I am relieved and overjoyed that the ISRB made the decision to keep Arbie Williams in prison. This has been a very difficult time for me and John, but with the support of our family (John Milla, Mary Sherrill and Theresa Briggs) and friends we have been able to keep our faith. I am truly grateful to our family, friends, and the Spokane community for taking a stand and making their voices be heard for the justice of Linda. I especially want to thank; the ISRB, Hayley Guenthner and KHQ, Shawn Vestal and The Spokesman Review, Tim Hines, Ozzie Knezovich, Larry Haskell, Kelly Fitzgerald, and last but not least all of Linda's friends at North Central High School and her Roller-Skating partners.
Sincerely,
Donna Ragland
Linda Strait's Mother
Update (4/24/18): JUSTICE FOR LINDA! Arbie Williams' parole was denied and the ISRB added 15 more years to his sentence!
Update (4/10/19): The parole hearing for Arbie Williams was held today. He chose to not show up for it. A decision will be made in the next 30 days. Again, thank you to everyone who has supported our cause!
Update (3/26/19): On March 25, four of Linda’s cousins met with the four members of the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board in Lacey, WA. They read Donna’s (Linda’s mom) letter, which she painfully wrote through tears. They then read their heartfelt letters describing how wonderful and full of life Linda was, how loosing her impacted her family and friends, and how releasing Williams would be a significant threat to the community. The ISRB members intently listened with compassion. They confirmed that Williams has not cooperated with any rehabilitation whatsoever and has had multiple infractions during his years of incarceration. Linda’s brother John met with the board via telephone last week. We want to thank Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell and Deputy Prosecutor Kelly Fitzgerald for also having a telephone meeting with the board yesterday. We are optimistic that the board will not grant Williams parole. A decision will be made by May 10.
We are truly grateful for the support and prayers from our great Spokane community!
Update (3/14/19): The Indeterminate Board office has received approximately 100 letters. Of those about 40 are awaiting approval (from the persons who wrote them) to have them entered into Williams file. Without approval the letters are destroyed. Please include this sentence in your letters: “I give my permission for this letter to be entered into Williams file.” Addresses are not entered, only names.
Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to write!
Sincerely,
Donna Ragland
Linda Strait's Mother
Update (4/24/18): JUSTICE FOR LINDA! Arbie Williams' parole was denied and the ISRB added 15 more years to his sentence!
Update (4/10/19): The parole hearing for Arbie Williams was held today. He chose to not show up for it. A decision will be made in the next 30 days. Again, thank you to everyone who has supported our cause!
Update (3/26/19): On March 25, four of Linda’s cousins met with the four members of the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board in Lacey, WA. They read Donna’s (Linda’s mom) letter, which she painfully wrote through tears. They then read their heartfelt letters describing how wonderful and full of life Linda was, how loosing her impacted her family and friends, and how releasing Williams would be a significant threat to the community. The ISRB members intently listened with compassion. They confirmed that Williams has not cooperated with any rehabilitation whatsoever and has had multiple infractions during his years of incarceration. Linda’s brother John met with the board via telephone last week. We want to thank Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell and Deputy Prosecutor Kelly Fitzgerald for also having a telephone meeting with the board yesterday. We are optimistic that the board will not grant Williams parole. A decision will be made by May 10.
We are truly grateful for the support and prayers from our great Spokane community!
Update (3/14/19): The Indeterminate Board office has received approximately 100 letters. Of those about 40 are awaiting approval (from the persons who wrote them) to have them entered into Williams file. Without approval the letters are destroyed. Please include this sentence in your letters: “I give my permission for this letter to be entered into Williams file.” Addresses are not entered, only names.
Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to write!
The Spokesman Review
09/28/82 - spokesman_9-28-82.jpg
09/29/82 - spokesman_9-29-82.jpg
09/30/82 - spokesman_9-30-82.jpg
spokesman_9-30-82_cont.jpg
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08/26/04 - www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/aug/26/judge-sets-bail-of-1-million-on-suspect/
08/01/06 - www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/aug/01/after-24-years-strait-murder-resolved/
03/02/19 - www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/mar/03/less-than-13-years-into-a-20-year-sentence-family-/?fbclid=IwAR1a0UHnweWjSotwpmz5OwIrpGyk0nbYfCKPJJt4QyI3H9qzTXF9J0jwqG8
Spokane County Sheriff
06/04/03 - www.spokanecounty.org/Archive/ViewFile/Item/3953
The Seattle Times
08/01/06 - /archive/?date=20060801&slug=webkilling01
KXLY
02/20/19 - www.kxly.com/news/local-news/murder-victim-s-family-starts-letter-writing-campaign-to-keep-killer-behind-bars/1032060195
KHQ
02/24/19 - www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=1428448284125297&story_fbid=2015857432051043
02/25/19 - www.khq.com/spokane-convicted-killer-rapist-may-be-released-from-prison-early/video_106564c2-3971-11e9-841d-373e4140608d.html?fbclid=IwAR2We-6pwZx3WPOcwmK3zp7a1u74_0eGTwefjNc1l8USavak8A9kVQvxR6M
09/28/82 - spokesman_9-28-82.jpg
09/29/82 - spokesman_9-29-82.jpg
09/30/82 - spokesman_9-30-82.jpg
spokesman_9-30-82_cont.jpg
spokesman_9-30-82-1.jpg
10/01/82 - spokesman_10-1-82.jpg
10/02/82 - spokesman_10-2-82.jpg
08/26/04 - www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/aug/26/judge-sets-bail-of-1-million-on-suspect/
08/01/06 - www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/aug/01/after-24-years-strait-murder-resolved/
03/02/19 - www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/mar/03/less-than-13-years-into-a-20-year-sentence-family-/?fbclid=IwAR1a0UHnweWjSotwpmz5OwIrpGyk0nbYfCKPJJt4QyI3H9qzTXF9J0jwqG8
Spokane County Sheriff
06/04/03 - www.spokanecounty.org/Archive/ViewFile/Item/3953
The Seattle Times
08/01/06 - /archive/?date=20060801&slug=webkilling01
KXLY
02/20/19 - www.kxly.com/news/local-news/murder-victim-s-family-starts-letter-writing-campaign-to-keep-killer-behind-bars/1032060195
KHQ
02/24/19 - www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=1428448284125297&story_fbid=2015857432051043
02/25/19 - www.khq.com/spokane-convicted-killer-rapist-may-be-released-from-prison-early/video_106564c2-3971-11e9-841d-373e4140608d.html?fbclid=IwAR2We-6pwZx3WPOcwmK3zp7a1u74_0eGTwefjNc1l8USavak8A9kVQvxR6M