On February 13, 2013 we were in court again to hear the sentencing of Jack Teitel. For the past several years, however, in every court session and without fail, his defence lawyers have stood up and made a motion that is so preposterous it wastes at least 1/2 hour to an hour of valuable court time. In the last hearing in January, they claimed that the session was supposed to be behind closed doors, and that there was a former protocol where the judges had made a decision to that affect. No such decision had been made, and of course the defence couldn't produce the piece of paper to substantiate their claim.
This time, the defence opened up by saying that a mistake in some facts had been made on the last court record and before sentencing could take place, it had to be corrected. The judges asked why they hadn't taken care of it a month ago, because if there had been a mistake (which they didn't believe was true) there was a process to follow, and they would have to follow that process. Of course the defence lawyers knew that, but used this as an excuse to delay the sentencing. I personally believe that they simply don't want to give the prosecution and us, the victims that show up to every hearing, any satisfaction! Whether its pride or evil intent, only The Lord knows.
I wish you all could sit in the court room and behold what we see, how the defence constantly tries to manipulate the law in order to get a self- confessed, guilty man off the hook of true justice as much as lies in their power to do so. It is frustrating but so obvious how the enemy is using them to try to pervert justice. Another fact to consider is that they are not defence attorneys assigned by the State of Israel, but privately hired, and we and others from the legal team and the media are wondering who is financing this! We know from our own experience how expensive lawyers are.
The hearing began at 3:30 PM and it was already at least 5PM when things got down to the nitty gritty and all the technicalities were over, and the prosecution and the defence were able to present their claims for sentencing. The State Prosecutor, Sagi Ophir, prefaced his demands by saying that Teitel, "by his acts of incitement and calls to replace the State of Israel with a totalitarian Jewish monarchy, along with his calls for and encouragement of violence against those who didn't share his views, carried out acts that 'undermine the foundations of a democratic society.' In his acts of murder, attempted murder and violence, Teitel 'scorned the sanctity of life,' Ofir added. Teitel's actions warranted that 'his freedom be taken until the end of his days,' just as he took away the freedom of his victims and tried to take it from others." (quoted from a very good article - State seeks to make example of US-born 'Jewish Terrorist' from the online paper - The Times of Israel. Here is the link: http://www.timesofisrael.com/state-seeks-to-make-example-of-us-born-jewish-terrorist/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)
Ophir made it clear that the State of Israel considered that Teitel's crimes were motived by hatred against people whose nationalities, views and ways of life were different than his, which is a point of view that the judges concurred with. The judges mentioned Messianic Jews in this context several times, with much respect.
The State then went on to ask for a sentence of two consecutive life sentences. In addition to the life sentences (which would equal 60 years as a life sentence is 30 years in Israel), the State is asking for 70 additional years for the two attempted murders and the other six convictions, a total number of 130 years in prison. The prosecutor included the name of Ami Ortiz, who had been critically injured, detailing what his injuries were, and that the maximum sentence for attempted murder was being asked for in his case. This was admitted into the official protocol of the States' demands. The Prosecutor asked for compensation from Teitel for the victims' families as well.
The defence then made their rebuttal, asking the court to lessen Teitel's sentence as they claim the crimes were not carried out because his hatred of others, but because of mental illness.
The next hearing, where sentencing will God willing take place, will be on March 17th, 2013 at 12 Noon. We would appreciate your prayers for this to finally happen.
Below is a link to an interesting article about a man, Asher Weisgan, who lived in the same settlement as Jack Teitel - Shvut Rachel. There are only 100 families living there, and it is more than possible that they were acquainted; they certainly share the same convictions. In 2005 he killed 4 Arabs and wounded two others. He was convicted of four consecutive life sentences, but committed suicide in prison: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asher_Weisgan
AMI NEWS
Ami is working hard in school. The basketball season is over, and sadly, his team did very poorly. Ami was hardly given the opportunity to play in the games, which was also very disappointing to him. When he spoke to his coaches, he asked them if he was in their plan at all. They said that he was very much in their plans, they like his height and the way he moves, but he needed more understanding of the plays and the way the game is played over there. We asked Ami if he felt it was true, and he said he could see their point. Please pray for this, for Ami to gain the understanding that he needs. I have noticed that there is much that doesn't seem logical to him as far as mentality and methods are concerned. It is truly the meeting of a Middle Eastern mind with the West and it has gotten a little rocky sometimes, but he is coping with it like the trooper that he is. We thank God for a group of very nice friends of good character that he has made. When David and I visited Ami in November, we saw how they have surrounded him with the love of God and appreciation for who he is, and have helped him in so many ways. God is good!!
As always, we are so grateful that you are standing with us in prayer and fellowship in the Lord.
In Yeshua,
Leah
This time, the defence opened up by saying that a mistake in some facts had been made on the last court record and before sentencing could take place, it had to be corrected. The judges asked why they hadn't taken care of it a month ago, because if there had been a mistake (which they didn't believe was true) there was a process to follow, and they would have to follow that process. Of course the defence lawyers knew that, but used this as an excuse to delay the sentencing. I personally believe that they simply don't want to give the prosecution and us, the victims that show up to every hearing, any satisfaction! Whether its pride or evil intent, only The Lord knows.
I wish you all could sit in the court room and behold what we see, how the defence constantly tries to manipulate the law in order to get a self- confessed, guilty man off the hook of true justice as much as lies in their power to do so. It is frustrating but so obvious how the enemy is using them to try to pervert justice. Another fact to consider is that they are not defence attorneys assigned by the State of Israel, but privately hired, and we and others from the legal team and the media are wondering who is financing this! We know from our own experience how expensive lawyers are.
The hearing began at 3:30 PM and it was already at least 5PM when things got down to the nitty gritty and all the technicalities were over, and the prosecution and the defence were able to present their claims for sentencing. The State Prosecutor, Sagi Ophir, prefaced his demands by saying that Teitel, "by his acts of incitement and calls to replace the State of Israel with a totalitarian Jewish monarchy, along with his calls for and encouragement of violence against those who didn't share his views, carried out acts that 'undermine the foundations of a democratic society.' In his acts of murder, attempted murder and violence, Teitel 'scorned the sanctity of life,' Ofir added. Teitel's actions warranted that 'his freedom be taken until the end of his days,' just as he took away the freedom of his victims and tried to take it from others." (quoted from a very good article - State seeks to make example of US-born 'Jewish Terrorist' from the online paper - The Times of Israel. Here is the link: http://www.timesofisrael.com/state-seeks-to-make-example-of-us-born-jewish-terrorist/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)
Ophir made it clear that the State of Israel considered that Teitel's crimes were motived by hatred against people whose nationalities, views and ways of life were different than his, which is a point of view that the judges concurred with. The judges mentioned Messianic Jews in this context several times, with much respect.
The State then went on to ask for a sentence of two consecutive life sentences. In addition to the life sentences (which would equal 60 years as a life sentence is 30 years in Israel), the State is asking for 70 additional years for the two attempted murders and the other six convictions, a total number of 130 years in prison. The prosecutor included the name of Ami Ortiz, who had been critically injured, detailing what his injuries were, and that the maximum sentence for attempted murder was being asked for in his case. This was admitted into the official protocol of the States' demands. The Prosecutor asked for compensation from Teitel for the victims' families as well.
The defence then made their rebuttal, asking the court to lessen Teitel's sentence as they claim the crimes were not carried out because his hatred of others, but because of mental illness.
The next hearing, where sentencing will God willing take place, will be on March 17th, 2013 at 12 Noon. We would appreciate your prayers for this to finally happen.
Below is a link to an interesting article about a man, Asher Weisgan, who lived in the same settlement as Jack Teitel - Shvut Rachel. There are only 100 families living there, and it is more than possible that they were acquainted; they certainly share the same convictions. In 2005 he killed 4 Arabs and wounded two others. He was convicted of four consecutive life sentences, but committed suicide in prison: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asher_Weisgan
AMI NEWS
Ami is working hard in school. The basketball season is over, and sadly, his team did very poorly. Ami was hardly given the opportunity to play in the games, which was also very disappointing to him. When he spoke to his coaches, he asked them if he was in their plan at all. They said that he was very much in their plans, they like his height and the way he moves, but he needed more understanding of the plays and the way the game is played over there. We asked Ami if he felt it was true, and he said he could see their point. Please pray for this, for Ami to gain the understanding that he needs. I have noticed that there is much that doesn't seem logical to him as far as mentality and methods are concerned. It is truly the meeting of a Middle Eastern mind with the West and it has gotten a little rocky sometimes, but he is coping with it like the trooper that he is. We thank God for a group of very nice friends of good character that he has made. When David and I visited Ami in November, we saw how they have surrounded him with the love of God and appreciation for who he is, and have helped him in so many ways. God is good!!
As always, we are so grateful that you are standing with us in prayer and fellowship in the Lord.
In Yeshua,
Leah