Kohring writes home

To the editor:

I thought you might be interested in a recent development pertaining to my federal case. In December, I applied to the Bush administration for a pardon. I also requested a sentence commutation in the event a pardon was not possible.

I felt the odds were greatly against me with both requests, but needed to ask anyway, otherwise I’ll always wonder if they would have been granted. Besides, I owed it to my family and friends who wish to see me return home as soon as possible. If I had succeeded, it would have been akin to winning a $1 million lottery, as literally thousands of prisoners here have applied, including high-profile people such as ex-Senator Stevens, ex-Congressman Duke Cunningham and ex-Governor George Ryan.

My request was in the form of a five-page letter directly to the president. I outlined why I felt it justified I be pardoned or why my sentence should be commuted. My request was denied, not surprisingly, as the president pardoned few, if any, in his final months in office. And I read he commuted the sentences of only two individuals — U.S. Border Patrol agents involved in the shooting of a Mexican immigrant. When it was apparent Stevens was turned down, it appeared clear I would not be approved either.

In hindsight, I’m glad I was not pardoned, frankly. I would much prefer to win my appeal, be granted a new trial and prove my innocence. Pardons are most frequently for excusing those who’ve committed crimes and have no other alternative. I have not committed a crime. Thus, in the long run, it will be better for me to go through the trial process again as difficult as it may be.

I trust you find this information of interest and newsworthy. I plan to send you a comprehensive update of my prison experiences in the near future. I’m unable to contact you by phone, nor can you call me due to severe phone restrictions here at Taft. I hope you find correspondence by mail suffices. Feel at liberty to use this information.

Thank you for your interest.

Vic Kohring

Former state representative

#15406-006

Unit A4B

P.O. Box 7001

Taft, CA 93268