SUBSCRIBE VIA RSSAs those of you who follow me on Twitter know by now, the trial of James Mammone III ended with a verdict of Guilty on All Counts. It was an expected verdict but one we longed to hear anyhow. Now that this phase is over, we’re one step closer to final justice.
Next Tuesday, the sentencing phase begins, and we’ll learn whether he’ll be sentenced to death row or a prison cell. As per the allowance of the court, the victims’ family members will be given the opportunity to speak. I won’t be there but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to state my peace.
I only publish this because it’s the closest I can get to shouting from the rooftops and letting my voice be heard. Even if no one reads it, it was still therapeutic for me to write and share.
From this point forward, I seek closure, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their kind words, thoughts, and prayers.
I look forward to regaining my passion for writing, but right now, I still feel numb. I know that switch will go off sometime soon but I’m not entirely sure I’ll have any readers left when that occurs.
January 15, 2010
As I watched you listen to the heartache you selfishly and maliciously inflicted, I wasn’t surprised to see a lack of remorse. Some may say it’s because you feel your actions were justified, but I disagree. I think the reason you haven’t shown remorse is because the heartless are void of that emotion. Void of caring. Void of love.
The moment you stole three innocent lives is the moment you became inhuman. Today, you are nothing but an empty shell…barely recognizable as the man who once was. And as of today, you are among the walking dead.
In due time, your flesh and bone will be reacquainted with your already condemned soul, but until that day arrives, you will remain alone and be forever remembered as the devil incarnate.
A man is supposed to protect his children and shield them from harm at all costs. No amount of jealousy, hate, or rage can excuse your actions. Margaret, Macy, and James IV did nothing to deserve the wrath of your demons.
Your children, the same babies you once cradled in your arms, looked up to you when no one else did. They loved you, when no one else could. And they entrusted you with their lives, when no one else would.
Rather than reward their unconditional love for you with compassion, you chose to lift a knife to their throats.
They went to sleep that night in the comfort of Daddy’s presence and awoke wondering why the man who was meant to protect them was now inflicting the ultimate pain.
You may think somewhere in the pits of your existence that you were protecting your children from the harrows of divorce, but I ask you this:
Is it not better to be in the arms of a loving father every weekend than to feel the sting of a blade?
Is it not better to share life, love, and laughter in two homes than to be strapped down and slaughtered without mercy?
Is it not better to have the opportunity to blossom via the nurturing guidance of a patient father than to suffer death at his hand?
How you can decry divorce with one hand and justify murder with the other is beyond comprehension. Your son, your daughter, and their grandmother deserved more out of life than to be confronted by the evil that defines you.
You have disgraced your family name for eternity and you have poisoned your mother’s memories. You have poisoned the memories of her being told that she’s about to become a grandmother. You have poisoned the memories of her holding her grandchildren in her arms. And you have poisoned the memories of her watching them grow up under your care.
Your intent was to hurt Marci. This, you accomplished.
Your intent was to take away those who meant the most to her. This, you accomplished.
And your intent was to destroy her ability to carry on. In this…you failed.
Marci is strong, Marci inspires people, and Marci will charge forward. She will smile again. She will laugh again. And she will love again.
You may have destroyed a part of her life, but you didn’t destroy her.
Soon, the world will be rid of you, and whether you remain locked in a cage like the animal you are, or ultimately succumb to the needle, know that your true Judgment Day awaits.
Perhaps, in some twisted way, you believe you’ll see your children again when your days here on earth are over. But let me assure you. As they run, play, and sleep peacefully behind the gates of heaven, you will be burning in hell.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Greg: I am so so very sorry for the loss of your family members. May they each rest in peace. You are extremely articulate and I hope that writing this has helped you in some small measure. I won’t say such things as; At least he’s going where he belongs because he isn’t. Not yet. The only other words that I will use are; Take care, my friend, for you will find inner peace eventually. As will Marci.
Greg, I am so thankful that the verdict was guilty on all counts. My heart goes out to your family and especially to Marci. I hope the sentencing can help begin to heal the ache in your hearts.
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I am at a loss for words, but wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you and your family as you go through this.
My prayers go out to you and your family for peace of mind. Your words are so powerful. Whether it is through laughter or tears you have a gift, and your readers will wait.
Maria @ Mom et al´s last blog ..Help for Haiti: Your Comments Count!
I hope your family finds the comfort it needs to allow you all to rise above this awful tragedy. Your letter is right on point, this man is pure evil, and everyone has their judgment day.
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My heart goes out to you and your loved ones. Just know we are behind you and thinking of you in this more than difficult time.
This is only my second time visiting your blog…and wow…what a powerful statement. I can’t imagine the things you and your family have been through from the sounds of this letter…but please know that I’ll be praying for y’all.
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Know that we are thinking of all of you with all our hearts. Love, Michael, Liliana, Rebeca and Jaimes.
Always beautifully worded. You have a knack for putting feelings good and bad into words when others are at a loss. Hold your family tight, as I know you always do.
I had been following the trial on the blog you link provided on an earlier post and am very happy for you and your family that you are one step closer to justice. What happened to the children and their grandmother is an unspeakable tragedy and my heart breaks for the months and years that lie ahead. I hope that this verdict brings a measure of comfort.
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Amen brother..
Daniel describes the Judgment Day..
“thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out before him.”
and later..
“..I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.”
This is what awaits for him…this is what comforts us.
God bless my friend.
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Greg, Know this. We don’t just read your blog for “the funny.” You are a witty, insightful, caring man and it shows in every post. I am thrilled for you and your family that you got the verdict you deserved and hope the sentencing phase goes well. We will be here waiting whenever you get ready.
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Greg as you know I have followed this from the beginning and my heart has been breaking since then due to the fact that I tend to put myself in their shoes and couldn’t bare the thought of loosing my children. I did read some of the reporters blog but unfortunately read something my own heart even from a distance could not bare and that was the details of his actions upon the children. I have been crying off and on for 3 days since I read it and can’t even begin to feel what Marci or your family feels. Please know that even though it won’t make any of you feel better my heart truly breaks for you guys. NOTHING they will sentence him too will be enough. ANYTHING this world could offer for him is too good. I also want you guys to know even while your family is in N.C. I will continue to support the SWEET DREAMS FUND to the best of my ability from here in Texas!!! I will be making a donation soon and it will most definitely be in their honor!!
I am so sorry for the tragedy your family has dealt with, and the pain that will forever be there. I am glad that you can put into words your feelings. That man is the devil, and whether or not he dies in prison an old man, or dies by lethal injection, he will spend his eternity in hell.
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Greg, God bless you, Heather and the kids. Your letter was very well put and speaks loudly. This is a aweful tragidy and may we all live through Marci’s stength. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Love, Sheril
and Adam
I did read your blog! You were wondering if anyone would! Not only did I read it, but sent it to everyone I knew! I hope your family finds peace and knowledge that there are thousands of prayers being prayed for your family and for Margaret, Macy and James IV. You wonderful letter is so powerful, and it will affect everyone who reads it! Remember, that we all are horribly affected by these tragic events, and will always keep you all close to our hearts!
As you sleep tonight, know that you are not alone in your prayers! There are angels all over this earth lifting prayers to heaven for you!
Greg I bet you and I would like no more than to be Locked in a room with this scumbag! I continue to pray that Marci can one day be at peace.
Greg, once again I extend my sincere sympathies to you , your family and all that have felt the hurt from this demon’s wrath… he will be eternally cast into the annuals of hell’s fury, never to again to hurt another.
{{Healing hugs}} my friend to all that has endured and eventual peace ( to quickly come)
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I have no words. I will never understand monsters like this. I am so sorry for the loss you and your family have suffered, most of the all the loss Marci has suffered. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. As for the killer, he will pay the ultimate price in Hell.
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Every Powerful Greg, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. As Tuesday comes and goes I hope that you all will find some peace knowing that this part of the process is over. I pray that you all will have some amount of closure and start to remember the happy memories.
My heart goes out to Marci and know this trial can’t end soon enough for her. A wonderfully inspiring post considering these awful circumstances. All my sympathies and support go out to Marci – it will take time, but go laugh smile and love again.
Many prayers and thoughts to you and your family. Looking at the beautiful faces in these pictures, I see 3 guardian angels you guys now have watching over you. I only wish they weren’t taken from you. I’m so sorry for your loss.
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Gregg, i just wanted to let you know, that you and yours are in my prayers …. i really wanted to be there at the sentencing this morning, however, as justice prevailed, i will be at the execution, i am not sure how these words will help, but before they insert the drugs in his body i will stand and say this… you took the lives of your young children for reason’s you can only justify. you said you were sending them back to god . however my niece and nephew were brought in this world way too soon . they were on this earth for 5 days untill god had a special place for them on the right hand side of him … when he made room for him he came and took them from us . we knew it was going to happen that he was coming for them soon . as their lungs and heart were not fully developed . god was granted us a little time to be with them . and when the time was perfect he came and took them back from us . i know this does not make sense to you … but that is the last image and thought to go through his head before he dies. may god continue to bless you and your family and know that we the people do care and wish you the courage and strength to move on .
frankie
Writing this was helpful to me. Not sure if I will mail it.
James,
You do not know me, and I am sending this letter to you anonymously. Let’s see you you can get through this letter without shedding a tear– tuff guy. I am writing to express my sorrow, and sadness for the loss of your 2 children and mother-in-law. Rest assured, this is not hate mail, this mail is sent to you to help you process what you did to your children. Consider it Therapy 101.
Just imagine the physical pain and emotional confusion your children felt when you hurt them, when you killed them.
To a little girl, her father is the most important person in her life.
To a little girl, her father is the most important person in her life.
To a little girl, her father is the most important person in her life.
To a little girl, her father is the most important person in her life.
To a little girl, her father is the most important person in her life.
I hope that when you go to sleep at night you have bad dreams, hearing the screams of your daughter. I hope it wakes you up and then it keeps you awake night after night. I hope it haunts you forever.
No Daddy, no daddy, daddy – stop, no daddy, you’re hurting me. Help, daddy stop!
Your daughter won’t have a chance to grow up, get her driver’s license, or take a “girls vacation”, go on a first date boys, become a cheerleader, graduate from high school, go to college, get her first apartment travel, learn to cook, learn a new language, graduate from college, start a career, fall in love, get engaged, get married, have children, bake cookies and celebrate holidays with her family.
Your children couldn’t trust you. 10 days from now, after the media moves on to another story, another triple murderer, you will be forgotten about. And you will have to sit there, thinking about that day over, and over, and over again. Some inmates have been sitting on the Ohio Death Row since 1983. Just think, you might be sitting there for the next 25 or 30 years – thinking about that day OVER and OVER again.
The pain your children felt has ended.
But their screams are locked in your mind forever.
Your pain is just beginning.
James, take a moment close your eyes and think about it. The sounds they made the screaming cries. The gurgling sounds they made as they tried to survive and cling to life. Think about their confusion and fear they shared, looking at the one person they thought they could trust – Daddy.
I pondered what penalty would serve you best. In a way, the death penalty is too easy. You hang out for awhile; get 3 meals a day and a warm bed. You don’t have to do any work; you don’t have to pay any bills, no responsibility. You just sit there taking up space on the taxpayers dollar. After awhile, they decide to put you to sleep. I don’t think it hurts, which is too bad for you.
Personally –
I’d like to drop you in the ocean, and watch the sharks eat you.
Really hungry sharks.
On the other hand, if you didn’t get the death penalty – then we would have to feed you forever. But wait, that would give you even LONGER to think about what you did. But would your memories fade? Would each passing day get easier or harder for you?
Each year you could think about the children’s birthday, a party you will never get to attend, their day at school, and the teachers you will never get to meet. Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, you will never get to share again.
So, I suppose the best punishment for you is the torture in your own mind that you will experience for the remainder of your life, and the screams of your children, over and over again.
No Daddy, no daddy, daddy – stop, no daddy, you’re hurting me. Help, daddy stop!