DA reacts to Garrido letter

By Vern Pierson

On Nov. 12, 2009, KCRA 3 reported receiving a third letter from criminal defendant Phillip Garrido. In it he reportedly apologizes stating, “First off I would like to apologize to every human being for what has taken place.” It continued, “People all over the world are hearing testimony that through the spirit of Christ a mental process took place ending a sexual problem believed to be impossible.”

The news story describes Mr. Garrido as expressing “genuine remorse”.

In response to defendant Phillip Garrido’s recent statements to the media, we see this as just another example of his attempt to control the situation around him and his prior victims – he is a master manipulator.

Defendant Phillip Garrido claims to express “genuine remorse” and asserts that “he’s a changed man.” However, these recent statements are eerily similar to what Mr. Garrido told the judge who sentenced him in 1977 and to the parole board when he duped them into releasing him from prison after serving only 11 years of a 50 year federal sentence and five-to-life Nevada State sentence.

We have been careful to limit our public comments regarding this case. However, it has become clear from Mr. Garrido’s repeated calls and letters that he is attempting to manipulate the process, the people involved in that process, and, most significantly, his prior victims.

Before abducting Jaycee Lee Dugard, Mr. Garrido already had several prior sexual assault victims. It appears once again that Mr. Garrido seeks leniency due to claims of religious transformation and alleged personal change. Our office fully intends to hold Mr. Garrido legally accountable for his actions and see that he is punished to the full extent of the law.

Vern Pierson is district attorney of El Dorado County.