Stepping forward for rights of victims of crimes

The families of Emily DeBrine and Corey Martin two teens killed by Gale Pelser, a 74-year-old man from Eldridge who was passing in a no-passing zone, participated in the Crime Victim's Walk from Dr. Warren Lovinger's office on South Ash to the Vernon County Courthouse. Walkers carried signs calling for increased rights for victims of crimes and for victims to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect. --Steve Moyer/Daily Mail

The procession was led by Southern Commissioner Kennon Shaw, along with Northern Commissioner Neal Gerster and Presiding Commissioner Bonnie McCord, from Dr. Warren Lovinger's office on South Ash to the Vernon County Courthouse, while holding a banner proclaiming Crime Victims' Rights Week.

The procession had turned east onto Cherry from Ash and was approaching the intersection of Main and Cherry when Shaw collapsed and was rushed to the hospital in the police car leading the walk. Gerster reported that Shaw simply lost his balance and fell. Shaw was X-rayed at the hospital which showed he had suffered no damage, beyond a few cuts and scrapes.

The rest of the procession regrouped and resumed the walk the short distance to the courthouse where they went to the second floor courtroom of Judge James Bickel.

Martha Sander, director of the Council on Families in Crisis, introduced the speakers, in order. Wes Morton, Nevada High School music director, sang several solos during the evening. Mike Hutchens, pastor of the Clayton Christian Church, gave the invocation. Jayne Novak read the Crime Victims' Rights proclamation in lieu of McCord who was with Shaw at the hospital and then gave her own speech. Pastor Terry Mosher, Calvary Baptist Church, gave the benediction.

Several people came up to speak about the loved ones they lost or the damage they personally suffered. Connie Moffatt told of the seven members of her family lost in three criminal incidents.

One incident involved 2-month-old Shaffall Wolfe, who drowned when his drug-abusing mother walked off, leaving the child in the bath unattended. The mother later lost her life in another incident but the most time spent by Moffatt was on the wreck that killed five members of her family, a crash caused by John Weeter who was under the influence of three types of drugs: methamphetamine, marijuana, and opiates. Moffatt held a picture of each person, in turn, saying who they were and that they died in a crash, intoning "not an accident," with each description.

Melissa LaNear and Tonya Martin spoke of the deaths of their teenagers, Emily Ann DeBrine and Corey Martin, at the hands of Gale Pelser, 74, Eldridge, who was passing in a no-passing zone. After giving the details of the incident LaNear read a poem, "Live Your Life," that DeBrine had written.

A woman who identified herself only as Janet spoke about the abuse she suffered for 20 years.

"It was physical, emotional and financial abuse," she said. "I had to get odd jobs to have any money for myself."

The ceremony was presented "in loving memory" of: Timothy Bybee, Daulton Bybee, Austin Lukenbill, Julie Newcome, Russell Clay, Dana South-ern Sisk, Unborn child Sisk, Susan Praiswater, Jaunita Cartwright, Melody Schreiweis, Linda Gast Coleman, Ruby Jean Cor-nell, Robert A. Zatarain, Freddy Ray Holman, Rainey Butterfield, Dona-lee Belcher Simpson, Sheryl Stewart Russell, Emily DeBrine, Corey Martin, Nancy Riggs, K.L., Kelly Wolfe, David Mosher, T.J. Brandt, Kathy, Jacob Crider, Shaffall Wolfe, Teresa Banes, Adam Hagerman, Sandy Steward, Tammy Stumpp, Mike Emery, Edgar Cornell, Tonya Lewis, Wayne Highley, George Schu-mann, Alex Thomas, Ashli O'Dell, Richard Armitage, Bea Beisly and A.R.

After the last speaker finished, candles were distributed to those gathered in the courtroom, who lighted the candles as Morton sang his last offering, "You'll Never Walk Alone."