The mother of slain Pittsburgh FBI agent Samuel Hicks asked a federal judge for justice before sentencing for drug dealer Robert Korbe, whose wife shot and killed agent Hicks, according to a letter she wrote to a judge in September. The letter was unsealed Monday in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh.
Korbe was sentenced in September to 25 years in prison for drug trafficking and other charges. His wife Christina Korbe has been charged with shooting agent Hicks during a raid on Nov. 19, 2008 at the Korbe home in Indiana Township, Pa. Authorities said Robert Korbe was trying to dispose of drugs in the basement at the time.
“You knowingly had possession of illegal substances, and guns in your home the day before you were to appear before a judge on criminal charges, and on November 19, 2008, you chose to run to the basement instead of opening your front door, as law enforcement called for and to you many times,” wrote Hick’s mother Charlotte Hicks Carrabotta in a letter dated Sept. 16. “You, again, were running from the law in an attempt to cover your criminal evidence -the core of who you are.”
“Today, Judge Terrence McVerry, I would like to ask that justice be served in this courtroom for the arrogance and defiance shown repeatedly by Robert Korbe against the laws that protect as well as serve (all) of us. These laws are laws that protect Robert Korbe, but also protect the life of Agent Samuel Hicks.”
“One moment of respect for the law -the simple act of opening a door -and my son would still be alive,” she wrote at the end.
To read full letter click “read more” below.
Today, September 24,2010, in the Courtroom of Judge Terrence McVerry, I would like to address both Judge Terrence McVerry and Robert Korbe.
Robert Korbe, throughout your life you have had the freedom to make choices. The choices you have made, from a young age, have not been within the guidelines of the law. You have repeatedly, and with malice and intent, chosen to break the law. You have shown lack of remorse and lack of respect for the law and the dedicated men and women who enforce the law. Choices are made by the use of the brain and the heart and are the core of YOUR being. The consequences of your poor choices· your repeated criminal offenses -are an example of who you really are. Time and time again, you have broken the law. Time and time again, these offenses have caused pain, and suffering, which are irreversible. Nothing affects you because you have proven you have no values and you just don’t care. You don’t care about yourself, your children, your family, or the many people affected by your day-to·day criminal acts.
Through the advice of your legal council, you have entered a guilty plea, and guilty you are. You knowingly had possession of illegal substances, and guns in your home the day before you were to appear before a judge on criminal charges, and on November 19, 2008, you chose to run to the basement instead of opening your front door, as law enforcement called for and to you many times. You, again, were running from the law in an attempt to cover your criminal evidence -the core of who you are.
Today, Judge Terrence McVerry, I would like to ask that justice be served in this courtroom for the arrogance and defiance shown repeatedly by Robert Korbe against the laws that protect as well as serve aU of us. These laws are laws that protect Robert Korbe, but also protect the life of Agent Samuel Hicks. Robert Korbe has committed crimes and is not above the authority of this courtroom, a courtroom where decency, respect, and a value for human life is the law.
The facts of human decency and the value of human life weigh heavy on my mind, today.
I will tell both of you, I miss my son, Samuel, and the value of his life is not a matter I feel should be laughed at or bargained with. He chose to live within the guidelines of the law. He also chose to serve and protect all people, and that choice was the core of HIS being. He was a loving husband and the sun rose and set in his two year old son. He worked hard to build a life for his family that was respectable; something his family, friends, and co·workers recognized and admired him for. He believed in the law and would want justice to be served today to the fullest extent. One moment of respect for the law -the simple act of opening a door -and my son would still be alive.
Respectfully submitted,
Charlotte Hicks Carrabotta Mother of FBI Special Agent Samuel S. Hicks
