| 04 March 2010
Posted in News and Updates

An Update from Joy!!

Dear Friends & Family:

Some news to share.

     I  Letters on my behalf are to be at Chris Patterson's Office no later than March 15.  Reminders about the letters:

        A.  Addressed to the Honorable Judge David L. Ashworth, But Send to Patterson, Cody, Taylor & Winters 53 N. Duke St. Suite 420 Lancaster, Pa.  17602-2859
Atten:  Attorney Patterson.
        B.  Appropriate Salutations include:
              You Honor:
               Dear  Judge Ashworth:
               Dear Sir:
        C.  Letters should be double-spaced and concise.
        D.  The purpose of the letter is to give me a "Good Character" Reference & to ask for mercy & leniency from the Judge in his sentencing.
        E.  Do Not opine about the verdict or the Judicial process.  This is not the venue.
        F.  Letters might express how you know me and some tidbit or memory you have of me contributing to society or some good deed that would characterize my nature or core personality trait.

Here are some example sentences from some of the letters (copies) I received thus far:

            1.  " When I moved here I had no family or friends and felt very much alone.  Joy immediately invited me into her family.  I knew if I needed anything at all, Joy O'Shea-Woomer would give  me the shirt off her back."

            2.  "Joy is one of the most compassionate people I've ever known......she has been a person who always seeks to help a person in need, even though she has never had many material things herself."  (This writer & friend went on to describe my care & support for her when she was diagnosed with cancer).

           3.  "I have found Joy to be a hardworking individual who cares deeply about the people around her."

           4.  (From a former Nurse Manager):  "The highest complement that I can give Joy, is to say that I would be very happy to have her care for any member of my family.  I would be assured that they would get the best care available to them.

           5.  "Recently, I heard Joy's son Jimmy speak and I feel Joy's parenting has made a great positive impact on him.

           6.  "Most impressive to us was the way she has raised her own two children .... We have witnessed the love and expressions of the Joy on her face whenever she is around children, especially her own.

           7.  "The environment at the former Community Hospital was small and intimate.  Each employee knew everyone else's reputation.  Joy had a stellar reputation for the highest integrity and trust - both with patients and with other health carspan>e providers.  We always knew we were going to "have a good shift" when we were working with Joy."

           8.  "Joy is a loving and vibrant member of the Lancaster community and we are all looking forward to the day that she returns to us.  Please find it in your heart to recognize all the love and support the community has offered to Joy and please show her a measure of mercy by imposing a just sentence.

II.     Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24th at 9:00am in courtroom #12.

        My attorneys and I have little idea about what to expect.  I was found guilty of 3 separate charges, which runs concurrently.  How the 3 charges will merge is a mystery. Sentencing guidelines don't  address it and since this sentencing law was enacted about 10 years ago, there's never been a case that merged these 3 charges.

        In short, the most severe sentence could "roll" down from 20-40 years. to the lesser sentence of  6 - 7 1/2 years.

III.     Sentencing Witness - I'm permitted to have up to 10 character witnesses to speak on my behalf.

         1.  Am not sure who will be selected.  I need to discuss this with Tom (my brother) a little further.  Potential witness are guaranteed a chance to speak on my behalf and will be notified soon.

IV.  After sentencing, we can start working on an appeal.  How we'll go about this is uncertain.

V.   Also, after sentencing, I will be transferred to the State Correctional Institution at  Muncie, PA (near Williamsport) within 2-6 weeks.

I've been assured by many other inmates who have done time @ Muncie  that life is much
more bearable there compared to here.

Still, it's a maximum security prison.  I could possibly be transferred to a minimum security facility if I choose.  However, it would be much further away (between Pittsburgh & Erie) and would make visiting more difficult  - especially for my parents.

At this point, I'm not thinking too far into the future and doing my best to deal with the present. 

I've learned to sleep 14-16 hours a day.  It's the ultimate escape.  I have some really funky dreams.  Most of the time, the people I love are in them.  Often times, most of my family members are gathered for some occasion while I'm in La-La-Land.

During waking hours, I've honed my scrabble skills,  becoming the one everyone tries to beat. Most challengers, I beat by at least 30 & up to 100 + points.  I especially love it when Ghetto words are attempted.  "What do you mean, "Shanky Ho" is not in the Scrabble dictionary?"

VI.  Jimmy turns 20 on Feb. 28. 

I think that's all the news at this time.  Please stay informed through the JusticeforJoy.org web site. Also, I get to see comments on the J4J Facebook.  So, blog away.

Love to All
Joy