Can you believe it? In less than twenty-four hours Austin Vantrease could be set free on parole! I just cannot see this happening. If asked, I’d have to believe there is no way in hell that would happen. Being in hell myself these past thirty-four months, I speak from authority. I’m a card-carrying member, with a right and privileges bestowed.
Yet, one thing about a hell, just as life, is it’s not fair.
If I had any money to bet, I’d put it all on Vantrease not getting out. I’d double-down, for sure. If the odds were a Vegas event, I’d expect a 99.5% chance of parole being denied. For one, he is a violent offender. The kicker — that half a percent — is prison overcrowding. Still, his status surely puts him at the end of the pecking order for early release. Right? Please tell me so.
Next, the letter writing campaign to the Parole Board clearly shows society sees him as a risk. A huge one, at that. My thanks to everyone who made their position known. In fact, it’s not too late to take part if you have access to a fax machine. It’s doable until 9:00am tomorrow morning when the hearing begins (at the Huttonsville Prison). It’s simple to do. Just copy, paste, and fax the template provided in the most popular (viewed) past post, Austin Vantrease Parole: We must Take Sides. Already did it? Maybe you could complete it for a spouse or family member and have them sign it? It’s that important to Ryan (and me). I can assure you, the Vantrease family and friends will be there in full-force. I know this is true, because someone familiar with them has told me so.
In this case, it’s us against them.
I have a simplistic stance on this. Just so I don’t get my ass sued (i.e., although the publicity would serve us well… and Vantrease, uh, not so well), it’s my opinion. I feel this is good versus evil at the basic level. It’s right against wrong. Justice standing up to injustice. The tormented, screaming at the top of our lungs, interfering with the tormentor. It’s an opportunity to do the right thing.
One more disclaimer: This post is entirely about the criminal aspect. It doesn’t have dick to do with the pending civil suit.
I know the media is quite interested in how everything goes down tomorrow and it will be reported on. I’ve already received requests for interview. If at all possible, given the remoteness of the prison and access to the internet, I will let you know when I first can. I promise. I owe this to you as loyal followers of Ryan. Without you, Ryan never had a chance.
No way, no how. No sireee bob. It’s not happening. Vantrease is staying put. I feel it in my bones.
In the meantime, I will keep you all close to my heart and prayers.
With love and in prayer,
Keri, MY FRANKIE and Family
ha! I just now read the prior comments and looks like I was correct! FLIPPING FANTASTIC TO THE TENTH DEGREE!!!
Upon such news, my prayers are that you all sleep well tonight Diviney Family-
XOXOOXOXO
WOOOOOOOOO!Good news!
Yippee!
WOOHOO! parole DENIED!
Hoping that no news is good news… trying to patiently wait.
Michele- Ken posted the following update on Facebook: Vantrease Parole: Denied! Leaving the prison now and will write about it on my next Ryan’s Rally post.
Great new and cannot wait to hear all about it in his next post!
Thank you Laura! That is WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!
Ken, keeping you in prayer and hoping the parole board sees the truth about Vantrease.
Love & hugs,
Paula
Praying with expectancy!
We got this!
Thinking of you and your family right now. Checking your website often to see if there are any updates. Hoping we are all a little safer with him staying in prision and not being released!
I hope we get and update soon. Praying for Ryan and your entire family. Praying that the Parole Board is guided to make the only right decision.
Thinking of Ryan and your family right now! The hearing should be getting underway. God Bless the Diviney family today.
sending love and prayers….
I’m running into school early tomorrow morning so I fax this… Glad I logged on here tonight. God Bless you Ryan.
Our family will be thinking of all of you tomorrow and hoping there will be NO parole for AVT.
Will you be there for the parole hearing? I am hoping that Austin has not been an A+ prisoner. My prayers continue.
I can’t imagine being a Vantrease family member and asking anyone to go to a parole hearing for this horrific crime. They just don’t get the severity of Austin’s actions and his lack of remorse shown.
Like I said before, wonder if Jon May, Colin McKeefry, their parents and the rest involved in the civil suit will be there in support of Austin or if they wrote a letter to support his parole.
Praying the parole board does not let Austin out to hurt others.
Hoping that justice will prevail – hoping the parole board has a conscience and a heart.
How I wish I had set up our FAX, ’cause now I can’t find the darned directions! Procrastination! This should be a lesson, and I am again regretting that I didn’t “Just Do It!” If I had an email address, I would surely forward this one. I love your honesty, openness and colorful choice of words. Rock ’em, sock ’em, knock ’em robot, you are, but with words, not fists and feet! And you say it so well, Ken!
We will be right here waiting for word tomorrow. Always here with much love and constant prayer. NGA
Hi Ken — well, I did an informal poll with people, just to see what they’d say about the idea of VanTrease getting paroled. Not a soul felt he should be released — the unanimous opinion was that AVT is there to be punished, not rehabilitated — and, a person cannot be rehabilitated if they can’t even show remorse for the pain and suffering they’ve inflicted upon their victims.
Having said that — I have, unfortunately, seen our justice system fail miserably too many times. Everyone knows AVT doesn’t deserve to have freedom given the horrible crime he committed, and the fact that he has not shown even a hint of regret for what he did. He has shown no compassion, and neither has his family. Instead they’ve demonstrated an arrogant, vindictive, hateful demeanor.
But no matter what happens, our focus will remain on the one who deserves it, which is our brave, handsome and strong Ryan. AVT is like a toxic energy force, and I wish we never had to hear his name again.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers today as you prepare to tell yet another group of people a story of wickedness and savagery that will make their stomachs turn. Hope you bring some of those amazing pictures of Ryan smiling and loving life, so they can see with their own eyes some of what was heartlessly stolen from Ryan and your family.
May justice prevail.
Love, prayers, hugs
Paula
Standing beside you in this and praying parole is totally denied, as it should be. Praying for the parole board to clearly see this, and for you and your family.
Tomorrow is a special day for me (birthday) and oh what a great present it would be to here the word DENIED!!
Praying for all of you!
Ken, Thought hearing was today for some reason,My same thoughts and prayers are with you all Tues. and like I feel,the only answer is: DENIED…Good has to win over the evil this person did to Ryan We will always be here to help you all and Ryan get through and to me we will NEVER give up!
Love Gail
Will be with you in spirit. Prayers for tomorrow.
We are praying that this man does not get out of prison!!!!!!!!!! It would be so WRONG and so UNFAIR!!!!!