What about justice for my daughter?

There are millions of prisoners here in the United States. The government is in trouble budgeting their existence behind the walls. A recent study revealed a tendency to cut this budget. Just imagine the outflow of money—for one, they are spending an average of $15 per day for food plus doctors’ services, laundry, clothes, shoes, utilities, etc. Seeing how many taxpayers’ billion dollars are being spent for those prisoners, lawmakers are taking a hard look at the possibilities of lessening the spending. Obviously, not every prisoner is a heavyweight criminal but they still get isolated frequently for some small domestic violence or for a mistake that could be forgiven mercifully.
What happened to Carmelita G., my dear daughter, can serve as a real life illustration. She got sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempted murder. Attempted! I am not a lawyer but my heart is in pain for my daughter’s 20 years of precious life, for a wrong but forced step that is already understood and repented from the deepest of hearts! The judge overlooked some of the crucial evidence and how humans act under strong affection and when cornered by life threatening hazards. Had I been allowed to ask one question, I would have asked if they took into account how the problem started and how it developed before the tragedy happened. What about that partner not following the court-issued prohibition not to come closer than 200 feet to her and visiting her again and again? The tragedy should not have happened at all if from the very beginning the guy had not trespassed! If all these circumstances were given weight properly, my Carmelita should not have gotten that harsh 20 years of deprivation of normal life. And her children do not deserve to be deprived of their only parent! No person is above the law but nobody should be put under the too excessive weight of the law, too! Where is that balanced approach to my daughter’s life and future, which our laws demand?

Further, Carmelita is not a person inclined to hurt anyone. She tried only to get out of her car, run away and stay as far away as possible from trouble. Dear judge, it was that partner-guy who blocked her way out! It was him who tried to grab the key! Carmelita closed the window to keep away from him but he broke the window with a screwdriver! The evidence exists! She was cornered and under threat of getting killed (by a loved one!), so in a desperate try to get rid of the imminent danger (and being the weaker of the two!), she had no choice but to step on the gas pedal just to flee! How it can be qualified as attempted murder? The very first thing she tried to do in that situation was run away from the trouble! But the trouble was not letting her go! He was attacking her, forcing her to get under his control! She had all the right to protect her life and safety. There was no plan borne in mind and hatched up before that tragedy!

Our country is not a place like, for example, Pakistan. Something should be done to eliminate cases of finding oneself in jail for 20-plus years for a forced action under unforeseen circumstances. My daughter was sentenced so unjustly! She is already going out of her mind! She needs mercy from our society! My heart aches so much for her, but I am over 80 years old and cannot do anything for her. Good people, please do something to make her burden lighter!

Teddy Guiao 
Lower Navy Hill, Saipan