ARLINGTON — Gary Chrisman wonders how long his father can survive in a Mexican prison — especially now that the 88-year-old apparently has pneumonia.
In the last two weeks, he has watched his father’s health rapidly deteriorate.
“If he’s not released soon, I fear he won’t make it out alive,” Gary Chrisman of Yuma, Ariz., said. “My father, a World War II veteran with honorable discharge, does not deserve to be dishonored by dying in a Mexican prison.”
Gary Chrisman caught a brief glimpse of his father, Edward Chrisman of Arlington, earlier this week at the prison, Carcel de Mexicali in the state of Baja California Norte.
“I’ve heard horror stories about the corruption in Mexico but never imagined it would happen to our family,” he said.
Edward Chrisman looked pale, weak and dehydrated, his son said. The family learned from a prison doctor he’s being treated for pneumonia and extreme insomnia. Several days ago, prison officials moved him to a section for the elderly. The family has been told he may get slightly better treatment there, including warm showers and a bed with a mattress.
Earlier, Edward Chrisman was kept in a small, concrete cell with dozens of other men. He had to sleep on a metal bed frame with no mattress.
“Our grandfather looks really ill to us,” said Shannon Perkins, Edward Chrisman’s granddaughter.
The Chrisman family has been fighting to get Edward Chrisman and his grandson Gary Chrisman Jr. released from what they say are trumped-up charges from Mexican officials intent on shaking the family down for cash.
Gov. Chris Gregoire is aware of the situation and is following the issue, said spokeswoman Karina Shagren. Other lawmakers, including Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Rick Larsen, also are monitoring the case.
Family members feel helpless and frustrated, Perkins said. She and her father, Gary Chrisman Sr., have crossed the border daily, working to get the men released. The family is afraid Mexican officials will create evidence to support their case, and they don’t know who they can trust south of the border, she said.
Edward Chrisman, a long-time resident of Arlington, was wintering in Yuma when he decided to take a quick trip across the border with his grandson, Gary Chrisman Jr. Mexican police arrested both men the same day, Jan. 8, saying the pair tried to pay young girls to pose nude for photos.
The Chrisman family maintains the men are innocent. The family said Gary Chrisman Jr. stopped at a convenience store for a soda and, while there, asked a mother if he could take photos of her daughters. He’d been taking photos of Mexican culture all day with a new camera. The mother granted permission and he gave her $25. He snapped headshots of the two fully-clothed girls and left the store. Edward Chrisman never even went into the store.
A police reporter for La Voz de la Frontera newspaper on Tuesday said he was told by Mexican police that there were no pornographic photos in Gary Chrisman Jr.’s camera.
The family said it’s common for people in Mexico to demand money if their photo is taken.
Neither man has a criminal record. Gary Chrisman Jr., 40, works as a security officer at the Yuma Proving Ground. Edward Chrisman worked as a civil service machinist for the Navy after serving in World War II. He has attended the Arlington Assembly of God Church for decades.
“Both my dad and son have spotless reputations and are well-respected by the community,” Gary Chrisman Sr. said. “Justice needs to prevail sooner, not later.”
Attention surrounding the case in Yuma has sullied the men’s reputations, Perkins said.
In a statement to media, the family raised questions about the case: Why were the two men held for six days without charges? Why weren’t the men allowed to make a phone call? Why were the men required to make statements about their monthly incomes? Why was an initial “not guilty” verdict changed to “guilty”?
Family members were asked by an intermediary to pay $2,000 to the prosecuting attorney “to make the situation disappear,” Perkins said. The payment was not made.
Eric Johnson, an Arizona state legislative liaison, heard about the Chrismans and is trying to raise support among legislators there. He’s not having a lot of success, he said. Legislators in Arizona are dealing with their own $4 billion shortfall and are focused on repairing the state’s budget.
“We’ve been trying to tell our citizens, ‘Don’t go’ ” to Mexico, he said. “It’s getting bad.”
Gilbert Emory of Stanwood heard about the Chrismans and decided to open a bank account to raise money for Edward Chrisman’s release. He deposited $500 Friday.
Edward Chrisman served as Emory’s Sunday School teacher in the 1940s. Emory has known Edward Chrisman and his family for decades.
“I know Ed. I just felt this was something we had to do,” Emory said. “He doesn’t deserve to die in a prison.”
He described Chrisman as a true gentleman and mild-mannered.
“I can just see him sitting in there wondering what went wrong,” Emory said.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.
How to help
Those who wish to help Edward Chrisman of Arlington can contribute at any KeyBank to the Edward Chrisman Litigation Fund.
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