Family, Friends, and community:
On Thursday the 20th we will be back in the Martinez courthouse. At 10:30am the DA and judge are expected to each offer Harold Brown a plea bargain. Unfortunately, we are currently disappointed with the information that the DA has provided. While it has not been solidified, the prosecution is leaning toward a minimum punishment. Since Harold Brown has no prior record, the offer being discussed would likely only require him to serve 6 months in a county jail. This is the reason we need so much support from our friends, family, and community. The DA and judges may be influenced by a large turnout at court on Thursday. The community support may influence the judge to not offer a minimal punishment. It is hard to believe that someone can begin their criminal record by taking a man's life, leaving them to die, seeking legal counsel, and attempting to cover up their crime, and then still be considered for a minimum punishment. Please spread the word regarding the court date on Thursday. We look foward to your ongoing support.
Thank you,
Denise, Paul, and John Mark Pendleton
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Dear Family and Friends,
I look forward to the day when I send out an email announcing that Harold Brown has been found guilty and is serving time in prison. That same email will invite you to join my sons and I as we remove the ghost bike that was placed in memory of Mark and is supposed to stand strong and as a reminder to all who drive by that we are looking for the person responsible for his death.
This e-mail, however, is not that e-mail. I am writing to let you know that the preliminary trial is this Thursday, March 18th at 8:30 in Walnut Creek. You may ask why the short notice and why it is important that you attend. First, we were constantly told that it was very unlikely that it would stay on the calendar for the 18th. We only received notice today. Second, Harold Brown's attorney will try to have one of the charges dropped on Thursday. He will attempt to blame Mark for the accident. My District Attorney said that sometimes judges are influenced by large groups of family and friends. Sometimes the judge is compelled to NOT drop charges due to the obvious concern of the community. If you are available, please come. We do not want either of the two charges dropped.
The address is 640 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, Department 18 at 8:30. The line to get in is very long and takes a long time to get through so you need to plan ahead for very poor parking and for the long line. I suggest arriving about 7:30-7:40.
Thank you to all of you for your love, kind thoughts, prayers and support. You have all been so good to us.
Denise, Paul and John Mark Pendleton
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Today the District Attorney set the arraignment date for Harold Brown. On December 21st he will be arraigned in Walnut Creek. We will contact the District Attorney and post the specifics for everyone. We hope to see everyone there, and thank you for the support!
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The investigators have announced that they turned over the case against Harold Brown to the district attourney! The next step is the arraignment. As soon as the arraignment date has been set, it will be posted here. Expect this within the next week to two weeks. The investigators and district attourney have made it clear that all members of the community are urged to show up to the arraignment. The support of the community, cycling community, family, and friends are an important factor in this case. Thank you for your support!
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On June 2nd, 2009 CHP arrested Harold Brown as the suspected driver involved with Mark Pendleton's death. Harold Brown was booked on charges of Felony Hit-and-Run, and Vehicular Manslaughter. CHP is working closely with the Contra Costa District Attorney. Next will be the arraignment, as soon as the date is set we will post it on this page so that everyone can attend. After the conviction, there will be a memorial ceremony as we take down Mark's Ghost Bike.
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The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who hit and killed Mark Pendleton has been increased to $30,000!
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Mark Pendleton's killer is suspected to have been driving a Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, or Silverado. The vehicle was likely manufactured between 1999 and 2007. The vehicle would have sustained headlamp damage on the driver side.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This week the CHP has announced that they have received several additional leads, all of which involve the same named suspect. Police are investigating this individual. More information will follow soon.
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Update: We encountered delays getting the replacement sign and only just received it. The sign will be put up tomorrow.
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This week the CHP has announced that someone has provided them with a lead. No arrest has been made but the police are investigating a named suspect. More information will follow soon.
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A sign containing information regarding the $30,000 reward and FindMarksKiller.com was stolen this week. The sign was placed next to the Ghost Bike. We plan to replace the sign this Wednesday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Today, Feburary 24th 2009, the reward amount was increased to $30,000. Any information, no matter how small, is appreciated and thoroughly examined. Thank you to everyone who has already provided information to the investigation.
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Mark's Wife and Sons were joined by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Mark Ross, Wells Fargo Racing teamates, family, and friends for the rededication of the Ghost Bike. The bike was stolen a second time the evening before the rededication so Mark's sons created a new ghost bike for the memorial. Denise Pendleton told the gathering that she looked foward to the day the ghost bike could be removed. She emphasized that the ghost bike is not intended to help remember Mark, but that his killer has not yet been found. To Mark's family and friends, he will be remembered not by where his life ended, but by the time he spent with us.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mark's Ghost Bike was recently stolen. After being located by the Vice Mayor of Martinez, Mark Ross, it was returned to Mark's Family. The East Bay Bicycle Coalition is planning a memorial to once again place the Ghost Bike at the scene. The EBBC stated that a Ghost Bike has never been stolen or removed. The memorial will take place on Saturday, February 14th at 1:00PM. All are welcome and encouraged to come and show your support. More details will follow.
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The California Highway Patrol has compiled a list of every vehicle within Contra Costa County fitting the make and model of the killer. The CHP has announced that every vehicle will be inspected in person. In addition, each vehicle will be investigated for possible repairs.
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The California Highway Patrol is in the process of personally inspecting every auto shop and auto repair in Contra Costa County.
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Flyer Drop: January 25, 2009
Family and friends continued to distribute flyers in nearby cities today. Businesses in Rodeo and Hercules received flyers.
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Flyer Drop: January 24, 2009
Family and friends of Mark Pendleton were accompanied by media during a flyer drop today. Flyers containing information regarding the new reward amount ($25,000) and the make and model of the killer's vehicle were distributed. Every household in Port Costa received a flyer, as well as every place of business and school. Businesses in Crockett and Martinez also received flyers. All three cities were very welcoming and sympathetic toward the family and friends.
