Letter for Zejan
From my brain
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This is the letter I wrote to the judge on behalf of Zejan before his sentencing on March 13, 2009. I couldn't be there because of missing a bunch of time from work, but I sent the letter both to the judge and with his ex-roommate's wife Ellie. One way or another, I'm hoping it will get read in court...even if it doesn't help.
The Letter
Dear Judge W:
I am writing this letter on behalf of my friend {Zejan} (case number is xx xx x xx xxxx). Zejan has been my friend for approximately six years, since shortly after he was employed by Pacer International (where I am still employed). We both worked in the IT field, and through having to work on a joint project, we developed a rapport with each other, quickly growing to be close friends. I consider him to be a brother to me in all respects except sharing parents.
Since I first came to know Zejan, I have known him to be one of the more generous, self-sacrificing, and trustworthy people I have ever met. As a coworker, I have never seen someone with as tireless of a work ethic. I have watched him work back-to-back shifts regularly to make up for staffing issues. I’ve also seen him work second shift one night, go home, do laundry and get two hours of sleep, get his kids ready for school, and then come back to work first shift. I never could understand how he ever did it all. His knowledge at his job was indispensable and the department has been at a loss without his input and skills.
As a parent, we also shared many stories and trials over the years. As a single dad taking care of four children full-time (one of which wasn’t even his), he amazed me. He did everything he could to provide food, clothing, shelter, and the care every child needs with homework and general support just to talk with their parent. This may seem like an exaggeration, but know for a fact that he would go without eating for a number of days so that his kids would have enough food. On top of it, I also know that he would even make plasma donations – more often than recommended – in order to get a bit of extra cash when he wasn’t getting enough overtime at the office.
When times were better for him (and he was able to provide for both his children and himself easily), as a friend, Zejan’s generosity was unparalleled. It seems small, but he was often too prideful to accept something as simple as a cheeseburger bought for him when he was down on his luck. On the other hand, he wouldn’t have a second thought to buy lunch or dinner for another coworker for someone else when they were in the same situation. Whether it was a side comment of wishing they had the spare change for a can of pop or sighing that they didn't have anything for lunch that day, Zejan would soon be out picking up whatever they wanted. It is just a part of who he is as a person.
This is the person who you only see on your docket as {Zejan}. This is still the person who I have visited on several occasions over the last nine months. From the first day I went to visit him, I'm certain he knows full well the seriousness of the charges against him. Innocence and guilt are for attorneys to argue and (in this case) juries to decide, and for judges to pass sentence against. Pleading with you on the basis of my belief in his innocence is meaningless at this point in the process. I disagree with the results, but we all have to deal with the outcome.
Unfortunately, as of now I will be unable to make it for the day of sentencing as I had initially intended. Since I cannot say it in person, this letter will have to stand for me to say to you plainly that I know my friend. Zejan is a caring, generous, and self-sacrificing person. He has been a diligent worker, a devoted father, and the best friend since the first days I’ve known him.
Hopefully this letter reaches you in time, and I ask you to consider all that I have said here and I implore you to be as lenient as you see fit on the day of his sentencing.
Sincerely,
Reflections the day before
Me 21:47, 12 March 2009 (EDT)
According to Ellie, the letter is going to help Zejan personally more than it will help in a legal sense. They've all made their decisions, so at this point, we're dependent on the appeals process alone. It sucks royally, but that's all we have.
I really wish I coulda been there tomorrow though, but with all the kidney stone issues...there was just no way.
Me 21:48, 12 March 2009 (EDT)
And, while I dedicated it to him on my Facebook page, I'll do this here too...
