THANK YOU ALL who wrote, sent good wishes, prayed, and otherwise helped out with this. I can't say enough how relieved the family and friends are about this decision. Again, thank you all.
Letter received 8/23/98 from Deborah:
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Dear friends and family,
Thank you so much for all the love and
support you have so generously given
me over the last months. The ordeal
is now over, with very good results.
DeRutte showed not the slightest insight
or understanding into his crime
and only the most superficial gesture
of remorse. The parole commissioners
not only found him "unsuitable for parole
and a continuing danger to
society" but set his next hearing for
the maximum time allowed under the
new California law -- 5 years. This
is usually reserved for the most
violent of "lifers."
But most of all, you all have carried me
through this terrible experience
without nightmares and well on my way
to healing. For this, and your other
gifts, I am truly grateful.
Deborah