VICTIMS OF CRIME AND LENIENCY 422 South Court Street P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, 36103

VOCAL NEWSLETTER

Volume 18 ~ Issue 1 December 2017

A NOTE FROM STATE DIRECTOR, JANETTE GRANTHAM

Rock and Roll! VOCAL has been rocking and rolling since our last newsletter. The VOCAL 7th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was a rocking good time. Congratulations to our winners. First Place Winners were Bill Adair, Doug Gissendanner, Nick Massey, and Milton Lay. Bill Adair’s team also won in 2015 and 2016. They are good! The Second Place Winners did not fill out all their BOARD OF DIRECTORS names, but the names I have are S. Lander, Ray Worley, and S. Yarrma. Third Derrick Cunningham, Chair Montgomery County Sheriff Place Winners were David Chadwick, Brett Fillister, Ross Barrett, and Russ

DA Bill Adair, Jr. Barrett. Thanks to all the players who came out and supported VOCAL. I truly 14th Judicial Circuit believe it was a fun time for all. Lunch was catered by Smokin’ S BBQ in Ms. Pennie Buckelew Victim Representative Wetumpka, and boy was it good. Again this year we had some great door prizes.

DA Pamela Casey If you missed it, be sure to join us next year on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 41st Judicial Circuit the Quail Walk Golf Course. Thanks to all of our sponsors. VOCAL could not Ms. Jessica Cotton Childs exist without your support. A list of the sponsors is in this newsletter. Be sure to Lecturer, Troy University check out the folks who care about crime victims. Ms. Vonciel Dodson Victim Representative After the golf tournament, we rolled to our 35th Anniversary Celebration.

Sheriff Matt Gentry VOCAL was formed as a non-profit on November 15, 1982. On November 2, Cullman County th 2017 at the Capital City Club, we had our 35 Anniversary Celebration. A huge DA Richard Minor 30th Judicial Circuit crowd joined VOCAL as we honored Miriam Shehane. Miriam was one of the

Mr. Jerry Renfroe founding members of VOCAL, and she is the last warrior standing. Jere Beasley Victim Representative was our keynote speaker. He was very entertaining! I am sure everyone there now Ms. Diane Walden knows “not to get too big for our britches.” Thanks Jere! You made the night very Victim Representative special for Miriam. She was “Queen for a Day.” A special thanks to Alva Lambert Mr. Mike Weeks Member at Large who served as our emcee, Senator who introduced the keynote

Ms. Miriam Shehane speaker, Boyd Wigham who blessed our meal, and their beautiful wives. It was a Founder terrific night. Be sure to check out this newsletter for a list of all the celebration STAFF sponsors. Thanks to Attorney General Steve Marshall, DA Richard Minor, DA

Janette Grantham Chris McCool and Troy King who are Warriors for Justice. State Director National Crime Victims Week is April 8-14. The State Vigil will be Friday, Counselors Teaonna Watson April 13th. Please make your plans to join us as we remember our love ones. Hannah Banach Congratulations to Darleen Hutchinson-Biehl who was appointed by President Court Advocates Kourtnie Nelson Trump to serve as Director of the Office of Crime (OVC) in Washington, D.C. Beckie Schuler Darleen will be missed here in Alabama.

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CHAPTER NEWS Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) is a 501(c)3 non-profit CENTRAL ALABAMA CHAPTER organization which was established in 1982. VOCAL is an advocacy group for Central Alabama Chapter members Ronnie and Vonciel Dodson and victims’ rights consisting of concerned Mitzie Wheat protested parole for Brian Heath Smith on November 8. citizens, victims of crime and their Smith killed Carl Doss in 1989, and parole was denied for five years. families, law enforcement officers, Ms. Johnnie Doss Page, who served as chapter president for many years, attorneys, and others interested in was so thankful to the parole board for denying his parole. reducing crime and improving the plight of its victims. The chapter was prepared to support Susan Knight in November in the Shelby County trial for her ex-husband. On the day jury selection State Chapter was scheduled to begin, Louis Henry Knight entered guilty pleas to Director: Janette Grantham aggravated assault and attempted murder and was sentenced to serve 25 Physical Address: 422 S. Court Street years. Susan was satisfied with the plea and relieved that she did not have Montgomery, Alabama Phone: 334-262-7197 to testify. Toll Free: 800-239-3219 The trial that was scheduled for September in Chilton County was Fax: 334-834-5645 Email: [email protected] continued. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, Alabama 36103 SHOALS CHAPTER

Central Alabama Chapter As our new VOCAL year has begun, our chapter continues to provide support for upcoming trials. In October we provided support for the Owens House, 22747 Hwy. 25 Columbiana, 2 p.m., 2nd Saturdays in family of Charles Perkins, who was murdered by Alfonso Jarmon. Mr. Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec Perkins in earlier years had attended VOCAL, as his daughter had been President: Mitzie Wheat Phone: 205-283-9719 murdered. His family remembered the group and was thankful for our Email: [email protected] support again. Alfonso was convicted of murder and will be sentenced Mailing Address: 35124 Hwy. 31 on December 6, 2017. Calera, Alabama 35040

In October some members attended Connie Ridgeway Day in East Alabama Chapter Rogersville Alabama along with Lauderdale County District Attorney President: Diane Walden Chris Connolly and Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton. Connie Email: [email protected] was murdered in October 2015. There has not yet been an arrest made Mailing Address: P. O. Box 31 for this murder. Some members attended Hope for the Holidays in the Lafayette, AL 36962

Shoals. Healing Place of the Shoals provides this every year in Gulf Coast Chapter November and invites various support groups to participate. 1070 Hwy. 59, Summerdale, AL 36580 Shoals VOCAL continues to support the Danny Sledge family. On 3rd Thursday, 6 pm November 22, 2017 a Status Conference for Nathan Boyd on Scotus President: Tracey Wilson Goens Phone: 251-533-6832 ruling of juveniles sentenced to LWOP was held the Lauderdale County. Email: [email protected] Judge Self issued an order setting the re-sentencing for March 8-9, 2018. Mailing Address: 27670 US Hwy. 98, #28 This is hard for the Sledge family to have to go through this all again. Daphne, AL 36526

We are still awaiting a ruling in the Evan Miller Scotus sentencing in North Central Alabama Lawrence County Alabama. This family has been waiting for months on Home of DA Pamela Casey a ruling. In Colbert County, the trial for Erica Fox in the Capital Murder Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. of Jason Fox is scheduled now for 2018. President: Wilburn Beavers Phone: 205-363-0444 Please continue prayers for Shoals member Janice Bevis while she Email: [email protected] continues to recover from various surgeries and cancer treatments. Janice Mailing Address: 865 Beavers Road is improving. Blountsville, AL 35031 PAGE 3 VOCAL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017

COUNSELOR’S CORNER River Region Chapter

VOCAL Angel House There are times when there are too few words left to heal us, when what we 422 South Court Street, Montgomery wish for is to be carried, when all we have left is the hope that tomorrow will 2nd Sunday, monthly, 2 p.m. President: Lester Ezekiel be a more gentle place to land than today. As we get closer to the holidays, I Phone: 334-514-6862 just want you to know that VOCAL will forever remember the victims during Email: [email protected] Mailing Address: P.O. Box 240624 this time and we’ll be always available for individual counseling. Although this Montgomery, Alabama 36124 may be a tough time for most, just know that your loved one will always be

Shoals Chapter with you through peace, love and comfort.

Florence Lauderdale Public Library Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on, and cherished memories 350 N. Wood Ave., Florence never fade because a loved one’s gone. Those we love can never be more that 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 5 p.m. President: Patsy Michael a thought apart. For as long there is a memory, they’ll live on in our hearts. - Phone: 256-777-0482 Author Unknown Email: [email protected] Teaonna Watson, VOCAL Counselor Mailing Address: 18443 Dement Rd. Athens, Alabama 35611 Phone 334-262-7197; Email [email protected] Facebook: VOCAL Shoals Chapter

St. Clair Chapter “Tears for the Holidays”

St. Clair Co. Courthouse, Suite 221 The holidays bring such joy to many but they can also bring feelings of grief, 1815 Cogswell Ave., Pell City Bi-monthly 6 p.m. sorrow, and painful longing for others. In our culture, the months of November President: June Hodges through January are known as a time to bring the whole family “home for the Address: P.O. Box 1763 holidays”. Songs such as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and sounds of Pell City, AL 35124 Phone: 205-229-2104 or 338-9429 coworkers and friends making plans to be all together with their families often Email: [email protected] brings stings and stabs of pain to those of us who have lost a loved one. For Facebook: St Clair VOCAL those people, the holidays will be forever changed and can be the most The VOCAL Newsletter is published depressing time of the year. In my own family, we just said goodbye to our quarterly in March, June, September, beloved Aunt who was the glue to our family and one of the most selfless and December by Victims of Crime and Leniency. Annual membership dues persons I have had the pleasure of knowing. She planned our family holidays include subscription. Send news items to complete with unique games, party themes and costumes, food, and even Santa Editor Mitzie Wheat at [email protected]. Clause coming to her house to visit all of the children. Christmas will not be the same but we have determined, as a family, to carry on her traditions and selflessness because that is what has kept our family so strong and loving over the years. That is exactly what she would have wanted. I would like to encourage you this holiday season if you are suffering from the longing pain of a lost loved one. This pain that you feel is representative of how great a love you have for them. Instead of focusing on the pain, focus on the love. Try to think of the good memories and of how your loved one would want you to spend the holidays if he or she was here. Did they have a favorite tradition or meal? Carry it on in honor of them. Did they love to give, like my own Aunt Tracey? Make it a point to adopt a family for Christmas and buy them groceries or presents. Did they love to watch a certain movie or play a favorite song? Watch it or play it in their honor. Cook the food. Eat the dessert. Give the gifts. Send the Christmas cards. Go home to your family. You might be surprised how your heart may heal a little more. And over this holiday season, please take comfort in knowing that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that if you need someone to talk to or just to cry to, I am only a phone call, email, or Facebook message away. With Love, Hannah Banach, VOCAL Counselor Phone 334-262-7197; Email [email protected]

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VOCAL’S 35TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF MIRIAM SHEHANE

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

DECEMBER 2017 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 2017 VOCAL Charity Golf Classic Sponsors

DA Patrick B. Jones, III Buffalo Rock Pepsi, Montgomery Miriam Shehane 20th Judicial Circuit Memorial for Quenette Shehane Jere Beasley DA Richard Minor Miriam Shehane 30th Judicial Circuit Wiregrass Angel House Memorial for Jon Shehane

DA Kirke Adams AKD Screenprinting & Embroidery Jan Randolph 33rd Judicial Circuit Memorial for Bennie Rudd DA Tom Anderson DA Bill Adair 12th Judicial Circuit Marty Trussell 14th Judicial Circuit Memorial for Rob Trussell Senator Cam Ward DA Chris McCool Diane Walden 24th Judicial Circuit Alabama Attorney General Memorial for Marion Stone Steve Marshall East Ala. VOCAL Chapter Bill Chandler Central Alabama VOCAL Chapter DA Pamela Casey Pea River Electric Cooperative 41st Judicial Circuit River Region VOCAL Chapter Alice Martin for Senator Billy Beasley Mike Weeks Alabama Attorney General

Alabama Sheriff’s Assoc. Bowen Wilson dba ServPro DA Michael Jackson 4th Judicial Circuit Denny & Johnnie Kimbrel Representative Steve Clouse Memorial for Darryl Kimbrel First Exchange Bank Janette Grantham DA Randall Houston Memorial for Sheriff Neil Grantham Ron & Vonciel Dodson 19th Judicial Circuit Memorial for Desta Dodson Byrd Bill Adair, Jr. DA Ben Reeves Memorial for Bill Adair, Sr. Linda Lou Brackin 3rd Judicial Circuit Memorial for Brice Brackin Linda Jackson Senator Jabo Waggoner Memorial for David Cody Brown Pennie Buckelew Memorial for Michael Jason Buckelew City of Clio Beasley Allen Attorneys at Law Doris Dease Southeast Woods Memorial for Jim Dease Miriam Shehane Memorial for Edward Shehane Roger Stokes

Benefiting Victims of Violence in Alabama

PAGE 6 VOCAL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017 Charity Golf Classic

Quail Walk Golf Course, Wetumpka - September 21, 2017

DECEMBER 2017 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 7

START PREPPING FOR NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK

Theme Poster and Palette Released

The National Center for Victims of Crime and OVC are pleased to announce that the 2018 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Theme Poster and Palette are now available for download. It's not too early to start preparing for this important week.

Theme: Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims Colors: Navy, Pink, and Teal Dates: April 8-14, 2018

This year’s NCVRW theme emphasizes the importance of inclusion in victim services. To reach all victims, we must expand our circle by building relationships, removing barriers, and engaging our community.

Sign up for the NCVRW mailing list to receive a 22” x 28” paper copy of the Theme Poster, as well as emails regarding the 2018 Resource Guide, the National Crime Victims' Service Awards Ceremony, and future National Crime Victims' Service Award nomination periods. Visit the OVC's NCVRW webpage (https://ovc.ocjrs.gov/ncvrw) for additional information.

MEMBERSHIP

October is membership renewal month. Please complete the membership form and send it with your dues to your local chapter. If you do not have a local chapter, send form and dues to the state chapter at the address below. VOCAL - Victims of Crime and Leniency, P.O. Box 4449, Montgomery, Alabama 36103 2017 – 2018 Name ______Title ______Agency or Organization Address City ______State ______ZIP Telephone (Office) ______(Home) ______Email Victim’s Name ______My Relationship to Victim Date of Crime ______Nature of Crime City and County of Crime (City) ______(County) Type Membership: Regular $25 Agency/Organization $50 Are you available and interested in volunteer work? Yes No CIRCLE CHAPTER: Central Alabama East Alabama Gulf Coast North Central River Region Shoals St. Clair

VOCAL – Victims of Crime and Leniency NON-PROFIT The Quenette Shehane Counseling Center ORGANIZATION 422 South Court Street, P.O. Box 4449 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Montgomery, Alabama 36103 PERMIT NO. 281 MONTGOMERY AL Phone: 334-262-7197 Toll Free: 800-239-3219 Fax: 334-834-5645 Website: www.vocalonline.org Facebook: Montgomery VOCAL

POSTMASTER: RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

DONATIONS - VOCAL appreciates the faithful contributors who support our efforts in assisting crime victims. Your donations make it possible for us to provide more support to victims and are tax deductible.

In memory of Patricia Collum In memory of Carolyn Helms In Memory of Chris Smith Mitzie Wheat Jere Beasley George Smith Janette Grantham In memory of Evaughn Gould Mitzie Wheat In Memory of Lee Story Mitzie Wheat Karen & Lee Story In Memory of Ronnie Holman Patricia Jones Donna Bush Patrick Roberts Brenda Kelly Betty Holman Anne Seymour

VICTIM Attorney General’s Office Department of Corrections Alabama Crime State of Alabama CONTACTS of Victim Assistance Jeff Dunn, Commissioner Victims Compensation Board of Pardons & Paroles Commission Phil Bryant, Exec. Director

501 Washington Avenue P.O. Box 301501 Governor P.O. Box 302405 Montgomery, AL 36130 301 South Ripley Street Dr. Cassie Jones State Capitol Montgomery, AL Montgomery, AL 36130 Director 36130-2405 Montgomery, AL 36130 Sarah Green, Director Rhonda Carter Constituent Services 334-353-3871 P.O. Box 231267 Pam Bye, Director Victim Services Rep. Constituent Services www.doc.state.al.us Montgomery, AL 334-242-7300 36123 334-242-8050 334-242-7100 1-800-626-7676 State inmate parole info. 1-800-541-9388 Fax 334-353-7701 1-800-591-4217 www.ago.state.al.us 1-888-726-9799, Option 4 www.acvcc.state.al.us www.paroles.state.al.us