California law allows for IMPLIED MALICE when it comes to drinking and driving. In other words, if you have received prior warnings such as a drunken driving ticket resulting in attendance at DUI school, then you have been made aware of the dangers of drinking and driving. You have been made aware that this behavior KILLS innocent people all the time. Recently, the law was changed indicating that you can be charged with MURDER now on your FIRST offense because society has already made everyone aware of the fact that drinking and driving causes injuries and death. Even if you don’t kill someone and just injure them – a very common happenstance that causes devastating suffering – then you are going to be sent to prison. Don’t be stupid. Don’t Drink Then Drive!!!

2) Do you get to see your children and wife?

Due to changes in the mission at many prisons, and because I am a convicted murderer, there is no prisons in Southern California for Level 2 Lifers ( The Lowest Level For Lifers Due To Good Behavior). I am located at the closest facility which is five hours away from my home in Palm Springs. Thus, I do not see Michelle or the children often. I do see Jeffrey, Ashley (Jeff’s fiancée) and my grand-daughter Morgan about once a month since they live closer. However, prison is not conducive to allowing you to be a father or husband. You cause your family to suffer tremendously when you decide to murder another human being by your actions of indifference in drinking and driving.

3) What would you change if you could?

I would never have taken that first drink or drug. I would have listened and learned from society’s many attempts to change my behavior, lived a sober life, and not murdered Mr. Jilly Rizzo. I would also change places with Mr. Rizzo so his family would not have lost so much and suffered so greatly.

4) How do I know if I am an alcoholic or drug addict?

If you drink or do drugs, and any part of your life is out of control, or if you design your life and hours around drinking and drugging, then you have a problem. If your work performance or personal relationships are suffering, then your life is unmanageable. If you drive after drinking, then you have a very serious problem! Don’t be confused thinking that you can’t have a problem just because you have a good job, a wonderful family, lots of toys, etc. I had that when I murdered Mr. Rizzo. You don’t have to be on skid row to be an alcoholic. The key is to recognize this before you end up a drunk driver, in prison, or dead. Recognize this before you lose those that you love the most, or you cause someone else to lose their loved ones.

5) What has been the hardest part of prison?

The list is endless! Watching people get stabbed or beaten, seeing so much human potential wasted, missing my family, being treated like the scum of the earth, not being able to comfort those I love when they are sick, not being able to say goodbye to those that I love when they are dying – this list is truly endless. Not being able to show people that I love life and that I love this country and want to be a positive part of society. That I want to help people and save lives. That I love God and accept the responsibilities of living life sober and being a kind husband and father. To be a good friend. It is never ending when you look at what is lost in comparison to what is gained.

6) Will you ever drink or use drugs again?

Absolutely NOT!!!

7) How will you stay sober?

By adhering to the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and by making certain that I give my sobriety to someone every single day. To stay focused on my higher power and never to forget what happened when I was not sober. To love life to a degree that most people will never know.

8) Are you sorry for what you did?

I am filled with overwhelming and constant sorrow that I could never describe. I will never forget the pain that I caused, and I will never stop making amends for my actions.

9) How does it feel to know that your actions caused an innocent man to die?

It consumes me knowing that I am directly responsible for murdering an innocent man and bringing such horror and destruction to Mr. Rizzo’s family and friends. For years, I’ve prayed and I asked God to give me an opportunity to say how terribly sorry I am – knowing it may never be accepted. Every Holiday is filled with tears for the victim realizing what I stole. I ask God for forgiveness every single day. The feeling of watching everyone suffer destroys me.

10) What was your worst day in prison?

Every day when I wake up and relive the reasons I am incarcerated. Having to say good bye to my sister Ann, over the phone as she lay dying broke my heart. I had to make this same type of call five years earlier when my dad died and before that when my grand-mother died. You can’t image the emotions this causes…you can’t forgive yourself.

I caused this pain many years ago when I refused to follow the laws that everyone else follows. When I thought I was okay to drive drunk and murdered Mr. Rizzo. I know this pales in comparison to the pain and suffering I brought Mr. Rizzo’s family.

11) What do you do in prison to try to make amends?

I constantly talk on the dangers of drinking and driving. I know I can never ameliorate the pain and suffering that I brought to so many. However, I have done everything that I possibly can to make amends. I have authored articles on the dangers of drunk driving; I have written curriculum on the dangers of drunk driving; I have mailed messages on the dangers of drunk driving around the world; I sponsor people around the country through the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous; I write letters to people around the world on the requests of Moms and Dads to reach their children on not drinking and driving; I mentor men in prison to live a sober life and become good fathers; I teach classes to men to stop living a life of crime; I teach men to read and write so they can gain employment when they leave prison; I maintain this website to try to prevent drinking and driving; I teach business classes; I teach men on how to tutor others; I have changed. I wake up each day and try to find a way to help someone become more responsible and an asset to society.