‘TELEPHONE: (315) 349-3200 PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER FAX; (315) 349-3212 ‘39 CHURCHILL ROAD ‘OSWEGO, NEW YORK 13126 Office of the District Attorney JASON R. DELANO MARK M. MOODY GREGORY S. OAKES CHIEF ASSISTANT INVESTIGATOR Bein oeNey DISTRICT ATTORNEY / CORONER Suly 2, 2019 Woodboume Correctional Facility Supervising Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator 99 Prison Road PO Box 100 Woodbourne, NY 12788-1000 Re: Peter Rauch ~ Inmate / DIN 1783297 Dear Members of the Parole Board: I am writing to respectfully ask this board to please deny parole release to Peter Rauch, who is serving a sentence of 2 to 6 years upon his convictions for Vehicular Manslaughter 2" and Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Incident. While his convictions reflect that he took a life, the offenses fail to capture the self-centered and depraved conduct that resulted in the senseless and tragic death of 18-year old Seth Collier. Rauch’s release at this time would be an insult to Seth’s memory and would further undermine his, family’s trust in the criminal justice system. Peter Rauch is entirely responsible for his own imprisonment. On March 20, 2017, immediately after finishing work as an investigator for the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office, Rauch met up with friends and began drinking. Over the next several hours, he consumed at least 16 alcoholic beverages at three different locations in the City of Syracuse. When Rauch finished drinking for the night, at approximately 1:00 am, he and a friend got into Rauch’s county-owned work vehicle and drove to a social club, A second friend, who was a firefighter for the City of Syracuse, followed in his personal vehicle. Unfortunately, as Rauch was leaving the last bar, 18-year old Seth Collier was walking home from a late-night shift at a local Burger King. As Seth crossed the street on his way home, Rauch struck the young man with his vehicle, throwing him into the air and causing what would ultimately be life-ending injuries.Rauch was travelling at approximately 42 mph in the 30 mph zone. Surveillance video from the area shows that he never slowed down or touched his brakes, not even for amoment. Not ‘as he approached Seth, Not after he struck Seth, Although he was aware that he had just struck someone, Rauch simply continued down the road, completely indifferent to the suffering of the boy that lied dying in the street. Although Rauch had a cell phone, as well as a police radio in his county-issued vehicle, he never called for help. Instead, when he arrived at the social club, approximately two blocks from the collision, he abandoned his vehicle and walked away. Police would find him several hours later at his residence. As Peter Rauch made his way home to a warm bed, Seth Collier suffered alone on a frozen street. Seth Collier never regained consciousness. His parents, knowing that they were going to lose their youngest child and only son, kept him on life support for two days so that their daughter in Texas could get home to say goodbye to her litte brother. Seth’s parents watched helplessly as the life drained out of his body. I typically don’t believe that defendants should be punished more harshly because of their profession or position in life. However, this case represents an exception, as the circumstances of the offense closely relate to his service as an investigator for the District Attomey’s Office. Although off the clock, Rauch was driving his investigator vehicle when he struck Seth. He was carrying his badge, along with his county-issued firearm, which he had been openly brandishing at a bar shortly before the collision. (Police observed this conduct while reviewing, surveillance footage from within the bar.) Rauch had cloaked himself in the trappings of his position, and there is no doubt that he believed his position would protect him should he be stopped for DWI. Unfortunately, it appears that Peter Rauch still holds that belief. As District Attorney, I regularly speak with attomeys and public officials in my county, as well as in neighboring Onondaga County. In recent weeks, I have heard from multiple sourees that Rauch has been reaching out to a variety of officials secking their assistance to try and secure his release, reportedly including persons associated with the Govemnor’s Office. Purportedly, Rauch has commented that he is assured to be released While this case was pending prosecution, Seth’s parents repeatedly expressed concern about whether Rauch would truly be held accountable. They spoke openly about their belief that ‘our country has two justice systems—one for regular people, and one for persons with connections and influence. I assured them that no person is above the law, and Judge Dougherty helped reinforce that message when he sentenced Rauch, If this board were to release Rauch at this time, after he has only served the minimum portion of his sentence, it would reinforce the notion of two justice systems. Seth's parents, as ‘well as portions of our community, would lose faith in the system if Rauch were released now. Moreover, justice requires a more significant penalty for someone who takes a life, particularly under the circumstances of this case, and especially when the victim is as young as, Seth.Peter Rauch deserves a longer sentence than 2 to 6 years. Unfortunately, the laws that the state legislature has given police, prosecutors, and judges are inadequate, Recognizing these limitations, when the evidence and equities are present, such as in this case, we must seek fully hold defendants accountable under the present sentencing parameters. ‘True accountability requires serving more than the minimum period of state prison under an indeterminate sentence. Rauch’s arrogance and self-centered conduct cut short a promising life. Rauch deprived Seth of the opportunity to experience this world as an adult. At the same time, he inflicted immeasurable trauma on Seth’s parents, who have since moved out of state because there ate (00 ‘many painful memories in Syracuse. They could not live in their house or walk the neighbothood without seeing constant reminders of their son and the tragic cireumstances of his death. For the sake of Seth and his parents, and for the sake of justice, I am humbly asking this board to please deny parole release to Peter Rauch at this time. Thank you. Very truly yours, Gre S. OAKES Disteict Attorney