From: "george martin"
Date: January 4, 2010 12:47:01 PM CST
To: Lenny Leatherman

 
IF YOU  ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT RICKY CARTER BEING PAROLED, THEN I SUGGEST YOU LEARN  HOW TO COUNT.  HE HAS SERVED  9 YEARS NOT 5.   THIS MAN IS ON DIALYSIS 3 TIMES A WEEK, AND I DON'T SEE THAT THERE IS ANY WAY HE CAN BE A THREAT T0 SOCIETY AS THE PAROLE USED AS AN EXCUSE, AMONG OTHER REASONS THAT MAKE NO SENSE AT ALL.
 
WHY CAN'T YOU LET THESE GIRLS REST IN PEACE?  CHRISTIANS KNOW HOW TO FORGIVE--AND I DON’T BELIEVE THESE GIRLS MEMORY SHOULD BE FOREVER BROUGHT INTO VIEW EACH AND EVERY TIME HE IS UP FOR PAROLE.  IT ISN'T THAT HE DÍDN'T MAKE  A BAD CHOICE.  THAT WE KNOW IS TRUE AND HE IS PAYING HIS DEBT TO SOCIETY.  NOT ONLY THAT HE IS BEING PUNISHED IN WAYS THAT YOU ARE PROBABLY UNAWARE OF.  SINE HIS INCARCERATION HE HAS LOST THREE SISTERS AND HIS WIFE TO DEATH.  JUST WANT ALL OF YOU TO KNOW THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY. 

*****

The following is in response to Mr. George Martin's email concerning Ricky Carter's incarceration:

 
Mr. Martin,
 
Thank you for pointing out my imperfections. There may be other mistakes on the website since most of the posts contain dates that were accurate when they were posted. 

I accept your assertion that Carter has served 9 years - that equals 2.25 years for each child he killed. 

 
Mr. Martin, I have a couple of questions for you. Do you have daughters?  How much are their lives worth; 2.25 years, 25 years - just how much? 

Mr. Martin, I hold no unforgiveness in my heart for Carter. I forgave him long ago. But in the minds of intelligent AND compassionate people there must always be a distinction between forgiveness and justice.  God expects us to forgive; He also expect us to administer justice in a civilized society.  

 
Family members of the girls who were slaughtered are also Carter's victims. They endure an extreme injustice by making them relive that horrible carnage each year when Carter is again considered for parole.  Mr. Martin, how long do you feel the family members should be made to suffer?  How does Carter's crime fit their punishment?  They could simply walk away and agree with you that 2.25 years is all their precious daughter's life was worth, but what kind of justice would that be?   
 
Mr. Martin, can you or anyone else deny that Carter is a victim of his own choices?  It is true - there are two sides to every story.  In this case the "other side" of the story is the tragedy Carter inflicted upon himself and his own family.
 
Mr. Martin, in keeping with what I believe to be your desire, I intend to post your comments defending Ricky Carter on the website.  I shall also post my response to you.
 
Respectfully,
 
Lenny Leatherman