Isabella Espinoza, Isaac's four-year daughter.
Letter from the mother of Isaac Espinoza, to the people of San Francisco:
Our son, Isaac Espinoza, was a Peace Officer. His life was abut peace. He laid down his life to help, to serve, and to protect the people of San Francisco. He was violently and fatally shot and killed with an assault weapon, while on duty, April 10, 2004, the evening before Easter Sunday.
Isaac was on the San Francisco police gang task force. Allegedly, it was a gang member who shot and killed him. Along with our sorrow and loss we, as parents, feel a sense of helplessness and disbelief. We recognize we are not alone, that there are others mothers and fathers, wives, and children, brothers, sisters and friends who have lost someone because of gang violence and murder.
This case is not about vengeance and emotions; it is not about morals, beliefs and philosophies. It is about first-degree murder with special circumstances. It is about gang terrorism, and it is about assault weapons being used to kill people. There is war on our streets and no one seems to be able to stop it. We are being asked to turn the other cheek while the enemy roars around seeking whom he can devour.
The only way to stop the gang violence that our son laid down his life trying to stop is to send a message of "no tolerance for murder," especially the murder of a Police Officer who has a duty to protect the people and that includes protective the gang members themselves and their families.
This case is bigger than San Francisco and it is bigger than the loss of our son. It has a scenario that is being acted out more frequently in our city streets, our State and our Nation.
Law governs our City, state and Nation. We thought it was a judge and jury who decided the penalty in a case. We do not understand why a judge and jury would not be empowered to have every law available to them to the highest degree and, yes that does include and is not limited to capital punishment. What will happen if the highest degree of the law is not considered in a murder case? Would it embolden the criminal? Criminals do know their limits and are deterred by potential penalties. Will anyone be safe if there is no ultimate penalty?
For us to believe that justice has been served, it must be pursued. In a clear case of cold-blooded murder, the highest degree of the law must be included in the pursuit of justice. We request that the Court have the opinion of arguing the law to the highest degree.
As for the San Francisco District Attorney we request that she consider other options besides refusing the death penalty. Other options include changing the venue and/or passing the case to the Attorney General.
Also, we want the thank the public for their overwhelming generosity and support to our family.
Isaac and Carol Espinoza
Isabella Espinoza, Isaac's four-year daughter.
Donations
to the family's Educational Trust Fund can be made at:
Mission National Bank, 3060 16th Street, San Francisco CA 94103
Make checks payable to:
Isabella Espinoza Educational Trust Fund
(Account #0102195870)