Rebecca has been getting around quite a bit lately and has written articles for The Vallarta Tribune in November and again just last week.
In November, she wrote about Guadalajara’s International Book Fair Click the link and see the article on page 19.
Then just last week, she wrote another article in The Vallarta Tribune about Intellectual Property Rights and Empowering Women. See her article on page 16.
You can write to Rebecca at originalfriendsdolls@gmail.com
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Original Friends - Women's Prison Project
I have written several times about the dolls that Rebecca and some of the other inmates have made in the last year and a half. They are beautiful and each one is unique. Rebecca has gained her freedom, of course, but the Original Friends doll project continues and is a lasting example of the spirit of a woman drawn to make the best of an impossible situation.
There is now a web page where you can go to find out even more about how this doll project came about and personal infromation about the women that are involved. Go to Original Friends - Women's Prison Project to see the page.
As for Rebecca...
She is enjoying her freedom and has been to visit her mother and sons, as well as other family members. She is enjoying those visits, but is also anxious to go back to Mexico to resume her life and get her home back in order.
Life presents paths as we move along and Rebecca is looking for her path to follow. As always, she will make the best of whatever path she follows.
If you would like to know more about what she is up to and communicate with her, you can go to her Facebook page at Rebecca Roth and ask to be her "Friend."
I do know this much about her intentions...
She would like to acquire a car here, in the States, to drive back down to her home in Puerto Vallarta... not because she wants to make the drive, but because cars are less expensive here than down there and value-wise, it makes sense to her. If there is anyone out there that has a car to sell at a very reasonable price ($5K or less) to this lady in need or anyone that would like to donate a car for her use, it would certainly be appreciated. If so, please contact her and let her know. She will be in the Seattle area around the middle of June and leaving from here.
This may be my last post on this blog as I intend to turn it over to Rebecca to maintain when she arrives for her visit. So, check back as time goes on to see what she has to say and feel free to post comments and words of encouragement to her.
I want to thank all the readers of this blog for their support of Rebecca Roth in her time of need and for your encouragement to me along the way. Hopefully, we made a difference... together. I think knowing that all of you cared did make a huge difference for Rebecca.
Again, thank you!
David Dickinson
Seattle, WA
There is now a web page where you can go to find out even more about how this doll project came about and personal infromation about the women that are involved. Go to Original Friends - Women's Prison Project to see the page.
As for Rebecca...
She is enjoying her freedom and has been to visit her mother and sons, as well as other family members. She is enjoying those visits, but is also anxious to go back to Mexico to resume her life and get her home back in order.
Life presents paths as we move along and Rebecca is looking for her path to follow. As always, she will make the best of whatever path she follows.
If you would like to know more about what she is up to and communicate with her, you can go to her Facebook page at Rebecca Roth and ask to be her "Friend."
I do know this much about her intentions...
She would like to acquire a car here, in the States, to drive back down to her home in Puerto Vallarta... not because she wants to make the drive, but because cars are less expensive here than down there and value-wise, it makes sense to her. If there is anyone out there that has a car to sell at a very reasonable price ($5K or less) to this lady in need or anyone that would like to donate a car for her use, it would certainly be appreciated. If so, please contact her and let her know. She will be in the Seattle area around the middle of June and leaving from here.
This may be my last post on this blog as I intend to turn it over to Rebecca to maintain when she arrives for her visit. So, check back as time goes on to see what she has to say and feel free to post comments and words of encouragement to her.
I want to thank all the readers of this blog for their support of Rebecca Roth in her time of need and for your encouragement to me along the way. Hopefully, we made a difference... together. I think knowing that all of you cared did make a huge difference for Rebecca.
Again, thank you!
David Dickinson
Seattle, WA
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Dolls by Rebecca
The dolls shown on the webpage linked below are a sampling of the doll art created by Rebecca Roth and other inmates of the Women's Prison in Guadalajara. To order one, please contact Rebecca's sister Barbara at eslbjm@hotmail.com or call her at 323-786-9819. You can also write directly to Rebecca at vallartagal@hotmail.com to send messages of support or to exchange a donation for a unique piece of handcrafted art.
Click to see... Dolls by Rebecca
Click to see... Dolls by Rebecca
Rebecca Roth in US
Hi All,
I had planned to turn this blog over to Rebecca so she could keep everyone updated as to her comings and goings, revelations and scintillations, but... it appears she has been way to busy getting her life back together and figuring out which direction to turn in creating her new future to even attempt to learn this new fangled thing called Blogging.
So, here I am with more news to post.
Rebecca is in the US visiting her mother. Our son Evan, my wife Beverly and I picked Rebecca up at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport the other day on a layover during her trip to Walla Walla, WA where her mother is in an assisted living home. It is such a relief for all that she is there and able to visit with Hilda as she approaches her 89th year.
So, we pick her up during her layover and Evan treated us all to a great dinner at Bahama Breeze in Southcenter. Great food and beverages, fun conversation and a very healthy and mentally stable Rebecca Roth. It was great! She had some stories to tell and news to share.
One of the biggest bits of news was that she had made her way back to Puerta Vallarta to assess damage done to her home by the "caretaker" that was given free rent to care for her home. After some assistance from local friends in getting the back utilities paid, she was able to wade through the debris of her belongings and home fixtures and attempted to put things back in order. For the most part, she did a good job, as she related the story. It is such a shame that a "friend" would take such advantage and treat her personal property as so much junk. Very sad.
On a much brighter note... She's got dolls! As we were checking her bags back into the airport, she broke into one suitcase to reveal what appeared to be about 30 dolls of all shapes, sizes and themes. Many of them were absolutely beautiful. In some circles in Mexico, these dolls have been purchased and recognized as works of art. Each one is hand made and unique in style and design.
Here is a handful of pictures of some that she brought with her. So far, I have heard that she has sold about ten of the dolls to the residents and family memebrs of the people that her mother, Hilda, lives with.
I will be posting all of the pictures of dolls that I have received from Rebecca's sister Barbara over the last few years so that you can see them all in one place.
If anyone would like to purchase a doll, the prices range from only $25 to $100. Of course, prices vary depending on detail, etc. To order a doll, contact Barbara at eslbjm@hotmail.com or call her at 323-786-9819.
Note:
Rebecca has no idea I am writing this part, but...
After all that she has been through, her assets have been depleted, her business run out of business and her home literally ransacked... not to mention legal bills that have consumed funds. She could use some help. If you would like to make a difference, a donation in return for a handcrafted piece of art would be a great way to do so. Your unique doll will be a conversation piece and an investment in a new beginning for Rebecca. Contact Barbara to find out how you can help, please.
I had planned to turn this blog over to Rebecca so she could keep everyone updated as to her comings and goings, revelations and scintillations, but... it appears she has been way to busy getting her life back together and figuring out which direction to turn in creating her new future to even attempt to learn this new fangled thing called Blogging.
So, here I am with more news to post.
Rebecca is in the US visiting her mother. Our son Evan, my wife Beverly and I picked Rebecca up at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport the other day on a layover during her trip to Walla Walla, WA where her mother is in an assisted living home. It is such a relief for all that she is there and able to visit with Hilda as she approaches her 89th year.
So, we pick her up during her layover and Evan treated us all to a great dinner at Bahama Breeze in Southcenter. Great food and beverages, fun conversation and a very healthy and mentally stable Rebecca Roth. It was great! She had some stories to tell and news to share.
One of the biggest bits of news was that she had made her way back to Puerta Vallarta to assess damage done to her home by the "caretaker" that was given free rent to care for her home. After some assistance from local friends in getting the back utilities paid, she was able to wade through the debris of her belongings and home fixtures and attempted to put things back in order. For the most part, she did a good job, as she related the story. It is such a shame that a "friend" would take such advantage and treat her personal property as so much junk. Very sad.
On a much brighter note... She's got dolls! As we were checking her bags back into the airport, she broke into one suitcase to reveal what appeared to be about 30 dolls of all shapes, sizes and themes. Many of them were absolutely beautiful. In some circles in Mexico, these dolls have been purchased and recognized as works of art. Each one is hand made and unique in style and design.
Here is a handful of pictures of some that she brought with her. So far, I have heard that she has sold about ten of the dolls to the residents and family memebrs of the people that her mother, Hilda, lives with.
I will be posting all of the pictures of dolls that I have received from Rebecca's sister Barbara over the last few years so that you can see them all in one place.
If anyone would like to purchase a doll, the prices range from only $25 to $100. Of course, prices vary depending on detail, etc. To order a doll, contact Barbara at eslbjm@hotmail.com or call her at 323-786-9819.
Note:
Rebecca has no idea I am writing this part, but...
After all that she has been through, her assets have been depleted, her business run out of business and her home literally ransacked... not to mention legal bills that have consumed funds. She could use some help. If you would like to make a difference, a donation in return for a handcrafted piece of art would be a great way to do so. Your unique doll will be a conversation piece and an investment in a new beginning for Rebecca. Contact Barbara to find out how you can help, please.
Monday, April 19, 2010
American reflects on life behind Mexican prison bars
The article below was written by DALE HOYT PALFREY and published in the Guadalajara Reporter on April 16.
Free at last, Rebecca Roth reveals the good, the bad and the ugly of her four-year stint inside the Puente Grande penitentiary.
Two years ago Rebecca Roth and a fellow inmate at the Puente Grande penitentiary started up the production of handmade dolls as an in-house cottage industry. She is more committed than ever to keeping the project rolling now that she has regained her freedom.
These days Rebecca Roth starts each morning with a strenuous workout on a stationary bike. She follows the routine in an effort to gain the upper hand in a friendly exercise endurance challenge she has going with sister Barbara Moodhe and above all, to rebuild her health and vitality.
After cooling off she sits down to a leisurely and nutritious breakfast while taking in a soul-soothing view of Lake Chapala landscapes in the full bloom of Spring.
Just three weeks ago she was living through an entirely different scenario behind the walls of the Puente Grande penitentiary.
During her four years of incarceration she inhabited the cramped and noisy quarters of prison dorms, made up of tiny rooms that usually housed nearly double the number of people they were designed to hold. The largest dorm is equipped with two bathrooms, with a total of four toilet stalls and four showers shared by up to 200 women.
Roth’s days at Puente Grande began with a 6 a.m. wake up call, followed at 7:30 with line up for the first of four daily inmate roll calls. Afterwards she and fellow prisoners would scrounge up a cup of instant coffee to tide them over until the food cart rolled by her cramped dorm to deliver breakfast.
The standard morning fare consisted of lots of tortillas and beans, often with eggs on the side. Fresh fruit was a scarce commodity, kept off the menu to prevent prisoners from squirreling it away to manufacture bootleg liquor. Bottled water could be obtained for a fee, as an alternative to the vile tap water available for free consumption.
After breakfast the inmates are allowed to wander the enclosed prison grounds and busy themselves pretty much as they please. Most spend time at work assignments and other activities that help them rack up credit to obtain sentence reductions.
The system of benefits fits into the model of a prison as a social re-adaptation and rehabilitation center, Roth notes. “You have to cover all specified areas — work, schooling, psychology and integration — for it to count towards early release. It can add up to a 30 percent reduction in time served for common crimes and 60 percent off sentences for federal convictions.”
Roth says that staying busy helped her stay grounded during her prison ordeal. “With lots of things going on, the days passed by quickly and gave me positive outlets.”
At first she spent many hours reading books brought in by her sister and other constant supporters. She is currently starting to reread favorite titles that were sent back out to be kept in Moodhe’s home library. She also dedicated many full days to painting and churning out handmade crafts. During the long months she was behind bars her art work was shown in four separate exhibitions at Guadalajara’s Ex-Convento del Carmen.
Today, the walls of Moodhe’s lakeside home are covered with her sister’s paintings. Roth says each piece stirs up bittersweet memories, reflecting her state of mind at different time points in her prison experience. There are a couple of haunting landscapes showing the two sisters side by side, as well as lively abstracts and brightly colored batiks that seem to represent inner longings and desperate flights of fantasy. The artist has plans for a retrospective exhibit stowed on the back burner.
Rebecca Roth celebrated her release from prison at a gathering of friends including defense lawyers Isidoro de la Garza and Javier Arciniega who were instrumental in springing her from the Mexican criminal justice system.
Roth also took advantage of personal development programs at Puente Grande, signing up for psychology, literature and poetry workshops that helped her maintain emotional and spiritual balance while boosting her writing abilities and proficiency in Spanish.
She contributed a number of English poems, with translation into Spanish, to the first two editions of Rosas en el Desierto, collections of the inmates’ verses compiled by workshop guide Arturo Gallegos and published under the auspices of the state government.
At the instigation of literature teacher Maria Luisa Burillo, Roth took on the daunting task of translating a full-length motivational book on universal values. Getting the English version published is another item now on her to-do list.
To her credit, Roth pushed some of her own initiatives inside Puente Grande that were well received by prison authorities. The English language classes she started were qualified to fulfill the education requirements in the good behavior benefit system.
Dearest to her heart, however is the Doll Factory project Roth and fellow inmate Esmeralda Hernandez launched in 2008 as an in-house cottage industry. Each of the whimsical cloth figures is a one-of-a-kind piece that showcases the creative imagination of the person who created it. Most of the materials used in making the dolls are acquired through donations. Lakesider Ann Dyer provided a sewing machine for the project.
To date more than 100 dolls have been sold to prison staff, other inmates, visitors and outsiders, at prices ranging from 250 to 1,000 pesos. They are also being marketed through the Diane Pearl Gallery in Ajijic and direct sales via emails requests addressed to vallartagal@hotmail.com .
Roth is still committed to fostering the Doll Factory. She underlines that proceeds go back to the dozen inmates who are actively participating in the workshop, with ten percent set aside off the top for a fund tapped to purchase clothing, personnel supplies and toys for the infants who live together with their imprisoned mothers.
A prison volunteer delivered a brand new batch of the figures at the Freedom party celebrated in Roth’s honor last weekend. Nearly half were immediately scooped up by the guests in attendance.
Roth is still not completely out of the legal woods, according to her defense attorneys Isidoro de la Garza and Javier Arciniega. As a matter of course, federal prosecutors have filed an appeal for a reversal of the release order issued in her benefit late last month. Although the lawyers believe that the ruling will hold, there is still a remote possibility that the court will order a retrial of the entire case.
As she awaits the verdict, Roth maintains a surprisingly positive outlook, even under the weight of deep feelings of having been the victim of gross injustice. Her most abiding resentment is against United States diplomatic agents who she believes were delinquent in helping protect her rights. “They did almost nothing to help me. It seems that’s their job,” she observes. “One consular official told me that I had lost my rights when I crossed the border. The consulate didn’t give me their listing of registered lawyers until October 2007, more than a year and a half after I was arrested.”
Now that she is free, Roth looks back on her experience as some kind of bizarre nightmare. “I was down the rabbit hole with no way to get out. All of a sudden the time came and I popped right out. It doesn’t make sense yet, but I believe it was all for a reason. I’m going take the time to pick up the pieces of my life… one piece at a time.”
Free at last, Rebecca Roth reveals the good, the bad and the ugly of her four-year stint inside the Puente Grande penitentiary.
Two years ago Rebecca Roth and a fellow inmate at the Puente Grande penitentiary started up the production of handmade dolls as an in-house cottage industry. She is more committed than ever to keeping the project rolling now that she has regained her freedom.These days Rebecca Roth starts each morning with a strenuous workout on a stationary bike. She follows the routine in an effort to gain the upper hand in a friendly exercise endurance challenge she has going with sister Barbara Moodhe and above all, to rebuild her health and vitality.
After cooling off she sits down to a leisurely and nutritious breakfast while taking in a soul-soothing view of Lake Chapala landscapes in the full bloom of Spring.
Just three weeks ago she was living through an entirely different scenario behind the walls of the Puente Grande penitentiary.
During her four years of incarceration she inhabited the cramped and noisy quarters of prison dorms, made up of tiny rooms that usually housed nearly double the number of people they were designed to hold. The largest dorm is equipped with two bathrooms, with a total of four toilet stalls and four showers shared by up to 200 women.
Roth’s days at Puente Grande began with a 6 a.m. wake up call, followed at 7:30 with line up for the first of four daily inmate roll calls. Afterwards she and fellow prisoners would scrounge up a cup of instant coffee to tide them over until the food cart rolled by her cramped dorm to deliver breakfast.
The standard morning fare consisted of lots of tortillas and beans, often with eggs on the side. Fresh fruit was a scarce commodity, kept off the menu to prevent prisoners from squirreling it away to manufacture bootleg liquor. Bottled water could be obtained for a fee, as an alternative to the vile tap water available for free consumption.
After breakfast the inmates are allowed to wander the enclosed prison grounds and busy themselves pretty much as they please. Most spend time at work assignments and other activities that help them rack up credit to obtain sentence reductions.
The system of benefits fits into the model of a prison as a social re-adaptation and rehabilitation center, Roth notes. “You have to cover all specified areas — work, schooling, psychology and integration — for it to count towards early release. It can add up to a 30 percent reduction in time served for common crimes and 60 percent off sentences for federal convictions.”
Roth says that staying busy helped her stay grounded during her prison ordeal. “With lots of things going on, the days passed by quickly and gave me positive outlets.”
At first she spent many hours reading books brought in by her sister and other constant supporters. She is currently starting to reread favorite titles that were sent back out to be kept in Moodhe’s home library. She also dedicated many full days to painting and churning out handmade crafts. During the long months she was behind bars her art work was shown in four separate exhibitions at Guadalajara’s Ex-Convento del Carmen.
Today, the walls of Moodhe’s lakeside home are covered with her sister’s paintings. Roth says each piece stirs up bittersweet memories, reflecting her state of mind at different time points in her prison experience. There are a couple of haunting landscapes showing the two sisters side by side, as well as lively abstracts and brightly colored batiks that seem to represent inner longings and desperate flights of fantasy. The artist has plans for a retrospective exhibit stowed on the back burner.
Rebecca Roth celebrated her release from prison at a gathering of friends including defense lawyers Isidoro de la Garza and Javier Arciniega who were instrumental in springing her from the Mexican criminal justice system.
Roth also took advantage of personal development programs at Puente Grande, signing up for psychology, literature and poetry workshops that helped her maintain emotional and spiritual balance while boosting her writing abilities and proficiency in Spanish.
She contributed a number of English poems, with translation into Spanish, to the first two editions of Rosas en el Desierto, collections of the inmates’ verses compiled by workshop guide Arturo Gallegos and published under the auspices of the state government.
At the instigation of literature teacher Maria Luisa Burillo, Roth took on the daunting task of translating a full-length motivational book on universal values. Getting the English version published is another item now on her to-do list.
To her credit, Roth pushed some of her own initiatives inside Puente Grande that were well received by prison authorities. The English language classes she started were qualified to fulfill the education requirements in the good behavior benefit system.
Dearest to her heart, however is the Doll Factory project Roth and fellow inmate Esmeralda Hernandez launched in 2008 as an in-house cottage industry. Each of the whimsical cloth figures is a one-of-a-kind piece that showcases the creative imagination of the person who created it. Most of the materials used in making the dolls are acquired through donations. Lakesider Ann Dyer provided a sewing machine for the project.
To date more than 100 dolls have been sold to prison staff, other inmates, visitors and outsiders, at prices ranging from 250 to 1,000 pesos. They are also being marketed through the Diane Pearl Gallery in Ajijic and direct sales via emails requests addressed to vallartagal@hotmail.com .
Roth is still committed to fostering the Doll Factory. She underlines that proceeds go back to the dozen inmates who are actively participating in the workshop, with ten percent set aside off the top for a fund tapped to purchase clothing, personnel supplies and toys for the infants who live together with their imprisoned mothers.
A prison volunteer delivered a brand new batch of the figures at the Freedom party celebrated in Roth’s honor last weekend. Nearly half were immediately scooped up by the guests in attendance.
Roth is still not completely out of the legal woods, according to her defense attorneys Isidoro de la Garza and Javier Arciniega. As a matter of course, federal prosecutors have filed an appeal for a reversal of the release order issued in her benefit late last month. Although the lawyers believe that the ruling will hold, there is still a remote possibility that the court will order a retrial of the entire case.
As she awaits the verdict, Roth maintains a surprisingly positive outlook, even under the weight of deep feelings of having been the victim of gross injustice. Her most abiding resentment is against United States diplomatic agents who she believes were delinquent in helping protect her rights. “They did almost nothing to help me. It seems that’s their job,” she observes. “One consular official told me that I had lost my rights when I crossed the border. The consulate didn’t give me their listing of registered lawyers until October 2007, more than a year and a half after I was arrested.”
Now that she is free, Roth looks back on her experience as some kind of bizarre nightmare. “I was down the rabbit hole with no way to get out. All of a sudden the time came and I popped right out. It doesn’t make sense yet, but I believe it was all for a reason. I’m going take the time to pick up the pieces of my life… one piece at a time.”
Sunday, April 4, 2010
An Open Email from Rebecca
In the year 2010 I can hereby witness that miracles still happen, because I have just received a huge one!
Hello to all! I am doing fine! It took several days just to get my bearings (I’m not sure I have them yet). I am resting and recuperating at my sister’s house outside of Guadalajara.
Sorry for the form letter approach, but I want to respond to each and every one of you quickly, so I felt this was the best way.
I want to thank all of you who stuck with my sister and kept her strong and vigilant during this ordeal. She would bring me emails from you to inspire me (actually smuggle them in as there were restrictions on the amount of written material and letters I could be allowed to have!). Many of you I’ve never met face to face, yet I feel a bond to you for your compassion in reaching out and believing in someone you never knew either.
As I have said frequently over the four years, I felt like Alice down the rabbit hole, where no one could reach me or hear me. My distorted voice crying out for help, yet on the other side, no one could hear me, or maybe they could hear something, but couldn’t figure out what it was.
Your prayers and thoughts were heard and answered last Sunday when the judge admitted and decreed that after 4 years and 29 tomes (about 5000 pages), there was not sufficient evidence to hold me. And this was the same judge that sentenced me in April of 2008! God bless him for having the courage to change his position.
I have been greatly blessed in ways that I can’t really even describe and it brings tears to my eyes to just think about them.
I miss my family in the US and will be reuniting with them in the short run. In the long run, I feel like a newborn baby with all of the potential that new life brings! Who knows
what my life has in store for me now? I know this. I will have a big job ahead of me piecing my life back together, but I intend to make it a new and improved version.
I truly want to stay in touch with you, my friends and supporters. One thing I learned in prison and it is an old adage: “It’s when you are in trouble that you find out who your friends really are.” I am happy to include you in my circle of friends.
I will write more, later.
With much heartfelt thanks and best wishes to you all,
Rebecca
Hello to all! I am doing fine! It took several days just to get my bearings (I’m not sure I have them yet). I am resting and recuperating at my sister’s house outside of Guadalajara.
Sorry for the form letter approach, but I want to respond to each and every one of you quickly, so I felt this was the best way.
I want to thank all of you who stuck with my sister and kept her strong and vigilant during this ordeal. She would bring me emails from you to inspire me (actually smuggle them in as there were restrictions on the amount of written material and letters I could be allowed to have!). Many of you I’ve never met face to face, yet I feel a bond to you for your compassion in reaching out and believing in someone you never knew either.
As I have said frequently over the four years, I felt like Alice down the rabbit hole, where no one could reach me or hear me. My distorted voice crying out for help, yet on the other side, no one could hear me, or maybe they could hear something, but couldn’t figure out what it was.
Your prayers and thoughts were heard and answered last Sunday when the judge admitted and decreed that after 4 years and 29 tomes (about 5000 pages), there was not sufficient evidence to hold me. And this was the same judge that sentenced me in April of 2008! God bless him for having the courage to change his position.
I have been greatly blessed in ways that I can’t really even describe and it brings tears to my eyes to just think about them.
I miss my family in the US and will be reuniting with them in the short run. In the long run, I feel like a newborn baby with all of the potential that new life brings! Who knows
what my life has in store for me now? I know this. I will have a big job ahead of me piecing my life back together, but I intend to make it a new and improved version.
I truly want to stay in touch with you, my friends and supporters. One thing I learned in prison and it is an old adage: “It’s when you are in trouble that you find out who your friends really are.” I am happy to include you in my circle of friends.
I will write more, later.
With much heartfelt thanks and best wishes to you all,
Rebecca
Thursday, April 1, 2010
A call from Rebecca
Hi Folks...
Just a quick note. Rebecca just called from her sister's home and the sound was much clearer than conversations over the prison phone that she called from for 4+ years.
She wanted to let everyone know that she is taking time for some deep breaths and to gather her thoughts. She is doing very well and her spirits are vastly improved from the many months that passed. (Ya think?)
Anyway, she has been receiving your many emails and wants everyone to know that she will be answering each and everyone shortly. She simply needs some time to acclimate to freedom and soft furniture.
At some point, I will turn over the blog to her and she can keep you posted from time to time.
Again, if you did not catch her email before, you can write her directly at vallartagal@hotmail.com
Many thanks go out to everyone that has kept up on this blog. Rebecca has always appreciated your prayers, support and concern for her future. It appears that she is going to have one now!
Best to all,
David
Just a quick note. Rebecca just called from her sister's home and the sound was much clearer than conversations over the prison phone that she called from for 4+ years.
She wanted to let everyone know that she is taking time for some deep breaths and to gather her thoughts. She is doing very well and her spirits are vastly improved from the many months that passed. (Ya think?)
Anyway, she has been receiving your many emails and wants everyone to know that she will be answering each and everyone shortly. She simply needs some time to acclimate to freedom and soft furniture.
At some point, I will turn over the blog to her and she can keep you posted from time to time.
Again, if you did not catch her email before, you can write her directly at vallartagal@hotmail.com
Many thanks go out to everyone that has kept up on this blog. Rebecca has always appreciated your prayers, support and concern for her future. It appears that she is going to have one now!
Best to all,
David
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
FREEDOM AT LAST!
Great news this evening...
Rebecca has been released from prison and is safe at her sister Barbara's home.
She was released this evening and was breaking open a bottle of champagne as she called.
Rebecca sends her thanks to all and indicated that she will be writing an entry for the blog very soon. So, for now there's not much else to say. I will leave it for her to tell the details.
Again, thank you to all that have kept her in your hearts and minds and done what you could to raise awareness. Rebecca and her family thank you for your prayers and support.
Best to all,
David Dickinson
Seattle, WA
Rebecca has been released from prison and is safe at her sister Barbara's home.
She was released this evening and was breaking open a bottle of champagne as she called.
Rebecca sends her thanks to all and indicated that she will be writing an entry for the blog very soon. So, for now there's not much else to say. I will leave it for her to tell the details.
Again, thank you to all that have kept her in your hearts and minds and done what you could to raise awareness. Rebecca and her family thank you for your prayers and support.
Best to all,
David Dickinson
Seattle, WA
Monday, March 29, 2010
One Step Forward... Two Steps Back
Just when we thought it was all over, the Mexican government pulls another rabbit out of their hat!
As Rebecca's sister, Barbara, was preparing to go pick her up and bring her home... the phone rings. Everything is on hold all of a sudden.
Guess what? The prosecution gets to appeal the acquittal. Will they? That is yet to be determined, but they have three days to do it and in the meantime, Rebecca will stay in custody.
Assuming that they don't, Wednesday is the last day that she can be released until Monday. It seems that there won't be anyone around to process her between Thursday and Sunday. So, if she isn't out on Wednesday, she has to wait until Monday.
Tick... tock... tick... tock.
I'll keep you posted...
More prayers, please.
As Rebecca's sister, Barbara, was preparing to go pick her up and bring her home... the phone rings. Everything is on hold all of a sudden.
Guess what? The prosecution gets to appeal the acquittal. Will they? That is yet to be determined, but they have three days to do it and in the meantime, Rebecca will stay in custody.
Assuming that they don't, Wednesday is the last day that she can be released until Monday. It seems that there won't be anyone around to process her between Thursday and Sunday. So, if she isn't out on Wednesday, she has to wait until Monday.
Tick... tock... tick... tock.
I'll keep you posted...
More prayers, please.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Acquitted
I just received information that Rebecca has been acquitted and is going to be set free! She was in court today as the judge made his decision to let her go!
Her nightmare is over!
I will post more as I know more, but wanted to get word out immediately to all that have followed with interest.
To everyone that has followed and been a part of the positive energy and prayers... Rebecca and her family thank you.
Again, I will post more as I know more.
David Dickinson
Seattle, WA
Her nightmare is over!
I will post more as I know more, but wanted to get word out immediately to all that have followed with interest.
To everyone that has followed and been a part of the positive energy and prayers... Rebecca and her family thank you.
Again, I will post more as I know more.
David Dickinson
Seattle, WA
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
UPDATE
I just talked to Rebecca from the prison.
Here are the basics of what is happening...
Here are the basics of what is happening...
- For the first time in over 4 YEARS, she was just given a copy of her Constitutional Rights in writing, although it is in Spanish.
- It appears that they are trying to do the right thing, finally.
- She will make a new "Declaration" (deposition) tommorow at an "Audience" before the court
- A decision will be reached on Sunday just after 1 PM as to whether she will be set free or begin a re-trial
- The desicion will be based on her "Declaration"
So, from what Rebecca said, everyone in the court is running around trying to make sure that they get it right this time. They are bending over backwards to provide her attorney with information.
There has been no contact from the Consulate. Now, I would suspect that the court, in their effort to get it right and make sure that her rights are not violated again, would try to make contat with the Consulate. I don't know, but I would think so. Her attorney will try to make contact tommorow with the Consulate.
I will post more info as it becomes available.
In the meantime, if you believe in prayer, the power of positive thinking or sending focused energy into the Universe... send some Rebecca's direction that will cause the Mexican judicial system to set Rebecca free.
Rebeca and her family are grateful for all of the support you have provided.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Amparo News!
I have not posted in quite some time, as Rebecca's case has been in a holding pattern, wating for the third stage of the Mexican (in)justice system to run it's course. I am referring to the Amparo.
After her initial conviction, a railroad job at best, we waited for justice to be done in the appeal court. As you may have read a long time ago on this blog, that process was delayed after her case was moved to another court due to a large case load. That was a huge disappointment, because the first appeal judge stated that they would make it a priority and ensure that justice was served. Well, the case was moved and went to the bottom of a new stack of cases in a diffeent court.
The new appeal came back and was another huge disappointment, because it seemed obvious that the new appeal judge did not actually review the entire case that showed no real evidence against Rebecca. Instead, it did appear that the judege simply reviewed the sentencing document and upheld her conviction. This is almost understandable, due to the undercurrent of claims in the system that it was a difficult case and as thick as it was and so convoluted, would have required great diligence on the part of the judge. This is not to make excuses, by any means, but simply to point out how the process has worked against Rebecca so far.
In any event, yesterday brought news from the third stage of the Mexican judicial system, the Amparo. An Amparo is a three judge panel that is charged with a complete, unbiased and unswayed review and is the last possible appeal.
The good news is that they revoked Rebecca's sentence. That is also the bad news. Let me try to explain to the best of my understanding from what I could decipher from a brief conversation with Rebecca and then her sister ,Barbara.
The good news:
By the sentence being revoked, the whole process starts over. By starting over, I mean from the moment she gave her first "declaration." Think deposition. So, when the US Consulate failed to provide an interpretor back in February 2006, her rights were abused and so, the Amparo judges believe that that is where the case needs to go... back to where Rebecca was not represented, her statments were twisted, she signed (under duress) a statement that was not in context with what she would have stated had she had proper representation. Sounds complicated, right? It was. Kind of like Guantanamo to most of us.
So, by starting at this point and having a proper statement issued, withut any twisting of her words and knowing exactly what she is signing, a judge has to look at the case in it's proper context. Odds are, and we are cetainly hopeful, that the case will not move any further from there and Rebecca will be set free, basically uncharged.
The bad news:
This also allows for the Mexican (in)justice system to run her through the ringer all over again from the initial trial, appeal, and another Amparo, should it all go that far again.
Disclaimer to all of the above... I want to make it clear that I may not have all of the facts absolutely correct here, and I don't know that Rebecca is certain of what all this means yet, either. This entry to the blog is an effort to update those that have been following with interest and concern, the plight of Rebecca Roth... "Prisoner in Paradise."
We should have some news soon and I will post anything I hear as soon as it is made available to me.
After her initial conviction, a railroad job at best, we waited for justice to be done in the appeal court. As you may have read a long time ago on this blog, that process was delayed after her case was moved to another court due to a large case load. That was a huge disappointment, because the first appeal judge stated that they would make it a priority and ensure that justice was served. Well, the case was moved and went to the bottom of a new stack of cases in a diffeent court.
The new appeal came back and was another huge disappointment, because it seemed obvious that the new appeal judge did not actually review the entire case that showed no real evidence against Rebecca. Instead, it did appear that the judege simply reviewed the sentencing document and upheld her conviction. This is almost understandable, due to the undercurrent of claims in the system that it was a difficult case and as thick as it was and so convoluted, would have required great diligence on the part of the judge. This is not to make excuses, by any means, but simply to point out how the process has worked against Rebecca so far.
In any event, yesterday brought news from the third stage of the Mexican judicial system, the Amparo. An Amparo is a three judge panel that is charged with a complete, unbiased and unswayed review and is the last possible appeal.
The good news is that they revoked Rebecca's sentence. That is also the bad news. Let me try to explain to the best of my understanding from what I could decipher from a brief conversation with Rebecca and then her sister ,Barbara.
The good news:
By the sentence being revoked, the whole process starts over. By starting over, I mean from the moment she gave her first "declaration." Think deposition. So, when the US Consulate failed to provide an interpretor back in February 2006, her rights were abused and so, the Amparo judges believe that that is where the case needs to go... back to where Rebecca was not represented, her statments were twisted, she signed (under duress) a statement that was not in context with what she would have stated had she had proper representation. Sounds complicated, right? It was. Kind of like Guantanamo to most of us.
So, by starting at this point and having a proper statement issued, withut any twisting of her words and knowing exactly what she is signing, a judge has to look at the case in it's proper context. Odds are, and we are cetainly hopeful, that the case will not move any further from there and Rebecca will be set free, basically uncharged.
The bad news:
This also allows for the Mexican (in)justice system to run her through the ringer all over again from the initial trial, appeal, and another Amparo, should it all go that far again.
Disclaimer to all of the above... I want to make it clear that I may not have all of the facts absolutely correct here, and I don't know that Rebecca is certain of what all this means yet, either. This entry to the blog is an effort to update those that have been following with interest and concern, the plight of Rebecca Roth... "Prisoner in Paradise."
We should have some news soon and I will post anything I hear as soon as it is made available to me.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Yes... More Dolls
Rebecca has been keeping the girls busy making dolls. Here are few more.
Keep in mind that for every doll you see, there is less trouble for the women because they are occupied in a productive way. This is just one small way that Rebecca contributes to her environment in a positive manner.
As you have read in previous posts, she continues writing poetry and painting, as well as teaching English to other prisoners.
If you would like to purchase one or more of the dolls, contact Rebecca's sister, Barbara.
Keep in mind that for every doll you see, there is less trouble for the women because they are occupied in a productive way. This is just one small way that Rebecca contributes to her environment in a positive manner.
As you have read in previous posts, she continues writing poetry and painting, as well as teaching English to other prisoners.
If you would like to purchase one or more of the dolls, contact Rebecca's sister, Barbara.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
THE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS EVENT
From Rebecca's sister, Barbara...
As many of you already know, Rebecca has been teaching English to some of the other prisoners at the Puente Grande Women's Prison where she is confined.
Rebecca told me about her English Class' Christmas Event held on Friday Jan. 21st.
Unfortunately, the Director and Sub Director of the prison were an hour late and the Certificates hadn’t been signed by the Director.
Rebecca mentioned to Marie Louise, her mentor, the situation and Marie sent one of the Byzantine women to collect them.
The program then began. The students sang 4 Christmas songs in English: Jingle Bells, Little Drummer Boy, Santa Claus is coming to Town, and The Alphabet Song.
Next they presented 3 sketches complete with props and stage settings.
One was a Library sketch, another a Restaurant and the third was a Doctor’s office. They were presented very well and the students displayed exceptional skills.
Later, one of the women recited 3 poems in English and another recited Rebecca’s poem in her first published book of Poetry.
Another woman did a recitation from the Bible from memory.
The last woman who doesn’t do well thanked everyone for coming and counted to 20 in English.
Then Rebecca handed out the certificates and the Education Coordinater was most appreciative of the fine performance of these Mexican women and their teacher Rebecca Roth.
The Director and Sub Director don’t know English, but they told Rebecca they were impressed for it seemed that the women in her class did a good job and knew what they were saying.
This is just another example of the way that Rebecca has conducted herself, in spite of the unfair treatment she has received by the Mexican government. Rather than giving up and bemoaning her plight and her physical ailments, she continues to give to those around her.
Think of the things she has accomplished there and you can get a true sense of the character of this woman. She is not the criminal that she has been unfairly portrayed as by the Mexican judicial system, nor has she ever been.
To those that have reached out to her and to those that have made efforts to bring her plight to their elected officials and the State Department, we thank you.
Barbara Moodhe
for Rebecca Roth... Prisoner in Paradise
As many of you already know, Rebecca has been teaching English to some of the other prisoners at the Puente Grande Women's Prison where she is confined.
Rebecca told me about her English Class' Christmas Event held on Friday Jan. 21st.
Unfortunately, the Director and Sub Director of the prison were an hour late and the Certificates hadn’t been signed by the Director.
Rebecca mentioned to Marie Louise, her mentor, the situation and Marie sent one of the Byzantine women to collect them.
The program then began. The students sang 4 Christmas songs in English: Jingle Bells, Little Drummer Boy, Santa Claus is coming to Town, and The Alphabet Song.
Next they presented 3 sketches complete with props and stage settings.
One was a Library sketch, another a Restaurant and the third was a Doctor’s office. They were presented very well and the students displayed exceptional skills.
Later, one of the women recited 3 poems in English and another recited Rebecca’s poem in her first published book of Poetry.
Another woman did a recitation from the Bible from memory.
The last woman who doesn’t do well thanked everyone for coming and counted to 20 in English.
Then Rebecca handed out the certificates and the Education Coordinater was most appreciative of the fine performance of these Mexican women and their teacher Rebecca Roth.
The Director and Sub Director don’t know English, but they told Rebecca they were impressed for it seemed that the women in her class did a good job and knew what they were saying.
This is just another example of the way that Rebecca has conducted herself, in spite of the unfair treatment she has received by the Mexican government. Rather than giving up and bemoaning her plight and her physical ailments, she continues to give to those around her.
Think of the things she has accomplished there and you can get a true sense of the character of this woman. She is not the criminal that she has been unfairly portrayed as by the Mexican judicial system, nor has she ever been.
To those that have reached out to her and to those that have made efforts to bring her plight to their elected officials and the State Department, we thank you.
Barbara Moodhe
for Rebecca Roth... Prisoner in Paradise
Monday, January 25, 2010
Two more dolls
Please keep an eye out on the blog for more news. We hope to hear about the Amparo in the near future.
What a doll... Really!
While there's been no word from the Embassy to discuss the items Rebecca addressed in her response to them and she is still waiting to hear the outcome of the Amparo, the doll factory located in her confines continues to churn out some really creative and unique works of art.
Rebecca is an inspiration to the many inmates around her and she continues to maintain her zeal for creating, channelling her energy to those around her. In addition to the dolls, she continues to paint and write poetry, as well.
Below, see some more examples of her work.
Rebecca is an inspiration to the many inmates around her and she continues to maintain her zeal for creating, channelling her energy to those around her. In addition to the dolls, she continues to paint and write poetry, as well.
Below, see some more examples of her work.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Rebecca responds to US Embassy letter
Below is a scan of a letter written to Rebecca Roth from Mr. Edward McKeon, Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs, US Embassy, Mexico City.
You can click on the letter to see a larger size.
REBECCA REPLYS TO LETTER FROM EDWARD MCKEON
(Note: All comments are from Rebecca and not paraphrased or edited by the author of this blog.)
The following is a line by line response to a letter from the US Embassy in Mexico (the first correspondence) dated October 2, 2009 – three years and eight months after my arrest.
In quotes are statements from Edward McKeon's letter. In italics are my (Rebecca’s) reply to the statement.
“The Ambassador has asked me to respond to your letter dated August 18, 2009.”
Almost 2 months after receiving another letter from my family, the new Ambassador at least decides to delegate making a response to us. Hopefully to satisfy us for a while.
“I am familiar with your case and the flow of communication between you, the Consulate, and members of the US Congress.”
He’s heard my name and knows about all of those annoying pleas for help sent by my family and supporters over the years.
“I realize you are in a difficult situation and want to assure you that the US government will assist you as fully as we can under applicable laws and regulations.”
To the first sentence stating the obvious fact that I am in a difficult situation; obviously he has no idea what kind of situation this is to be victimized by a foreign government and have your own government ignore and invalidate you. Have they made any inquiries about my case? Have they investigated my claims?
To the second part he wants to assure me…he puts the US government assisting me in the future tense “will”. When “will” they begin assisting me? It was the Canadian, Brenda Martin’s, attorney who discovered the International Treaty in which several Articles have been violated against us. Whose job was it to insure that this Treaty was not broken by the Mexicans? The US government! They want to use applicable laws and regulations as a shield for their inaction. I hold the US government responsible for not protecting its citizen against violations of this ratified Human Rights Treaty.
“Our staff in Guadalajara informs us that they have remained in regular contact with you, your family, and your attorneys since your arrest on February 14,2006, and have continued to monitor developments in your case.”
First, my arrest was on Feb. 13, 2006 and if it is meant that although they’ve repeatedly told me that they can’t talk about the case, they can’t advise me, they can’t recommend lawyers, and when my sentence came and the consulate representative told me, “It’s no longer about the case, its about the sentence.” Oh and when I first was arrested my consulate representative, Cesar Cruz, told me that I’d lost all my rights when I crossed the border, when in fact I did have rights… They just didn’t tell me what they were! One very important right was that I was entitled to a translator. It was an inmate who told me about that right. She helped me file a complaint with the Human Rights group and after 4.5 months I received a translator, only for the notifications from the courthouse.
In the beginning, my defense case was presented by a public defender who didn’t speak English. We were not able to communicate. It was a complete fabrication on his part to try to satisfy his bureaucratic job requirements.
In Mexico, once the outline of the Defense is presented to the court, it can never be changed.
I believe that had the US Consulate informed me of my rights or demanded a translator for me from day one, I would not be here today. In Mexico, the longer you are detained the less chance for you to go free.
“During each visit by the Consulate we have provided you with an attorneys list, translators list and information about the Prisoner Transfer Program.”
When I was first detained I was told the Consulate was going to leave a list of attorneys, but I never received it. I received a list of attorneys from them finally in October 2007 – a year and a half after my arrest and after I had hired an attorney (fired the Public Defender) and was told afterwards by my new attorney that they could only present proof and witnesses based on the poor defense work that the initial Public Defender had concocted. This was also after Ernesto Flores de leon (this same attorney) had demanded $20,000 US dollars up front, which my elderly mother paid. I was to pay another $20,000 US upon my release. He was the least expensive! Others wanted between $50,00 and $100,000 US up front!
I never received a translator list from the Consulate. This is a white lie or fib and in regards to the Prisoner Transfer Program, I was advised by the Public Defender in El Paso, TX to exhaust all of my legal recourses here in Mexico because I have no criminal record in the US and if they transfer me to the US, I will then be considered a Felon. Imagine never having a trial and accepting the label of felon in 2 countries. Absurdity! But that’s their big offer to me.
“During your Appeal, our Consul General sent official inquiries to the Federal Court in Guanajuato on November 28, 2008 and April 1, 2009 to urge a timely review and decision on your Appeal
First, my Appeal was assigned to a magistrate in Guadalajara, Jalisco in June of 2008. Then, in October it was sent off to another state, Guanajuato, which is when my family contacted the Consulate and asked them to find out what was going on. My current attorney says that the magistrate who is assigned the case must resolve it, yet the Consulate in both correspondences to the magistrate in Guanajuato basically asked how it was coming along and one week before the end of April the Appeal was denied. A review of this document showed that the magistrate did not review the case, only the “sentencing document” which is filled with unsubstantiated accusations from the Prosecuting Attorney, errors and lies.
“I am pleased that you recently obtained an attorney in whom you have confidence and whom you believe represents your interests well.”
I’ve had my current attorney since April of 2008 – so he’s not exactly recently acquired and what I like most about him is that he read and understands my case fully, he is highly intelligent and honest and he knows that there is a terrible injustice occurring here and he’s fighting to correct it.
“One of the primary roles and interests is ensuring that US citizens incarcerated in Mexico receive adequate medical care, THAT IS, equal to the care provided to other nationals.”
I love this caveat. If I am to grasp this correctly, the woman who 3 years ago had a pea sized tumor in her uterus, now has a grade 3 tumor the size of a fist and will sometime be operated on. (At least she got a bed to sleep in because of the cancer). Or, the mentally ill who are not treated at all. Since this is the standard for how they treat their own citizens, it’s good enough for me? It must be true, because since last March the Consulate has been aware of an abnormal mammogram, of a necessary blood test to reevaluate my hypo thyroid condition, and they have done nothing to ensure that I receive these treatments.
“Since your incarceration, Consulate staff members in conjunction with prison officials have taken increased measure to ensure you receive proper medical care and medication.”
This sounds nice, but over the past months it has become more and more difficult for me (as well as any other inmate) to see the only doctor that is able to correctly diagnose and prescribe medicine that will cure or improve conditions, infection, etc. She’s the doctor that works days during the week and she’s overwhelmed with paperwork and other responsibilities. I’ve been able to see her only once in 6 months or more and that was because I happened to have an Asthma Crisis in front of her. As for medication, I don’t know if they’ve donated Asthma medication, but I – through my Puerto Vallarta Rotary Club connections, donated 5 nebulizers (one of which was supposed to be set aside only for my personal use) and 15 masks.
For the Dentist, we donated an ultraviolet light, trays of resin, gauze and other useful materials. These donations made by my Rotary Club are there to help any who are in need of nebulizer treatments, etc. When only one of the nebulizers could be found during an Asthma attack I had to use it instead of the one that was supposed to be only available to me. We notified the Consulate and asked that they inquire as to the location of the other donated items and we have never received an answer, nor were the items replaced. I and my family thank the Consulate for donating Asthma medication, if they have done so.
“Your health is of great concern to us and we will continue to verify that you have access to these facilities, as well as vitamin supplements, toiletries, and items of clothing that we provide to all our citizens incarcerated in your Consulate district.”
If my health was of such great importance to them, why have they never sent a doctor of their choosing to evaluate my condition? Why have they never followed up on the missing abnormal mammogram? Or the blood test to reevaluate the amount of Thyroid medication I need to be taking, but am not currently taking. The vitamin supplements are donated by the drug companies; the toiletries include a bar of soap and a roll of toilet paper for every 90 day visit. Items of clothing over almost 4 years include: 2 towels, 3 used bras, a pair of used tennis shoes that weren’t my size and a blanket. They bring me used magazines and books which I do enjoy.
“Again, please be assured that we will closely follow the progress of your case and will continue to assist you in every way permissible under US Law.”
I’m really not assured by this statement. I know they had recourse to ask Mexico to honor their obligations under the International Human Rights Treaty and they did nothing.
They have not done everything permissible under US law. Either they believe this (incompetence) or they don’t want to pursue this because I’m a no body (non-Celebrity) and thus expendable. I’m not impressed by the statement nor am I assured by it.
Rebecca J. Roth
You can click on the letter to see a larger size.
REBECCA REPLYS TO LETTER FROM EDWARD MCKEON
(Note: All comments are from Rebecca and not paraphrased or edited by the author of this blog.)
The following is a line by line response to a letter from the US Embassy in Mexico (the first correspondence) dated October 2, 2009 – three years and eight months after my arrest.
In quotes are statements from Edward McKeon's letter. In italics are my (Rebecca’s) reply to the statement.
“The Ambassador has asked me to respond to your letter dated August 18, 2009.”
Almost 2 months after receiving another letter from my family, the new Ambassador at least decides to delegate making a response to us. Hopefully to satisfy us for a while.
“I am familiar with your case and the flow of communication between you, the Consulate, and members of the US Congress.”
He’s heard my name and knows about all of those annoying pleas for help sent by my family and supporters over the years.
“I realize you are in a difficult situation and want to assure you that the US government will assist you as fully as we can under applicable laws and regulations.”
To the first sentence stating the obvious fact that I am in a difficult situation; obviously he has no idea what kind of situation this is to be victimized by a foreign government and have your own government ignore and invalidate you. Have they made any inquiries about my case? Have they investigated my claims?
To the second part he wants to assure me…he puts the US government assisting me in the future tense “will”. When “will” they begin assisting me? It was the Canadian, Brenda Martin’s, attorney who discovered the International Treaty in which several Articles have been violated against us. Whose job was it to insure that this Treaty was not broken by the Mexicans? The US government! They want to use applicable laws and regulations as a shield for their inaction. I hold the US government responsible for not protecting its citizen against violations of this ratified Human Rights Treaty.
“Our staff in Guadalajara informs us that they have remained in regular contact with you, your family, and your attorneys since your arrest on February 14,2006, and have continued to monitor developments in your case.”
First, my arrest was on Feb. 13, 2006 and if it is meant that although they’ve repeatedly told me that they can’t talk about the case, they can’t advise me, they can’t recommend lawyers, and when my sentence came and the consulate representative told me, “It’s no longer about the case, its about the sentence.” Oh and when I first was arrested my consulate representative, Cesar Cruz, told me that I’d lost all my rights when I crossed the border, when in fact I did have rights… They just didn’t tell me what they were! One very important right was that I was entitled to a translator. It was an inmate who told me about that right. She helped me file a complaint with the Human Rights group and after 4.5 months I received a translator, only for the notifications from the courthouse.
In the beginning, my defense case was presented by a public defender who didn’t speak English. We were not able to communicate. It was a complete fabrication on his part to try to satisfy his bureaucratic job requirements.
In Mexico, once the outline of the Defense is presented to the court, it can never be changed.
I believe that had the US Consulate informed me of my rights or demanded a translator for me from day one, I would not be here today. In Mexico, the longer you are detained the less chance for you to go free.
“During each visit by the Consulate we have provided you with an attorneys list, translators list and information about the Prisoner Transfer Program.”
When I was first detained I was told the Consulate was going to leave a list of attorneys, but I never received it. I received a list of attorneys from them finally in October 2007 – a year and a half after my arrest and after I had hired an attorney (fired the Public Defender) and was told afterwards by my new attorney that they could only present proof and witnesses based on the poor defense work that the initial Public Defender had concocted. This was also after Ernesto Flores de leon (this same attorney) had demanded $20,000 US dollars up front, which my elderly mother paid. I was to pay another $20,000 US upon my release. He was the least expensive! Others wanted between $50,00 and $100,000 US up front!
I never received a translator list from the Consulate. This is a white lie or fib and in regards to the Prisoner Transfer Program, I was advised by the Public Defender in El Paso, TX to exhaust all of my legal recourses here in Mexico because I have no criminal record in the US and if they transfer me to the US, I will then be considered a Felon. Imagine never having a trial and accepting the label of felon in 2 countries. Absurdity! But that’s their big offer to me.
“During your Appeal, our Consul General sent official inquiries to the Federal Court in Guanajuato on November 28, 2008 and April 1, 2009 to urge a timely review and decision on your Appeal
First, my Appeal was assigned to a magistrate in Guadalajara, Jalisco in June of 2008. Then, in October it was sent off to another state, Guanajuato, which is when my family contacted the Consulate and asked them to find out what was going on. My current attorney says that the magistrate who is assigned the case must resolve it, yet the Consulate in both correspondences to the magistrate in Guanajuato basically asked how it was coming along and one week before the end of April the Appeal was denied. A review of this document showed that the magistrate did not review the case, only the “sentencing document” which is filled with unsubstantiated accusations from the Prosecuting Attorney, errors and lies.
“I am pleased that you recently obtained an attorney in whom you have confidence and whom you believe represents your interests well.”
I’ve had my current attorney since April of 2008 – so he’s not exactly recently acquired and what I like most about him is that he read and understands my case fully, he is highly intelligent and honest and he knows that there is a terrible injustice occurring here and he’s fighting to correct it.
“One of the primary roles and interests is ensuring that US citizens incarcerated in Mexico receive adequate medical care, THAT IS, equal to the care provided to other nationals.”
I love this caveat. If I am to grasp this correctly, the woman who 3 years ago had a pea sized tumor in her uterus, now has a grade 3 tumor the size of a fist and will sometime be operated on. (At least she got a bed to sleep in because of the cancer). Or, the mentally ill who are not treated at all. Since this is the standard for how they treat their own citizens, it’s good enough for me? It must be true, because since last March the Consulate has been aware of an abnormal mammogram, of a necessary blood test to reevaluate my hypo thyroid condition, and they have done nothing to ensure that I receive these treatments.
“Since your incarceration, Consulate staff members in conjunction with prison officials have taken increased measure to ensure you receive proper medical care and medication.”
This sounds nice, but over the past months it has become more and more difficult for me (as well as any other inmate) to see the only doctor that is able to correctly diagnose and prescribe medicine that will cure or improve conditions, infection, etc. She’s the doctor that works days during the week and she’s overwhelmed with paperwork and other responsibilities. I’ve been able to see her only once in 6 months or more and that was because I happened to have an Asthma Crisis in front of her. As for medication, I don’t know if they’ve donated Asthma medication, but I – through my Puerto Vallarta Rotary Club connections, donated 5 nebulizers (one of which was supposed to be set aside only for my personal use) and 15 masks.
For the Dentist, we donated an ultraviolet light, trays of resin, gauze and other useful materials. These donations made by my Rotary Club are there to help any who are in need of nebulizer treatments, etc. When only one of the nebulizers could be found during an Asthma attack I had to use it instead of the one that was supposed to be only available to me. We notified the Consulate and asked that they inquire as to the location of the other donated items and we have never received an answer, nor were the items replaced. I and my family thank the Consulate for donating Asthma medication, if they have done so.
“Your health is of great concern to us and we will continue to verify that you have access to these facilities, as well as vitamin supplements, toiletries, and items of clothing that we provide to all our citizens incarcerated in your Consulate district.”
If my health was of such great importance to them, why have they never sent a doctor of their choosing to evaluate my condition? Why have they never followed up on the missing abnormal mammogram? Or the blood test to reevaluate the amount of Thyroid medication I need to be taking, but am not currently taking. The vitamin supplements are donated by the drug companies; the toiletries include a bar of soap and a roll of toilet paper for every 90 day visit. Items of clothing over almost 4 years include: 2 towels, 3 used bras, a pair of used tennis shoes that weren’t my size and a blanket. They bring me used magazines and books which I do enjoy.
“Again, please be assured that we will closely follow the progress of your case and will continue to assist you in every way permissible under US Law.”
I’m really not assured by this statement. I know they had recourse to ask Mexico to honor their obligations under the International Human Rights Treaty and they did nothing.
They have not done everything permissible under US law. Either they believe this (incompetence) or they don’t want to pursue this because I’m a no body (non-Celebrity) and thus expendable. I’m not impressed by the statement nor am I assured by it.
Rebecca J. Roth
Sunday, January 3, 2010
A personal Christmas message from Rebecca
Christmas (or as we say in Mexico Navidad) 2009
Christmas Message 2009
I think I wrote a Christmas message last year or maybe I just thought about it. To all of you who follow “my situation” on the blog my ex-husband maintains, “Thank you for caring.” I would like to ask a favor to all and that is please send the blog-link to everyone in your electronic directory and ask them to do the same and so on, so we can expand the awareness of my case to a greater number of people. There IS power in numbers and still it seems we haven’t reached enough people to get the attention of our sleeping politicians.
2009 has been labeled the year of crisis. Even in Mexico every bad thing is blamed on the Crisis. My crisis began on February 13, 2006 and it still continues, but like an epic movie, it goes on and on and eventually even the acute aspects of this nightmare begin to sound mundane or like a broken record. DON’T YOU BELIEVE IT!!
It is easy to become desensitized with all of the absurdity going on – that has become our daily lives. Yet even I, powerless and victimized as I may be, can put my foot down and say “That’s enough.” It hasn’t brought me my physical freedom yet, but inside I am more free spirited than I ever was…and stronger too!
This is my wish for all of my friends and supporters – that each obstacle you are faced with in life is overcome by you with wisdom, patience, tolerance and love in your heart. I pray for your families to be well, to be united, to encourage one another and to seek the true meaning of Christmas together or as individuals this holiday season. To my special supporters who continue to encourage me and my sister with email messages…you know who you are – you are such a blessing to us. We thank you deeply.
Recently, I received a response from some underling of the new US Ambassador to Mexico. If you’ll recall, I sent an 11 page letter to Condoleezza Rice when she was Secretary of State (never heard from her). I sent the same letter to Hillary Clinton when she took the job – just in case my letter was misplaced while Condi was cleaning out her office (sic) and then in August, my sister Barbara sent the same letter to the embassy in Mexico City. The response dated in October and delivered to me in November will be posted on my blog soon, with a line by line interpretation of its contents. If you are prone to dark humor you may enjoy it. By their inaction, the US government is sending a message that a US citizen living abroad does not matter. Period.
Crisis year 2009 has not been a complete waste, however. I have made many new friends. The Doll Factory has been growing and I will be posting photos of all the new dolls so you can see what we’re doing. We actually have shipped a few to the US! Doll Collectors alert! My 4th Art Exhibit at the Ex-Convent del Carmen – (or as I have translated with humor “Carmen’s ex-convent” sort of makes me wonder what happened to Carmen?) The exhibit ran from October 15 – November 15 and I had over a dozen paintings shown. Its result was attributed to the world-wide financial crisis. Our second poetry book has been published and was presented on November 4th at the “F.I.L” in Guadalajara which is acclaimed to be the largest International Book Fair in Central/Latin America. This year’s collection of poetry called “Roses en Destierra II” or “Uprooted Roses II” contains 12 of my poems.
I would like to mention what I believe is the most important writing accomplishment for the year. For about 2 years, I have been studying with Maria Luisa Burrilla, a well known Mexican writer who compiled a Book of Formative Learning called “Universal Values.” It’s formative because its wisdom should be imparted to the very young in the form of tools to be used to prepare for life, but it is also such an important teaching that any age level –even adults – can grasp its messages. She has infused this message with centuries of prose and poetry from such personalities as Confucius to Oscar Wilde. Story telling plays a large part in these teachings. It’s a balanced, healthy, straight forward look at the human condition and how to manage it instead of it managing you.
A year ago in October (2008), Maria asked me to translate the book “Universal Values” and without hesitating I said “Yes.” I knew when I accepted the job that it would be challenging and it was. Learning to translate involves a fierce determination to conquer the learning. To begin with it was all hand written and had words unknown to me. I used an old Webster’s American Bilingual Pocket Dictionary to look them up. But dictionaries don’t conjugate verbs so it was very slow going at first. Soon I received authorization to work on the computers provided by the State funded Distance Education School (the same prep school I began attending this last August). I received a schedule of 3 days a week during certain hours that I could work. Believe me, I took advantage of the solitude and the privilege and worked! As I said, this wisdom based education which has been seasoned with art and poetry from throughout the ages can be a formidable tool to arm ourselves and our children to face life’s challenges with empowerment and an objective point of view.
So I worked on this and after several months – whole paragraphs could be translated without the use of the bilingual dictionary. In March, for my birthday, my dear friend Lucie brought me a beautiful Collin’s bilingual dictionary complete with diskette, which I loaded onto the computer. This sped up the process greatly and almost a year after I accepted the job, I completed the 300+ page book and turned it over to my teacher. Now we’re looking for publication and promotion in the US. If any of you have publishing contacts or know how to write for grant money, or have any ideas on how we could take this project to the next step…please do tell.
We’re looking for solutions. Maria Luisa Burrillo is the Director of a Poetry house in Guadalajara and has published over 50 books here in Mexico. None in English, of course, so there are many barriers to overcome and with me incarcerated it’s even harder. We’re all looking forward to achieving this publishing goal in 2010, along with my acquittal and subsequent freedom!
About the case. My attorney Mario Lamas Guzman submitted my Amparo on October 16. This is the 3rd and last recourse available to me to see acquittal. This time, 3 judges will review the case and a majority rules. My attorney prepared the Amparo and reviewed it with me. It is presented as if I’m talking to the Judges. Although all of the facts were included and the legalities, abnormalities and violations of my rights were there, I felt they style was very open and I told Mario that I wanted these Magistrates corralled, pinned-down, hog-tied and asked very pointed questions to which they would have no alternative but to look for the answers within the tomes, volumes of paper, that represents my case.
Timing – We don’t really know what the timing will be, however from previous experience, I know that the Court houses close down after the 12th of December and although they reopen by the 15th of January, no real work begins until February. Realistically, it could be as late as April for us to learn their decision.
There are one or two more aces in the hole, but I will discuss those with you when the time comes.
I end this message with one of my new poems from the above mentioned book:
For Justice to Come
While Justice was a way
on holiday,
Her evil counterparts of injustice;
Greed, Power and Corruption
came to stay
“Condemn! Condemn! Condemn!” we say.
“For there really isn’t any other way”
“To keep your status, lifestyle and high pay.”
When Justice returned that fateful day
The locks were changed;
She could not stay.
With heavy heart she turned away
Vowing to return one day.
Lifting her arms, she began to pray
“Remove this plague of injustice
from my plate!
Save the in justly accused of the world
from their fate!
Give them the strength, the patience and long suffering
to endure their wait
…for Justice to come.”
Christmas Message 2009
I think I wrote a Christmas message last year or maybe I just thought about it. To all of you who follow “my situation” on the blog my ex-husband maintains, “Thank you for caring.” I would like to ask a favor to all and that is please send the blog-link to everyone in your electronic directory and ask them to do the same and so on, so we can expand the awareness of my case to a greater number of people. There IS power in numbers and still it seems we haven’t reached enough people to get the attention of our sleeping politicians.
2009 has been labeled the year of crisis. Even in Mexico every bad thing is blamed on the Crisis. My crisis began on February 13, 2006 and it still continues, but like an epic movie, it goes on and on and eventually even the acute aspects of this nightmare begin to sound mundane or like a broken record. DON’T YOU BELIEVE IT!!
It is easy to become desensitized with all of the absurdity going on – that has become our daily lives. Yet even I, powerless and victimized as I may be, can put my foot down and say “That’s enough.” It hasn’t brought me my physical freedom yet, but inside I am more free spirited than I ever was…and stronger too!
This is my wish for all of my friends and supporters – that each obstacle you are faced with in life is overcome by you with wisdom, patience, tolerance and love in your heart. I pray for your families to be well, to be united, to encourage one another and to seek the true meaning of Christmas together or as individuals this holiday season. To my special supporters who continue to encourage me and my sister with email messages…you know who you are – you are such a blessing to us. We thank you deeply.
Recently, I received a response from some underling of the new US Ambassador to Mexico. If you’ll recall, I sent an 11 page letter to Condoleezza Rice when she was Secretary of State (never heard from her). I sent the same letter to Hillary Clinton when she took the job – just in case my letter was misplaced while Condi was cleaning out her office (sic) and then in August, my sister Barbara sent the same letter to the embassy in Mexico City. The response dated in October and delivered to me in November will be posted on my blog soon, with a line by line interpretation of its contents. If you are prone to dark humor you may enjoy it. By their inaction, the US government is sending a message that a US citizen living abroad does not matter. Period.
Crisis year 2009 has not been a complete waste, however. I have made many new friends. The Doll Factory has been growing and I will be posting photos of all the new dolls so you can see what we’re doing. We actually have shipped a few to the US! Doll Collectors alert! My 4th Art Exhibit at the Ex-Convent del Carmen – (or as I have translated with humor “Carmen’s ex-convent” sort of makes me wonder what happened to Carmen?) The exhibit ran from October 15 – November 15 and I had over a dozen paintings shown. Its result was attributed to the world-wide financial crisis. Our second poetry book has been published and was presented on November 4th at the “F.I.L” in Guadalajara which is acclaimed to be the largest International Book Fair in Central/Latin America. This year’s collection of poetry called “Roses en Destierra II” or “Uprooted Roses II” contains 12 of my poems.
I would like to mention what I believe is the most important writing accomplishment for the year. For about 2 years, I have been studying with Maria Luisa Burrilla, a well known Mexican writer who compiled a Book of Formative Learning called “Universal Values.” It’s formative because its wisdom should be imparted to the very young in the form of tools to be used to prepare for life, but it is also such an important teaching that any age level –even adults – can grasp its messages. She has infused this message with centuries of prose and poetry from such personalities as Confucius to Oscar Wilde. Story telling plays a large part in these teachings. It’s a balanced, healthy, straight forward look at the human condition and how to manage it instead of it managing you.
A year ago in October (2008), Maria asked me to translate the book “Universal Values” and without hesitating I said “Yes.” I knew when I accepted the job that it would be challenging and it was. Learning to translate involves a fierce determination to conquer the learning. To begin with it was all hand written and had words unknown to me. I used an old Webster’s American Bilingual Pocket Dictionary to look them up. But dictionaries don’t conjugate verbs so it was very slow going at first. Soon I received authorization to work on the computers provided by the State funded Distance Education School (the same prep school I began attending this last August). I received a schedule of 3 days a week during certain hours that I could work. Believe me, I took advantage of the solitude and the privilege and worked! As I said, this wisdom based education which has been seasoned with art and poetry from throughout the ages can be a formidable tool to arm ourselves and our children to face life’s challenges with empowerment and an objective point of view.
So I worked on this and after several months – whole paragraphs could be translated without the use of the bilingual dictionary. In March, for my birthday, my dear friend Lucie brought me a beautiful Collin’s bilingual dictionary complete with diskette, which I loaded onto the computer. This sped up the process greatly and almost a year after I accepted the job, I completed the 300+ page book and turned it over to my teacher. Now we’re looking for publication and promotion in the US. If any of you have publishing contacts or know how to write for grant money, or have any ideas on how we could take this project to the next step…please do tell.
We’re looking for solutions. Maria Luisa Burrillo is the Director of a Poetry house in Guadalajara and has published over 50 books here in Mexico. None in English, of course, so there are many barriers to overcome and with me incarcerated it’s even harder. We’re all looking forward to achieving this publishing goal in 2010, along with my acquittal and subsequent freedom!
About the case. My attorney Mario Lamas Guzman submitted my Amparo on October 16. This is the 3rd and last recourse available to me to see acquittal. This time, 3 judges will review the case and a majority rules. My attorney prepared the Amparo and reviewed it with me. It is presented as if I’m talking to the Judges. Although all of the facts were included and the legalities, abnormalities and violations of my rights were there, I felt they style was very open and I told Mario that I wanted these Magistrates corralled, pinned-down, hog-tied and asked very pointed questions to which they would have no alternative but to look for the answers within the tomes, volumes of paper, that represents my case.
Timing – We don’t really know what the timing will be, however from previous experience, I know that the Court houses close down after the 12th of December and although they reopen by the 15th of January, no real work begins until February. Realistically, it could be as late as April for us to learn their decision.
There are one or two more aces in the hole, but I will discuss those with you when the time comes.
I end this message with one of my new poems from the above mentioned book:
For Justice to Come
While Justice was a way
on holiday,
Her evil counterparts of injustice;
Greed, Power and Corruption
came to stay
“Condemn! Condemn! Condemn!” we say.
“For there really isn’t any other way”
“To keep your status, lifestyle and high pay.”
When Justice returned that fateful day
The locks were changed;
She could not stay.
With heavy heart she turned away
Vowing to return one day.
Lifting her arms, she began to pray
“Remove this plague of injustice
from my plate!
Save the in justly accused of the world
from their fate!
Give them the strength, the patience and long suffering
to endure their wait
…for Justice to come.”
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