As I sit here attempting to put the words together to inform everyone that my best friend, soulmate and beloved husband, Doug Snodgrass has passed away, I am filled with extreme grief and sadness. He lost his own battle with his failing health and this entire awful experience certainly took so much out of him. We've been struggling and fighting relentlessly, side by side for our son Jesse and all of the injustice that he's endured, trying to create positive change in a world that can often be cruel. We've advocated for him, and others, from the very beginning. I'm sure you are all aware of our family's long and dreadful plight involving Jesse's entrapment, arrest, and the terrible aftermath. You might also be aware of the fact that we filed a lawsuit against the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD).
Rolling Stone - The Entrapment of Jesse Snodgrass
VICE - The War on Kids
Today, I am greatly disappointed to report that a judge dismissed the case. Read the decision in its entirety here: JUDGE'S DECISION. To say that everyone who knows anything about the details of this case is shocked would be an understatement. We feel especially disappointed that the judge did not allow this matter to be decided by a jury. Despite her ruling we felt there existed triable issues of material fact as to Michael Hubbard's (TVUSD dir. of Child Welfare and Attendance) involvement with the operation and whether he targeted Jesse, among other triable issues. It seems that the judge weighed the evidence which is not the court's role on Summary Judgement. She also seems to justify the ruling based on "police cooperation and discretionary immunities" that we continue to assert do NOT apply.
TEMECULA: Hubbard honored by state school resource officer assocation
Oh and...Jesse never had "cough medicine" in his backpack" as this decision states. The drug sniffing dogs were alerted to a single cough drop in his backpack, five months prior to Operation Glasshouse at a different High School... Details, details. At this point we are planning to appeal.
I do know and feel in my heart that Doug would absolutely want me to move forward and ask, once again, for the army that I knew that it would take to win this battle. DailyKos community, my family thanks you for all of your continued support and kind words.
- Catherine Snodgrass