And yet another option...

DATE

Ms. Angela McCown, Director

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Victim Services Division

8712 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 265

Austin, Tx. 78757-6899

RE: SAMUEL CRAIG SOLOMON, TDJC ID # 00590873

       STATE ID:  02031377

Dear Board of Paroles and Pardons:

As friends of the Brandenberger family, I am writing to insist that you deny the parole of SAMUEL SOLOMON, who murdered his soon to be ex-wife, LISA BRANDENBERGER SOLOMON, in 1990.

This horrendous crime was witnessed by their biological 3-year-old son, Craig.  After Mr. Solomon was finally arrested, the Houston Police made a videotape of Craig graphically detailing the death of his mother.  A plea bargain was arranged so Craig wouldn’t have to testify as the state’s star witness.   Mr. Solomon received a 40-year sentence and gave up all parental rights to Craig.

Since 2000, the Brandenberger family has fought the parole of Mr. Solomon.  He has threatened the family in the past and would also pose a great risk to Craig, now 29 years old and his family.

I do hope you will not only deny Mr. Solomon an early release in 2016, but also NOT REVIEW his case for parole for at least 5 MORE YEARS.  Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my request.

Sincerely,

Here is another letter option you may use

DATE

Ms. Angela McCown, Director

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Victim Services Division

8712 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 265

Austin, Tx. 78757-6899

RE: SAMUEL CRAIG SOLOMON, TDJC ID # 00590873

       STATE ID:  02031377

Dear Board of Pardons and Paroles:

Please deny the parole of Samuel Craig Solomon.  He is currently serving a 40-year-term for the gruesome murder of his soon to be ex-wife, Lisa Brandenberger Solomon, in 1990.  Thiscrime was witnessed by their 3-year-old son and afterwards this young child made a videotape to the Houston Police graphically detailing her death.  Craig, now 29 years old, still carries the emotional scars of what he witnessed and always will.

It would be a true travesty for the future of Craig, his loved ones, and all the extended family of his biological mother, Lisa, if Mr. Solomon should be released now or any time soon.

As a law-abiding citizen who has great respect for the justice system you so carefully implement, I do hope you will deny parole to SAMUEL SOLOMON.

Sincerely,

Bobby Brandenberger,  his grandson Craig (3), and his eldest daughter the year before she was killed by her estranged husband Samuel Craig Solomon in front of Craig.

The Letter

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COPY AND PASTE THE LETTER BELOW AND EMAIL IT TO 
victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us AND A CC: TO DENYPAROLE@GMAIL.COM.
LETTERS WRITTEN IN YOUR OWN VOICE ARE VERY WELCOME AS WELL! THE MORE VARIETY WE HAVE, THE BETTER!

You have no idea how much this means to all of us...

___________________________________________________________

DATE



Ms. Angela McCown, Director
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Victim Services Division
8712 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 265
Austin, Tx. 78757-6899

RE: SAMUEL CRAIG SOLOMON, TDJC ID # 00590873

Dear Board of Pardons and Paroles:

I am writing to insist that you deny the parole of Samuel Craig Solomon, who is currently serving a 40-year-term, for the gruesome murder of his estranged wife, Lisa Brandenberger Solomon in 1990. Their biological son, Craig was 3 years old at the time and witnessed this violent crime. In videotape made by the police after the killing, this child graphically detailed how Solomon had murdered his mother. To spare the young child from having to testify as the state’s star witness at a proceeding that might have brought the father a life sentence, the courts agreed to a plea-bargained sentence of 40 years and the defendant gave up all parental rights to Craig .

Craig was adopted by his maternal grandmother and her husband immediately following his biological mother’s death and has been raised in a Christian home. His extended family includes his maternal grandfather and family, and many supportive friends who have all taken a keen interest in his well-being and upbringing. He is now a wonderful, talented twenty-nine year old who is retired from active military service as a Marine. He will always carry the burden of what he witnessed as well as what he experienced growing up without his biological mother. It would be a real travesty for the future of Craig and his loved ones if Sam Solomon should be released now or at any time in the future.

The possibility of Sam Solomon’s early release is as great a crime, if not greater, than the one for which he is currently being incarcerated. Besides posing a threat to the life and well-being of the son, Craig Verbois and his adopted family and married family, Mr. Solomon’s early release would also pose a threat to the lives and well-being of citizens like me and my family.

As a concerned member of my community, I wish to impress upon you the necessity of not only denying Mr. Solomon an early release in 2016, but also the necessity of NOT REVIEWING him for parole for at least FIVE MORE YEARS, if ever.

I am law-abiding citizen who has great respect for the system of justice which you so carefully implement, and want to I thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration of my request to deny parole to Samuel Craig Solomon.

Sincerely,

Parole information from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Website

Name: SOLOMON,SAMUEL CRAIG               SID Number: 02031377               TDCJ Number: 00590873          

Parole Review Information

Parole Review Status

Offender is currently in the Parole Review Process

The parole review process begins approximately six months before the parole eligibility date for a first review and four months before the eligibility date in additional reviews. The process begins with the offender's file being reviewed for all appropriate documents, including letters of support and protest. An Institutional Parole Officer reviews the file and interviews the offender before preparing a case summary for the Board voting panel. The Board normally will vote on the case just prior to the parole eligibility date.



Offenders eligible for mandatory supervision who committed an offense since September 1, 1996 are reviewed for Discretionary Mandatory Supervision (DMS). An offender who has received a Serve All vote is reviewed for possible release to DMS by a Board panel prior to being released on the projected release date.

Last Parole Decision

Denied on 05/04/2011

NEXT REVIEW (05/2016)- Deny favorable parole action and set for next review.

Denial reason(s): 2D

* Note: One or more of the components indicated in each paragraph may apply, but only one is required for denial (D).

2D NATURE OF OFFENSE - THE RECORD INDICATES THAT THE INMATE COMMITTED ONE OR MORE VIOLENT CRIMINAL ACTS INDICATING A CONSCIOUS DISREGARD FOR THE LIVES, SAFETY, OR PROPERTY OF OTHERS; OR THE INSTANT OFFENSE OR PATTERN OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY HAS ELEMENTS OF BRUTALITY, VIOLENCE, OR CONSCIOUS SELECTION OF VICTIM'S VULNERABILITY SUCH THAT THE INMATE POSES A CONTINUING THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY; OR THE RECORD INDICATES USE OF A WEAPON.

Next Parole Review Date

05/2016

Our Story

This is our story of loss and our plea for help from our friends and family:


In March 1990, 25 year old Lisa Brandenberger Solomon was violently murdered by her estranged husband, Sam Solomon. Their 3-year-old son, Craig, witnessed this gruesome act. To spare Craig from having to testify as the state’s star witness at a proceeding that might have brought his father a life sentence, the courts agreed to a plea-bargained sentence of 40 years.

Craig Verbois, now a twenty-nine year old retired Marine with three children, was adopted by his maternal grandmother and her husband immediately after Lisa’s death. His extended family includes the maternal grandfather and family, and many supportive friends who have all taken a keen interest in his well-being and upbringing. He has two children, Lisa, named after his mom, and Randall, named after his wife's late father, and another baby on the way as well as two step sons.
Recently, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice notified us that they are again processing Sam Solomon’s case for parole consideration by the Board of Pardons and Paroles. We are writing to you to enlist your support in keeping this dangerous man where he belongs – in prison for the full 40 years for which he was sentenced.

In 1999, 2002, 2005, and 2010, Lisa’s family solicited thousands of letters, emails and faxes sent to the Texas Parole Board protesting the parole of Sam Solomon. Once again we must enlist the help of our friends in this cause.
It is necessary to generate hundreds of letters to the Board of Prisons and Paroles to convince them to keep criminals like Sam Solomon behind bars. These letters must be received as soon as possible and definitely prior to February 1, 2016. TIME IS IMPORTANT! While we are trying to generate letters to delay the parole process, Sam Solomon could be generating letters to expedite the process. There is always a possibility that an outside group could take an interest in Solomon’s “rights” and serve as his advocate. We need YOU to be OUR advocate in this very real and threatening situation.

The Victim Services Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has assured us that every letter will be read and added to his file. These letters are confidential and Sam Solomon will not know who is protesting his release. Any US citizen is eligible to write the proper authorities. The quantity and quality of the letters is important. It is also important to impress upon the Parole Board the caliber of the individuals writing to its members. Please list any academic, professional, and/or volunteer activities in which you are or have been involved to indicate your involvement in the community. If it is convenient, include several of your credentials (however small they may seem to you) at the bottom of your letter, or enclose your resume. This is not a necessity, however, since everyone’s letters of protest help no matter what that individual has done in his/her career!

You can email (victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us), fax (512 452-0825)
or mail
(Texas Department of Criminal Justice,
Victim Services Division, P.O. Box 13401, Austin, TX 78711-3401)
your letter addressed to the Parole Board.
All emails, faxes, and letters MUST be referenced with the following:

OFFENDER: SOLOMON, SAMUEL CRAIG TDCJ ID: 00590873
STATE ID: 02031377

As soon as you have sent your letters to the Parole Board in care of the TDCJ Victim Services Division, please send a bcc (if email) to denyparole@gmail.com or an email to the same email address, telling us that you have supported this cause. A record of the number of letters sent is important to this effort.

The terror that Craig witnessed will always haunt him, and the fear that Sam Solomon will be released at any time is a real fear that should be of concern to all of society. It is inconceivable to believe that this violent, self-confessed murderer has been rehabilitated in the time in which he has been incarcerated. The negative consequences to Craig, his extended family, and to society, if Sam Solomon is released are unbearable to comprehend. Your letter on our behalf will help convince our elected officials and prison officers that we will accept nothing less than that justice is served.
Thank you for your desperately needed help.