None — Dear Eric,
It is never a good idea to disparage a deceased person. I have no desire to disparage sparkle bacchus or her family. A horrible tragedy has occurred and my focus is on comforting my daughter alexis. I would ask you to not do a story because it can only be harmful to Alexis and reflect negatively on the bacchus family with verifiable videos, court files, and facts.
1. Why is your daughter not being allowed to attend her mother's funeral today.
Alexis is allowed to attend the funeral however I received a phone call from my attorney Mitchell Krause advising me that the maternal grandparents did not want her there. We had simply requested that they help us with the cost of a plane ticket, assure us in a written affidavit that they would not disparage myself or my family, and start working with us on some issues that were in the best interest of Alexis Gorman; they in turn refused.
2. Do you have any intention of allowing the paternal grandparents a chance to see her?
Yes. Sparkle's last words to me were happy valentines day. Despite our differences in parenting, we loved each other and had developed a great relationship as parents. I am going to miss her very much and even though Florida law has it that Grandparents have no rights, I am going to make sure that Alexis is a big part of her grandparents lives. Sparkle and I brought Alexis into this world out of love and I know she is looking down from heaven right now watching us. We love you and miss you so much Sparkle.
3. Can you give me any context/background about your conviction in Florida and for how long you must be registered as a "sex offender?"
A few weeks after my 21st birthday at FSU I was accused of a she said he said. After the alleged victim was caught committing perjury in a deposition, I was offered a 12 month probation plea bargain which I did not accept. The prosecutor, Matthew Alexander Smith, received a reprimand from the florida bar calling his prosecution of me "A Win At All Costs" prosecution that "flew in the face of justice." Additionally, the jury's verdict of guilt was set aside by the judge in the case and they entered a new judgement that fell way below the guidelines in lieu of my waver of an appeal. It is to my understanding that the courts were afraid that my conviction would have been immediately overturned on an appeal. An expose on the malicious prosecution was written by Kathleen Parker and is online at http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/05/sex_lies_and_prison.html. Since then I have graduated cum laude from Ohio University with a degree in business law and economics. I am now working on a master of liberal arts degree at Harvard University. This is my second semester. I am also very active in the church and work hard. I live a life of undivided integrity and will do the right things by Alexis Gorman. She will be a big part of her grandparents and sister's lives.
God bless you Sparkle, we all love you so much. Richard Gorman
WFTV
