Sentencing will take place in Peoria on August 23 at 10:00 am. Your presence will provide support for Rob at a very hard time in his life. He does not expect to be in a good mood and will not be able to engage - but seeing a room of supporters will help.
If you have not sent a letter in support of Rob for consideration in sentencing, there is still a little time - do it now - the instructions for mailing are below.
If you have not sent a contribution - PLEASE do so as soon as possible, the costs are mounting. If everyone gives something we should be okay. For those who can give $1,000 or more please do so. The address for mailing is in a post below.
The address for mailing letters or books to Rob is also below; for people just joining the blog there are restrictions on what can be sent so please take a look. As Cheryl said - he needs letters now more than ever.
Thank you.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Visit
My husband and I were able to go see Rob tonight. It was a good visit considering the circumstances. And I would like to remind everyone that if you have not been able to write Rob, please take 5 minutes and write him a little note. He needs reassurance that we all still believe in his innocence and will continue to do so. This next 25 days will be the longest ever for him. In the meantime, keep the faith, get your letters of support for the sentencing hearing sent in! I would also like to thank Lorianne for being the "go to" person for the visits. Remember, take 5 minutes and send Rob a little note so he knows we will not ever forget this fight!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Urgent! Support needed at sentencing - note updated address information!!
You can help Rob by writing a letter in support to be considered at sentencing. There is still time to write, but we need your letters before August 8th.
The sentencing phase is when the judge may consider letters from supporters in deciding what sentence Rob gets between 6 and 30 years! Written statements of support from family and friends can be very useful. The best format is 1 or 2 pages addressing Rob's character, good deeds and any other aspect of who he is that might give the court a reason to sentence him to less jail time. Identify yourself and your relationship to and knowledge of Rob. Provide your character reference for Rob – for example “I know Rob Becker to be a loyal and caring friend and a person of personal integrity whom I trust completely.” It must be your personal statement. Provide an example if it is helpful.
The above is only a suggestion. Use the format with which you feel most comfortable. Please remember, your letters must not criticize the judge, the trial or the prosecutor, nor should they argue that Rob is innocent - at this stage, our life experiences with Rob are all the judge needs to hear.
If you have any concerns about the content, Rob’s lawyer has generously agreed to review and make comments if the draft arrives in time. He can be reached for this purpose at PJCOTTER@arnstein.com
When it is final, the original should be ADDRESSED to:
Honorable Stephen A. Kouri
Circuit Judge - 10th Circuit
Peoria County Courthouse
324 Main Street
Peoria, Illinois, 61602
BUT MAIL it to:
Pat Cotter, Esq.
ARNSTEIN & LEHR LLP
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1200
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3910
to make sure it gets in the record.
Thank you.
The sentencing phase is when the judge may consider letters from supporters in deciding what sentence Rob gets between 6 and 30 years! Written statements of support from family and friends can be very useful. The best format is 1 or 2 pages addressing Rob's character, good deeds and any other aspect of who he is that might give the court a reason to sentence him to less jail time. Identify yourself and your relationship to and knowledge of Rob. Provide your character reference for Rob – for example “I know Rob Becker to be a loyal and caring friend and a person of personal integrity whom I trust completely.” It must be your personal statement. Provide an example if it is helpful.
The above is only a suggestion. Use the format with which you feel most comfortable. Please remember, your letters must not criticize the judge, the trial or the prosecutor, nor should they argue that Rob is innocent - at this stage, our life experiences with Rob are all the judge needs to hear.
If you have any concerns about the content, Rob’s lawyer has generously agreed to review and make comments if the draft arrives in time. He can be reached for this purpose at PJCOTTER@arnstein.com
When it is final, the original should be ADDRESSED to:
Honorable Stephen A. Kouri
Circuit Judge - 10th Circuit
Peoria County Courthouse
324 Main Street
Peoria, Illinois, 61602
BUT MAIL it to:
Pat Cotter, Esq.
ARNSTEIN & LEHR LLP
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1200
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3910
to make sure it gets in the record.
Thank you.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Thank you ~
Greetings and thank you for checking the Free Rob Becker site. Continue reading to find out more about how you can:
Send mail and softcover books to Rob,
Make a contribution for his defense, and
Write a letter in support of Rob at sentencing.
Thank you for your help, your prayers, your thoughts and your actions on Rob's behalf.
Send mail and softcover books to Rob,
Make a contribution for his defense, and
Write a letter in support of Rob at sentencing.
Thank you for your help, your prayers, your thoughts and your actions on Rob's behalf.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Birthday Cobbler
Rob asked for everyone to put 39 candles on a cobbler pie in honor of his Birthday today. He also likes carrot cake and german chocolate cake....so those would work also : )
Sunday, July 8, 2007
one thing I would like to remind everyone of is the web site : www.abuse-excuse.com ,which paints the picture of what has happened to Rob...It will help others understand this syndrome of the "woman's latest weapon" when her back is against the wall in a divorce ,she is desperate and accuses the father of her children of sexual abuseas a way out.
PRRB....please remember Rob Becker.
Dinah Mannlein
PRRB....please remember Rob Becker.
Dinah Mannlein
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Rob could use your help.
Thank you for reading the blog --- you might be asking yourself, what you would do if you or a loved one was falsely accused and convicted of a crime. As you all know by now, this May, a man we respect was convicted of a crime he did not commit. It is unbelievable that it could happen - friends and lawyers attended the trial, heard all the evidence and were shocked that a jury could convict. The jury was moved by the allegation rather than the evidence. A summary follows and you can review the transcript, but those who know the evidence can tell you confidently that the state had no case.
In 2003, Rob and his wife began a divorce after 8 years of marriage. When he sought custody, she accused him of sexually abusing their 3-year-old daughter. Physical evidence does not support the allegation. Immediately after the claimed abuse, 2 examining physicians found no sign of sexual abuse. Based on an exam several months later, a physician stated that the daughter could have been abused but could not say by whom. A physician specializing in sexual abuse testified that there is no possible way the first 2 doctors would have missed the injury alleged by the state. The specialist also testified that the state’s case did not match the physical findings.
Testimony does not support the allegation. The child’s testimony was contradictory and revealed the impressionable memory of a 3-year old. The now ex-wife testified as to what she claims the child told her. As a result of her claims and testimony, she has enjoyed uninterrupted custody of the children for 4 years. Common sense does not support the allegation. The parents were in a custody dispute; the facts from medical evidence and the child’s own testimony fit the profile of a false claim and the mother has made false claims of abuse against others in the past.
Without our help Rob may serve 6 to 30 years in a maximum security prison for a something he did not do. All of us can vouch for Rob’s character as a father, a friend and a man. The people on this blog represent supporters from his family, friends and colleagues.
We have a system for undoing these wrongs, but it is not free. We need your contribution to a trust established solely to fight for justice on Rob’s behalf. None of us should stand by as an innocent man is sentenced to a decade in prison as a child sex abuser.
The jury wrote him off after hearing the allegation of child sexual abuse – we ask that you write a check as a symbol of your belief that the system must work to free an innocent man. Please stand for justice, not simply for Rob, but for anyone who might fall victim to this tactic. Give what you can -- give what you would want if this happened to you or a loved one: $1,000 is possible for some and $100 for others. Thank you for any support you can offer. We need to reach our goal of more than $50,000; we are about 20% of the way.
Please make your check payable and mail it to Rob’s aunt:
Barbara Ward, Trustee
Robert B. Becker Defense Fund Trust
4364 West Arm Road
Spring Park, MN 55384
Thank you.
If you are interested in being more involved, please tell us how and provide your phone number.
In 2003, Rob and his wife began a divorce after 8 years of marriage. When he sought custody, she accused him of sexually abusing their 3-year-old daughter. Physical evidence does not support the allegation. Immediately after the claimed abuse, 2 examining physicians found no sign of sexual abuse. Based on an exam several months later, a physician stated that the daughter could have been abused but could not say by whom. A physician specializing in sexual abuse testified that there is no possible way the first 2 doctors would have missed the injury alleged by the state. The specialist also testified that the state’s case did not match the physical findings.
Testimony does not support the allegation. The child’s testimony was contradictory and revealed the impressionable memory of a 3-year old. The now ex-wife testified as to what she claims the child told her. As a result of her claims and testimony, she has enjoyed uninterrupted custody of the children for 4 years. Common sense does not support the allegation. The parents were in a custody dispute; the facts from medical evidence and the child’s own testimony fit the profile of a false claim and the mother has made false claims of abuse against others in the past.
Without our help Rob may serve 6 to 30 years in a maximum security prison for a something he did not do. All of us can vouch for Rob’s character as a father, a friend and a man. The people on this blog represent supporters from his family, friends and colleagues.
We have a system for undoing these wrongs, but it is not free. We need your contribution to a trust established solely to fight for justice on Rob’s behalf. None of us should stand by as an innocent man is sentenced to a decade in prison as a child sex abuser.
The jury wrote him off after hearing the allegation of child sexual abuse – we ask that you write a check as a symbol of your belief that the system must work to free an innocent man. Please stand for justice, not simply for Rob, but for anyone who might fall victim to this tactic. Give what you can -- give what you would want if this happened to you or a loved one: $1,000 is possible for some and $100 for others. Thank you for any support you can offer. We need to reach our goal of more than $50,000; we are about 20% of the way.
Please make your check payable and mail it to Rob’s aunt:
Barbara Ward, Trustee
Robert B. Becker Defense Fund Trust
4364 West Arm Road
Spring Park, MN 55384
Thank you.
If you are interested in being more involved, please tell us how and provide your phone number.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Four mailing days left until Rob's Birthday
Hi all ~
Just a friendly reminder that there are only four mailing days left until Rob's birthday. :)
Just a friendly reminder that there are only four mailing days left until Rob's birthday. :)
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Letters of support at sentencing
Many people have asked how they can help Rob. In addition to sending him letters in jail and money to the trust for defense costs, you can also help by writing a letter in support of Rob to be considered at sentencing. Sentencing was scheduled for July 18th but it has been postponed so there is still time to write.
Written statements of support from family and friends, provided to the court in advance of sentencing, can be very useful. If you are unfamiliar with the criminal justice system it is the sentencing phase at which the judge considers letters from supporters in deciding whether Rob gets a 6 or a 30 year sentence.
The best format is 1 or 2 pages addressing Rob's character, good deeds and any other aspect of who he is that might give the court a reason to sentence him to less jail time. Identify yourself and your relationship to and knowledge of Rob. Provide your character reference for Rob – for example “I know Rob Becker to be a loyal and caring friend and a person of personal integrity whom I trust completely.” It must be your personal statement. Provide an example if it is helpful.
The above is only a suggestion. Use the format with which you feel most comfortable. Please remember, your letters must not criticize the judge, the trial or the prosecutor, nor should they argue that Rob is innocent - at this stage, our life experiences with Rob are all the judge needs to hear.
If you have any concerns about the content, Rob’s lawyer has generously agreed to review and make comments if the draft arrives in time. He can be reached for this purpose at PJCOTTER@arnstein.com.
When it is final, the original should be addressed and mailed to the address below with a copy to Pat Cotter to make sure it gets in the record.
Send originals to:
Brett Michna
Department of Probation
Peoria County Courthouse
324 Main Street – Room 520
Peoria, IL 61602
Thank you.
Written statements of support from family and friends, provided to the court in advance of sentencing, can be very useful. If you are unfamiliar with the criminal justice system it is the sentencing phase at which the judge considers letters from supporters in deciding whether Rob gets a 6 or a 30 year sentence.
The best format is 1 or 2 pages addressing Rob's character, good deeds and any other aspect of who he is that might give the court a reason to sentence him to less jail time. Identify yourself and your relationship to and knowledge of Rob. Provide your character reference for Rob – for example “I know Rob Becker to be a loyal and caring friend and a person of personal integrity whom I trust completely.” It must be your personal statement. Provide an example if it is helpful.
The above is only a suggestion. Use the format with which you feel most comfortable. Please remember, your letters must not criticize the judge, the trial or the prosecutor, nor should they argue that Rob is innocent - at this stage, our life experiences with Rob are all the judge needs to hear.
If you have any concerns about the content, Rob’s lawyer has generously agreed to review and make comments if the draft arrives in time. He can be reached for this purpose at PJCOTTER@arnstein.com.
When it is final, the original should be addressed and mailed to the address below with a copy to Pat Cotter to make sure it gets in the record.
Send originals to:
Brett Michna
Department of Probation
Peoria County Courthouse
324 Main Street – Room 520
Peoria, IL 61602
Thank you.
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