A hearing on the Motion to Change Venue filed by Hector Cardenas is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. on October 31, 2001 in the first floor courtroom of the Corpus Christi courthouse.

The purpose of the Motion is to change the case from Kenedy County to a county where all the heirs of Jose Manuel Ballí Villarreal can receive a fair and impartial trial.

The Motion to Change Venue is supported by 7 affidavits. On September 26, 2001 the Foundation took the deposition of each person, including myself, who signed one of the affidavits. A copy of the two Motions filed by Mr. Cardenas is posted on the Balli Family Heritage website. Go here to view: http://www.balli.org/cause_no_1261/

On behalf of our entire family, I would like to express great gratitude to the five witnesses from Sarita who both signed the affidavits and were interrogated by the Foundation for stating the obvious - that we cannot get a fair trial in Kenedy, Kleberg, or Nueces County!

The five witnesses from Sarita had nothing to gain, everything to lose, and testified in our behalf because it was the right thing to do. The Foundation owns the house in which some of the witnesses live. In order to protect them from retaliation, I want everyone who reads this letter to pray for the families in Sarita who signed the affidavits. Ask the Lord to protect them from retaliation by the Kenedy Foundation.

Although seating in the courthouse will be very limited, family members who wish to attend this historic event can do so.

Respectfully yours,

Fred B. Balli

President