Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. VALLEY OF THE SUN CHAPTER F “For the Families & Friends of those who have died by violence” P.O. Box 39603 Phoenix, AZ 85069-9603 (602) 254-8818 Chapter E-mail: [email protected] * National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. (POMC) 4960 Ridge Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45209 (513-721-5683) Fax (513-345-4489) http://www.pomc.com/phoenix/index.html Toll Free Number (888) 818-7662 Volume 21; No. 11 November 2012 MONTHLY MEETING LOCATIONS Grief support meetings EASTSIDE November 27, 2012 7pm CRIME VICTIMS LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT Free legal aide to help assert victims' rights through Arizona Voice for Crime Victims @ (602) 258-1812, P.O. Box 875920, Tempe, AZ 85287-5920 or contact Mary Wallace at [email protected]. (4th TUESDAY of each month) Special Note: For the Eastside Support Group Meeting, please consider bringing nonperishable/canned food items to donate to the church. SPEAKER/INFORMATION MEETING November 13, 2012 7 PM (2nd Tuesday of the month) Mountain View Lutheran Church 11002 S. 48th Street, Phoenix (1/2 mile west of I-10 at 48th Street & Elliot) Room 8 Facilitator: Mari Bailey (602) 405-7401 [email protected] Co-facilitator: Mark & Sandy LeGault (480) 242-0038 WESTSIDE ****NOTE: NEW LOCATION**** Sojourner Center, 2330 East Fillmore St., 24th Street not far off Loop 202 Speaker Meeting this month will feature Dr. Sandi Howlette, Grief Specialist from Hansen's Mortuaries. She will present "Getting Through the Holidays.” November 27, 2012 7pm (4th TUESDAY of each month) Antioch Church of God in Christ 9600 West Peoria Avenue NW Corner just off Loop 101 Facilitator: Beckie Miller (623) 582-2406 Co-facilitator: Kathy Hernandez (623) 707-6825 1 NEWSLETTER EDITOR Cynthia Harvey 602-482-8329 Mail Memorial Page items for “The Journey”, by the 10th of the month prior to publication to: POMC Editor 1925 E. Vista Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85022 Payment for articles should be mailed to the P.O. Box address listed on the newsletter heading. You can also email items to [email protected] Be sure to place any article/picture in an attachment, otherwise it can’t be accessed properly (especially pictures) and may not be used. Also be sure to put POMC newsletter in the subject line of the email or it may be overlooked. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.” Millie Alexander November, 1983 Xavier F. Valdez November 5, 1994 Richard Falconi November 9, 1997 Roberto Enrique Esquivel November, 2002 Guillermo Rodriguez November 5, 2005 Rozalind Guss November, 2007 Kyle Alexander Weis November 5, 2007 Jimmie Southall November 10, 1990 & Sister Paula Irons November 15, 2003 Connie Searing November, 2010 Anthony Nathaniel Angstadt November 5, 2007 Brad Hansen November 10, 1995 Alexis, Friend of Amanda November, 2011 Justin Spencer November 5, 2009 Jose Bandin November 10, 1996 Rhenda Lou Adams November 1, 2002 Dawn Baltimore-Hawkins November 6, 1998 Robert Marcos Samarripas November 10, 2007 Tajuana Davidson November 2, 1993 Michael Metz November 6, 2002 Michael Landeros November 11, 2007 Laurence L. Lawrence, Jr. November 2, 2010 Carlos Ramirez November 6, 2002 Rogelio Delreal November 11, 2008 Howard Levey November 3, 1996 Jeffrey Scott Heinze November 6, 2009 Laurence Lee Lawrence, Jr. November 11, 2010 Michael Jeffries November 3, 2001 Joseph Lee Perea November 7, 2002 James Michael Petty, Jr. November 12, 2004 Randall Goodwin November 3, 1999 Kerrie Almond November 8, 1995 David Liu November 13, 1994 Lee Danae Laursen November 4, 2005 Chip Schubert November 8, 2006 Mariano J. Guzman November 13, 2005 Paul Findley November 5, 1994 Shelby Jane Bays November 9, 2007 2 Carlos “Justin” Garcia November 13, 2006 Felicia Alarcon November 17, 2007 Harold “Hal” Randolph Bone November 23, 1995 Beverly Gayle November 14, 1960 David Nicholas Montoya November 18, 2007 Robert Garcia, Jr. November 24, 1994 Presciliano Ruiz Johnson-Mariscal November 14, 2008 Servando Licona Espinosa November 19, 1999 Anthony Martinez November 24, 1997 Brian Pugh November 14, 2008 Whisper Cox November 19, 2006 Tami Kay Potter November 25, 2005 Susan Gail Clow November 15, 1989 Erik Busch November 19, 2006 Beatrice Tovar November 26/27, 2000 Theresa Diane Cook November 15, 1998 Brian Mann November 19, 2010 Alexander Niazi November 26, 2009 Edward “Mark” Martin, Jr November 15, 2005 Alejandro Meza Zazueta November 21, 2005 Molly Murphy Elliott November 27, 1996 Whisper Brewer November 15, 2006 Michael Allen Lemay November 22, 2000 Brad Martinez November 28, 1997 Daniel Lee Hurt November 16, 2002 James Martinez, Jr. November 22, 2004 Melinda Gabrielle Landeros November 28, 2008 Yvonne Washington November 16, 2007 Ronald Ray Grenz November 22, 1994 Richard Gray November 30, 2010 Servando Licona Espinosa November 17, 1999 Robert Prologo November 22, 1998 Carl Anello, Jr. November 17, 2007 Brandon Michael Selph November 23, 2004 3 *Every effort is made to ensure accuracy on this page. Please call ASAP with changes. VALLEY OF THE SUN CHAPTER NEWS TRIAL & JUDICIAL & ARREST UPDATES ●The trial for the killer of Jeremy Brewer, son of Bonnie Ellery began August 7, and has ended with a guilty verdict. One of the perpetrators plea bargained and his sentencing was September 7. The one on trial was sentenced on September 27 and received a life sentence without parole - Life Means Life. ● Trial for the killer of Cody Joe Cordova, son of Debra Harms began September 27. Though charged with first-degree murder the jury found him guilty of second-degree. His sentencing hearing will be November 6. ● There was an arrest in the murder of Javier Pereida, brother of Yoana Romero, who was killed August of 2011 in Tucson. ● The trial for the killer of Kyleigh Sousa, daughter of Karen Zitzow, began in October. ● The killer of Carol Anello, Jr., who was previously convicted and sentenced, appealed and got a second trial based on the jury knowing his priors during the first trial. He was found guilty of manslaughter, rather than the original second-degree murder, but during the sentencing the judge gave him 21 years with the maximum to be served, not 85%. ● The alleged perpetrator in the murder of Joey Gonzales, brother of Mary Ann, has finally been arrested after nearly 12 years. Joey was twenty-years old and killed December of 2000. ● The killer of Zachary Marco, son of Claudia and Dan Marco, has accepted a plea agreement and will be sentenced in November. “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with each and every family member as they endure this necessary but difficult process.” IN LOVING MEMORY GIFT DONATIONS (THANK YOU!) (*All donations are tax deductible: Our chapter exists on the generosity of others and grants) If you would like to have your loved one’s name listed here each and every month like some are all you need do is contribute a small amount monthly to the chapter in their loving memory to do so). Some below do in-kind contributions such as working in the POMC Office or donating the fax-line etc. Some give their restitution checks to POMC. ♥ Debbie Spencer in very loving memory of her son, Justin Spencer. ♥ Cynthia Clark-Harvey in very loving memory of her daughter, Erica. ♥ Don & Beckie Miller in very loving memory of their son, Brian Ray Miller. ♥ Carolee Holbrook in very loving memory of her son, Brett Holbrook. CORPORATE & OTHER DONATIONS THANK YOU! UNITED WAY (Note: the write in number to designate funds to our chapter through your employee contributions is 0772) You must use this number for designating any funds to go to our chapter. Our chapter name is not listed except by number. AMERICAN EXPRESS: donated by Lindison Webb in memory of Edwood Webb and in honor of Emily and Nigel Potter. COLD CASE REGISTRY FOR HOMICIDES The Phoenix Police Department now has a Cold Case Registry on line. The link is http://phoenix.gov/police/investigations/coldcase/index.html. The second phase of this website project will eventually include a searchable listing of cold cases with a brief synopsis of each case. Interested persons can then send us information on the case or be routed to Silent Witness should they want to do so. Hopefully, this will generate more tips and leads and move more cases to successful resolution. Many family members just need to know their loved one's case is still open, and hopefully this will give them solace that the case is not forgotten. 4 Chapter news cont’d SPEAKER INFORMATION MEETING This month's meeting featured Jan Upchurch, Director of Victim Services at the Arizona Department of Corrections and she spoke to our members about what her office does for victims of crime. Jan's husband, a DPS officer was killed by a drunk driver and she began her career helping crime victims that eventually led her to the Department of Corrections. One question asked of Jan was if an inmate is being moved to another facility, another state, do victims have any say in it and no it is up to the department whether or not to move them. Jan mentioned her office staff will also go with victims to parole and our commutation hearings if you contact her. Restitution came up and the frustrations crime victims often feel with getting that. DOC has come a long way in making sure, if the inmate receives money from family or friends and or works in prison that restitution (when court ordered) is taken out and reaches the victims. However, once the inmates are released from prison there is no control over them paying restitution. A suggestion was a law being passed that would allow judges to send them back to prison if they are not trying to pay their restitution. Hum!? If you have a question or concern regarding inmates please contact Jan at the Office of Victim Services for the Arizona Department of Corrections at 602-542-1853 or email www.azcorrections.gov. NEW SENTENCING LAWS IN HOMICIDES The governor signed into law and it was effective in August the LIFE MEANS LIFE bill HB 2373. Arizona previously has had two life sentences, one natural life and one with a chance of parole after 25 years. This eliminates the life with the possibility of parole for adults convicted of murder (13-1105 (A) (1) or (3). There is also an increase in time of sentences for second-degree murder to 25 or 29 years, if the person has previously been convicted of second-degree murder or a class 2 or 3 dangerous offense. NEW NAMES ADDED TO MEMORIAL WALL "IN THEIR LOVING MEMORIES" Robert Prologo Justin Spencer SIBLING ON LINE SUPPORT Amanda Harris, a member of our chapter, has formed an on line Sibling Support venue. www.unitingsiblings.com or phone her for more information at 623-866-3189. Amanda lost her brother Joshua to murder and understands the sibling grief in a way only siblings can. FYI: SPANISH SPEAKING SURVIVORS MEETING Spanish Speaking support meetings. “Parents and Families of Murdered Children,” not a part of POMC, have changed meeting locations. They now meet at 6201 North 35th Avenue, Suite B-4, Phoenix AZ 85017. For more information please call Jose Guzman at (602) 246-1335 (cell) or (602) 463-3932. Also Bajo Las Mismas Lagrimas “Under the Same Tears” meets every other Monday, Golden Gate Community Center, 6:00 p.m. at 39th Avenue and McDowell. Please call Mercedes Cazarez (602) 367-4009 or 623-444-0171. ANNUAL HOLIDAY MEMORIAL SERVICE "In Their Loving Memories." Our annual Holiday Memorial Service will be December 8 at the Shepherd of the Valley Church and will be followed by a catered dinner. Invitations with more information will be mailed out in November. We have a video tribute to our loved ones and if your loved one's picture is not on the video and you wish to have it in there please mail or email to us by November 20. [email protected] or PO Box 39603 Phoenix AZ 85069-9603. Those who previously sent in pictures do not need to resend. 5 Chapter & Nat’l news ►CHAPTER WINDOW DECALS AND BRACELETS FOR SALE◄ We have custom made white window decals in a beautiful circular design with our name, chapter web site, and logo with a sun surrounding a parent/child for sale. They are $10 and they are for the outside of your car window and last through weather and car washes or you can even put them on house windows ( I did). Also our Chapter Bracelets are black and red multi with “POMC” and “Always in our Hearts” (our loved ones) on them. These are only $3. To order, just send a note and payment to our PO Box 39603, Phoenix AZ 850699603. The window decals are better than bumper stickers, easier to remove when needed and come with instructions for attaching. NATIONAL POMC INFORMATION ☺ CINCINNATI OHIO OFFICE☺ ●NEXT YEAR'S POMC CONFERENCE: Hope to see all of you next year at the 27th Annual POMC National Conference which will be hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Area Chapter. It will be held at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, August 15-18, 2013. •WEBSITE NEWS: The Parents Of Murdered Children website is going to be under construction and there may be pages that are not accessible during this time. Please let us know if you are having any difficulties with this. • AUTO DONATIONS: We are encouraging all chapters and contact persons to get involved with POMC Debit Authorization. You can now donate to NATIONAL POMC by setting up an automatic withdrawal from your bank account to National. Contact National for a debit authorization form. This is a fast and easy way to make a donation to National to help us help others. Your donation is withdrawn at the same time of the month each month and no amount is too small. We appreciate your help during these difficult economic times. ● PAROLE BLOCK PROGRAM: To date this program had kept more than 1357 prisoners who committed murders from being released early. Parole Block was begun in 1990 and all members across the United States whose loved one’s killer is up for early release/parole consideration can file a petition with National that is sent nationwide for signatures protesting their release. TOPIC FORUM: POMC has a “Topic Forum” on its web site. It provides a place where survivors all over the U.S. can communicate with each other. It’s a good place to suggest to those who aren’t able to attend monthly grief support meetings to utilize the support. Please let your members know that it is there for additional support so that they can tell their other family members, co-workers and friends who may be in states where we have no POMC chapters. SECOND OPINION SERVICES: A program that provides second opinions on unsolved or complicated cases by a national board comprised solely of experts in the medical, law enforcement and investigative fields. MURDER IS NOT ENTERTAINMENT (MINE) PROGRAM: Through this program, POMC raises public awareness to the insensitivity of murder as entertainment through toys, games, murder mystery weekends, drive by shooting fashions, serial killer trading cards and anything that glamorizes violence. BIG TURN OFF: This is an annual event, each January, in which citizens are asked to turn of their televisions for one evening during prime time hours to protest the violence on television. MURDER WALL: (A traveling tribute honoring the memories of murder victims). A photo album is also available with each plaque. Currently, the cost is $75 to add your loved ones names to the Walnut Plaques that comprise the Murder Wall. You have two pages for the photo album to add information, poetry or pictures. SILENCED VOICES: A program begun in January 2002 which advocates for the vigorous investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the murder of abused children. The first case was that of Brandi Conley. POMC was instrumental in bringing charges against her parents. 6 nat’l news cont’d ●SURVIVORS NEWSLETTER is available through National for only $10 per year. It is a wonderful way to stay connected, keep informed about POMC nationally and also to SUPPORT national financially. Please order using the form below. . . NATIONAL POMC SURVIVORS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION FORM Please find enclosed $10.00 for my annual subscription (three issues) for the Survivors Newsletter. Please consider adding an extra subscription fee to help defray the cost for someone who cannot afford it. Enclosed is my Name:____________________________ _____Check _____Money Order In the amount of $_______for Address:__________________________ _______year (s) subscription. City:_____________________________ State/Zip:_________________________ Please charge $___________for ____year(s) subscription to my: ____Visa ____Master Card Phone: ( )______________________ Mail to: POMC, Inc. 100 E. Eighth St., B-41 Cincinnati, OH 45202 Card Number:_________________________ Expiration Date:_______________________ ____I have enclosed an extra subscription fee to defray the cost for someone who cannot afford a Survivors Newsletter subscription. ************************************************** How Long Will It Take How long will it take me to get over the feeling of sorrow? A lifetime. How long will I continue to feel guilty? As long as it takes you to realize you did nothing wrong. How long will it take me to get over my anger? As long as it will take you to stop blaming yourself and others, and realize it was the combination of unpredictable happenings that occur in one’s lifetime. Why do friends give such horrid advice? To cover up their own inability to handle the situation. Will I ever be happy again and be able to laugh? An emphatic YES! How long is long? As long as it takes for you to go through the process. Each individual has his or her own time-table, but it is up to you to make the decision when to start healing. ~~The Compassionate Friends, Fort Lauderdale, FL 7 To My Brother, Eric Allen Aucker 1/15/1981 – 12/5/2009 People say the death of a loved one gets easier over time. How can that be when over time you look around and your kids are a little older, Holidays, Birthday's and births of new babies in the family have passed and that person has missed it all, and when all your family is together it never feels complete. Over time the tears you cry for that person flow as easy and fast as they did the day they went away. Over time it gets easier when I have to explain to my kids why we go and put flowers on a grave for their Uncle. It gets a lot easier when they ask why Uncle Eric is in heaven and I have to debate on telling them he was murdered or make up some not so upsetting story. To know that the person who took him from us is still out there makes it easy to be angry because we have no closure. I don't think it gets any easier to watch or hear my mom cry or hear my kids, nieces and nephews say "I miss him.” People who say it gets easier must just be in a different situation because I think it just gets harder. Debbie Aucker Martin 8 Memorial Wall Order Form Please add my loved one’s name to the “Valley of the Sun Memorial Wall in their Memories.” Each Nameplate is $10. Our wall is displayed at many special events across the valley such as the Victims’ Rights Vigil at the State Capitol. NAME__________________________________ Age:___________ Murder date: _____________ Picture Board ___Check here if sending picture for the picture board (no cost). Picture Buttons ___Please make #____picture buttons of my loved one. (Enclose photo) Each button is 3”, and costs $5. ** Send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope if you want your photo returned. *Make all checks out to POMC …. *Mail to P.O. Box 39603 Phoenix AZ 85069-9603 “The Journey” Memorial Order Form (newsletter) Please reserve: □ ¼ page (donation $10) □ ½ page (donation $20) □ Full page (donation $40) Month you wish memorial to appear in:__________________ Loved One’s Name__________________________________ Date of Birth _______________Date of Death____________ YOUR Name______________________________________ YOUR Phone Number_______________________________ A quarter page will hold either a picture OR a brief message; a half page will hold a picture and short poem OR message, depending on space. If a photo is included, please provide identification of the person on the back. If you wish the photo to be returned include a self-addressed stamped envelope, big enough for the picture to fit in. Unless otherwise specified, location, size and structure of the text and picture will be at editor’s discretion and space permitting. *Return this form with your material for The Journey by the 10th of the month preceding the issue you wish it to appear in. THANKS FOR CARING To The Sojourner Center for donating our Speaker meeting room; to Cross Point Christian & Mountain View Lutheran Churches for the Support Group meeting rooms; to The Department of Public Safety VOCA for the grant for our newsletter & everyone who has donated gifts of their time, talents and energy to our chapter activities. With your help we are able to continue the outreach that is needed by our community. *A donation for the memorial page can be made by sending a check made out to POMC with the memorial information in care of: Cynthia Harvey, Newsletter Editor 1925 E. Vista Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85022 CONTACT NUMBERS POMC (after hrs V/M) ..................... ..(602) 254-8818 CRISIS LINE/MOBILE CRISIS TEAM Empact Crisis Line ......................... …..(480) 784-1500 THE VALLEY OF THE SUN BOARD OF DIRECTORS OTHER HELP LINES Teen Lifeline .................................. …..(602) 248-8336 GrandCare (Grandparents help line)…..(602) 274-5022 Beckie Miller, Chapter-Leader ..............(623) 582-2406 Sue Osolin, Co-Leader .........................(602) 938-4593 Cynthia Clark-Harvey, Co-Leader…….(602) 482-8329 Don Miller, Treasurer ...........................(623) 582-2406 Mari Bailey, Secretary………………….(602)-405-7401 Kathy Hernandez-Schofield .................(623) 707-6825 Tim Osolin ............................................(602) 938-4593 Mark LeGault……………………………(480) 242-0038 Sandy LeGault…………………………..(480) 242-0038 Angie Saucedo....................................(480) 209-8465 Amanda Harris.....................................(623) 866-3189 Chapter E-mail……………………. [email protected] Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project (480) 965-5640 Maricopa County Attorney, Victim Services Advocates (602) 506-8522 Crime Victim Compensation (602) 506-4955 9 Fo or That, I Am m Thankfu ul by Darcie Simm ms It doesn n't seem to get g any be etter... but it do oesn't get any a worse either. e For that, I am thank kful. e guests stilll come, The The e dishes pille up... but the dishwa asher work ks. For that, I am tthankful. There arre no more e pictures to t be taken... but therre are mem mories to be e cherishe ed. For that, I am thank kful. The e name is sttill missing g, The e words stilll unspoken n... but the silence e is shared d. For that, I am tthankful There iss a missing chair at th he table... but the circle c of fam mily gathe ers close. For that, I am thank kful. The e snow still falls, The e sled still w waits, and d the spirit still wants to... For that, I am tthankful. The turk key is smalller... but therre is still stu uffing. For that, I am thank kful. The e stillness remains... but the sadnesss is smalle er. For that, I am tthankful. The day ys are shortter... but the nights n are softer. For that, I am thank kful e moment iss gone... The but the love iss forever. For that, I am b blessed. For that, I am g grateful... The pain n is still the ere... but it lassts only mo oments. For that, I am thank kful. ve was once e Lov (and d still is) A p art of my b being... For that, I am lliving. The cale endar still turns, t The holiidays still appear a And the ey still cost too much.... But I am m still here. For that, I am thank kful. I am m LIVING.... and d for that, I am thankfu ul. The room is still em mpty, The sou ul still achess... but the heart h reme embers. For that, I am thank kful. May y your holidays be filled with h reasons to be thank kful. Hav ving loved and having g been love ed is perha aps the mosst won ndrous reason of all. 10 In Loving Memory of Ryan Andrew Osolin Nov. 29, 1978 - Dec. 2, 1997 Love and miss you more and more....You are an uncle again...I wish you were here to see your new niece, Allison Grace. Too much time has passed but not enough to heal the hurt...You are loved and missed every day. Your niece, Angelina, ringing the bell for you at our National Day of Remembrance. Just a Memory Away I'm no longer by your side, but there's no need to weep; I've left sweet recollections I'm hoping you will keep. Eternal joy and memories stay in our hearts forever, Strengthening our special bond that parting cannot sever. Now it's time to journey on-so let your faith be strong, For I am in a better place... I'm home where I belong. And if times of loneliness bring sorrow and dismay, Don't despair, for I am there... Love, Mom, Dad, Timmy, Ashley, Angelina and Allison Just a memory away --Rita S. Beer 11 Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc., is a self-help organization dedicated to the aftermath of murder. The success of its mission depends upon the participation of the families and friends of those lost to murder. POMC number (602) 254-8818 WHY WE ARE HERE: MISSION STATEMENT: “POMC makes the difference through ongoing emotional support, education, prevention, advocacy, and awareness.” VISION STATEMENT: “To provide support and assistance to all survivors of homicide victims while working to create a world free of murder.” This project is supported by Grant No. 2012-VA-GX-0022 from the US Department of Justice - Office for Victims of Crime. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US DOJ or the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Return Address PARENTS OF MURDERED CHILDREN, INC. VALLEY OF THE SUN CHAPTER P.O. Box 39603 Phoenix AZ 85069-9603 (602) 254-8818
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