Santiago Camarena, was born 7/25/57. He grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California during the 60’-80’s era. His grandparents had orchards of orange, avocado, lemon, grapefruit...view moreSantiago Camarena, was born 7/25/57. He grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California during the 60’-80’s era. His grandparents had orchards of orange, avocado, lemon, grapefruit, pomegranate and olive. Working the land was a family part of life but it was his mother who taught him the value of work. Having good family values didn’t always equate to a good life style. His parents separating during various times of his life exposed him to foster-homes and juvenile facilities early on. These temporary alternative care meant to protect him inadvertently exposed him to law enforcement, the judicial system and correctional facilities throughout Calif. He spent approximately fourteen years incarcerated by his 33rd birthday. His desire to write developed during this time. He taught himself to write in calligraphy and would write short phrases in letters and cards for other inmates as a hustle for necessities. His audiences for his writing were his children who were too young to write back. His book Voir Dire mirrors his life style, hence the reason he was asked to write it. Aside the extremities in the book, he knows its story intimately.view less