Friends of Cal Holman News
05/21/10		Laurie Roberts published a response to the sentencing this week - she reflects the sentiment of most of us to the result of two and a half years of justice. Article on 21 May: Racers sentenced in death of Cal Holman Read the comments and please provide your own to the article.
05/19/10		Judge Ryan sentenced Aronica to 3 years probation for each of the two counts. Both are to run consecutively. He requested research into a work release program for a 60 day jail sentence so there is another hearing on 8 July. Van Brakel was sentenced to 5 years in prison. The family appreciated several friends who attended and your letters had an impact - thank you for all the support.
05/12/10		The address for the courtroom is 101 W. Jefferson, East Court Building, Room 512 This is downtown - on the corner of Jefferson and 1st Avenue.
05/11/10		Sentencing by Judge Ryan is next week on 18 May. Aronica is being sentenced at 10:30 am and Van Brakel is at 1:30 pm. Still time to write a letter to the Judge - click here
04/13/10		There is a problem with the PDF letter for Van Brakel so please use the word version until we can correct. The maximum sentence for Van Brakel is 12.5 years. Click here for the Van Brakel Letters
04/12/10		Laurie Roberts wrote another great article on Dad's case. We cannot let them walk - so please click and send a letter - one each for the killers. Speeders could walk away from crash that killed former Rep. Cal Holman Click here for the info on writing a letter for Van Brakel --> Letters for Cal
03/25/10		On 24 March Judge Ryan accepted both of the plea agreements and set the day of sentencing for 18 May. Both plea agreements are posted on the site - now we need letters to Judge Ryan - your previous letters have all been forwarded to Judge Ryan but we need letters for VanBrakel - click here
03/19/10		No action from hearing. Judge delayed plea acceptance a week until 24 March. The attorney for Aronica did not show up and Van Brackel's hearing was postponed because the Judge was not available in the afternoon. Van Brackel tried to submit an alternative plea reducing the charges from Manslaughter to Negligent Homicide. The Prosecutor would not consider and Judge told Van Brackel if he did not take the current offer we would go to trial. If Aronica's attorney does not show up at the next hearing the Judge will appoint an attorney.
03/16/10		A reminder - this week on the 18th Judge Ryan will hear the decision of both defendants on their plea agreements. The next step would be trial or sentencing. Details for letters to Judge Ryan are on the site and now include the plea agreement for Van Brakel. All previous letters have been forwarded to Judge Ryan - thank you for your support on this long process.
01/29/10		Judge Timothy Ryan, Courtroom 512 has been assigned to hear both Aronica and Van Brakel plea agreements on 18 March.
01/28/10		Van Brackel's trial is being scheduled for March - no specific date yet.
01/27/10		Judge Ryan has been assigned to hear the Aronica plea. Date to be set in a hearing on 28 Jan. Letters can still go to Judge Gottsfield as the court is ensuring they follow the case.
01/26/10		Laurie Roberts published a response to her article on Cal's trial last weekend in the AZ Republic about the courts rejection of the plea. Her response addresses several comments she received advocating letting both killers off because Cal was turning left and he was at fault. Response article on 22 Jan: Plea in Holman death now goes to another judge Original article on 15 Jan: Drag race fatality case worth only probation? It is hard to read the comments posted by the public on the articles. Several do not understand the facts as well as Laurie and only have to visit this site to learn more about the case.
01/25/10		Aronica sentencing date has not been set, however, the judge responsible for case assignment asked that the date be no later than 19 Feb. He also pointed out the sentencing judge must be given time to read the letters you have sent in - thank you so much. They really are making a difference. The letters follow the case so you still have time to support Cal - click on Letters for Cal
01/19/10		Van Brackel's settlement conference did not take place on the 15th it is now scheduled for the 21st.