Your Honor:
I am Patricia Marsh, the mother of Stephanie Barry Wills. I do want to thank you for allowing me to make a statement today.
On the morning of April 26, 2008, Stephanie happily left her home in Stockton, Ca for the drive to her work in Fremont. She was eagerly looking forward to spending time with her husband and children later that day. To her, family was everything. The rest is history. Because of the reckless, irresponsible decisions of Theresa Ann Martinez, Stephanie’s life was snuffed out in an instance, leaving a tidal wave of grief and devastation to all who knew and loved this beautiful girl; Her Dad and me, brothers, sisters, her husband Brian, their three wonderful boys – Derek, Cameron and little Caleb, the Wills family, the Barnes family, relatives, friends, co-workers and even the first responders who knew Stephanie. This pain is intractable and unrelenting.
For me, the actions of Theresa Ann Martinez were nothing less than cold-blooded murder. When one drinks to the point of intoxication and chooses to commandeer a deadly weapon (a car) without thought of consequence, than that is murder pure and simple. Now Theresa must think of these consequences.
Stephanie’s husband has been robbed of the love of his life, his soul mate, and is struggling to maintain their home, while trying to provide some sense of normalcy for their children. My three grandsons have been robbed of Stephanie’s adoring love, support and guidance when they need it the most. Now, their only comfort is in visiting their “Mom’s gravesite”.
I constantly replay the morning when my son-in-law called to give me the terrible news of this senseless act of violence against my daughter, whose all too brief life, was one of giving, sharing and of love. I struggle to find comfort in recalling the day that I brought my precious, baby girl home from the hospital, of the joy of watching her childhood days with her brothers and sisters and of seeing her grow into the beautiful wife and mother she became. I am heartsick beyond belief, trying to make sense out of this senselessness, searching for peace that does not come or set me free. I must deal with a recurring dream in which I stand beside Stephanie’s coffin. She suddenly sits up and says, “Mom, I’m cold”/ I send someone to get a wrap for warmth and she says, “that’s better”. Then she gets up and walks away. I run after her, abruptly waken in a paroxysm of tears thinking I have just had a terrible nightmare. Quickly realizing that this is my reality. I will never again hear her voice, see her captivating smile, feel her hugs or just know that she is there.
It appears that Theresa Ann is very concerned with the length of the sentence being imposed on her, but does she realize that she has handed all of us a life sentence from which there is no appeal, probation or reprieve. Has she learned anything from this tragedy? Does she realize that life is not just one long party? These tragedies are played out daily across our country, Lives full of promise, suddenly obliterated by the wanton irresponsible actions of those that drink and drive. And where is the voice of justice for my daughter and countless other innocent victims and their families.
Nothing less than incarceration to the fullest extent of the law (which is inadequate) is acceptable to our families. When Theresa Ann Martinez leaves the confines of prison, she will be reunited with her loved ones, but our family will just keep yearning for one more word, one more touch, one more smile from our beautiful Stephanie.
