Justice for Cynthia -sandra mickanen reporting
Thur Sept 18th, 2025
To: District Attorney Jeff Rosen, Matt Braker, Head of
Homicide Unit
Cc: Timothy Crockett,
SVA, Tasia Wiggins, DVS
Re: Carolyn Malinsky, DDA
and, Rebekah York,
Victims Advocate
Case: People vs. ryan
garner, C1913932
Date of violent event:
July 18, 2019
Victim: Cynthia
Mykkanen
Judge: Honorable Hanley Chew
Verdict, 9/17/2025:
ryan garner found guilty, first-degree murder; sentencing scheduled for
dec 8, 2025.
Dear Jeff Rosen, Matt Braker,
We did not ‘choose’ or hire Carolyn Malinsky, DDA, but rather, we
received an email that notified us our attorney had changed, (again) and our
new prosecuting attorney would be Carolyn Malinsky.
What a God-send and blessing it’s been, that Carolyn
Malinsky is the person who walked us through what the trial process would be
like; and what her professional intentions were, in terms of seeking justice
for Cynthia Mykkanen.
There had been numerous emails, but once we met in person, Carolyn
could not have left a stronger first impression! We knew from how clearly, professionally and
compassionately she navigated very sensitive emotional terrain
[murder/torture]; that we’d been blessed with an extra special and gifted
attorney.
That first impression became our permanent and lasting
impression, as we witnessed her presentations and listened to her arguments
throughout the actual trial. Well
prepared, organized, thoughtful, patient, thorough; and with observable
resolve. There was not an issue the
defense attorney shared with the jury, that Carolyn was not prepared to counter
by asking questions which revealed the painful truths.
The defense did paint
pictures which aimed to assuage ryan’s character and behavior in the minds of
jurors; but Carolyn repeatedly, expertly, calmly and successfully revealed the
ugly, painful, traumatic truths through her process.
Her comprehensive range of expert witnesses, which included
several criminalists; crime scene professionals, blood spatter expert, dna
analyst, chief medical examiner; all provided jurors scientific forensic
evidence, which in combination with eye witness testimony, law enforcement,
character witness, and surveillance camera video, phone text records, proved
instrumental in the guilty of murder in the first degree verdict.
The speed with which the jury arrived at its verdict is its
own testimony about Carolyn’s professionalism, thoroughness, talents and gifts
as a prosecutor. As my husband, Robert,
repeatedly expressed, “this wasn’t just another case for her, she really fought
for my sister” -That is invaluable to
us, and our whole family.
In our initial meeting, she did prepare us for the potential
of a second-degree verdict, wanting us to have realistic expectations,
But we believed in Carolyn from the onset; held on to our
own desire, prayerfully, for a murder of the first-degree verdict; because that
is the correct match for the horrific, brutal, torturous murder that ended
Cynthia’s life.
We are enormously grateful to Carolyn, to each juror;
grateful for the Honorable Hanley Chew
(and his delicious baked goods)
-the experience has
restored some of our wavering faith in our justice system.
We close this letter, with our highest praises also for
Rebekah York, the victims advocate available to us and our family throughout
the trial. She has that beautiful
combination of traits; a radiating kindness, understanding, respect; excellent
communication skills, that seem to just bring some ease to the overwhelm; some
much needed peace. In addition to being
so helpful with setting up teams, and available to answer our questions, we
felt reassured by her very presence.
Let this letter serve as our “Thank You!” prayer
With love & gratitude,
Robert Mickanen,
Cynthia’s brother
Sandra Mickanen,
Cynthia’s sister-in-law
posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:46 AM
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