After The Fire

How can you sum up an event that changed your life in under two pages?
I tried to last week.
Kevin tried this week.
And it was hard.
That horrible event changed my life and so many others.
I have read the petition for clemency submitted by Danahey's lawyers.  If this was some made up movie or story I would laugh out loud at the numerous half-truths and distorting of the facts that fill the petition.  Instead it is all too real.  The attempt to soften and blur the facts of what happened that night are appalling.  And at this point, I don't want to hear the phrase "harmless prank" ever again.  Let alone when it refers to lighting a futon on fire with lighter fluid on a wooden deck of an apartment building full of sleeping people at 2AM and then leaving.
I have also read the official response to the petition filed by the Assistant D.A. and I am thankful for the wisdom and care he had in his writing.  The facts and evidence in the case are laid out very clearly.  Danahey  attempted to hide evidence, fled, and even now has never made an official confession to the authorities.  Plenty to various media outlets which have changed and evolved over the years though.
And now I have written, read, and mailed my response (and opposition) to the petition to the Governor's office.
I pray she has wisdom in her decision.
If she does commute Danahey's sentence, what kind of precedent does that set for others serving prison terms?
I pray others will write, fax, or email the Governor's office to express their views.  You might not have been blessed to know Rachel, Donna, Ryan, or Beth, but you do know me (or else why are you reading this??).  Comments will be accepted for about another week.
Pray for all who have been affected by this.  It's beyond hard to have to relive the worst moment of your life.
Pray for our kids.  Kieran and Keenan know limited information on how Rachel died.  We have tried not to talk about a lot of it in front of them....but Kieran has heard bits and pieces and is now asking more questions.  We are going to have to talk to him and I just pray for wisdom in that.
Take a moment and write.
Governor's Clemency Office
4294 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4294
fax 919-715-8623
clemency@nc.gov