#StatusUpdate: Brick in the head not quite totally on the mend
AHHH fml. I swear there is SO MUCH FREAKING AWESOMENESS going on right now that I haven't even shared with you all yet ... but this whole brick to my head thing is still hiccupping things.
First off, I'm sure you all know, I got hit with a brick to my head on January 26th walking to a comic book shop on Sunset blvd. Totally sucked ... but totally happened. (click the link above to read about how it happened, and here's how I found out I was even hit with a brick.)
Either way, after I testified on Valentines day, things seemed pretty kosher. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect after everything, nor could I really talk about it at that time - so I had no choice but to just keep on truckin' with my life and negate as much of the PTSD with SEVERE exposure therapy and copious amounts of booty dancing to Baby Got Back at the exact spot I got hit.
I DEFINITELY wasn't about to let this random act keep me down, but after such a shock to my system I also had to recognize that I'm human, and this isn't exactly a "normal" life experience.
The State of California is SO FREAKING WONDERFUL to victims of attack. I not only didn't have to pay a $1 of my medial bills (since I'm uninsured there I fall into this state fund that covered me up to 65K on all my bills. SUH-WEET), but I've been talking to the Victim's Advocate on what to expect and they even gave me the number for this crowd called VINE where you basically put in the offender's number and they call you if they have a change in their custody.
It's great as a "victim" because you don't have to check the Inmate Search system, you can passively put it out of your mind and if they ring you - you know shit got real.
At 7:25 am yesterday I got a call from someone in Kentucky. Since I didn't recognize the number I let it go to vmail. But now I think, fuck, you've woken me up might as well see who this is. (My schedule changes, I'm usually up around 8:30 - but sometimes I CAN be up as early as 6 ... but this was not one of those mornings.)
I then hear this voicemail saying,
"Hello! You have requested to be notified if there is a change in an inmate's information. We are here to tell you that XXX inmate number XXXXXX will be released on April 24, 2012."
It's an automated message, but I was GENUINELY shocked.
FEAR IMMEDIATELLLLYYYY struck me from head to toe. Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! He can't be let out of jail!
Mind you - he is being held on over a million dollar bond. So this was not only a very serious attack, but not his first.
My heart pounded for about 15 seconds before I let logic take over and strategise my next doable actions:
1) Call the number at the end of this message to speak to a person.
2) Call the District Attorney's office.
I called the number at the end of the message to speak to the person - no answer.
I then called the DA - no answer.
I then call my father who is a corporate lawyer and calmly explained the situation.
FFAAATTHHHHEEEERRRRRRR, tell me they're not going to release him! What are my options here? Last thing I knew from testifying was that they had enough evidence to go to trial. Now what??
Daughter, (my family and I genuinely do call each other mother, father, daughter, sister, and brother. It's weird, but we're from Connecticut. That's how that shit rolls.) he might just be released into a mental facility. He might not be back on the streets yet.
Dad, I know the attack wasn't personal, but it still SHOCKED me that he's getting released so soon. I'm going to call the DA and see what I can find.
Just let me know, daughter.
We then parted ways and I frannnttiicaaalllllyyyyyyyy called the DA's office all day. Finally, after the 6th call to voicemail I finally listened to his voicemail which indicated that he was not in the office on Mondays.
Genius, Friel, you're a fucking genius.
I then hung up the phone and then decided to just show up at the DA's office this afternoon since I was in the neighborhood.
Dudes, the waiting room at the Hollywood Police Station is LITERALLY the most epic thing ever. Check out this overheard ...
That woman was bat shit crazy. The cops kept asking her, are you trying to tell us something? They then started speaking in code to each other (this is a 49.5 or whatever). Hilarious.
I then went back into the detectives area and met with the dude from the DA's office.
What's been going on Jennifer?
I just got a call from you guys that he's being released. How can he be released so soon? I'm so confused?
Let me pull up the file.
He then went into his computer and was surprised at what he saw on the screen.
He's due in court again on the 26th - and it says its for a jury trial. I show no record of a release date.
Wait, WHAT!?! I ask
Yeah, no record of a release. Did the service call you?
Yes!!!!! Gave me the shock of my life too considering I was physically incapacitated for almost a MONTH with that gnarly concussion. (I still had to get my shit done since when you run a business you can't just call in sick - but from my mood swings, to depression, it was a horrible. horrible. month.)
Well, he's still going to be in jail. I show no record of a release just of a court date on the 26th that the DA may call you to testify in.
UUGGHHHH testifying is the WORST part of an experience like this, btw. When I was stalked as a teen, it was horrible. And even MORE horrible this go round not EXPECTING TO EVEN HAVE TO TESTIFY!! I went for my own mental health to shake my fist at the fucker - had ZZZEERROOOO inkling I would get called to the stand.
I thanked him for the info, and passed along all of my hospital bills saying in passing as I left the door that the automated machine has ONE JOB!!! ONE!!! Notify of a change in status!!! HOW DOES IT FAIL AT THAT??? YOU HAVE FAILED AT LIFE MACHINE!!!
I then left the police station wondering when any of this was going to be over. I've done as MUCH as I possibly can to no longer be afraid. I've walked by that same spot NUMEROUS times - and I'm not saying I want this guy to go away forever, but SOMETHING would be nice.
I'm scared shitless to have to do a jury trial. Even my stalking case as a teen wasn't in front of a jury. Chances are hella good he will plea out before that, but you never know since I think it is his third strike and in California it's three strikes and you are away for life. If I was going to be going to jail for the rest of my life, I would fucking FIGHT!!!!
AHHHHHH fml.
All I know is that right now I know nothing. I believe in the strength that I have inside of me that says I can get through anything ... but REALLY Steve Jobs ... did I HAVE to take your saying SO FUCKING LITERALLY???
#fml
