Gary Eccher - The Family History
Gary is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. His father is a World War II, Iwo Jima, Marine Corp. Veteran and his grandfather is a retired Colonel from the Army after serving two and half years in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. Having been born and raised in a great family, Gary did not listen to his family’s wisdom and eventually became addicted to free-basing cocaine. He moved to California in 1985 and eight months later was arrested and eventually convicted of second-degree murder.
Gary was sentenced to 15-years to life and found himself in a prison system that expanded from 25,000 to 170,000 inmates during the 26-years he served. Once exposed to the injustices of the prison and parole systems, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
Life Apart From Legal Area
Gary is one year short of earning his BA. He attended Western Illinois University on a soccer scholarship and is a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity. In 1995, he met his best friend, Keith Chandler, in the law library at Old Folsom. For approximately ten years, Gary and Keith worked in the law library and learned a great deal about California Criminal Law and the Parole Board. Gary also earned two paralegal certifications. That’s where his journey as a virtual paralegal began.
This was the foundation of a lifelong friendship and partner in business. Gary had to prevail in court six times before being released on parole. Four times against the Board and twice against the Governor. While incarcerated, he assisted other guys filing pro se writs of habeas corpus in court against the Board and Governor prevailing 34-times, which resulted in 15-guys being released.
The Turning Points
Since his release in 2012, Gary did not waste any time. Keith came and picked him up on June 6; took him to Harris Ranch for steak and eggs; drove him to the parole office to check-in and then to his transitional home about a mile from Knott’s Berry Farm. Next, they went to the DMV and got his State-ID, then the shopping started; got his first cell phone ever; lap-top and 4-in-1 printer, his parents were standing in Best Buy in Missouri paying for it, and Gary picked it up in Best Buy in California; got his bank account, visa card, e-mail address, temporary driver’s license, and all this was done in two days thanks to Mom, Dad, and Keith. Without them, Gary would still be standing at the bus station.
From June 26th-July 4th, Gary’s dream came true; to see his parents and sister alive outside of prison. His sister taught him how to drive and helped him get his business license/EIN/&DBA. Gary passed his driver’s test on July 3 and, on July 11, bought a car thanks to Dad’s credit and down payment. Gary realizes how blessed he truly is and plans on helping many others obtain the same happy ending that God blessed him with.
The Story of Keith Chandler
Keith was an honor student in High School with no prior record when arrested for a 1983 murder in Yolo County, California. Pleading no contest, Keith was sentenced to 15 years to life and found himself in a prison system that expanded from 25,000 to 170,000 during the 21 years he served. Once exposed to the injustices of the prison world, Keith became a zealous advocate for change in the prison and parole arenas.
Education and Experiences
Keith received his Associate of Arts degree while incarcerated, graduating from San Joaquin Delta College in 1991 with a 4.0 GPA and the honor of being class valedictorian. Keith was found suitable for release three separate times, yet on each occasion, politicians blocked his parole. Keith was ultimately released via Federal Court Order after serving 21 years (the last 9 unconstitutionally). Keith later sued Governor Wilson and parole board officials for his illegal incarceration. He lost in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal but was allowed to present the oral argument to the 9th Circuit Court himself. This was an incredibly rare honor given Keith had an attorney.
Keith performed admirably and was applauded for his efforts at the conclusion of his presentation by Senior Judge Dorothy Nelson, who chided him to go to law school. Listen to the audio of the oral argument (Keith starts 48 seconds in) at http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2007/12/05/06-15311.wma.
Life-changing Decisions
Since his release in 2004, Keith has served as a political and legal consultant for many clients and attorneys. He has closely worked on many cases with attorney Steve Sanders and Sanders & Associates, a West Sacramento Law Firm which specializes in parole and other politically sensitive litigation. Sanders & Associates, with Keith in a key role, managed the corporation which controlled the 2004 Proposition 66 Campaign seeking to reform the three-strike law. Keith, working with client Taxpayers for Improving Public Safety, was instrumental in litigation that blocked CDCR from using 7 Billion Dollars of AB 900 prison construction bonds for nearly two years. Keith’s expertise regarding California's three-strike law found him working with Stanford University in 2010 on what became Proposition 36, the successful 2012 reform of three strikes.
In late 2012 Keith wrote the habeas corpus petition that resulted in the exoneration and release from prison of Kash Register, a man wrongfully convicted of murder 34 years earlier. A great YouTube story link from Channel 9 Los Angeles can be accessed at //www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yedi0e7eeoE. A month later, in an amazing moment shown on live television in Los Angeles, Keith was asked to stand up in the courtroom and the Honorable Judge Katherine Mader, acknowledging Keith's work to free Mr. Register, started a standing ovation in order to recognize his incredible work.
See link to Fox 11 News Los Angeles (sorry about the commercial to start the clip--it belongs to Fox 11-- the Judge honors Keith at about the 2 minutes 50-second mark of the in-studio interview. See http://www.myfoxla.com/video?clipId=9633768&autostart=true.
Keith’s efforts have resulted in reduced sentences, or outright release, for countless numbers of clients. He is now taking on his next challenge—Law School, where he is currently completing his second year.