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 18 ~ Issue 1 December 2017 A NOTE FROM STATE DIRECTOR, JANETTE GRANTHAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Derrick Cunningham, Chair Montgomery County Sheriff DA Bill Adair, Jr. 14th Judicial Circuit Ms. Pennie Buckelew Victim Representative DA Pamela Casey 41 st Judicial Circuit Ms. Jessica Cotton Childs Lecturer, Troy University Ms. Vonciel Dodson Victim Representative Sheriff Matt Gentry Cullman County DA Richard Minor 30th Judicial Circuit Mr. Jerry Renfroe Victim Representative Ms. Diane Walden Victim Representative Mr. Mike Weeks Member at Large Ms. Miriam Shehane Founder STAFF Janette Grantham State Director Counselors Teaonna Watson Hannah Banach Court Advocates Kourtnie Nelson Beckie Schuler Rock and Roll! VOCAL has been rocking and rolling since our last newsletter. The VOCAL 7 th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was a rocking good time. Congratulations to our winners. First Place Winners were Bill Adair, Doug Gissendanner, Nick Massey, and Milton Lay. Bill Adair s team also won in 2015 and They are good! The Second Place Winners did not fill out all their names, but the names I have are S. Lander, Ray Worley, and S. Yarrma. Third Place Winners were David Chadwick, Brett Fillister, Ross Barrett, and Russ Barrett. Thanks to all the players who came out and supported VOCAL. I truly believe it was a fun time for all. Lunch was catered by Smokin S BBQ in Wetumpka, and boy was it good. Again this year we had some great door prizes. If you missed it, be sure to join us next year on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at the Quail Walk Golf Course. Thanks to all of our sponsors. VOCAL could not exist without your support. A list of the sponsors is in this newsletter. Be sure to check out the folks who care about crime victims. After the golf tournament, we rolled to our 35 th Anniversary Celebration. VOCAL was formed as a non-profit on November 15, On November 2, 2017 at the Capital City Club, we had our 35 th Anniversary Celebration. A huge crowd joined VOCAL as we honored Miriam Shehane. Miriam was one of the founding members of VOCAL, and she is the last warrior standing. Jere Beasley was our keynote speaker. He was very entertaining! I am sure everyone there now knows not to get too big for our britches. Thanks Jere! You made the night very special for Miriam. She was Queen for a Day. A special thanks to Alva Lambert who served as our emcee, Senator Billy Beasley who introduced the keynote speaker, Boyd Wigham who blessed our meal, and their beautiful wives. It was a terrific night. Be sure to check out this newsletter for a list of all the celebration sponsors. Thanks to Attorney General Steve Marshall, DA Richard Minor, DA Chris McCool and Troy King who are Warriors for Justice. National Crime Victims Week is April The State Vigil will be Friday, April 13 th. Please make your plans to join us as we remember our love ones. Congratulations to Darleen Hutchinson-Biehl who was appointed by President Trump to serve as Director of the Office of Crime (OVC) in Washington, D.C. Darleen will be missed here in Alabama.

2 PAGE 2 VOCAL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017 CHAPTER NEWS CENTRAL ALABAMA CHAPTER Central Alabama Chapter members Ronnie and Vonciel Dodson and Mitzie Wheat protested parole for Brian Heath Smith on November 8. Smith killed Carl Doss in 1989, and parole was denied for five years. Ms. Johnnie Doss Page, who served as chapter president for many years, was so thankful to the parole board for denying his parole. The chapter was prepared to support Susan Knight in November in the Shelby County trial for her ex-husband. On the day jury selection was scheduled to begin, Louis Henry Knight entered guilty pleas to aggravated assault and attempted murder and was sentenced to serve 25 years. Susan was satisfied with the plea and relieved that she did not have to testify. The trial that was scheduled for September in Chilton County was continued. SHOALS CHAPTER As our new VOCAL year has begun, our chapter continues to provide support for upcoming trials. In October we provided support for the family of Charles Perkins, who was murdered by Alfonso Jarmon. Mr. Perkins in earlier years had attended VOCAL, as his daughter had been murdered. His family remembered the group and was thankful for our support again. Alfonso was convicted of murder and will be sentenced on December 6, In October some members attended Connie Ridgeway Day in Rogersville Alabama along with Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly and Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton. Connie was murdered in October There has not yet been an arrest made for this murder. Some members attended Hope for the Holidays in the Shoals. Healing Place of the Shoals provides this every year in November and invites various support groups to participate. Shoals VOCAL continues to support the Danny Sledge family. On November 22, 2017 a Status Conference for Nathan Boyd on Scotus ruling of juveniles sentenced to LWOP was held the Lauderdale County. Judge Self issued an order setting the re-sentencing for March 8-9, This is hard for the Sledge family to have to go through this all again. We are still awaiting a ruling in the Evan Miller Scotus sentencing in Lawrence County Alabama. This family has been waiting for months on a ruling. In Colbert County, the trial for Erica Fox in the Capital Murder of Jason Fox is scheduled now for Please continue prayers for Shoals member Janice Bevis while she continues to recover from various surgeries and cancer treatments. Janice is improving. 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 Gulf Coast Chapter 1070 Hwy. 59, Summerdale, AL rd Thursday, 6 pm President: Tracey Wilson Goens Phone: tgoens15@gmail.com Mailing Address: US Hwy. 98, #28 Daphne, AL North Central Alabama Home of DA Pamela Casey Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. President: Wilburn Beavers Phone: choochoo1n@yahoo.com Mailing Address: 865 Beavers Road Blountsville, AL 35031

3 PAGE 3 VOCAL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017 River Region Chapter VOCAL Angel House 422 South Court Street, Montgomery 2 nd Sunday, monthly, 2 p.m. President: Lester Ezekiel Phone: lester.exekiel@yahoo.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 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 quarterly in March, June, September, and December by Victims of Crime and Leniency. Annual membership dues include subscription. Send news items to Editor Mitzie Wheat at mwheat@bellsouth.net. COUNSELOR S CORNER There are times when there are too few words left to heal us, when what we wish for is to be carried, when all we have left is the hope that tomorrow will be a more gentle place to land than today. As we get closer to the holidays, I just want you to know that VOCAL will forever remember the victims during this time and we ll be always available for individual counseling. Although this may be a tough time for most, just know that your loved one will always be with you through peace, love and comfort. Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade because a loved one s gone. Those we love can never be more that a thought apart. For as long there is a memory, they ll live on in our hearts. - Author Unknown Teaonna Watson, VOCAL Counselor Phone ; twatson@vocalonline.org Tears for the Holidays The holidays bring such joy to many but they can also bring feelings of grief, sorrow, and painful longing for others. In our culture, the months of November through January are known as a time to bring the whole family home for the holidays. Songs such as I ll Be Home for Christmas and sounds of coworkers and friends making plans to be all together with their families often brings stings and stabs of pain to those of us who have lost a loved one. For those people, the holidays will be forever changed and can be the most depressing time of the year. In my own family, we just said goodbye to our beloved Aunt who was the glue to our family and one of the most selfless persons I have had the pleasure of knowing. She planned our family holidays complete with unique games, party themes and costumes, food, and even Santa Clause coming to her house to visit all of the children. Christmas will not be the same but we have determined, as a family, to carry on her traditions and selflessness because that is what has kept our family so strong and loving over the years. That is exactly what she would have wanted. I would like to encourage you this holiday season if you are suffering from the longing pain of a lost loved one. This pain that you feel is representative of how great a love you have for them. Instead of focusing on the pain, focus on the love. Try to think of the good memories and of how your loved one would want you to spend the holidays if he or she was here. Did they have a favorite tradition or meal? Carry it on in honor of them. Did they love to give, like my own Aunt Tracey? Make it a point to adopt a family for Christmas and buy them groceries or presents. Did they love to watch a certain movie or play a favorite song? Watch it or play it in their honor. Cook the food. Eat the dessert. Give the gifts. Send the Christmas cards. Go home to your family. You might be surprised how your heart may heal a little more. And over this holiday season, please take comfort in knowing that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that if you need someone to talk to or just to cry to, I am only a phone call, , or Facebook message away. With Love, Hannah Banach, VOCAL Counselor Phone ; hbanach@vocalonline.org

The invocation was given by Boyd Whigham, and Montgomery Sheriff Derrick Cunningham

Officer Ernestine McGriff provided special music.

Sponsors of the event, former Attorney General Troy King, District Attorney Chris McCool,

appreciation for the work of the VOCAL staff and its volunteers in serving crime victims

4 PAGE 4 VOCAL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017 VOCAL S 35 TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF MIRIAM SHEHANE VOCAL s 35 th Annual Celebration was held on Thursday, November 2, at the Capital City Club in Montgomery. The evening began with a social hour followed by opening remarks by Alva Lambert. The invocation was given by Boyd Whigham, and Montgomery Sheriff Derrick Cunningham welcomed everyone to Montgomery and to the special celebration of VOCAL and recognition of Miriam Shehane. State Director Janette Grantham recognized dignitaries in attendance and Montgomery Officer Ernestine McGriff provided special music. Senator Billy Beasley introduced keynote speaker Jere Beasley. Sponsors of the event, former Attorney General Troy King, District Attorney Chris McCool, District Attorney Richard Minor, and Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed their appreciation for the work of the VOCAL staff and its volunteers in serving crime victims in Alabama. Other sponsors include DA Pamela Casey, DA Patrick Jones III, DA Ashley Rich, DA Lynneice Washington, Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, George Wallace, Jr., Southeast Woods, Central Alabama VOCAL Chapter, East Alabama VOCAL Chapter, River Region VOCAL Chapter, Miriam Shehane, Sonya Shehane-Bradford, and Janette Grantham.

5 DECEMBER 2017 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE VOCAL Charity Golf Classic Sponsors DA Patrick B. Jones, III 20 th Judicial Circuit DA Richard Minor 30 th Judicial Circuit DA Kirke Adams 33 rd Judicial Circuit DA Bill Adair 14 th Judicial Circuit DA Chris McCool 24 th Judicial Circuit East Ala. VOCAL Chapter DA Pamela Casey 41 st Judicial Circuit Senator Billy Beasley Alabama Sheriff s Assoc. Denny & Johnnie Kimbrel Memorial for Darryl Kimbrel DA Randall Houston 19 th Judicial Circuit DA Ben Reeves 3 rd Judicial Circuit Senator Jabo Waggoner City of Clio Southeast Woods Buffalo Rock Pepsi, Montgomery Jere Beasley Wiregrass Angel House AKD Screenprinting & Embroidery DA Tom Anderson 12 th Judicial Circuit Senator Cam Ward Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall Central Alabama VOCAL Chapter River Region VOCAL Chapter Mike Weeks Bowen Wilson dba ServPro Representative Steve Clouse Janette Grantham Memorial for Sheriff Neil Grantham Bill Adair, Jr. Memorial for Bill Adair, Sr. Linda Jackson Memorial for David Cody Brown Beasley Allen Attorneys at Law Miriam Shehane Memorial for Edward Shehane Miriam Shehane Memorial for Quenette Shehane Miriam Shehane Memorial for Jon Shehane Jan Randolph Memorial for Bennie Rudd Marty Trussell Memorial for Rob Trussell Diane Walden Memorial for Marion Stone Bill Chandler Pea River Electric Cooperative Alice Martin for Alabama Attorney General DA Michael Jackson 4 th Judicial Circuit First Exchange Bank Ron & Vonciel Dodson Memorial for Desta Dodson Byrd Linda Lou Brackin Memorial for Brice Brackin Pennie Buckelew Memorial for Michael Jason Buckelew Doris Dease Memorial for Jim Dease Roger Stokes Benefiting Victims of Violence in Alabama

6 PAGE 6 VOCAL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017 Charity Golf Classic Quail Walk Golf Course, Wetumpka - September 21, 2017

Theme: Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims Colors: Navy, Pink, and Teal Dates: April 8-14, 2018 This year s NCVRW theme emphasizes the importance of inclusion in victim services.

7 DECEMBER 2017 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 7 START PREPPING FOR NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK Theme Poster and Palette Released The National Center for Victims of Crime and OVC are pleased to announce that the 2018 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Theme Poster and Palette are now available for download. It's not too early to start preparing for this important week. Theme: Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims Colors: Navy, Pink, and Teal Dates: April 8-14, 2018 This year s NCVRW theme emphasizes the importance of inclusion in victim services. To reach all victims, we must expand our circle by building relationships, removing barriers, and engaging our community. Sign up for the NCVRW mailing list to receive a 22 x 28 paper copy of the Theme Poster, as well as s regarding the 2018 Resource Guide, the National Crime Victims' Service Awards Ceremony, and future National Crime Victims' Service Award nomination periods. Visit the OVC's NCVRW webpage ( for additional information. MEMBERSHIP 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: Regular $25 Agency/Organization $50 Are you available and interested in volunteer work? Yes No CIRCLE CHAPTER: Central Alabama East Alabama Gulf Coast North Central River Region Shoals St. Clair

8 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: Facebook: Montgomery VOCAL 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. In memory of Patricia Collum Mitzie Wheat In memory of Evaughn Gould Mitzie Wheat VICTIM CONTACTS Patricia Jones Brenda Kelly Governor Kay Ivey State Capitol Montgomery, AL Pam Bye, Director Constituent Services Attorney General s Office of Victim Assistance 501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL Sarah Green, Director Constituent Services In memory of Carolyn Helms Jere Beasley Janette Grantham Mitzie Wheat In Memory of Ronnie Holman Donna Bush Betty Holman Department of Corrections Jeff Dunn, Commissioner P.O. Box South Ripley Street Montgomery, AL State inmate parole info , Option 4 Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission Dr. Cassie Jones Director P.O. Box Montgomery, AL In Memory of Chris Smith George Smith In Memory of Lee Story Karen & Lee Story Patrick Roberts Anne Seymour State of Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles Phil Bryant, Exec. Director P.O. Box Montgomery, AL Rhonda Carter Victim Services Rep Fax

VOCAL NEWSLETTER VICTIMS OF CRIME AND LENIENCY A NOTE FROM STATE DIRECTOR, JANETTE GRANTHAM

VOCAL NEWSLETTER VICTIMS OF CRIME AND LENIENCY A NOTE FROM STATE DIRECTOR, JANETTE GRANTHAM VICTIMS OF CRIME AND LENIENCY 422 South Court Street P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, Alabama 36103 VOCAL NEWSLETTER Volume 17 ~ Issue 3 March 2017 A NOTE FROM STATE DIRECTOR, JANETTE GRANTHAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS