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Matts_Girl · #1 12-30-2003, 10:53 AM

My guy use to be a leader of a SouthSide Chicago gang, who now is doing life in Menard for a shooting he wasnt even present at, but supposedly ordered it. Funny how one of the guys who did the shooting where 2 innocent people were killed and snitched on everyone he could, got 20 yrs and 5 others, 2 who werent even there, all got life.
I always told him by playing Mr. Bigshot it was going to get him in trouble, now his life is gone.
I dont know what I couldve done more, he always told me he was going to leave that life, but when he was with his boys he thought he was king of the world.
I still wonder I stayed with him, knowing something like this would happen. All gangbangers gets busted and does jail time, and these fools tried to be bad ass gangsters, now they pay with their life. And the youngest was 15 when it happened. I blame my guy for ruining that kids future, even thought the kid did it, he was trying to impress the older boys.
I am just so sick of this gangbanger stuff.
A couple of years ago another big shot banger got killed by my house, by guys dressed & saying the were FBI, I heard one of his own boys set it up. How much more can people take, how gangs turns friend against friend.
I am just so upset that this gang took away my love.
Thanks for listening

Eboniizs · #2 12-30-2003, 11:29 AM

OJ worked as an intern/apprentice for a large legal firm as he earned his degree as a paralegal. He also is from the southside of Chicago, and was born and raised in public housing, with a mom who did the best she could to teach her children right and to keep them from getting into the gang thang. But like most young men from the jets, OJ was affiliated with a gang.

Ironically it was his affiliation within the legal firm that caught him this case, he became the lawyers main supplier for their cocaine. OJ and two other gang members went to make a pickup.. well it was a set up to rob OJ and the other two guys. Guns were drawn and one of the other thugs laid dead. The pitiful part was OJ didn’t even have a weapon. But he was there, so he caught two cases murder and possession. He was sentenced to 35 years and has done nearly 17 of them with his out date just weeks away.

OJ never used drugs, when we were teenagers he smoked a joint and ended up in the ER with respiratory problems that was enough to keep him from ever trying drugs again. I don’t know maybe he was a gansta, but I never saw that side of him. He was always going to school to better himself, devoted to his mom and had never been in trouble with the law prior to this case.

Since his incarceration he broke his ties to the gang, it cost him a severe ass whooping by four other gang members when he was at Statesville about 16 years ago. He said it was worth it, to break loose from that affiliation. He’s spent the past 16 years relatively easy, getting along with everyone. Maybe it’s his size no one has ever messed with him since.

Rostonhall · #3 12-30-2003, 01:03 PM

I don't think Tony did much when he was out. He was first sent to prison at 16 years of age. Then at 21 he was back inside for armed robbery. While serving that sentence he witnessed a murder take place and was set up to take the fall for that. In 1984 he was sentenced to death and spent the next 19 years on the Row, all the time professing his innocence. Ryan commuted his sentence to L.W.O.P. in January and now we're doing everything possible to get him exonerated.

Obviously I can't say too much about the case in an open forum but Tony is hoping to be home sometime next year. I'm not so certain as I'm sure it will take longer.

He's the first to tell you that being on the Row actually saved him. He told me a long time ago that he would have died on the streets because of the life he was leading, but he's had plenty of time to grow and become the wonderful man he is now. If I'd been through what he has I'd be very bitter and angry but he isn't. Yes, he still finds it hard to accept that he's been convicted of a murder he didn't do, but he says anger and bitterness would destroy him, and he won 't allow that to happen as then the people who put him there will have won.

He wasn't ever a gang member and has stayed away from
all of that in prison. Well, as much as he could under the circumstances.

So, as you can see, he didn't get to do too much on the outside, he's spent most of his life within the walls.

Rose

jimsenglishgeek · #4 12-30-2003, 01:21 PM

Jimmy was in high school and a star baseball player. He had a contract to play pro baseball as soon as he turned 18. He is convicted of killing his mother, brother and stepfather who were shot and stabbed over 70 times. Despite the vast amount of blood spatter at the scene, no blood was found on Jimmy, on his clothes, in his car. No cuts, bruises or scratches, either. His memory has been completely repressed which lends credence to his having witnessed something traumatic but having not committed the act. Still, he gave a confession at 17 following 14 hours of police interrogation with no attorney or adult present. They finally told him if he confessed, he'd only be charged with manslaughter and would be out in 5 years; but if he didn't, they'd charge him with first degree murder and he'd get the electric chair. So, scared to death of getting the chair, he gave a BS confession not realizing that 1. 17-year-olds couldn't get the death penalty; and 2. not knowing that police aren't the ones who make decisions on how to charge you. He was the second person in Illinois to receive a Natural Life Without Parole sentence.

Morrigan68 · #5 12-30-2003, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Matts_Girl
A couple of years ago another big shot banger got killed by my house, by guys dressed & saying the were FBI, I heard one of his own boys set it up.

Well well, this world gets smaller all the time doesn't it?

First Matts_Girl, welcome to PTO. You will find all of the support you could ever ask for here from people that are going through the same thing you are.

As for the quote from your post that I referenced above, the "big shot banger" who was killed by your house was my brother, in every single way except blood. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him and mourn the loss of him. You knew of him as a banger, which he was. To me, he was the kindest, funniest, warmest soul I knew, and I loved him with everything that I had. I do to this day.

The most important part of my post is this - in 5 years, I will be marrying the man that you were mistakenly told had something to do with the death of my (and his) best friend and brother. Again - one of the best, most wonderful individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing in my entire life and not only am I proud as hell to have his love, I am eternally grateful for it.

For obvious reasons, I would like to continue this discussion with you in PM. I just wanted to set the record straight. I am an extremely intelligent, articulate woman with a promising career in the legal field. I am also from the same streets you are and associated with (and loved) the same type of people you have, and know a load of crap when I hear it. Meaning this - I have talked to Nick about our friend and can honestly tell you that you couldn't be farther from the truth. If you were even close, I wouldn't be with him.

Don't get me wrong, I am not in any way attacking you. Gangs took as much from me as they did from you. I just wanted you to know where I'm coming from and like I said, set the record straight on your misconceptions.

Again, welcome to PTO - if you need anything at all, just shout and someone will be along to help you

BTW - it was DEA, not FBI

haswtch · #6 12-30-2003, 04:36 PM

Eric was the local eccentric. Good with fixing engines, knows how to do building construction, refinish furniture, do landscaping and garden design, drove around with a 4' blacksnake around his neck. Took the screen off the window of his trailer so the chipmunk could visit. Helped his parents with antiquing and reselling.

freshstart · #7 12-30-2003, 04:48 PM

amen to the small world bit.. Corey was a carpenter when he was on the outside. He had just gotten drafted a major league baseball team when he was arrested. He apparently has a fast ball that could put the best pitchers to shame.

Alli

jdswifey02 · #8 12-30-2003, 06:43 PM

JD has been locked up since he was 15-- so before he got locked up, he was in junior high!!
He too is from the south side of Chi.... And is convicted of murder for an incident that he witnessed-- 4 young men were all convicted... although only one of them was the one who was actually in the fight....
JD was also affiliated.... and the prosecution painting the picture of young gang members was a part of what (I believe) led to him actually getting convicted.....
BUT... JD sees it as a blessing in disguise..... Preventing him from going further down the path he was on and having an even WORSE consequence....... Since he has been locked down, many of his childhood friends have lost their lives in the streets..... In a way he sees his incarceration as a second chance....

Morrigan68 · #9 12-30-2003, 07:45 PM

JD's, I know what you mean. Although I hate that Nick is locked up, I can only imagine he would have ended up like our friend if he hadn't been, and I don't even want to think about that. So many friends have died in those streets and none of it had to happen. I can also relate to the prosecution going gung ho for gang members. They were out to get Nick and his whole crew - there was no way he was not going to prison for something

But, like I said, it probably saved his life and 5 years without him is better than mourning him forever.

Rostonhall · #10 12-31-2003, 02:45 AM

Reading all these posts reinforces my belief that prison does, in many, many cases, change peoples outlook. We all seem to have one thing in common. Our men, for one reason or another, have been 'saved' from dying on the streets, they realized the lives they were living would have only ended in death.

Tony's had to contend with so much during the time he's been locked away for this wrongful conviction. Just about everyone in his life has either died or deserted him. The deaths were the hardest to bear as he couldn't say goodbye. He lost his grandmother (who raised him), his brother, an uncle to whom he was very close, his first wife and his mother. Imagine all those people in your life dying and you weren't there.

Tony's case is gang connected even though he's never been a member of a gang and froreading your posts, I'm learning a lot about the gang mentality. We don't have this over here. Yes, there are gangs but they are nowhere near as powerful of self-destructing as they seems to be in the States.

Nicky's Girl, there's always two sides to everything and I'm afraid some will only see what they want to see no matter how wrong they are. Let's hope Matts Girl can see beyond what she's been told.

Rose

Matts_Girl · #11 12-31-2003, 07:10 AM

I did not know it was Nicky's_Girl fiance, that story has been floating in my neighborhood for 10 yrs, I'm sorry if I offended her, I didnt mean too.
I'm just very upset because my man lost his appeal and was sent back to menard after being back in the County for 2 yrs.
I am done with these gangbangers, I wish I never knew any of them, I am no longer going to communicate with my man. I'm just tired of the crap.I have a life to live.
Once again sorry for any mix up or accusations.

Rostonhall · #12 12-31-2003, 08:31 AM

Matts Girl, I'm sure Nicky's Girl wasn't upset by what you said, you only repeated what you had heard and it didn't sound like an accusation to me,as I'm sure she will tell you herself. You have heard both sides now and it's up to you to make the choice.

I'm glad you've given up the gang life but don't give up on your man out of anger or because he now has no appeals left. Think about it some more. If you decide you must lead your own life, and he's not part of it, then it will be a choice you haven't rushed into.

Keep in touch here, there's plenty of us to help and advise if you need it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Rose

Morrigan68 · #13 12-31-2003, 08:38 AM

Matts_Girl -

Please understand that you in absolutely no way offended me. I sincerely hope that you don't feel like you are unwelcome here. I just wanted to set the record straight. You are just as much a victim of all of this as any of us are, and I don't want you to feel like you are unwelcome here. We are all here to support each other - that's what PTO is all about. If you need anything you are more than welcome to PM me, or contact anyone here. They would be glad to help.

Rose, I have learned that all gangs, whether in the US or anywhere else are pointless and serve no purpose whatsoever, other than to intimidate people and hurt people. It's a shame that people have to lose their lives over something as silly as what color they wear, or who they hang around with, or a tattoo that they have.

I could sit here and defend Nick until I'm blue in the face, but it wouldn't do me any good, and would only use up time that I could be spending doing something constructive with my life. He made mistakes, he is paying for them, and hopefully he has learned from them. I am a realist. I don't condone the things that he did, I semi-understand the circumstances and situation he was in and his mentality at the time; do I think it was stupid? Um...yeah

You are so right in that people are going to believe what they want to believe, and like I said, it would be a complete waste of my time to try and convince them otherwise. The only person's opinion that matters in the long run is mine. I have spoken to Nick about everything, I have spent time with him, I have spent time with his family, and I know that the changes I see in him are sincere and good. He has an unwavering commitment and devotion to a daughter that he hardly even knows - she was an infant when he got locked up and is going to be a teenager when he gets out. He could have simply not been a part of her life while locked up and shirked the responsibility for her after he gets out. But that's not my Nick - he adores her; he writes to her; he calls her; he sends her gifts; and the most important thing to him after he gets out is to spend time with her and get to know her and make sure she's taken care of.

People can say what they want (and Matts_Girl, I do not mean you hon

). I know what I see when I look at him and I see a kind, loving, caring man who has learned from past mistakes and grown up. Isn't that what we all hope for in our guys? It's better than the alternative

Okay, I'm going to get off my soap box now

Rostonhall · #14 12-31-2003, 02:09 PM

Nicky's Girl, you can get on the soapbox as often as you like. Everything you say is true and you talk a lot of sense.

Tony is a victim of a gang but he has befriended one of the same gang members who put him on the Row. This guy has changed and Tony accepts that. I can only speak of what I know and, as they get older they see the life they're leading is heading them deeper into trouble.

My own past is nothing to write home about. We all do things we might not like to remember. I probably would do it all over again, at the same age, but, as I've got older I've realized some of the things I did probably shouldn't have happened.

I'm looked upon by many as rather strange for loving Tony, a man convicted of murder, who has been in prison most of his life, but, like you, I've seen beyond that. The man I love and want to spend the rest of my life with is kind, loving, devoted and totally honest. He's respected by inmates and COs alike. Well, those COs who take the time to get to know the real person, not those who see this murderer that's been saved from the Row, but who should have been put to death a long time ago.

I've found out the hard way that his crimes are also mine when I visit. I didn't have anyone to tell me, I walked in at the deep end so to speak. Now I'm used to it but we'll have the last laugh when Tony walks out of those gates, exonerated.

Rose

Roger's Girl · #15 01-03-2004, 08:13 AM

Roger was part of a gang on the North side of Chicago. As I am from the south, I have no kind of idea why someone would be a part of it. Not that we dont have gangs down here, it's just not the way I grew up. The gang life he led is what got him where he is at. It took a lot of inner strength for him to walk away from all that after going to prison.

We talk about his gang days a little, he tells me I dont need to really know about any of it. Its a part of life that is dead to him.

TONYGIRL · #16 01-04-2004, 11:09 AM

My husband was a member of a GANG. But I must admit he coming to prison saved his live. He was a father, brother and son. Now he has been away from his family for 12 years. I have been married to him for 6 years. And in this time together he has come to realize that the kind of life he had before was not as important as his life now in terms of being a member of a gang. He has not seen his daughter grow up, or be with his mother and sister during the holidays. He had a very good job and was making good money. But they say the grass is always greener on the other side. But dare you take that chance? We have a life together now, not what we may want but a reason to survive, to get up in the mornings, and a chance to love agian. Restricitions do not effect us, because life is full of restrictions.

NISSIE · #17 01-04-2004, 12:49 PM

MATTS_GIRL; PLEASE. DONT DESERT MATT. HE NEEDS U NOW MORE THAN EVER. "U NEVER KNOW WHAT U HAVE UNTIL ITS GONE" AND HE'S GONE. TEMP. HE NEEDS U THERE FOR HIM AS MUCH AS U NEED HIM. I UNDERSTAND UR ANGRY. IM ANGRY ALSO. MY MAN GOT LOCKED UP WHEN OUR SON WAS 1.5 MONTHS OLD. AND SINCE THEN IVE HAD TO RAISE HIM BY MYSELF.IM ONLY 19. HE'S ALMOST 7 MONTHS NOW. IVE BEEN WITH CLIFF FOR 5 YEARS AND DONT QUITE KNOW HOW TO FUNCTION WITH OUT HIM. BUT I LOVE HIM AND MISS HIM AS U MISS MATT. FAMILY MEANS ALOT TO THOSE LOCKED UP. AND UR HIS FAMILY. WRITE HIM A LETTER, KEEP UR HEAD UP, AND BE REASURED THAT THE WAIT IS WORTH IT.

IrishQueen · #18 01-08-2004, 12:42 AM

Before Ron was locked up he was a theif, simple as that. The man liked to steal. He was out one month on parole before he was locked up again for this crime. He had been in prison before for being a theif. Like I said he really simply likes to steal stuff. He was an idiot and fully admits it. Before he was a thief he was a 7 year old boy. He has spent most of his life in some kind of institution because he likes to steal. Why do I know he won't steal this time, because I will hurt him and he hasn't stolen anything in the two years he has been in. Well he is in prison you say how can he steal. Well, when he was in before he got tickets for steling on 20 different occassions in 2 and a half years. No steling has occurrd this time. I think therapy is working finally. Yes he is strange and yes he is a freak, but he is all mine.

CET · #19 01-08-2004, 08:07 PM

my friend was a drug dealer, gang affiliated, from chicago. He's in for a murder his best friend did. He was not there, and had no knowledge of it. His friend killed a man in another gang because they were seeing the same girl and she set him up and stole from him. He pleaded innocent and got 40 years, has done 10. We are working on finding the man who was injured, and knows it was not him who did it.
He's made a lot of changes. He dissociated himself from the gang, but at stateville, you're surrounded with it. He got beat up for leaving it. But I found out recently if you don't give up information and names, you don't lose the STG status.

Roger's Girl · #20 01-09-2004, 06:56 PM

What is the STG status? I am not familiar with all the terms yet. Thanks

WoodysWoman · #21 01-17-2004, 08:26 PM

Well, when he was clean and sober (it did happen on occassion) he did construction work. He was awesome when he was all nice and sober.

When he wasn't, the his last shred of common sense went out the window with the last empty beer can, then, he liked to take things. And when he was with his brother, there was nothing they liked better than beating the daylights out of eachother and runnin from the cops LOL.

He was never violent with his crimes, never armed (other than with the two he originally came with). But he'd get out with his buddies and the next thing you know he was in jail, again. He's been in more than he's been out.

When he gets out we are going to start up a construction company together, someplace new. Give us both a fresh start.

Dougsgirl · #22 01-18-2004, 11:13 AM

Doug was a gang member--mld-- maniac latin deciples or something im not into that gang stuff i think that it is stupid! But he says that he is going to get out and get a REAL joob and not go back to that old life! He didnt do much when he was out!
Mande

tammybobswife · #23 01-31-2004, 06:10 PM

BEFORE BOB GOT LOCKED UP HE WAS AN ALCOHOLIC ALSO.WHEN HE WAS SOBER HE DID CONSRUCTION ALSO.HE WOULD STAY UP ALL NIGHT YELLIN AND PARTYING WITH HIS FRIENDS.I REMEMBER ONE NIGHT I TOOK MY KIDS TO MY MOTHER-IN-LAWS AT 3 AM JUST SO WE COULD GET SOME SLEEP.SO YES WE TOO HAD IT REALLY HARD,BUT I SEE CHANGES IN HIM,AND I HOPE HE DON'T GO BACK TO THE BOTTLE WHEN HE GETS OUT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK I CAN DEAL WITH IT ANYMORE.