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V I C T I M S O F C R I M E A N D L E N I E N C Y

422 South Court Street P.O. Box 4449 Montgomery, Alabama 36103

Volume 19 ~ Issue 3 July 2019

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Derrick Cunningham, Chair

Montgomery County Sheriff

Donna Bush

Victim Representative

Ms. Jessica Cotton Childs

Lecturer, Troy University

Ms. Vonciel Dodson


DA Brandon Hughes

37th Judicial Circuit

Mr. Jerry Renfroe


Chief Dep. DA C.J. Robinson


Ms. Miriam Shehane

Founder

Ms. Diane Walden


DA Lynneice Washington


Mr. Mike Weeks

Member at Large

STAFF

Janette Grantham

State Director

Nayla Contreras

Victim Advocate

Teaonna Watson

Counselor

A NOTE FROM STATE DIRECTOR JANETTE GRANTHAM

Things have really been popping here at VOCAL Headquarters, and it is

hard to know where to start. First I would like to congratulate my “Super

Hero” Corey Maze who has been appointed as a federal judge for Alabama’s

northern district by President Trump. Corey was the Alabama Solicitor

General who argued the capital murder case at the United States Supreme

Court (USSC) of the individual who killed by brother, Coffee County Sheriff

Neil Grantham. Corey won the “Best Brief Award” from the National

Association of Attorney Generals for his brief on Neil’s case. Corey has been

recognized with three “Best Brief” Awards at the USSC. Corey is an amazing

young man and compelling appeals prosecutor. After an appeal at the 11th

Circuit Court of Appeals, Carol Melton, former VOCAL member stated,

“Corey mopped up the floor with those New York attorneys.” He surely did,

and he mopped up the floor with the Stanford law professor at USSC. Hope to

see him as a USSC Judge one day.

The theme of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was “Honoring Our

Past. Creating Hope for the Future.” Chapters across the state did a

tremendous job in remembering our loved ones and honoring all the Justice

Warriors across the state. At the State VOCAL Vigil, Miriam Shehane,

founder of VOCAL, was recognized for her fight for victims’ rights over a

span of 46 years. Also recognized was Former Alabama Attorney General

Jimmy Evans for his dedication to crime victims and his support in the

formation of VOCAL.

After all was said and done, the 2019 Regular Legislative Session was a

success for crime victims. As victims of violent crimes, we owe a tremendous

THANK YOU to all the senators and representatives who fought to pass ACT

2019-393 (HB380/SB42) sponsored by Representative Connie Rowe and

Senator Cam Ward. This was a win for the thousands of crime victims who

appear before the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP). This

legislation was written by AAG Katherine Robertson and Attorney General

Steve Marshall. Governor Kay Ivey was a big supporter of this bill. Thank you

to Governor Ivey and her staff, AG Steve Marshall and his staff,

Representative Connie Rowe (who stood straight and strong for seven hours

defending this legislation), Senator Cam Ward (who related how one of his

constituents was murdered by a recent parolee), and each and every Senator

and Representative who voted for this legislation.

VOCAL NEWSLETTER

VOCAL NEWSLETTER JULY 2019

DIRECTOR’S NOTE continued

ACT 2019-485 (SB92) sponsored by Senator Clyde Chambliss and Senator Jimmy Holley. This

legislation along with ACT 2019-393 was designed to prevent acts like the horrendous triple homicide at

Guntersville. The three victims – seven-year-old Colton Ryan Lee; his great-grandmother, Marie Martin;

and neighbor, Martha Reilford were murdered by a recently-released, violent parolee. Martha Reilford was

a VOCAL member and friend. These two Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP) Acts are

dedicated to the memory of these three victims. Thank you to Senators Clyde Chambliss and Holley and

Representative Will Dismuke for sponsoring this bill and to all the senators and representatives who voted

for its passage.

ACT 2019-538 (HN180) sponsored by Representatives Robertson, Estes, Stringer, Simpson, Reynolds,

Polizos, and Ball - known as Lisa’s Law. Lisa Ann Millican was only 14 years old when she was kidnapped

and murdered. This bill was supported by Lisa’s family and helps victims and their families prevent

convicted perpetrators from profiting off their crimes through books, movies, or other entertainment. This

law does not benefit the Millican family, but it will prevent other families from being victimized all over

again by the perpetrator. Thanks to Cassie Millican, Lisa’s sister-in-law, and former Attorney General Troy

King for their work on this legislation.

ACT 2019-188 (HB436) sponsored by Representative South. Relating to the death penalty; to amend

section 15-18-83, Code of Alabama 1975, to authorize non-immediate family members in attendance at an

execution under certain conditions. This bill benefited the Hunt family.

ACT 2019-512 (HB48) sponsored by Representative Will Dismukes. This bill was known as Jessi’s

Law, and it was regarding the termination of parental rights of a convicted parent.

B111 by Senator Ward was removed. This bill would require a defendant who is sentenced on a capital

offense to serve a minimum of 25 years prior to being eligible for parole. The current law ACT 2016-360

(Miller Killer Bill) requires a defendant sentenced on a capital offense to serve a minimum of 30 years.

There is a lot of talk regarding a special session at the first of the year regarding Alabama prisons.

According to the rumors, the prison population has to be reduced by approximately 3,000 to 5,000 within

the next year. It is time to stop kicking the can and take action.

The 10th Annual VOCAL Charity Golf Classic will be on Thursday, September 26th at Aroostook

Golf Course. Be sure to check out the golf flyer in this newsletter. This is VOCAL’s only fund raiser.

Please plan to join us. I can promise you will have a fun day of golf, entertainment, and fellowship. All

proceeds go to support victims of violent crime across the state of Alabama.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Bobby Hilyer, Sr. who danced into Heaven on June 23,

2019. Bobby was a dedicated VOCAL member who was always willing to

help whether it was putting up vigil crosses and golf sponsorship signs or

stacking chairs. Wherever there was a need, Bobby was there. I never had

to ask, he just knew when he was needed. The last time I saw Bobby he was

busy taking down chairs at one of our vigils. “Alabama Wild Man” will be

missed by us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cecilia and her family.

Bob and Cecilia received the “Voice for Victims” award from the Central

Alabama VOCAL Chapter in 2017.

PS: Judge Charles Graddick has been appointed Director of Alabama

Board of Pardons and Paroles by Governor Ivey. VOCAL applauds

Governor Ivey for the appointment of Judge Graddick, a ‘Justice Warrior’

and victim advocate.

Hope to see you all at our 10th Annual Golf Classic on September 26.

JULY 2019 VOCAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3

CHAPTER NEWS

SHOALS CHAPTER

Our annual vigil was held on a beautiful April night at Wilson Park

with a great turnout. Attorney General Steve Marshal was our keynote

speaker. Other participants included Lauderdale County District Attorney

Chris Connolly, Cramer Center, Safeplace, The Healing Place, One Place

of the Shoals, and VOCAL members. Thank you to Nayla Contreras

(VOCAL) and Ashley Harbin (Attorney General’s Office) for making the

trip from Montgomery to be with us at our vigil.

Since October 2018, many letters have been written and contacts made

by Shoals VOCAL members concerning the ongoing problems with the

Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. A big thank you goes to Governor

Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall for diligently working on

the needed changes. Thank you to Representative Connie Rowe, Senator

Cam Ward, and others who got HB380 bill passed into law. We are

looking forward to September for changes. A big thank you to Breken

Terry WAAY-31 news in our North Alabama area for continuing to bring

problems to light and trying to get answers to many issues with Pardon

and Paroles and the Department of Corrections.

Our chapter continues support for several ongoing and upcoming cases

in Lauderdale County: Khadedryak Todd, former UNA Player, murder of

Anthony Coleman; Ryan Johnson, manslaughter of Jackson Newton; Eric

Bailey, murder of Judy Turbyville Staten; Robert Eugene Hasting, murder

of Justin Merrier; Charles Jacob Jordon, murder of Michael Moore

Watson; Jessie James Parker and Hannah Burrows, murder of Devin

Cobb; Charles Montgomery, murder of his dad Roy Montgomery;

Kathleen Boggus (age 17), three counts of manslaughter of Braden Turner,

Colby Hines and Tyler Nelson (students at Wilson High School). VOCAL

supported these families in May. Judge Self honored the request of

Kathleen Boggus for youthful-offender status. Currently the trial is

scheduled for July 31.

Victims of Crime and Leniency

(VOCAL) is a 501(c)3 non-profit

organization which was established in

1982. VOCAL is an advocacy group for

victims’ rights consisting of concerned

citizens, victims of crime and their

families, law enforcement officers,

attorneys, and others interested in reducing

crime and improving the plight of its

victims.

State Chapter

Director: Janette Grantham

Physical Address: 422 S. Court Street

Montgomery, Alabama

Phone: 334-262-7197

Toll Free: 800-239-3219

Fax: 334-834-5645

Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4449

Montgomery, Alabama 36103

East Alabama Chapter

President: Diane Walden

Email: [email protected] Mailing Address: P. O. Box 31

Lafayette, AL 36962

Gulf Coast Chapter

1070 Hwy. 59, Summerdale, AL 36580

3rd Thursday, 6 pm

President: Tracey Wilson Goens

Phone: 251-533-6832


Mailing Address: 27670 US Hwy. 98, #28

Daphne, AL 36526

North Central Alabama Chapter

President: Wilburn Beavers

Phone: 205-363-0444


Mailing Address: 865 Beavers Road

Blountsville, AL 35031 7

River Region Chapter

VOCAL Angel House

422 South Court Street, Montgomery

2nd Sunday, monthly, 2 p.m.

President: Lester Ezekiel

Phone: 334-514-6862


Mailing Address: P.O. Box 240624


Shoals Chapter

Florence Lauderdale Public Library

350 N. Wood Ave., Florence

2nd Tuesday, monthly, 5 p.m.

President: Patsy Michael

Phone: 256-777-0482


Mailing Address: 18443 Dement Rd.

Athens, Alabama 35611

Facebook: VOCAL Shoals Chapter


CHAPTER NEWS continued - GULF COAST CHAPTER

The Gulf Coast Chapter was pleased to welcome to our May meeting Mobile County VSO, Leigha DuVal.

Ms. DuVal comes from a family that is deeply connected to serving victims. She was very informative and we

look forward to working with Ms. DuVal in the future.

Our chapter will have a tent at the National Night Out 2019, sponsored by the Elberta Police Department.

This will be our second time to attend this event. We handed out 125 VOCAL backpacks last year with a

notebook, pencils/pens, and stickers inside and have more to hand out this year. We will also have VOCAL

Angel House information, as well as information regarding our own VOCAL Gulf Coast Chapter. This event

puts VOCAL side by side with other victim-serving partners and we are looking forward to getting VOCAL’s

good name out to the community, while putting smiles on the children’s faces.

We would also like to welcome Mobile’s own Judge Charles Graddick to his appointment as Director of the

Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles by Governor Kay Ivy. Judge Graddick started his outstanding legal

career in Mobile as DA and on to Alabama Attorney General, and we could not be prouder in this appointment.

Finally, we ask for prayers with the news that a mother of a recent homicide victim will be attending our next

chapter meeting. Prayers are requested for the Baldwin County DA’s Office in their continued fight for victims

and prayers for our strength as we try to serve victims on their grief journey.

For more information regarding our Chapter contact Tracey Goens at 251-533-6832 or email her at

[email protected].

ANNUAL VIGIL HELD TO HONOR CRIME VICTIMS

The State Chapter of VOCAL held its annual candlelight vigil and victims’ memorial on Friday, April 12,

on the back lawn of the Attorney General’s Office. Miriam Shehane,

founder of VOCAL, was recognized for her fight for victims’ rights

over a span of 46 years. Also recognized was Former Alabama

Attorney General Jimmy Evans for his dedication to crime victims and

his support in the formation of

VOCAL. Valorie Lawson with

WSFA-TV 12 was our Mistress of

Ceremonies.

Recipients of the Volunteer of the

Year Awards were: Brenda

Roberts, Lester Ezekiel, and

Donna Bush.


Additional awards included:

Voice for Victims Public Policy and Leadership Awards to The

Honorable Kay Ivey (Governor of Alabama) and The

Honorable Steve Marshall (Alabama Attorney General)

Voice for Victims Justice Awards to The Honorable Daryl

Bailey (15th Judicial Circuit DA) and The Honorable Ashley

Rich (13th Judicial Circuit DA)

Voice for Victims Media Awards to Breken Terry (WAAY-TV

Huntsville), Jennifer Horton (WSFA-TV Montgomery), and

Andrea Ramey (WPMI-TV Mobile)

Good Samaritan Award to Montgomery PD Operation Good

Shepherds’ Program

Miriam Shehane Award to The Honorable Jimmy Evans,

Former Alabama Attorney General

Prosecutor of the Year Award to The Honorable Lynneice

Washington, Bessemer Cutoff DA

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Detective

Antony Shannon, Montgomery PD

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 Bobby Hilyer

Janette Grantham

In Memory of Barbara Hudson

Robbie Hudson

Elba High School Class of 1954

In Memory of Gerald Penn, Sr.

Gerald Penn

In Memory of Paul Little

Doris Little

In Memory of Chris Smith

George Smith

In Memory of Jon Shehane

Miriam Shehane

Melanie Beasley

DA Brandon Hughes

B. Price

The VOCAL Newsletter is published quarterly in

March, June, September, and December by Victims

of Crime and Leniency. Annual membership dues

include subscription. Send news items to Editor

Mitzie Wheat at [email protected].


VOCAL COMMENDS GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ON HER APPOINTMENT

OF JUDGE CHARLES GRADDICKAS DIRECTOR OF THE

ALABAMA BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES

MONTGOMERY --- Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) praises Governor Kay Ivey for her

executive leadership and swift and effective action in restoring confidence and trust in the Alabama Board

of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP) by her appointment of Judge Charles Graddick as Director. Legislation was

recently passed to revamp the ABPP which had proven to be flawed and dangerous. This legislation gave

Governor the authority to appoint the Director of ABPP.

“Judge Graddick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the ABPP and is well-known as a

‘Justice Warrior’ to VOCAL and victims of violent crimes,” said VOCAL State Director, Janette

Grantham. “He has been an advocate for victims since 1975 when he was elected District Attorney of

Mobile County. Judge Graddick established the first statewide Victim’s Assistance Office in Alabama, and

as a former Alabama Attorney General, Judge Graddick was recognized as a prosecutor who was tough on

crime.”

“Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) applauds Governor Ivey and Attorney General Steve

Marshall for their leadership and commitment to upholding justice for victims as well as peace and security

for our families.”

Signing of HB 380 which holds the Parole Board more accountable

for their actions.

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

As we approach mid-year, things seemed to have calmed down some in the news, however, crime is still

alive and well. VOCAL has continued to work diligently to ensure that victims are being treated fairly in

the criminal justice system, but we have a long way to go. If you know anyone who could use our

resources, please provide them with our contact information. We will do our very best to ensure that they

are being treated fairly.

Grief is never something you get over. You don't wake up one morning and say, 'I've conquered that; now I'm moving on.' It's something that walks beside you every day. And if you can learn how to manage it and honour the person that you miss, you can take something that is incredibly sad and have some form of positivity. - Terri Irwin

Teaonna Watson, MS, Counselor

Office: 334-262-7197

Pictured: VOCAL representatives and

Representative Connie Rowe

Pictured: Attorney General Steve Marshall

and VOCAL representatives

Pictured: VOCAL representatives

Senator Cam Ward

Governor Kay Ivey

Representative Connie Rowe

Attorney General Steve Marshall

Kathryn Robertson, AG's office

https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/terri_irwin

VOCAL – Victims of Crime and Leniency

The Quenette Shehane Counseling Center

422 South Court Street, P.O. Box 4449


Phone: 334-262-7197

Toll Free: 800-239-3219

Fax: 334-834-5645

Website: www.vocalonline.org

Facebook: Montgomery VOCAL

VICTIM CONTACTS

Governor Kay Ivey

State Capitol

Montgomery, AL 36130

Pam Bye, Director

Constituent Services

334-242-7100

Attorney General’s Office

of Victim Assistance

501 Washington Avenue


Sarah Green, Director

Constituent Services

334-242-7300

1-800-626-7676

www.ago.state.al.us

Department of Corrections

Jeff Dunn, Commissioner

P.O. Box 301501

301 South Ripley Street


334-353-3871

www.doc.state.al.us

State inmate parole info.

1-888-726-9799, Option 4

Alabama Crime

Victims Compensation

Commission

Dr. Cassie Jones

Director

P.O. Box 231267

Montgomery, AL

36123

1-800-541-9388

www.acvcc.state.al.us

State of Alabama

Board of Pardons & Paroles

Eddie Cook, Exec. Director

P.O. Box 302405

Montgomery, AL

36130-2405

Rhonda Carter

Victim Services Rep.

334-242-8050

Fax 334-353-7701

www.paroles.state.al.us

M EM B E RS H I P F OR M - - October was 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.

VOCAL - Victims of Crime and Leniency, P.O. Box 4449, Montgomery, Alabama 36103 2018 – 2019

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: East AL Gulf Coast North Central AL River Region Shoals

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 281

MONTGOMERY AL

POSTMASTER: RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

http://www.paroles.state.al.us/

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