Letters From The Inside -- Justice for Jack

December 2005

Greetings all and Happy Holidays! As I approach another holiday season away from my family, I've come to realize that this year seems different than the rest. The exact reasons for that, I'm not sure, but there is one reason that I am certain has something to do with it.

On November 8, 2005, the one person most responsible for my being convicted twice for a crime that never occurred, Rensselaer County District Attorney Patricia DeAngelis, was pummeled senseless (beyond what she already is) at the polls in her bid for Rensselaer County Court Judge. And while I was not personally able to cast my own vote for the more qualified candidate, Bob Jacon, 57% of County voters spoke for me. So, I am hoping those of you reading this are not too electioned out and will allow me to indulge you with my opinion of this past election for judge in Rensselaer County "From the Inside."

WHAT GOES AROUND…

Recently, my brother-in-law, Tim "Uncle Sam" McDonough, sent me several articles from the local papers about the elections. Specifically, the Bob Jacon and Patricia DeAngelis race for Rensselaer County judge. One of the articles had a picture of Ms. DeAngelis leaving the Best Western in Troy after conceding the race to Jacon. Now I must admit, I haven't seen much of DeAngelis since my trial in 2001, but this picture of her did not look at all like the same woman who stood in front of the court during my trial and so arrogantly lied to and deceived the jurors, just to get a conviction. I think this would be a good place to remind or inform you of a statement Ms. DeAngelis made during her campaign; a statement that rang true the second I saw this picture. She said in one of her many brilliant statements, "I am not the same person you see in the courtroom." While I'm not sure exactly what she meant by that, I have my own interpretation of it.

While looking of that picture the first thing I thought of was how Ms. DeAngelis looked-well, the word haggard comes to mind. And then, as I remembered that odd statement she made previously, it occurred to me that she was indeed "not the same person you see in the courtroom." The person I saw in the courtroom was an arrogant, defiant, obnoxious prosecutor, who seemed to be able to say whatever she wanted in the courtroom without concern for consequences. But that person was nowhere to be found in the picture.

After a few moments of staring in disbelief, I noticed a tissue in her right hand. The tissue, along with the look on Ms. DeAngelis' face, was priceless. It led me to conclude that this actress/prosecutor was perhaps, "really-really" crying. Now don't get me wrong, anyone who has spent any time sitting through one of her animated trials has certainly seen plenty of tears from her, but I suspect the cold, harsh reality that she was dealt on November 8th triggered some real tears. After all, up to that point in Ms. DeAngelis' little world, she had convinced herself that everyone just loved her.

I have to admit friends, when the announcement was made that the state approved the creation of a new judgeship in Rensselaer County, and word followed that Joe Bruno spearheaded the effort, I basically threw my hands in the air to the obvious foregone conclusion. Yet, no one, including myself, could have predicted this outcome. Who would ever have expected it possible that the wonderful and powerful "It's Not Fair" DeAngelis could be finally brought down to reality that her behavior is not condoned by the average citizen?

As I looked at picture, with her holding the tissue, I couldn't help but wonder if there is any way possible to get a woman like that to pause for just a moment and think about how many innocent lives her thirst for power has destroyed. How many families, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and children have been destroyed by her unethical conduct? How many sleepless nights and endless tears has this woman left in her wake? The obvious answer is no, it is not possible. Ms. DeAngelis has proven to be the type of person who would never pause to consider anyone but herself. She has shown herself as someone who refuses to acknowledge or admit that she is negligent, or at the very least, makes mistakes. We have all witnessed her time and time again blaming others for the problems she has caused. Heck, she even blamed her gender for causing her to lose the election.

Now, you already know that I was one of Patricia DeAngelis' victims, but what you may not know is that I was her first. My family and children were the first of many lives she destroyed as her reign of terror began back in 1997. I know first hand how evil and corrupt this woman is. I know exactly how far she is willing to go in order to get a conviction. In my case I saw everything from presenting false evidence to altering a taped conversation of the accuser and me. I witnessed it all. But I knew trying to inform the citizens of the county and beyond about this medieval state of justice wouldn't be easy. Who would believe a convicted felon, or his family and supporters that there was unethical conduct and corruption coming from such a powerful and public elected official? Well it took nearly eight years, the destruction of hundreds of lives, and an inordinate amount of wasted taxpayer money, before what I and many others have asserted for a long time took root with the masses in the county.

And while DeAngelis continues to hold the position from which she has inflicted so much pain and one can only assume that her days in that position are numbered, at least she won_t be in a position to have a final say in interpreting and administering the law. We know all too well that she is unfamiliar with the fact there are two ends to the scales of justice. She has been given plenty of rope from her party leaders and from the justice system. I think we know what she's done with that rope.

We all know the saying, what goes around, comes around. And while the justice that I, and many others in Rensselaer County, have been denied still escapes me, the message sent in this November election rings loud and clear. The voters of Rensselaer County have had enough of Patricia DeAngelis. What the people in Rensselaer County may not realize is that Mr. Jacon is not the only winner in that race. By deciding to elect Mr. Jacon as their new judge, everyone in Rensselaer County wins, including the meager 43% that voted for DeAngelis. In fact, even Ms. DeAngelis should consider herself a winner. Those who helped keep her off the bench saved her from herself and what would undoubtedly been years of embarrassment.

I would like to send my personal congratulations to Rensselaer County Judge-elect Bob Jacon. His victory was more about honesty versus corruption and I have no doubt he will serve the citizens of Rensselaer County with the honesty and integrity they have for so many years been denied. Good luck, Judge Jacon!

Jack Carroll