Injustice of deaths highlighted at event

Friday, April 15, 2011
Nevada Police Chief Graham Burnley, Vernon County Circuit Clerk Vickie Erwin and Vernon County Northern Commissioner Neal Gerstner lead the annual Crime Victims' Rights Parade north on Ash Street Thursday afternoon on their way to the county courthouse, where a ceremony to remember area victims of crime was conducted.

The tragic injustices of the ending of 42 lives, from the unborn to the elderly, were sketched on painful lines during Thursday's Annual National Crime Victims' Rights Ceremony at Vernon County Courthouse.

More than 60 people took up posters and banners in the 600 block of South Ash Street at 5:45 p.m. and with a red and blue flashing Nevada police car leading the way, they marched north to the courthouse and 28th Circuit Courtroom.

"Break the Silence," said one poster. "Crime Hurts the Whole Family," said another.

Friends and survivors of Belinda Beisly, who was found shot to death in her home near Deerfield on July 15, 2009, made their feelings clear with a banner during Thursday's Crime Victims' Rights walk. The event commemorated 42 local and area people who have died since the late 1970s. James R. Campbell/Daily Mail

Emceed by Circuit Court Clerk Vickie Erwin and made more memorable by a video screen flashing photos of the victims, the event started with the reading of a proclamation by County Commissioner Kennon Shaw and a call for more citizens' involvement by Mayor Brian Leonard.

It was highlighted with remembrances by several victims' family members, including Melissa LaNear of Nevada, who said the criminal justice system faltered after the deaths of 17-year-old Corey Martin and her 15-year-old daughter Emily DeBrine on Nov. 26, 2008.

LaNear said she believes Gale Pelser, 74 at the time of the crash, of Eldridge, passing in a no-passing zone when his pickup hit the teens on U.S. 54 west of Nevada, should have been prosecuted for a felony, not a misdemeanor careless driving charge.

Above right: Melissa LaNear of Nevada, mother of traffic accident victim Emily DeBrine, shows photos of her daughter and Corey Martin, who died in the same wreck on Nov. 26, 2008. LaNear spoke at Thursday's Crime Victims' Rights Week ceremony.

"When Emily and Corey would walk in, their smiles lit up the room," LaNear said. "I sat in this courtroom and watched an injustice done when Pelser was fined $500 and got no jail time. He even kept his commercial driver's license."

Brittney Irwin, niece of Belinda Beisly, struggled to keep her composure while saying the discovery of her aunt's body on July 15, 2009, in Beisly's home near Deerfield is even more painful now than it was then because the crime has gone unsolved.

"My aunt didn't just die," said Irwin. "She was shot and killed and there has been no arrest. What do we have to do to get justice?"

A $10,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the killer's arrest and conviction. Call the Vernon County Sheriff's Office at (417) 667-6042 if you know anything about this crime.

Leonard said anyone who knows about that or any crime could help improve society by sharing their knowledge with the authorities because millions of violations are never reported. "In 2009, victims reported only 49 percent of violent crimes and 40 percent of property crimes," the mayor said.

"Even though you may not hold public office, we all have the power to help victims of crime. Let us face the future with hope and may we honor all victims by seeking the fullest possible justice for those harmed by crime."

First Christian Church Pastor Bill Platt gave the invocation, remarking on "the innocence" of the victims, after the posting of colors by the Nevada High School ROTC Color Guard and singing of the National Anthem by students Elizabeth Quitno, Ashley Coffer and Mallorie Ast.

The young women later returned to sing "You Raise Me Up," and high school music teacher Wes Morton sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" for a candle lighting by the audience.

Other remembered victims were Timothy and Daulton Bybee, Austin Lukenbill, Julie Newcome, Russell Clay, Dana Southern Sisk and her unborn child, Susan Praiswater, Jaunita Cartwright, Melody Schreiweis, Linda Gast Coleman, Ruby Jean Cornell, Robert Zatarain, Freddy Ray Holman, Rainey Butterfield, Donalee Belcher Simpson and Sheryl Stewart Russell.

The list also included Nancy Riggs, Kelly and Shaffal Wolfe, David Mosher, T.J. Brandt, Jacob Crider, Teresa Banes, Adam Hagerman, Sandy Steward, Tammy Stumpp, Mike Emery, Edgar Cornell, Tonya Lewis, Wayne Highley, George Schumann, Alex Thomas, Ashli O'Dell, Richard Armitage and Tasha Norris.

The event was organized by the Vernon County Domestic Violence Task Force.

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