Help (Please)
In the past four weeks, I have had the support of a large number of the Good People from here, in the DU community. On October 27, in a case of “road rage,” John Guzy shot my cousin, Derek Prindle, and his son, Derek Dylan Prindle, in Bainbridge, NY. My cousin watched sin son bleed to death as he held him in his arms, waiting for an ambulance. Derek then underwent emergency surgery that saved his life.
Since that day, I’ve posted a series of OP about issues ranging from the legal process to the impact this tragic event has had on my extended family. I think that the fact that Mr. Guzy is a retired NYC cop, who had recently begun working as a part-time deputy for the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department, has made this case go from one family’s tragedy, to a part of a larger issue of concern for the public. The combination of being able to “vent” here, and having so many of you providing emotional support, has helped me to maintain my sanity -- or at least to remain as close to sane as I normally am.
Now, I have another favor to ask of you.
In these dark and dreary days, a number of people have said that if there is anything that they can do to help my family and I, they would be willing. So here goes:
On December 5, there is a hearing to be held in Chenango County Court, in which Mr. Guzy will be seeking to have bail set. The District Attorney is strongly opposed to bail being set. I had the opportunity to speak with the DA and the two lead detectives on this case yesterday, at a memorial service for Derek Dylan. One factor that the judge will take into account in deciding if bail is to be set will be if the public voices strong opposition to it.
Obviously, my family, friends, and neighbors will be writing letters to the court, opposing bail being set for Mr. Guzy. Students at our high school are taking up a petition, asking that bail not be set. And if people from across the country take the time to write a letter to the court, it improves our chances of keeping this violent thug exactly where he belongs -- behind bars.
I would very, very much appreciate it if people here would help with this. Such letters should focus on any one or all of the following three reasons to deny bail:
[1] The brutal nature of the crime: John Guzy murdered a 26-year old man, shot the father, and attempted to kill him execution-style while the father tried to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to his son (Guzy placed his hand gun at the back of my cousin’s head, but the bullet lodged in the chamber);
[2] Mr. Guzy threatened to kill both of his victims, and clearly attempted to do so. My cousin and his family are afraid of him, and for good reason. People in the community, including the students at our school, are afraid of Mr. Guzy. This is not an unfounded fear, based upon their wondering what Guzy is capable of. We know exactly what he is fully capable of;
[3] Mr. Guzy poses a substantial flight risk. The District Attorney has a solid enough case, that it is extremely likely that Guzy will be convicted. He faces a life sentence. He has the resources that would allow him to take flight.
Letters can be sent to the District Attorney by way of mail; by fax, or by e-mail. In cases such as this, those sent by “snail-mail” carry the most weight; faxed letters are next; and e-mails carry the least weight of the three. But all are important. (The judge does not read these communications before the hearing for bail, or similar letters before trial. Thus, they go to the DA, who absolutely does read them, and then provides the judge with an overview of the public opinion.)
Here are the addresses for sending a message to the court:
Joseph A. McBride, District Attorney
The Eaton Center
26 Conkey Avenue
Box 126, 2nd Floor
Norwich, NY 13815
Fax: 607-337-1746
E-mail: districtattorney@co.chenango.ny.us
Again, on behalf of myself and my family, I want to say that your support has been greatly appreciated.
Your friend,
Pat (H2O Man)
= new reply since forum marked as read
So very sorry this tragedy has fallen on your family. 
My best to you and your family. 
I think of you and your family often.
and snail mail away. 
This is the first I'm hearing of this. I will certainly send/fax/email the contact.
Done. Best to family.
I'll PM you the snail mail tomorrow from a former New York state resident.
a "copy" of the snail mail I sent to the D.A. He may or may not get a chance to read all the hand-written and typed messages, so we could PM him the exact letter we sent. Then he'd be sure to have a handle on both the numbers and the contents. Until we get another update, let's keep this thread kicked.
Dayum, that's a good idea!
He loved it, and thanked me.
I'm so glad I could help.
