I finished. Here's my letter (redacted a bit):
To Whom It May Concern:
I write this letter, not because I have to, but because I want to. I write this in the hopes that those with decision-making powers will read this and understand, as I do, that mankind and this man, my friend P, is imperfect, but that his imperfections do not, and should not be deemed to, erase the warmth, goodness and kindness that co-exist within my friend, and within every one of us. I write this about a good man who made a very bad decision, but who is nonetheless, still, a good man.
I met P and his wife (then girlfriend), C, at the beginning of the fall 1995 semester at the University of California, Irvine (“UCI”). C and I were housemates in a co-ed, academic-themed housing residential community named Arroyo Vista. We were both assigned to Humanities Transfer House along with fourteen other foreign exchange, transfer or humanities university students.
During that school year P lived in Los Angeles County, however, he did not attend school full-time and he had a job with very flexible hours. As a result, he had lots of spare time to come out to UCI and visit C. Often he would spend the night, a day or two, or the weekend with C and us.
We were a tight-knit house that year; we got along famously and, apart from our studies, did several outings, trips and activities together as a giant group. We dubbed ourselves “T-House!,” and one of our housemates, an Art major, even designed a logo for T-House for which we eventually made t-shirts that all of us in the house wore, including P. That year P was around so much so that, even though he did not attend UCI, we all felt like he was part of our house, and we liked him as much as we liked one another.
I remember many nights at T-House where a group of us would gather, including P, and just huddle on the floor in the hall, or in someone’s room, or on the balcony and have lengthy, in-depth conversations. Or we would get together in someone’s room or the common room downstairs and all watch a favorite show like “X-Files”.
As C, P and I became closer friends, I was eventually introduced to their hometown, family and friends. I found myself going up to the _____ area more often to hang out with them and their family and friends. We all shared a love of the same music and groups and we went to many concerts together. We would also go out to dinners, to the movies; all the fun things and nighttime thrills that young kids do together.
My impression of P during that time, and my continuing impression of him, is that he thought the world of C; she was his sun, moon and stars. He was loving and devoted to her, and warm and kind to her friends. If they fought or had an argument, he was usually the first to forgive and make-up. He has always struck me as very intelligent, very warm, compassionate and easy-going person. He is very comfortable to be around and I’ve always felt that I could just be myself around him without any judgment from him.
After C and I’s time at UCI was successfully completed, she moved back home and started to begin her career as a schoolteacher, while P was beginning his academic career at University of California, Los Angeles (“UCLA”) and I was contemplating going to law school. We kept in contact and I would often drive up to their area to hang out and go to shows and dinners with C, P and their friends. Eventually, P and C became engaged, and they asked me to be a groomsmen in their wedding.
I remember, quite clearly, the morning of their wedding. It was just P and I in his apartment. We were just talking as we got dressed and prepared for the wedding. I was straightening the tie of his tuxedo, and I just remember how nervous, but excited he was. He told me how he just knew marrying C was the best decision he would ever make and that he wanted to do right by her and finally start their lives together, properly. I loved that day and their wedding. It’s one of my favorite memories; everyone happy and celebrating. I felt like part of the family.
And I have always been treated as part of the family. After P and C had their son "I", I was always welcomed over to their house and called “Uncle”. I spent time just visiting at their home and playing with I, or we would all go to Disneyland for the day. For C’s 30th surprise birthday party, P called me up personally to make sure I would be there and to run the details of the party past me.
Today, I still believe in P, because I don’t believe that people are as uncomplicated as black and white. I continue to have the same impression that I’ve always had about him, that he is a devoted and loving family man and that C, and now "I", remain his sun, moon and stars.
I believe he made a grave mistake and had a serious lapse in judgment, however, I do not believe in any way, shape or form that he is evil or malignant or a threat to society. I believe his felony was an isolated event leaning heavily on a unique set of circumstances and environment. I trust P completely. I would trust him alone with my fifteen year-old sister. I would trust him with my de-facto “nephew”, my best friends’ son, who means the world to me.
I have witnessed P consistently, over many, many years be a great boyfriend, fiancée, husband and father and friend.
It is sad that he fell victim to one of man’s oldest and most ingrained temptations, but I do not believe that alone negates or disqualifies the substance, unique character and goodness innate within this man.
I believe that P is a kind, loving and warm person who faltered and ventured down a disastrous road.
I thank you for your time and consideration of this letter in support of P’s character and goodness. Please feel free to contact me at any time in the future with requests for additional information or verification of my continued support.
Sincerely,
/s__________
Ethan Ysais
Attorney at Law
I agree with Martha.
