Note: The following post (just like this entire website) is my opinion and the truth as I understand it.
Several weeks ago — in early June — I received an official-looking envelope from the West Virginia Department of Corrections. I knew what it was before even opening it. It was to tell me that Austin Vantrease applied for parole and a hearing would be scheduled sometime in late-July. I didn’t open the letter for some time… three weeks, to be exact. I put it aside until Father’s Day and my birthday passed. I finally opened it and called the Parole Board office, as instructed, to find out the specifics.
Monday, July 22, 2013 at 10:00 am. Please keep that date in mind.
In less than a month Austin Vantrease (of Newark, Delaware) could walk out of prison. If so, he will have only served three years for his horrific crime that cost my son his future. A free man, perhaps, but still greatly in debt. He could thumb his nose at the Huttonsville Correction Center, the West Virginia Criminal Justice System, and my family but still not be close to fulfilling his obligation to society in general, and to Ryan specifically.
Let’s not forget, there’s still the matter of over $100,000 in criminal restitution that he and his co-attacker, Jonathan May (also of Newark, Delaware), are on the hook to repay. I wonder if they even realize that it’s accumulating interest? I believe the last time I calculated it the amount was around $125,000. That’s nothing compared to the $22,000,000 (twenty-two million dollars) claim against them in the civil suit.
The Vantrease Family at the criminal trial
Ugh! So, once again I’ll likely not sleep the night before. What’s the point? I’ll head out into the darkness in the wee hours of the morning. I’ll make the four or five-hour drive on the hairpin, hilly, winding roads. I’ll be under guard-protection as I’m taken into the parole hearing. Then, after all that, I’ll speak for my son in the form of a Victim Impact Statement.
Did you know I have the option of doing this with either Vantrease present or not. I want this poor excuse of a human-being to hear every word I say. I want his enabling family and that hack-attorney to hear it too! Yep, there’s a few things Ryan would want said as they have to sit there and face the music. I will not let him down in speaking the truth… that’s a promise!
Hell, I’m happy to do it for him!
Then I suspect I’ll get to hear the family matriarch, Gale Vantrease (or her subordinate husband, Bob), say anything and everything to get her violent felon-son out of the clink. I wonder if she’ll try the same approach as last year? I sure hope so! One thing about these people is that just don’t learn from their mistakes, so she just might try it again. If the circumstances weren’t so serious, I’d call her statement a joke. Read my account of Gale Vantrease’s statement given last year here.
The thing is, I have more than ever to keep Austin Vantrease’s sorry ass in prison. He has not acted at all like a remorseful criminal. He has not demonstrated civil accountability. In fact, on the contrary. I’ll be sure to point these out… with examples! In the end though, it will come down to the decision of the Parole Board.
“My heart swelled when a Parole Board member held up reams of citizen letters and said it is the most ever received! I could practically hear the prison door slam in Vantrease’s face.”
Anti-Parole Petition. Please just click this photo, text link, or button and sign.
It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I pleaded with you to not be silent on this, for Ryan’s sake and the sake of society. Not then, and not this time either. I look to you —and for you — to fight this injustice. It’s a fact that community sentiment is highly considered for Vantrease’s release. Oh, how my heart swelled last year when a Parole Board member held up reams of citizen letters and said it is the most ever received! I could practically hear the prison door slam in Vantrease’s face.
All Austin Vantrease could do is hang his head.
West Virginia State Parole Board
1409 Greenbrier Street
Suite 220
Charleston, WV 23511-0700
July 2013
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please deny parole for Austin Vantrease, based on the violent nature of his crime. He kicked a defenseless man in the head, lying unconscious on the ground, with such force it was described as “like punting a football”. Instead of offering aid or requesting medical response, Austin Vantrease ran away and hid from the obvious life-threatening damage he caused. He was hoping not to be found accountable.
His lack of remorse, civil unaccountability, and failure in good-faith retribution makes him a continued risk to the safety of the public and the Diviney family.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
Just as last year, I will tell everyone as quickly as I can — be it good or bad — on the results of the parole hearing. I’ll probably do this on Ryan’s Facebook Fan page or his Twitter page, since it is the quickest. I recall sitting in the parking lot of the prison, on my smartphone, doing this (waiting for the reception to improve momentarily). The crazy thing is, somehow people already found out beforehand. It seemed that the story hit the news outlets, social media, and AP Wire within minutes!
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He should b made to do the time. Or same done to him. So Hus family can see how it feels. Sorry to say that I thank he should have to spend the rest of his life in jail.
Thanks
Christina
Ken…IM Fairly New To Team Diviney, Having Read Most Of The Blogs, From New To Old…I Know, IM Going Backwards…Lol. My Question Is This…Doe The Poor Excuse Of A Human Being, Austin, Get A Chance To File Parole Every Year? If So, Will You Please Advise Us When To Send In Our Petitions To The Wva Parole Board? IM Sure You Will Be On Top Of It, But Just Wanna Help Out As Much As I Can In Keeping This Violent Asshole In Prison His Entire Sentence Which Is By Means No Where Near Long Enough.
Im a christian and I believe in forgiveness, but Im still a mother and I say 2-5 years is not long enough! It makes it hard as a parent to see a father and mother and siblings have to see this sick twisted mind who clearly is showing no remorse for what he did to there son and brother!!! But drug dealers get anywhere from 5 to 20 years??!!! I think years should be added, this is a disgrace to our government!!! The jury and judge should be ashamed and think about the fact that this young boys life is ruined!!!! I say deny parole and retrial!!! God help our country .. God please lay your hands on this family who has suffered a horrible tragedy, in Jesus name, Amen. Honestly Rachael Foncannon
He is responsiable for his actions he deserves a full sentence
He needs to rot in jail permently sick sobs doing that to a nice man we have sickos out there and dam law systems dont work for innocent people just plan out wrong .i will keep your brother in my prayers and thought s to you and your family
This is absolutely heart wrenching . I can not even come to terms with understanding why one would even want to cause so much harm on another human being. I can only hope when this monster is or if he is released that he falls down the steps upon the jail house and hits his head even harder then he did to your brother and becomes brain dead and dies a slow painful death . I am sorry for your family and even more sorry for your brother . I will write the courts and send it ASAp and I will have my family read this story and do the same. I pray a miracle will happen here and your brother will be able to laugh again. Sending my love from my family to yours! Xxoo
My heart hurts, please don’t let these violent men out
Let him rot in prison. He should get no chance of parol, and be given a double life sentence. He’s garbage to the world, and good people need to help take out the trash.
Praying for your son… I’m sorry this horrible thing happened to him They should both be in jail both of them especially the one who kicked a man who was down. that’s terrible Praying….
I pray his parole is completely denied. A person like that with no remorse or any human feeling at all should remain and stay behind bars. Should he be released, he will do it again. Please keep him behind bars where he belongs.
He needs to sit in prison and rot and maybe someday he will realize what he did wrong!!
He deserves to rot in prison. How is anyone in this world going to feel safe if you start releasing people that are willing to kill and not feel guilty. If he did it once than he will do it again because he will think he can get away with it again. People are suppose to feel safe not be scared and
Watching their back every second of the day because you released a monster.
That fucking kkid is luckey I didn’t c that shit I would punt his head and his fucking familys head like a football with my tims on cause they raised such a a fucking idiot! And has no respect once someone1 hits the ground..don’t worry ill b writing a couple letters to the board and certain people I know where he’s locked up..fucking kid is gunna b a prison bitch! Bet on that!
Good luck hope he stays in jail
God Bless Team Diviney. You are an incredible and very fair-minded family who has been dealt a devastating blow to deal with 24/7/365. My prayers are with Ryan, and you, always–SHSP NGA
him n his mom n dad n his sister all sould be lock uo for the rest of there lifes n the rest of there family none of that family sould ever be out on the st at all i am so sorry for your family n brother
Debbie,
If the family of Ryan want to post anything on their website then so be it. If you don’t like it…..leave. Or are you on here just to creep ??????? Its their web page let them scream it from the rafters if they wish.
MK,
I agree with the name calling and bashing of someones name is uncalled for on any site. We are adults. However, you keep bringing up all the “facts” and seeing both sides. I have nothing to say about Austins family. They are not the ones who are up for parole. I am saying that what Austin did is despicable and he should be punished by the law. So for me to support what Ryans family is asking and sending letters to the board is what I can do. You say you are trying to be a unbiased party….anyone with a heart, law student or not, has to see what Austins actions have done not only to Ryan but to his family. Have you ever been a victim? Friend or family member ever been a victim of a violet crime? Maybe that is why I may have a bias opinion, because I have. I am not trying to start a shit storm. Not all people on here that are supporting the family are calling names and are saying hateful things. So please don’t generalise this entire site by a few comments that you have seen on here. And Frankly, I dont care about the Vantreases family and what they have to say. That is between them and Ryans family. Austin sadly did not consider what his actions would do to his family either when he attacked Ryan. That is just something else to consider when writting to the board.
Sending letter to parole board today.
Melissa, I think we are quite aware that this is a site in support of Ryan. All I was trying to do was the raise a point that bashing someone is not helping the situation. A blog like this should be one where you offer your support and prayers for Ryan. If the intent was to have an outlet for people to say despicable things about another human being and their families, instead of focusing on how they will help the victim, it raises a lot of questions about the person who formed the blog…IF that was their intent. I’m hoping it was not though. It amazes me how so many people on here want to call Austin & his family horrible names and how violent they are, yet some of the comments I have read are just as violent. Saying he’s going to be someone’s bitch, hoping he gets raped and killed. Really? Is that how we use our brain power and vocabulary? It really saddens my heart. The worst part is that I have these opinions when it comes to being fair and just and I’m an unbiased party. I understand feelings come into play on both sides, but sometimes we need to take a step back and review the facts. And again, the Vantreases have been instructed not to comment on anything going on. Just thought I’d point that out as well.
MK–What are you, a moron? As a law student, you’re now an EXPERT? Seriously. “it raises a lot of questions about the person who formed the blog” — Do you seriously think this blog was formed for such a really stupid reason?? To let people blow off steam? Also, do you seriously think Ryan’s parents didn’t listen with an open mind, but rather were looking immediately for someone to blame? The video alone, tells the whole story. Ryan’s family has been to hell and back every day since this happened and have to deal with crap like vantrease’s claiming HE was actually the victim….So, MK, if you don’t care for this blog–then get off of it–and do us all a favor, and stay off of it. You have the compassion and humanity of a snail–Oops! That gives snails a bad name. Oh, and one more thing–Ryan’s supporters can write anything they want to on this blog, they do not need your guidance, thanks, nor does his family. Ryan’s supporters have more sensitivity than you will ever have. AT
Rhonda, I was going to comment on your previous response to Janice that I found to be quite disturbing on so many levels from a human & law student perspective. However, I applaud you for THIS post and saying that you will go and find the deposition. I actually read it. I think more people that are responding on this blog need to do the same. But not just that deposition, all of the court documents and FACTS of the case need to be shared. I do not feel Janice was diminishing Ryan’s condition or what his father goes through every day. What she was trying to say is that so many people have formed an opinion about Austin and his family with only what Ryan’s father has told you and what he and his family have allowed to be aired in the media. His family was instructed by their attorney to not say a word. I am pretty sure they feel trapped by those legalities given that all these horrible things are being said about them and their son. What if that were you and you could not respond? It saddens me to think that our society thinks it’s ok to only use one side of the story to form an opinion. Especially from media outlets. How many times has the media led us down the wrong path? Come on people. Please do your due diligence before lynching someone with your words and tirades.
And I agree, sitting blindly by and closing your eyes to something is still action. These men who did this are not their family or their parents. THEY did these things. Unfortunately this blog is about a young man who’s life was taken from him because of what they did to him. His parents lives have been changed forever because of this. It is their right to say what they want and to have a world of hatred for the people who made those boys, the people they stand behind, and people that support them. Ken is entitled because he does this every single day.
I am sorry my post offended you on a personal level, I never knew what needed to be done for a human being that could not physically move their body. I was horrified to have to learn how to use a catheter on my father in law. But I learned. I watched videos on YouTube about how to cath a man, how to do it clean, how to deal with a bedsore the size of a soccer ball, how to do a bowel program on a quad. I have cried and screamed and bawled my eyes our for endless hours over the things that I had to learn to keep him safe and alive. And each minute I did it, I had to separate myself from what I was doing because otherwise I would be locked up in a padded room. I had not remembered exactly how I did it but my husband reminded me because I had to block those times out but he still holds the memory of me on my knees in pain. Father in law is in a rehab hospital right now getting work on his legs and standing so I am not actively caring for him.
And about having things said about you and not being able to respond or defend yourself…. I know all too well. I have spent the last 10+ years of my life being lied about by my stepdaughters, my husband’s exwife and my mother in law. We had to sue the exwife and got a letter from Judge Judy because she wanted us to come solve the case on TV. Everyone in my mother in law’s neighborhood believes the only reason I agreed to help take care of my father in law was because I wanted all of her things and I was trying to steal $90,000 from her. I have tried to defend myself but with someone who has dementia, it’s a new day everyday.
It is very hard when you live this thing every minute of every day and that anger and hatred builds and builds. I wanted to create a site like this when I first started dealing with my inlaws, I would be far ahead of the situation but I didn’t. It might have helped me. And I believe Ken has a right to say what he wants.
I agree MK! Read the depostions!!
What happened to him is horrible. He and his family r forever in my prayers. God bless this strong man n his strong family
Janice,
Please enlighten us! I personally don’t know how any details about someone kicking someone else in the head could possible change my thoughts. So please, again I ask…..educate us.
The truth needs to be told. In Delaware we read public records that provide facts about what really happened. Tyler Johnson’s deposition can be read in your state too. I’m not trying to trivialize Ryan’s condition or his care or his family.
Where is the deposition online? I am interested to read it. I am going to look for the video from the grocery store too.
I would like to read it!!!!! Where can it be found????
MK, and Janice,
If you do not agree to this website or do not understand that this is a site set up for Ryans family and to support them, please feel free to leave. There is NOTHING anyone can say to justify what these criminals did to a human life PERIOD. Please educate us on what these individuals have done to be forgiven not just in the eyes of the law but by the family they tried to destroy. If their parents decide not to speak then so be it. That is their choice. Ryans family does speak for their son.
If that is the case, Melissa, then the Vantrease family should not be trashed continually!!!! Please feel free to tell everyone that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I am the mom of a 24 year old TBI survivor. Gracie’s accident was just that…a horrible car accident. I can not imagine your pain. Knowing someone caused this pain and did so on purpose? I will write my letter today, as I did last year. This Mississippi family is praying for you and hope to hear NO parole. I am reminded of my daddy’s words when I was concerned about an unkind nurse on duty one night. ” If you don’t stand up for her, who will?” Your family does such an amazing job of standing up for Ryan! Stay strong-
First let me start by saying I find this whole situation very tragic. The trauma that Ryan has been through can never be reversed and we cannot turn back time. It is truly a sad situation. However, I feel it is sad on both ends. I have numerous degrees in Criminal Justice and I live in a country where we must listen to BOTH sides without bias and without being close-minded. This country’s justice system was formulated with the intent to hear both sides and to hand down a fair and just decision based on the FACTS of a case. I find it very disturbing that no one has thought to maybe dig a little deeper. Has the media truly taken over and that is all we go by. I would like to think our country’s citizens are much smarter than that. How many times have we seen blatant injustices occur, yet the media had previously crucified that person? How many more times will we allow what someone else tells us, dictate our personal stance on an issue? I understand what Ryan’s family is trying to accomplish, and I know that I would be hurt given that was my child. However, being that we are not the final judgment here on Earth, it is our human & moral duty to hear ALL parties and ALL evidence. Has anyone spoken to the Vantreases personally? Has anyone read the entire transcript of the case? Has anyone spoken to witnesses and heard their TRUE statements? These are the things that I would have to do before I go giving my opinion on a case or bashing anyone’s character or family. From what I have read so far about the defendant, he was not even the one that caused the greatest injury to Ryan, yet the person who did, has been free for years. Were you all aware of that? I haven’t seen one comment about that person. And because of the lack of outcry against that individual, it has caused me to dig much deeper. Hopefully you all will do the same. The point of the matter is that Ryan was seriously injured by the actions of ALL of the parties involved. Yet many have crucified Mr. Vantrease only. That is disturbing within itself. My law professors did not have to tell me that my decisions and opinions should not be based on propaganda and media; I pretty much came to that conclusion on my own as an adult; an adult that would always want justice served, and for the person(s) responsible to pay for a crime they commit. I just wish more of us, who are supposedly for justice, would see past the surface veil and find out more information on our own instead of what we are readily fed.
Thank you MK. No one has heard from the Vantrease’s because that’s how they were advised by a previous attorney. The transcripts are a travesty of justice. I’ve know the whole family for over
Ten years and am proud to call each and every one a friend. What is being said on this web site is not at all who this family is. I could spend several pages telling you the truth. It would be wasted on this venue. I think ken should concentrate on Ryan and stop all the petty, childish name calling.
Janice Keith, you started a shit storm now…… Ken lives every single second of every single day, every waking and sleeping moment thinking about and concentrating on his son. By now, had he not be kicked in the head by the “invisible meteor” that caused the foot to connect to Ryan’s head over and over and over and over and over and over again, Ryan would probably be in some incredible business helping others to achieve what they want or helping them learn or helping people in general. Instead Ryan is unconsciously here.
I will tell you from my own experience caring for someone who is awake but paralyzed. So in the morning Austin wakes up behind the bars in his bed, he gets out of bed, maybe does some thinking, takes a piss, maybe dumps his bowel and he gets dressed. He then goes and eats breakfast, sits at a table and brings the solid food to his mouth, chews it, tastes it, swallows. Then his body takes over and does what it does naturally and starts processing the food to turn in to feces later in the day.
Here is how Ryan’s day begins: he doesn’t wake up, he can’t get out of the bed he must be moved or turned by his father. Ryan may think but can’t communicate what he is thinking, Ryan’s father has to empty the bag that has held Ryan’s urine overnight and verify that it is about the right amount for Ryan’s daily output as well as what color it is, does it have a smell, is there anything strange about it that may be an indication of an infection. Next, not knowing if Ken does his bowel program in the morning or night or every other day, let’s say its bowel program time. Ken must place a suppository in his son’s rectum so that his body is naturally triggered that it’s time to start releasing the feces that is in his bowel. Ryan gets to eat food that his father has liquefied and then pumped into his stomach through a tube so that Ryan can be nourished. Ryan doesn’t get to chew, taste, smell and god forbid sit at a table and bring food to his mouth. Probably after the feeding the suppository has had time to work, it usually takes between 30 to 45 minutes for the bowel to empty into the rectum. Then depending on how his body reacts Ken then must become the person who has a bowel movement for Ryan. I used to get on my knees because the bed didn’t go up and down and it was easier for me to reach. I then had to put my fingers into the rectum to find all the bowel movement and completely clean it out. Sometimes you had to wait a little bit and the bowel would empty again and you would then need to go and get the next load, so to speak. After this and depending on the diet, there is clean up. Cleanup can take forever. A person who does not move on their own sometimes can’t make hardened stool and since Ryan is on a liquid diet through his stomach I bet his bowel movements are more liquid and come whenever. THOSE SUCK because you are in the middle of doing something, then you have to get him back in bed, lifting him, taking his clothes off, cleaning him up, redressing him and physically getting him back in his wheelchair or whatever he was doing before. Because if you don’t and he continues to sit in feces he can get e-coli, c-diff, pressure ulcers, sores….
People who are unable to move on their own can not help you, they are dead weight and they are heavy. I picked up a 220 pound man by myself and moved him from a wheelchair to a bed on a slide board. Thank God for the Hoyer lift, it was a pain too and I was always sweating by the time it was over but it did help.
Now let’s talk about poor innocent Austin who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had so many moments to make decisions to walk away, to call the police, to do what was right and not try to kill a man. He is a beast, he should be destroyed, it doesn’t matter how wonderful his family is or how long you have known him, he still kicked a man in the head until a mass majority of that man’s head had to be removed. The part that allows Ryan to be awake and be a productive part of our society was taken from him by your beloved friend.
I don’t think I would feel the way I do about him if he had remorse, and I feel this way about all criminals. If he said, oh my god look what I did, how can I ever repay this family or society, how can I change or what can I do so that this kind of thing doesn’t ever happen to another person ever. He isn’t. He just wants out so he can what do it again in Deleware, on the Jersey shore?
I am from West Virginia. Have been since the 1600’s – it was called something else at first then Virginia but now West Virginia. They don’t take kindly to people who aren’t from “round here” coming in their state and giving it a bad name. I can only pray that Austin has become some huge big coal mining man’s bitch. Every single time he is raped he may know what it feels like for Ryan to have to have someone else eliminate for him.
God bless Austin’s wonderful family and I can understand that they are not all bad, they all didn’t kick Ryan almost to death. But they should be reminded that they and the other criminal need to repay a very large financial debt to Ryan’s family. Every second they put their head in the sand, the more and more people like me, who have never met Ryan or his family, get pissed off and sincerely hope that when the lawsuit against them personally comes up that each one of them and their children and their children and their children will be paying this debt back. God bless their family because this is his heaven and I can’t even begin to imagine how bad his hell will be.
Will you share the facts???
Deny. People need to be accountable for their actions. When Ryan regains consciousness & is recovered enough to be gainfully employed, then and only then, should parole be considered.
I am so very sorry for the pain you are going through everyday and for the life your son was robbed of. It amazes me that any human being can inflict such agony not only on the victim but their family as well and then feel they should not need punishment. My father worked at a prison in Texas as did my son in law and these jerks think they are being treated badly and unjustly. I pray he not only gets denied but that he messes up in there so he stays longer.
It sad that u can do this to someone and get a slap on the wrist, he needs to rot in jail.
Ryan’s coma doesn’t get to go up for a discussion with a board . Should never even be a possibility for this monster .!!!!!!
I will send a letter too.
God Bless your family; praying for justice. I too, share a similar story. My brother was also viciously attacked by 2 low-life pieces of shit!! After leaving him for dead, he endured many hours of surgery reconstructing his face back to some sort of normalcy. I often wonder how he’ll look after all is healed. We too, pray for justice in that the court system will give these P.O.S.’s what they deserve. I am signing the petition and sending a letter.
Dear Sir
Am so happy there are people like you that believes that scum like that does not ever need to see daylight from behind bars how cruel they where to take something so precious away
I hope the parole board gives your son the justice he deserves and keeps the criminal looked up
Praying for justice for your son and your family
Letter to parole board mailed today. If there is any justice, this will be an easy decision for the state of West Virginia ‘s parole board.
The public at large can then have one more year without fearing this violent offender prowling the streets for victims.
God bless you, Ryan Diviney, you are in our hearts and your suffering will not be in vain!!
Love, hugs, prayers and faith
Paula
For Ryan and his family. You’ve got my promise. God Bless.
I will help and share the news. may god continue to bless him.
According to facebook, Ryan is picking up supporters left and right! So happy to see happening!!
Going to print alot out and tell everyone i come into contact with the story, have them sign there name and info then im going to mail them alll in, were going to make that waste of a human body sit in jail as long as possible!!
The state of WV is a joke as is their judicial system!!! Death for this scum would be way too easy…yet 2 -4 years is easier. KARMA is a bitch and we can all only hope it sucker punches and punts these two maggots making their lives miserable forever! I have FB this petition in addition to taking it to work!
I keep getting a 404 (Page not found message) when I click this link.. Is anyone else?
2-5 years even if he did every last minute of his 5 years is simply not enough so the least they can do is see to it that he does do every last minute of 5 years!
Just printed out my letter to fax. Your family is in my prayers.
then they should……..that young man’s life has been devastated and taken from him, i can only hope the prisoners give him his due
I will sign this. I have a situation in grade school with my son. He was NOT targeted, he just happened to be the first person to walk into the bathroom where 3 other boys were waiting to do a “swirley” I had never heard of this, it is a college hazing thing. It is taking a person, picking them up flushing the toilet and putting the person’s head in while it flushes. He had an injury to his neck and leg, The school called me and said he had been hurt. My husband missed work and we went to school to take him to the hospital. The school didnt’ call for help. I found out after the hospital what happened. I worked with one boy’s father. NOT ONE PERSON came and said “I’m sorry” The school did nothing to these boys. My son could have been paralyzed from the neck down. The principal actually said “boys will be boys” I wonder sometimes had it been my son who was doing this would he have been punished??? We received lots of phone calls checking on my son. But not one call from the boys, their parents and even the one I worked with NEVER MENTIONED IT TO ME. I could have done something. But didnt’ have enough support from the school. Bullies like that in grade school, grow up to be COWARDLY MEN like these 2 who have done this horrible thing to your son. They both deserve to be in prison , Longer than they are now.
Signed please keep him behind bars for his whole life why grant someone freedom when ryan dont have freedom anymore wish i could be there to try and stop this
Well where im from he wouldn’t want to get out of prison for something like this…..he is much safer in jail and i would make sure that they all knew it too
He needs to be punted in the head
He needs to be punted in the head
I just put my letter in the mailbox. I’m so sorry for what your family and Ryan are going through. Sending prayers.
He needs to rot in prison for the rest of his life for what he has done to Ryan! What a ugly nasty shameful act on another human being. So please keep a monster like that where he needs to be behind bars!
Consider it done! This breaks my heart for your family. I have children who attend wvu, so this hits close to home. May God be with Ryan and your family!
I signed the petition, I’m also writing the parole board…
I also posted the picture and asked all my FB Family and Friends to do the same.
Your Family will remain in my prayers !!!!
Unfortunately, WV doesn’t have the death penalty.
Unfortunately, WV doesn’t have the death penalty.
Please do not release these men due to the severity of the crime and lack of care of this young man and what they did
Both men should be locked up for the rest of their life or released to the victims parent so the can beat them to death my honest opinion
A.B
Keep that loser in jail!
signed…….he deserves the death penalty……as far as i’m concerned he took an innocent life. Ryan may be alive but he’s no longer with us.
Parole denied he murdered this innocent young man. Even though he is still alive he will never live life again because of what these barbarians did!
Signed and shared!!! I pray that he is DENiED!! Ryan lost his freedom that night, and Austin Vantrese should never be granted his!!!!
Denied
I also have signed and agree that he should never get out. I was shot 3 times by someone I knew and for attempted murder the max sentence is 25 yrs. He will be eligible for parole after serving 17 of those yrs. (or less). The last shot shattered my L4 vertebra. They told me I would never walk again, but through determination and willpower (and 4 yrs of therapy) I can walk with the use of a cane. I can take care of myself and can live alone again. I have terrible nerve pain that I take narcotics for and the best guess is I will be on those forever. My feelings on this are that I got a life sentence and I think he should get the same. I hope I have as much support when I go to my first parole hearing. Thank you for listening.
You are so lucky Jean Smith that you didn’t die. And you must have worked hard to walk. So very proud when I hear that someone worked hard an made it. Have you heard about the regeneration with your own stem cells? I think it’s experimental right now but it’s amazing and maybe it could help heal the nerve pain, or whatever is causing the pain. I agree with you, you got a life sentence that person should too. Why should they be allowed to walk around free and have a life, your life has been changed forever.
Assault With A Deadly Weapon. He Needs To Serve The Whole Sentence. If He Wanted Good Behavior Time Taken Off His Sentence He Should Have Never Assaulted Ryan And He Wouldn’t Be In Prison In The First Place. Every Action Has Consequences, He Should Be Happy Hes Awake Period.
Do you think it would be different or people would feel different if he was remorseful? I could never hurt someone but if there were an accident that caused some kind of injury like this, I would go to the parole board myself and say, I don’t deserve to be out of prison, please deny my parole. I would never be able to live with myself knowing I did this to someone.
My cousin killed another of our cousins in a car accident. He was not charged, he never served time, but his life has been a disaster. He could never live with himself knowing the pain he caused. He tried killing himself over and over and it left him paralyzed and now with horrific cancer. He just could not live any kind of life because of taking the life of our cousin and her boyfriend. I think I would be the same.
Signed and shared
Those guys deserve to die
signed and shared!
i think the asshole should rott in jail. why should he get to walk and talk to people and go where he wants your son cant so why even think of leting him out he is where he should be he will just get out to hurt someone ealse. keep him behind bars. god bless your family you are in my prayers
I do not have very much faith in WV judicial system seeing as how they did not do their job in 1992 whn my father was murdered in cold blood, and bc of that a harmless elderly man was killed several months later by the same piece of shit!!! I have prayed for Ryan since the beginning n I also pray these worthless fools rot in jail n never see outside the prison walls!!! Our judicial system has failed in the past n I hope n pray they do the right thing by denying parole!!! WE LOVE YU RYAN!!!
He should’ve been prosecuted for attempted murder!! His actions warrant a LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE!! Why is parole even an option for this charge? Ryan’s promising life was stolen from him because of his actions! I feel bad for the Diviney family and even the Vantrease family. Austin Vantrease is a disgrace to his family and both families are VICTIMS OF HIS DESPICABLE ACTIONS!!!
You can COUNT on ME.
My prayers and Heart goes out to you and your brother and Family. **((hugs))**
To let him out would be an injustice to Ryan. I pray that doesn’t happen.
Signed, Mailed and shared. You are my hero Ken and your love for your son is inspiring.
Ken, I too signed last year. I will again send my letter, photos attached. I will encourage others to do the same. Will it help if some of us tag along (in our own cars of course?) Team Diviney is one tough group of cookies! We will keep that SOB in jail. Love to all~
I meant to say that I went on a campaign THIS YEAR to get the signatures, and the change.org emails are rolling in NOW. Sorry, I should have re-read what I wrote before I posted. That’s what happens when you sneak on at work. Oopie, don’t tell anyone!
Even though I signed last year, I did go on a campaign to invite others to sign. Several change.org emails came back saying, “You got such and such to sign the petition.” I wrote a letter last year, but will do he same again this year.
Like Rita said, DIVINEY STRONG!!!!!
Signed and shared! My heart goes out to you and your family. What amazing people you all are! Don’t worry, Ryan, we got this!!!
I can only suggest that each person change the letter a bit to fit your emotions. I have done something similar for a man that is wrongfully in prison, then people copied my letter and sent it in. Change it to be from your own viewpoint. I have never met this man or his family but I have a viewpoint and I will write about my viewpoint. But send it, fax it, email it, sign the petition. He isn’t reformed and he will only do it again, probably killing someone the next time.
in the mailbox with two letters enclosed
We are behind you all the way: Diviney Strong!
Stay strong and know that ryan and ur whole family is in my prayers i just sent out to all my friends to sign i pray he doesn’t get out i don’t want that to happen to my son i would kill that kid myself!
You can count on me, my letter will be there! I would love for you to “hear the prison door slam shut” again for yet another year. Hoping for more of a paper turnout this year, a thicker pile than they had last year.
Consider it done! I will do both. I am having a party at our house on the 4th. I will print a copy for each guest to sign and will send them all in. It is the least our family can do to support your family. Our thoughts and prayers for you all.
This is a wonderful idea – I am going to print them out and have them ready at the door of my house too! Thanks for sharing.
He needs to be denied! He deserves to sit in prison and rot!
Why did this pig only get 2 – 5 years? His ass should be somewhere where they threw away the key….I’m so sorry 🙁