Think Preventive – Life Is Precious

Why? Shouldn’t law like medicine reflect reality and "First, do no harm"to the victims?

NAMES OF MURDER VICTIMS


Unsolved Murder Victim: Lacey Claire Gaines, Solved Murder Victims: Victoria Larson, Det Mike Mayborne, Jenny Crompton

2 Criminal and victim rights hang in an ugly imbalance. You would think that America - one of the greatest countries in the world - would know better how to protect it’s citizens.

Restoring the Balance of Justice to the Victim
Wouldn’t it be nice if the justice system supported homicide survivors with the same love and understanding the medical community shows a cancer victim? Undergoing chemotherapy is scary and so is trying to recover from a homicide. But there’s no TLC for homicide survivors. Medical advancements are advancing the war with cancer. The same can’t be said about homicide. Why? Shouldn’t law like medicine reflect reality and "First, do no harm"to the victims?”

Our justice system does more to uphold criminal rights than it does victim’s rights. It means criminals should be prosecuted in a just way. This shouldn’t mean letting the criminal lie, cheat, manipulate or slip his way out of the truth or justice, or God forbid coddling him at the expense of the victim!

How many of us remember the names of the Ted Bundy’s victim’s? You don’t! - but you remember the killer Ted Bundy’s name. It's high time that we remember the names and the lives of the VICTIMS.

There should be someone who will argue for the rights of the victim. The Prosecutor doesn’t do it they represent the State, and the Defense represents the Accused. So who’s looking out for the victim? In reality victim’s rights are rarely enforced. Therefore, we need to restore the balance of justice to the victims.

Crime victims have a right to be heard in criminal proceedings and may directly address the court, with their own private attorney, to advance their rights under victims' "Bill of Rights" laws.


Andrea Will murder victim 1999

Andrea’s Law - Murder Registry
1 The legislation, known as “Andrea’s Law,” is named after Andrea Will who was strangled to death in 1998 by her ex-boyfriend, Justin J. Boulay who was released from prison in November after serving only 12 of his 24-year sentence.

One of the first in the country, State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) passed Andrea’s Law recently out of the Judiciary II Committee that calls for the creation of a murderer registry. House Bill 263 is a natural extension to the state’s current sex offender and child murderer registry that will allow residents to take proper safeguards if a convicted murderer lives in their neighborhood,” said Reboletti, a former prosecutor. “Law enforcement will also be put on notice as to the movement and locations of these individuals, long after they are released from custody.”

Patricia Rosenberg of Batavia - Andrea Will’s mother, supports the murderer registry.

“House Bill 263 Andrea’s Law, would not only finally service justice for Andrea, but also for all of the families who have lost a loved one at the hands of another. We need to make sure there is accountability for first-degree murder beyond the prison gate. We all have the right to know if that murderer is living in our neighborhood or right next door,” said Rosenberg. “I was not able to protect my child from what happened to her, but his bill may help to protect someone else – if only they knew.”

In March 1999, Boulay was convicted of first-degree murder. At the time of the sentence, Illinois law allowed one day cut from the sentence for every day of good behavior. Since then, Illinois adopted truth-in-sentencing laws that require those convicted of violent crimes to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences.

Upon his release from prison, Boulay moved to Hawaii with his wife and will be on parole for three years and must undergo anger management.

Due to the Boulay case, Hawaii legislators are also proposing a murderer registry. Hopefully other states will follow.

Many citizens think they are protected by the national NICE or LEADS systems but in reality they are not. There is no standardization of forms state to state. The murder registry will be in a sense a work around to the problem of criminals staying under the radar. It will act as a deterrent and save lives.


Cindy Bischof Murder Victim

GPS Tracking Another Crime Deterrent Tool
The Cindy Bischof Law was put into effect in 2009.

The GPS has a 100% success rate in keeping women alive. We need an effective legal guarantee of personal-security for victims of domestic abuse. I think it’s a wonderful tool and will not only help save lives but prevents crime and helps to prosecute crime. We all have GPS on our phones and now we’ve got a microchip being put on our 4USPS postage stamps because of anthrax and congress. They already use them on sex offenders DOC has them and have monitored and used the data to prosecute perpetrators. I believe it is inevitable we will all see them utilized soon in many different ways.

I also think the GPS is important for women’s human rights. Too many women are dying from domestic violence. It saves lives. It shouldn’t be about money, it should be about saving lives. At the rate prisoners are being released early we all need this crime deterrent tool.

Women are being blamed for getting themselves beat and raped by men they know and then chastised for not liking them after wards. We need the state to recognize that women are violated because we are women (a form of unequal treatment which needs legal teeth) the GPS helps do exactly that and more.

Primal Prevention of Homicide
While we may never see a Hallmark Card saying “I’m sorry for your child’s homicide” it’s good to know there are some like State Representative Dennis Reboletti and the Cindy Bischof Foundation taking Primal Prevention of Homicide seriously.

I'd be remiss if I didn't also include a daughter of a murdered mother by her abusive Dad (who then killed himself), a friend who maybe because she lost her parents, has spent her life trying to save others. Susan Murphy-Milano has come up with an interesting set of homicide prevention tools, i.e., Evidentiary Abuse Affidavide and 6 Intimate Partner Harm Reduction Act.

Another key to success is everyday practicability. Funds need to be applied to epidemiological research towards finding ways to prevent homicide and stop waiting until there’s another homicide victim willing to testify for Bills needed to to protect the living.

References:

1. CBS Chicago Victim’s Mother Campaigns For Murder Registry Law
2. Time’s Up Blog Support for Homicide Survivors will Enhance Victim’s Rights in Illinois
3. GPS Tracking: http://www.thehotline.org/2009/05/gps-tracking/
4. ‘Smart stamps’ next in war on terrorism http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/oct/26/20031026-124606-8419r/
5. Cindy Bischof Foundation: http://cindysmemorial.org/

6. Intimate Partner Harm Reduction Act: http://www.susanmurphymilano.com/p/intimate-partner-harm-reduction-act.html

Love Like That Good Samaritan

By Cherry Simpson

My grandchildren know the answer to this question, “What is love?” They will all answer in unison, “It’s an action.” Nana Cherry has taught them true love isn’t cheap, by nature, it’s sacrificial. Its not just saying you love someone, it’s showing him or her by sacrificing for them. You put them before yourself and you do all you can to help them be the best they can be.

In our dining room hangs an antique print by Hogarth called “The Good Samaritan.” My husband and I purchased this on our first trip to London and it has often been a subject we’ve discussed with our grandchildren. They know this story as do all of us, but how often have you really met one? How often have you really been one? To love like that Good Samaritan isn’t easy, it means going outside of our comfort zone. It means not judging, it means being able to see beyond the divisions of this world to love whoever is in need and giving them what is for their good. It means letting God overrule our fears with his love and promise.

“Do this and you will live.” Luke 10:18

In the story a victim of crime lays naked, wounded and half-dead in a ditch along side a road. Two men walked by him. Two men who were suppose to be upright and good. What do you suppose went through their minds? They might have thought the victim must have done something to deserve being there. The robbers might still be near by; their lives could be in jeopardy. Helping would mean risking much.

Why didn’t the Samaritan didn’t think twice about helping the victim. He was an outcast, he knew what it was like to be discriminated and persecuted, just because of his race. He became the example of true love. What made him sympathetic to the victim’s plight?

Could you do this? Have you...risked much, to help someone who lives outside your comfort zone? Could you help a victim of domestic violence? It’s easy to argue it’s not a good idea to get involved. She’ll just go back again. People will think you’re crossing a line with your good intentions. You could be called a troublemaker. You’ve never known a criminal before. It could be dangerous.

Many times we read and hear about women and children who were sexually abused and some killed. How did this happen? Why didn’t CPS do something? Why didn’t the OP stop the abuser? Why didn’t more people report the abuse or try to help? How many family members even think of domestic violence or sexual assault as a slur on their name? Many think victims of domestic violence choose to be abused. We all shutter when we hear of a child abuse. How many of us would call or try to help? Some say, “It doesn’t do any good anyway. CPS never does what they’re supposed to do. Its their fault not mine!”

“Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37

Some people are self-righteous and comfortable about how they treat others, especially family and friends. “There’s a little bit of Pharisee in all of us.” That’s why Jesus set the demand of God’s law before the Jewish expert, “Do it and you will live.” And that is why; we’re to love like that Good Samaritan.

It’s easier to do nothing and then pride ourselves in safe acts of charity, patting ourselves on our backs and assuring ourselves that God is happy with us, when the truth is that most of our acts of charity cost us very little. Unfortunately in this world a real act of self-sacrifice and active concern is as scarce as precious gems.

There once was a psychology study done by a Professor, he decided to put the Good Samaritan story to the test. In different locations he put a person in a simulated “trouble” situation - lying in a doorway, in a gutter, and slumped over a table. He observed the reactions of passersby for an hour. Of the 236 persons almost 100 did nothing but pass by, ignoring what they saw. Only ten offered help. None were as considerate as the Good Samaritan.

What would you have done? If someone came to you with bruises and black eyes. Would you help her? Or would you find reasons not to get involved? The Good Samaritan over came his fear with compassion. God tells us to go and do likewise. True love is costly, it’s self sacrificing, giving of oneself to all people. In some cases the loving thing might be to call 911 or child protective services. Or offer shelter and encouragement to a victim of abuse. We should truly give help when it is needed and don’t look for excuses to satisfy our own selfish desires not to.

What victim rhetoric does Jesus use in his parable to show us which of these three men acted accordingly? We are to love like that Good Samaritan and offer help whatever the cost might be. Why should we do that? Because we are blessed, with eyes to see and given a heart moved to help those who maybe in trouble. We’re motivated gladly to love, like that Good Samaritan because of God’s love for us.

How much happier our world would be if there were more Good Samaritans. We can’t change the world, but we can work to change ourselves. And concentrate our efforts on helping others in our own lives. Dear God, let us love like that Good Samaritan, and go and do likewise. Amen.

I was moved to write this post because of the act of self-sacrifice by William L. Jackson, of Denton, TX who generously gave $500 to Help Solve Lacey Gaines’ Murder. Even though he never knew my niece Lacey, somehow he felt connected. His act of love has given me hope. I thank God for him and those who can show love like that Good Samaritan!

Who Murdered Lacey Gaines?

Who Murdered Lacey Gaines
By Cherry Gaines Simpson

This is my beloved niece Lacey Gaines. She was murdered just 6 days after her 20th birthday on Dec 7, 2009. She was strangled with a cord and her throat was cut with a 10” kitchen knife. No forced entry, no robbery, no sexual assault, no defensive wounds. Her murder left her infant son with out a mother and her family in possible danger. Lacey has left us happy memories of her past, but there will never be any more joyful moments, nor hope and promise of a future.


She was not murdered for money, nor for sex, or passion, but in cold blood, calculated and premeditation the act of a killing machine - carrying out murder against someone's mother and family.


The police haven't been able to solve her case yet. They say they have a very strong suspect, someone she definitely knew. They say he had the opportunity and means but not yet enough evidence to convince a jury of guilt. You see they cannot convict merely on means, motive and opportunity, but must provide convincing proof of means used, and opportunity actually acted upon by the defendant(s) charged.


The secret to solving murder is in determining three things, the 'Holy Trinity' of detection: Means, motive and opportunity.


Means is the easiest of the three to determine. By 'means', I mean how the murder was carried out and usually an examination of the body will tell you this. According to the First Responders Report Lacey was strangled and stabbed.


How was it accomplished? Lacey was a fighter this was known to all who knew her but to a stranger she would appear to be shy and reserved. Why then no defensive wounds? Was she drugged or possibly surprised. This would mean premeditation. Was there more than one person? Did someone plan Lacey's murder and then carried it out carefully. Or was someone hired to kill her?

What tools were used and where did they come from? An extension cord and kitchen knife from Lacey's own home.


Why the overstatement of death by stranglation and stabbing (throat slashed). To be certain the job was complete? No question she was found dead, in her home, fully clothed, no forced entry, no defensive wounds, no theft or sexual assault.


Opportunity also means being in the right place and time to commit the murder. We know where and when the dirty deed was committed. You can eliminate anyone with an alibi. Unless, of course, it was a hired hit.


Motive' answers the 'why' question. Why was Lacey killed?


Motive can be both the easiest and hardest of the Holy Trinity to solve. Sometimes there are lots of people with a good motive to kill, and sometimes it can be hard to find anyone with any kind of motive at all.


So, the first thing you should ask is 'Who benefits?' Look very carefully. Who has the most to gain from the Lacey's death? And if it's not immediately obvious, then you’re going to have to talk to everyone.


Lacey was a treasured daughter, a close sister, a tender mother, an unforgetable niece, a generous cousin, and a forever friend. She was unique, full of life and laughter, she had a spirit which could not be broken, it was a light she let shine brightly. She still shines ever brighter in our hearts and in Heaven.


Don't be afraid to ask everyone you know ... Who do you think killed Lacey? Someone will have a clue as to the identity of the murderer, but without asking absolutely everyone, you might never know. Remember Lacey was a fighter and she is on the winning team. I want Lacey's cowardly murderer to know - you have not won. God keeps His promises.


"In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Lacey's confirmation verse. Psalm 56:11

What can you do to help? Visit www.LaceyGaines.com with links to TIPLINE, updates, stories, a REWARD and please Sign the Petition seeking Justice for Lacey. Join one of her many Facebook pages; Help Find Lacey Gaines' Murderer page has more then 1000 fans. The number of those looking for her killer(s) is GROWING.


Lacey is not forgotten and neither are her killer(s).