Loading summary
Transcript72 lines
- [00:00]
Knox
Hey, this is Knox from the podcast. The youth mental health crisis is growing and social media is a major driver. Kids are spending up to nine hours a day on screens, often unsupervised, and studies show a direct link to anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts. That's where Gab comes in. Gab offers safer phones and watches for kids with no social media. Tailored to every age, offering the right tech at the right time or tech in steps. From GPS tracking enabled watches for younger kids to phones with parent enabled apps for teens, each device allows kids to more safely grow their independence. Visit g gab.com getgab and use code getgab for an exclusive offer. That's gab g a b b.com forward slash getgab gab tech and steps independence for them Peace of mind for parents
- [00:48]
Jack Lawrence
Acast powers the world's best podcasts Here's
- [00:52]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
a show that we recommend
- [00:56]
Nikayla Matthews Akome
if you've ever dreamed of quitting your job to take your side hustle full time, listen up. This is Nikayla Matthews Akome, host of side Hustle, a podcast that helps you build and grow from passion project to profitable business. Every week you'll hear from guests just like you who wanted to start a business on the side. You can't run a side hustle.
- [01:15]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
You can't run a business.
- [01:15]
Nikayla Matthews Akome
They share real tips and so I started connecting with all these people on LinkedIn and I thought target supplier diversity was having office hours. Real advice. Procrastination is the easiest form of resistance and the actual strategies they use to turn their side hustle into their main hustle. Getting back in touch with your tangible cash and sitting down and learning to give your money a job like it changes something. Check outside Hustle Pro every week on your favorite podcast, app and YouTube.
- [01:46]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Acast helps creators launch, grow and monetize their podcasts everywhere.
- [01:52]
Nikayla Matthews Akome
Acast.com we all belong outside. We're drawn to nature. Whether it's the recorded sounds of the ocean we doze off to or the succulents that adorn our homes, nature makes all of our lives, well, better. Despite all this, we often go about our busy lives removed from it, but the outdoors is closer than we realize. With Alltrails, you can discover trails nearby and explore confidently with offline maps and on trail navigation. Download the free app today and make the most of your summer with Alltrails.
- [02:26]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
She ordered it. Put the order in. She goes, I ordered media release. And she goes, he's to be released. And she said a few times immediately,
- [02:41]
Jack Lawrence
Hello and welcome back to one Minute remaining. My name is Jack Lawrence, the host and creator of this show. Today is the final part of the Evaristo Salis Jr. Story as he says goodbye to a life behind bars and looks to his future and what comes next. In our last episode with Junior, he talked us through the week long evidentiary hearing that would end unexpectedly in the prosecution essentially throwing their hands in the air and saying, we're done. They would put forward a motion for Junior's conviction to be squashed and for his immediate release after 27 years. And the judge agreed.
- [03:28]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
After that, it was. It was pretty. It was only like a five, maybe ten minute hearing. I heard, I heard my family and them start cheering and crying in the courtroom. And then we had a little kind of talk with my Lord in a separate zoom with them. And we were just cheering in there, you know, and they were kind of jumping up and one of the Lord's like, man, this has never really happened like this. Usually we got to keep on battling and we go through it and we were all excited. And so we had thought that it was going to take maybe a week or a couple days for it to, you know, to process the paperwork and all that stuff. So she goes, well, maybe it'll be like in two days. And I was like, well, yeah, probably next week or something. So we talked for about an hour. We're super excited. My adrenaline was on, Jack. I was like, yeah, I was so. I mean, I wasn't even tired anymore after that, you know, and so on. On the way back, I'm telling every single person along the way, I just got exonerated. This is over. I'm out of here. I don't know how long it's going to take, but I'm out of here. Some of the guards, I had to. Two counselor or counselor. One of my teachers came in and they all heard about it and so it's spreading amongst the guards already. I was in my cell and they kind of just opened the door like, hey, we heard you're out of here, right? And they came and gave me a hug and freaking and shook my hand and everything and. And then they leave and not even two hours later, they come down with the big old things like, pack their stuff up, you're out of here. And I'm like, oh, man. So I just, I go, so my roommate, he didn't go to work that day because he worked. He worked DNR too. He just jumps up, he's like, come on, I'll help you. And we just grab my prop and Just throw them in the boxes. No, organized. Not just throwing it all in there. I'm trying to give him stuff like, here, have this. And I'm just throwing it all in there. He's like, hurry up, bro. You got to get out of here. You know? And so we're. We're stacking all this stuff in there. I can't even really think. I'm just trying to. I said, I want to hurry up, get this stuff out of here. And then. So I call my fiance. I let her know, and she's just kind of stunned. She's like, who told you you're getting out? I said, I'm packing my stuff right now. But. Yeah, but who told you? I said, look, I literally. Packing my stuff right now. I'm gonna be out of here. And she's like, what do you mean you're out of there? I said, I'm getting released from the prison. She said, are you sure? It was just like this. And I'm. I. I was just. We were going back and forth on it, and then I called my dad, and my dad didn't even know. So I. My dad, they're at IHOPs in Yakima thinking it's going to be a few days. I called my dad. I said, dad, I said, they're releasing me right now. Come there. We had to pick me up. And he's like, I'll be there. Don't worry. Then he passed me to my sisters, and I started telling her, wait, wait, who told you this? I said, no, look, they're releasing me. They're. I'm packing my stuff up right now. So tell the lawyers, because I can't get a hold of them. Tell them to come up here and pick me up. So I have to be stuck in the parking lot waiting for you guys for a couple hours, you know? And so apparently, they were all at IHOP when they got the call that they just seen my dad start racing out the door. And there's like 30 of them. They all get up like, where is he going? And he's like, they just. They're releasing him. And everybody's like, whoa, no. What are you talking about? And he's like, no, he just called me. And the lawyer's like, well, let's call the prison. They called the prison. They confirmed it. And then they just all raced up to their eyes.
- [06:25]
Jack Lawrence
After almost three decades of incarceration, Junior was being released from prison to be a free man. Officer after officer from the prison would make their way to Junior's unit. To congratulate him and wish him well as he makes his way to sign the final piece of paperwork, which officially makes him a free man.
- [06:45]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
And they call me down the property and they changed me out into clothing that I'm gonna release, right? So I'm like, I head out and along the way there are a couple guards come out that I. A sergeant that I knew from way back. And he comes out and he's. I heard the news, I had to come over here. And he starts shaking my hand. And so all the guards on there were shaking my hand right there. And I went over to the clothing room, I exchanged all my clothes. And this one guy is funny because he. He sees me in the clothing that they release you, and he's like, where are you going? I said, I'm out of here. He goes, what do you mean you're out of here? I said, I'm getting out. He's like, huh, Five, ten minutes, we're going back and forth. I'm literally walking out right now. He's like, no. He's like, oh, man, I'm so happy for you and everything. And so I go back to the unit at the. Wait a little bit longer, and I started getting kind of nervous, like, oh, man, how long this is going to take. And then they call my name. And so I give my. My roommate a hug. We've been roommates for over a year. Give him a hug, tell them, all right, I'm gonna get out. And I start walking out. So I go up there and they show me the paperwork, I sign it, and that's when it's official. That's when I knew, okay, it's gonna happen. So I saw. I signed my. Replace my release papers. I tell them my release address. They're gonna give me 600, 300 for as a release money, and 300 for food. And then they give me a little flip phone. They walk me all the way up to the main. I get up to the main busy room area, and lieutenant comes out, gives my paperwork, and I sign my actual release papers where I'm actually. Now I can go. Once I sign this paperwork, I can literally just walk out. Gives me this bag full of, you know, like, hygiene, stuff like that. And he goes, yeah, you're officially released, so you can. We have no jurisdiction over. You can literally walk out if you want. I mean, I said, well, I gotta wait until my family come. He said, yeah, you can wait right there. I mean, it's up to you, but you can go. We don't have any control over you. And that those words right there alone,
- [08:32]
Jack Lawrence
we have no control over you. It's like, oh, that those words in itself are just incredible. We have, we literally have no control over you. Just do whatever you want now. Amazing.
- [08:42]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
And then they were like, I was like, hey, can I, can I? They have these phones for inmates that you can use just in case. And I was going to use that. He goes, come over and use this one. He gave me the actual phone they have on their desk. And I'm like, he started dialing them. I'm like, oh, yeah, that's right.
- [08:57]
Knox
Hey, this is Knox from the podcast. The youth mental health crisis is growing and social media is a major driver. Kids are spending up to nine hours a day on screens, often unsupervised. And studies show a direct link to anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts.
- [09:10]
Jack Lawrence
They.
- [09:10]
Knox
That's where Gab comes in. Gab offers safer phones and watches for kids with no social media. Tailored to every age, offering the right tech at the right time or tech in steps. From GPS tracking enabled watches for younger kids to phones with parent enabled apps for teens, each device allows kids to more safely grow their independence. Visit gab.com getgab and use code getgab for an exclusive offer. That's gab g a b b.com getg gab gab tech and steps independence for them. Peace of mind for parents.
- [09:44]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
What makes a leader worth following? What should you really care about in your job? As technology is changing so quickly, is it just about machines talking to other machines? I mean, should you quit your job and start something on your own, what would that take? What does success and risk look like when we're all at the starting gate together? These are the questions we answer each week on Lead Human with Jack Myers and Tim Spengler. Join us each week and subscribe at your favorite podcast platform and YouTube. We'll tell stories, we'll hear from some of the best, and we'll try to figure this out together.
- [10:18]
Nikayla Matthews Akome
You've never been one to settle, stand down or stand still. You're a lifelong learner, energized by excellence. There's a fire inside you you can't ignore. You've got competition to outrun, momentum to build on, and your own high speed standards to meet. Stop now. Not a chance. At Capella University, we help you catch what you're chasing because you've always had the drive. Now go earn the degree. Capella University. What can't you do? Visit Capella Edu to learn more.
- [11:00]
Jack Lawrence
Junior Spent 27 years being told what to do, when to eat, when to shower, when to sleep, where he can go, where he can't go, what he can and can't do. And now, with one simple signature, he has regained his independence. And he wastes no time in leaving the prison to be greeted by his family.
- [11:21]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
I raced out the doors and I see my sister and uncles and all some of the family out there hadn't seen in 20 some years. And so they all want to shake up. They're crying and everything. In my mind, I'm like, hey, let's, let's get the hell out of here. Let's take the picture somewhere else. But they all line up taking picture. I'm just anxious to go, you know, and there's some of the news people were there and they were taking pictures and everything. And so I was there for about 10, 15 minutes and I was like, hey, we gotta, let's go. So I jumped in the car, we're out of there, and we headed to McDonald's right there. I was in the restaurant right there, McDonald's. Really, really strange. I'm sitting out there, my sister gives me a phone. So I talked to my fiance. I said, look, I'm out. I'm right here at McDonald's. And she was like, where. Where are you calling me from? I was like, I'm calling you from McDonald's on a phone. And she's like, what kind of phone? I said, it's an iPhone. She's like, whose is it? I said, it's my nieces. And she's like, you're out? And I'm like, yeah.
- [12:21]
Jack Lawrence
I was emailing with her after, obviously I found out from your sister about the release. I sent her an email. It's like, oh, my God, I just heard. It's amazing. And even then, she's like, yeah, I know, but I don't trust these people. I won't, I won't start celebrating until he's literally out of those walls. She has absolutely no trust or faith in that system whatsoever. She's like so staunch, just going nup. I am not going to get emotional. I'm not going to jump for joy until he's literally out of those walls.
- [12:47]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
It's funny too, because so on the way back, I was talking to her almost the whole whole way back, but there was a large. There's an area where that has no WI fi service or nothing. So it cuts out. It cut out for about an hour. And then I, I called her right after we passed that area and she was like, what happened? They take you back? Are you good? I said, no. I. I was. We're just in a blind spot. I think he was freaking out.
- [13:14]
Jack Lawrence
Junior and his family would make the long drive home, back to where it all started 27 years ago, back to Sunnyside and back to his family home.
- [13:24]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
I mean, the drive back was just. It was something else, you know? And so it was. I had my. My cousin who had. Who was in the front. I hadn't seen her in 27 years. She was. She was just a little girl. So growing up, she's driving and then my little niece on one side of me, my other niece in the back, my sister Debbie, and my sister Vanessa. The drive back was funny because they were all kind of talking with each other, and I hadn't been in that kind of setting, not even the visit room with all them like that. So it was just. It was a beautiful feeling. When I got home, I was. There were 30 or 40, you know, people there. They're all my nephew, nieces, cousins, and most of them I haven't met before. So I just got out of the car and they were all shaking my hands, and I was like, oh, this is a lot of people, you know, and here I was in front of my house, you know, for the first time.
- [14:10]
Jack Lawrence
You went back to your childhood home you were in 27 years ago. I mean, that. I mean, that must have just been a bizarre feeling in itself.
- [14:18]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
It was amazing because it was like, I always thought about when getting out, that it would be. Come back to home, that it would be home. And it looked pretty much the same. Just little parts are different, you know, certain areas were a little bit older. Time had done it, you know, what it does, you know, but it was pretty much the same. Exactly the same, you know, and so when I walked in front, I was just. I mean, I was like. I was looking at everything real deeply because I had envisioned this so many times in my life, and a lot of times that. That envisioning that is what kept me alive and kept me strong through all those years of heartache and pain, prison. And so to actually be at this moment, it was surreal.
- [15:08]
Jack Lawrence
Junior has a lot he needs to get used to now that he's free. And it's not just technology.
- [15:14]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
They already had the barbecue going. I mean, it was. When I was a kid, we used to have family get togethers all the time. And this is exactly what it was. Yeah, pop in the coolers. All the families there was laughing, joking, kids running around everywhere. And that's exactly what I came back to. You know, I was trying to take it all in, but I felt kind of. I felt like I needed to shower and get this prison, you know, get this prison clothes off. Because I told my dad, look, I got a shower. I need to get some. Get some clothes. They wanted to go and get clothes for me right at that moment, but I said, I will do it tomorrow. I just. Just give me some shorts or something to throw on. I got to get this clothes off, you know, I mean. And so I came in, I grabbed all my, you know, my boxes, stuff, and I came into the room right here. And this room right here, I. I grew up in this room, you know, I know this room. I mean, it's the same. The room's exactly the same. The only difference is no carpet. Now it's hardwood floor, but everything else, exactly the same. He goes, My dad's like, well, here. Here's your room and everything. And this massive bed behind me that just. I gotta roll over three times just to get off it, which was really strange for me. I laid on it and I was like. I told my dad, what am I gonna do with all this bed? He's like, enjoy it.
- [16:22]
Jack Lawrence
Not used to so much bed.
- [16:23]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Yeah, it's being so soft too, you know, So I was actually.
- [16:26]
Jack Lawrence
That's an interesting thing, is that. Did you find that hard to sleep on after all those years sleeping on something, you know, so uncomfortable that obviously you just became used to.
- [16:34]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
The weird thing about it is, first, I would say the first three nights, I didn't really sleep much, and it was more out of excitement. I just wanted the day begin because I wanted to see, you know, everything.
- [16:41]
Jack Lawrence
Wanted to get out there. Yeah.
- [16:43]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
But I finally. I think the fourth night, I finally got a good night's sleep. I had to get kind of used to all the sounds again in the house, you know, so it's. It's a lot different than being a concrete floor. So when you walk, it's kind of on wooden floors. You can hear the creeks. And we open the doors. The wooden doors in prison, it's just concrete and solid, and there's no sound to it, you know, and so it's like all kind of stern and stable. And then also the other thing was that it was completely dark. It's never really dark in prison. And then every few hours, you'll hear the alarm go off, calling something in prison or they're waking you up for camp. And there was none of that. It was just, you know, and it was funny too. Because I come in here and I'm like, I'm looking around. I was like, hey, where's the. The cable cord where I. I got my prison tv, you know? I mean, I was like, where? I'm ready to set this TV up, right? And my little nephew goes, oh, oh, hold up. And he just kind of races out the door, right? And I'm like, where's this guy going? Just show me where the, where the, the outlet's at. And I can kind of just screw this in, right? And he comes in with this, this massive, like, 42 inch TV. And I'm like, what are you doing? He's like, this is your tv. I said, I just need a TV cord. No, no, this is your tv. And he's almost stumbling with it, and I'm like. And he puts it on the wall and then he just kind of plugs it in. He's like, well, we got DirecTV. And we're just, you know, he's putting it on demand and all this stuff. And I'm like, lost. Like, what do you mean?
- [18:01]
Jack Lawrence
What do you mean? What are all these words on demand? What do you mean?
- [18:05]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
He sits there and starts programming everything, and I'm completely lost, like. And he's like, yeah, you do this, you do that, and you go like this, you do that. And I'm just like, I'm never gonna watch TV again. You know, I'm not gonna figure this
- [18:15]
Jack Lawrence
out way too hard again. Now that he's obviously a free man, Junior and his family waste no time in getting him out and back. Experiencing life. Think about it. Life as we know it. The things that we take for granted. Things that Junior hasn't done in almost 30 years. Gone to the movies, gone shopping for new clothes, eaten at a restaurant or even a drive through, for that matter. Sat out in the backyard laughing with friends. Ridden a bike, driven a car, or even been swimming.
- [18:51]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
I think. The next day we went to the Columbia river and I went swimming for the first time in 20 some years. And that was funny as hell because I've been. This camping spot that we went to, we went every year, the year before. 95 we went that year. And then I got locked up in 96 in the same area. It looked exactly the same. Nothing was really changed. I go in there and I kind of slowly get in there. I stay in the little kids area because I feel like I can't swim anymore. I thought, okay, I can swim, but I just felt like I couldn't anymore. I was weak. And then I was. I Was kind of floating around, and. And my sister like, hey, go. You got to go back out there. And I said, no, I'm staying right here. I can literally touch the bottom with my hands. And then they were like, no, it's too shallow. Keep going. I said, no, no, right here. Kept getting up, and I kept falling, and they were laughing at me, and they were filming me just going in and out of the water. No, but I. I sat there, and when I got out of the water, I sat there and just looked at it again, and I was like, man, you know, I can't believe it. You know? And I filmed the way up there, too, because I dared. So when I stepped out of the car, my. My little brother, who actually met for the first time, I talked to him on the phone, but I never actually met him in person. And he's already like. I think he's 22 years old. And he goes, hey, junior, I got a gift for you. He gives me this bag, and I was like, what is he like, open it. And so I open. He goes, your first iPhone. He goes, you got an iPhone 14? It's even better than mine. And I'm like, I don't even know what that means, but okay. And I was like, what do I do? He's like, oh, look, I already set it up for you. Do this, do that. And I was like, yeah, I'm gonna have to mess with that a little bit later, because I don't know what to do with it. That was the first thing getting out. So on the way over there, I had a full night of just playing with it, just learning it. All right? Just tapping everything. And I accidentally sent emails. I was doing all kinds of weird things, but I didn't know what I was doing. And. And so I. I was sending. I FaceTime with Luisa or my. My fiance. I FaceTime with her most of the night and then in the morning, which was just amazing. That was the first time I seen her in, like, two and a half years. And then I learned how to film things and then send it off and pictures and all that stuff just in one night. And I was just. I was just playing with it. So for the first week and a half, I was just figuring all this out because I couldn't sleep at night. So I was just going through all the apps, downloading things, doing all this stuff, you know, and so, yeah, that. That. That little phone is. I mean, my God, I still. I still got a lot to learn on it.
- [21:00]
Jack Lawrence
But, you know, as I said to you in A message I think I sent you. I said, you know, we all take these things for granted because we've, you know, they've come out as we've been growing up, and we've had them from when they first arrived. You know, the most basic one. And the technology has sort of changed gradually over time. So it's a case of you kind of get used to it, whereas you've gone literally from 1996, where this thing didn't exist. There was no iPhone, there was no social media, there was none of this stuff. And you've got all the way to 2023. You know, it's like you've been frozen in time and you've been woken up in the future, and it just must be mind blowing.
- [21:37]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Yeah, it definitely was. And then when I started playing with it and kind of realizing what I had in my hand, I was like, well, this is wonderful.
- [21:44]
Jack Lawrence
You know, Junior says that the one thing has really touched him since he's been out of prison is the kindness of people. Not just family and friends, but neighbors and even complete strangers.
- [21:55]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
People were coming to the house, dropping off brand new clothes. Every store I went to, people came up and shook my hands. There's like three or four restaurants over here that invited me to go over there and eat for free. One of them brought us a big old cake, told me to go. That went over there, but I need to go over there. And they're like, hey, come over here. You can have free tacos anytime you want. I went to Tri Cities. It's like a city like 60 miles away from the Sunnyside, bigger city, and went to the mall over there. And one of the stores was like, it's like, it's good to be out, huh? And I was like, yeah. And he goes, whatever you want in the store. 20 off. Anytime you come in, people will recognize me all over. All over Sunnyside, they're still recognizing me. Some guy, the other, yesterday, he owns a landscaping business. He says, hey, if you. Whatever you need, just let me know, I'll do it for free. He gave me his card and everything. I was like, oh, okay. You know, so it's been. People hand me stuff in the stores or. Or. The other day, somebody came to the house and took me out to dinner. This one older lady, she's been following everything. And so it's been. It's been wonderful. I mean, really, really wonderful.
- [22:55]
Jack Lawrence
At any point have you been concerned about. Obviously, you know, it's still very fresh, this whole thing. And I'm sure you're still running on a hell of a lot of adrenaline, you know, I feel like, you know, every day must be just a bit sort of, you know, full on. You've been through a lot, man. You've been through a lot of trauma. You know, it's 27 years, you know, I don't know. You're going to think about getting to sitting down and talking with someone about it, or are you just going to get on with your life? Because, you know, my concern, once this is all sort of like settled and you. You into life, are you going to get hit by things that you, you know, unresolved issues that you might not know about?
- [23:29]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Yeah, I mean, I thought about that too, and especially when I was in prison. And so I kind of had this plan when I got out. I've been planning. I had that plan in place for a long time, mentally, spiritually and even emotionally. And so I put that plan in effect as soon as I came out. When it came first, it came to getting all my paperwork that I needed. So supposed to get my Social Security card here probably this week. I already got my id, which took a while. Had to cash the check that they gave me, cash that I'm just going to start working on my driving, get my driver's license next week or two, a job possibly in about another two weeks. I got a couple offers. There's one that's really good, that's helping kids. I might take that one. And then I actually went to the. It's a resource office over here in Sunnyside, and they offer mental health treatment and all that kind of stuff and therapy and all that kind of stuff. And I talked to them actually two days ago. They're going to provide me with benefits. They're providing me all kinds of, like, health stuff and benefits and stuff. One of, one of the things that they provide is mental health. And so I'm actually going to start therapy, seeing, actually psychiatrist to talk about all these issues probably within the next two weeks. Yeah. So my family that, well, how do you. They asked me how I felt about that. I said, Look, I got 20 plus years, probably more issues to deal with, you know, I mean, if they're willing to help me in that kind of way. Because, hey, I'm willing to talk about it.
- [24:47]
Jack Lawrence
Yeah.
- [24:47]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Because I don't want this stuff, you know, coming, you know, kind of rearing its head sometime later or when I'm settled down, me kind of freaking out or, or even having bad dreams or those kind of things coming back, you know, because like you said, it is a high right now. And I was telling my family the same thing. I said, look, my dad's like, hey, don't worry about it. We'll take care of. And I said, look bad, I appreciate all the stuff you're giving to me, but all this is gonna. It's gonna slip away. And the reality of what I have to deal with, I'm gonna have to deal with every day. So that means I'm gonna have to be able to stand them on two feet. I'll take what you give me. But at the same time, not only I'm have to work, but I'm gonna have to, you know, kind of figure out how to do things on my own, and I need that. And so when it comes to the mental health already, that. That's a. That's a big thing for me because I can sit here and tell myself, well, I'm good, but there's underlying issues that there's no way you're not going to develop with that many times, that many years in prison, that long in the hole that I've done before, the issues that I had to deal with, I've dealt with those issues in prison, but now in a different environment where I'm gonna have to deal with different issues, I'm kind of curious to see what they think about it, and what they see actually means I have to do it a mental evaluation too. So they're going to probably tell me, you know, what underlying issues that I may have that I can't see for myself.
- [25:59]
Jack Lawrence
I got a heap of questions from people on our Facebook group. If you call to answer a few of these questions.
- [26:06]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [26:07]
Jack Lawrence
One person was asking. It might sound weird, but is there a sense of emotion for junior leaving prisoners in leaving people behind that you've got to know and spend so much time around? Would there be a sense of, you know, sadness about leaving those people?
- [26:24]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Oh, there was. There was actually a great deal sadness. One of them was my roommate. He's been my roommate for about over a year. Just a real good person. Always was kind to me, shared with me. We never had any issues. We worked together. He always looked out for me the best he could. You know, he was. He's a Native American, so he would beat a lot, I would draw a lot. He was just all around good dude. And then there was a. There's quite a. There was like three or four other guys that I'll hit the yard with all the time. To have to leave them was a little bit hard, you know, and but at the same time, I got in touch with them already. A couple of them are. I already talked to one of them already and. Or I talked to two of them already. I wrote them and told him, look, you know, whatever I can do, I'm gonna do for you guys, you know, so I'm gonna make time no matter what. But it is, it was hard. Not only that, but there was also, which is a little bit strange, there were some staff that I was really, really cool with and respected in there that I would see all the time. And every time I would talk to them, you know, they were. We kind of developed kind of a friendship, if that's even possible.
- [27:19]
Jack Lawrence
Yeah.
- [27:20]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
And some of them I'm going to kind of miss to miss seeing some of them. I had a boss that was just, just so cool, you know, and I would, we'd go out and fight fires together and we'd be out there in the staging and we would talk. You know, we have talks, you know, all of us as a group. You know, you get real close when you're, you know, you're a ten man crew and you're out there fighting fires in the middle of night. And so I'm gonna miss a lot of them too, because they were really, you know, they're really close to me. But the only way to kind of deal with that is to reach out to those few individuals and kind of maintain that kind of had a friendship. But yeah, there was, there was some, actually some sadness.
- [27:55]
Jack Lawrence
Another question, this one's from Michael. He said this is actually, you know, the gang related situation. Obviously, you know, we know that you were, you were part of a gang inside prison. You gave it all up to focus on getting out, and that's why you got moved to those, the different facility. The question was, now that you're out, you're back in Sunnyside, is there ever any concern over, you know, people who are in that gang come knocking on the door saying, hey, what's up?
- [28:19]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Yeah, there, I mean, there in the beginning, there was a lot of concern because I didn't know what to expect when I got here. But once I kind of came out, kind of seen the response of the community, that anxiety kind of went away. It doesn't mean that I won't run into people here and there, but at the same time, I think that there's a part of it that has to do with my story. You know, I think that the fact that it came out that I didn't do it, there's a large group of them Probably. Probably sympathize with that also. I'm real cautious, you know, my dad's the same way. My dad's like, hey, just. Just be careful about things and do this kind of stuff. You know, be safe. And that's what I've been doing. I kind of, you know, when I go, I can used to go with my family somewhere. I go to places that don't really have that kind of people around, you know. And also, like I said, I haven't seen anybody. It's a small town, too. There was one person that came up, and I knew him from years ago, and he just came up to tell me, you know, that he's glad I'm out, gave me a bunch of clothes and all that kind of stuff. You know, I've done it for years. But, yeah, there's a concern there, you know, and. And, like, if I feel like maybe it's. There's. There's some tension or I feel kind of a little, you know, worried about my safety, and then I can always just, you know, head out to somewhere else, you know, if that's the case. Yeah, but like I said there, so far, I haven't. I haven't seen anything like that. And it's. It's so. It's so different now. It's 27 years later. A lot of people that are around, not around anymore, if they are. They're really old and they've kind of settled down and kind of went on their own ways. Yeah. But also, there's just been a lot of love from the community. So that. That's. That's kind of relieved my anxiety. But, yeah, there's. There's always a concern to that.
- [29:44]
Jack Lawrence
The other big one from a lot of people is obviously talking about compensation for what you've been through, you know, over the last 27 years, whether there's any possibility of compensation from, you know, Yakima county or, you know, those. Those people who were basically in charge of putting you away in prison for something you didn't do. I mean, I know these situations can be tricky to talk about, and sometimes we can't talk about them because there's stuff going on. But is there anything in the pipeline in that respect?
- [30:12]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
I've heard that a lot. You know, even. Even over the years that I've been in prison and I've thought about it myself, but at the same time, I'm just. I'm so tired of dealing with the courts, you know, and having to deal with that kind of stuff. If it comes, it may Come later, it may not. I'm not sure. You know, for me, I don't hold any grudges. But at the same time, I think that there has to be a certain. They have to fill it somewhere, because if they don't, then they might just do it again or they'll continue to act that kind of way.
- [30:37]
Jack Lawrence
Yeah.
- [30:38]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
In that sense, it seems like I have. I have an obligation to do that. But at the same time, it's hard to go right back into another fight when I spent the last 27 years fighting for this. Yeah. And, and what am I really? I mean, I always look at it like this, you know, all I cared about was coming. You know, I don't care about what happens to, you know, that detective. I, I. Hey, go on with your life. Nothing that they do to you is going to make me feel any better, you know. You know, I don't have that kind of vindictive mindset where I feel like, oh, you got to be punished because it doesn't change anything. It doesn't. It doesn't make it better for me. It might even make it worse, you know? You know, if I think about it, because I'm not that harsh. Yeah. And do I hope that they will learn from it? Do I hope that there's a part of them that feels a little guilt for it? Of course I do. As far as pursuing certain things, I'm not sure, you know, I mean, if it comes, it comes, but at the same time, it's like I've been fighting so long, you know, it's just. I just don't want to deal with the courts in any kind of way. But maybe in the future something will come. But if it doesn't, it does. It doesn't really concern me, you know, me, because I'll make my own way. That's kind of the way I kind of approach that.
- [31:37]
Jack Lawrence
What's the plan with. I know you said, you know, we could just. Going to take time with you and Luisa and getting together. So would there be a. Is there a plan for you guys? Obviously you're, you know, you're, you're engaged and, you know, you want to obviously get married at some point. I'm sure. You know, would there be? Obviously you live in different countries. What's the plan there? Are you guys gonna, you know, move somewhere together or is there any plan for that in the future?
- [31:59]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Well, yeah, that's, that's the plan. The plan is always to, to get together somewhere. It's just going to take a lot of work. To get there. The goal is to, to get to somewhere we can be together, you know, get married, raise a family, that kind of stuff. And it's just, it's just getting past these other hurdles to actually get there. And it doesn't, to me, it doesn't matter exactly where I live as long as with her. It's kind of the same thing with her. I'll probably do more to make it more convenient for her and her family, you know, because, and which is a little hard because my, right now, my dad, you know, I don't, It'd be hard to move away from right now.
- [32:30]
Jack Lawrence
Yeah, of course. You've been away for so long.
- [32:32]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Yeah, exactly. I, I was. And she knows that, you know, I mean, so we're just gonna work through everything, plan everything out like we've been planning.
- [32:39]
Jack Lawrence
Well, look, dude, it's, you know, it's fantastic. Again, it's just so good to, to see you in such a good place, out of that facility once and for all and, and getting life back on track and getting stuck into it. So, you know, I, I, I'm under the threat of death from the people who listen to this show not to finish this. One minute remaining. Lady, thank you so much indeed, for everything. You know, for sitting down, chatting with me and telling me everything else and, and just being part of the show, man. It's been amazing. It's, you know, it's obviously not, it's not the end, it's not the end of the story, and it's not, it's definitely not the last time we'll be hearing from you, sir, so. But, you know, I'm just so happy to have been able to, to catch the, the last bit of your story, man. It's amazing.
- [33:18]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
Yeah, it's been great. Thank you for all your help. I had a wonderful time. Like I said, call me anytime. Any questions.
- [33:24]
Jack Lawrence
All right, man, look after yourself. I'll talk to you soon. Okay?
- [33:27]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
All right, Ryan.
- [33:28]
Jack Lawrence
This is the story of Evaristo Salas Jr. A man that had 27 years of his life taken from him. He didn't get to graduate, he didn't get a prom. He didn't go to university or build a career. But he does have a second chance, and he's going to take it with both hands and live. He has a number of job opportunities lined up and says his main focus now is to build up some funds, get a car, and get himself to a situation where he and his fiance and son can be together and enjoy the rest of their lives. But he does need help. Junior's family have set up a GoFundMe to help give Junior the best start possible. So if his story has touched you like it has so many others, any little that you can spare to help I know will be greatly appreciated by Junior and his family. As for myself and this show, one minute remaining, I will be donating 100% of our subscription fees from the month of September from our supporters. It's a small thank you to Junior for sharing his story with me and if you'd like to donate, you will find the link to the GoFundMe in the show notes of this episode. One minute remaining is a mashed pumpkin production created, hosted and produced by Jack Lawrence Audio and sound design by Jack Lawrence and Dom Evans of esay.
- [34:56]
Knox
Hey, this is Knox from the podcast the youth mental health crisis is growing and social media is a major driver. Kids are spending up to nine hours a day on screens, often unsupervised, and studies show a direct link to anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts. That's where Gab comes in. Gab offers safer phones and watches for kids with no social media. Tailored to every age, offering the right tech at the right time or tech in steps. From GPS tracking enabled watches for younger kids to phones with parent enabled apps for teens, each device allows kids to more safely grow their independence. Visit gab.com getgab and use code getgab for an exclusive offer. That's gab g a b b.com forward slash getgab gab tech and steps Independence for them Peace of mind for parents
- [35:43]
Evaristo Salas Jr.
what makes a leader worth following? What should you really care about in your job? As technology is changing so quickly, is it just about machines talking to other machines? I mean, should you quit your job and start something on your own? What would that take? What does success and risk look like when we're all at the starting gate together? These are the questions we answer each week on Lead Human with Jack Myers and Tim Spengler. Join us each week and subscribe at your favorite podcast platform and YouTube. We'll tell stories, we'll hear from some of the best, and we'll try to figure this out together.
- [36:17]
Nikayla Matthews Akome
Taco Bell's new jalapeno citrus salsa adds a tangy twist to the Cantina chicken menu. A sweet and spicy, bright, citrusy burst of flavor made with real red jalapenos and guajillo chilies. Try it with a rolled quesadilla and you will absolutely be well, I don't want to give it away. You need to try it for yourself. New Jalapeno Citrus Salsa. The sauce with main character energy. Get it with anything on the Cantina Chicken menu for a limited time only at Taco Bell at participating locations while supplies last.