LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR CAPTAIN RICHARD OBA

WE ARE SEEKING LETTERS OF SUPPORT IN FAVOR OF LENIENCY.

ADDRESSED TO:                            Honorable Ancer L. Haggerty
                                                            United States District Court

                                                            1307 U.S. Courthouse

                                                            1000 SW Third Avenue

                                                            Portland, OR  97204

GREETING:                                      Dear Judge Haggerty

BODY:

Briefly describe who you are and how you know Captain Oba.  State that you are aware that he is to be sentenced following a plea of guilty to charges of seaman’s manslaughter.  Tell the judge why you believe he should be treated with compassion.  Support your position with specific examples of Richard’s community service or the ways in which he has had a positive impact on the lives of others.  Be as specific as you can.

Do not argue that Richard is not guilty or that the government has been unfair.  The focus of your letter should be on Richard’s positive qualities and why the judge should treat him with compassion and leniency.  Please type the letter if possible.

WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED:

Please mail the final letter to the following address:

                                                            Mr. Per A. Ramfjord, Esq.

                                                            Stoel Rives LLP

                                                            900 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 2600

                                                            Portland, OR  97204

                                                            e-mail: paramfjord@stoel.com

                                                            Telephone: (503) 294-9257

Do NOT send your letter directly to the judge.

 Please send your letter to Mr. Ramfjord so that he can present it to Judge Haggerty with the other letters being written for this purpose.  In this manner, the letters will have the greatest impact.  If you know others who will also write favorable letters, please give them this or refer them to the www.supportcaptainoba.org Web site.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact FRIENDS OF CAPTAIN RICHARD OBA as follows:

Doug and Betty Yamamoto, 510-524-5189, or glazier718@aol.com

David and Gail Yamamoto, 510-525-6600, dyamam6@cs.com