An appeal for leniency in Remi Gross-Santos sentencing

July 21 — To the Editor:

As the sentencing for Remi Gross-Santos nears (August) my husband and I thought we would share our collective thoughts with the public. This letter, and appeal for thoughtful sentencing on Remi Gross-Santos's behalf is made with a full understanding of the decisions and verdicts rendered in his case; his right to due process seemingly complete. My husband and I have had the pleasure of coming to know Remi through his mother Beth, and in our relationship with both of them find them to be two of the least judgmental and most open and ever-positive people we have come to know in our 12-plus years on the New Hampshire Seacoast. They exude hope and trust, and so, with their influence, so do we.

So going forward, in sentencing on this case we are talking about just that — hope and trust. The facts are in, and people have been hurt. Youthful innocence and invulnerability in the case of Remi is no more. A bad thing happened, ostensibly to three good people; two being the victims and the third, a young man. We should hope for recovery on the victim's part and for Remi's restoration and reinstatement as a good citizen of this complicated world. Before that, however, we must trust that a horrible and costly lesson has been learned, there is true remorse, and a wrong will be righted; if not immediately, then over time. As such, the sentencing, must balance the hope we carry as humans within a civilized society, with the trust that laws and governance guide us to good outcomes. With that premise, I believe the guidelines are well set on the sentencing options, with an aim toward meaningful jurisprudence. Where there is optionality, however, I strongly, yet respectfully urge and request the application of an element of leniency on Remi's behalf that perhaps only hope can substantiate.

For all appearances to me, the young man before you, Remi, and his family, deserves the opportunity to live a hopeful life; a hopeful life does not mean it should be one free from regret, remorse and recompense as an individual ultimately responsible for their actions. His life will have that on many levels, starting with the level of sentencing laid down here. Please, assist him as he recovers, rebuilds and repays his debt, by rendering a sentencing that carries that concept of hope and with it one that society, itself, can benefit from and advance.

With great respect and appreciation for a most difficult decision,

Donata A. Luz and Mark H. Luz

Rye Beach