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.