survivors fall 2016 fall 2016.pdf · compliant. so are solved murders providing any more peace of...

along with the survivors of murdervictims.The Clinton Correctional incident

reminds us all that many anti-socialprisoners are uniquely capable ofexploiting rules and laws in order torun escapes and manipulate thehonor system. Many are working tobeating the system not trying to becompliant. So are solved murdersproviding any more peace of mind orseparation from the murderer thanthe unsolved cases? The answer isresoundingly, “No!”At POMC conference workshops,

participants partake in many suchdiscussions and comparisons. Thosestill seeking justice rarely get insightinto those who have allegedlyachieved justice. A level of envy

National Organization of

Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.For the families and friends of those who have died by violence.

Dedicated to the Aftermath and Prevention of Murder.Fall 2016

Volume 34, Issue 3

The recent escape of convictedbrutal murderers, Matt and Sweat,from Clinton Correctional in NewYork, as facilitated by prison guards,has lots of victim-survivorswondering if there really is justice.Even after a murderer is convicted,the victim-survivors often getrevictimized.When prison guards are seeking

humanity in the prisoners andconvicted murderers are roamingamong them, they are vulnerable toprisoners who are exploiting thesystem. And an entire communitycan have their sense of safety andtrust in criminal justice shattered,

SURVIVORS

DanLevey’sFarewell,p. 2

Is There Justice? exists between the folks that do anddon’t achieve some semblance ofjustice.However, aside from escaping,

how else do these perpetratorscontinually victimize others frombehind bars? The system is designedto keep perpetrators/murderersforever in contact with victims,leading to re-victimization. Considera few examples that have beenshared over the years regarding

(Continued on p. 2)

MargaretKEROUACBy

[NOV. 23, 2016. As this issue heads for the press, wordcomes that Ken died today. His visitation is scheduledon Nov. 29 and the funeral will be Nov. 30th. More aboutKen in the next issue. —Ed.]

TO: POMC Friends of Ken CzillingerFROM:BarbaraShurna,Ken’s SisterI know howmuch Ken enjoyed the

work he did with the POMC groupand how proud he is of your manyaccomplishments. He always spokeso highly of all of the people withwhom he was associated through thisorganization.I believe that Ken would want you

to be aware of some of the changesthat have taken place in his life sinceMarch of thisyear. Ken has been diagnosed with a rapidlyprogressing form of dementia. It began with someoccasional memory loss and difficulty finding the

POMC Co-FounderKenneth Czillinger enters

dementia care

right words. Now, just five months later, it hasalready progressed to the point where he is not ableto stand or walk on his own andwhere he hasfrequent periods of memory loss and confusion.While Ken started out initially in an assisted

living situation, he now requires constant care forhis well being and safety and is currently in anursing home setting where they specialize indementia care.At this time I knowKen still appreciates receiv-

ing cards from his friends. If you would like to sendhim a card, please feel free to do so via SherryNolan at the POMCNational Cincinnati office.Thank you for all that you have done through the

POMC organization and for the relationships thatyou have had withmy brother over the years. Iknow he cherishes all of you and is grateful that hehas had the chance to know you. Ω

Barbara

“For it is written by the finger of the Almighty in the everlastingtablets of the Universe that no nation can endure and prosperinto and through whose life does not run the golden thread ofequal, exact and universal Justice.”

—David Josiah Brewer

Executive DirectorDAN LEVEY

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

With' I t has been my honor to serve'

(Continued from p. 1)

It is said that for every time there is a season–and so it is with me. I wanted to let everyoneknow that I have tendered my resignationeffective Oct. 28, 2016 and will be moving on topursue other personal and professional goals. Ithas been my honor to serve the past 4.5 yearsas your Executive Director and, prior to that,serving 11 years as a member of the POMCNational Board of Trustees—and many of thoseas the Board President.POMC has been busy and we had a very

successful Conference in Orlando. I would liketo thank everyone for their hard work and effortto make it a success—especially theConference Committee, National Staff and theBoard of Trustees. You will hear more aboutthe Conference later in this issue.It has been my honor to serve POMC for so

many years and I will be sure not to be astranger. I wish everyone the best and thankyou all for your efforts to help those who have

had loved ones murdered—including myself.My hope is POMC will be able to continue tothrive in the future and continue serving theimportant needs of survivors. ΩAll my best,

Dan

“How lucky I am to have something thatmakes saying goodbye so hard.”

---Winnie the Pooh

weaknesses in the criminal justicesystem.The headline “Escaped Murderer/s”

serves to victimize and imprisonentire communities with fear and“lock down” conditions, asexperienced throughout Upstate NewYork and among prisoners in ClintonCorrectional. The act of escapingmakes us ever aware that convictedmurderers are amongst us.Unfortunately, reality dictates thereare many convicted murderersamong us, daily. Their ability tovictimize guards, communities, andour loved ones continue unchecked.

Is There Justice? conviction occurs, appeals andlimitless motions can give the sensethat justice is never achieved. Thereare various ways in which prisonerscan abuse others from within prison,or create more victims in spite ofbeing imprisoned. Frequently,conviction does not equal closure! Ω

[MargaretKerouac is a counselor andcontributing author toCarrieM.Freitag'sAftermath: In the Wake of Murder. Shealso has presented workshops at POMCConferences.]

i

While one of the motives forsending murderers to jail is toprevent future victims, we don’talways succeed. Also, our lovedones are dead and they already gotaway with murder. One of the mainfocuses of victims’ efforts isstopping the victimization of others.

Frequently, various states withbudget issues threaten and actuallyrelease convicted murderers tomotivate taxpayers to vote for highertaxes that will provide more moneyto the prisons. And, finally, even if a

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

What are victim-impact statements for?> Can lead jurors who hear

victim-impact statementsconsider black families’ lossesand grief less important thanthe feelings of white families.

If victim-impact statements aremeant to help victims heal, are thecriminal courts the best place tomake that happen? Here are pointsfor and against.> Victims are routinely instructed

not to express anger;> Conflict between the victim and

the prosecution can resultwhen murder victims’ familiesdon’t support the deathpenalty, but seek to speak outon behalf of the defendant andnot the state;

> Some victims benefit from hav-ing the opportunity to deliver astatement in a formalcourtroom setting; but

> Others may want more thansilence and a neutral starefrom their audience. Sometimes they get it, sometimesthey don’t. The reaction can’tbe counted on. Family

There is substantial confusion inthe criminal-justice communityabout the purpose the statements aremeant to serve. Are they meant tobe:> Information for the sentencing

body?> A therapeutic tool for victims

and their families?> An opportunity to confront the

defendant? Or,> Are they meant to reinforce the

notion of “worthy” victims?Hearing the victim impact

statements:> Can make capital juries less

careful in their decisions;> Can make jurors so eager to

punish that they search forevidence to validate theiranger and ignore evidence inthe defendant’s favor;

> Can make them eager to helpvictims—just not all victims.A murder victim who met herassailant in a biker bar, forexample, may be valued lessthan a victim attacked whenleaving a church service.

As you consider how the crime has changed you and/oryour loved one’s life, you may use the following questionsto guide you. Remembering and writing about somethingso painful may be difficult for you. You don't have tocomplete your draft in one sitting. Take as many breaks asyou need. [From MADD’s Victim Impact StatementBooklet.]

The Physical Impact of the CrimeWhen you or your loved one is injuredIf you and/or a family member(s) were injured, describe

the treatment and recovery process. Remember to includeinjuries that may have already healed.>What preparations had to be made for your/theirimmediate care and your/their after care?

>What physical limitations do you/they live with now?> Describe the physical pain involved in getting aroundand getting to the courthouse.

members who are promisedthat giving a statement willhelp them heal or find closuremay experience additionalpain when the hoped-for reliefdoesn’t materialize.

> Victims are permitted toconfront defendants with thesuffering they’ve caused.

> No evidence conclusively showsif the statements help victimsof violent crimes or how theyare meant to help victims ortheir families.

Victims should not feel required togive a statement in court orpressured to shape their statementsto help advance the prosecution’sagenda. The verdict is not yet in onwhether the criminal courtroom iscapable of serving a therapeuticpurpose. But ultimately, thecriminal-justice system needs toensure it can meet its primaryobligation: to do justice equally andfairly. Ω[This article is based upon themes from The

Atlantic’s 2014 article, “What Are Victim-Impact Statements For?”]

What to include in your victim impact statement> How much do the physical injuries affect your/their energy level?

> How permanent are your/their injuries?> How have these injuries affected your/their abilityto work and ability to enjoy life?

> List things you/they can no longer do.When a loved one is killedThe Emotional Impact of the Crime> How do you feel emotionally when you wake upin the morning?

>What do you think about?> How often do you cry? Describe the last time youcried.

>What do you think about when you go to bed atnight?

>How difficult is it for you to sleep? How long do yousleep? Do you have nightmares?

(Continued on p. 16)

28 with theresignation of DanLevey, our currentExecutive Director.After many yearswith POMC as a

member, nine years as NBOTPresident, and almost five years asExecutive Director, Dan felt it wastime to move on. We wish Dan all thebest in his future endeavors and thankhim for all he has done for POMC.In closing, I would like to thank

everyone who expressed theirconcern and good wishes over myrecent serious medical problems. Iam fully recovered and in excellenthealth again. ΩThank you, and all the best.

Howard

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

With2016 will soon be history along

with all that occurred during the year.In July 2016 we held our 30thAnnual POMC Conference at theSheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort inOrlando, Fla.For the first time ever our Effective

Leadership Training (ELT) was heldJuly 17-July 19 as part of our annualConference. The ELT was held with15 trainees in attendance.Several new workshops were

introduced and several old workshopswere dropped. While the attendancewas lighter than expected, thetraining and Conference was asuccess.The National Board of Trustees

(NBOT) is working hard, as usual, toinsure that POMC remains the greatorganization that it is.A major change will happen Oct.

ORLANDO, Fla. The July Na-tional POMC Conference convenedhere in Orlando five weeks after 49people were killed and 53 wereinjured at the Club Pulse. The clubwas the scene of history’s deadliestmass shooting inU.S. history by asingle gunman.Orange Co. Sheriff

Jerry Demingwelcomed theConference andcredited fate for theConference’s coming to Orlando

President POMC NationalBoard of Trustees

HOWARD S. KLERK, Jr.

when it did. As quoted in theOrlando Sentinel, Deming said,“We are thankful you choseOrlando for this conference.Things happen for a reason.It’s probably not an accidentthat you’re here in thiscommunity while we continueto grieve our losses.”

On June 12, 2016, the club was thescene of the deadliest mass shootingand the deadliest terrorist attack onU.S. soil since the events of Sept.11, 2001. Ω

Floridasheriffseesfateatwork inPOMC's

Orlando's Club Pulse after the massmurder was surrounded by anoutpouring of flowers and mementosfrom the Central Florida region tocommemorate the mem

presence inOrlando

Conference goers focus on the MurderWall Unveiling Ceremony at the OrlandoConference. Below, the honor guardbrings sober reflection to the audience.

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

The names that appear in this issue of SURVIVORS arethose that have been submitted to the NationalOrganization of POMC, Inc., with full or partial paymentbeforeSeptember 1, 2016. Names after this datewill appearin the next issue.The Wall consists of solid walnut panels with each

holding about 120 brass plates inscribed with the name ofthe victim, alongwith the date of birth and the date of death.Adonationof$75 is requiredbeforeanamewill be inscribedon a plate and permanently mounted on a panel. (See orderform on this page.) Not only is this donation a tribute to thememory of your loved one, but it is a tribute that will helpkeep alive the memory of those we miss so deeply.The Wall is a powerful statement of the violence in our

society andof thenumbersof lovedones senselessly killedby others. Not only does it give comfort, but also hope,because every name on it cries out silently for awareness,prevention, and justice.

Thank you for Your Donation toMaintain the Murder Wall

MURDER WALL . . . . Honoring Their Memories

Time and much travel have put stress on the many panels of the Murder Wall...Honoring Their Memories, and scratches, nicks, and dents need to be repaired. Many of the cases that are used to transport the Wall have split or broken, handles have fallen off, and the protective material inside each case needs to be replaced.

Currently, the Wall is made up of 32 panels, display-ing over 3,500 victims‘ names, dates of birth and dates of death..

In order to maintain the beauty of the Wall, POMC con-tinues to seek donations to help make some of the repairs. To help, please use the form below. Donations made in memory/honor of will be in the next issue of Survivors.

POMC-Wall Repair

(Please Print)

Name:_________________________________________

In memory/honor of:_____________________________

Address:_______________________________________

City, State, Zip:_________________________________

Amount enclosed: $_________ Check:____ MO:_____

Visa:____ MC:____ Am. Express:_____ Discover:___

Card Number: ________________ Sec. Code #: _______

Exp. Date:__________________

Return to: POMC, 4960 Ridge Ave., Suite 2, Cincinnati, OH 45209

Your Donations Help to Maintain

the Wall’s Physical Beauty

Zachary Clayton Blue1/10/92 - 6/7/14

MatthewBenjaminButcher3/17/83 - 6/24/10

Arnaldo Garza Sr.10/26/43 - 9/7/88

33

Gary Jay Lambert3/20/69 - 3/25/16

Deonte’ Lenard Redding12/28/80 - 6/7/14

Angela Amanda Reyes7/20/84 - 9/26/07

Joseph Manuel Santoyo4/16/95 12/2/15

Lori Mann, from Ann MannTimothy Staunton, from Denise ColemanLisa Weaver, from Howard & Ann Klerk

Jarrod Chrisman, from Rodney & Susie ChrismanDwayne Chubb, from Albert & Dorothy Chubb

2017 National POMC ConferenceDate: Aug 3-6, 2017

2017 Effective LeadershipDevelopment Training

Date: July 30, 31 and August 1, 2017Same location as the Conference

Place: Hilton Irvine/OrangeCounty Airport18800MacArthur Blvd.Irvine, CA, 92612

Phone: (949) 833-9999Roomswill be $119.00per night and there is afree airport shuttle.*More informationcoming soon

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

Given to a survivor orprofessional in recogni-tion of their outstandingcontributions to themem-ory of thosewho havedied by violence and/ortheir contribution toPOMC.The recipient will have

shown their effortsthrough such activitiesas:> Bringing positiveawareness of the spe-cial work POMCmem-bers and chapters do;> Havingmade a differ-ence in the lives ofcountless numbers ofsurvivors.

Bd. PresidentHowardKlerk

Awarded by National POMC's

ExecutiveDirectorDan Levey

Empty Shoe Memorial Award

Congratulations to Susan Kelley-Leiker, Wichita Chapter

Lisa Hullinger Memorial Award

Congratulations to Sue Osolin,Valley of the Sun Chapter

This award is presen-ted to a homicide-victimsurvivor for efforts tohelp other survivors.The recipient will

have shown such effortsthrough activities as:> Exemplary contribu-tions to all homicide-vic-tim survivors;> Acts of compassionthat have contributed totheir recovery;> Dedication in support-ing full rights formurdervictim survivors.

Congratulations to Laurie Schlossnagle,Layton, Utah

Extra Mile Memorial Award[Thisawardwaspresented for thefirst time.]For her dedica-

tion, devotion,and outstandingservice toNation-al POMC for:>Supportingseveral confer-ences;> “Hands on”helpwith theconference; andfor>Going the extramile.

Dorothy Lobes Memorial Award

Presented to aPOMCChapter for outstandingefforts in helping POMCandhomicide-victim survivors.The chapter will have

shown their efforts by suchindications as:> Loyalty to the purposeand ideals uponwhichPOMCwas founded;> Superior programofassistance to survivors ofhomicide-victims;> Outstanding achieve-

Congratulations toColorado FrontRange POMCChapter

[represented by ChapterLeader Phil Clark]

ments in the area of public awareness;> Success in chapter fundraising;> Unfailing support of theNationalPOMCorganization and compliance.with its bylaws;> Current with all paperwork andfunds.

MakingADifferenceMemorialAwardThis award is pre-

sented to an outstand-ing survivor, profes-sional, ororganizationin recognition of theirworkwhich promotesand supports the survi-vors of homicide-victims;The recipient will have

shown their efforts in act-ivites such as:> Promoting and sup-porting the image ofPOMC;> Contributing to thememory of thosewhohave died by violence.

Congratulations toMaryalice Godfrey,

Greater Portland Chapter [representedby Chapter Leader Mary Elledge]

Carolyn Buono (far right) and children (from left)—Leia,Josh, and Kylie Mappes visit Jasmine, the ConferenceTherapy Dog. The two sisters and brother are nieces and

nephew of murder victim Frank Branam.

California Correctional Peace Officers’ Association

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

HowardKlerk (left), GlenBrazeal, Darryl Lee, Mike Kullander, Dan Levey, DennisGreenhalgh,Martin Garza, & TomCamper.

CCPOA staff members once again showed their support of POMC’s vision andmissionwiththeirgenerous$10,000donation.Membersof their staff have ledworkshopsandhaveopenedmany doors into law enforcement circles. Victim survivors have gained much through their

many efforts.

EmptyShoeMemorialAwardSusanKelley-Leiker,Wichita,Kansas

Susan Leiker is a sociologistwith a Masters Degree fromWichita State University.Professionally, she is a SeniorHumanResourcesSpecialist.Sheserves as the Diversity Managerfor the city of Wichita. She hasworked for the city since 1988.

Her brother, Tom, was murdered in 1986 inHolcomb, Kan. She came to POMC's firstConference in 1987 and has never missed aconference. The Orlando Conference was her30th!

With her mother, Corinne Radke, Susan co-founded the Wichita, Kansas POMC Chapter in1988. She has served the Wichita Chapter as aco-founder, co-leader, board member, andadvisor to theboard. Ω

LisaHullingerMemorialAwardSueOsolin, Phoenix,Arizona

Sue's 19-year-old son, Ryan,was murdered Dec. 2, 1997.SuecametoPOMC in1998andfrom 2000-13 served on theValley of the Sun Chapter asmeetingfacilitator,paroleblockcoordinator, and Chapter Co-leader.

Sue served as a POMC ConferenceCommittee Member for POMC NationalConferences held in Phoenix. She is certifiedas a member of the POMC Murder ResponseTeam and has received Effective LeadershipCertification.

Osolin served on the Arizona Board ofExecutive Clemency Board from May 2015 toFeb. 2016 and still volunteers as the Chapter’sFacebook page coordinator. Ω

ExtraMileMemorialAwardLaurieSchlossnagle,Layton,Utah

Laurie is a professional dogtrainer. Her quiet, calm presencewas a cornerstone at several con-ferences: Cincinnati, 2009; Phila-delphia, 2010; Milwaukee, 2011;and Cincinnati, 2013. [See herarticle in theSpring2016 issue.]

One aspect of Laurie’s professional work is intherapy dog and crisis response work—visitingschools, libraries, and assisted living centersregularly,andrespondingtocrisis,disasters,andtraumaswithhercaninecrewofDaisy,Dolly,andDelphie.Anotheristhatofearningmultipletitlesin Rally and obedience competitons. And stillanother ismaintainingadogtrainingbusiness inUtah. Ω

DorothyLobesMemorialAwardPhilClark,Littleton,Colorado

The Colorado Front RangePOMC Chapter started meetingin 1983. Since then, the Chapterhas supported more than 700familieswithgriefemotions,andalso during trial and parolehearings.

Phil and Stasi Clark attended their first meet-

ingin2008,acoupleofmonthsafterthemurderof their 22-year-old daughter, Toni. They’vebeen group members ever since. Phil joined theChapter's Board of Directors in 2011 and waselected as Chapter Leader in 2013.

Overthelastfouryears,Philhasvolunteeredasa Victim Advocate with the Jefferson CountySheriff's Dept. In April, he started full time as aVictimSpecialistwiththeDenverPoliceDept. Ω

MakingADifferenceMemorialAward

MaryaliceGodfrey, Portland,OregonFor 10 years, Maryalice has

written remembrance notes forthe dates of birth and death forloved ones of Greater PortlandArea Chapter members. Thatinvolves supplying paper pro-ductsandinkcartridges,keepingnames, addresses, and dates correct—andthat’s for more than 900 members.

She provided tremendous support in thebuildingoftheOregon/WashingtonMemorialWall. On the Sept. 25th National Day ofRemembrance for Murder Victims, Maryalicegreets people, collects names and addresses,andhelpspeoplefindtheirlovedonesnamesonthe Memorial Wall. Ω

POMC conferences always feature photo boards.

BevWARNOCK

Support for the Parole Block Program:

Parole Block Program SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

Parole BlockTM is a program of theNational Organization of

Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.

With

Convicted murderershave been deniedparole through POMC’sParole Block Programas conducted by thePOMC National Office

and POMCChapters in the US. .

TM

PAROLES DENIED SINCE THEFALL 2016 SURVIVORS

(Continued on p. 9)

1578

Help KeepMurderers Behind BarsWrite letters protesting the parole of thoseconvicted murderers listed in each issueof the SURVIVORS newsletter. Petitionscan also be downloaded from POMC’s

website at www.pomc.org.

• Contact National POMC if your loved onesmurderer is going to be considered for earlyrelease or parole.

• Contact National POMC to be placed on the listof those willing to circulate monthlypetitions.• Support the program by sending yourtax-deductible donation.

HEARING RESULTSBrook Parole Denied

Sept. 22, 2016Dear Bev,

Hope you are doing well.Good news!Ronald Brook had hishearing today, it wasextremely emotional. Theparole board denied himfor another three years,and added an additional15 years on to hissentence!

Thank you again for all ofyour letters, especiallyfrom the Board ofDirectors. The parole

commissionerscommented on the largefile of signed petitionsthat were sent in. It allwas worth every minuteof your hard work and inbehalf of POMC. Ω

Thank you again!We are overjoyed theydenied his parole!

With Sincere BestWishes,

Ed Worthan,

Susan Worthan,Brother & Family, and everyone

else involvedin this case.

Jarrod Chrisman, fromRodney & Susie ChrismanDwayne Chubb, fromAlbert & Dorothy ChubbLori Mann, from

Ronald Brook Kenneth CookJonathan Flores Ricky Knapp

William Scythes Javier Valenzuela

Ann MannTimothy Staunton, from

Denise ColemanLisa Weaver, fromHoward & Ann Klerk

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

HEARINGS TO BE HELDParole Hearing:January 10, 2017

RE: Richard Lockridge

ID#: J48367On July 22, 1991, 28 yearold Kim Martello wasbrutally strangled by herbusiness partner, RichardLockridge. She had goneto the authorities and wasabout to “Blow TheWhistle” on the shadybusiness dealings he wastrying to involve her in.

After strangling Kim, heput her in a cardboardbox, transported her inthe back of her ownpickup truck, and dumpedher on a trash pile in theextreme heat of the PalmSprings desert area. Herdecomposed body wasdiscovered by transientsthree days later. Sheremained a Jane Doe foranother 12 days until shecould be identified bydental records.

After delaying the trial for42 months because hekept changing attorneys,Lockridge was convictedof first degree murder andsentenced to 25-years-to-life in prison. He willhave only served 21 yearsand seven months whenhe is considered forparole.

But Kim's family hasgrieved her for 25 years. Ω

To protest write to:

California Board of ParoleHearings

Attn: Pre-hearingCorrespondence

PO Box 4036

Sacramento, CA95812-4036

--------------------

Parole Hearing:March 2017

RE: Donald Lesak

ID#: A-294597

On May 27, 1994, James M.Dunphy was gunned downby Donald Lesak. On thatday Lesak calmly walkedinto the office of whichJames Dunphy was theUnion President. Jamesagreed to see him—despitethe fact he had receivedexplicit death threats fromLesak—and escorted himinto his office, it is believed,in an attempt to protect hisfellow office workers atCGIU Local #546.

Unfortunately, Lesak washeavily armed with a virtualarsenal of weapons, includinga 357 Magnum. Once in theoffice, Lesak shot James inthe heart. Then he calmlywalked out of the office andleft.

Lesak was found guilty ofmurder with a gun speci-fication. He was sentencedto 15-years-to-life and

three years for the gunspecification. He will haveserved only 21 years whenhe is considered for parole.To this day Lesak hasindicated no remorse orregret for his actions. Ω


Ohio Parole Board

770 West Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43222

--------------------

Hearing:August 2017

RE: IkeLeeBrown, Jr.

ID#: 02093445

TDCJ ID: 00401796

On Oct. 15, 1984, SandieMiller, 18, was beaten,sodomized, raped, andstrangled to death by IkeLee Brown Jr. He leftSandie’s body in a vacantapartment where she wasfound three days later.When he murdered Sandie,he had been out of prisonon parole for 2½ monthsafter serving time for rapeof a minor.

Brown was convicted ofmurder, rape, and rape of achild. He was sentenced tolife in prison. He will haveserved only 33 years whenhe is considered for parole.Ω

To protest, write to:

Angie McCown, Director,Victim Services Division

8712 Shoal Creek Blvd.,Suite 265

PO Box 13401Austin, TX 78711-3401Fax #: (512) 452-0825



Parole Hearing:January 2017

RE: Thomas Opozda

ID#: W97177On April 4, 2008, JoshuaD. Fitzgerald with hisbrother, Patrick, went toan open-mic event wheretheir younger brotherswere performing at aFairhaven, MA. VFW hall.During the event, Joshuabrushed past an eventcoordinator and wordswere exchanged and thesituation escalated.

The brothers were leavingwhen 20/25 people spilledout of the building andJoshua and Patrick ranaround the corner. Thecrowd attacked them.Patrick was stabbed in theback and both werefighting off theirassailants. At some point,Thomas Opozdaintroduced a knife into thesituation.

A friend of theFitzgerald’s, RobertWilliams, was driving bywhen he stopped and thecrowd attacked him.Opozda admitted stabbingat him with his knife. Hethen handed his knife to afriend, who then ran to thecar which the Fitzgerald’swere leaving in andopened the door, stabbedJoshua in the abdomen andpulled him out of the car.

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

[The following letter was written to theExecutive Producer of 20/20. AnnieMcCann’s parents have been waiting foryears to get help on the murder of theirdaughter, 16-year-old Annie. The detec-tives in her case were saying not murder,but suicide. Recent evidence in her caseproved otherwise. The following is an e-mail that The Greater Portland AreaPOMC Chapter sent to them. We willcontinue the story when and if we receivea reply from Mr. Sloan.]

To David Sloan,Executive Producer of 20/20

Dear Mr. Sloan:Twoof ourmembers,Mary Jane and

Dan McCann, entrusted 20/20 to do astory about the unsolved murder oftheir daughter, Annie McCann, whowas murdered Nov. 2, 2008. The caseis still unsolved.Annie’s body was found in Balti-

more alongside a dumpster. Thepolicefound theMcCanns’car. The twoboysdriving itwerenot charged. Theywerereleased with counseling and schoolattendance. Someone else, an adult,was locatedat the scenewhereAnnie’sbody was found, but he was nevercharged. He later murdered anotheryoung woman and is in prison for thatcrime.The police concluded that Annie

died of lidocaine poisoning becausethey found a half-used bottle of Bac-tine near her body. However, themak-ers of Bactine said that ingesting fivefluidouncesofBactinewouldnothavecaused Annie’s death.Dr. Harry Bonnell, a forensic patho-

logist, wrote,“There is far more lidocainefound at the autopsy of Annie thancould possibly have been pro-duced by her ingesting five fluidounces of Bactine and it has a viletaste. No human could ingest it—accidentally, intentionally, or bythe third-party administration—without vomiting. There were nosigns of recent vomiting reportedin the autopsy of Annie.”

Dr. Bonnell added,

“The circumstances underwhichthe teen-aged girl might havelearned or acquired and ingestedlidocaine must be investigated.There is a high probability of cul-pable adult involvement in thisdeath. The investigation into thisdeath was totally inadequate toreach any determination of themanner of death, much less callingit a suicide, or an accident, orruling out homicide.”

20/20 did not use this information inAnnie’s story. Instead, during the last15 minutes, the program presented Dr.BillManion,whodidnot agreewithanyof the other evidence about an olderhalf-bottle of Bactine left at the scene.I understand that you might want to

have had another opinion. But, why didyou not also want to use a doctor’sopinion who testifies across the UnitedStates for homicide cases. You weregiven Dr. Bonnell’s opinion.The mortuary reported that you told

the McCanns that Annie was sodom-ized. You did not include this in the20/20 story. A young girl cannot sod-omize herself. This was pertinent infor-mation. It meant that the police did nothave complete information on the con-dition of Annie’s body. Why did younot report it inyour story?Themortuarydid not have to tell what they found.There were no fingerprints found on

the bottle of half-used Bactine; noresults found on the rape test;evidence was turned over to theMcCanns even though the case is stillsupposed to be open; the letters hadbeen looked at in the beginning; Danand Mary Jane had told and writtenthat there were more letters that theyhad found under her bed; they nevertried to hide the letters; even the FBIagreed that they believed Annie wasnot serious about suicide; the letterthat you had was the one left on thebed; again to experts, she did notsound serious about suicide and thebruising on Annie was neverexplained.You promised not to do what the

police have been doing for over eightyears [“saying not murder, but sui-cide”]. Dan and Mary Jane thoughtthis would help get justice.I amChapter Leader of the Greater

Portland Area Chapter of Parents OfMurdered Children and teach atseveral colleges on the “aftermath ofhomicide.” We have a large Chapterand I have seen many movies madeabout “their stories.” Please considerwhatyoupromised theMcCannsandhelp rectify what this has done tothem. ΩSincerely,Mary ElledgeChapter Leader

Family is revictimized by story told on 20/20

really qualify as an empathizerthrough personal experience.

Don’t ever underestimatethe power of just being there forsomeone else in pain. For mostpeople in pain, the most valu-able take-away and comfort isknowing that someone under-stands what it is like and vali-dates their pain. Even if ourexperiences are unique.

The pay-off for you? Tak-ing the focus off yourself is ahealing experience, which willbring comfort and peace to yourown soul. Ω

-Submitted by ZelFred

There is a saying: “Don’twasteyour pain.”What does it mean tonot waste your pain?For one: loss and pain sensi-

tizes you to thepain of others.Youcan use your pain to effectivelyand sincerely come alongsidesomeone else in pain with realunderstanding. It changes youfrom a sympathizer to an empa-thizer.Sympathy is feeling compas-

sion, sorrow, or pity for the hard-ships that another personencoun-ters,whileempathy isputtingyour-self in the shoes of another, feel-ing what they feel.And in my opinion, you only

Don't Waste Your Pain

MaryELLEDGEBy

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME — GREETINGS:

WHEREAS: The death of a loved one is a difficult experience,and the murder of a child is especially devastating; and

WHEREAS: As a nation devoted to Life, Liberty, and thepursuit of Happiness, America must focus attention onthe families of crime victims who are left to deal withgreat pain and sorrow in the absence of their cherishedloved one; and

WHEREAS: The friends and families of murder victims copewith grief through a variety of support services includingcounseling, crisis intervention, professional referralsand assistance in dealing with the criminal-justicesystem; and

WHEREAS: The designation of a National Day of Remem-brance for Murder Victims on September 25th of eachyear provides an opportunity for the people of theUnited States to honor victims who have been torn awayfrom their lives by homicide and to recognize the effectssuch tragedies have on surviving family members; and

WHEREAS: The State of Arkansas joins with the Central Ar-kansas Chapter of Parents Of Murdered Children, as wellas victim-service programs, criminal justice officials andconcerned citizens throughout the State to rememberthe anguish caused by homicide, to honor the courage ofsurvivors and to help the survivors rebuild their lives;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ASA HUTCHINSON, Governor of theState of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in meby the laws of the State of Arkansas. do hereby proclaimSeptember 25th, 2016, as

NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FORHOMICIDE VICTIMS

across theState,and IencourageallArkansans to joinmein remembering the victims who have been murderedand their families, and to support programs that helpthose who have been devastated by violent tragedies.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand andcaused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to beaffixed this 29th day of August, in the year of our Lord2016.

The Day now is observed by many groups andindividuals not associated with POMC. Many statesissue their own proclamations about special days ofcelebration. Included here (to the right) is theArkansas proclamation.

POMCChapters—andothers—observe the10thNationalDayofRemembrance

28 POMC Chapters43 Non-POMCAgencies

71 TOTAL

Phoenix, AZTucson, AZYuma, AZLittle Rock, ARBerkley, CALong Beach, CALos Angeles, CALos Angeles, CAMonterey Co., CAPalo Alto, CASan Diego, CASan Francisco, CASan Pedro, CASacramento, CAVentura County, CAColorado Springs, CODenver, CODenver, COWilmington, DEFt. Myers, FLHolly Hill, FLJacksonville, FLPalmBeachShores,FLOrlando, FLSarasota, FLAugusta, GAMason City, IAChicago, ILSpringfield, ILSouth Bend, INWichita, KSLowell, MABaltimore, MDAugusta, MEDetroit, MI

Detroit, MISauk Rapids, MNJefferson City, MOKansas City, MOSt. Louis, MODurham, NCAtlantic County, NJBrooklyn, NYBuffalo, NYSchenectady, NYLas Vegas, NVPoughkeepsie, NYCincinnati, OHMt. Vernon, OHMuskogee, OKOregon City, ORHarrisburg, PAPhiladelphia, PAPlains Twp, PAUpper Chichester, PAColumbia, SCSouth Carolina, SCSumter, SCSumter, SCKnoxville, TNMission, TXPharr, TXSan Antonio, TXSt. Thomas, VIBellingham, WALynnwood, WASpokane, WACentral Wisconsin, WIKingwood, W.VA

[There probably are more. These numbers come fromnotices and stories posted online and in printed copy.]

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

We thank the fol-lowing new vol-unteers for thevaluable services

that they will provide to other survivors on behalf ofPOMC, Inc. If you would like more information aboutour volunteer opportunities, please contact SherryNolan, National Volunteer Coordinator, at:

888-818-7662, or [email protected]

SherryNOLANWith

CONTACT PERSONS/CHAPTER LEADERS CORNERHundreds of survivors across the U.S. volunteer

for the National Organization of POMC as ChapterLeaders, Co-Leaders, and Contact Persons. If youare at a point in your life where you are ready toreachout tootherswhohavesufferedthe lossofaloved one due to violence, please contact me.

The following states need someone to offersupport services through phone, email, supportgroup meetings, & court accompaniment, etc. .

AlabamaHawaii

MississippiMontana

1

VOLUNTEERS ARE NOTPAID…NOT BECAUSE

THEY ARE WORTHLESS…BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE

PRICELESS.

CHAPTER NAME STATE FORMED YEARSLos Angeles CA 1/11/12 4Central Minnesota MN 1/16/00 16Greater Cincinnati Area OH 1/25/01 15Dupage Co. & Beyond IL 1/27/05 11Queens NY 2/19/03 13Sumter SC 2/28/14 2Southeast Minnesota MN 3/01/98 18Sacramento Calif. Area CA 3/05/08 8SE Massachusetts MA 3/11/08 8Durham N. Carolina NC 3/25/97 19Southwest Florida FL 4/01/99 17Inland Empire CA 4/22/08 8Central Missouri

Area Wide MO 4/29/08 8Saginaw Co. MI 5/08/13 3Virginia Beach VA 6/06/05 11Chicago Area IL 6/26/04 12Greater Ventura Co. CA 8/11/05 11Greater Orange Co. CA 8/30/05 11Merrimack Valley MA 9/11/06 10South Carolina SC 9/22/01 15San Diego CA 10/03/06 10Tri Co. FL 12/02/13 3Monterey Co. CA 12/31/10 6

POMC CHAPTERS CELEBRATING 1-19 YEARSOR MORE OF OFFERING SUPPORT TOSURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE-VICTIMS

NebraskaNorth Dakota

OklahomaRhode IslandTennessee

UtahVermont

Washington, D.C.Wyoming

new Chapter has joined the National POMCfamily since our last SURVIVORS Newsletter

and has opened its door to offer support:

The Fort Myers Florida-Lee County POMC

ChapterChapter Leader-Angela McClary

(Survivor-Parent)Lehigh Acres, Florida239-839-4348 cell

[email protected]. Anderson, Sr.

(Survivor of Parishioner)Cape Coral, Florida239-898-9794 cell

[email protected]

CP/CL UPDATESIf you have a message of interest, a

great fundraising idea, upcoming Chap-ter events, special awards or recogni-tions received, or ideas that you wouldlike to share with our “POMC family,”please mail them to my attention:

Sherry Nolan at NationalPOMC, or email them to

[email protected] article deadline for the next news-

letter is Feb. 15, 2017. We may not beable to include all of those received inthe next SNL, but may keep them forfuture newsletters. Thanks for what youdo for others through POMC.

We can’t thank you enough forall you did in helping our mothersurvive our tragic loss. POMC meantthe world to her and literally savedher life. Without your love and sup-port she never would have becomethe wonderful woman we all knowand love. She truly was an angel indisguise. Ω

Forever Grateful,

The surviving children ofMata Weber

SURVIVORS

Fall 2016

September 1, 2016We would like to thank you for

being part of Mom’s life. She alwayssaid “with each person I help I healjust a little bit, though I will nevercompletely heal. Knowing that myhelping someone will in turn help themhelp someone else, and that personwill help someone else and if we justkeep helping someone else.”Not everyone “touched” her as you

did, and she was confident that byreaching out to others you will “Carrythe Torch” and continue on making adifference one person at a time.


Remembering Mata WeberWednesday, August 24, 2016

TO: Dan Levey, Sherry Nolan,Beverly Warnock

FROM: Flora FazioRE: Mata WeberI think in my own moment of grief,

I need to reach out to say to you howdeeply saddened I am. I know Matawill be missed at POMC. I’d like tothank you for your support given toher family during her illness.I’ve known Mata for many years.

After inviting her to my class at St.Louis University, we started doingpresentations together at Day of

IN MEMORIAMWe invite notices and photos of those deceased, whohave served as Chapter Leaders, Co-Leaders, or asContact Persons.

ANNETTE BLUMENFELD,(1923-2016), 92, of North MiamiBeach, Fla., died July 25, 2015.Her son, Michael David, wasmurdered Dec. 20, 1979. Annettejoined the Miami/Dade CountyPOMC Chapter and served as aContact Person for 20 years(1995-2015). She received the

Lisa Hullinger Memorial Award in 2004.

LaVERNE SAUNDER FLYTHE, 63 (1952-Jan. 25,2016),ofSuffolk,Va., joined the Virginia Beach POMCChapter soon after the murder of her son, DameyonP. Flythe. Ms. Flythe was activein church and community,serving also as an ambassadorfor a national prison ministry. Inrecent years LaVerne preparedto acheive certification with theNational POMC Organization,intending to open a SuffolkChapter. Cancer postponed herplan.

[Information given byVirginia Beach Chapter Leader Jeanette Richardson.]

ADAM MARIAN BINCER (1930-2016), 86, died Nov.8, 2016, in Fort Myers, Fla. He and his wife, WandaLawendel, survived the Holocaust in Poland, met inStockholm, Sweden as teen-agers, separated whentheir families emigrated to the U.S., married others,but met again when they both had divorced. Theymarried in Atlanta in 1972, settled in Madison, Wis.with Wanda’s three children—Yvonne, Brian, andMichael. Yvonne was murdered in 1983, and theBincers founded the Central Wisconsin Chapter in

1988, serving as Chapter Leadersin the late 1980s and early 1990s. Inretirement, they moved to Florida.Wanda preceded Adam in death in2008.

MATA MARIE WEBER, (1937- 2016) 79, of Belleville,Ill., died Aug. 20 at New AthensHome for the Aged, New Athens, Ill.She was Chapter Leader of the St.Louis Area Wide POMC Chapter formany years. [See following letters.]

Fall 2016

SURVIVORS

POMC hosts , pa r t i c ipa tes inloca l communi ty ce remon iesFORT MYERS, FL — The July 24 Club Blu shooting thatkilled two teens and left 18 others injured sparked a com-munity vigil. On Monday, the day following, townspeople,members of Mt. Hermon and Next Level churches, and theforming Ft. Myers—Lee County POMC Chapter joinedtogether for a vigil in remembrance. Their first meeting as aChapter was held on Aug. 11.

LITTLE ROCK, AR, Sept. 24 — Central Arkansas POMCChapter members observed the National Day of Remem-brance for Murder Victims at the State Capitol stairs. Thosein attendance explained the solace that talking about thecircumstances of their loved ones’ deaths brought them.

KINGWOOD, W VA, Sept. 25 — Stacey Greaser, VictimsAdvocate for the Preston County Prosecuting Attorney’sOffice, presided over theNational Day ofRemembrance forMurder Victims ceremony at the Kingwood Christian Fel-lowship Church. It was the second year the observancetook place in the county.

MT. VERNON, OH, Sept. 23 —This group gathered on the PublicSquare Friday afternoon for A Dayof Remembrance for Victims ofHomicides and to raise the bannerin the background. Kneeling areJanelle and Chloe Ketron. FRONTROW, from left, are Lela Ewart,Diana Oswalt, Victims Advocate,BelindaThompson,SteveThomp-son, Rodney and Susie Chris-

man, Danville Police Officers Cpl.Lisa Lyons and Kevin Henthornand Mt. Vernon Mayor RichardMavis; andBACKROW, Don Lyle,Andrew Angel, and Trish Hesson.The Chrismans are members ofTheGreaterCincinnatiAreaPOMCChapter, helping Ms. Thompsonstart the Day of Remembrance ob-servance in this Ohio town. Ω

LETTERSTOTHE EDITORO’Fallon, Mo., Sept. 3, 2016 — I

was saddened to read of the passingof the long-time leader of the St.Louis Chapter of Parents of Mur-dered Children, Mata Weber.Somehow, in the fog that sur-

rounded our family after the murderof our son in 2010, we found Mata.My wife and I journeyed to St.

Alexius Hospital in St. Louis toattend monthly POMC meetings.There we found people we truly hadsomething in common with.Mata was there to greet us at the

door. She shared her daughter’s tra-gic murder story.

Attendees were genuine when theysaid, “I know how you feel.” Wewere able to give and listen to heart-wrenching testimonials, provided byparents who wished they weren’tqualified to be there. There wereguest speakers who provided keeninsight into the working of the legalsystem.Field trips to St. Louis, ESL City

Hall, and Our Lady of Snows in Belle-ville followed to attend candlelightand memorial services. We met thestate’s and U.S. attorneys up closeand personal.Our son’s case started out at the

top of the unsolved murder stack.With each passing day one or two

cases were piled on. Murder neverends. In 2014-15 St. Clair Countywas listed 21st in the “murder capi-tals” in the U.S.His murder remains unsolved. The

perpetrators could be dead, impris-oned, or still walking the streets.Mata would say we just need to carryon and hope for the break that willlead to successful prosecution. Timemarches on. Ω

Bill Malec[Reprinted by permission of the

Belleview News-Democrat (BND). Anarticle about Mata Weber—by KaitlynSchwers—appeared May 21, 2016 in

Metro-East News. Google it at their webpage: BND.com]

Remembering Mata Weber: 'Saddened by passing'


He returned the knife toOpozda and he disposed ofit. Patrick and RobertWilliams were in criticalcondition and Joshua diedthe next morning.

Opozda was convicted ofmanslaughter and wassentenced to 7-10 yearsand also 1-2 years forassault by means of adangerous weapon. Hewill have only served 8

years when he isconsidered for parole.


Commonwealth ofMassachusetts Executive

Office of Public Safety &Security Parole Board

12 Mercer Road

Natick, MA 01760-2415

Lisa Weaver, fromHoward & Ann KlerkJulie Woodward, fromCicily O’Connor

Comedy & BowlingFundraiser Donations,

Phoenix, AZ

Anderson SecurityAgency

Avondale ToyotaCindi Nannetti

Jeff & Anita CohenEldon DiamonSue Dupee

Rob & Tricia GinisRobyn & Michael

GinisJack & Cyndi Hirsch

Kelly TaftMesa PoliceAssociation

Scott & Andrea QuenMary & John Scoville

Fall 2016

In Loving Memory Of:

The difference between the living and the dead is the difference between the remembered and the forgotten.

Lest We Forget!

SURVIVORS

Adam Camerena, fromVictor & GloriaCamarena

Jarrod Chrisman, fromRodney & Susie ChrismanDwayne Chubb, fromDorothy & Albert ChubbJames Chevedden, from

John CheveddenAnthony (Tony)Fontenot, fromJulia Fontenot

Albert Garland, fromGabriele AroshasTim Garsow, fromPatty Walters

Nelson Goodno, fromTheresa GoodnoJason Griffin, fromAndrea Griffin

Jenny Geuder, fromRonald & Sandra GeuderAlexis Olivia Harris,from Anne Harris

James (Jay) Hitt, fromDeborah Hitt

Zachary Huff, fromKaren Huff

Tara Leann andPamela Lynn Koch,from Richard KochScott Koeppel, fromBarbara Koeppel

Howard Levey, fromDan Levey

Scott Jonathan Lewis andJanet Marie Bunkers,from John & Jean LewisPeggye Marshall, from

June MarshallBrittany McGlone, from

Laurie McVickerKevin McKinley, fromLoretta McKinley

Suzanne Mullen, fromJoan Mullen

Peter Dodd Nichols, fromTerry & Lee FreemanShannon Marie &Alexandra,

Jordan Nolan Broe,from LC & Sherry Nolan

Nancy S. AlbrightArlene AndrewsAppriss, Inc.Melissa BenloloEdward W.BrinkmanCameron J.Broome

Elizabeth H.Carpenter

Josh Castor-ArleNicole M. CavazosKathryn Margaret

ClarkeCarolyn J. Cole

Jefferey ArmstrongPatterson, from

David & Ann PattersonAnthony Pesta, fromRalph & Mildred PestaJose Saucedo, from

Miguel & Rebecca KlineBridie Schaefer & KurtSchaefer, from Peter &Margaret Schaefer

Cynthia Hoge Sedwick,from James & Barbara

SedwickMichael Simmons, fromReginald & LaToyce LeeBenjamin David Sloan,

from Jim SloanEmily Michelle Spence,from Michelle SerranoTimothy Staunton, from

Denise ColemanRonnie Testa, fromStella Behar

Kyle J. Underhill, fromCapital One Services

Denise D. ConradMisholai CrawfordKimberly A. DeemsChristina DiazShauna L. DowdyTalia Ni DufaighPhilip DumasRuth Elliott

Lula Lori EverettIllyssa GordleyKimberlyHendersonI. HernandezJacqueline M.

Hicks

Anthony HolmesCedric V.HumphreyMark Iovino

Kendra A. JacksonLinda JacobsShantell Latrice

JonesLiza LingleSherry LottMichael DanielLumbard

Nicole LuscombeRose Minor

Michelle Moore

Michael OliverLarry OlsonD. L. Ortiz

Delores OwensMartha PanitchAnne Pearson

Dominga C. RayoT. M. RisterRex Robison

Eric W. SchmidtThomas J. SniegCharles W. StoneCarol St. LouisDebbie A.

TemesvaryPocholo Y. TodorJ. A. TrujilloM. M.

TurnerstroudBarbara B. VinsonV. A. VinstonNikki WangTammie

Washington

Gerard D.Woodruff

Individual Charitable Donations [those inblue frombusinesses]

Fall 2016

SURVIVORS

What are victim-impact statements for?(Continued from p. 3)

COLD CASE CORNERMurder victim's familyhas few optionsUnsolved slaying may remain in handsof detectives who mishandled the case

1. Family may want an outside agency to renew theinvestigation. State agencies, however, probably willnot take over a local police department'smurder case.

The Wisconsin Cold Case Review Team, affiliatedwith the Wisconsin Association of HomicideInvestigators, will not accept from a family or anattorney a request to review their case. The Team mayaccept only the investigating agency's request forreview of a cold case.

2.Astate agency dealingwith cold cases usually willstep in only when the local agency asks for help.3.A familymay ask a district attorney and the state’s

attorney general to renew the case, but these officialscannot grant the request unless it comes from thedistrict attorney.

4. A private agency dealing with cold cases mayoffer families a path to follow.

In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Association ofHomicide Investigators cold case review team typicallyoffers advice on six to eight unsolved Wisconsinhomicides annually.The non-profit American Investigative Society of

Cold Cases, nationally, offers free consultation onmurder cases to police agencies, but not to privateindividuals.POMCoffers an independent second-opinion service

to help families of murder victims. In 2014, survivorsaround the country submitted 13 cases for review byindependent pathologists, criminal profilers, and/orseasoned homicide detectives, who look forinconsistencies in interview statements and areaswithin a homicide that may warrant another look.According to POMCExecutive Director Dan Levey,

“We are not the investigative agency. We are not thereto second-guess law enforcement. We are just trying tobe another set of eyes. It can be an effective tool to helpsurvivors.”

In cold cases, Levey advises families to keep thecase before the public and, if possible, consideroffering a reward for leads that may lead to a con-viction. Ω

> About how much of every day do you feel sad?> Do you feel more tired than you did before the crime?> Have you been diagnosed with depression, anxie-ty, post-traumatic stress disorder, or any other stress-related illness since the crime?

> Are you on any medications for those conditions?> Have you considered suicide since the crime?> Have relationships been difficult since the crime?> How has it affected your family life?> Has your view of the world as a safe and fair placechanged since the crime?

> Has your spirituality changed since the crime?> Have you had difficulty completing day-to-dayactivities that are related to circumstances of thecrime?

> If you have children who have been impacted by thiscrime, consider the following questions:

>Howhasyour child been emotionally impactedby thiscrime?

> Has your child regressed developmentally as a resultof this crime?

> How has your child’s school performance changed?> How has your child’s relationship with family mem-bers and friends changed?

> Has your child required counseling? If so, how hasit helped? If not, why not? Ω

[Based upon MADD’s Victim Impact Statement Booklet.]

Remembrance and Victims Rights Week. Later, formore than eight years, Mata was a guest lecturer for myVictimology class at St. Charles Community College.My students came to love her and would inquire of hereven after they graduated. We shared twice a year, in theclassroom and lunch afterwards.I left the college last year to complete my doctoral

degree. Mata was such encouragement for me; but, Ihad to drop coursework and come home to care forBenny. Mata would always call to check on us. WhatI'm saying is that Mata was a leader who cared aboutothers in every aspect of the word caring. She gave somuch of herself. I think this email has helped me. Myheart is full and my eyes overflow now. Thank youfor your time. Ω

Flora

FROM: Flora Fazio — RE:Mata Weber(Continued from p. 13

Fall 2016

SURVIVORS

POMC’s 2009 Conference Logo inspiresthe 2016 Cincinnati monument

CINCINNATI—TheGreaterCincinnati Area POMC Chapterstaged its commemoration of the2016 National Day ofRemembrance for Murder Victimsby unveiling its “years-in-the-making” monument.Located in the Spring Grove

Cemetery grounds (fourth largestcemetery in the U.S.), the monumentnear the heart of the park-likecemetery forest provides a restfulplace to reflect upon the changes inone's life journey.The culmination of years of raising

funds for the monument, arrangingwith cemetery officials for a properlocation, and settling upon a fittingdesign, revealed a different themefor this reminder of lives lost toviolence.Several POMC Chapters—among

others in this country: Augusta,Maine; Oregon City, Ore.—GreaterPortland Area; Owasso, Oklahoma;—use the concept of names mountedupon the monument. When themonument is full, another sectionneeds to be erected for more names.The Cincinnati Chapter’s

monument is based upon a different

Over the Cincinnati skyline floats the2009 original logo, showing the en-closed city and support group as opento those with broken hearts.

Transferring the design to stoneembodies the homicide-victims’ sur-vivors intention never to forget thosehere memorialized.

Brandy Nolan Caramico, who survivesher sister and unborn niece, designedthe monument to honor them andothers stolen away by violence.

Parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, and their own children, came todedicate this fitting memorial monument on Sept. 25. 2016 — the National Day ofRemembrance for Murder Victims, set aside by Congressional Resolution.Included in the crowd were victim service providers and law enforcementprofessionals.

concept. The open space inthe monument’s upperlefthand is an open door,inviting bereaved survivors,families, and friends, tocome in to what has becomehallowed ground. No matterhow many come, nothingwill limit the numberenvisoned by the open spacein the monument. Ω

Motherandchildsearch for thenameplateandwall panelnumber of someone dear to them.

Fall 2016

SURVIVORS

How do we describe the parents of amurdered child? First, we must not bedeceived into thinking that all want togo out and return the favor! Some ofcourse feel enormous revenge; butmost people are not vengeful people.They are instead

• scared people—scaredofpossi-ble revenge inflicted upon them by amurderer still at large. They are

• hurt people—hurt severely by

having their most prized possessionripped from their grasp in a mostgruesome way. They are people in

• pain—great pain—more painthan those of us who have never beenthrough it can imagine, a pain so deepthat for many there appears to be nosurface to it. They are

• frustratedpeople—frustratedbythe layers of bureaucracy known as thecriminal justice system,which essenti-ally treats them as nonentities, with norights. They are also people

• alone—alone in a world wherethey can find fewothers in the immedi-ate environmentwho reallyunderstandtheir torment and who are willing toallow them to share their deepest feel-ings and sensations.

“It seems that only when they en-counter others who are like them-selves in terms of sharing a similarexperience in life can they find con-

A PlaceThere is a place

A safe place for griefto be expressed.

Grief - with all of itsraw,

component pieces.Raw grief, with

its shockits powerlessness

its downnessits guilt

Just What Kind of People Are theParents of Murdered Children?

its angerits injustice

its saturating pain.Have you felt it?

Any of it?And you know what?

IT IS OK!At this place

This safe place for griefto be expressed.

At POMC.[Jean Lewis: Taken fromThanks For Asking.]

tentment and some sense of security inrealizing that what they feel andexperience is indeed normal, and thatthey are not insane or rapidly becom-ing so.” Ω

[From Beyond Endurance: When A ChildDies, by Ronald J. Knapp, 104-05]

Charlotte Hullingertells a crowd aboutthe kind of peoplePOMC-ers are. Shespoke at the Ham-ilton County obser-vance of the Nation-al Crime Victims'Rights Week cere-mony at the Cincin-nati YWCA.

REMINDER:Has something changed?

Please let POMC know if yourname, address, city, state, phonenumber(s), or email address havechanged. Call us toll free at: (888) 818-7662 or e-mail to:

[email protected]

Fall 2016

SURVIVORS

FRONT ROW, (left to right): Rev.Dr. Rickey L. Anderson, Sr. (FortMyers Florida-Lee CountyChapter); Colette Krinock(Peninsula South Bay Chapter);Angela McClary (Fort MyersFlorida-Lee County Chapter).

MIDDLE ROW, (left to right):Maria Martinez (Kansas City AreaWide Chapter); Susan Fitzgerald(SoutheasternMassachusettsChapter); Donna Narez (Los Angeles Chapter);Mildred Stewart (Queens Chapter); April Jones(Tri County Chapter); Erma J. Boyd-Dorsey (FortMyers Florida-Lee County Chapter).

TOP/BACK ROW, (left to right): ELT TrainerHoward Klerk(President National Board ofTrustees); Betty Bradwell (Tri County Chapter);Marquita Clardy (Minnesota Hope Chapter);Denise Brewer (Valley of the Sun Chapter);Carolyn Longstreet(Miami-Dade Chapter); SusanMcGhee (Queens Chapter); Tania Faustin-Prophete (Fort Myers Florida-Lee County Chapter).

Not pictured (other trainers): Terrie Jacoby (VicePresident National Board of Trustees); BevWarnock (National Office Manager); Sherry Nolan(National Office Volunteer Coordinator/ChapterDevelopment).

POMC trains 15 attendees at the Effective LeadershipTraining held before the Orlando ConferenceTraining now is given days before

the annual Conference

SURVIVORS CONGRATULATESThe Central Arkansas

POMC Chapter

LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Central ArkansasPOMC Chapter was nominated to be the latestwinner of the Spirit of Arkansas Award and won!The law firm of Rainwater, Holt and Sextonattorneys Mike Rainwater (left) and Bob Sexton(right) present the $500 check to the Chapter’sVictim Advocate Amy Stivers and ContactPerson Elaine Colclasure. Outside of its lawpractice, the firm has partnered with KATV-TV,Channel 7, in Little Rock for the Spirit of ArkansasAward that goes to a nonprofit organization.

National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.Published three times annually by Parents Of Murdered

Children, Inc., 4960 Ridge Ave., Suite 2, Cincinnati, OH 45209Phone (513) 721-5683

Webpage: www.pomc.org

Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.

For the families and friends of those who have died by violence4960 Ridge Ave, Suite 2Cincinnati, OH 45209

20/20 revictimizes Family......10...>Don't waste your painPOMC observes National Day of

Remembrance.......................11>Arkansas proclamation

Contact Persons/Chap. LeadersCorner...........................12

....>Chapters observe 1-19 years

....>New Chapter in FloridaIN

MEMORIAM ..................13....>Remembering Mata WeberPOMC in community rites......14

>Saddened By Passing

INSIDE

Co-founder K. Czillinger............1>Is There Justice?

Dan Levey's farewell...............2Victim-impact statements......3

>What to include in statement

From the Board Room...............4....>Sheriff sees POMC in Orlando

as fateful presenceMurder Wall donations and

names added.................5National POMC awards.............6-7

PAROL BLOCK PROGRAM..........8-9....>Petitions, Results

Donations .....................15

Few options for family.......16Conference monument logoinspired on Sept. 25.......17

What are POMC-ers like?...18....">"A Place," by Jean LewisEffective Leadership

Training......................19>SURVIVORS congratulates

.... Arkansas Chapter

survivors fall 2016 fall 2016.pdf · compliant. so are solved murders providing any more peace of...

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