Grief After Murder

 I came across this website Grief After Murder, and found this to be some really good information. 

Grief after a Murder

The grief of murder may be even more difficult to deal with than loss from a disease because the answer to “why” is always a third party. It is important for people to understand that gradually, in your own time, you can begin to find some solace with what has happened. In these situations, such as murder, it is vital to understand we have a legal system, not necessarily a justice system. For some, the only justice would be to have their loved one back. Acceptance is a process that we experience, not a final stage with an end point.

Here are some tips to help with the grieving process after a murder:

 Those who have lost a loved one due to natural causes may not understand all the complexities of a loss from a murder.

•  Murder has its own deeper level of denial and shock. The event is unbelievable, unexpected, tragic and a crime, all at once.
•  You may feel anger longer and deeper than from other deaths. Find constructive ways to let your anger out. And give yourself lots of permission to be angry. A horrible injustice has been done to your loved one, family, friends and the world.
•  Look for forgiveness on your time zone, not others. Forgiveness comes from within, not from a “should forgive” place. When friends tell you the stories of how a victim’s family found peace, just know they are in pain because they see you in pain.
•  Grief after murder has many expressions; our grief is as unique as a finger print. Some may want to get involved in the legal case, some may not. Others may want to face the murderer, others may not.
•  Know that not finding the murderer will often cause complex and unresolved grief. Of course it will be harder to find peace in a world where your loved one was killed and the murderer still walks free.
•  Murder is especially horrifying because another person’s actions took an innocent life. The idea that the tragic loss of a loved one can be determined by another person’s decision is devastating. It can also be incomprehensible that it can be a random act. The perpetrator may not be known to the victim or vice versa. The shock of losing someone to murder takes hold immediately and leaves family members totally bewildered.

Moody Murder Trial Ends

 Special Prosecutors from the Attorney General's Office ensured a conviction in the murder of Destiny Moody after only 2 1/2 hours after the jury went out to deliberate. Haywood was found guilty for murder, tampering with evidence and having weapons under a disability. 

 Terrence Haywood will be sentenced on November 3rd. 

Haywood had threatened her many times before he murdered her and she had apparently told friends that if anything ever happens to her, he will be responsible. You can read more here.

Her 6 year old son also testified here.

Photo Credit: Morning Journal/Deanne Johnson Lt. Marsha Eisenhart points out the location of the apartment of Destiny Moody and the alley where the murder weapon was found as Christian Stickan of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and defense attorney Dennis McNamara (right) hold the map up. Behind them on the screen is a photo of the murder weapon in the gutter.

Melinda Todd Murder Trial is Over

 This may have been the quickest murder trial I have ever seen. As I stated, I was in the courtroom for the entire morning and when we broke for lunch, I left to fulfill other obligations and was looking forward to being in court next week for the defense to present their case. 

I was told later today that after lunch, the defendant, Kevin Kirby, agreed to a plea deal by offering a guilty plea and agreeing to being sentenced right away. Melinda's family wanted it over. They were allowed to give their victim impact statements and then it was done. 

He was sentenced to 20 years to life. 

Todd Trial Continues

 

Today I had the privilege of observing the Kirby trial for most of the morning and have to say, it was very interesting. If you have never observed a murder trial, and are able to, I highly recommend it. You will learn some interesting facts. I will be returning next week to see more. 

You can read the latest from yesterdays paper here.

I have sat in on several murder trials and always walk away having learned something valuable. 

Years ago, I learned that the Crime Lab only analyzes items for DNA, for example, IF the officer submitting the item specifies exactly what they want. For example, if an officer submits say a shirt and wants it checked for possible DNA, the whole entire shirt does not get analyzed, but ONLY the areas of the shirt that the LE Officer requests (neckline, underarm, etc.). 

 If an officer submits an item without specific directions of what they want, it doesn't get tested, period. In this case, from back around 2011, there were some 60+ items submitted to the Crime Lab with blank labels, so therefore, they were returned unprocessed. 

I won't comment on todays testimony, or any of the other days I go to the trial, until the trial is over. I will then offer my opinion. I don't want to be responsible for disclosing something I shouldn't or in any way impede this case. (And of course, I want to be welcome to attend any of these trials). The media will keep everyone informed and up to date with the latest and I will return to this post and update the links for you with the latest information. 

As always, my heart goes out to this family. No one should ever have to go through this but I am also grateful for the great work done by Detectives and BCI Investigators on the case and for the Prosecutor's Office for prosecuting this case. This family has waited long enough for justice for Mindy and for Cole as well, and I certainly hope they get it. 

Photo credit: Morning Journal/Deanne Johnson Ed Lulla, a special agent from the Ohio Bureau of Investigations, points to an area of a map of Melinda Todd’s home where he gathered crime scene evidence the day of the murder in 2012.

For the 1st Time in Columbiana County, a Drug Dealer is Charged with Murder

 This series of articles is from 2014 but I was just made aware of it. How incredibly interesting that the awesome investigator (Detective Dave Talbert) in this case, was able to do this! I am not sure why I haven't heard about this, but it is great to know that it is happening. No matter what your views are about addiction, NO ONE has the right to take another persons life, under ANY circumstances. 

You can read about this here, and here, and here.

Photo credit: Morning Journal/Deanne Johnson Defense attorney Paul Conn stands to object during the preliminary hearing of his client, Rubin L. Williams, who was seated next to co-defense counsel Christopher Weeda. Williams is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of a Salem woman in 2016.

Hare's Psychopathy Checklist

 This article is part of an assignment for my Criminal Behavior class and I found it interesting. If you are interested in understanding the behavior of a psychopath, you can read how the checklist determines whether or not someone is considered a Psychopath by clicking this link.

Murder Trial for Melinda Todd Delayed

 The murder trial for Melinda Todd has been delayed due to issues involving Covid 19. This family has waited 8 years for justice. You can read more about this here.

My heart goes out to this family as I know it may not seem that long to most people, but another week or so is excruciatingly long to those waiting to face the man accused of murdering their loved one. This photo is of Kevin Kirby who is accused in this case. Photo was obtained through WFMJ's website.