JEFFERSON COUNTY CHAPTER

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2 PAGE 2 VOCAL NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2012 CHAPTER NEWS JEFFERSON COUNTY CHAPTER 1st Thursday, 6 p.m th Ave. N, Sheriff s Dept. Training Room, 2 nd Floor Chapter President: Carol Melton (205) , carolmeltonb@bellsouth.net Chapter Mailing Address: st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL Carol Melton and Margie Caslin attended a prayer breakfast hosted by the Birmingham Police Department on October 18. This event was in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In September they attended a very good meeting with Eddie Sammons, VOCAL Angel House Counselor, and detectives at the Birmingham Police Department. The chapter is planning their Christmas party on the first Thursday in December. It will be held in the training room at the Jefferson County Sheriff s Department. Majeeda Amodadeen is getting the menu together. Jefferson County Chapter members have had a lot of anniversaries in the last few months. Carol Melton, September 15, 23 years; Alex Lee, October 6, 6 years; Marietta Franklin, September, 23 years; Nadia Kersh, November 3, missing four years; Rex Copeland, 23 years; Lisa Pruitt, October, 6 years ago. It is always hard in the months leading up to the holidays. About a month ago there was a horrible vehicle crash in which two young men who were being chased hit a car and killed a young family - a couple in their early twenties and a ten-month-old baby. They are in jail facing three felony charges. Jefferson County lost a wonderful judge, William Cole Jr., in the last election. And chapter members are disappointed that Jim Neill lost; he would have been a great judge. We hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. Stay safe and God bless you. NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA CHAPTER Chapter Coordinator: Teresa Lindsey, (205) Chapter Mailing Address: 132 Mt. Carmel Road, Altoona, AL 35952; dlindsay@hopper.net In September we supported the family of Mr. Marvin Dailey in the two week long capital murder trial of Thomas Doyle Crowe. In the early morning of Thanksgiving Day 2009, Marvin Allen Dailey, age 71, was found dead in his burned-out house near Highland Lake on county road 29 in Blount County. Thomas Crowe and his female accomplice Tony Collins pulled into Mr. Dailey's yard, after they experienced car trouble. Collins testified that Crowe had been acquainted with Mr. Dailey and that was the reason they stopped there for help. Crowe knocked on the door, and Mr. Dailey came out and the two began working on the car. Then all decided to take Mr. Dailey's car to buy alcohol. District Attorney Pamela Casey presented video surveillance showing Mr. Dailey entering the Tip Top One Stop and purchasing the alcohol on the date in question. They later returned to Mr. Dailey's home where Crowe and Mr. Dailey begin drinking, according to Tony Collins. Crowe and Collins left Mr. Dailey's house and went to the home of Crowe's cousin. The two got high on crystal meth and later returned to Mr. Dailey's home. Collins claimed, Crowe hit Mr. Dailey with a hatchet, and she instructed Crowe to get Mr. Dailey's car key's out of his pocket, because Crowe had said earlier I've got to get this car; I'm not leaving here without that car. Mr. Dailey's partially burned body was found inside his burned out home. The murder weapon and some of Mr. Dailey's jewelry were found in and around a pond at the home of Thomas Crowe's cousin. Tony Collins who turned state's evidence, lead Blount County Sheriff's Department detectives to the area where the items were found and where the two went after killing Mr. Dailey and burned their cloths. Mr. Dailey's television had also been brought to the cousin's home. Crowe's cousin and Tony Collins testimony played a huge role in Crowe's conviction. Collins and Crowe were arrested a few days later for the murder of Mr. Marvin Dailey. The jury voted 11-1 in favor of the death penalty for Thomas Crowe. Judge Steven King will make the final decision on December 11, Tony Collins will be sentenced at a later time. She has agreed to life without parole. She has been in jail since November 30, As usual, District Attorney Pamela Casey and her staff did an outstanding job in getting this conviction. VOCAL provided a large basket of goodies for the staff during the trial. Mr. Dailey had no spouse or children. Just a few nieces were all the family that was able to come to this trial. So it was vital that VOCAL be there to show their support.

3 NOVEMBER 2012 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 As the holidays approach, this can be a very difficult time for those family members who have lost their loved ones. May they find some comfort in JUSTICE for their loved ones. Our prayers are with all victims and the families of victims. Victims of Crime and Leniency RIVER REGION CHAPTER 1 st Sunday monthly, 2 p.m. VOCAL office, 422 South Court Street, Montgomery Chapter President: Darlene Hutchinson Biehl (334) DFWeditor@aol.com Chapter Mailing Address: P.O. Box , Montgomery, AL Our chapter will have our Holiday Fellowship on Sunday, December 2 at 2 p.m. at the VOCAL office in Montgomery. Please join us for great food and a time to get better acquainted. We know the holidays can be a really difficult time for a lot of victims, but we are thankful for the friends we have through VOCAL who prop us up on those tough days. Our chapter s monthly meetings continue to be a great way for seasoned victims to assist those who have been affected by crime more recently. Not only do we comfort one another, but we provide resources and insight into how the criminal justice system works. Many of those attending our chapter meetings have pending cases. In the weeks/months to come, we hope to be in court with the family of 21- year-old Travis Williams, who was murdered last year. Two co-defendants are awaiting trial (one scheduled for November and the other in January). In December, some of us plan to join Catina Jones and her family as the defendant charged with killing her mother Julie Ann Nelson goes on trial again. Unfortunately, in a previous trial the jury could not reach a verdict, but the Montgomery DA s office seems committed to getting justice in this case. A grand jury is expected to meet soon in Lowndes County to consider an indictment in the murder of Terrye Moorer s twin children and their friend Jack Mac Girdner. We are eager to stand by their side as they go through this difficult process. In October, we confirmed a new slate of officers, with Darlene Hutchinson Biehl serving again as president, Lester Ezekiel remaining as vice president, and Olivia Pickett as recording secretary. And we ve added Brenda Roberts as treasurer and Donna Bush as corresponding secretary. Established in 1982 A 501c3 Non-Profit Organization Janette Grantham, State Director VOCAL is an advocacy group for victims rights consisting of concerned citizens, victims of crime and their families, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and others interested in reducing crime and improving the plight of its victims. VOCAL 422 South Court Street P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, AL (334) Fax: (334) vocalonline@yahoo.com Website: Chapters include Gulf Coast, Jefferson County, North Central Alabama, River Region, Shelby County, Shoals, and Southeast Alabama The VOCAL NEWSLETTER is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Annual VOCAL membership dues include subscription. Send news items to Mitzie Wheat, Editor, at the VOCAL address or mwheat@bellsouth.net. Darlene accompanied Miriam Shehane, Janette Grantham, and Angel House counselor Eddie Sammons on a trip to Baldwin County in October to help launch a VOCAL chapter there. We are excited about what they are embarking on in the Gulf Coast region, and are delighted to help our counterparts in any way we can. We continue to keep long-time, faithful VOCAL member Gayle Frost in our prayers, as she battles cancer. After our Holiday Fellowship on Sunday, December 2, our next meeting will be Sunday, January 6 (always at 2 p.m.). SHELBY COUNTY CHAPTER 2 nd Saturday in Feb., Apr., Jun., Aug., Oct., Dec. at 2 p.m. Owens House, Columbiana Chapter President: Johnnie Doss Page, (205) , mwheat@bellsouth.net Chapter Mailing Address: P. O. Box 32, Columbiana, Alabama Chapter officers elected at the October 13 meeting were: President Mitzie Wheat, First Vice President Joanna Watts, Second Vice President Johnnie Doss Page, Secretary Sabrina Harris, Treasurer Cheryl Robinson, and Chaplain Mary Furline. We appreciate their willingness to serve and their commitment to victims of crime. Cecilia Hilyer and Mitzie Wheat volunteered at the State Chapter s golf tournament fundraiser on September 27. Mary Furline, Cecilia Hilyer, and Mitzie Wheat also traveled to Montgomery in September to assist with the September VOCAL newsletter.

4 PAGE 4 VOCAL NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2012 Our chapter has recently lost two long-time supporters: Jo Ann Baker lost her battle with cancer on October 21. Carroll Jones, brother of Evaughn Gould, passed away on October 22. Both had supported our chapter for many years. Our prayers are with their families. SHOALS CHAPTER 2 nd Tuesday monthly, 6:30 p.m., Open Door Fellowship, 640 Co. Rd. 323, Florence Chapter President: Denny Kimbrel (256) , bamafnatk@aol.com Chapter Mailing Address: 442 County Road 111, Killen, Alabama Shoals chapter members have supported the James Campbell family as they faced the criminal justice system. Mr. James Campbell from Elgin (east Lauderdale County) was killed by Richard Ray Russell from Colbert County when Russell rear ended his vehicle, also injuring Mrs. Campbell. Last week Russell was convicted of manslaughter, 3rd degree assault of Mrs. Campbell, and no driver s license. He was found to have marijuana, alcohol, pills and was being distracted by a female passenger at the time of the crash. A bond hearing was held November 6 and bond was set at $20,000. He was ordered not to drive, under control of the court to be subject to testing for drugs and alcohol. Sentencing will be December 19. The Shoals Chapter had a good time meeting and greeting people at Cooking For Justice at the Regency Square Mall in Florence on October 25. This was our fourth year to participate in support of "Shoals Area Crime Stoppers". The event was sponsored by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. Our theme was "Sweet Justice" and we served Peanut Brittle. Thanks to all our members who were able to be there. Johnnie and Denny Kimbrel got a call from the Parole Board and should be getting their certified letter within the next 30 to 60 days. This will be their second parole hearing, and at this time, they may not protest parole for George Soules. He was convicted for Murder DUI & sentenced to 25 years. This November 21 will be 13 years for them. They appreciate the efforts of all who assisted in protesting parole by writing letters and attending the first hearing. We have many Murder and Capital Murder trials to be scheduled, hopefully beginning in January Denny Kimbrel had a very good time at the VOCAL Golf Tournament this year and was so pleased to hear how successful it was in raising funds for the state chapter. SOUTHEAST ALABAMA CHAPTER 3 rd Tuesday monthly, 6 p.m., Wiregrass Angel House, 105 N. Bell, Dothan Chapter President: Becky Schuler (334) , becca82380@live.com Chapter Mailing Address: P.O. Box 354, Pinckard, AL The Southeast Chapter elected new officers: President Becky Schuler, Vice President Patrick Amason, and Secretary/Treasurer Kimberly Humphries. The chapter s Christmas party will be held at 11 a.m. on December 8 at the Wiregrass Angel House in Dothan. Reminder to all chapters your monthly reports are due at State VOCAL by the 15th of the following month. We need your help to get our records organized. Welcome to VOCAL s newest chapter VOCAL Gulf Coast Chapter in Baldwin County. The chapter was formed on October 25th with a beginning membership of 16 members. Tracy Goens with the help of DA Hallie Dixon started the chapter. Tracy s dad was murdered in National Crime Victims Rights Week is April The theme is New Challenges * New Solutions. Please send your updated memorial for the bulletin to VOCAL P.O. Box 4449, Montgomery, AL State Vigil will be Friday, April 27th. Remember VOCAL s 30th Celebration on December 6th at the Capital City Club in Montgomery. Starts at 6:00 PM. $35.00 per person or $280 for table sponsorship of eight. Special entertainment. Call or

5 NOVEMBER 2012 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 COUNSELOR S CORNER Like many of my friends and colleagues, I am grateful that the elections are finally over. Having to check the phones to see who is calling, deleting unwanted s, and trying to find posts by friends on Face Book among the multiple candidate posts has grown old. Some folks are happy the way elections turned out, some are disappointed. No matter, the task at hand is to accept the reality of who we have in positions of leadership until the next election cycle. Most of us continue to go about our day-to-day schedules and activities with a certain degree of equilibrium, knowing what needs to be accomplished and putting things off that can wait or aren t really that necessary. And now the holidays are suddenly front and center on our minds. Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays have somehow become one long holiday season. For some, this is a time of planning and excitement. For others, it is a time of painful reminders of better times. Wherever you may be at the moment in your life, the holiday season is fast approaching and all the triggers that signal hope, gaiety, fun, family gatherings, despair, painful remembrances, depression, and myriad other emotional states are part of the holiday package. Some families and friends who have lost a loved one to violence will include in their plans a way to honor the memory of that loved one who won t be with them this season not focusing so much on the loss as focusing instead on the special and wonderful times shared before the loss. Those who remain focused on the moment of loss must accept the triggers that keep them in the throes of despair and painful reminders of what they are missing this holiday season. Those who learn to focus on the special and wonderful times before the loss can be blessed by the triggers that bring forth the positive emotional reactions and responses associated with those times. This is easier said than done. It may take some planning and discussions with family and friends to bring to fruition. But it will be well worth the effort. As an example of how this might work, you might consider a visit to a place where your loved one and perhaps at least some of the family and friends enjoyed an especially meaningful and personally rewarding time together. Another example might be to make a video or slide show of some memorable events and moments in the loved one s life with input from several family members and friends. Yet another example might be to have a special dinner party where each family member and friend shares a personal experience with the loved one that is rewarding and uplifting, or just plain funny even. The point in all this, of course, is that we don t have to give in to the idea of total loss and eternal pain. We can, with some work and ingenuity, and cooperation among friends and family, learn to honor the times our loved ones spent with us here on Earth and to feel good and right for doing so. As a matter of fact, I wouldn t be too surprised if that makes the holiday season not only more bearable, but darn right enjoyable again! You see, we have a choice. We can give up and give in to that which we have no control over, or, we can choose to do things differently and live better for our efforts. God bless you all. Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Happy Hanukkah! See you next year! Don t despair. May God always be with you. Eddie Sammons, MS, LPC; VOCAL Angel House VOCAL--Victims of Crime and Leniency, P.O. Box 4449, Montgomery, Alabama Name Title Agency or Organization Address City State ZIP Telephone (Office) (Home) Victim s Name My Relationship to Victim Date of Crime Nature of Crime City and County of Crime (City) (County) Type Membership: NAME OF LOCAL CHAPTER (Circle): Gulf States Jefferson North Central River Region Shelby Shoals Southeast

6 PAGE 6 VOCAL NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2012 SPONSORS Gold DA Doug Valeska Silver DA Kirke Adams DA Richard Minor DA Ben Reeves Bronze Wiregrass Angel House Lunch Sponsors DA Bill Adair DA Walt Merrill East Alabama Chapter Hole Sponsors Adams Drugs Jere Beasley DA Stephen Billy

7 NOVEMBER 2012 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 7 DA Wilson Blaylock Linda & Brice Brackin DA Ellen Brooks Boyd Brothers Transportation DA Pamela Casey Rep. Steve Clouse City of Clio DA Chris Connolly Farmers Exchange Bank Harry C. Harrison CPA David Hicks DA Randall Houston DA Michael Jackson Jefferson County Chapter VOCAL Travis Julian Denny & Johnnie Kimbrel Sheriff D. T. Marshall Dr. & Mrs. Sam Miller Sheriff Wally Olson Pea River Electric Coop Scarborough Drug Co. Edward & Miriam Shehane Shelby County Chapter VOCAL Karen Story Sun South Bank Marty Trussell Elizabeth Wallace George Wallace, Jr. Senator Cam Ward Mike Weeks Frank Wilson P.C. S. E. Wood Bennet Wright

8 Visit our website at VOCAL/Angel House 422 South Court Street P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, AL NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID MONTGOMERY AL PERMIT NO. 281 Return Service Requested D O NA TIONS --VOCAL appreciates the faithful contributors who support our efforts in assisting crime victims. Your donations make it possible for us to provide more services and support to victims and is tax deductible. Ramona Bolin Lloyd & Catherine Gaddy VICTIM CONTACTS Governor Robert Bentley State Capitol Montgomery, AL Taylor Vice, Director Constituent Services (334) Attorney General s Office of Victim Assistance 501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL Patricia S. DeBortoli Victim Services Director (334) Henry County Commission DA Michael Jackson Lester Katz City of Montgomery James T. & Bobbie Parsons Eddie Sammons Rob Schwinn George Smith DA Doug Valeska Department of Corrections Kim T. Thomas, Commissioner P.O. Box South Ripley Street Montgomery, AL VSO Janet Findley LeJeune (334) State inmate parole info , Option 4 Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission Dr. Cassie Jones Director P.O. Box Montgomery, AL Memorial for Barbara Fannin William & Nell Fannin Memorial for Bill Holder Louise Holder Memorials for Joyce Miller Janette Grantham Miriam Shehane State of Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles Cynthia Dillard, Director P.O. Box Montgomery, AL VSO Debra Bonds (334) Fax (334)