August 11, 2007
Honorable Judge Devon Anderson
177th Criminal Court
Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin, 19th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Dear Judge Anderson:
This letter is being written on
behalf of the family of Justin Hocker, who was
Shot and killed by Jose Maria Garcia, Jr., Case No, 107449601010, on
June 25, 2006. Garcia’s trial
was held in your court August 6, through
August 9, 2007.
Garcia was
found not guilty by the jury, and we know there is no recourse
available to us. However we just have to tell someone of our shock and
disbelief when
that verdict
was read. Many of the witnesses for the defense were caught
in out & out lies, and/or contradictions. The forensics and ballistics
specialists
gave their expert
testimonies. Yet, the jury seemed to disregard all of the
evidence.
It makes one wonder just how good our justice system is when a jury of twelve people
totally ignore the evidence,
let alone ponder on it. It appeared they were only interested
in returning the quick not guilty verdict so they would be dismissed
so they could leave.
This
was our family’s first encounter with a criminal case, and I guess up to
this point, we have been naïve in our thinking that justice was always served.
It seems that our justice system is broken,
and we don’t know if it can ever be fixed whereas the victim, and/or survivors, receive the protection
they deserve under
the
law, rather than so much emphasis being put in the criminal’s rights. We feel that they give up their
rights when they commit the crime.
We
thank you for your time in allowing us to voice our opinion on how this trial seemed to be such an exercise in futility,
especially since it took over 13 months to come to trial.
Sincerely,
The Hocker Family
(by Justin's Grandmother Naomi)