Victims Impact Statement for Sentencing of Ryan Garner, Dec 8, 2025 by Sandra Mickanen
I met Cynthia during a Warriors watch Game gathering at our
home. She loved the Warriors. She was warm and kind and beautiful, but the
other thing that stood out: She was
tiny. I mean, I don’t think she could
have even weighed 100 pounds. She was so
thin.
The thing that continues to replay the most in my heart and
mind and soul: How utterly defenseless
she was, how small and light.. and 57
years old.
And how Ryan was a strong, stocky, male, 35 years old. With only one punch, he could have sent her
flying across a room; but he brutally and sadistically beat her continually,
throughout her entire body, and for an unfathomable amount of time. He tortured her; to death.
A 35 year old stocky, physically strong, violent, sadistic
male brutally beat to death an utterly defenseless, 57 year old female who
weighed next to nothing.
Add on, the 57 year old female was his mom; Cynthia was a
beloved elementary school teacher; beloved sister to 5 siblings, a daughter, an
aunt, a cousin, a neighbor, a friend..
****
Our Christianity and God’s love can be directly credited
with our ability to move forward in our lives; to love each other, thrive,
continue to nurture positive relationships with our family and friends;
continue to walk in the light within a dark world.
And I have some prayers that result from this sadistic,
torturous murder:
1.
I pray it
results in a number of audits within our justice system. A closer, more comprehensive look and
examination of which criminals in jails now, will eventually be allowed to roam
free and claim more victims. I am of
the belief, Ryan, who had been arrested prior, for physically beating his
mother, should have never been released back into free society. He had a sadistic, brutal, violent track
record.
I would love to know this truth: how many inmates in the state of California,
within the current decade, have served time, been released and gone on to kill,
steal and destroy more innocent lives?
2.
I pray it results in a closer, more
comprehensive look and examination of ‘anger management’ programs provided to,
and sometimes, mandatory for inmates. I
believe they might be a very expensive joke on tax payers. Ryan, who sadistically tortured his own,
barely 100lb 57 years old mother; was a graduate of more than one anger
management course. And it is germane for
me here, to share, around 2005, when I was a certified volunteer for the Tri
Valley Haven, who provided support for victims of sexual assault and domestic
abuse: it was common knowledge shared by
administrators and executives, that violent abusers did not seek ways to manage
their anger; they used the mandatory anger management classes to learn how not
to get caught in the future. This common
knowledge never resulted in changing or terminating the mandatory classes
though; everyone just continued to meet the mandatory requirements. When do results get factored in?
3.
I pray it results in a closer, more
comprehensive look and examination of our death penalty. I believe, strongly, completely that there
are crimes which warrant a temporary removal from society; crimes which warrant
a permanent removal from society; and crimes which warrant a removal from our
planet; as in the death penalty.
. I speak for myself
here: I do believe Ryan’s actions
warrant the death penalty
When you sadistically, brutally, violently torture a
defenseless person; you forfeit your right to share the
planet with the rest of us. You do not
get tax-payer funded, free room and board; three meals a day; free health and
dental, air conditioning, recreation, laundry services and ‘programs’
If the public at
large, had access to Ryan’s trial: there
would be a mass uprising demanding the audits I speak of here. Ryan, callously, went on to dating websites,
and to party with friends in the direct aftermath of sadistically, brutally,
torturing his mother -to her death. Cynthia is the one who got the death
penalty when they released Ryan from jail despite his violent track record. Whatever laws currently on our books that
allowed this; need to be changed.
4. I
pray it helps us all return to a PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST & FOREMOST justice
system. We have spent decades
experimenting with soft on crime policies; and the results are in: soft on crime directly results in hard on
innocent citizens. We have spent decades
spending uncalculatable tax payer dollars for ‘programs’ which help, coddle,
enable and empower criminals; instead of investing in and supporting and
rewarding hard-working, tax-paying, law abiding, contributors.
5.
I pray
this trial results in a larger public revisit of what jails and prisons are;
and are not.
I believe we need to return to the
fundamentals: JAILS are for criminals; a
consequence of criminal behavior. No one
should want to go to Jail; it is an awful place for good reason. JAILS & PRISONS are not ‘second chance
schools.’ JAILS & PRISONS are not
rehabilitation facilities. JAILS &
PRISONS are not, criminals trade their freedoms for free air-conditioned
shelter, 3 meals a day, gym/recreation, laundry, health care, tv, libraries,
internet access.. - basketball.
6.
I pray this trial results in audits of ‘rehab’
facilities. There are private,
government and faith-based rehabilitation facilities all around the United
States. They have been operating for
years.. Some of them are succeeding;
and some are sucking up tax payer dollars without having to prove results.
I pray we take a much closer look
at each and every ‘rehab’ and double
down on successes and close the others.
I recognize there are people who
can and do turn their lives around; people who can and will learn from their
mistakes and become contributors for good.
We have enough data, enough years,
enough examples that the profiles of criminals who can and will turn their
lives around.. vs the ones who will only
go out and claim more victims and commit more crimes. -I believe we have accumulated more than
enough data that we should be able to better, more accurately discern one from
the other.
Ryan is a clear example of a
sadistic criminal with a track record of violence which dictated that he should
have never been released back into society; and certainly should not have been
the recipient of an anger management diploma.
I pray for a closer, more
comprehensive look at our justice system; and that we make the adjustments that
would result in sadistic violent criminals either remaining behind bars; or
being removed from the planet via the death penalty.
I pray for public safety to be
paramount; and that we base all decisions, and create all laws around public
safety as our highest value.
Selah & amen,
Sandra Mickanen, wife to Robert
Mickanen, Cynthia’s brother
The Real People Fashion Parade @ Santana Row -sandra mickanen imagining.. #fashion
my imagination does not need a long runway to take flight. case in point.. i was youtube watching the fendi, 2026 spring/summer fashion show which took place in milan
which took place indoors; which included many different models, but all models similar in height, weight, close in age; all with that signature, traditional way of walking the course of the runway
***
instantaneously my imagination premiers, on its unique to me inner mysterious movie screen:
a fashion parade at santana row in san jose. outdoors on a glorious december day. no cars on santana row for the duration of 'the real people fashion parade'
that is reserved for the parade..
the sidewalks are filled with people, the VIP tables outside restaurants on santana row reserved long in advance... as are the window views from inside restaurants.. families sitting along the curbs.. people staying in the apartments, hotels on santana row: out on their patios..
the real people in the fashion parade are just that; real people, who really shopped/purchased items from boutiques/stores on santana row; who love what they bought, feel they look great in it..
by default this includes many different people, ages, sizes, styles.. customers and employees...
every store gets represented in the parade.. banner (babes), precede each group of a dozen people, announcing the name of the store.. and brands represented..
everyone walks their own walk...
there is opportunity for clothes, mens, womens, childrens..
for accessories..
there has to be live music accompanying the real people fashion parade..
and they already do a spectacular job with landscaping, flowers, plants... to make it beautiful.
-top security is a must. can't have or enjoy anything if everyone is not safe.
but, yes..
i can see this! vividly.. and it accomplishes what you would hope it would accomplish..
lots of people traffic; a draw to the area (which would also feed into valley fair...)
which! can do the same thing, but indoors...
it increases awareness and sales.. it allows people to see styles, designs, colors on real people
it opens hearts, minds, ideas... it inspires!
*****
back in the day.. decades ago.. i might have seen this movie in my imagination and went knocking on doors at santana row trying to make it happen..
- magtimeframes.. saw it; collaborated; made it happen.. getting art on the walls at amelias..
-diapers to diapers.. saw it; collaborated; turned into a photography, poetry exhibit; fundraiser
-movers n shakers.. heard one song (fly..) collaborated, turned into a dance class
-sandyland comics.. got 1 vision.. collaborated, made 20 plus comic strips..
-the heart seen.. ricky picky... kissin the chocolate blues.. good neighbors holiday boutique.. eat, write & exercise..
long list.. the common denominator, is.. ONE vision, ONE song, ONE idea.. sometimes vivid; sometimes vague.. but i had to act on the inspiration.. and God seem to always place family, friends who would help support.. million "Thank You's!"
but, as it is not back in the day, it is 2025.. i'll just share the idea, and should anyone reading this be so inspired.. well, please place us on the invitation list.
our creative fulfillment comes from yard art now; hosting celebrations with family & friends.. participating as guests with family & friends, walks, hikes, bike rides, supporting our grandchildren at their activities.. enjoying retirement.. and as Christians, we also say, 'enjoying the life Jesus died for us to have'
hallelujah & amen!
#fashion
#reallifestyles
Grinchmas Bliss Nov/ December 2025 yard art by (sexy! & topps!) & (jerry heinrichs!) #bliss
so, our skeleton bliss yard art has been shape-shifted into grinch. as always, a great joy to play in the yard.. be outdoors, enjoy the sunshine, visit with passersby..
and, LOVE the cindy lou who and max art our artist friend jerry heinrichs contributed.. i mean,
so professional, gorgeous and high, high charm factor. "Thank You!!"
and, rather than write a poem, i, instead, designed a page, that had germane pictures and actual words from dr suess's original classic, the grinch who stole Christmas. [there are many nuanced incarnations]
*****
and, fun by day, -and, "Thank You!" to my (sexy) husband, lit up at night.
****
all of it, a "Thank You!" prayer..
hallelujah & amen
#bliss
cancer is physical & spiritual warfare -writeousmom, sandra mickanen sharing..
of course it's shocking; we don't plan for these battles..
long ago i began a 4 point prayer:
1. you are not alone. God is with you; in you.. [God is LOVE];
2. gratitude for ALL healthcare providers.. receptionist, insurance, to aides, to nurses, doctors, surgeons.. innovators of medicines, tools, machines... long list..
3. specific physical healing: in this case, utter removal & destruction of cancer in the breast
4. trust God; enter his rest [take care of your responsibilities, but cast your cares..]
****
spiritually~warfare~speaking: from a Christian perspective:
God desires you be healthy, happy, whole, peaceful, faith-filled, strong, courageous, encouraged, hopeful, confident, thankful, prayerful, tender-hearted, -awake to your blessings; and impervious to spiritual attacks of the enemy even as you walk through this health challenge. (God wants you victorious, powerful and free)
the enemy wants you ill, broken, discouraged, doubtful, disturbed, disquieted, chronically worried, weak, fearful, insecure, angry, with a distant, unbelieving and hardened heart.. (aka, strongholds/bondage)
in the good fight of faith; you must indeed fight..
JOHN 10:10 the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; God came that you might have LIFE! and have it to the full
2 Corinthians 10:4: For the weapons of our warfare are not [*exclusively] physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.
physical/FLESH WAR: the cancer cells vs. chemo, radiation, surgery
INNER person/SPIRITUAL WAR: fear vs. FAITH & the power of LOVE
-winning glorifies God's name. LOVE conquers all.
God is on your side! as are all of us who LOVE you! marinate, marinate, marinate in all things and places and people, all books and movies and activities you LOVE...
selah! hallelujah! & amen..
* exclusively, my personal editing add in..
A very romantic and happy anniversary it was! ~the micks
"Thank You!" family & friends.. grateful to be remembered! Touched by your cards, texts, phone calls..
love you! xoxo
In Jesus name, hallelujah & amen!
USPS VICTIMIZED AGAIN
November 13, 2025
We know Mayor Matt Mahan is working tirelessly with the
ambitious goal of ‘ending the era of encampments’
Let us please add to that ambitious and noble goal:
ENDING
THE ERA OF FEARLESS, EMBOLDENED CRIMINALS.
On Monday, November 10th, 2025
Our mailman Keith shared his mail truck had been
VANDALIZED, LOCK BROKEN/REMOVED, MAIL STOLEN -just around the corner from our home.
on PIEDMONT AVENUE (heavy with
car traffic)
IN
BROAD DAYLIGHT -despite people traffic
and homes with cameras.
WHEN
ARE CAMERAS GOING TO PAY OFF? -they are
everywhere, but how often are they
RESULTING IN ‘CAUGHT & CONSEQUENCES’ -arrests and convictions
AN ENTIRE USPS MAILBOX was stolen right in front of the post
office itself! We now go inside the
building itself to send any mail. There
was a time this crime was unheard of! We
need to return to that time.
This
growing number of criminals, undeterred by daylight, witnesses, cameras;
Who steal
with obviously zero threat concerns
THAT
HAS GOT TO CHANGE.
In the short term, we need to make a very public display of
any/all criminals who are caught.
PUBLIC SAFETY AS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY is the only way
any city can thrive.
And for this reason, we close with repeating our choice for
next California Governor:
Chad Bianco
Robert & Sandra Mickanen
Berryessa Neighborhood, San Jose, California
cc: The White House
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