Letter: Pray for compassion in justice system

Gregory Wright's mother and teenage sisters made the long trip to visit him at Preston Youth Facility.

[Not so critical]

Thank you James, for helping Gregory Wright.I hope when Oroville gets a New D.A. IT IS ONE WITH A HEART.

[Mark D]

HE BROUGHT A GUN TO SCHOOL TO KILL HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND!!! WHAT PART OF THAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND??? Would the ER please stop giving this nut a soapbox please? Gregory the peaceful misunderstood protector and peacemaker? Give me a break? How about Gregory the dangerous bad apple that I don't want anywhere near my kids? How about Gregory the kid who brought a gun to school to kill his ex-girlfriend? He is dangerous and should be locked up! I am glad he is locked up! I am sure most parents agree with me.

[Bob]

Thanks you Chico ER for giving people a "soap box" as Mark D stated, to practice their First Amendment Rights.
How it really works.
Butte County will not get a new DA until this DA decides to leave. He knows wjow to be a politician first, a requirment for the DA's, Judge's, Sheriff's etc. You must prove to the power base that you can get the job done without stepping on certain families, that is, a protected class. You must be willing to bend the lwa to make this work, you must be part of the network and know who is available for prosecution. Here you list for both. Now go and scare the hell out of the public and make us some money. You'll get a lot ov overtime and a good retirement if you play the game with us. We will make sure youhave the rift-raft you need but again, stay on our road.

[Who cares]

I'm sorry, I wasnt aware that anyone cared whether or not Gregory's family went to visit him? The long 225 mile journey? Boohoo. He took a gun to school with the intent to kill a girl who didnt want to date him anymore most likely because he was mentally unstable. But let us all stand around patiently waiting for updates on his status. NO ONE CARES!!!! He's locked up where he cant hurt that poor girl or anyone else's kid, and Thank God he will be that way for quite some time.

[For the record]

Great! We now no that at least one individual does not care. Wait until someone who you do care about gets involved in Butte County's unjust court system and then let us hear what you have to say. Just so you know the facts it was never even suggested that he intended to kill some "girl". He was falely charged with attempting to murder some boy that was not even in school when the gun was brought to school. No matter how hard you huff and puff the fact remains that Gregory was guilty of discharging a gun in school and nothing more.

For the record

Who cares wrote:

I'm sorry, I wasnt aware that anyone cared whether or not Gregory's family went to visit him? The long 225 mile journey? Boohoo. He took a gun to school with the intent to kill a girl who didnt want to date him anymore most likely because he was mentally unstable. But let us all stand around patiently waiting for updates on his status. NO ONE CARES!!!! He's locked up where he cant hurt that poor girl or anyone else's kid, and Thank God he will be that way for quite some time.

[Who cares]

For the record wrote:

Great! We now no that at least one individual does not care. Wait until someone who you do care about gets involved in Butte County's unjust court system and then let us hear what you have to say. Just so you know the facts it was never even suggested that he intended to kill some "girl". He was falely charged with attempting to murder some boy that was not even in school when the gun was brought to school. No matter how hard you huff and puff the fact remains that Gregory was guilty of discharging a gun in school and nothing more.
For the record<quoted text>

You mean, Gregory was charged with plotting to murder the new interest of his ex-girlfriend. And it is irrelevant that the interest wasnt at school at the time he brought the gun. Gregory brought the gun to school with the intent to harm that person, regardless of whether or not the person was there. And low and behold, even though he wasnt there Gregory still fired the gun. You state the fact that he's guilty of discharging a gun in a school like it's acceptable behavior. What level-headed, responsible, intelligent individual carries and discharges a loaded firearm in a school? No one! If Gregory was so upset, he should have spoken with a counselor or a family member. This petting his head and holding his hand through his blatant disregard for human life and the safety and well being of others is stupidity at it's best.

[For the record]

Assuming for argument that Gregory did intend to kill someone, a persons intention does not constitute a crime. The fact is that the district attorney charged this kid with an unfounded attempted murder charge so that he could prosecute him as an adult. There was absolutely no attempt to murder anyone and Gregory never had the intent to hurt anyone. But even if his ALLEGED VICTIM had been present at school that day and Gregory walked up to him and just seconds before he shot him Gregory changed his mind and did not take his intended action, then no crime would have been committed. So if he didn't even see his ALLEGED VICTIM that day, how could he have attempted murder. Fortunately we don't lock people up in this country for what they are thinking. At any rate he didn't even attempt to hurt anybody. And I agree with you that he should be seriously punished as a juvenile for discharging a gun at school. But even murderers often get less than 22 years in prison. Charge him and punish him for what he did not for all of the unfounded charges that the district attorney filed against him just so he could try him as an adult. But even for an adult the range of punishment for discharging a gun in school is 3,5 or 7 years and without a serious record they would be eligible for probation. 22 years is inhumane and a travesty of justice. Once again I hope that someone who you DO care about doesn't get caught up in Butte County's system of injustice. If that were to happen, I am sure that your outlook would change.

Incidentally Gregory and his family did actively seek help prior to the gun event. But such help proved to be elusive and none was offered.

For the record

Who cares wrote:

<quoted text>
You mean, Gregory was charged with plotting to murder the new interest of his ex-girlfriend. And it is irrelevant that the interest wasnt at school at the time he brought the gun. Gregory brought the gun to school with the intent to harm that person, regardless of whether or not the person was there. And low and behold, even though he wasnt there Gregory still fired the gun. You state the fact that he's guilty of discharging a gun in a school like it's acceptable behavior. What level-headed, responsible, intelligent individual carries and discharges a loaded firearm in a school? No one! If Gregory was so upset, he should have spoken with a counselor or a family member. This petting his head and holding his hand through his blatant disregard for human life and the safety and well being of others is stupidity at it's best.

[Common Sense]

Using your definition of “Attempted Murder” you’re saying I can tell people I am going to kill you, go get a gun, take the gun to a place where you should be and not be guilty of attempted murder? If you agree with that statement then how about this: I went ahead and took a shot at you but missed on purpose because I changed my mind as I was pulling the trigger. Or this: I just shot you in the arm because I did not want to kill you. It seems to me that you are basing your opinion on what you think Gregory was thinking. Unfortunately nobody can read someone else’s mind so what we have left are the facts. He said he was going to do it, he armed himself and went to the place that person was supposed to be. That is Attempted Murder and fortunately we do lock people up in this country for it.

For the record wrote:

Assuming for argument that Gregory did intend to kill someone, a persons intention does not constitute a crime. The fact is that the district attorney charged this kid with an unfounded attempted murder charge so that he could prosecute him as an adult. There was absolutely no attempt to murder anyone and Gregory never had the intent to hurt anyone. But even if his ALLEGED VICTIM had been present at school that day and Gregory walked up to him and just seconds before he shot him Gregory changed his mind and did not take his intended action, then no crime would have been committed. So if he didn't even see his ALLEGED VICTIM that day, how could he have attempted murder. Fortunately we don't lock people up in this country for what they are thinking. At any rate he didn't even attempt to hurt anybody. And I agree with you that he should be seriously punished as a juvenile for discharging a gun at school. But even murderers often get less than 22 years in prison. Charge him and punish him for what he did not for all of the unfounded charges that the district attorney filed against him just so he could try him as an adult. But even for an adult the range of punishment for discharging a gun in school is 3,5 or 7 years and without a serious record they would be eligible for probation. 22 years is inhumane and a travesty of justice. Once again I hope that someone who you DO care about doesn't get caught up in Butte County's system of injustice. If that were to happen, I am sure that your outlook would change.
Incidentally Gregory and his family did actively seek help prior to the gun event. But such help proved to be elusive and none was offered.
For the record <quoted text>

[La Migra]

The kid is nothing but white trash.
If he were politically connected or a Mexican he would be out on the streets by now.

[Moose knuckle]

I'll pray for the justice system and Wright.

Right after I get done praying for the victims.

[For the record]

Use your search engine and type in California Jury Instruction Criminal then look at jury instruction 600 and perhaps you will understand what constitutes attempted murder.

For the Record

Common Sense wrote:

Using your definition of “Attempted Murder” you’re saying I can tell people I am going to kill you, go get a gun, take the gun to a place where you should be and not be guilty of attempted murder? If you agree with that statement then how about this: I went ahead and took a shot at you but missed on purpose because I changed my mind as I was pulling the trigger. Or this: I just shot you in the arm because I did not want to kill you. It seems to me that you are basing your opinion on what you think Gregory was thinking. Unfortunately nobody can read someone else’s mind so what we have left are the facts. He said he was going to do it, he armed himself and went to the place that person was supposed to be. That is Attempted Murder and fortunately we do lock people up in this country for it.
<quoted text>

[bubu]

My brother is mentally sick. If he did what this guy did I'd want him where he could be protected and controlled. His family might be able to have him relocated at some point.

[Common sense plus]

Dear common sense:

In order for there to convict for attempte murder there must be a union of intent with action. You should truly read California Jury Instruction Criminal No. 600. And the action must be a "direct step" towards the alleged intended victim. If the alleged victim was never seen by Gregory, what constitued the attempt? Google California Jury Instructions and you might learn something that will make you realize that we have a DA that makes the law up according to his whims.

Common sense plus

Common Sense wrote:

Using your definition of “Attempted Murder” you’re saying I can tell people I am going to kill you, go get a gun, take the gun to a place where you should be and not be guilty of attempted murder? If you agree with that statement then how about this: I went ahead and took a shot at you but missed on purpose because I changed my mind as I was pulling the trigger. Or this: I just shot you in the arm because I did not want to kill you. It seems to me that you are basing your opinion on what you think Gregory was thinking. Unfortunately nobody can read someone else’s mind so what we have left are the facts. He said he was going to do it, he armed himself and went to the place that person was supposed to be. That is Attempted Murder and fortunately we do lock people up in this country for it.
<quoted text>

[Common Sense]

Common sense plus wrote:

Dear common sense:
In order for there to convict for attempte murder there must be a union of intent with action. You should truly read California Jury Instruction Criminal No. 600. And the action must be a "direct step" towards the alleged intended victim. If the alleged victim was never seen by Gregory, what constitued the attempt? Google California Jury Instructions and you might learn something that will make you realize that we have a DA that makes the law up according to his whims.
Common sense plus<quoted text>

After reading California Jury Instruction Criminal No. 600 (thank you for that information) I have come to the conclusion that we will never agree on this subject. In my view the intent was he told people he was going to do it and obtained a gun, add to the intent and the direct step was going to where the intended victim should have been (not could have been or might have been, but should have been). The fact that by the grace of god this person was not at school that day is covered in the above code:
[A person who attempts to commit murder is guilty of attempted murder even if, after taking a direct step toward killing, he or she abandons further efforts to complete the crime, or his or her attempt fails or is interrupted by someone or something beyond his or her control. One the other hand, if a person freely and voluntarily abandons his or her plans before taking a direct step toward committing the murder, then that person is not guilty of attempted murder.]
He did not freely or voluntarily abandon his plan, the intended victim was just not there that day.
Your last statement about the DA is completely opposite of my view. He has always dealt down in an attempt to obtain a plea. In this case he finally offered a “deal” that fit the crime. And that deal was accepted by the defendant, the public defender, and the courts.

[Common sense plus]

Dear common sense

If in fact you did read the subject jury instruction, you misread it. That instruction clearly states that "planning" and "arranging" as well as obtaining (in this instant the gun) does not constitute an attempt. There must be an unambiguous direct step (i.e. pointing the gun at the intended victim and pulling the trigger). Even if he missed the very act of pointing the gun and pulling the trigger constitute the attempt. Just because he went to school (as the law says he must) does not constitute a direct step even if his ALLEGED intendended victim was at school that day. He would have had to have taken some "overt action" towards the ALLEGED intended victim. Fortunately there is no law against your thoughts and intentions, in this country, unless you act on those thoughts and intentions. It will be interesting to see, once the Gregory Wright case is returned to Butte County, just how this out of control district attorney will try and convince a jury that once a person, allegedly, entertains a thought and intention to due something unlawful that from that point on he is guilty whether or not he carries out the act. To use your reasoning If someone decided to punch another in the nose and approached said person to do the act but decided at the last moment that he or she it was not the right thing to do, that person would still be guilty of assault. Be real and watch what happens when this case comes back to Butte County and Gregory Wright actually gets an attorney who will actually defend him.

Common sense plus

Common Sense wrote:

<quoted text>
After reading California Jury Instruction Criminal No. 600 (thank you for that information) I have come to the conclusion that we will never agree on this subject. In my view the intent was he told people he was going to do it and obtained a gun, add to the intent and the direct step was going to where the intended victim should have been (not could have been or might have been, but should have been). The fact that by the grace of god this person was not at school that day is covered in the above code:
[A person who attempts to commit murder is guilty of attempted murder even if, after taking a direct step toward killing, he or she abandons further efforts to complete the crime, or his or her attempt fails or is interrupted by someone or something beyond his or her control. One the other hand, if a person freely and voluntarily abandons his or her plans before taking a direct step toward committing the murder, then that person is not guilty of attempted murder.]
He did not freely or voluntarily abandon his plan, the intended victim was just not there that day.
Your last statement about the DA is completely opposite of my view. He has always dealt down in an attempt to obtain a plea. In this case he finally offered a “deal” that fit the crime. And that deal was accepted by the defendant, the public defender, and the courts.

[Wondering]

If you never see the so-called victim and therefore you can't aim at and try to shoot that person, how does that translate into attempted murder?

Wondering

[Vittorio]

Send Mike Ramsey to Iraq and let the Arabs deal with him for 5 minutes....He will become very compassionate and impartial...quick!! Besides, Ramsey looks like Howdy Doody anyway!!!

[Oroville resident]

I agree with you. But since Ramsey managed to avoid having to serve this country during the viet nam war, do to his college deferment, it is unlikely that you will find this chicken hawk anywhere near a war zone.

Oroville Resident

Vittorio wrote:

Send Mike Ramsey to Iraq and let the Arabs deal with him for 5 minutes....He will become very compassionate and impartial...quick!! Besides, Ramsey looks like Howdy Doody anyway!!!

[Daniel]

Michael "Howdy Doody" Ramsey was a wimp in high school. He was picked on his lunch was stolen daily and he was often chased home from school. This may provide some insight as to why he now trys to be seen as a tough prosecutor. The truth is that he is still a wimp. The "Howdy Doody" thing tells me that you may have known him in school.

Daniel

Vittorio wrote:

Send Mike Ramsey to Iraq and let the Arabs deal with him for 5 minutes....He will become very compassionate and impartial...quick!! Besides, Ramsey looks like Howdy Doody anyway!!!

[Old Hound Dog]

La Migra wrote:

The kid is nothing but white trash.
If he were politically connected or a Mexican he would be out on the streets by now.

Wow, those are strong words to call someone "white trash". I hope someone will help you with such a potty mouth. You must think so high of yourself to be so cruel to degrade someone with such prejudices. This young man was at the beginning of his life really. These are the years that children, teens do stupid things due to emotions. Some teens actually commit sucide. I don't know if he should of been tried as an adult, but he needed punishment. He did not know that the other person was not at school. I can see both sides here. I'm just glad that no other innocent that did not know what was going on got hurt.