Since we're less than 48 hours away, I decided to watch the video again. It's been a few months since I watched it, so I wanted to make sure my memory was accurate. I always fast forward to the time John pulls into the driveway, which narrows the time down to 30 seconds.
By the time he exits the car and gives a warning shot, the time is reduced to 26 seconds. He then tries to place the subject into a bear hold, but he is quickly flipped around, and another individual enters the fight.
Twenty-five seconds from the time the other individual enters, they stomp on John's back before jumping on it and choking him. John quickly falls to the ground, where the two individuals take 17 blows to the head with unidentified objects.
They brutally beat him with blunt force objects for fourteen seconds. FOURTEEN seconds out of 25. Know how long it took from the time they let go of him, for him to shoot? 1.62 seconds. Have you ever been grabbed by the back of your shirt and dragged? It kind of chokes you, right?
John was grabbed by the back of his shirt and dragged across the driveway over his gun. The same gun I believe the subject was going to pick up first and use on him. The subject let go of John but didn't flee. The subject stutter-stepped before fully running away. John had less than a second to make a decision, and at that point, he shot.
I don't know one person, unless delusional, who wouldn't make the same decision. John had no clue who the second individual was. All he knew was the hits he was taking were forceful, causing him to black out for a split second. He was powerless.
A fourteen-second brutal beating, a 1.62-second decision to shoot to save himself, has caused him 18 years to life. He'll never have family dinners again.
We get fifteen minutes to argue the facts during oral arguments. Let me break them down for you.
Facts:
1. This was a planned attack, a premeditated attack from the other party.
2. The State's witness, who went on record and said "I was in the kitchen," is seen on the front porch walking nonchalantly across the porch before peeking her head around the corner.
3. John was threated numerous times and didn't respond/react. He laughed them off.
4. The daughter, who also went on record, lied under oath and should have been impeached, but when argued, the judge overruled.
5. It has been known, mentioned, and bragged about. "When something happens to him, we'll get everything."
6. They had motive.
7. The responding officers lied under oath and the video proves it.
8. 20 seconds of footage MISSING!
9. The weapons that were used were never recovered; instead, a lighter and a pack of cigarettes were photographed and appear to be staged.
10. FOURTEEN seconds were used brutually attacking John.
These are the facts, and they were never brought up during the trial. Instead, we had prosecutors who wanted to take a plea deal—a 10-14 year plea deal. We had pictures sent the night of John's attempted suicide, celebrating their "win" from the lies and corruption.
Does this seem fair to you?
I'm having a hard time thinking, focusing, or formulating a coherent thought. My mind is everywhere, and the closer we get, the more frantic I become. I have learned to let God take everything, surrender all fears, anxiety, and worry. Let go of the hate and anger. I've done that, and I've done a pretty good job of forgiving the people who planned this.
Yet, I am so disappointed in our judicial system, from our judges to prosecutors, from our responding officers to our clerks of court, and the media. It's all one-sided.
The next time you are in a fight or flight situation, and you respond in a way you never thought you would, think of how long it took you to make that decision. I guarantee you it was less than a second.
I am requesting prayers for Monday morning, November 25th, at 9:30 a.m. If you can take FOURTEEN seconds out of your morning to say a prayer for John, his attorneys, the prosecution, and the judges, I would truly appreciate it. I have little faith in our judicial system, but I have faith in the power of prayer. My God will make a way. He always does.
"Mighty God, grant me the courage to face challenges with resilience. Strengthen my spirit so that I may find comfort in knowing that Your power sustains me. In You, I discover unwavering strength. In Jesus' Name, amen".
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