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March 3,
1999
Mr. R.
Neilson
Board of Prison
Terms
428 J Street
#64
Sacramento CA
95814-2329
Dear Mr.
Neilson,
I have been a friend
of Tim Leon (C-29681) and have ministered to him for over 20
years. When Tim was in high school, I was his Youth for
Christ director. I have had plenty of opportunities through
the years to observe Tim's character through letters, phone
calls and many personal visits. Tim is a good person, but
for a short period of Tim, got in with a bad crows of people
which led to him committing his crime. Tim has consistently
expressed regret and remorse for his crime. On at least two
occasions, he tried to make contact with his victim's family
to express his remorse and ask for their forgiveness. Tim
has told me many times that everyday he feels regret for
what he did to that man and his family.
Tim is now a devout
Christian man and has participated and served in the prison
chapel services throughout the years. He has counseled with
and helped many men and participates in various prison
ministries, including Prison Fellowship. I strongly believe
Tim is fully rehabilitated and would pose no threat if he
were released. In fact, I think he would be an asset to his
community as he has expressed his desire to share his story
with at-risk youth to try to help steer them away from
criminal behavior. I have lots of contact in the Fresno area
to provide many opportunities to do that. In fact, he has
recently sent me some letters designed to steer young people
away from a life of crime. I have shared them with several
ministries to young people in Fresno.
I have ministered in
the Fresno area for 28 years and have shared Tim's story
with several of my friends. Many of us are leaders in
ministries or businesses and we all stand ready to come
alongside and assist Tim in his reentry. He has a standing
job offer at Wilshire Paint Company...when he is released.
He has a church waiting to receive him and come around him
(Downtown Church, Pastor Doug Lanier). He has a Christian
halfway house available to assist him to reenter society
(The Maroa Home). I know of many others who would love Tim
and help him in whatever way possible. In fact, through the
ministry I direct, I could easily find whatever Tim would
need through local churches (food, clothing, shelter,
transportation, medical/dental help, counseling,
etc.).
I attended Tim's
trial and am very familiar with the details of his crime.
All things considered, I feel Tim has served enough time and
nothing useful would be accomplished by his continued
incarceration. Myself and my friends stand ready to assist
Tim upon his release in whatever way he needs us. We hope
and pray he will be released soon.
Sincerely,
Alan Doswald,
Executive Director
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