Vicki Lynne, Age2
The days in recent weeks have been a blur of activity as we prepared to travel to Arizona to attend an Evidentiary Hearing that will be held on Monday, October 7, 2013. During this hearing, the defense will attempt to prove that there was ineffective counsel during the original sentencing and initial appellate phase AND that his supposed mental illness (PTSD – post traumatic stress disorder) was never entered into evidence – all in an effort to have his current sentence altered and the death sentence removed.
From September 1984 to now, we have battled Frank Atwood and the criminal justice system to bring justice for Vicki. He was sentenced to death in May of 1987, and since then this case has made its way to the U. S. Supreme Court, first on an automatic appeal, and again during the Post Conviction Release Appeal, both of which were denied. The Writ of Habeas Corpus, (the petition in which we are dealing with now) was filed in March of 1998. In this petition there were 43 claims, all which have been denied, except this last one, the reason for the Evidentiary Hearing on Monday.
When my sister was kidnapped and murdered 29 years ago, I would have never imagined that I would still be dealing with her murderer today. And, although I could have never truly imagined that our journey would have gone the way it has, I would have never thought that I would be packing my family and traveling to Arizona for one last hearing.
We will attend the proceedings to represent Vicki. To say that we feel an incredible amount of injustice at the length of time we have had to battle this would be an understatement, but we continue with our family, our friends and our community to seek justice for Vicki. And, it is close.
Atwood should have been taken out and hung immediately after he was caught. This innocent child’s life was ended by his choice 29 years ago in a horrific way. He should not have been allowed to breath anymore of the world’s air nor eat at tax payers expense. Our judicial system has failed those it was developed to protect because criminals such as Atwood are allowed to live for years to come with no responsibilities, no real life worries, and with more priviledges than all of those in poverty. I say get rid of crimials like Atwood and use the money to help the poor, hungry, and innocent.
Amen!
I am wearing my original yellow ribbon that I wore so many years ago in honor of Vicki. I was her 2nd grade teacher at Homer Davis Elementary School. Debbie, Stephanie and family – you are in my thoughts and prayers!