I just recently came across this article. I no longer live in Chico so I did not find out until recently.
www.chicoer.com/news/ci_13443109
If I understand correctly, the drunk driver has, like Troy Hovey, pled not guilty.
PLEASE write the courts and make your voices heard. The courts need to hear that the community of Chico wants drunk drivers punished...That drunk driving is not an accident...it is a crime!
Please, let us not witness a repeat of the travesty of justice that Deepika and Amit's family and friends suffered.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
August 7th, 2008
This poem is Amit...it embodies who he was and why we are better for having had him touch our hearts and our lives...
The Optimist's Creed
Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you met.
Make all your friends feel there is something in them.
Look at the sunny side of everything.
Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
Give everyone a smile.
Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.
Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.
-Christina D. Larsen
Thursday, August 6, 2009
August 6th, 2008 - August 6th, 2009
Please see my other blog: http://strengthlovehope.blogspot.com/
where I share my thoughts and feelings of the last year.
We will have a memorial table set up at this Saturday's Chico Farmer's market where people can share their memories of Amit, well wishes, etc.
Take action today...don't wait until you have one more reason...enough is enough.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Stallworth Gets 30 Days In Jail...pleads guilty to manslaughter in DUI case
Read more about the sentencing and plea deal for the NFL football player:
http://www.justnews.com/news/19766406/detail.html
http://www.justnews.com/news/19766406/detail.html
Monday, June 8, 2009
In the News...Deja Vu
The man on trial for hit and run DUI in southern CA is pleading not guilty and the lawyer is asking for change of venue...He was at three times the legal limit when he took the lives of innocent people...will the three dead and one injured get justice? or will another killer walk away with a slap on the wrist?
Don't stay silent...
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/08/california.pitcher.killed/index.html
"Prosecutors say that Gallo was on probation before the April crash and that his license had been suspended after a previous drunken-driving charge."
Don't stay silent...
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/08/california.pitcher.killed/index.html
"Prosecutors say that Gallo was on probation before the April crash and that his license had been suspended after a previous drunken-driving charge."
Saturday, June 6, 2009
June 6th, 2009...10 months
On this, the 10th month since Amit was killed by Troy Hovey, I would like to direct viewers of this blog to view my second blog (http://strengthlovehope.blogspot.com/). At this blog, I have been documenting the ongoing story of Deepika, Amit's beautiful wife and their son, Jevesh. Jevesh was diagnosed with multiple heart defects, no spleen, and malrotated intestines. Jevesh will be 6 months old on the 9th. He has already endured to major heart surgeries, multiple procedures, and has spent more time in a hospital than he has his home.
Deepika has had to struggle every single day with the loss of Amit, all the tragedies that resulted from his loss, and the concerns for her child, keeping the business running, paying the bills, and so on. So many times, the public at large and the media, not only gloss over the sickening deja vu of drunk driving death after drunk driving death, they forget about all the other victims that survive such accidents...the ones that don't die physically but lose a piece of themselves that can never be replaced.
I continue to advocate for change. I believe that individuals should not only be educated about and deterred from driving drunk and action be taken to reduce repeat offenders, the punishment needs to be appropriate to the crime...The victims and the families that survive must suffer and be punished for the rest of their lives...so to should the perpetrators of such crimes, and I do not speak of these criminals and their conscious if they have one, I mean long term punishment. Prison, loss of license, and lifelong community service...I do not believe these are unreasonable requests...and yet thousands of people die each year at the hands of drunk drivers and the perpetrators not only physically walk away from the crime, they legally walk away with minimum sentences and slaps on the wrist.
Please pass on the address of this blog. Please help make a difference. I am looking for assistance to mount a large scale media effort in August for the anniversary of Amit's death, not just for Amit, but for all the victims and survivors that have suffered senselessly.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Three more lives cut short...and counting...what will it take
http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyId=2847
Last week, three people were killed in a hit and run dunk driving collision. The driver was caught and will be tried for three murders. We will see if justice will be served. In the end, regardless of the outcome, three more lives are lost and three more sets of families and friends must come to terms with the grief caused by one person's selfish act.
I am still working on ways to make a difference, however, I have been focusing my efforts most recently on doing what I can to help Amit's widow, Deepika, and his son Jevesh (See my other blog if you are interested in reading more).
I have pondered many ideas on what to do......
Do we try and achieve justice?......The courts and insurance companies have stolen those chances away.......
Do we hope Troy Hovey is willing to make amends for his actions?......I won't hold my breath for a man who has made no legitimate act to apologize (I do not believe an apology before sentencing when facing prison is a heartfelt apology...not to mention his declaration of homestead to protect his assets)......
Do we hope people will voluntarily make the right choice...? Some do, some don't...we hope that most just make the right choice because it is just that...the right choice...some will make that choice because they were touched by tragedy, some will make the right choice for fear of the repercussions (often not to others, but to themselves)......Too many will not make the right choice, whether for laziness, selfishness, etc.
What do we do to enact change...do we focus on getting people to make the right choice...do we try and get the courts to enact harsher punishments...do we inflict heavier monetary fines, longer jail terms, longer terms with no license, etc.
I have sent emails, letters, posted on facebook and MySpace, I write this blog...and it is not enough...it is liking walking up a sand dune...but I will continue to work...figure out other venues, contact other victims....I will not let Amit and other victims fade into the backdrop....
Last week, three people were killed in a hit and run dunk driving collision. The driver was caught and will be tried for three murders. We will see if justice will be served. In the end, regardless of the outcome, three more lives are lost and three more sets of families and friends must come to terms with the grief caused by one person's selfish act.
I am still working on ways to make a difference, however, I have been focusing my efforts most recently on doing what I can to help Amit's widow, Deepika, and his son Jevesh (See my other blog if you are interested in reading more).
I have pondered many ideas on what to do......
Do we try and achieve justice?......The courts and insurance companies have stolen those chances away.......
Do we hope Troy Hovey is willing to make amends for his actions?......I won't hold my breath for a man who has made no legitimate act to apologize (I do not believe an apology before sentencing when facing prison is a heartfelt apology...not to mention his declaration of homestead to protect his assets)......
Do we hope people will voluntarily make the right choice...? Some do, some don't...we hope that most just make the right choice because it is just that...the right choice...some will make that choice because they were touched by tragedy, some will make the right choice for fear of the repercussions (often not to others, but to themselves)......Too many will not make the right choice, whether for laziness, selfishness, etc.
What do we do to enact change...do we focus on getting people to make the right choice...do we try and get the courts to enact harsher punishments...do we inflict heavier monetary fines, longer jail terms, longer terms with no license, etc.
I have sent emails, letters, posted on facebook and MySpace, I write this blog...and it is not enough...it is liking walking up a sand dune...but I will continue to work...figure out other venues, contact other victims....I will not let Amit and other victims fade into the backdrop....
Friday, February 6, 2009
Six Months...the pain is no less...and the guilty go unpunished
Today, February 6th, marks the 6 month anniversary of the day we lost Amit...The pain is no less...it is still fresh, raw, biting...echoing into the deepest chambers of our hearts. We must not only endure the greatest pain of all, his absence, but we must acidify those open wounds with the travesty of his killer, for all intents and purposes, going free...Amit was not the first, he was not the last, but he was one, one of far too many, stolen from this world, stolen from their families, stolen, from the hearts of their friends and loved ones...and worse yet...these tragedies continue to be ignored. I am one...each of us is one...but...if we each take a stand, take action against these tragedies and the travesties of justice that happen far too often...maybe, just maybe...we can make a difference...maybe we can prevent somone else from having to endure the utter and complete heartache of such a loss...Do something...please...
I am including a copy of the statement that Deepika had read in court...so that you can see the words...hear in those words the pain and heartache of this loss...maybe, if my words cannot inspire...hers can...
There are no words and so many words to express the emotional suffering that Troy Hovey has brought in to my life through the murder of my husband.
I came to this country away from my family and friends to live my life with my love, my husband Amit Tandon in Dec 2007. I am proud to have a person like Amit in my life, proud to be the mother of his baby. Troy Hovey stole a wonderful man not only from my life, but also from the community, from his family, from his friends. Amit Tandon was only 32 years old. He would have become a US Citizen next year. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, a husband, and in December, he would have been a father to his son. Amit was a successful community member and business man who made Chico a better place. Everyone who met him was better for having him in their lives. He was my love, my life, my partner, my friend, he was my perfection. I must now face the rest of my life without him by my side. I must try and keep our business running without his help, his knowledge and expertise advice, his life. Now, for sure I will breathe but I may not be able to live my life. I have no family around but I am glad that the whole Chico is supporting me in this difficult time.
Initially I was excited, but now I am scared as I know he won't be here with me when I have to rush to the hospital in labor. I will miss him holding my hand in the labor room. I won't be able to share the joy of having my baby with him. It was Amit's dream to bring the baby home in a Mercedes, he was working very hard to make his dream for the baby come true, but now I can't fulfill his first dream for our baby. I must raise my child without him. His son will never get to know the joy of having a father, never get to be held, comforted, taught, teased, and loved by his father. All the kids in the farmer's market used to come to see their "Tomato Bhaji Man". He used to love the kids so much, but he was not fortunate enough to see and play with his own baby, because of Troy's decision to drive under the influence. Amit’s parents will never get to see their son become a father, to see him grow old, to see the success that Amit was achieving. Amit’s niece and nephew will never get to see their beloved Chachu (uncle) ever again, to know him, to have his love in their lives. Amit’s brother will never get to tease him, learn from him, to be with him. The community of Chico has lost an upstanding member of the community who touched so many lives. Amit was loved from Chico, to Redding, to Red Bluff, to Sacramento, to San Jose, To Truckee, to Stockton, to Paradise, to Oroville, to Malaysia, to Dubai, to India…Around the world, we have felt this loss.
Can one even imagine, even begin to imagine what the pain of such a loss can bring to one’s life? On Monday, August 4th, Amit found out that he was going to be father to a baby boy. On Wednesday, August 6th, Amit and I worked in the kitchen to prepare for the markets we would be having that day and for the rest of the week. We laughed and teased each other and then he left to go to his markets. He went to Red Bluff and did his market. On the way home he called, teasing me that he was eating my peaches that he was suppose to be bringing home…He told me to keep his dinner warm and that he would be home shortly…I had made a special treat for to surprise him…nine o’clock came and went with no call and no Amit, time continued to pass…I kept trying to call him, my tension, stress, and worry growing…I went to the kitchen, hoping that he was there unpacking the truck, that maybe his phone was off or that he did not hear it ringing…He was not at the kitchen…My anxiety, stress, and worry continuing to grow…and at midnight, my world was shattered, forever, irreparably…as I learned that my husband, my love, had been killed. There are no words to express the devastation, horror, trauma that one feels in that moment as your heart is torn from your chest and ripped apart, that your body screams out from the devastation, to pray to god that this is not happening, to beg that it is not true, to hope that it is all a nightmare and that they are wrong, that it was someone else, that Amit would come walking through the door at any moment…but he didn’t, he won’t, he never will.
The depression and heartache that I feel is unimaginable. My soul hurts. Ever time I feel a kick of the baby, I remember the excitement on his face when he felt the first kick of our baby. He bought a camera few days before his murder, and told me I want to take the pictures of the growing belly everyday, but it is sitting in the box like that. Amit was so excited about this baby, but now everything has changed. Each day I must wake up and realize that Amit is gone, never to return. Each day, I must face another bill, insurance inquiry, phone call that reminds me that he is gone. Each day questions and tasks that he would have handled were mine to bare. Every doctor appointment that he should have been at, listening to the heartbeat of his child, an appointment that I must have alone, without him to hold my hand and share in the joy and excitement of being new parents, as well as calming the fears of such an event…Each day I look at his pictures, wishing he was here, wishing that this terrible thing had not happened. Each day I must face alone, without the man I loved and each day, I am forced to look at my future, a future without my husband, a future where my child has no father, a future alone.
The devastation, loss, pain, and suffering of such a loss are unimaginable. I never thought that my heart could hurt so much…To literally feel heartache not just in the metaphoric sense, but the literal sense…to feel your soul ache and mourn. There are not enough words in the world, in English, in Hindi, or any other language, to express the pain that Troy Hovey has caused in my life and the life of so many others,
Troy Hovey is a murderer. There is no punishment that is enough to make Troy Hovey atone for his actions. When Troy Hovey chose to consume excess alcohol, chose not to call his wife for a sober ride home, chose not to ask or call a friend for a ride home, chose not to ask a bar patron to give him a ride home, chose not to call a taxi, chose to get behind the wheel of his vehicle, chose to drive drunk at three times the legal Blood Alcohol Content level, chose to drive at speeds that were almost twice the legal posted speed limit (through a school zone), chose to speak on a phone while under the influence and speeding, Troy Hovey, chose to commit murder, not only of an innocent man.....but he also murdered my dreams, to live with my love and my baby's right to live with his father and get all his love and guidance. On August 6th, 2008, it was Amit Tandon that fell victim to the careless, selfish choice of another person, it could have been you or one of your loved ones, on a different night it still may be…
I am including a copy of the statement that Deepika had read in court...so that you can see the words...hear in those words the pain and heartache of this loss...maybe, if my words cannot inspire...hers can...
There are no words and so many words to express the emotional suffering that Troy Hovey has brought in to my life through the murder of my husband.
I came to this country away from my family and friends to live my life with my love, my husband Amit Tandon in Dec 2007. I am proud to have a person like Amit in my life, proud to be the mother of his baby. Troy Hovey stole a wonderful man not only from my life, but also from the community, from his family, from his friends. Amit Tandon was only 32 years old. He would have become a US Citizen next year. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, a husband, and in December, he would have been a father to his son. Amit was a successful community member and business man who made Chico a better place. Everyone who met him was better for having him in their lives. He was my love, my life, my partner, my friend, he was my perfection. I must now face the rest of my life without him by my side. I must try and keep our business running without his help, his knowledge and expertise advice, his life. Now, for sure I will breathe but I may not be able to live my life. I have no family around but I am glad that the whole Chico is supporting me in this difficult time.
Initially I was excited, but now I am scared as I know he won't be here with me when I have to rush to the hospital in labor. I will miss him holding my hand in the labor room. I won't be able to share the joy of having my baby with him. It was Amit's dream to bring the baby home in a Mercedes, he was working very hard to make his dream for the baby come true, but now I can't fulfill his first dream for our baby. I must raise my child without him. His son will never get to know the joy of having a father, never get to be held, comforted, taught, teased, and loved by his father. All the kids in the farmer's market used to come to see their "Tomato Bhaji Man". He used to love the kids so much, but he was not fortunate enough to see and play with his own baby, because of Troy's decision to drive under the influence. Amit’s parents will never get to see their son become a father, to see him grow old, to see the success that Amit was achieving. Amit’s niece and nephew will never get to see their beloved Chachu (uncle) ever again, to know him, to have his love in their lives. Amit’s brother will never get to tease him, learn from him, to be with him. The community of Chico has lost an upstanding member of the community who touched so many lives. Amit was loved from Chico, to Redding, to Red Bluff, to Sacramento, to San Jose, To Truckee, to Stockton, to Paradise, to Oroville, to Malaysia, to Dubai, to India…Around the world, we have felt this loss.
Can one even imagine, even begin to imagine what the pain of such a loss can bring to one’s life? On Monday, August 4th, Amit found out that he was going to be father to a baby boy. On Wednesday, August 6th, Amit and I worked in the kitchen to prepare for the markets we would be having that day and for the rest of the week. We laughed and teased each other and then he left to go to his markets. He went to Red Bluff and did his market. On the way home he called, teasing me that he was eating my peaches that he was suppose to be bringing home…He told me to keep his dinner warm and that he would be home shortly…I had made a special treat for to surprise him…nine o’clock came and went with no call and no Amit, time continued to pass…I kept trying to call him, my tension, stress, and worry growing…I went to the kitchen, hoping that he was there unpacking the truck, that maybe his phone was off or that he did not hear it ringing…He was not at the kitchen…My anxiety, stress, and worry continuing to grow…and at midnight, my world was shattered, forever, irreparably…as I learned that my husband, my love, had been killed. There are no words to express the devastation, horror, trauma that one feels in that moment as your heart is torn from your chest and ripped apart, that your body screams out from the devastation, to pray to god that this is not happening, to beg that it is not true, to hope that it is all a nightmare and that they are wrong, that it was someone else, that Amit would come walking through the door at any moment…but he didn’t, he won’t, he never will.
The depression and heartache that I feel is unimaginable. My soul hurts. Ever time I feel a kick of the baby, I remember the excitement on his face when he felt the first kick of our baby. He bought a camera few days before his murder, and told me I want to take the pictures of the growing belly everyday, but it is sitting in the box like that. Amit was so excited about this baby, but now everything has changed. Each day I must wake up and realize that Amit is gone, never to return. Each day, I must face another bill, insurance inquiry, phone call that reminds me that he is gone. Each day questions and tasks that he would have handled were mine to bare. Every doctor appointment that he should have been at, listening to the heartbeat of his child, an appointment that I must have alone, without him to hold my hand and share in the joy and excitement of being new parents, as well as calming the fears of such an event…Each day I look at his pictures, wishing he was here, wishing that this terrible thing had not happened. Each day I must face alone, without the man I loved and each day, I am forced to look at my future, a future without my husband, a future where my child has no father, a future alone.
The devastation, loss, pain, and suffering of such a loss are unimaginable. I never thought that my heart could hurt so much…To literally feel heartache not just in the metaphoric sense, but the literal sense…to feel your soul ache and mourn. There are not enough words in the world, in English, in Hindi, or any other language, to express the pain that Troy Hovey has caused in my life and the life of so many others,
Troy Hovey is a murderer. There is no punishment that is enough to make Troy Hovey atone for his actions. When Troy Hovey chose to consume excess alcohol, chose not to call his wife for a sober ride home, chose not to ask or call a friend for a ride home, chose not to ask a bar patron to give him a ride home, chose not to call a taxi, chose to get behind the wheel of his vehicle, chose to drive drunk at three times the legal Blood Alcohol Content level, chose to drive at speeds that were almost twice the legal posted speed limit (through a school zone), chose to speak on a phone while under the influence and speeding, Troy Hovey, chose to commit murder, not only of an innocent man.....but he also murdered my dreams, to live with my love and my baby's right to live with his father and get all his love and guidance. On August 6th, 2008, it was Amit Tandon that fell victim to the careless, selfish choice of another person, it could have been you or one of your loved ones, on a different night it still may be…
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Worst Judge ...
Please see this link: http://www.courthouseforum.com//forums/worstjudge.php?id=133295
There is a survey to rate Judge Glusman and a section to provide comments.
Please...fill out the survey and provide your comments...let the voices be heard...Please pass this link on to anyone and everyone you know...maybe we can make a difference.
There is a survey to rate Judge Glusman and a section to provide comments.
Please...fill out the survey and provide your comments...let the voices be heard...Please pass this link on to anyone and everyone you know...maybe we can make a difference.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
News Story
This is a link to the local News Story about the continuing struggle of the Tandon Family.
http://www.khsltv.com/mostpopular/story/More-Tragedy-For-a-Chico-Widow/LC18DbXLFUem6JbFh8eYTQ.cspx
http://www.khsltv.com/mostpopular/story/More-Tragedy-For-a-Chico-Widow/LC18DbXLFUem6JbFh8eYTQ.cspx
Still Talking
Just wanted to post a link to other commentary regarding this case...please feel free to let me know if there are other discussions regarding this matter...or if there is any information on what can be done to hold Glusman accountable for this tragedy of justice.
http://www.courthouseforum.com/forums/makepost.php
http://www.courthouseforum.com/forums/makepost.php
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