Justice for Nancy: Justice, Truths & Thanks Part 1

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I thought I’d better preface this one, as it’s sure to be slightly long, so I’ve broken it into Part #1 & Part #2. I’m writing this after an extremely exhausting day, and I’m paying for the copious amounts of stress horribly. The waves of adrenaline that flushed over me as I read my statement to the Judge were more than my broken body could bare. After court, I pushed through the last day of camp week & a pow-wow….Mom’s don’t get days off. My youngest was with me today, and did a fabulous job. Some questioned why she was there, and the answer is simple: She’s always been there. She’s been such a comfort for Grandma since this happened. She just gives out those vibes, and I know a few of us were extremely glad her bright smile, and large hugs, were available upon request. So, here it is…..as today was for me.

Driving to court today was rough. But for the bright smile in the back seat, and Matchbox 20, I’m not sure I would’ve made it. My mood has been broken, heavy, and deep for weeks. I’ve tried my best to keep myself centered, and calm. That stopped working this morning, at about 7:45am when I walked into the court house. My heart instantly sped up about 10 beats per minute just from entering into the grand rotunda, and taking in the views. Our court house, the Allen County Courthouse, is a sight to behold. The wall details and pictures are amazing, and tell so many stories. We moved into the courtroom, and began filling the entire side of the room.

I can’t tell you what it meant to me, or the family, to have you all there with us. I know hearing what you heard, seeing what you saw, and our raw emotion was probably extremely difficult to hear and watch. You’re each truly appreciated, and as my mom has said, we could feel your thoughts, prayers, and hands on our backs, holding us up to get justice for Grandma.

Before I dive into the play by play in Part 2, I’d like to tell you about the sentence that was handed to him today. The fabulous Judge in this case saw through his “guilty” plea, and called him on it. She disregarded attempts to blame his “special needs” and “lack of grasping the concept.” She used the words “astonishing” when discussing the brutal and violent things he did to her. She pointed out to his fabulous public defender, that was asking for a chance for rehabilitation, and that he had had those chances when he was in trouble as a juvenile, and either blew off the programs, or didn’t bother trying. She noted his size. That no one could safely protect themselves from a 6 foot 3 inch man like him. In the end, she gave him 50 years for the Class A felony charge, and for the reduced Class B felony (to allow a consecutive sentence) 20 years. 70 years in jail for taking my Grandma’s life.

Continue on to Justice for Nancy: Justice, Truths & Thanks ~ Part 2