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A CRYING SCREAM FOR JUSTICE

At some point in our life we all look for justice, at some level. As years go by and our country grows, the possibility for corruption exists. It becomes more confusing for all of us, the more new laws that are made that try to keep up with our ever changing country. It now seems that with all the new laws that can entangle themselves together, the law enforcement authorities, lawyers, and politicians can twist them to make them what they want them to be. Maybe it's time to seek a complete overhaul of our justice system. Remember, there are more lower to middle class citizens in the United States than upper class.

My family now finds itself dropped into a situation where my son was trying to help authorities in a criminal investigation, and we now find ourselves up against this massive motor of "so-called" justice. We are only one of the small wheels in this motor. The big wheels of this motor are trying to swallow the smaller ones to serve justice their own way. They would rather us just roll over and not take a stand for ourselves. Remember David and Goliath? The smallest of the two won the fight. David had to overcome greater odds, and through faith and perseverance if we stand up, like David, Goliath will fall.

This statement may inform some and may offend others, but my goal here is to clear my son of the grave injustice that he now finds himself a part of. I cannot worry about those who will be offended by this, when my sons life is at stake. This is a statement to inform those who want to know more about our situation. These statements are no more than facts, thoughts, and opinions from a loving father who is scared for his sons life.

I love my children unconditionally and will always be there for them with support whether they are right or wrong. When my children are wrong, I will tell them. I will be the first to stand up and fight for or with them when they are done wrong, and also be the first to praise them when they have done something right. I will always love and care for them without reserve. I know that my son could not have lived consciously with himself had he committed these crimes. Robert and I have been in each others life since 1983. He has always been a sweet and loving boy, curious about life. We, like so many other families, have went through life with all of the ups and downs. We grew to respect each other as years went by. Robert grew to know that I would always be there for him. Now that he is a young man, he has found his niche in life. He has a natural ability with computers. Robert has also found someone to share his life with and had started finding his own way. It had taken him a while, but he was starting to become a productive person in society. As soon as this was starting to happen, he was jerked out of his life and thrust into an impossible situation of injustice.

I, as well as our entire family, want the victims families to know that our hearts and prayers go out to them. The loss of these four young girls is a terrible tragedy, As a loving parent, the mire thought of losing my son lets me feel the pain, for which, I know you are experiencing. I know that you want to see the real murderers tried and convicted for this heinous crime. I think it is a travesty the way the APD and all other law enforcement agencies have treated your families through the past eight years. To withhold information from you, to get your hopes up only to have them dashed out by bungled, mishandled, and manufactured police work. Aren't they thoughtful enough to care about what they have put you through? Shame on all of them to once again rush to get your families and the rest of the community off their backs, by manufacturing a case. You should stand up and scream at them for putting you through so much turmoil. The emotional roller coaster over the past eight years, I'm sure, has been unbearable. We have only lived these last few months with this nightmare so, I can't imagine the suffering you have endured.

There was a crime committed in 1991 in a yogurt shop in Austin, Texas. The police say that the motive was robbery. Yet, during this robbery four girls were tied together and shot in the head, then the store was set ablaze. Does this sound like you typical robbery? There are allegations that there was more to the crime scene but, it's been so sealed that not even the families have had access. APD want us to believe that four boys ages 13 to 17, went into rob a yogurt shop that had less that $100 in the cash register. Not more than half a mile away there was a convenience store with a much higher case flow. APD want us to believe that these four boys, who were scared of committing this crime, spent 47 minutes in the store doing these things.. APD want us to believe that all four boys thought this through enough to carry in a gun, ropes and some kind of flammable substance. Are these typical items a robber carries with him? Does a typical robber spend that kind of time? I think not.

The profile on this crime is that of a psychopathic killer. So, they are telling us that all four boys are psychopathic killers? How likely is it that four psychopathic killers found each other in the sane city at the same time and decided to commit the same crime? How likely is it that they lived with this for eight years without any of them breaking down and coming forward? How likely is it that now they tell us that two boys have confessed to these crimes and that the two current best friends, of the boys, say they bragged about these crimes? One of the best friends in Texas has taken the fifth amendment and the one in West Virginia has recanted his statement (see attached). Could it be that the best friend in Texas pleaded the fifth because he has put through the same berated threats, scare tactics and psychological button pushing that Rose spoke of in his statement? Could Mike and Robert's confessions have been gained in the same manner as Rose's? I do know for a fact that things were not handled correctly in Robert's case.. Would this come to light once they allow these bungled and manufactured investigation techniques and arrests go to trial? Would or could the APD use such tactics on all of these boys in this case?

Furthermore, why did the APD suddenly reopen the case in 8/99, and place a special investigative unit (The Cold Case Unit)on the case, after being closed in 98? Also, why did the APD make four arrests in 7 weeks, and within 13 weeks tried to indict and try to extradite? Why nothing for the past eight years , or immediately following when the trail was 'hot"? Why eight years later? Why no further questioning of the friends from the 1991 investigation until after Rose's recanted statement? Why have they never contacted or questioned the parents of these boys. I believe that this should have been one of the first things that happened in the investigation. Today, I personally wouldn't talk to them in public much less an interrogation room, considering the tactics they have used in the past. What kind of other evidence can they have when the murder scene had so much fire and water damage?

Well, let's look at some of the things that have happened or have been reported about the APD over the past eight years. The Charleston Daily Mail on October 12,1999, page 9, admitted saying that these slayings came at a bad time for embattle police. Within the first year the police chief quit and the homicide squad was investigated and a supervisor over the case resigned and was later fired for alleged misconduct. Read all attached addendums and you will come to your own conclusions. It is or it should be against the law to manufacture a case against someone. Maybe Attorney general Janet Reno should look into this case. There are accusations that say there were A.T.F. officers involved. The same A.T.F. officials that were involved in Branch Dividian controversy. Some Texas law officials make up the rules as they go and they think they are immune to what the rest of us have to live by. My heart goes out to all Texans who have to live in that kind of environment.

We, with our little wheel, have been dropped into this very large motor where they have all the monetary and political power at their disposal. We do not have the financial assets that it will take to fight this fight. Is that the way the justice system is supposed to work? I don't think so, but it does. Today, even guilty people go free because they have the financial backing and political power at their disposal to buy their way out of the crimes they commit. Maybe, it's time that we, the lower and middle class, stand up and scream. We want our justice system rebuilt so that it is the same for everyone not just for those with big bank accounts and for those who "know the right people." Maybe it is time we pass a federal law mandating that all large and small cities, should have a civil review board to police our police so that what has happened in Texas doesn't happen anywhere else. I am sure that by doing this, it may even out the playing field so that we will have the same kind of justice. We must do this so that innocent people are not put in prison for life or be put to death. We cannot put a monetary value on someone's life. Don't be lulled into believing that this will go away or that it doesn't happen in West Virginia. Look at all the people that were convicted because of Fred Zaine.

We need help with our plight. We do not have the assets to fight this fight. We are currently looking for someone who wants to see true justice prevail. Someone who would be willing to take this case pro bono. We have also been informed by lawyers that this will be a political fight. Why is a criminal matter related to political leaders? Isn't it the job of the governor of each state to make sure all facets of the law are operating without corruption and that justice is still being served? On the extradition warrant, did Governor George Bush or Governor Cecil Underwood survey the situation and make sure that justice was being served? It sure doesn't seem so. I was able to find stories and accusations of corruption in the Austin area for the last eight years. So if I was able to do this, then why are they not aware of it? I think if I were in Governor Bush's position that I would make sure that my own back yard was cleaned up before I began seeking the highest seat there is in this country. Governor Underwood, did you really look into this matter? Let me read a quote from your spokesman, Mr. Blackstone. He said in the Charleston Gazette dated Thursday, October 21, 1999, front page, that "The fact that Texas has the death penalty and West Virginia does not, is not an issue." Blackstone said "where justice would best be served."

Let's look at the later statement first. Did you really look to see if justice would be served? I was able to find accusations of corruption and factual evidence that the Austin judicial system has not always worked to make sure that justice was upheld. So why could you not look to find these things? I don't think time was taken to really investigate the matter, because within 24 hours the warrant was signed. So, in saying that, we would like to ask for a stay of extradition to allow us to show you what all we have found. There have also been death threats against my sons life. We know for a fact that Michael Scott, one of the other accused, has been moved from cell to cell because of death threats. There are inmates that have said that Robert will never make it to trial. Is this your idea of making sure justice would best be served? It's not mine.

Now, let's address the first statement that Mr. Blackstone made. It's not an issue of the fact that they have the death penalty and we do not. Why is it not an issue? Are you willing to speak out against the people of your own state? In 1965, the people of West Virginia and the legislature abolished the death penalty, sighting it to be cruel and inhumane punishment. So, now the state is going to send a tax paying citizen of West Virginia to the state of Texas, where they do have the death penalty. Is that justice? I think not. Maybe the warrant was signed so quietly because both Governor Bush and Governor Underwood are republicans, and Governor Bush is running for President. Isn't it odd that all this has come to pass on an election year? Is it possible that Governor Underwood did not want to go against him for that reason? Just a thought.

Since we do not have the monetary means to fight this the way those with money and power do, we have to fight with the resources we have available to us. First with God, for there is no bigger power in the world. And remember, those of you who are corrupt with money and power, "The meek shall inherit the earth." Second, with the voices of the people, the media. I know that most say that they have even made these boys look guilty but, there are respected forms of media and those reporters that only speak the facts. We have run across one here in Charleston. His name is Rusty Marks with the Gazette. He has done as we asked and always went over our statements before he has printed them. He has also not disclosed our identities by our request. Maybe some of the other reporters should stand up and take notice of this respectable man. There is a fine line between hurting and helping someone. If you make a statement and stand behind it, most of the press here will support you. Third and last, we have to hope that some one will police the justice system through this and that justice will some how prevail. We will be screaming for justice all the while this is going on. At this point, all we have to fight with is a court appointed lawyer. Court appointed lawyers can not fight the big wheel of justice without financial backing. I checked in Austin and here and around 97% of all appointed court cases either plea bargain or lose the case.

`On Monday, November 8, 1999, we will be holding a candle light vigil at the capital in standing up against the death penalty. You can call 304-766-6811 and an operator will give you the details. We would also appreciate a call so we might know how many are willing to attend. Thank you for taking the time to consider this.

I have always said that you can act out against me all you want, but do not act out against my children. This time the Austin judicial system has acted out against the wrong child. I will strike back at you with every resource that I have at my disposal. By the end, when my child is free, you will think before you act out against one of the children of West Virginia. Everyone in our country better start praying. How long do you think God is going to allow children to be eaten up by power hungry, money driven politicians? The root of all evil is the love of money and when you read this really carefully you will see that this seems driven by money. I do believe that with all my heart that all the charges will be dropped and my son will be freed. I have faith in God that he will not let anyone punish any more innocent children in this heinous crime. I have a philosophy that I go by and it is "The wheel that squeaks the loudest gets the most oil." So the moral of my statement is this. We have our tiny little wheel in this big motor, but we are going to scream and stomp so loudly that there will be no other alternative but to listen to us. Please help us in our screaming cry for justice.

I have attached documents to support the statements that have been made. For other information on this investigation you can go to www.Austin360.com or www.Texas justice.com There are other possible allegations as to how these murders took place. Use your search engines with the keywords of "Austin Texas Yogurt Shop Murders" to find other sites.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.You may reach me at 304-361-5155 or justice4bert@mailcity.com if you have any comments or suggestions.

Loving and Caring Dad,

Stepfather to Robert Burns Springsteen

Andrew Thompson

 

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