Protest Against Parole
Send letters, emails, or faxes protesting the parole of Michael Leslie Gattis

Background
On the evening of 10 May 2002, Erin Peck and several friends attended a party at the home of Erin's parents to celebrate the end of their freshman year as architecture students at Rice University, in Houston. After the party, they had ice cream and decided to rent a video. As they were leaving the video store around midnight, their car was struck from the side by the driver of a silver pick-up truck. As a result of the accident, 18 yr old Erin Peck, the driver, was killed. Stephanie, one of Erin passengers, also suffered severe injuries.

According to reports, Gattis, the driver of the silver pick-up truck, was speeding westbound on Bissonnet. As he approached the intersection of Greenbriar at a high rate of speed, the traffic light was red. Gattis veered into the turning lane to drive past vehicles that were stopped at the light. Gattis continued straight in the turning lane, ran the red light, and struck the car Erin Peck was driving. Peck's car, which had the green light, was traveling southbound on Greenbriar through the intersection.

According to court records, Gattis's blood alcohol content was between 0.2657 and 0.2681 over three times the legal limit of .08.

On 19 December 2002, a jury Gattis was found guilty of the felony offenses of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, and sentenced him to thirteen years' and ten years' confinement, respectively.

The Peck Family continue to morn the lose of their only child, Erin. Justice demands that Gattis serve his complete sentence. In addition, to lessen the emotional trauma the parole review process has on the victim's family, please ask that for the maximum set-off for any future parole reviews.

What You Can Do!
Please send the automated e-mail below or write letters of protest against the parole of .
Please send copies of your written protests to us so that we can send them to the victims' family -- see contact info below.


SAMPLE LETTER

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
c/o Ms Angela McCown, Director
TDCJ-Victim Services
P.O. Box 13401
Austin, TX 78711
Fax # 512/452-0825
E-mail to: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us

Re: Michael Leslie Gattis TDCJ ID# 01152200

Dear Board Members,

As a concerned citizen, I am writing to ask that you DO NOT grant parole to Michael Gattis. On the evening of 10 May 2002 Gattis was traveling at a high rate of speed, ran a red light and hit the car being driven by 18 yr old Erin Peck. The impact of the collision killed Erin Peck and serverly injured a passenger in her vehicle. According to Court records Garris's blood alcohol level was over three times the legal limit hours after the accident.

On 19 December 2002 a jury decided Gattis was guilty of the felony offenses of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, and sentenced him to thirteen years' and ten years' confinement, respectively.

Justice demands that Gattis be made to spend every day of his sentence in prison. Please consider the maximum set off before future parole reviews.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

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Your comments will include your name and address, and will be sent to the proper agency.

For more information, please contact:
Texans for Equal Justice
P.O. Box 241
Willis, TX 77378
Fax: (877) 213-4917
E-mail: protest@texansforequaljustice.org