January 2010 Volume 9, Number 5

Transcription

1 VOCAL N E W S L E T T E R January 2010 Volume 9, Number 5 Victims of Crime and Leniency A NOTE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MIRIAM SHEHANE Here s hoping everyone had a good Christmas and the New Year will be kind to all of us. One thing is for sure--the New Year came in with a bang. It is past cold! I am so bundled up at the moment I can barely move. I understand the legislature will go into session January 12 th. We are in the process of getting sponsors for the bill for our funding. It is crucial that we get this bill passed in order for us to be a viable organization. Please speak to your legislators and tell them to support this bill. I ll keep you posted and pray that we ll be successful this year. Also, I encourage all of you to be vigilant in other legislation being introduced. Many bills are introduced each year that are not victim friendly and some victim bills passed in previous years are amended which would make them less effective. If we are not on our toes we will be in the same difficult position victims were in the beginning of the victim s movement in the 70 s. We cannot allow this to happen but it will take each and every one of us to step up to the plate and do our part. We are counting on you to keep the victims moving forward rather than backwards. All of us working together can achieve this. State Appeals Court Reverses Murder Conviction The state appeals court has reversed the capital murder conviction and death sentence of David Dewayne Riley, Jr. who murdered Scott Michael Kirtley in Florence, Alabama. He was killed on January 10, 2005 during a robbery at a package store. The appeals court threw out the case because of comments made by the prosecution about Riley s juvenile arrest record. The attorney general s office said they will appeal. Sentencing - Coffee County Judge Barr s Courtroom Victim - Linda Johnson Prosecutor - Tom Anderson Defendant - Delma Gene Johnson Defense Attorney - Warren Rowe The defendant was found guilty on October 9 by jury. Minimum sentence would have been 20 years. The judge sentenced him to 75 years. Throughout the trial, regardless of the antics the defense attorney tried, Judge Barr kept perfect order and shut him down. The judge deserves a medal for his patience throughout this trial. Houston County Trial Judge - Brad Mendheim Defendant - Dr. Gregory Johns Prosecutor - Douglas Valeska Victims - 19 yr old Panama City, FL 26 yr old Dothan, AL Dr. Johns was accused of 2 counts of sex abuse 1 st degree. The 19 years old (Jane Doe 1) accused him of inappropriately touching her on November 4, 2006, when she was extremely drunk. The 26 year old (Jane Doe 2) accused him of inappropriate touching September 30, 2007 almost one year later. Jane Doe 2 stated she went to the ER after feeling a pulsation in her neck, chest, and shoulder. She stated Dr. Johns ordered drugs that rendered her groggy. She was too incapacitated to resist his touching. Jane Doe 1 stated she was too intoxicated and was admitted to the emergency room for acute intoxication. The jury reached a decision in one of the cases on Wednesday, but Judge Mendheim sealed the verdicts. They were read on Thursday at 1:30; guilty on both counts. Sentencing is set for February 3, 2010 and he could receive up to 10 years for each count anghou.indd 1 1/21/10 11:42 AM

2 PAGE 2 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2010 CHAPTER NEWS JEFFERSON COUNTY CHAPTER th Ave. N, Sheriff s Dept. Training Room, 2 nd Floor, 1st Thursday, 6 p.m. Chapter President: Carol Melton, (205) carolmeltonb@bellsouth.net Victims of Crime and Leniency Chapter Mailing Address: st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL November and December were very busy for us. We were out on the road or in court. Many hours were spent trying to get the Christmas Party perfect for victims and guests from the Sheriff s Department, District Attorneys Office, and Police Department. We have many merchants to thank for their continued support. The food was great thanks to Jim and Nicks, Ken s Barbecue, Golden Coral, Church s Chicken, and Zaxby s. Members brought sides and desserts. One of the coveted prizes was for a party of ten at Hooters for all the wings you could eat. We were beginning to think we would not have a place to have the party but as usual Sheriff Hale saved the day and offered his training room. The training room will be our new meeting place. Guests from the Sheriff Department were, Chief James Atkinson and wife, Chief Randy Christian, Deputy Chief Jim Robertson, Captain Marsha Allan, Sgt. Charlotte Canada, Deputy Billy Jack Logan and wife Valerie, Sgt. Sheila Garret, and Wanda Miller. Guests from our District Attorney s Office included District Attorney Mr. Brandon Falls; District Attorney (retired) Mr. David Barber and wife Linda Lou; Assistant District Attorneys Mike Anderton, Michael Streety, Cathy Eases Daniels, Bianca Taylor, Barbara Murphy; and VSO Judy Yates. Judges Gloria and Pete Johnson and Birmingham Chief of Police A. C. Roper also attended. We attended the trial of Justin White who murdered two young girls by strangulation. He received life without parole on both sentences. He should have gotten the death penalty but we were lucky--juries are a different breed. We went to a hearing in Columbiana on January 13 for the person who shot and killed Lela Edwards son Michael and girlfriend Alicia. It has been four years. Hopefully it will come to trial soon. We participated in helping three families that the District Attorney s Office was providing Christmas for. Mary Holyfield s grandson, Carlos, was killed a week before Christmas. Her son was shot and killed and her other grandson was shot last year but he survived. Please keep Mary in your prayers. SHELBY COUNTY CHAPTER 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. Owens House, Columbiana, 2nd Saturday monthly, 2 p.m. Chapter President: Johnnie Doss Page, (205) Chapter Mailing Address: P. O. Box 32, Columbiana, Alabama Mitzie Wheat attended a hearing for Tia Davis in Shelby County on January 13. Davis has been charged with two counts of capital murder in the April 2006 deaths of Michael Edwards (age 26) and Ulesha Stoner (age 28). The Shelby County District Attorney s office will seek the death penalty in this case. Davis has been appointed new counsel and plans to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of mental defect. She will be evaluated at Taylor-Hardin in Tuscaloosa. Judge Reeves set a tentative trial date of April 19. Defense attorneys have also entered a motion to suppress Davis statement and a hearing has been set on that motion for March 8 and 9. NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK APRIL 18 24, 2010 This is the last chance to nominate individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims and victim services for the National Crime Victims Rights Week Awards. See pages 6 and 7 in this newsletter and send in your nominations by Friday, February anghou.indd 2 1/21/10 11:42 AM

3 January 2010 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 SHOALS CHAPTER Christian Faith Church, 640 County Road 323, Florence, 2nd Tuesday monthly, 6:30 p.m. Chapter President: Denny Kimbrel, (256) ; bamafnatk@aol.com Chapter Mailing Address: 442 County Road 111, Killen, Alabama SOUTHEAST CHAPTER My grace is sufficient for you. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Wiregrass Angel House, 105 N. Bell, Dothan, 3 rd Tuesday monthly, 6:30 p.m. Chapter President: Pat Jones, (334) ; patandgary@centurytel.net Chapter Mailing Address: 406 Hickory Grove Road, Abbeville, Alabama A shredder ate hundreds of pieces of paper and other items in New York City on December 28, Organizers of the second annual "Good Riddance Day" encouraged people to bring to Times Square their bad memories and suffering of 2008 and feed them into the industrial-strength shredder or toss them into an extra-large dumpster. Some participants shredded pieces of paper with the words "the stock market" or "cancer." Others destroyed bank statements, and one person shredded a printed from a boy friend who broke up with her. We long to "shred" memories of bad things that others have done to us or difficult circumstances we're going through. The apostle Paul wanted relief from his present suffering, an infirmity that made him feel weak (2 Cor. 12: 7-10). But God said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." God didn't take away the problem. Instead, He gave Paul the grace to live with it. Difficulties burden us as we mull them over in our minds, affecting our relationships and our outlook on life. We as believers in Christ have a place to take these burdens. First Peter 5:7 tells us, "(Cast) all your care upon (the Lord), for He cares for you."--anne Cetas Whever life's burdens oppress you And trials seem too much to face, Remember God's strength in your weakness; He'll give you His power and grace. Sper God gives enough grace for whatever we face. Our Daily Bread, December 27, 2009 Donations Needed--The US Supreme Court agreed in December to hear Billy Joe Magwood's case. He is the murderer of Neil Grantham, sheriff of Coffee County. Neil was murdered March 1, 1979 in Elba. Magwood has been on death row all of these years and still hasn't seen death. This is outrageous. Janette Grantham is a sister of Neil's She now works for Attorney General Troy King. He has two more sisters, Dot and Barbara. They were active in Southeast Alabama VOCAL Chapter until they became disabled. The hearing before the US Supreme Court is set for March 24th. Janette is planning on going. Barbara and Dot are not physically able. Some VOCAL members would like to go to Washington D.C. and support Janette at this hearing, however funds are a problem. If anyone would like to donate to help us with our expenses, please send donations to State VOCAL. TUSCALOOSA CHAPTER Tuscaloosa County Courthouse, 1st Floor, 2nd Thursday, Quarterly, 6 p.m. Chapter President: Mike Sullivan, (205) Chapter Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3204, Tuscaloosa, AL COUNSELOR S CORNER MOVING ON How long does one mourn the homicide of a loved one? The answer for this is probably every day of your life. However, you can honor the victims and still move from the stages of grief to find peace in a new experience. Who is the judge of when it s time to move on--only the person who is dealing with the tragedy that shattered their life forever. Sometimes we are guilty of saying, I can t believe they are dating, it s been less than a year since her husband (or his wife) was murdered. Unless we spend that time in their shoes, we cannot imagine the loneliness they have endured. The next relationship will probably not be like the first relationship and it may be for different reasons--companionship, financial, travel, or you just need a good golf partner. However, you could actually fall madly in love again or be completely mesmerized, if you let yourself. There is no reason to feel guilty when you are able to move on, after a good marriage, you want a good marriage again. Would your loved one want you to be so lonely? If so they probably weren t the person you believed them to be. Move on when you can. Joyce Miller, MS LPC anghou.indd 3 1/21/10 11:42 AM

4 PAGE 4 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY WIREGRASS LAW ENFORCEMENT SEMINAR Friday, November 20 th, was the first Wiregrass Law Enforcement Seminar sponsored by DA Kirke Adams and DA Doug Valeska. This conference was held at Maple Avenue Baptist Church in Geneva, Alabama. There were approximately 120 officers in attendance. The speakers included: Agent Barry Tucker, DUI update from Brandon Hughes of OPS, Update on Search and Seizure Law from Bill Lisenby of the AG s office, and Marc Crews from the Alabama Forensic Sciences on Crime Scene Investigation. The conference made possible to promote education and assistance to law enforcement in the Wiregrass area. The conference was free of charge for those in attendance. VOCAL Angel House was invited to speak on services provided by our organization. A donation was presented by DA Kirke Adams and DA Doug Valeska to assist victims in the Wiregrass. Amaryllis Benefield was in charge of the conference and should be commended for a great job. CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH MPD Our annual Christmas party with the detectives of MPD to show our appreciation for all they do for victims anghou.indd 4 1/21/10 11:42 AM

5 January 2010 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SOUTHEAST VOCAL The Christmas party at Wiregrass Angel House was a wonderful time for seeing victims and their families. We had a beautiful tree (Thanks Pat and Bonnie) with pictures of homicide victims in a framed ornament and plenty of Angels. We were blessed with many children that provided lots of noise and excitement. The food was plentiful, beautiful, and delicious and most of it done by Ann Kassler. We had a generous donation from Diane Collins and Medlines Consulting that helped Santa Claus provide nine children with bicycles and numerous toys. Both of these families had the financial provider of their family murdered this year. We are so grateful these families had a good Christmas for their children. This would not have been possible without this generous donation. Phyllis White-Samson Ann Kassler-Dothan Mrs. Morris and Pat Jones-Dothan. October was membership renewal month. 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 anghou.indd 5 1/21/10 11:42 AM

6 PAGE 6 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2010 HONORING THOSE WHO BRING HONOR TO VICTIMS IN ALABAMA NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK AWARDS V.O.C.A.L. (Victims of Crime and Leniency) and VOCAL Angel House annually recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims and victim services. As the discipline of crime victim services has grown over the years, so has the number of remarkable individuals that significantly contribute to its success. Today, the field includes countless people who through vision, action and leadership have improved the lives of victims in the aftermath of crime. We invite you to submit a nomination for one or more of five awards. In making your nominations, we encourage you to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the crime victims field and/or to crime victims. Recipients of the awards will be honored in Montgomery as part of the national commemoration of National Crime Victims Rights Week (NCVRW), which is scheduled for April 18-24, SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR AWARDS A nomination letter must accompany each nomination form. No anonymous nominations will be accepted. Each form must include the nominee s name, title, organization, address, and telephone number. Nominations should not exceed two single sided, double spaced typed pages and should reflect as much as you know about your nominee s accomplishments and service in supporting victims. Please review the award categories carefully and select the category that most accurately reflects your nominee s accomplishments and service in supporting crime victims. You can only nominate one individual to one category. Please provide additional information about the nominated individual that should be considered in the review process. Supporting documentation such as newspaper articles can also be attached. DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS Nomination forms and supporting materials must be received no later than Friday, February 26, 2010 and can be mailed (V.O.C.A.L. State Headquarters, Attention Selection Committee, P.O. Box 4449, Montgomery, Alabama ) or faxed to (334) If you have any questions about the award nominations or selection process, please call Shelly Linderman at (800) ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES You may nominate one or more worthy individuals. Candidates nominated but not selected in previous years are eligible for consideration. Previous award winners, however, are not eligible to be nominated and will not be considered for the same award. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AWARDS Each year, through the prestigious Miriam Shehane Award, V.O.C.A.L. honors extraordinary individuals who exemplify the long-term commitment that characterizes individuals who work with victims with the same caliber of dogmatic passion and concern as the one who this award was named in honor of. The State King Solomon Award was instituted in 2004 to recognize a jurist that through their leadership, vision, and innovation have led to changes in the criminal justice system. They possess the courage to follow the law in spite of public opinion and displays compassion to victims. The State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award honors those in the field of law enforcement who go beyond the call of duty to assist victims in their time of need. The individual will be one that shows respect and dignity above all else to crime victims and their families. The State Prosecutor of the Year Award recognizes those in the field of the District Attorney s Offices that exhibit exceptional perseverance and determination to get the job done and work with the victim and/or their family. To show respect and dignity and, above all else, does what the victim wants and listens to the victim. The State Victim Service Officer of the Year Award recognizes those in the field that exhibit exceptional compassion and empathy for the victim and/or their family; an individual who treats the victim with kindness and care and who keeps victims informed about their case anghou.indd 6 1/21/10 11:42 AM

7 PAGE 7 VOCAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2010 N O M I N A T I O N F O R M ( D e a d l i n e F e b r u a r y 2 6, ) Your Name Nominee s Full Name Your Title/Position Name for Award Plaque Your Organization Nominee s Title Your Mailing Address Nominee s Organization City State Zip Mailing Address Telephone Number City State Zip Telephone Number Type of Award: (Mark One) The Miriam Shehane Award The State Prosecutor of the Year Award The State King Solomon Award The State Victim Service Officer of the Year Award The State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award Signature of Nominator: Anonymous nominations will not be accepted. A nomination letter must accompany each nomination form. Nominations should not exceed two single sided, double spaced typed pages and should reflect as much as you know about your nominee s accomplishments and service in supporting victims. Please provide additional information about the nominated individual that should be considered in the review process. Supporting documentation such as newspaper articles can also be attached anghou.indd 7 1/21/10 11:42 AM

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 Receipt Guaranteed DONATIONS 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. Memorial for Quenette Shehane Miriam Shehane Memorial for Conni McClenny Cheryl Wood & Constance Walrond Memorial for George Smith Eva Watson & Jerry & Freya Bailey Mildred Abertson District Attorney Kirke Adams Billy Beasley Diane Collins, Medlines Consulting Judy Crosby Gerald & Johnnie Helms Nancy King Carter Papke Tom Richardson Pat Roberts District Attorney Douglas Valeska Shoals Chapter VOCAL 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 Grantham 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) anghou.indd 8 1/21/10 11:42 AM