Wilmington man who got second chance is back in prison
About 10 years ago, a former Daily Breeze colleague, Keith Sharon, wrote about Roy Alvarez, a Wilmington man in prison for robbery.
Although Alvarez had previously served time in prison for robbery, he contended he was wrongfully arrested and convicted the second time. He was right.
Although eight witnesses during his trial failed to identify him, jurors took the word of another witness who said he was 90 percent sure Alvarez was the man.
They convicted him and a judge sentenced Alvarez to 15 years in prison.
Alvarez then spent his days behind bars writing letters to lawyers and reporters, and researching legal books.
Although Alvarez had previously served time in prison for robbery, he contended he was wrongfully arrested and convicted the second time. He was right.
Although eight witnesses during his trial failed to identify him, jurors took the word of another witness who said he was 90 percent sure Alvarez was the man.
They convicted him and a judge sentenced Alvarez to 15 years in prison.
Alvarez then spent his days behind bars writing letters to lawyers and reporters, and researching legal books.
After years of seeking appeals, Alvarez caught the attention of two
attorneys who went to his aid. Ultimately, the District Attorney's
Office decided not to contest their claims that, among other things,
prosecutors failed to mention that another robber was convicted at the
same time as Alvarez for robberies in the same area. That was probably
the guy.
Unfortunately that took nearly eight years. A judge freed Alvarez in 2002 and he got a second chance. I met him at his apartment shortly after his release and wrote a story about his new life of freedom.
Unfortunately, things didn't go well.
Several months later, I wrote a story saying Alvarez was having trouble getting a job and was having difficulty learning how to live with his wife again after so many years in a cell.
"Don't feel sorry for me. It's over with and I'm moving on," Alvarez said at the time. "Good things are happening. I'm home. They will continue to happen slowly and I'm OK with that."
Sometime later, Alvarez showed up in the lobby at the old Daily Breeze building. He was obviously under the influence of drugs.
He asked me for money. I told him to leave.
I didn't hear from him again.
Well, I've received a letter from Alvarez. He's in prison again at the state prison in Lancaster.
Once again, he's working on his own case. He asked me if I can send him a couple articles the Breeze wrote on him.
I don't know exactly what he did to go to prison this time, but he wrote that it involved assault with a deadly weapon. In February, a judge sentenced him to 67 years to life, so it's obviously pretty serious. And he most likely won't see freedom again.
I just mailed him the articles he wanted. And that will be that.
Unfortunately that took nearly eight years. A judge freed Alvarez in 2002 and he got a second chance. I met him at his apartment shortly after his release and wrote a story about his new life of freedom.
Unfortunately, things didn't go well.
Several months later, I wrote a story saying Alvarez was having trouble getting a job and was having difficulty learning how to live with his wife again after so many years in a cell.
"Don't feel sorry for me. It's over with and I'm moving on," Alvarez said at the time. "Good things are happening. I'm home. They will continue to happen slowly and I'm OK with that."
Sometime later, Alvarez showed up in the lobby at the old Daily Breeze building. He was obviously under the influence of drugs.
He asked me for money. I told him to leave.
I didn't hear from him again.
Well, I've received a letter from Alvarez. He's in prison again at the state prison in Lancaster.
Once again, he's working on his own case. He asked me if I can send him a couple articles the Breeze wrote on him.
I don't know exactly what he did to go to prison this time, but he wrote that it involved assault with a deadly weapon. In February, a judge sentenced him to 67 years to life, so it's obviously pretty serious. And he most likely won't see freedom again.
I just mailed him the articles he wanted. And that will be that.
About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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