Today marks the end of one journey and the start of another for our family. Today Manuel Ray Villarreal was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his part in the stabbing death of Marcus Lynn Snowden. Although this sentence provides some relief we are still in a period of healing and will be for quite some time. We hope we have done the memory of Marcus justice, we hope we have provided everyone with some insight of how violence effects everyone because when lives are taken in such a violent matter, everyone suffers and everyone is a victim.

We will continue on the mission we have set forth and will now offer peer support to families who are dealing with the tragedy of losing loved ones to violence. If anyone would like to join us please feel free to message our page or fill out the contact form on our website; www.togetheragainstviolence.com

We also want to thank the all the first responders for the work they do every day, the Fresno County Sherriff’s Office, the Fresno County Office of the District Attorney, Kerman Police Department, Victim Witness Services, Central Valley Crime Stoppers and our family and community for all their love and support.

We also wanted to share a poem written by Marcus’ sister, Kendra Snowden. Her poem sums up a lot with only a few words and we thank her for allowing us to share it with you.

Two Young to Fall

Two people gone

One alive one dead

But not one got ahead

One lifeless

One soulless

Both young and intellectually unfed

The fight that ended both lives so they said

War against another all in vain

Now there are only chains

Chains on the soulless divided

Chains on the lifeless never to be reunited

Diversity a beauty and a beast

The separation between you and me

Like the serpent between God, Adam and Eve

Who are we?

Both the hearts stained blue

So sad alone and looking for the truth

Do not fear for our time should soon be here

Rise and fall

We do it all

One in the same so who’s to blame?

~ Kendra Snowden