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UPDATE JULY  30, 2008 - PAROLE HAS AGAIN BEEN DENIED FOR COFFEY !
 
Our family has just learned that parole has been denied this year for Fred Howard Coffey, jr., the murderer of my daughter, Amanda Ray.
 
I want to express my heartfelt thank you and those of my family for your part in writing letters to the parole board urging denial of his parole.  The Parole Commission is very guarded about what they can release, but we were told that it was evident that there had been a "concerted effort put forth".  These letters DO count and are given weight in the Parole Commission's decision.
 
My family and I appreciate everything everyone has done on Amanda's behalf.  This is a tragedy which should never have occurred, but unfortunately it does, much too often and children are being abused and murdered almost on a daily basis.  At least this individual is behind bars and hopefully will  never be able to hurt another child.
 
Again... Thank you for your letters.  We have been overwhelmed with the response and sincerely appreciate your concern and compassion.  It is a great comfort and means so much to Amanda's family.

Dear Friends and Family,

Once again I am reaching out to you on behalf of my family and our community to protest the parole of my sister-in-law's murderer, Fred Howard Coffey Jr.  Each year this man comes up for parole and it is letters from our community that make the biggest difference in keeping Coffey in prison. 

A parole review date is set for July 21, 2009

Please read Amanda's mother's letter below and find out how YOU can help!

Dear Friends,

It is time again for Fred Howard Coffey, Jr. to receive a parole review.  As most of you already know, he was convicted of murdering my daughter, Amanda Marie Ray, in 1979.  He was not found and brought to trial until October of 1986 when he was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to death. 

The NC Supreme Court overturned the death sentence (not the guilty verdict) and he received a re-sentencing hearing in May of 1991.  AGAIN, he was given the death sentence.  Then in September of 1995, due to a technicality, he was re-sentenced again.....this time to life in prison.  The jury voted 10 to 2 for the death penalty.  However, with the two holdouts, the judge had no recourse but to sentence him to life. 

At the time of the last re-sentencing hearing, the N. C. Court system did not have a life without parole option.  As a result, this individual comes up each and EVERY year for a parole review. 

Most of you are familiar with this case.  You know that Coffey is a suspect in twelve child murders in five states.  He admitted to a psychiatrist that he had molested over 100 children up and down the East coast.  Of course, the jury was not privy to this as it was found too prejudicial.  However, it is in the transcript of the trial.  He had previously been found guilty and was sentenced to 50 years for molesting his own niece. 

Our family would appreciate your taking the time to write the Parole Board on Amanda's behalf:

Below is the address.  Please be sure and indicate Fred Howard Coffey, Jr.  DOC #0081135.  The address is:

Chairman Charles L. Mann Sr.
NC Post Release Supervision & Parole Commission
P.O. Box 29540
Raleigh, NC  27626-0540
RE:  Fred Howard Coffey, DOC# 0081135

 YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

   WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP...

 Please send a letter to be received prior to Coffey's parole review date of July 21, 2007 to the address listed above to request denial of parole. 
THE PAROLE BOARD IS REQUIRED TO READ EACH LETTER!  All letters are brought to the parole review and stacked in plain sight.  They DO make a difference.

 OR:

  PRINT THE SAMPLE LETTER, SIGN YOUR NAME AND SEND IT TO THE ADDRESS LISTED ABOVE.  YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL YOUR LETTER TO:  parole@doc.state.nc.us

 Please forward this website address to anyone you think can help us give a voice to Amanda. 

We thank you for your help and support!

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Amanda Marie Ray

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