Spy Boy Ricky Gettridge has always been a faithful usher to the people of New Orleans and the surrounding parishes. If there is a second line going down there's a good chance he's in it. If it's Super Sunday or Mardi Gras you can best count on Ricky being there. He has gifted us all with his presence, Indian suits, and tambourine for the past 50 years. Ricky has masked and sown with the Yellow Pocahontas Indian Tribe for several decades . Unfortunately, the only place Ricky finds himself right now is the guest of Jefferson Parish's "Just Us" system.
In 2002 before Hurricane Katrina Ricky had to work to provide for his family. He found employment with a construction company as a worker helping clean, rebuild, and bring back parts of New Orleans. Unknown to Ricky the checks he was receiving from this construction company owner were bad checks and fraudulent. When it all went down in court later Ricky received 2 years in jail for his "crimes". What choices did he really have? Facing unemployment and starvation for his family Ricky had to fed his family with something. What would you do? Ricky did what he had too and no one will ever blame him for it. After serving his time in jail Ricky was released and sent home. Ricky received a letter letting him know that he was finished with his parole. One of the worst things that happens to people everyday who are released is their lack of knowledge of how the justice system works. Ricky can be counted amongst them. He was to serve 5 years probation after being released. Without knowing this Ricky then dutifully went to work at St Jude's helping feed the homeless. He paid his bills, fed his family, and contributed positively to those who know him and live around. In the 5 years he was supposed to be on probation no one bothered to call him, come by, or mail him about his violation of probation. Five years! In those five years Ricky never moved, or changed his address. Not once!
On May 24th 2011 Ricky went to register to vote. He was doing this after becoming a member of V.O.T.E (Voice of the Ex-Defender). Ricky was surprised to find out he couldn't register due to a bench warrant being issued for his arrest. I assure you no one was more stunned than Ricky when they slapped the cuffs on him and returned him to jail.
I learned from talking with lawyer Alison McCrary (member of Ricky's pro bono legal team) that Ricky has several very strong legal counterpoints to his being incarcerated. Ricky's pro bono legal team is continuing to pursue these points. While any legal situation takes time, these countermeasures could take no less than two months and up two years to follow through with. Unfortunately for Ricky because this is probation revocation case, the judge will not allow him out on bond. If we can raise the funds to pay the $5400 in restitution and backed-up probation fees, Spy Boy Ricky Gettridge can be released and the case will be fully closed. Please help us get justice for Ricky and his family. Every bit is a step forward. Please don't think that your contribution won't lead Ricky closer to walking out of that cell and to his freedom. You can contribute by make a donation of any size ($5, $10, $25 ). Do this by going to PayPal and making a gift to: spyboyricky@audiblevision.
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