San Angelo Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Less Than Half a Gram of Meth

I never comment on these but I am today. I do not comment because I know the individuals have family & friends that hurt deeply for their loved ones & because I do not ever know the whole story. Of course we are entitled to our opinion but we should also view our own lives & mistakes carefully before judging others. I can assure you that this man was no threat to others & he worked hard every day! He worked in freezing weather & very hot weather. He also made sure to pay his bond & attorney himself. He kept to himself most days & if he heard people bad mouthing others he kept quite. Yes he has been in trouble before but maybe he tried repeatedly to get help. Who knows, right? Maybe he was depressed & found acceptance by this evil drug because of opinionated people always looking down at him. Maybe most people on drugs have a mental illness & feel this is their only escape because the "system" makes it hard for them to get help. Prison is not help…prison can & will make a person worse. A lot of "law breakers" or "scum" need extensive rehab & psychological help. I don't know, maybe it's cheaper to lock them up because it sure is difficult for them to get help due to lack of insurance or money or the case not being severe enough. Do you know some places will not even look at a person until they try to hurt themselves or somebody else? So who do we blame when they do or when they turn to drugs? Surely not the system or places that these individuals tried to seek help from! There will always be people that always have negative comments but your comments will not condemn or redeem this man! Mind you that this man has lots of family & few true friends but they all love him unconditionally! Don't get me wrong, this man nor his family want sympathy from anyone. I just wanted you to know just a little about this man! He is not perfect or a saint but he did work hard everyday & always appeared in court like he was suppose to because he was accepting responsibility for what he had done. Some commented as if they really know this man & his life story. Well, I do know his story & I will stand by him & defend him! I will not agree with all his mistakes but we all make them, if there is someone that has not made any mistakes I would love to shake your hand & take a selfie with you & post it on my fb! This man may get on my nerves at times but I love this man & I do know his life story….this man is MY brother.

But at what point does he take responsibility for the cruel card he has been dealt? When do you as his sister acknowledge that his behavior is self destructive and he could one day really cause fatal injury to him or others.

Perhaps this individual is so far lost in the civilized world, that prison is his security? There are truly SOME individuals out there who cannot function outside of a controlled environment such as this. (and unfortunately, he's too old for the military.)

Assuming your "brother" didn't know that burglary was wrong the first time he did it, the point was most likely stressed the second time. He knew that he was a habitual felon but like most people of his ilk, he wants what he wants and the hell with what others think. I think you may want to rethink your definition of "mistake". Forgetting to set your alarm is a mistake. Locking your keys in your car is a mistake. Knowingly depriving others of their personal property (twice) is unashamedly criminal and inexcusable. You cite "the system's" inability to coddle him through his tumultuous life. He chose a life of crime because the convenience of getting something for nothing suited HIM. He chose drug abuse because the allure of escapism (irrespective of it's consequences) suited HIM. He lived under the delusion that society owed him something. In the instance it didn't deliver, he took what he wanted, and when he hit bottom -- of course society owes him understanding and "help". B.S.. Burglarizing someone not only deprives them of their property, but their sense of well being. If one isn't safe in their own home, where are they safe? Why should someone have to live with the notion of some drug addled trash breaking in and having their way with their home? Have you ever seen a neighborhood affected by meth addiction? The constant traffic of methhead filth and the property crimes that go with it bring the quality of life down for everyone in the immediate area -- not to mention the health hazards methamphetamine manufacturing labs pose to their neighbors. While meth ultimately rots an addict from the inside out, these people simply cannot die off fast enough IMO. Taking these things into consideration, "the system" owes him nothing but a secure cage to prevent him from becoming any more of a charge to society than he already is.

And it's 1,2,3 strikes you're out!

Once again we did not ask for your sympathy. He obviously was not on the drug 24/7 because he had a job. I am trying to make a point about mental health issues as well. You only know what you read. You have no idea what kind of help we have tried to get him. I am not going to continue this back & forth business because it is childish. I said what I needed to the first time. I could personally attack each comment but I am more of a face to face kind of gal but I also am not taking any of the negative comments to heart because you do not know him or his life. It is funny how people read the paper & all of a sudden people act like they know everything about the person. The reason I am commenting now is because if you have any more negativity to come at me with I want you to know I do not care & you will not get a rise out of me. I am not gonna comment anymore. He is doing his time. Most people that are quick to judge are the ones that are the most evil. I have a life so I do not have time to keep this going with people I don't even know. So while some of you are busy looking up stories to comment on I will be busy appreciating what I have & being happy. I hope none of your families are ever struck with mental health issues. I am gonna keep on smiling & laughing as I sign off! I do want to thank those that are praying for my family! God bless you all! :)