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facebook finding: comment on Roy Estradas death by Arthur Tripp:

the following was sent to be by ARTie Tripp to post in regards to Roy Estrada *What revolts me about the entire story regarding Roy is the vitriol and unbridled scorn and derision spewed online from people who have no idea of the facts of Roy's offense or situation. At least I had the opportunity to explain the true facts to a large audience at Zappanale in 2022. I'm sure that got spread around by Zappa fans. Also Dieter Jacob of Zappanale Emailed me the other day wanting to know about Roy's death. So I had the opportunity to explain again the truth of the matter. He asked if he could publish my comments, which of course I agreed, so that will help somewhat to set the record straight.In brief, during 2011 Roy had been invited to his daughter's house because she and Roy's granddaughter were alone for Easter-- her husband and son on a trip. During the visit she ran an errand, leaving Roy to babysit his young (4-5 year old?) granddaughter. While playing, Roy tickled her, including her crotch, while she was fully clothed.. When Roy's daughter got back, she asked her daughter how it went. The daughter said Roy had tickled her and made her laugh. The daughter asked where she was tickled, and when she heard the crotch, she flipped out and called child protective services, and the matter was turned over to the police. That was that. He was later arrested while with his girlfriend. Roy's daughter didn't grow up with Roy around, and she was vindictive because of that. I'm sure she was a piece of work.Should Roy have done that? No, probably not, although I'm sure a significant number of parents/grandparents have done the same within their families. Not advisable, but I'll guess it's not uncommon. Roy had been arrested twice many years before for underage dalliances-- always with teenaged girls. The fact is that Roy always had a drug problem. He loved speed, coke, meth, and the like. It was only when he had been doing drugs that the tawdry behavior came out. I don't know if you've known people who did much speed or the like. I have, and I can tell you that it promotes twisted thinking and behavior.I'm reminded of what Don Preston remarked after Roy's incarceration. "Shit, at times most all of us could have been busted for fooling with underaged groupies!"So they threw the book at Roy under the "3 strikes" rule, which was in force in Texas. It didn't matter that his long ago prior offenses had been in California. If Roy could have afforded a defense attorney, he would have received a far shorter sentence. Roy was not a danger to anyone, nor did he ever try to entice children. What Roy really needed was drug counseling or Narcotics Anonymous. But at least while in prison he renewed his faith in God, and achieved a new found devotion to Christianity.I can't imagine Roy's frustration and grief over the injustice and maltreatment he received that essentially put him in prison for life. He and I kept up correspondence throughout his incarceration. I am proud to have played with him in MOI and Beefheart. He had a heart condition and severe diabetes which was worsened by a prison diet made up largely of carbohydrates and starch. His whole sad affair was a tragedy, and I'm so very sorry that he's gone. ART TRIPP*