VOCAL NEWSLETTER V I C T I M S O F C R I M E A N D L E N I E N C Y A NOTE FROM STATE DIRECTOR, JANETTE GRANTHAM

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1 V I C T I M S O F C R I M E A N D L E N I E N C Y 422 South Court Street P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, Alabama VOCAL NEWSLETTER Volume 17 ~ Issue 2 January 2017 A NOTE FROM STATE DIRECTOR, JANETTE GRANTHAM B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S DA Pamela Casey, Chair 41 st Judicial Circuit DA Bill Adair, Jr. 14th Judicial Circuit Pennie Buckelew Victim Representative Donna Bush Victim Representative Sheriff Derrick Cunningham Montgomery Sheriff s Office Vonciel Dodson Victim Representative DA Richard Minor 30th Judicial Circuit DA Ben Reeves 3rd Judicial Circuit Miriam Shehane Founder DA Doug Valeska 20th Judicial Circuit S T A F F Janette Grantham State Director Doris Hancock Office Manager Margarita Betancourt Counselor Kourtnie Nelson Court Advocate So much is happening it is hard to know where to start. Crime victims recently lost a warrior for justice. On Friday the 13 th, crime victims and friends said goodbye to Doug Valeska, District Attorney of the 20 th Judicial Circuit. Doug has been district attorney for Houston and Henry counties for over thirty years, and over those years Doug has been a champion for crime victims and victims rights. He has always been a fierce prosecutor who put the welfare of victims and the safety of our communities first and foremost. Anyone who committed a crime in Houston or Henry counties was going to be held accountable. There were no plea deals without the approval of the victims. If the court ordered restitution for the victims, Doug ensured the victims received their restitution first - not last as in some circuits. Crime victims and lawful citizens will miss his passion for the law and his compassion for crime victims. Thank you Doug!!!!!! VOCAL was invited to the Baldwin County for the ceremony for the new district attorney, DA Robert Wilters (see page 6). DA Hallie Dixon was the force behind the establishment of the Gulf Coast VOCAL Chapter in Baldwin County. The Gulf Coast Chapter is very active in supporting and providing services to crime victims. VOCAL also attended the ceremony for Patrick Jones, the new DA for Houston and Henry counties. Once again the courtroom was overflowing with well-wishers. Crime victims in the 20 th Circuit will be in good hands as DA Patrick Jones has compassion for victims. DA Pamela Casey, Chair of VOCAL Board of Directors, begins her second term as District Attorney for the 41 st Judicial Circuit. When elected to her first term, she became the youngest female district attorney ever elected in Alabama. DA Casey is a fierce prosecutor and a champion for crime victims. I m not sure what is happening with Governor Bentley and the appointment of a new parole board member. It has been back and forth for several weeks. For whatever reason, crime victims are the losers. All we ask is that the parole board members be unbiased, have knowledge of the judicial system, knowledge of the sentences for felonies and misdemeanors, and the difference between concurrent and consecutive sentences. Since the retirement of two long-term board members, there has been an increase in release of violent offenders to include murderers and sex offenders. These released inmates jeopardize the safety of our children and communities. Several violent inmates (murderers with prior sex offenses incarcerated 30 to 40 years) have recently been released back into our communities. What have the inmates accomplished in the last couple years which made them safe for re-entry? Was the prior parole board more concerned with the safety of our communities than the current board? I don t know the answer. No compassion has been shown to the victims. VOCAL has received calls and s about their treatment by board members. Victims should be treated with dignity and respect. After all the victim did not choose to be a part of the judicial system they were dragged into the system by their offenders.

2 PAGE 2 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2017 As a victims rights advocate I have been appointed to serve on the Subcommittee on Felony Restitution Collection. Representative Connie Rowe spearheads this committee, and she is very passionate about crime victims receiving restitution which was court ordered to them. It is an honor to work with someone who has passion for the law and compassion for victim like Representative Rowe. Each circuit distributes restitution differently. Some circuits pay the victim first, but many circuits pay victims last if at all. I am looking forward to Representative Rowe streamlining the restitution process where crime victims receive top priority instead of last or no priority. It is understandable that court fees are necessary for operating the court system; however, the victim often does not have the resources to rebuild their lives. Crime victims are often re-victimized again by the very system which was supposed to make them whole. The legislative session will begin on February 7 th. Several bills have been prefiled which effect victims. SB9 (sponsor Senator Brewbaker) will change the treatment of Juveniles. HB 32 (sponsor Reprehensive England) would require a verdict of death to be based on a unanimous vote of the jury. A sentence of life without parole does not have to be unanimous. Also it would prohibit a court from overriding a verdict by a jury in a capital case. A question here - if the court cannot override life without parole to death, then the court should not be able to override a death sentence to life without parole. Please read all bills which affect victims carefully. Victims voices should be heard loud and clear. National Crime Victims Rights Week will be April 2-8. The State Vigil will be on Friday, April 7 th, at 7p.m., on the lawn in front of the Office of Attorney General Luther Strange. Testimonials for the Memorial Book and photos must be received by March 1st. We will be glad to mail the books if the victim can t attend. VOCAL Chapters across the state will also have vigils during Victims Rights Week. We have a new Counselor, Margarita Betancourt. Margarita has a wealth of experience working with crime victims. You can reach her at her cell or at the VOCAL State Office Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which was established in 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. State Chapter Director: Janette Grantham Physical Address: 422 S. Court Street Montgomery, Alabama Phone: Toll Free: Fax: jgrantham@vocalonline.org Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, Alabama Central Alabama Chapter Owens House, Hwy. 25 Columbiana, 2 p.m., 2 nd Saturdays in Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec President: Mitzie Wheat Phone: mwheat@bellsouth.net Mailing Address: Hwy. 31 Calera, Alabama East Alabama Chapter President: Diane Walden vsodianewalden@yahoo.com Mailing Address: P. O. Box 31 Lafayette, AL CHAPTER NEWS CENTRAL ALABAMA CHAPTER The Central Alabama Chapter of VOCAL had a Christmas party at the home of Henri and Mitzie Wheat for the December meeting. It was wonderful to sit around with friends and celebrate the holidays and our friendships. We will commemorate National Crime Victims Rights Week with a program and vigil on Monday, April 3. We will publish a memorial booklet, and you can use the form provided later in this newsletter to submit your victims testimonial. Just complete the form and mail or it to chapter president Mitzie Wheat using the contact information provided for the chapter. Also, if you wish to nominate award recipients (victim advocate, law enforcement, district attorney), please contact Mitzie by or by phone for the forms. Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, February 11, at 2 p.m. at the Owens House in Columbiana (22747 Hwy. 25). Gulf Coast Chapter Baldwin County Annex, Palmer Street, Robertsdale, 2 nd Thursday, 6 pm President: Tracey Wilson Goens Phone: tgoens15@gmail.com Mailing Address: Maury Court Spanish Fort, Alabama Jefferson County Chapter th Avenue North, Birmingham Sheriff s Dept. Training Rm., 2 nd Floor 1st Thursday, 6 p.m. President: Carol Melton Phone: carolmeltonb@bellsouth.net Mailing Address: st Ave. N Birmingham, Alabama 35217

3 JANUARY 2017 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 River Region Chapter Chappy s Deli, Montgomery Perry Hill & Carmichael Roads 2 nd Mondays, 5:30 p.m. President: Darlene Hutchinson Biehl Phone: DFWeditor@aol.com Mailing Address: P.O. Box Montgomery, Alabama Shoals Chapter Florence Lauderdale Public Library 350 N. Wood Ave., Florence 2 nd Tuesday monthly, 5 p.m. President: Patsy Michael Phone: patsymichael@charter.net Mailing Address: Dement Rd. Athens, Alabama Facebook: VOCAL Shoals Chapter Southeast Chapter Wiregrass Angel House 105 North Bell, Dothan, Alabama 3 rd Tuesday, monthly, 6 p.m. President: Beckie Schuler Phone: becca82380@live.com Mailing Address: P.O. Box 354 Pinckard, Alabama St. Clair Chapter St. Clair Co. Courthouse, Suite Cogswell Ave., Pell City Bi-monthly 6 p.m. President: June Hodges Address: P.O. Box 1763 Pell City, AL Phone: or hodgesracing66@gmail.com Facebook: St Clair VOCAL The VOCAL Newsletter is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November by Victims of Crime and Leniency. Annual membership dues include subscription. Send news items to Editor Mitzie Wheat at mwheat@bellsouth.net. EAST ALABAMA CHAPTER The East Alabama Chapter of VOCAL will be attending a pre-trail hearing with the family of Jarred Smith on January 26. Rose Smith is the mother of Jarred. This is a capital murder case which is pending trial in Chambers County. The contact person for East Alabama is Diane Walden. GULF COAST December is a time for family and friends during the holidays; which this is a difficult time for victims that have lost a loved one. They are no longer with us, and we have a new normal. So our chapter decided to not have our monthly meeting. We had a Vocal Christmas Social. We met and visited at the Eastern Shore Lanes and had snacks and fellowship together. Our President Tracey Goens was honored to be awarded the 2016 Good Neighbor Year of the Year Award for her work with Vocal and for starting the local chapter in Baldwin County. She is a realtor with the Baldwin County Association of Realtors. She received a nice trophy and they made a donation of $500 to Vocal. This was such an honor and it helps to bring awareness to Vocal and the support that we can offer to victims when they are going through really difficult times. As we get ready to start a new year, our thoughts and plans are going to be on working on our annual Candle Light on the Delta in April. Our prayer is for 2017 to be a better year for each of you. RIVER REGION CHAPTER While there s a lot happening in our area, the best news is that our Vice President Lester Ezekiel and his wife Carole are grandparents! Their daughter Holly gave birth to Lily Grace in early January. Everyone is doing well, and we re enjoying photos of this adorable baby. Our chapter has voted to keep the same officers: Darlene Hutchinson Biehl, president; Lester Ezekiel, vice president; Brenda Roberts, treasurer; Donna Holman Bush, secretary; and Irene Jacobs, chaplain. We appreciate the work they do! In November, the 19th Judicial Circuit (Autauga, Chilton & Elmore counties) welcomed its newest Circuit Judge Bill Lewis Jr., who was appointed by Gov. Robert Bentley to finish the term of retiring Judge John Bush. Judge Lewis, 37, was valedictorian at Wetumpka High School, and after law school he worked as a prosecutor with DA Randall Houston and then opened his own law practice. Enormous praise was heaped upon Judge Lewis at his standing-room-only investiture, which Darlene attended. We look forward to working with him in the years to come. Circuit Judge Bill Lewis was sworn into office in November and will serve the 19 th Judicial Circuit which includes Elmore, Autauga and Chilton counties.

4 PAGE 4 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2017 RIVER REGION CHAPTER continued We also congratulate our friend Barry Matson, who has been named Executive Director of the Office of Prosecution Services & Alabama District Attorneys Association, following the retirement of Randy Hillman. Barry served many years as Deputy Director of the organization, after having been a Talladega prosecutor more than 15 years, and he s been a valuable partner to us on numerous projects in recent years. A well-earned promotion! Our members continue to monitor the development of the Victim Notification System that began in 2011; chapter president Darlene Hutchinson Biehl has served on the implementation Task Force more than 5 years, appointed by Attorney General Luther Strange. At the Task Force s meeting in August, they voted to pursue a federal grant to assist with the development of the electronic system. A couple weeks later, staff at ALEA and the Parole Board took the lead on writing the complex grant, with some assistance from Darlene, and on December 2nd Gov. Robert Bentley announced a $1.2 million grant had been awarded. The Task Force is now seeking a vendor, such as APPRISS (a technology company that operates the VINE notification system in most states), to create a system that meets the requirements of Alabama law related to victim notification. It s becoming increasingly important to move this project along, as SB67 (the Prison Reform Act of 2015) mandated additional notifications from the Dept. of Corrections which aren t currently occurring as anticipated. During the fall, Darlene attended a couple of hearings in Montgomery, as Circuit Judge Greg Griffin considered whether to resentence Antonio Flynn, who was a juvenile in 1995 when he killed taxi driver Clifford March. Recent rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court prohibit juvenile killers from receiving a mandatory lifewithout-parole sentence or the death penalty, prompting many judges to review old sentences. Unfortunately, the victim s family was not given the opportunity to speak at the resentencing in early December. When Judge Griffin reduced Flynn s sentence from life without parole to life (with eligibility of parole after 30 years), he noted, Mr. Flynn, you must have been doing some serious praying, because I was inclined to keep your sentence as life without parole, but God has changed my heart. Maybe if the victim had a chance to speak, the judge would have gotten a more complete picture, but The Montgomery Advertiser at least shared some thoughts from the victim s family: My family s life was traumatized because our mother, Hazel March, was never quite the same, according to the victim s step-daughter. She was devastated, distressed and shocked by the heinous crime. She could no longer live alone. She was fearful all of the time. She abandoned her home and moved in with me. My once-vibrant mother s health began to fail... [the judge s] words made my heart ache. Shortly after Judge Griffin ordered the lighter sentence, District Attorney Daryl Bailey confirmed to a news reporter that the killer had accumulated 56 disciplinary incidents in prison. We are hopeful that some entity in our criminal justice system will devise best practices for how these juvenile-killer resentencings should occur in the future, as some judges have been requesting pre-sentence investigations to be performed again, and some honor the victim s Constitutional right to be involved and heard at these hearings. At least with the legislation we helped to get passed in May 2016, this killer won t be eligible for parole for at least 8 more years. In January, Darlene attended the retirement party for Doug Valeska in Dothan, who has served 30 years as District Attorney in Henry & Houston counties. Patricia Riley Jones, a longtime crime victims advocate in the Wiregrass, planned a wonderful event attended by hundreds of people, and Doug received praise from many colleagues. We sincerely thank Doug for making victims a priority throughout his career and for supporting VOCAL and its chapters in many ways over the years. We truly appreciate him and wish him well in his retirement, and we look forward to working with incoming DA Patrick Jones. The Alabama Legislature will begin a new session February 7. With our chapter s close proximity to Montgomery, a few of our members will be keeping up with bills that affect crime victims or public safety. Our chapter meets on 2nd Mondays each month at 5:30 p.m. at Chappy s Deli (at the intersection of Perry Hill & Carmichael in Montgomery). We re a fun and compassionate group from a variety of backgrounds, who have survived a wide range of crimes. We encourage one another and proactively work together, while seeking ways to deliver tangible services to crime victims, and enhance public safety. Our next meetings will be Monday, February 13 and March 13. Join us!

5 JANUARY 2017 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 SHOALS CHAPTER We will have our first quarterly meeting this month for Our chapter has provided support for families in Lauderdale County. Josh Balentine pleaded guilty to the April 14, 2014 murder of a wheel chair victim, Royce Varnell, who was beaten to death with a hammer. Balentine was sentenced to 20 years in prison on November 30, Shawn Johnson was convicted in 2013 for the 2000 murder of Keith Barnett and sentence to life in prison. Johnson s lawyer had filed a Rule 32 petition with the Lauderdale County Circuit Court in July asking for a new hearing, based on a box of evidence from the case that was discovered in January. At the hearing on December 10, 2016, the Judge had reviewed all of the evidence and denied the request for a new trial. He stated there was no evidence that would have changed the outcome. Shannon Johnson, a brother to Shawn Johnson, is on trial this week as co-defendant in the murder of Keith Barnett. He has been convicted of perjury and escape, and we are currently waiting on the jury. In Colbert County, members have been supportive of the family of Jason Cox. Erica Fox is charged in the death of her husband Jason. Co-defendant Ronnie Credille is also charged in this case. Both are being held without bond. We are currently waiting on these cases to be presented to the grand jury. Nathan Boyd, convicted in the murder of Danny Sledge in 1999, is currently waiting on a February hearing to render a decision on resentencing due to Supreme Court SCOTUS ruling for juvenile offenders sentenced to LWOP. Some members were able to attend the retirement celebration for Judge Mike Jones in Lauderdale County. Judge Jones has served our county and victims honorably and will be sorely missed in the courtroom. Members also attended the Swearing in Ceremony for Judge Will Powell, previous Assistant District Attorney of Lauderdale County. MEMBERSHIP FORM October is membership renewal month. Please complete the membership form and send it with your dues to your local chapter. If you do not have a local chapter, send form and dues to the state chapter at the address below. 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: CIRCLE CHAPTER: Central AL East AL Gulf Coast Jefferson Mt. Cheaha River Region Shoals Southeast St. Clair

6 PAGE 6 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2017 DISTRICT ATTORNEY DOUG VALESKA RETIRES A retirement party was held for District Attorney Doug Valeska in January. Doug served the 20 th Judicial Circuit (Henry and Houston counties) for five terms. Hundreds attended the party to honor Doug for a great career, during which he always made victims a priority. The wonderful party was planned by longtime victim advocate and friend Patricia Riley Jones. Doug has given so selflessly to VOCAL and its chapters in many ways over the years. We truly appreciate him and wish him well in his retirement. Darlene Hutchinson Biehl, President River Region VOCAL Chapter; Patricia Jones, founder of the Southeast Alabama VOCAL Chapter; Miriam Shehane, a founder of VOCAL; retiring District Attorney Doug Valeska; Doris Hancock, VOCAL office manager; newly-elected District Attorney Patrick Jones; and Janette Grantham, VOCAL director. Patrick Jones (right) congratulates Doug on a fantastic career. NEW BALDWIN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY VOCAL was invited to the Baldwin County for the ceremony for the new district attorney, DA Robert Wilters. DA Wilters is very popular in Baldwin County, as there was standing room only. He has all the right credentials and a heart for crime victims. Walker County DA Bill Adair, Baldwin County DA Robert Wiltes, Sheila Faulkner (Wendall G. Williams mother), Chuck Falkner, Wendall s daughter, VOCAL Director Janette Grantham, Gulf Coast VOCAL Chapter President Tracey Goens MEET THE COUNSELOR Hello everyone. My name is Margarita Betancourt, the new counselor for VOCAL. I believe my 20 years of experience in human service and my master s degree in Mental Health counseling will help me continue VOCAL s legacy of providing support and counseling to victims and their families in our community and surrounding counties. Working in the human service field, I learned that crime doesn t discriminate against anyone no matter their ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and geographical area. Therefore, it is important for all primary and secondary victims to seek counseling, because victimization can cause posttraumatic stress disorder when an individual suffers physical and psychological trauma. Please keep in mind, if you are or were a victim of a violent crime or you know someone that was affected by a violent crime, please let VOCAL help you become empowered and gain control of your life again. I look forward to meeting all of you. Office hours Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Office ; Cell (24 hours) address: mbetancourt@vocalonline.org Se Habla Español Margarita Betancourt, MS

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8 PAGE 8 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2017 VOCAL Victims of Crime and Leniency The Quenette Shehane Counseling Center 422 South Court Street, P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, Alabama Phone: Toll Free: Fax: Website: NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 281 MONTGOMERY AL POSTMASTER: RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED DONATIONS - VOCAL appreciates the faithful contributors who support our efforts in assisting crime victims. Your donations make it possible for us to provide more support to victims and are tax deductible. VICTIM CONTACTS Governor Robert Bentley State Capitol Montgomery, AL Pam Bye, Director Constituent Services Loretta Bach James Earl Beasley Douglas C. Powell James and Wanda Presley In Memory of Joey Hutchins Sandra Hutchins In Memory of Richard Schwartz David Schwartz Attorney General s Office of Victim Assistance 501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL Sarah Green, Director Constituent Services Department of Corrections Jeff Dunn, Commissioner P.O. Box South Ripley Street Montgomery, AL State inmate parole info , Option 4 In Memory of Edward Shehane Billy Beasley Ronnie & Vonciel Dodson Ron Jowers In Memory of Chris Smith Freya Bailey George Smith Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission Dr. Cassie Jones Director P.O. Box Montgomery, AL State of Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles Phil Bryant, Exec. Director P.O. Box Montgomery, AL Debra Bonds Victim Services Rep Fax