Thank You Peanutsdad. I read your ordeal. I understand greatly what you went thru. For this family did the same to me in the very begining of my quest to be in my childs life.
In JUne of 1997, I drove to El Paso to meet with a realitor, so I may purchase some land to put a home on. On the way from Albuquerque to El Paso, TX I broke down in Las Cruces, New Mexico. So I was stuck there for a few hours. I had called the realitor telling him of my situation. I did have my father with me. Who was 82 years old with flew blown Alzhiemers.
I finally arrived in Vinton-West way Texas around 3:30 p.m. Its an area just outside El Paso. I met the realitor and his wife and two children. It was on a sunday. We drove around the same area where my ex lived. I just wanted to be close to my child. In the mean time, this family have must of seen my vehicle in the area. Little did I know of they're evil way of thinking.
Within a couple of hours, I had purchased a plot of land. I had all the paper work, and he had my money. I was talking with my new neighbor next door. When all of a sudden I was surrounded by sheriffs, about four units. I thought what the heckgoing on here. They all pulled guns on me, scared the living heck out of me. I quickly threw my hands in the air. They asked me if I was Mr. B. I said yes. I asked whats wrong officer. He told me to turn around with my hands in the air. Continued to say I was under arrest for threatening my ex wife. I told him that was very untrue. I told them to look in my car, in my briefcase. The papers were there to show I had just purchased this plot of land. Also to called the person from the real estate office to verify my story.
They refused too, saying thats a matter for the courts. They asked me if I knew any one who would watch my father. I said no. They said they would drop him off at the resue mission. I begged and pleaded with them to admitt him to the hospital, because he suffered from Alzhiemers. They refuse to saying they did'nt have the time. Every singole person I have come in contact with spoke spanish. So most of the time I didn't even know what they were saying. So here I go off to jail, never being arrested before. Being charged for something I know I didn't do.
So they put my father and I in the squd car. Drove into the city of El Paso. First dropping my father off at this rescue mission. Then they took me, and booked me into the county jail. So for the next 24 hours, I tried calling every bondsman possible. No one would help me, because I was from another state. I never slept one minute. All I could d0o is worry for my father. I knew he would not be all right.
I was right! The next day, a El Paso city policeman came to see me. Pulled me out of the cell. Asked if my fathers name was Mr. B., I said yes, why? He went on to explain that they had found him in the middle of the highway. He went on to say. It appeared he was beat up, and some attempted to set him on fire, starting at the bottom of his pants. I burst into tears. He continued t9o go on to say he was admitted into the general hospital here in El Paso.
Finally 42 hours later, my friends wired the money to a bondsman. I had to pay the full bond, because I lived in another state. I was let out around 5 a.m. I had to take a taxi back to my car. I drove back into the city once I picked my car up. I went to the hospital where they admitted my father. He was in the phyc. ward. The security would not let me go up the elevators to that area. Finally I seen a nurse going into the elevator. The guard had his head turned the other way talking with another person. I just ran into the elevator quickly.
Once up on the floor. I rang the buzzered. A nurse came to the door. She asked me what I needed. I was here to see my father. I took me the next four hours trying to prove he was my father. Eventually they believed me. What a freakin hassle. Really, I have never in my whole life dealt with such an city full of ignorant and arrogant people. It was true. though, my father legs were burned. His head was pretty messed up as well from the beaten he recieved from some drunks who wanted to steal his belt buckle, because it was made from a very old silver dollar from the 1800's.
I had already been awake close to 90 hours. All I knew, is I wanted out of this freakin city and state. How I got home, I really don't know. For Jesus must have been my driver. for I don't remember the drive. Once home. I took my father to another doctor.
A few days later, I drove back to El Paso, to internal affairs for the sheriffs department. They sent me to thew county attorney, he sent me back to the sheriffs, then that office told me I had to go to the office where I was picked up. It was all freakin BS. No one wanted to take responsibility. Then I come to find out the ex had said I threaten to kill her. I was flabergasted. I have never threatens a persons life, in my life. The report said all the family memebers heard me say that on the phone.
I had no choice but to hire an attorney. I can say the case never went to court. You see I had the reciept from the garage in Las Cruces. Showing a computer read out of the time. It didn't match the same time of the accusations. Also phone records proved to be just as important. It goes to show you, that lies hurt many people. Even ones who are innocent like my father. Trying to be a good christian. I tried to pray for this family. Yet, I'm human as well, I was angry, hurt, torn apart. For my father did not deserve what happened to him.
So here I am 6 years later, trying to deal with the system here in Texas. You know the states motto. Being in Texas is like being in a while other country. I tell you what. With the mentallity of this state. Maybe it should be a whole other country. Texas don't deserve to be a state in this country. Or maybe it should be broken into three parts. The laws and the attitude here really sucks.
I have never felt predijuice in my life until I started dealing with a system which is run by people of non whites. Seriously! I don't like that feeling. Its not how I was raised. But when every body you speak with as an offical, and they all try to talk to you in spanish. How would you feel?
Topic: Dealing with ignorance in a broken legal system . (Read 1274 times)