FYI Chris Martinez' dad is a criminal defense attorney, his mom a dep. district attorney

[flamingdem]

Last edited Mon May 26, 2014, 11:08 PM - Edit history (1)

* thought this was an interesting to know
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The father of Isla Vista shooting victim Christopher Michaels-Martinez said he wants to meet with the father of his son's killer to work toward preventing future tragedies.

“I lost my son. He lost his son. We have that in common,” Richard Martinez said. “We want, if possible, that the deaths of our son and his son should mean something.”

Michaels-Martinez, a 20-year-old UC Santa Barbara student, was the only child of two attorneys, his mother a deputy district attorney and his father a criminal defense attorney. He grew up in the San Luis Obispo area and graduated from San Luis Obispo High School in 2012.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-chris-martinez-dad-20140525-story.html

[hlthe2b]

1. I agree. Tremendous courage in such a difficult time.

[flamingdem]

3. I read that the father and mother of Elliot Rodger

are in hiding. This might be something to help them and I hope they realize this.

[treestar]

2. Wow

A very passionate man. Probably was against guns before. I feel so bad for him. Sounds like it was his only son.

[flamingdem]

4. I'll admit I've been trying to find out who the dad is and

exactly that - does he have other children.

[Laurian]

5. He said on the CNN interview...his only child was killed.

[flamingdem]

7. Thanks Laurian, though I didn't really want

this to be the case I had a feeling. He said he'd spoken with him 45 min. before the shooting. How can he cope? He'll be compelled to take action.

[Voice for Peace]

14. The passionate righteous anger in his interview is unmistakeable and conscience-shaking.

I'm glad to hear they are in the legal profession.

[ecstatic]

8. Completely amazing. For him to be able to mention the sandy hook parents and their ongoing

grief at a time when he's suffering so much really shows how selfless he is. I don't think most people could handle that level of multitasking, and he might be the person who ends up changing things for the better. I really wish him well and hope I can support him in some way in the future.

[UTUSN]

9. Works for me. Now if only we could get the NRA at a table. n/t

[flamingdem]

10. I'm glad that the father named the NRA in his grief

and noticed that many stations were cutting that out of the video.

Let's hope he says it over and over again

[UTUSN]

11. Thank you. n/t

[flamingdem]

12. An article where Richard Martinez is quoted saying he'll spend the rest of his life

on this.

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/05/26/3081538/father-of-isla-vista-victim-christopher.html

Three days after his only son and five others were killed during a bloody rampage in Isla Vista, Richard Martinez says he may spend the rest of his life trying to stop such tragedies from ever occurring again.

His son, Christoper Michaels-Martinez, 20, of Los Osos was the last victim in a stabbing and shooting spree Friday that left six UC Santa Barbara students dead. Suspect Elliot Rodger, 22, also died of a self-inflicted gunshot.

“I want to make Chris’ death mean something,” Martinez said Monday. “I’ll continue to talk about this issue for the rest of my life if necessary.”

On Saturday, Martinez told reporters before a news conference that he blamed “craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA” for his son’s death.

“They talk about gun rights. What about Chris's right to live?” he cried out that day. “When will this insanity stop? When will enough people say, stop this madness! We don’t have to live like this. Too many have died. We should say to ourselves, not one more!”

On Monday, Martinez said some people have called his words on Saturday the railing of a grief-stricken father. Perhaps they were, he said, “but they were not irrational.”

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/05/26/3081538/father-of-isla-vista-victim-christopher.html#storylink=cpy

[Voice for Peace]

15. I think with a strong and passionate leader there will be a huge support from the public

to back him, to say ENOUGH! to the fearmongering
of the gun profiteers.

[flamingdem]

17. I have hope, but I did with the father from Sandy Hook parents too

Maybe those Sandy Hook parents can orient the California parents so they will save some frustration.

[Voice for Peace]

19. I was just watching the more recent interview w/Anderson Cooper, and it occurred to me,

when he said that for the rest of his life he would fight for this..
he has no other children. I don't know about the father in Sandy
Hook, but maybe that was a factor. This man seems to have
made it his life's mission, to honor & avenge his son's death.

Calling out the cowardice and otherwise despicable nature
of the NRA and politicians in their pocket. Rip away the
facade of second amendment righteousness.

[Triana]

13. Nothing wrong w/ that idea IMO.

I don't blame his parents (Rodger). Our system failed. In multiple ways. It failed Elliot. It failed his family. It failed society. It failed the victims. Big. Ugly. FAIL.

[greatlaurel]

16. Well said.

Our society has failed the 30,000+ victims per year of guns for decades. Our society has failed our neediest for decades. My heart breaks for these families. We spend trillions on killing machines and so little on mental health care and research to help people with these illnesses.

I wish Mr. Martinez godspeed and healing to all who are in pain.

[mountain grammy]

18. I honestly can't even imagine the agony of these parents. When will this insanity stop?