Rani Goodgame | In Memoriam
Rani Adena Goodgame March 21, 1975 - October 2, 1993
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We have been told it is more effective to send personal protest letters to the parole board to request the denial of parole for Fidel Marquez. You may find an outline here to help you in composing your letters. See the Contact Us page for the address of where to send your letter. Please make sure to include the following in your letter:
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Re: Fidel Marquez Raven Kazen, Director RE: Fidel Marquez Dear Ms. Kazen: In March 1975 I brought home a new baby daughter for my husband and me and a sister to our eldest child. I still remember that day and the months of her first year as she learned to sit up, crawl and finally to walk. She was such a beautiful child. As the years went by she went to camp, played in sports, took part in the school choir and then became involved with gymnastics. By the time she got to high school, she became a student athletic trainer for the football team and hoped to go into sports medicine when she went to college. I still see her in my mind’s eye at different stages in her life. At six, with one front tooth out; at ten at the pool with her best friend; at her various activities as she grew to be a beautiful young woman. I still long to see her in my dreams in some sweet manner. Then at the still young age of 18, the life was snuffed out of her by warring gangs, one of which was the La Raza 13 gang. This was one of the worst gangs in Houston, Texas. On the evening of her death, she had returned to a house she left shortly before to return a cell phone that someone had left in her car. As she sat in her car outside the house, a truck came by with Fidel Marquez who riddled her car, killing her, and shooting another young woman in the yard, who did finally recover. For this he was penalized only 28 years of imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 14 years. Our daughter Rani, was ripped from our hearts. She was ripped away from all who loved her: sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and friends. She should be alive now! She should maybe be married, maybe have children of her own. But none of that will happen because of this Fidel Marquez. His parole is coming up for review. We understand he has had over 600 days of lost good time days instead of trying to amend his ways. What if when he gets paroled, he comes looking for revenge? It hasn’t been that long since he was put away. Fourteen years is nothing when you think about an 18 year old who should have many more years than that to live, much less more than the full 28 years that he was sentenced to. Please don’t parole him. I urge you to send him back for another five years, before he can be considered again. Respectfully yours, Sharon A. Goodgame Mark Odom, Interim Director Re: Parole review of Fidel Marquez; State ID: 05220937; TDCJ ID: 00695350 Dear Mr. Odom: Rani Adena Goodgame was my younger sister. She was born three-and-a-half years after me, and I can remember her in her baby seat after coming home from the hospital. I remember her getting baths in a special basin in the sink. She was my first little sister. I want to paint a picture for you of the little girl I remember. When she was small Rani was an adorable, bounding little creature. She had long, straight hair that we fought to comb the knots from. Johnson's No More Tears was our best friend. One of the images strongest in my mind is of her at about age 6 or 7, missing at least one front tooth. Her smile was irrepressible, even in a state that most kids find embarrassing for some period of time. Until I was about 11 and Rani was about 7 or 8 we had a grand time playing in what we called the "dance room"--known in most homes as the dining room. We didn't have a big dining room table yet, and there was a wall of mirrors, so what else would little girls do but dance? Rani was little whirling dervish, making up dances, performing in talent shows, and practicing gymnastics in that space. Together we got our share of bruises trying to leap and jump in that small space. With our friends we did karaoke before anyone knew what it was, performing with the microphone that attached to our little record player. The Grease soundtrack, Donna Summer, and a Barry Manilow album were favorites. I think Rani's personal favorite was Glenn Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy." When she was a little bit older, Rani became one of the first gymnasts on the Houston Jewish Community Center's rhythmic gymnastics team. This was right around the time that rhythmics became an Olympic sport, and I remember her floating and flying around the gym doing her beautiful ribbon routine. Somewhere in there, Rani and I both were infected with chickenpox at relatively old ages, kindly brought home by our youngest sister, Cheryl. It was annoying and itchy, but at least we had each other to watch movies with while we waited to become non-contagious. In the summers for many years we all went to camp at the Houston JCC. Rani loved all sorts of camp activities, but really liked anything where there was a chance to perform. All three of us had the opportunity to attend magnet schools that had performing arts curriculums--I went to Welch, and Rani and Cheryl went to Johnston. When they were old enough, Rani and Cheryl both started attending Camp Champions in the summers. They loved that camp, and went there with friends who are children of several of our parents' life-long friends. Camp Champions was a very athletic camp, something I didn't enjoy, but Rani had a wonderful time there. She got the Goodgame girls on the map in the girls' softball league, and many evening and weekends were spent attending games and tournaments at Bayland Park and other venues around Houston. She was ably followed in that pursuit by her younger sister, and the two of them truly lived up to the family name. At the time of her death in October 1993, my sister Rani was 18-years-old, had just graduated from high school in May, and was close to finishing her first semester of college at the University of Houston. She planned to go in to Sports Medicine and become a Sports Trainer, having developed a passion for it while at Westbury High School here in Houston where she was the student athletic trainer for the varsity football team. Though she dealt with dyslexia and the daunting curriculum of a physical therapy degree, she never let it keep her from accomplishing her goals of education. I was an adult when Rani was murdered. I had just graduated from college and started my first job at the Houston Press newspaper. The night it happened, I was out to dinner with my parents and some family friends. We had a great meal, laughed a lot, and got home late. I was just getting into bed when the phone rang. It was late on a Friday night, and it just felt wrong. I did not go with my parents to the crime scene. In some ways I wish I had because I really had a hard time believing the news. Instead, I was tasked with calling my youngest sister at her best friend's house. I was hysterical when I made that phone call, and I told Cheryl's friend Elizabeth that I really needed to speak to Cheryl. She knew I was upset and asked what was wrong, and I just had to tell her. After that I don't remember how Cheryl got home, but she did, and we were up into the early morning waiting for our parents to come home. The next morning was what should have been Cheryl's first day of confirmation class at Congregation Beth Yeshurun. I had graduated that class 6 years prior, and Rani had graduated it 2 years prior. With 3 girls in religious school, our family was well-known among the other school-age families. Observant Jews do not answer the phone on the Sabbath. Rani was killed on a Friday night. Someone had to inform the Rabbi. Very early Saturday morning, after no sleep, I drove to the synagogue and sat outside the Rabbi's office. I didn't know how else we could contact him before classes started. I told him what happened, what little we knew at that point, so he would know that arrangements needed to be made. I am told that before he said anything else to that new confirmation class, he told them the news of my sister's death. Many of them went to school with her for years, from elementary to high school. When I got home after speaking to the Rabbi, calls were coming in fast and furious—people asking if KPRC and KTRH had it right that a Goodgame had been killed overnight. What I remember from the days immediately after the murder are all the flowers and food that came to our house. People came to take care of us. They couldn't believe what we were going through. I remember most the smell of stargazer lilies and coffee--coffee was brewing all the time. A few months later I moved to Los Angeles for graduate school at the University of Southern California. At USC I had resources available to me to help with the grief process, but for 15 years I have been plagued with nightmares that I was there; that I too, was shot. Some nights it's impossible to fall asleep because of the anxiety that what I encounter in my dreams will be so horrific. I wake in cold sweats, having had dreams that either I was shot, or that I was unable to outrun someone trying to attack me. On October 2, 1993, my sister found herself caught in the middle of a retaliation drive-by shooting. We know now that a war within the La Raza 13 gang was underway, having claimed the lives of several other people in the weeks prior to my sister's murder. We also know that one of her killers was out on bond for another murder. A pick-up truck full of fractioning La Raza 13 gang members, one of Houston's largest and most dangerous gangs at the time, drove by wielding semi-automatic weapons spraying the house my sister was parked in front of, as well as her white 1960s era Mustang with bullets. The result would leave one girl wounded (who would later recover), but my sister dead after receiving three gun shots- one to her head, one to her neck and one to her chest. Our family is forever changed by what happened that night. My sister was murdered before any of her grandparents had passed. It's always shocking to hear of a child predeceasing his or her parents, but to die before grandparents is unthinkable. I am married now, but my husband never knew my sister. He knew my grandparents, but not my little sister. My career for many years has been focused on teaching people the dangers of hatred--man's inhumanity to man. In my role as Assistant Director of the Anti-Defamation League in Austin I have the opportunity to work closely with law enforcement with regard to prevention and investigation of hate crimes. As a result, I have learned more than I ever hoped to know about how gangs operate inside and outside of prisons. As of today, we know that Fidel Marquez has lost more than 600 days of "good time," bringing home the realization that he has not used his time in prison to become a better person. I have suppressed for years the idea that perhaps my family might be targeted by my sister's killers, and hoped that as long as they are behind bars we are safe. The fact that my father, my sister Cheryl and I were present at his sentencing puts us in far more danger if Fidel Marquez should decide to seek personal revenge. He killed needlessly before, what would stop him from doing it again? When Marquez was sentenced I believed then, as I do now, that the sentence was too light. I don't know what evidence made it possible for him to be sentenced to only 28 years, but I have no compunction in expressing that less than 14 years served for murder and attempted capital murder is truly a travesty of our justice system. Rani Goodgame is gone forever. Respectfully, I ask that you deny parole to this man and defer his next review the maximum time possible: 5 years. It is my sincere hope that Marquez will serve the entirety of his sentence. Respectfully yours, Lisa Goodgame Raven Kazen, Director Re: Parole review of Fidel Marquez; State ID: 05220937; TDCJ ID: 00695350 Dear Parole Board Members: I think this is the hardest letter I have ever had to write. It is very difficult to know where to begin in telling you why I hope with all hope you will consider what I have to say in your decision, and deny parole to Fidel Marquez. Rani Adena Goodgame was my older sister. She was born two years before me and for the 16 years of my life while she was alive I was her shadow. I looked up to her for everything. She not only taught me things like how to dress and wear my socks so that I wouldn’t be made fun of, but she taught me things only a sister can. She taught me the true meaning of love and a best friend, always being there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on or a ride to the mall or movie theater to meet my friends. More importantly she was there whenever anyone threatened me. She always told them they would have to go through her first if they wanted to get to me. While these things may sound trivial to you, these are the memories I cherish to this day. My sister was an amazing and caring person. She loved her friends and family and would do anything in her power if ever they were in need to help them, and often did. At the time of her death in October 1993, my sister Rani was 18-years-old, had just graduated from high school in May, and was close to finishing her first semester of college at the University of Houston. She planned to go in to Sports Medicine and become a Sports Trainer, having developed a passion for it while at Westbury High School here in Houston where she was the student athletic trainer for the varsity football team. Though she dealt with dyslexia and the daunting curriculum of a physical therapy degree, she never let it keep her from accomplishing her goals of education. On October 2, 1993, my sister found herself caught in the middle of a retaliation drive-by shooting. A pick-up truck full of fractioning La Raza 13 gang members, one of Houston’s largest and most dangerous gangs at the time, drove by wielding semi-automatic weapons spraying the house my sister was parked in front of, as well as her white 1960s era Mustang with bullets. The result would leave one girl wounded (who would later recover), but my sister dead after receiving three gun shots- one to her head, one to her neck and one to her chest. Though I could not and still don’t remember my reaction to the news of my sister’s death, I was told I was so distraught I was screaming. My best friend had to pick up the phone and continue talking to my sister Lisa, as I was incapable. All I can remember is dropping the phone and collapsing. What I do remember is this- though I was told my sister was dead I could not and would not believe it. Not until my parents returned home from identifying my sister’s body and told me they had seen her dead with their own eyes did I allow myself to think it was possible she could actually be dead. Unfortunately as the day of the funeral arrived, there was no more denying it. To this day I can barely remember what words of comfort the Rabbi had to offer, or the people who came to show their respect. The single memory I have from that day is crying out loudly and being overcome with a shearing, crippling pain in my sides as they sealed the concrete cover over my sister’s casket. I remember not only the pain, but also the fact that it was so excruciating I nearly fell to the ground, saved only by my sister Lisa who caught me and held me up. It has taken me years to actually cope with my sister’s death. For years I tried therapy, spending thousands of dollars of my parent’s money and then my own. I tried self-help books, journaling, anything I could think of to help me get my feelings out about the loss of my sister, to help me mourn and come to a place of acceptance. It did not come. Then on September 16, 1996, I was faced with another challenge. The challenge that, on that day, I turned 19-years-old and had surpassed my older sister Rani in age. That was a day I had dreaded for three years. I did not spend my energy on celebration. I spent more time trying to fathom growing older than my older sister. I don’t know if any of you have ever lost someone so unexpectedly to such horrible circumstances or even too early in life, but when you do your life completely changes. Everything you know is now seen through different eyes. To this day my parents are not the same. My father, who once was a cheerful joking guy, is now much more serious and reserved. My mother tends to be withdrawn and quiet. As for my sister Lisa and I, we have to live the rest of our lives without a part that made us whole. Every time I am asked how many sisters I have, I have never been able to answer immediately. There is, and probably always will be, a pause as I have to make the decision if I have the time, the energy or simply the want to avoid making someone else feel uncomfortable, as they inevitably do, when I explain to them that I had two sisters but one died when she was 18. While the easy answer might seem to simply say I have one sister, it is the combination of both my older sisters, Lisa and Rani, who define me and my place in my family. I also feel it would be a betrayal to Rani if I were to not mention her simply because it is easier. There will be no moving forward from this as we relive the pain of Rani’s murder constantly. Every time there is a holiday or when Rani’s birthday passes we think of her and the fact that she is not there with us. Yearly, without fail, for the week surrounding the anniversary of her death I am overcome with sadness and depression, and only after the date passes do I realize what has been wrong. What Fidel Marquez took from me and my family can never be made right. No amount of money or jail time can ever equal the loss we feel. There is nothing that can change the fact that my sister Rani was not there to see our older sister Lisa get married. She will not be there to see me get married or have the chance to be an aunt. She will never have the chance to marry and have children of her own. I have yet to decide if I truly want to bring children in to this world myself, unable to ever know if I would be able to save them from such a fate, and knowing I would not survive if I were to lose a child of my own. People like Fidel Marquez cannot be controlled, nor do I believe they can be rehabilitated. I now live with the fear that upon release, this man who actually knew my sister and probably recognized her car and fired his gun anyway, also probably knows where my family lives. The fact that my father, my sister Lisa and I were present at his sentencing puts us in far more danger if Fidel Marquez should decide to seek personal revenge. He killed needlessly before, what would stop him from doing it again, this time motivated by strong hatred and disdain? I know that I have taken up a great deal of your time but it’s difficult to squeeze almost 15 years worth of pain, sadness and longing to have my sister alive into a couple of paragraphs. I do hope that if you have taken the time to read this entire letter you are able to understand what was lost the early morning hours of Saturday, October 2, 1993 when this world became one less; one less good, caring, loving granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend. However Fidel Marquez is still here, though behind bars, he is still free to breathe air, listen to music, write letters, talk to his family, maybe even have a family of his own some day- all the things he took away from my sister. Though Fidel Marquez may be in jail now, he does have the day of his eventual release to look forward to. Therefore I am requesting the board take all of what he has destroyed into account, deny his parole, and defer his next review for at least 5 years. Thank you for your time. Regards, Cheryl Goodgame Mark Odom, Interim Director Re: Parole review of Fidel Marquez; State ID: 05220937; TDCJ ID: 00695350 Dear Mr. Odom: I am writing to request that you deny parole for Fidel Marquez and not revisit his parole any earlier than the maximum deferment of five years from now. He is serving a prison sentence for his role in the murder of my sister in law, Rani Adena Goodgame. I think of Rani as my sister in law, even though I was never lucky enough to meet her. But she is an ever-present part of my world and that of my wife, Lisa Goodgame. Rani was murdered at the age of eighteen, not long after graduating from high school. She should have been with her family when I married her sister, dancing and lifting us up on chairs. Rani’s murder devastated her parents, my wife and my sister in law Cheryl, a mere teenager at the time of the Rani’s death. Rani’s murder has been a chronic source of suffering for the Goodgames in the thirteen years during which I have been a part of their family. I do my best to be a good brother to Cheryl and a good son to Kenny and Sharon, but I know that I can never fill the emptiness Rani’s death has left in their hearts. Rani was killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was dropping something off at a house during a party when a truck full of gang members drove by the house firing semi-automatic weapons. Rani did nothing to deserve being senselessly gunned down by a group of malicious gang members who had no regard for her life, her loved ones, her future. Fidel Marquez drove by the house, pulled the trigger on a gun, and riddled Rani’s body with bullets. He knowingly broke the law in an act of gang-related revenge with no regard for the innocent girl who happened to be between him and his target. Fidel Marquez’s bullets not only destroyed Rani, they murdered a part of everyone she knew and everyone she would come to know. He killed a part of my wife, my family and in some ways, even a part of me. In the years since Rani’s murder, my wife Lisa has dedicated her life to fighting injustice and hatred. As Assistant Director of the Anti-Defamation League, Lisa works with Austin law enforcement to combat hate crimes. As result of her job she has learned a great deal about street and prison gangs. Lisa and her colleagues in law enforcement agree that parole for Fidel Marquez is a potential threat to the Goodgame family. Kenny, Sharon and Cheryl still live in the same home in which Rani lived at the time of her death. A few words in Google would reveal their location to Fidel Marquez in a matter of seconds. It would be all too easy for Marquez to seek revenge on the Goodgames, just as he sought vengeance on the night when he murdered Rani. Lisa and I stay in that house on our frequent visits to Houston and it scares me to think that Fidel Marquez might come to that house while we sleep – that we might be his next victims. That he might shatter the lives of all the people we know and love with another brutal act. I stridently request that the parole board both deny Mr. Marquez parole and not allow him to come up for parole review again for five more years. He has barely served fourteen years of a mere twenty eight year sentence that I regard as disproportionately lenient, given the heinousness of his crime. I hope you will find that he should serve out his full prison sentence. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Paul Benjamin I am sending this letter of behalf of the family of Rani Goodgame. I have been married to one of Rani's cousins for almost fifteen years. My wife and I were engaged to be married in November of 1993. I still remember when we heard the news of Rani's death. Everyone in the Goodgame family was totally devastated that someone so young with so much promise could be ripped from their lives by such a meaningless act of violence. I know that with every year that passes the grief never lessens for the Goodgames. J.J.
Raven Kazen, Director RE: Fidel Marquez State ID#: 05220937 TDCJ#: 00695350 On October 2, 1993 Rani Goodgame found herself at the wrong place, at the wrong time. While Rani returned to a friend’s house to pick up a belonging, she found herself in the middle of a gang retaliation, drive-by shooting. The result of these semi-automatic wielding, gang members left one young girl wounded and another, Rani Goodgame, dead. One of two men charged and found guilty of attempted murder and of Rani’s murder, Fidel Marquez was sentenced to a mere 28 years for both offenses, to be served concurrently and WITH eligibility of parole. After 14 years in prison, Fidel Marquez is coming up for parole and I sincerely urge the Texas Board of Parole to deny said parole to this dangerous prisoner. Mr. Marquez clearly did not value the lives of those that he hurt and killed. His early release would create a DANGER to all decent citizens of the state of Texas and I feel strongly that he would kill again – as easily as he killed Rani Goodgame. Rani Goodgame was a beloved daughter, sister, niece, cousin and loving and loyal friend who was taken from her family and friends at the age of 18. I STRONGLY OPPOSE the parole for Fidel Marquez. Justice demands that Fidel Marquez serve the full prison term given to him at the time he was sentenced for this heinous crime that destroyed the life of Rani Goodgame. Attention: Ms. Raven Kazen To: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us Texas Department of Criminal Justice Raven Kazen Re: Offender: Fidel Marquez State ID: 05220937 TDCJ ID: 00695350 Fidel Marquez is due for a parole hearing. I am protesting the possibility of Mr. Marquez’s early release and am requestinga five year set-off time until his next parole hearing. He has not served enough time for the crime that he has committed, and judged by Mr. Marquez’s behavior while incarcerated, I do not see where he has made any significant changes. In no way would Fidel Marquez be an asset to our community. T.R., Frisco, TX I am so saddened to hear of your tragic loss. And it is our loss too--because we will never benefit from all that she had to offer. I am sorry to hear that your pain begins anew whenever you hear of possible probation for any of these thugs. If only the parole board realized what they were inflicting on you. And if only they had the priority to keep convicts like these incarcerated--by insisting that victimless criminals receive a different kind of sentence. I don't want to see you suffering by the possible parole of this monster. This man should have given up his right to freedom when he took young Rani's life. And our streets will never be safe--WE will never be protected--when someone with a record of having no regard for human life runs free. Please pass this letter along to the parole board for me. I know that they are trying to do a good job--and that they have a limited number of prison cells. Let them know that I don't consider them doing us any favors by keeping the harmless in, and letting the murderers out. God speed and know that many people who aren't writing, care deeply about you and your family. With all love, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles Re: Fidel Marquez, State ID: 05220937 TDCJ ID: 00695350 Dear Board Members: Please DO NOT grant parole to Fidel Marquez. As a concerned citizen, I am writing to protest the projected parole. On October 2, 1993, Rani Adena Goodgame, age 18, was fatally shot when caught in the gunfire of a drive-by shooting in southwest Houston. Goodgame was shot in the neck, chest and head and eventually died at the scene. Fidel Marquez, a La Raza 13 gang member, was charged with the murder of Goodgame and the attempted capital murder of the other young innocent bystander, Jessica Uvalle, age 14. Marquez was sentenced to 28 years, for both offenses, to run concurrently, again with the eligibility of parole. Fourteen years later, Marquez is up for parole. Marquez should be considered an ongoing threat to society and should be denied parole. Justice demands that Marquez be made to spend every day of his sentence behind bars. He does not understand the value of life. His senseless act of violence was heinous and is the main reason why Rani Googame is no longer with us today. The parole review process is extremely traumatic for the victim's family and friends. I hope the parole board will take into consideration the damage Marquez did to the family of Rani Adena Goodgame. Even though it has been 14 years, the murder still makes a very painful impact on the Goodgame family. Marquez continues to be threat to society. Please consider a five year set-off for any future parole reviews. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, J.C. Raven Kazen, Director Dear Ms. Kazen: I am writing to request a five-year set-off for the next parole hearing of the following individual: • Fidel Marquez Mr. Marquez is serving time for murdering Rani Goodgame. Rani was only 18 and had her whole entire life in front of her. This loss obviously devastated Rani's parents, sisters, extended family and friends. Mr. Marquez killed Rani when he indiscriminately fired shots at a car, yard, and house. It would be an understatement to say that such actions display a blatant disregard for public safety. Letting Mr. Marquez out for parole at this time would not only cause great emotional distress for the Goodgame family, but would also make a heinous statement about the laxity of law enforcement and, indeed, about the sanctity of life. In the Bible, God implores us to "Choose life, that you may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19). Mr. Marquez certainly did not choose life, and yet he lives. Please keep Mr. Marquez incarcerated as long as Texas law allows, to emphasize the importance of this choice and so that others need not fear that he has the freedom to make such a choice again. Sincerely, D.W., Formerly of Maplewood, Houston, TX To: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us Offender: Fidel Marquez July 11, 2008
Texas Parole Board Gentlemen, On October 2, 1993, Rani Goodgame was murdered in a discharge of firearms by LaRaza Gang members. She was 18 years of age and leaves behind a family which included grandparents, parents, a sister, aunt and cousin. Her only mistake was being in the line of fire between gang members. Her killer, Fidel Marquez was sentenced to a mere 26 years in prison of which he has served 14 years. He is eligible for parole on December 12, 2008. His time in prison at the Darrington Unit has been less than stellar incurring considerable time extensions. This too is an indicator of his attitude toward authority. It shows that he is not ready to re enter society. When this convicted killer comes up for parole I am begging you not to grant that parole. The Offender is: Fidel Marquez Yours truly, J.H., Houston, TX Re: Fidel Marquez To Whom It May Concern, Rani Adena Goodgame and I were best friends for almost seventeen years; we met when we were two years old and through out those years we were almost inseparable. Enclosed you will find some pictures of Rani and I growing up together and a poem that I had written in Rani’s memory. No matter what justice is served, it is not enough, as I still mourn for Rani on a daily basis. When she was murdered, a piece of me was murdered as well.
Sincerely, L.A., Houston, TX Raven Kazen, Director RE: Offender: Fidel Marquez Dear Chairperson and Parole Board Members, In this life we all make choices, and as a result of those choices we incur consequences. On October 2, 1993 Fidel Marquez made a choice. He chose to take the life of 18 year old Rani Adena Goodgame. Soon, you will need to determine whether or not Mr. Marquez is fit for parole. I urge you not to release this man back into society. In addition, I strongly request a five year set off before his next parole hearing. The damage caused by Mr. Marquez cannot be reversed. Rani’s family will never know the person that Rani could have been. Many questions will be unanswered for this family forever. However, one question can be answered – the whereabouts of the people responsible for this unconscionable crime. Taking into consideration Mr. Marquez’s conduct in prison thus far, it is apparent that he has no remorse for his actions and no desire to seek rehabilitation. This leads me to believe that if he were released, the probability of him continuing to be a menace to society is inevitable. I have had the pleasure of knowing a very good friend of Rani’s for several years now, and I have witnessed first hand the profound effects that this experience has taken on her. My heart goes out to the family, who still must live every day without their daughter. Even though 14 years has past since her untimely death, their pain has will never pass. I may not have known Rani personally, but I do know that many lives have been devastatingly affected and perpetually altered as a result of Mr. Marquez’s inexcusable actions. He chose to be an affiliate of the La Raza gang; he chose to take into his possession a lethal weapon, and he chose to pull the trigger. Whether or not it was his intention to target Rani Goodgame, it was his intention to pull the trigger that night. Because of that choice, the life of an innocent person was ended abruptly. What Rani’s family and friends have lost cannot be replaced, and it is unfair to ask them to see this man walk freely on the streets, while their daughter’s life has been stolen away from them. The punishment should always fit the crime, and giving Mr. Marquez the chance to rejoin society does not seem befitting. We as the community trust that our justice system will protect our society. We leave the decision in your hands trusting that you will see to it that justice is served. Obviously, Mr. Marquez is unrepentant and therefore undeserving of being paroled. This has been proven by his loss of 637 days of “good time.” I also request that you see to it that appropriate rehabilitation is made available to him. Sincerely yours, T.M., Palm Coast, FL
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