July 2009 Volume 9, Number 2

Transcription

1 VOCAL N E W S L E T T E R July 2009 Volume 9, Number 2 Victims of Crime and Leniency A NOTE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MIRIAM SHEHANE Boy has it been hot! If this is any indication of what we have in store for the rest of the summer, I am seeking cool quarters to hopefully avoid a heat stroke. It has been such a blessing to be able to open VOCAL s state headquarters to those who have to travel long distances to appear before the Parole Board. We have had nothing but positive comments from those who have taken advantage of our accommodations. Getting the word out to victims has been our only problem. If you know of someone who might be interested, let them know this is available at no cost. A request form is required and can be found on our web site at We are so grateful for all of our donors, especially during this time of year and during the hard economic times we are all facing. During this time of year, it seems funds are always short. Please keep VOCAL in your prayers as God has always bestowed his continued blessings on us. SENTENCING OF GENEVA COUNTY MURDERERS Judge P.B. McLauchlin, Geneva County Circuit Court judge sentenced two Samson residents to life in prison for the 2007 shooting death of 52-year old Timothy Wilkerson. Both Glen Dewayne Lee, 47, and Theresa Ann Wilkerson, 48, were convicted by a jury of murder in March in front of Judge P.B. McLauchlin Jr. A jury convicted Lee of shooting Timothy Wilkerson to death on April 29, 2007, and Theresa Wilkerson as an accomplice for aiding and abetting in the murder. The victim was the former husband of Theresa Ann Wilkerson. The family of Timothy Wilkerson was elated these two murderers received the maximum amount of time for their punishment. Mr. Wilkerson s brother, sisters, and children were there to speak on his behalf. The family would like to thank District Attorney Kirke Adams, ADA Bill Filmore, and Stephen Smith for getting justice for Tim. Job well done! JUSTICE FOR MILLBROOK MURDER VICTIM S FAMILY Your husband has gone to a baseball game to spend some much needed time with his friends and doing something he loved to do. He was a responsible and loving father and husband who made a simple stop at Wal-mart to buy diapers for his child. James Bryan Martin was only 23 years old when he was gunned down in front of Wal-Mart in Millbrook. He was killed for his truck. Not only did the murderer shoot him three times in the truck but as he threw James out of the truck unto the pavement, he shot him one more time to make sure he was dead. James wanted to live to see his children and wife. He tried so hard, but the damage was too great to his body. District Attorney Randall Houston and Chief Assistant James Houts did an outstanding job to make sure justice was served to this grieving family. Almost two years has passed, but the pain and anguish has not subsided for this family. Chief Assistant Houts made sure the jury could see, feel, and hear the pain that Kelsey Martin feels. It only took an hour for the jury to come back with a capital murder conviction. Great Job to the Elmore County District Attorney s Office for all their hard work in this case! You should be so proud. This family will always remember how much you care. A special recognition to the District Attorneys, Prosecutors, and Investigators that work with victims of crime all year long. We usually have a shrimp boil appreciation dinner at the DA s conference. Due to the conference being out of state this year we were not able to sponsor this great event. We look forward to next year and once again showing you all how much you are valued by victims in Alabama.

2 PAGE 2 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JULY 2009 JEFFERSON COUNTY CHAPTER CHAPTER NEWS Roebuck Precinct, Red Lane Road, Birmingham, 1st Thursday of each month, 3 p.m. Chapter President: Carol Melton, (205) ; carolmeltonb@bellsouth.net Chapter Mailing Address: st Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama Chapter President Carol Melton fell and broke a hip which required surgery and rehab, but all is well now and Carol met some fellow victims she was able to console. Jefferson County Chapter was also able to assist a family in Tuscaloosa with the burial of Shanta Hicks. Trial for victim Toni Linn will begin on August 3 rd in Jefferson County courthouse. The trial with the family of Michael Adrian Edwards will be in Columbiana on August 17 th, Nadia Kersh has been missing from Homewood six months. A vigil was held to remember and pray for her safe return. Our VOCAL meeting was held June 23 rd as an early July 4 th celebration. We were presented a check from the Trussville Elks for the annual golf tournament they held on May 30 th for Jefferson County VOCAL. SHELBY COUNTY CHAPTER Owens House, Columbiana, 2nd Saturday of each month, 2 p.m. Chapter President: Johnnie Doss Page, (205) Chapter Mailing Address: P. O. Box 32, Columbiana, Alabama The Chapter held its annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser on Saturday, June 20, at Magnolia Meadows Golf Course in Columbiana. Special thanks to the golfers who braved the extreme heat and to the sponsors of the event. SHOALS CHAPTER Christian Faith Church, 640 County Road 323, Florence, 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. Chapter President: Denny Kimbrel, (256) ; bamafnatk@aol.com Chapter Mailing Address: 442 County Road 111, Killen, Alabama The trial of George Rhodes Jr. for the 2008 Murder of Deborah Paulk of Florence will be August 3 rd. A Capital Murder trial should start July 28 th for David Nard from Iron City, Tennessee for the 2007 murder of Greg Wright from the Green Hill Community. The Capital Murder trial for Greg Nard (son of David Nard) should be scheduled soon. A third person, Co- Defendant Widdingson, has plead guilty to murder and will help the prosecutor in the Nards trials. The trial for Kenneth Sylvester Jr. from Killen should be this fall for the 2008 murder of Donnie Guyse of Florence. Chapter members will be supporting a Rape victim in a trial that has been moved to Franklin County. Assistant Attorney General Pamila Casey is prosecuting this case. A pre-trial hearing has been set for July 20, Chapter members attended the Daniel Wade Moore capital murder trial in Decatur to support Dr. David Tippton and his two daughters. Wife and mother Karen Tippton was murdered March 12, In the first trial Moore was convicted and sentenced, but was overturned on appeal. The second trial took seven weeks and resulted in a hung jury. In this third trial, Moore was found not guilty. Everyone was so very disappointed. Thanks for all that supported and to the members that worked so hard for our Second Annual "VOCAL Awareness Musical". It turned out very good again. A big thanks to the seven bands & groups that played great music all day. SOUTHEAST CHAPTER Wiregrass Angel House, 105 N. Bell, Dothan, 3 rd Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. Chapter President: Pat Jones, (334) ; gary399@centurytel.net Chapter Mailing Address: 406 Hickory Grove Road, Abbeville, Alabama Have a Good Week With God. Without GOD, our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, and Shatterday. Remember seven days WITHOUT GOD makes one WEAK!! Our candlelight vigil was great and we had a large crowd. Attorney General Troy King was our guest speaker again and did a great job. Our thanks to everyone that helped us set up for the vigil, to the First Presbyterian Church in Dothan for allowing us to have our service there, and to DA Doug Valeska, DA Kirke Adams, and DA Ben Reeves for their support in the Wiregrass Area. There have been several murders in our area lately. On April 24, Headland Police Officer Dexter Hammond was shot and killed while answering a call. Henry County Sheriff s Deputy Ted Yost was seriously injured also. There are still several unsolved murders in our area. June 25 was the second anniversary of Perry Griffin s murder at Panhandle Converter Recycling in Dothan. August 1 will be the tenth anniversary of the murders of J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett. We pray that soon they will be solved. On August 4 we will be helping with the National Night Out at the Civic Center. TUSCALOOSA CHAPTER Tuscaloosa Co. Courthouse, 1 st Floor, County Chambers, 2 nd Thursday, Quarterly, 6 p.m. Chapter President: Betty Holland (205) , hollandbetty@bellsouth.net Chapter Mailing Address: P.O. Box 71709, Tuscaloosa, AL 35407

3 JULY 2009 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 W A T C H W H O Y OU V O T E F O R Think about when you were 12 years old and looked up to all your teachers and coaches, this was your world and being accepted was important to you. You get a job babysitting the coach s two boys and thought of them as a second family, even going to the beach with them on vacations during the summer. When the coach s wife was asleep he came into your room while you were asleep (with his sons in the same room) and began massaging your legs and his hand kept going under your pajamas. At 12 years old you are completely naïve and you don t want to make trouble for your second family. Each time he touched you he would warn you not to tell. According to court testimony this went on until the victim was 15 years old, with him completing sexual intercourse 10 to 15 times and oral sex on several occasions. He provided alcohol and encouraged her to drink. Once she reported the rape, sodomy, and sexual abuse to the police they set up a recorder while she talked to him. He told her, please please you have to do this for me. I ll make it up to you later. He was asking her not to talk to D.H.R. He was arrested the following day. Joseph Wayne Campbell, a teacher and coach at Honeysuckle Middle School, was tried and convicted on 3 counts of 2 nd degree rape, 4 counts of sodomy, and 4 counts of sexual abuse. (There were 3 victims.) He was sentenced on July 28, 1998 by Judge Jackson to 10 years on each count, 110 years. His earliest release is May 1, 2054; his release date if he serves the entire sentence will be June 29, Alabama law states that a prisoner is entitled to a parole hearing after serving 10 years or 1/3 of the sentence. Campbell had a parole hearing on June 23, At this hearing the family of the inmate revealed a letter written to the Board by Henry Wayne Parrish, a candidate for the position of chairman for the Dothan School Board. According to the Dothan Eagle, Harry Wayne Parrish states he s not sure of his guilt. Did he not hear the verdict? Is he calling three middle school girls liars? Does he believe these are the kind of teachers and coaches we need in the Dothan school system? He also stated he thought writing the letter of recommendation for the parole of Joe Campbell was a private matter and had no bearing on his candidacy. Please think before you vote. Stand up for these three victims (between 12 and 15 years of age) that had the courage to testify. Do you want your chairman of the Dothan School Board to be the person who would condone this behavior? Thank God for the courage of victims. HB 297--Death Penalty, Execution Attendance Bill. Victims of Crime and Leniency Established in 1982 A 501c3 Non-Profit Organization Miriam Shehane, Executive Director Angel House & Wiregrass Angel House Projects by V.O.C.A.L. Shelly Linderman, Project 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 Angel House 422 South Court Street P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, AL (334) Fax: (334) vocalonline@yahoo.com Website: Wiregrass Angel House 105 North Bell P.O. Box 7133 Dothan, AL (334) Fax: (334) Chapters include Jefferson, Shelby, Shoals, Southeast, and Tuscaloosa The VOCAL NEWSLETTER is published bimonthly 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 to mwheat@bellsouth.net. By Pat Jones Current law would only allow two people on the inmate s side and two people on the victims side to view an execution. This would be a problem for the family of Ella Foy Riley. There were six children in her family that wanted to view the execution of Willie McNair on May 14. The Attorney General s Office had a bill drafted. Attorney General Troy King made this bill a priority, found sponsors for the bill, and filed it with the Legislature. We had the support of Department of Corrections also. Commissioner Richard Allen and Assistant Commissioner Vernon Barnett attended Judiciary Committee meetings to support this bill. Senator Harri Anne Smith and Representative Billy Beasley had their work cut out for them on this bill. It came as close as 1 hour and 5 minutes to not getting passed to help the Riley Family. The Execution Attendance Bill was passed on May 7 and signed by Governor Riley on May 14. This bill has already helped two families since its passage. Jack Trawick was executed June 11 for the murder of Stephanie Gach in which he received the death penalty. The bill actually passed allowing six for the inmate and eight for the victim s family. God s hand was working on May 7 to get this bill passed. Senator Bobby Singleton blocked Senator Harri Anne Smith s appeal to get an emergency bill in on the night of May 6. If he had not blocked it, Senator Vivian Figures said that she was going to block it. Senator Singleton s reason for blocking was Senator Smith wouldn t vote for his gambling/bingo bill. Senator Smith tried again the next day and got it passed. Representative Beasley had to get it passed the second time in the House because of changes to the bill. The Attorney General s Office and members of VOCAL were there to see the bill get its final passage. VOCAL owes a big Thank You to Senator Harri Anne Smith and Representative Billy Beasley. Pictured top: Pat Jones, Senator Harri Anne Smith. Pictured Bottom: Janette Carr, Pat Jones, Representative Billy Beasley, Miriam Shehane.

4 PAGE 4 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JULY 2009 COUNSELOR S CORNER Honoring A Love One Many years ago as we were struggling to get a newsletter together and our time was very limited, I asked Mitzie Wheat for help. Mitzie is a member of the Shelby County VOCAL and a retired school teacher. She now works for the police department in Calera as a victim service officer. And this job is perfect for her. Mitzie came to help with the newsletter in 2002 and accepted more responsibility each time. She would get it all spaced and typed then recruit a couple of volunteers and come to our office in Montgomery where she copied, while they folded, stapled, and labeled each one. Mitzie would take them to the post office to mail under the non-profit status. The mailing process alone is enough to make you pull you hair out; however, Mitzie never complained. She was determined to please this difficult employee of the post office. The newsletter process took 3 to 4 days of Mitzie s time each quarter. Most people would probably think she does it because she has nothing better to do, not knowing that she is an employee, a wife, the mother of one son and one daughter and the very proud grandmother of Noah. She also has a wonderful mother Mrs. Mary Furline, that she checks on often; and these are just a few of the things I know about. Mitzie never hesitates because it s a holiday weekend or she has other plans. Why does she devote so much effort and time to this newsletter? It is in honor of her sister, Patricia Collum that was murdered. And every time I see Mitzie or read the newsletter I think of Patricia and know that Mitzie thinks of her all the time. Mitzie has devoted her efforts in Patricia s memory. What are you doing to memorialize your loved one? What are you doing to be certain everyone will remember your loved one? It doesn t have to be a big project; it can be as easy as taking a basket of food to the Salvation Army or a homeless shelter in memory of your loved one. Patricia Collum, we remember you. Your sister, Mitzie Wheat, loves you dearly. Joyce Miller, MS. LPC The trial of Matthew Leske for the murder of Brent Cook on December 26, 2007 was held in June. The jury consisted of 9 men and 3 women and they each one listened to the witnesses and paid attention to the evidence presented. The prosecutors were Kirke Adams, Bill Filmore, and Steven Smith, and each one has their own expertise, which was evident throughout the trial. Witnesses for the prosecution were: Adam Grooms, Firearms expert; Dr. Parades, forensic examiner; Officer Michael Patrick, Samson PD; Tony Helms, Chief Investigator Geneva County Sheriff s Office; Sidney Russell, Brad, and Tasha Salter--the only witness at the scene. The defense for Matthew Leske had many character witnesses but none of any value to the homicide itself. The defendant testified it was self defense. On Christmas morning Tasha Salter went to Brent Cook s (the victim) house to take Christmas presents to him and his mother, Lucille. Tasha and Brent had been together the last five years. They had a fight and split up with Tasha moving to the trailer of a distant relative. That Christmas Day afternoon, Brent and his best friend Brad went to Tasha s for Brent to ask her to go to his father s for dinner. Tasha and Brent were on the phone with each other and she told him she had plans and couldn t go. Brent saw Matt s truck at Tasha s and figured her plans included him. Sidney was there with Tasha and told Brent she would call the police. Brent and Brad left and went on to his father s house for dinner. After dinner they drove around a while then Brad took Brent home around midnight. Brad called Brent a little while later and he was making a sandwich and going to bed. Instead Brent went back to Tasha s. Tasha and Matt had gone to the movies then went by his house before returning THE HOMICIDE OF BRENT COOK to Tasha s. (When they arrived at Tasha s she ran in before Matt and did not see him get a rifle from his truck.) They were on the couch watching a movie when Tasha saw Brent s truck driving up. She told Matt to go into another room while she went out to talk with him. Brent pushed past her and sat down on the couch. He refused to leave until Tasha would talk to him. Tasha did not have a land line phone and her cell phone wouldn t work there. She told Matt to come on and we ll go next door and call the police and they walked out. Brent followed them and stated if they were going so was he. Tasha saw Matt turn around and raise the rifle to Brent, she knocked it down and started to walk toward the neighbors and had taken three steps when she heard the shot. She ran screaming to the neighbor s. Matt got in his truck and left. The neighbors went to check on Brent but there were no signs of life. Tasha was hysterical and had to go to the hospital. Matt went home and told his parents. They called an attorney. There are several heroes in this story: Tasha for the courage to testify, Kirke Adams for the prosecution and finding the defendant s my space that told the real story, Bill Filmore for arguing the points of law, Steven Smith for knowing the townspeople and for closing arguments, and Chief Deputy Tony Helms for having his facts in order and keeping an eye on Tasha while waiting for trial. Thank you for your support for Brent Cook s family during trial: Kim Pierce, Lucille Pierce, Whitney Pierce, Karen Gautney, Amanda Wise, Hobie Gautney, Faye Harrison. Burnest Cook, Linda Cook, Dewey Denman, Dylan Denman, Steve McCallester, Jack Harrison, Bill Bowden, Bill Gautney, Johnnie Skinner, John Bailey, Katherine King, Mayor Clay King, and Olean Holland.

5 JULY 2009 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 VIDOCQ HELPS IN CURRY MASSACRE In 2004 Vocal Angel House requested the Vidocq Society to attend our annual conference to train law enforcement because of their expertise with cold cases. Seven members of Vidocq, including profiler Richard Walter, attended our conference and utilized a separate room to meet with law enforcement on individual cold cases in Alabama and Georgia. In 2005 and 2007 Vidocq came back to Alabama and participated in our conference to assist detectives in other cold cases. April 17, 2008, Columbus, Georgia, police detectives Charlie Fairbain and Drew Tyner were invited to Philadelphia to present the Curry slayings to the Vidocq Society. These elite crime solvers viewing evidence in the 1985 bush-ax slayings of Ann, 24 years old and 8 months pregnant, 4-year-old Erica and 20-month-old Ryan quickly saw Michael Curry as the prime suspect. The brutality of these murders moved even the hardened criminologists and they worked a little bit harder and longer to break the case. Police Chief Rickey Boren thanked the Vidocq Society, particularly Richard Walter, the forensic psychologist and profiler. Walter went to Columbus to follow up and give them a profile of the assailant, putting a lot of personal time in this case. Michael Curry was indicted by a Muscogee County grand jury May 19 th and arrested May 20, The law enforcement credited with building this case are: Detective Randy Long, Sgt. Harvey Hatcher, Lt. Steve Cox, and investigators Chris Samra and Coy Joy of the District Attorney s office. The Vidocq Society offered a new perspective on how all the evidence fits together. Members in Vidocq include 82 full-time and 100 associate members of renowned FBI profilers, Interpol, and experts of the judicial institutions. The society includes members from 17 states and 11 countries around the world. The society is funded in part by a portion of a $1.3 million film development with Danny DeVito s Jersey Films in This funding allows Vidocq to pay expenses of the detectives from small communities without funds to present their cases. These experts, collectively, have about a thousand years experience in homicide investigations from all points of view. All these skills helped them realize that the husband and father was the prime suspect and they began to work together. Three psycho-linguistics experts reviewed Curry s statement to the police and that was the first break in the case; and as other experts reviewed evidence the case began to take on new life. The restrictions Vidocq places on crimes it will consider are: only unsolved deaths more than two years old, victims cannot be involved in criminal activity, and the cases must be formally presented to them by the law enforcement agency. Vidocq never charges a fee for their work. New cases come in at over 100 each year. All are old and much effort has been directed at trying to solve them. Vidocq history comes from the French detective, Eugene Francois Vidocq, who pioneered fingerprints, ballistics, and the inspiration of the world s first detective story, LeRouge. The three founders of the Vidocq Society were: Bill Fleischer, a detective; Fred Bender, an artist; and Richard Walter, a forensic psychologist. They have been instrumental in solving some famous cases. Bender observed in the medical examiner s office to create facial reconstruction and soon helped solved the identity of Jane Doe whose entire body was decomposed. No one knew what she looked like or who she was. She had been shot in the head with the bullet smashing her skull open. Bender intuitively knew what people should look like and recreated the features of her face in a sculpture. Five months later the woman was identified from his sculpture as Anna Duval from Arizona who had come to Philadelphia to collect money on a property deal. She had been executed by a mafia contract killer who would not be convicted of the murder for 20 years. Bender has helped the government catch seven of their most wanted fugitives as well as psychologist Richard Walter. Most of their work is sensitive, especially their work with the government. Walter profiled some of the world s most infamous crimes such as the serial killer, Colin Ireland, who terrorized London in Walter and Bender developed the profile for John E. List, an accountant from New Jersey who had been at large for 18 years since he murdered his mother, wife, and three children. Walter predicted he would be wearing horn rimmed glasses doing the same work and looking prosperous. Bender produced a bust of him with the aging process and 11 days after being on America s Most Wanted, List was arrested in Virginia, where he was living under an assumed name, a happily married, church going accountant who wore horn rimmed glasses. The first success for Vidocq came in March 1991 with the family of Huey Cox, a victim of a brutal murder in Little Rock, Arkansas, believed a black dishwasher was being railroaded for the crime. Richard Walter and a Vidocq fingerprint expert testified at trial and the case was dismissed in 45 minutes. Frank Bender and Richard Walter developed a profile for the U.S. Marshall Service of Robert Nauss. Robert Nauss had escaped from prison concealed in a cabinet seven years earlier. Mr. Walter had predicted he would be driving a black Cadillac and when he was captured he was driving a black Cadillac. These examples enable one to see Vidocq is interested in the guilty perpetrator of the crime. Nineteen years ago three men had the idea of a regular lunch club for crime experts that would try to solve some of the United States most baffling homicides. The Vidocq Society has now been instrumental in solving hundreds of crimes. Law Enforcement agencies may contact Vidocq to help with their cold cases. These are professional experts that do not lay blame but will do everything to provide insight into your case through several hundred expert eyes. All of those we have encountered through the Vocal Angel House Conference are genuine empathetic individuals, even Richard Walter with his sarcastic sense of humor.

6 PAGE 6 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JULY 2009 CAN YOU IMAGINE? What it is like to have your daughter that is 8 months pregnant, and your 20-month-old grandson and 4-year-old granddaughter murdered? The manner of death being so violent you can t think about the torture they must have felt without being physically sick yourself. Each one of your precious family being hacked to death with a bush axe is beyond your imagination. Jim and Bernice Johnson have lived with these horrific facts without justice for almost 24 years. On August 29, 1985 their daughter, Ann Curry, and their grandchildren Tyler (unborn), Erika (4 years old), and Ryan (20 months old) were murdered. Ann was found in the den, almost decapitated by the blade from the axe. Bruises on her arms showed she had tried to block it. Ryan lay in front of the couch among all the toys he had been engaged with when the blade hit him he stuck his little hand in the carpet trying to dig for protection as he was struck across his ears. Four-year-old Erika was found in the kitchen, the blade hit her across the mouth breaking her teeth when she was hit in the head with the axe. She was hit so hard that part of her jaw and glasses were located several feet away. Can you imagine each of these victims looking up to see a very familiar person swinging the axe? Did Erika and Ryan see their father and Ann see her husband swinging that axe? The husband who swore before God to love honor and protect his wife, love her, comfort her, honor her, bestow upon her your deepest respect and devotion; keeping yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live. A father s job is the protector of his family. Could this monster be Michael Curry? This brutal crime shocked the whole community. Seasoned investigators had trouble processing this scene without being sick. This savage scene stayed with more than 25 investigators daily for 24 years as they followed every piece of evidence, every lead, and sometimes even fiction to solve these murders. There has always been a detective assigned to this case--it has never been shelved. Mayor Jim Wetherington was the Chief of Police when these murders were committed; his compassion for the Johnsons was apparent as he thanked them for their patience and commented on the hell they have lived through. Chief of Police Rickey Boren was a sergeant when he saw this crime scene and he said it was one of the most horrible cases in his 36 years of law enforcement. It was a scene that no one who saw could ever forget. The diligent work of these investigators lead to a grand jury indictment on May 20 for Michael Curry, husband and father of the slain victims. He was arrested on May 21 in Dalton, Georgia at his workplace, Dalton City School system, in the maintenance office at 7 a.m. He has been employed there since October 1999 and worked as an electronics technician. Police interviewed him on the night of the massacre for several hours and released him without charges. He refused to be questioned again and his parents hired a prominent defense attorney to represent him. The police never lost track of him as he moved from Columbus to Florida and from there to other places in the South before settling in Dalton. He married again in October His wife, Susan, was shocked at his arrest. At this time there is no set date for trial, however, District Attorney Julia Slater, will prosecute the cases and the Johnsons have total confidence in her. Julia Slater would represent their daughter and grandchildren with dignity and fairness. JAPANESE REPORTER DOES INTERVIEW ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Pat Jones was contacted by Brian Hartzheim, reporter for The Yomiuri Shimbun. It is the largest newspaper in Japan and the fifth largest in the world. He asked for an interview concerning the upcoming execution of Willie McNair. Pat was unsure about giving the interview alone and requested assistance from DA Doug Valeska. They met them at the Wiregrass Angel House at 4 p.m. on Wednesday before the execution on Thursday, May 14. Brian and his boss Tatsuhito IIDA did the interview. It lasted about two hours because Brian had to interpret all the questions and answers to Tatsuhito. They shared with us that Japan is considering going to jury trials. Their method of execution is currently by hanging. They asked many questions about how our system worked on capital punishment. DA Valeska did a great job in this area. I had to try to tell them how I have been affected by Willie McNair killing my mother and what I thought about the death penalty. They also were able to view the execution at Holman Prison. I later ed Brian and asked him some questions. I asked him: What did you think about the execution? Did you think it was horrible or did you think it was too easy a death? Do you believe in the death penalty? This was his reply: I personally think for certain individuals the death penalty seems appropriate. I also thought the execution was much easier to watch than I thought it would be, and it seemed fairly painless, at least on the surface. When I think about how my grandfather suffered from prostate cancer to the end of his life, in comparison I think Mr. McNair had a much easier end. He is Brian Hartzheim, Doug Valeska, Tatsuhito IIDA going to send us a newspaper and also translate the story to English. By Pat Jones

7 JULY 2009 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 7 LETHAL INJECTION--IS IT CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT? By Pat Jones Almost 19 years ago, the family of Ella Foy Riley started the terrible roller coaster ride of the criminal justice system. Ella Foy Riley was murdered by Willie McNair and Olin Grimsley on May 21, On May 22, the family was faced with this awful tragedy. She was strangled and stabbed to death in her own home after trying to give them a cold glass of water. That day, the thought was implanted that they would be electrocuted by Yellow Mama. The Riley Family endured 5 murder trials in less than 4 years, numerous appeals and hearings. Pat Riley Jones, daughter, became involved with VOCAL and spent many days at the Legislature fighting for or against laws pertaining to capital punishment. Execution date was set for May 14, 2009 for Willie McNair. Our family was large, 6 children; only 2, by law, could view the execution. We were faced with another dilemma, who would go? This was solved after getting a new law passed in the legislature this last session and all of the family could attend. McNair had written the family a letter saying that he was sorry and that he was ready to go be with God. A stay was denied on Tuesday before the execution. Our family went to Atmore on Thursday, May 14, anticipating that the execution would be carried out even though the U.S. Supreme Court had not ruled and the governor had not signed the Execution Attendance Bill until about 11:30 that day. Everything fell into place after we arrived. We were escorted to Fountain Prison where we met with Warden Culver who explained the execution procedures to everyone so that those that couldn t view it would know what was happening. About 5 minutes before the execution, we were taken to our room to view it. In our room were our six family members, members of Troy King s staff, doctors, and a guard. The curtains were closed. At 6:00 p.m., the curtains were opened. Warden Culver read the death sentence and asked him if he had anything to say. He said No. This surprised our family; we thought surely that he would look at us and tell us that he was sorry. He also refused his last prayer with his spiritual advisor but he gave thumbs up to his legal advisor. As we sat, petrified looking for signs of struggling to live, we saw almost nothing. At 6:03, he did a small gasp for breath and his fingers on his right hand (only hand we could see) twitched a small movement. That was it. It was like seeing someone being put to sleep for surgery. At 6:07, the guard opened one eye lid and looked for signs. At 6:12, the doctors left our room and at 6:17, he was pronounced dead. You ask me if the lethal injection is cruel and inhumane, I say NO, definitely not. Look at how their victims suffered and how the family members (including theirs) have suffered through the years waiting for this day to happen. I just want to add, that I did not know how I would feel that day. I did not know what emotions would come. I got up that morning with total peace. At the beginning of the execution, I thought will I be able to view this? Again, total peace came over me. I knew that people were praying for us. I prayed for Willie McNair and his family that week. At last, I had the assurance that we would not have to face Willie McNair ever again seeking a new trial, a stay or whatever reason his attorneys could come up with to harass us. I knew this was not about revenge, but justice. Justice for Ella Foy Riley! A candlelight vigil was held afterwards at Fountain Prison. Special Thanks from the Family of Ella Foy Riley During the past 19 years, we were blessed to have District Attorney Doug Valeska as our DA. He was awesome in the courtroom. He is one tough prosecutor. VSO Nita Hogg, who is retired, was an angel to us. Judge Ed Jackson was fair to both sides. VOCAL was so supportive. Miriam Shehane was with us through 3 trials in Montgomery when it was moved from Abbeville. The Attorney General s Office always kept us informed of the appeals through the years through the VSO s Anita Stringfellow, Nancy McCreary, Patty Simpkins. Janette Carr and Doris Hancock have been there for the past 3 years. Janette has kept me informed of every step of McNair s last appeals and fight for stay of execution. Attorney General Troy King has opened his door and his heart to victims. He has been a blessing to us. The attorneys in the Capital Litigation Section have always been supportive and answered questions through the years: Clay Crenshaw, Anne Adams, Keith Miller, James Houts, and Sonny Reagan (some are not there now). The family of Ella Foy Riley would also like to thank the following people for their support at the execution: Attorney General Troy King, Janette Carr, Doris Hancock, Bill Summers, Danny McKinley, Richard Allen, Vernon Barnett, Anne Adams, Warden Culver and others at the prisons that were involved (Holman and Fountain), Sonny Reagan, Doug Valeska, Gary Maxwell, Miriam Shehane, Shelly Linderman, Bonnie Ingram, Denny Kimbrel, Helen Martin, and pastor and wife Donald and Erma Mills, and all the grandchildren and spouses. We also thank everyone else for their thoughts and prayers. KIWANIS CLUB MEETING Calvin, Don, John, Pat, Bobby and Wayne Riley Wiregrass Angel House personnel were the guest speakers for the Dale County Kiwanis Club for their June meeting. Angel House was given a wonderful opportunity to talk about the many services provided by Wiregrass Angel House as well as VOCAL Angel House across the State of Alabama.

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 Postage Guaranteed 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. DONATIONS Memorial for Beth Bolding Miriam Shehane Memorials for Conni McClenny Cheryl Wood & Constance Walrond Memorial for Ella Foy Riley Pat Jones Representative Billy Beasley David Hicks Miriam Shehane District Attorney Douglas Valeska Senator Jabo Waggoner VICTIM CONTACTS Governor Bob Riley State Capitol Montgomery, AL Patricia C. Simpkins Dir., Constituent Services (334) Attorney General s Office of Victim Assistance 500 Dexter Avenue Montgomery, AL VSO Janette Carr VSO Doris Hancock (334) Department of Corrections Richard Allen, 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 1548 Montgomery, AL State of Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles Cynthia Dillard, Director P.O. Box VSO Debra Bonds Montgomery, AL (334) Fax (334)