chance to change his mind about giving up his right to a trial.  When Chuckwa was arrested and plead guilty to capital murder, he admits he was still highly intoxicated and just finally said "yes" so he could stop being interrogated.

He never said he didn't shoot Mr. Miller, he just said he never meant to shoot him.  While making a plea deal might have saved Ochiltree County taxpayers money by not holding a trial, it cost Chuckwa his life...he gave away his life when he agreed to serve 40 years.

After the reality set in and sobriety took over...he realized he had made a grave mistake and might have even been treated unfairly by then District Attorney, David Scott.

Time will tell...my hope and prayer for Chuckwa has always been for him to let his voice and story be heard...just in case.

I simply could not believe it when I saw on my own paper...this headline.  More than 4 years of a daily prayer...this my friends, is a lesson in faith and the reason why we pray.

God hears us..He wants us to pray...He has HIS answers in HIS time.  

The story, in all the twists and turns, comes humbly back home to me...talk to God...in all things, about all things, for all things.

Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

The story continues....

Murder Trial Could Be Coming To Ochiltree County In Case That Was Pled Out In 2011

Chuckwa Don Crabtree

Sources have told KXDJ News that an Ochiltree County murder case, that led to a plea deal in 2011, is possibly, if not likely, coming back for a new trial because of errors made by then Ochiltree County attorney, the late David Scott.

In a recent interview with current Ochiltree County Attorney Barrett Dye, KXDJ’s Chris Samples asked him about the case of Chuckwa Don Crabtree and the murder of Mike Miller. “We’ll have to take a look at everything at play. I’m going to do what I have to do,” said Dye.

Hear more from Dye by clicking here.

On Wednesday, October 27 of 2010, authorities were called to a home south of Perryton where Miller was found, having been shot once. Crabtree, who had been caring for Miller, was charged with murder the following day. In August of 2011, Crabtree took a 40 year plea deal in the case.

Crabtree has not officially appealed but has filed a hand written request for writ of habeas corpus, basically asking “why are you holding me? Something has been done incorrectly.” He is basically asking for a new trial. The Court of Criminal Appeals could grant the request for a new trial or simply authorize a new punishment hearing.

If a new trial is granted, Crabtree would come back to Ochiltree County to await a new trial. 

A MISUNDERSTANDING

Taylor Gutierrez

Braxton Ray Crabtree...due soon

Christian

Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 175: 5

There was a misunderstanding on the part of the court reporter.  Mr. Herrmann has been hired by the court to do the fact finding that was ordered by the court of appeals, to see if my claims have any merit.

So depending on his research will decide whether I get any type of action.  If he decides that there are some unresolved issues, then he will make a note of it and let the court know of his findings and go from there.

In the meantime, I'm just doing this time and waiting for my grandson's arrival.  He should be on the scene before too much longer.

Nothing much going on around here to speak of.  It's the start of a new day.

GRANDPA CHUCK

Since I talked to you last some good things have happened in my life.

The court of appeals sent my 11.07 back to the convicting courts to be reviewed on the claims of ineffective assistance and other things they can find wrong.

The court appointed me an attorney out of Borger to represent me in the appeals process so that's good I hope!

I'd just like to thank you for all your prayers over the past 3 years ma'am.  Every bit of effort you have put forth is certainly greatly appreciated ma'am.

I'm not a grandpa yet.  He's still in the oven but he's getting pretty close to being done!  He is supposed to be ready to come out sometime in January so it won't be long now.  I've got to get me out of trouble so I can hold him when they come to visit.  That will make my day.

I still remember carrying my oldest boy out of the delivery room and into the nursery as if

it was just yesterday.

I found out then what my dad was talking about when he told me how he felt when I was born and he carried me into the nursery.

He said he stood there at the nursery window and told me all the plans he had for us.  He used to tear up when he would tell the story and now I'm the one with tears both when I think of his story and mine.

There's one thing I can say for sure, the man loved me and still does.

Psalms 127:3-4 "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"

Deuteronomy 30:6"The LORD your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!"

DRY LAND

How do you continue to have mercy and a heart of thanksgiving when you have nothing to be thankful about and your well is dry?

It's been a sad season in my little town.

We just learned over the weekend that a young man whose grandparents live here was hit and killed by a drunk driver in his college town.  Their Thanksgiving may be a little hard to celebrate.

My heart is very sad....and I admit I have had to try a little bit harder lately to have a heart filled with joy.

But it occurred to me that we don't always get to have a heart filled with joy because that is not how life works.  We can only hope and try to feel that joy as much as possible.

So has it been evidenced in the words I have to say on this blog and even in my letters to Chuckwa. It seems like there is only so much a person can do or say or write...like eating a cracker...kind of dry.

I have been talking a lot lately with my little brother who seems to also be going through a down time and as I talk to him I think maybe I should take my own big sister advice and fill the well.

There is only one way to do that...but it is important to remember that we just don't always get to feel happy and that's ok.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I looked back at one of my early letters to Chuckwa.

This is an excerpt from November 2013....

I started the day off in kind of a sad state 'cause I called home and talked to my youngest boy.  He was sad and missing me so I got sad, then I got off the phone and went to writing and all I could think of was sad thoughts and cried a little so I took a break from writing.  Then I decided to get up and go talk to a man who just recently moved in here who was a Christian man.  He had his bible sittin' on table with the intention of talking to me and so we talked and then I thought of you and told him the story about you and the letter you wrote me one time that directed me to Hebrews 12.  Your letter became the topic of our discussion.  The cool thing is that he had that chapter in mind for me before  we seen your letter.  We read for 5 hours and I walked away feeling a whole lot better and now I'm sitting here and reading that letter and realizing what a big difference it made in my life.  I will be forever grateful for the gift I received the day I received my first letter from you.

sing anyway

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

MURDER

I have lived in this quiet little community my entire life

and never in one million years

would I have ever believed

MURDER

would be the headlines for our little news sites

This young man went off the deep end and killed his mother and her boyfriend

he had a life, a wife and three little boys

He did the deed in Booker, Texas, up the road some miles, but drove through our little town and stole a vehicle, causing a horrible crash during a chase, and leaving a dead body behind at the home of an innocent family.  He left the other dead body on the side of the road.

BIG

BIG

news day...

not the kind I like

and as the communities and families involved slowly begin to grasp reality

this young man is found guilty yesterday, in a murder for hire plot

*he will serve the rest of his life in prison*

Mike was a little boy growing up in Spearman and friends with both my younger brothers.

They rode bikes, swam at the local pool, popped firecrackers and studied math and spelling.

He went on to become a successful doctor and was convicted of hiring a killer to murder a Lubbock doctor who began dating his girlfriend.

It is incredible to me that such things could happen.

It breaks my heart for all of those involved and yes I admit

I feel great sympathy even for those that committed the crime.

What?Went?Wrong?

this is my opinion and it's not really an opinion because if you believe in the bible...

such a thing that happened to these men and Chuckwa...

could happen to you or me

 Job 1:7

The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it."

REMEMBER THE ALAMO

Hello Mam, how are you doing?  I hope all is well for you and yours.  Not a lot going on here.

Thank you for your letter with the information on Custer.  That was some pretty interesting stuff.   I also want to thank you for the post card from the Alamo.  I have never seen it like that.

There are lots of people here in the prison from San Antonio and Houston.  There are a lot of city boys in these places.

I had my mom call the district clerk's office in Perryton about a week ago to find out about my case and the lady just found it that day and said it had fallen through the cracks!  So it has been sitting there for over a year unseen.  The lady said she would get it in motion so maybe something good will come out of that?

I'm not  holding my breath, but I am hopeful.

I just wanted you to know that I am still chuggin' along.  Keep me in your prayers please and I will do the same for you and yours.

God Bless

Luke 10:25-37--I am not forgotten

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

DREAMS

I have wondered about dreams for years but haven't been able to come to any conclusions.

Are they angels?  Does our spirit live on?  Are they my guardian angels?

I can tell you this if it wasn't for me having the dreams and experiencing it I wouldn't believe it.

That's what changed my outlook on God and the angels and all that stuff.  The Bible teaches that the dead are conscious of nothing at all, but it does say that there are angels.

My grandparents are both passed on and so is Mr. Miller, but the people who were in my dreams were them with the exact same voices.  It sure raises a lot of questions in my mind.

I dreamed last night that I was at the lady's pond where I fished a lot growing up.  She was talking to me in the dream.  I don't remember what she was telling me though.

I sure wish I could have woke up there instead of in this place, but here is where I live.

I'll have to leave the fishing up to the kids for a while.

Matthew 4:11

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. 

BEES IN TREES

I've had my share of experiences with bees.  I worked for this elderly man on my days off when I was in the oilfield.  He sold firewood.  I cut and split wood.

He got a call from a lady who lived in Gainsville who had a tree with some dead limbs she wanted cut out of the top of one of her trees.  I climbed all the way to the top and attached my saw to a rope and then cut the limbs off.

After I got the limbs to the ground I started cutting them into sticks of firewood.  One I cut didn't look like the others, the center was rotten.  It didn't take me long to figure out just what I was seeing.

The next cut I made brought the bees!  This darn limb was full of honey bees and their nest.  Luckily I didn't get stung and just kept on cuttin'.  Those things were swarming all around me too.  I guess the smoke from the saw kept them from stinging me.

I got a real big surprise last night that I never woulda ever expected.  Sheryl's oldest boy wrote me a J-pay letter.  I haven't seen or heard from him in 6 or so years.  He just wrote me out of the blue. I thought that was pretty neat.  I wrote him a letter back.

Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

BEARDS

In the latest letter from Chuckwa,

he wrote about beards

I have never in the world given a second thought about such a thing

have you?

I sure wish I had some good news to relay.  I got a letter from my mom and one from Amy.  I am currently behind in my letter writing.

I am growing a beard but I've about decided that I'm not a beard person.  I like a mustache but no beard.  The Supreme Court ruled that we can now grow a beard up to 1/2" in length for religious reasons so lots of people are walking around here with beards.

I've got an I-60 siting here addressed to the chaplin to let him know he can take me off the list.  I'd rather be clean shaven.  There are a lot of other things in the world I'd much rather have than a beard or the right to grow one.

N E Wayz...that's the highlight of my life right now

SUPREME COURT RULING

TEXAS PRISONS ALLOW BEARDS

Leviticus 19:27  "They shall not make any bald place on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards nor make any cuttings in their flesh" 

EVERY SINGLE DAY

There is no such thing as a typical day in prison

Things differ drastically from prison-to-prison, person-to-person, and from day-to-day. There’s a popular saying among inmates about a prison’s program. The only thing consistent about prison is change.

For instance, it can be a beautiful day outside, guys may be working out, playing sports, cards, or just enjoying the fresh air; and in the blink of an eye you might be in the middle of a full scale riot. Paying attention is a MUST HAVE  in prison; it can literally mean the difference between life and death.

5:30-6:30 AM: Breakfast, a.k.a. ‘chow time’, and the start of most guys’ day. The breakfast isn’t good

6:30-7:15 AM: Start day with a morning prayer and devotional reading

7:15-8:00 AM: Breakfast in cell and prepare for work

8:00 AM-2:00 PM:  Work. I work in the prison’s kitchen at 32 cents an hour

2:00-3:00 PM: Shower grab a bite to eat and prepare for either a self-help group or college class

3:00-5:00 PM: Self-help group or college class

5:00-6:00 PM: Dinner. It tends to be better than the breakfast

6:00-8:00 PM: Another self-help group or college class

8:00-9:00 PM: Socialize with friends or use the prison phone to talk to loved ones

9:00 PM: All inmates are locked in their cells until breakfast.

9:00-11:00 PM: Watch T.V., listen to music or write a letter, and fix something to eat

11 PM-12:30 AM: Homework or letter writing

12:30-6:30 AM: Sleep

There is a perception in society that inmates spend all day doing nothing. As you can see that is not always true. There are more guys spending their time doing something productive than those who are not

How one spends his time---be it in prison or out---is what makes the difference between success and failure. Keep busy!

A day in the life of Chuckwa is almost the same 

every single day

"Hello Mrs. G.  How are ya?  Not a whole heck of a lot going on round here...just another day on the farm"....begins every single letter...

I know and understand what you're thinking...

He committed a crime and he deserves to be in jail.

No heat and air

No internet or computers

Limited TV

I agree, but still I find it hard not to feel a sadness for a lives wasted

"You spoke of being free and listed some circumstances that could be worse"

Chuckwa will come up for parole in 2030...I will be 73

Here's an interesting concept that I ponder over and over....

Chuckwa and I are so similar

1.  We both have committed crimes against God and government (as we all have)

2.  We both regret those crimes and seek forgiveness

3.  He lives in a compound that has a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and yard

4.  I do too...mine is gated as is his

here's the difference...he is unable to leave

and I would be happy if I never had to

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

CHUCKWA LIVES HERE

The James V. Allred Unit is a prison for males located on Farm to Market Road 369 in Wichita Falls, Texas, United States, 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of downtown Wichita Falls. The prison is in proximity to Iowa Park.  

The prison, with about 320 acres (130 ha) of land, is a part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Region V.

It opened in the summer of 1995 and is one of the largest maximum security units in Texas housing approximately 3600 offenders. It consists of four departments, General Population, Administrative segregation and one of the first "Expansion cell blocks" (High Security) to be built housing some level ones Seg overflow and close custody offenders. It also contains one of Texas's "Safe Keeping Units", which are designed to house prisoners that would be in danger from other inmates.

James V. Allred (March 29, 1899 – September 24, 1959) was a United States politician who served as the 33rd Governor of Texas during the New Deal era. He was thereafter a United States federal judge. He is remembered for his unwavering support of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

 roses in a hedge of thorns

a hedge of thorns....

with roses?

yes...it is possible!

He has sent me to provide for all those who grieve in Zion, to give them crowns instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of tears of grief, and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, the Plantings of the Lord, so that he might display his glory.

Isaiah 61:3

*.....so.....*

that He might display HIS glory

THAT FATEFUL DAY

When I first began this blog, my plan was to take the reader through the details of this case.

In my visit with Sheriff, I asked him if he would allow me to use the crime scene photos...he didn't immediately say no, but instead that he would consider it since the case was closed.

He said, "they aren't pretty."

In some of the writings of the blog, I have had emails from family members about things that I haven't gotten exactly right (I am trying very hard to do that) and things that were written, that while there were no complaints, I could tell they were hurtful.  True, but hurtful.  I don't want to hurt. There has been enough of that.

So...as I have come to this day, I have changed my mind about the crime scene photos on that fateful day.  You and I have all watched enough tru tv to know what a gory crime scene looks like.

THAT FATEFUL DAY

I was very depressed at this time due to all the heck I had been going through and then to top it all off Mr. Miller was an alcoholic who liked to scream, hollar and cuss.  Three things I can't stand.

I wiped his butt, cooked his meals, cleaned his home, mowed his grass, took care of his dogs, washed his clothes, and anything else he needed and all I got for my services was disrespect.

All I wanted to do was to go back home to my kids and my family but Mary Jane (bail bondsman and Miller's aunt) wouldn't allow me to go home.  She told me to come up with $500 and I could go home.

My friend Jack told me "I don't know how you let that man talk to you like that.  Him and Mike didn't get a long.

One day my mom called and and wanted to talk to me and when I got back from work he told me "that bitch called and wanted to talk to you."  I thought he was talking about my girl friend--that's when he said "I was talking about your mom."

I cooked him something to eat and forgot to put a spice he wanted on the food and he threw the plate of food on me and then he said "screw you, why don't you just take that shotgun and go blow your brains out."

The next day Jack took me to Lipscomb County Courthouse for my arraignment (DWI) then we went to Beaver for Jack to get some rum and Mike some beer.  And I decided to grab me a bottle too.  I drank some that night and the next day.  Jack didn't come get me for work the next day, so I started drinking with Mike.

I remember sitting in his room talking to him about how he wanted his steaks cooked that day and then later on I woke up on the couch and found Mike in his bed, shot in the neck with a shotgun.

Jack told the police that he came over that morning to bring me peppers and tomatoes to use with the steaks and he heard Mike tell me to blow my head off.  I don't know for sure what happened.

....and then later.....

only God knows....maybe Mike wanted to die due to the physical state he was in and had been for the past 10 years. Maybe he used me to accomplish his mission.

Here are the things I wonder....

1.   Would Mike still be alive today or was is health in such decline he would have died on his own?
2.   If Chuckwa was getting the gun to kill himself and tripped and the gun went off? (the wound was in the back of the neck)
3.  If a person who accidentally kills someone should spend their life in prison or be given a chance after they have paid time for the crime?
4.  If Chuckwa would have opted for a jury trial...where would he be today?

what....what do you wonder?

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.  Psalm 139:16

THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Mitchell Gassaway & Jones LLP: James M. Mosley

**An effort was made to contact Mr. Mosley for an interview.  No contact has been made to date.

"I got railroaded due to the fact of not having any money for an attorney.  My attorney didn't try to help me at all.  He knew the deck was stacked against me.  NE WAYZ I wasn't an easy win 'cause of the emotional state I was in at the time.  I was under a great deal of duress.  I just wanted it to all be over with so I took the easiest way out.  I think the truth would never be heard nor was it ever searched for.

They questioned me on the day of the event 'till I finally got tired of messing with them and told them OK,  I shot the guy because he called my mom a bitch can I go lay down now?

I kept telling them I didn't know what happened and they kept telling me you'll feel better if you just tell us .  I threw up in the trash can and the kept questioning me.

They shouldn't have been questioning me in the state I was in and my attorney should have gotten all that scratched.  But his wife was pregnant during all this so he didn't have time for my case as he was busy tending to her.  She had her baby right around the time I was due to go to trial.  He told me I better take the 40 years or would end up with life and 20 years stacked on.

I've thought a lot about tryin' to change my plea agreement...if nothing changes, I will come up for parole the 1st time in 2030.  

I am not a murderer or a liar or a thief and I am truly remorseful."

Lamentations 1:20

"See, O LORD, for I am in distress; My spirit is greatly troubled; My heart is overturned within me, For I have been very rebellious. In the street the sword slays; In the house it is like death.