I haven't written in a very long time, and just wanted to update you on what is happening with the ongoing story of Ami, and the trial of Jack Teitel and our family.
TRIAL NEWS
If you remember, it was reported in the papers that a bargain was being made by Teitel's lawyers that they would declare for him that he agrees that he had committed the crimes he was indicted for, as he himself claims he doesn't recognize the authority of the court. The indictments were to remain largely the same, HOWEVER, the statement that his crimes were hate crimes committed against those whose beliefs and life styles differed from his was taken out! With that qualifying clause taken out, his lawyers would then claim that he was not responsible for his crimes when he committed them because of insanity. They are trying to get him sentenced to a psychiatric facility instead of a life sentence in jail.
The hearing took place the end of May, and this plea bargain was accepted by the judges. The next hearing will take place tomorrow, June 21st. At that time, no new evidence will be admitted, and the prosecution will make their argument as to why Teitel was indeed responsible for his crimes at the time that he committed them. Then a date will be given for the defence to do the same, and then after that a verdict will be made.
Here is a link to one of the articles that appeared in the Jerusalem Post about the plea bargain:
http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=271813
LOOKING BACK.......
As I look back, I see that the tactic of the defence lawyers was to draw out hearings that took 2 ½ years arguing that Teitel was not mentally fit to stand trial. When a decision was finally made that he is mentally fit at this time to stand trial, then they decided to do what they are doing now. The reason is that there is in reality no defence for Teitel. He confessed to everything in the indictments in his interrogations and even did re-enactments for the police which were filmed. A re-enactment was done in our house as well. If you remember we wrote about it in 2009, when we were woken up at 2AM by the police, told to turn off the security cameras and to stay in the house. We saw Teitel, bound hand and foot, re-enact his actions of bringing the package to our house. This was further proof that he did what he admitted to as his actions had been recorded on our security cameras at the time he did bring the package on March 20,2008.
Every hearing that has taken place since 2009 when Teitel was arrested has cantered around his rights, and the question of his sanity. There have been no revelations of the facts of his crimes, no testimony by police and investigators, and not a word as to who helped him and worked with him. Now that a plea bargain has been struck, and a trial will not take place presenting this evidence, these facts will remain hidden from the public, at least as far as a trial is concerned.
We do appreciate your prayers for the rest of the proceedings that will take place that the judges will rule that he was responsible for his actions when he committed them, and that he will have the appropriate sentence that will match the severity of his crimes. A brother sent us these verses from the book of Ecclesiastes this morning:
Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him.
We have trained ourselves to not lose hope, however. We have always believed and experienced that the truth does eventually surface. The Bible says that what is whispered in the ear will be shouted from the housetops!
AMI NEWS
Ami is home for the summer! He successfully completed his first semester in an American College, facing the challenges, and managing to enjoy himself as well. He made friends, studied hard, improved his English skills dramatically, learned American expressions, slowly is adjusting to a new mentality, became more independent, and is slowly adjusting to American style basketball. Quite a lot was accomplished in one semester, and he is glad to be back to his family, home cooking, humous and schwarma, and Israeli friends.
We of course are ecstatic to have him home, it was really hard being away from him for so long, but we are all so happy for him and for the great opportunity he has studying in the U.S. and playing on a college team, that it balances out in the end. These days he is busy working out with weights daily, playing as much basketball as he can, trying to keep up with English reading, and working part time. He enjoys seeing his friends most of whom are in the Israeli Army, and spending time with his brothers and sister, and his nephews. He said the hardest part is being away from family, especially when his fellow students go home for the weekend, or just have dinner with their parents who live close enough. We know the Lord has many things ahead for Ami, and we appreciate your continued prayers for him. He is thinking of a major in psychology and business.
I know that many in the Body of Messiah are going through grievous trials and tribulations, but we all know the purpose is to purify His Bride before He comes to reign and rule as King. As we've been praying along with so many who are suffering and struggling, we have seen the daily Grace and Mercy that He provides. His Word comforts, supports, guides and gives hope, and His Spirit enfolds us in His Love. He is all we need!
Psalm 34:18-19
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
What a promise! What a privilege it has been to have walked this journey together with you.
Yours in the Messiah,
Leah
TRIAL NEWS
If you remember, it was reported in the papers that a bargain was being made by Teitel's lawyers that they would declare for him that he agrees that he had committed the crimes he was indicted for, as he himself claims he doesn't recognize the authority of the court. The indictments were to remain largely the same, HOWEVER, the statement that his crimes were hate crimes committed against those whose beliefs and life styles differed from his was taken out! With that qualifying clause taken out, his lawyers would then claim that he was not responsible for his crimes when he committed them because of insanity. They are trying to get him sentenced to a psychiatric facility instead of a life sentence in jail.
The hearing took place the end of May, and this plea bargain was accepted by the judges. The next hearing will take place tomorrow, June 21st. At that time, no new evidence will be admitted, and the prosecution will make their argument as to why Teitel was indeed responsible for his crimes at the time that he committed them. Then a date will be given for the defence to do the same, and then after that a verdict will be made.
Here is a link to one of the articles that appeared in the Jerusalem Post about the plea bargain:
http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=271813
LOOKING BACK.......
As I look back, I see that the tactic of the defence lawyers was to draw out hearings that took 2 ½ years arguing that Teitel was not mentally fit to stand trial. When a decision was finally made that he is mentally fit at this time to stand trial, then they decided to do what they are doing now. The reason is that there is in reality no defence for Teitel. He confessed to everything in the indictments in his interrogations and even did re-enactments for the police which were filmed. A re-enactment was done in our house as well. If you remember we wrote about it in 2009, when we were woken up at 2AM by the police, told to turn off the security cameras and to stay in the house. We saw Teitel, bound hand and foot, re-enact his actions of bringing the package to our house. This was further proof that he did what he admitted to as his actions had been recorded on our security cameras at the time he did bring the package on March 20,2008.
Every hearing that has taken place since 2009 when Teitel was arrested has cantered around his rights, and the question of his sanity. There have been no revelations of the facts of his crimes, no testimony by police and investigators, and not a word as to who helped him and worked with him. Now that a plea bargain has been struck, and a trial will not take place presenting this evidence, these facts will remain hidden from the public, at least as far as a trial is concerned.
We do appreciate your prayers for the rest of the proceedings that will take place that the judges will rule that he was responsible for his actions when he committed them, and that he will have the appropriate sentence that will match the severity of his crimes. A brother sent us these verses from the book of Ecclesiastes this morning:
Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him.
We have trained ourselves to not lose hope, however. We have always believed and experienced that the truth does eventually surface. The Bible says that what is whispered in the ear will be shouted from the housetops!
AMI NEWS
Ami is home for the summer! He successfully completed his first semester in an American College, facing the challenges, and managing to enjoy himself as well. He made friends, studied hard, improved his English skills dramatically, learned American expressions, slowly is adjusting to a new mentality, became more independent, and is slowly adjusting to American style basketball. Quite a lot was accomplished in one semester, and he is glad to be back to his family, home cooking, humous and schwarma, and Israeli friends.
We of course are ecstatic to have him home, it was really hard being away from him for so long, but we are all so happy for him and for the great opportunity he has studying in the U.S. and playing on a college team, that it balances out in the end. These days he is busy working out with weights daily, playing as much basketball as he can, trying to keep up with English reading, and working part time. He enjoys seeing his friends most of whom are in the Israeli Army, and spending time with his brothers and sister, and his nephews. He said the hardest part is being away from family, especially when his fellow students go home for the weekend, or just have dinner with their parents who live close enough. We know the Lord has many things ahead for Ami, and we appreciate your continued prayers for him. He is thinking of a major in psychology and business.
I know that many in the Body of Messiah are going through grievous trials and tribulations, but we all know the purpose is to purify His Bride before He comes to reign and rule as King. As we've been praying along with so many who are suffering and struggling, we have seen the daily Grace and Mercy that He provides. His Word comforts, supports, guides and gives hope, and His Spirit enfolds us in His Love. He is all we need!
Psalm 34:18-19
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
What a promise! What a privilege it has been to have walked this journey together with you.
Yours in the Messiah,
Leah