Saturday, December 7, 2013

Justin's momma~Links to Articles attached~Justin's Murder & Case

Attached are a few of the many links pursuant to articles/media circulated during the time of Justin's unconscionable attack.  The heinous, cowardly and senseless murder of my son, and only child, Justin DeSha-Overcash on January 11, 2011.   Occurred on January 11, 2011, in a rental home he shared with 4 to 5 other students of UMd; you did not meet any potential renters as each bedroom was rented individually.

Between 11:12AM and 11:27AM my son was sadly forced into a situation in an attempt to protect two of his UMd College Park, MD Alums.   A masked, armed, this home invader was verbally harassing Justin; with the barrel of his wicked gun resting on by beautiful sons abdomen.  One of Justin's roommates had been asleep, heard the commotion and hid under his bed to call 9-1-1; I commend this young man.  He did exactly what he should have done; he had already heard one shot fired.  Later we would learn the coward shot between Justin's legs in an attempt to scare him and Justin still would not back down!  I know all of this information because a friend of Justin's walked into this living nightmare.  This cruel callous calculating armed career criminal then turned the gun toward this young man and as he recounted the horrifying facts of my son's last moments to me he said, "momma I could see past this guys shoulder, I could see what my brother Justin was going to do; he was going to save the life of his younger brother,  he was going to save my life.  Justin hit him and momma the guy just turned around, looked at him, laid his gun on Justin's stomach and shot him twice.  I tried to hit him momma; I tried!"

The day this cretinous spawn murdered Justin [and destroyed many lives] he wore an ankle monitor for a DC Felony II Handgun Charge received [twenty two DAYS] before he cold bloodily murdered Justin, using a GUN.  The cowardly murderer was also on a parole violence in the county where he ultimately [with no mercy] murdered Justin on a 2009violation.  Not ONCE but TWICE this coward should have been behind bars and my son would be here for the holidays NOT missing the third year in a roll laying 6" underground.

I know my son as well as he knows me; Justin never thought that this person [or any person] would shoot unarmed, innocent people he did not know and had not quarrel with.  Justin miscalculated the cruelty, lack of love for human life or respect for oneself let alone anyone or living thing for that matter.

I am Justin's [forlorn] momma
 

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-12-27/local/35287507_1_drug-dealer-homicide-victims-police-headquarters

http://www.tbd.com/articles/2011/01/slain-u-md-student-justin-desha-overcash-mother-says-police-using-drugs-as-scapegoat-44724.html

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Two-Men-Arrested-In-Murder-of-Md-College-Student-118995949.html

https://www.facebook.com/notes/karen-desha/facebook-hosts-electronic-eulogies-from-the-friends-and-acquaintances-of-justin-/10150334594983724

http://archive.org/details/tv?time=201102&q=karen%20desha

http://www.maceandcrown.com/2012/02/04/remembering-chris-cummings/

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/campus/article_fb8cf901-ddb7-57ef-ab5c-e8f5fce90099.html

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/article_0cb7c9b4-c294-5c22-807d-84408d055f77.html

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-02-15/news/bal-college-park-shooting-wont-be-reflected-in-university-crime-tally-20130215_1_campus-security-policy-clery-act-jeanne-clery-disclosure

Friday, December 6, 2013

After Justin's birth fast realization he was different/smart/ahead

A few words about Justin.

First written July 23, 2011 ~Edited December 06, 2013

I had listened to other parents stories and by the time I was ready to deliver you honey I was convinced I did not possess the proficiency or mental capacity to parent a child!  I truly did not have the slightest notion what to expect or know prior to your appearance.

**I heard all these other women screaming and I said, Harold [ob/gyn] "why are all these women screaming?'  Harold's classic response, "They're having babies!"  I said, "Dude if it gets much worse I'm GOING HOME!"  Oh and I MEANT IT!  

**Well, the first is Justin is so small every time we put his diaper on and pick him up Justin's diaper immediately fall's off!


Then after you become a parent; there is no personalized instruction manual in all those gobs of things you're sent home with from hospital! You are suddenly stricken with the horrific realization that this is full blown 'on the job' training that actually involves a human being; a tiny, itty, bitty REAL human being!  At it's best, speaking as a once terrified new parent honestly at times, it can be  frighteningly overwhelming.  I know I am so supportive; yes my friends say this about me all of the time!

Yes you will find that you constantly question yourself and your methods while rearing your child all the while hoping the damage you do is not going to prevent your children from becoming a positive force as a member of society. Then there are days, the glorious days, you just know all is well with your child and they are progressing into wonderfully compassionate, strong, intelligent adults prepared for the challenges life offers.

I was lucky; Justin was an easy child to raise. He was just a happy little person from the very beginning. Justin had focus, depth, compassion, empathy, a beautiful heart and mind that possessed knowledge, he learned quickly and never failed to notice what others did.

Even when Justin was a young child he had wisdom far beyond his years and passion, WOW, he approached everything with passion.  Early on I knew Justin enjoyed math; he liked games that involved math or preferred asking us to write down math problems for him to solve all day long on Saturdays!

Watching him sometimes I found myself fascinated at his GOD given knowledge which he worked diligently to enhance through constant study and research.  A very old soul residing in a very young man's body; he could come up with profoundly logical solution to extremely difficult equations.

Justin never harmed or hurt anyone in his life.  He had no enemies and never held a grudge. When you became a friend, bruh, sister this on Justin's part is a life long commitment.   Justin was the type of person no matter what time of day or night, no matter what the circumstance, he always made time to comfort and advise those whom needed him and that would have been thee for him, too, those friends/cuzes he loves so dearly.

He loves music and always said, "music brings people together!"  He was composing his own pieces for competition on the alto sax in the seventh grade.  Justin play the tenor and alto sax, keyboard, guitar and drums.  Music is physics and math.....well really both.  In Justin's journal he writes about the beats he hears in his head and has put many down on [garageband].  I like them all but it is my son's work...nah even though it is Justin's work I have always enjoyed all venues of music including Rap, Hip/Hop, R&b, Jazz, Hard Rock, Show Tunes, etc.  So did Jca$h..."music does bring people d together."

Go not be too angry with me for boasting; you Justin were my gift from God; I ask to know of true happiness and love before departing this world and God sent you...GOD BLESS you my beautiful son. I love and miss you beyond human comprehension....momma 'out'

A collage for you Honey, love you always and forever, momma

Justin's momma Responding to the PA attorneys kind email about Americas broken judicial system

Edward

I can tell from your writing you are a natural.  I do not mind your going on and on; Southerners always go on and on!  Where do you think country music came from...in the South there is always a story!

I am sadly familiar with all the crimes you researched and speak of; I was not aware how they finally associated that cretinous, evil devil with Walshs' sons gruesome and senseless murder.  My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a loved one to violence; although, had anyone harmed Justin in this manner I too would be in prison.  Trust me no one could have held me back on a murderer of such cruelty and unnatural acts.

Thank you Edward for reading up on Justin; too many want to read a couple of articles and jump to conclusions as if the media and press are gospel truth tellers.  The college was outraged, saying, "Justin is the epitome of a UMd students; one we wish we had many more of..."  The Assistant Dean of Physics knows Justin personally; he openly interviewed and blasted the PG County police, press and media.  The UMd Chief [former PG Co. chief 26 years retired] knew Justin personally and loved him...Justin was just that kind of guy....Chief Mitchell was interviewed and said, "Justin's home was NOT even on the UMd campus police radar!"  The evidence they [police press release & media] elude to as being in Justin's room WAS NOT in Justin's room!  He had 5 other roommates and had confided in a professor [mentor] things were going on in the home he did not like.  She advised him to vacate.  Justin said he was planning on moving out when he graduated and his lease was up in May 2011..this date never came for Justin!

Justin was rarely at this home...he was either on campus studying, doing research on the Earth's Core Mantel [on campus, too] or at the UMd Observatory [off campus appx 2 miles pas his rental home] until 3 or 4 AM in the morning.  He had discovered a comet and was tracking the movements. 

His then 65 year old neighbor told me it took her two weeks to find a college student with my cell phone number; adding she was not going to stop until she found someone.  She wanted to call for two reasons; first she had a note on her refrigerator written by Justin Halloween 2010 inviting her to their annual party and she said she did not know why she had kept it but would like to send it to me [I am so grateful to have this letter]. She proceeded to tell me she did not want to sound morbid but she sat by her TV for two days praying to God, "Please do not let it be Justin."  Last but not least she verified Justin's truck was never there; he was always at school, or working, or at the Observatory.  She said, "Justin was different.  He looked different, dressed differently, walked and talked differently.  Oh I am not saying the other young men were not nice but they just were not like Justin.  I'd be at the sink washing dishes and look out and see them all shooting hoops and he just stood out; he was different." 

Fighting Justin's fight~The MD Victims attorney [you know the attorney who was supposed to be on JUSTIN'S SIDE] told another survivor whose daughter was murdered [yes it immediately got back to me], "Karen has a big mouth and talks too much.' 

I emailed this [so called attorney who took an ethics code] and prefaced my email with the following: A conversation between Justin and me, "momma how do you stay quiet on the TV and movie sets?"  "Aw honey they shush me more than a third grader!"

_____ in the future should you have an issue or problem with me I would expect you to be more mature and professional by speaking with me personally.  By the way my big mouth and my talking too much is what got my son's murder investigation underway and ultimately solved. 

You did nothing, the prosecutor did nothing but belittle my son and fight me every step of the way for two years.  Shall I go on and name all of those involved who did not care that my beautiful son Justin was heinously murdered and then chosen to be **'thrown under the bus'?  Not one of you did anything to protect Justin's integrity, ethics and honor.

By the way if you believe you are the first [or will be the last] to say I have a big mouth and talk too much; get in line.  Folks have made this exact same comment about me since the day I learned how to talk!! 

End of email sent to Victim attorney~
**Shortly before Justin became the eleventh murder victim in the first eleven days of January 2011 the PG County MD former Police Commissioner, his wife and the former Police Chief were arrested for MONEY LAUNDERING!  

Then the murders began and the PG County MD Barlowe Road police press release room handled it brilliantly [believing no one would notice or question their investigative prowess or whether they possibly believed their own hype or believed us to all be without the capability to think for ourselves or disseminate what we actually have seen with our own eyes and heard with our own ears]:

By the end of the murdering spree 36 are dead and ALL are blamed for their own murders~Including 53 year old, Aletha Mea Jenkins, mother of 3, a HIT & RUN Victim!  Yes they blamed her for her own demise also?  You see she was arrested for drugs two DECADES ago!  OMG! We truly do live in a world gone mad!

Justin is murdered~ [# 11]  they attempted to make my beautiful son 'the whippin' boy' slurring horrible lies, fabricating his lifestyle, eluding to what evidence they found, stating for the camera ,"He DESERVED TO DIE!" [at the time of this news conference Justin was in the hospital ER fighting for every breath and I did not yet know my beautiful sons life hung in the balance and was ultimately forfeit.]  There were articles and media pursuant to Justin everyday for months; none of which even came close to the truth of Justin's life and lifestyle or what truly happened on this horribly day Justin's life ended.  If those involved thought, for even an instant, there is a parent on this planet who would have stood still allowing [ANYONE] to mistreat their child in such a heinously, undeserved, incredulously, disrespectful and dishonorable manner; they are sorely wrong about how life in my home works!

Look up the other 35 VICTIMS...you will find 2 to 3 sentences in 2 to 3 paragraphs and no further mention.  Oh did I mention Justin was the only Caucasian Victim and they [authorities] thought they could play this off to take the medias eyes off their money laundering precinct...this inane plan blew right up in their faces!!  The women who call me for help are from all over our country; however, I still get calls from hopeless mothers of murdered children from PG COUNTY, too!  They want their murdered children to have results and JUSTICE.   [The judicial system not working for the Victim/Survivor as usual.]

Oh you hit on a pet peeve; I want Williams incarcerated for LIFE.  If he gets out he WILL murder again.  The sentencing judge stated for the record, "Mr. Williams with 30 years on the bench it is my opinion you cannot be rehabilitated."  I am no psychologist but I watched the murderer in court [had the opportunity several times his attorney was working hard to prove everyone else made him murder Justin.  With all due respect; they're both delusional!]  He is a sociopath; he blames EVERYONE, except himself, for Justin's murder; even Justin!  He has shown no remorse and never apologized.  He has busied himself with filing appeals; I have busied myself sharing with MD's gov't and judicial system that this little murderous cretin better not get even ONE day off his sentence.  Adding, "If ya'll think I showed my hind parts in 2011 and 2012 ya'll ain't seen what I am capable of yet!"  [Spoken threats are far more effective when spoken with a southern accent using incorrect grammar!]  Allows folks to imagine the banjo theme from "Deliverance"!

PG County has 1,600 UNSOLVED murders and closes 37% of crimes committed [FBI Statistics Site].  Yes I do my homework on my competition...they successfully BLAME every VICTIM for their own demise!? No one will stand their ground with them.  I do not have the concept of being afraid of the judicial system or government; I am an American Citizen I have always stood my ground when I know I am right.  This is precisely why Justin stood his ground against [an idiot with a gun] and chose to protect two of his friends that horrible day.  Although I believe Justin did not believe, in a million years, someone would be as cowardly and cruel or as EVIL as Justin's murderer to actually shoot, innocent, unarmed, non-violent people. 
For over two years I endured stupidity and lies from every direction; I did research on everyone involved.  I would have advised them to do the same but they believed they were smarter and untouchable.  The campus Chief of police said, "They didn't quite expect you."  I responded, "No one ever does."

Good news I am very quick reading body language, micro second facial expressions and lies or misdirection [too much info~LIE], etc.  Ergo why I was good in sales; empathy, I forgot empathy, one of my most honed skills.  

When the police tried to play me, harass me, intimidate me; I would turn it around on them.  It did not take long before they became frustrated and openly aggravated with me.  I just kept smiling when I talked...I'm Southern what do they want me to do? 
When all of the residents began to listen to what I was saying it made sense and the authorities knew; people more often choose to listen to the person shouting the loudest and spewing the truth.  I still remember the day the lead detective screamed at me, "WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?"  I screamed back, "I WAS BORN THIS WAY!" 

It's been unbelievable but for some reason I feel as if my background more than prepared me for this challenge!  Thank you again Edward for the support and encouragement.  Some days it does help to know that one person can make a difference they just can't give up!  I've learned Justin made such a profound difference on many lives; how can I not be anything but proud to know such a great and remembered man.

God's blessings..get your book edited cannot wait to read!

Sincerely,
Justin's momma

"I would feel great shame if I did not show as much bravery as my son." ~Unknown~

Justin and me at his home standing approximately where he would fall.                                           



Thursday, December 5, 2013

Justin Found a Way to Fit In

One Smart Child

Justin Story Age 16 months old; Justin's first experience with a candy bar! This memory is so vividly etched on my mind it is as if this joyful moment occurred yesterday. I chose to give Justin a piece of a Kit Kat; I decided this would be a perfect proportion. He grasped it in his little fist and without hesitation bit off the part of the candy bar exposed above his clenched fist. As I watched him chewing his eyes began to grow bigger; Justin liked the candy bar. I asked if I could have a bite and he pointed to his fist and shook his head, 'no' indicating there was none left for me to bite. I pointed to the bottom of his fist where there, exposed, was about a 1/2 inch of Kit Kat. Justin turned his fist, looked at this morsel, bit it off and pointing he shook his head, 'no' again indicating there was none left for me to bite!! hahaha Justin was already able to analyze and come up with a solution thus allowing me NO candy!! This is the night I decided to give Justin his own drawer in the kitchen; Justin's "Candy Drawer". This allowed us the simplistic solution of never having to 'child proof' the kitchen or house for that matter. Not saying this would work with all children but it did with Justin....never did he open any other drawers or cabinets. Why would he; he had his own drawer! I love you honey...in my minds eye I can see you as clearly as if I had returned in time to this precious moment. I remain Justin's momma

Chocolate FACE!  Westminster, MD Justin's first home!  He resided here from May 6,1988 through August 1989.


Sorry I digress; you didn't even know there was a purpose for this newest blog!  A whole 'nother story and this is not it!  Although it did make me smile remembering this night I wish you could have seen him bite the other end of the Kit Kay bar and then point and shake his head; classic move!!
____________________________________________________________________
Going back to 2002.....Relocating to PA from NC.....It is my personal belief, as a Southerner, when one leaves the South for the North they should be issued a Green Card! bahahahha

Okay so here goes I am now ready to share the real story I felt compelled to type as it does not seem to want to go away from my memory.  I share them, with whomever finds them of interest or learns something from the sequence of events [now past], then I can move to another level in my sad attempt to understand this surreal and bittersweet journey [like too many others] I find myself on.

[Just a footnote when we relocated, to Pa to reside for four years, the first grocery store visit [Ginuardi's] took Justin and me almost 4 hours!  There were products there neither one of us had ever seen in our lives and we were both so curious we had a great time!] 

From first grade through eighth grade Justin attended elementary [Overton] and middle [Knox] in Salisbury, NC.  Salisbury, located in the Piedmont region of NC, is rarely very cold.  One can grow some types of flora 12 months a year [most years] as the climate rarely calls for more than layered light jackets.  Salisbury, NC a truly beautiful and friendly city to visit with many Historical sites of interest to see. 

Salisbury NC
Justin with his cuzes at Knox Middle school; Justin's love football
one sport where everyone must work together as a team!







For decades many Northerners have relocated to the southern states for the kinder climate and for a less stressful lifestyle.  The opposite though is true of Southerners; rarely does a born and bred Southerner relocate north!  Um,we did; when we relocated from Salisbury, NC to Chalfont PA, for us, it was like moving to another country! 

Counties, Townships, Borrows, [I felt like some type of underground animal], school taxes; this is all very confusing to a southerner?  Different foods, colloquialisms, attitudes, everyone always in a hurry, everyone blaming everyone else, everyone speaking in a very loud voice [they considered] normal?

[Another footnote Justin's first introduction to a Hogie did not go very well!]

Justin, a ninth grader, started attending Unami Middle School; when I picked him up on his first day
I asked, "So how was it?" He looked straight ahead, never skipping a beat, he factually stated, "Momma I'm going to get caucasaphobia!" I thought I was going to fall out of the car I was laughing so hard. How he came up with such hysterically funny insights is beyond me.  Justin always noticed things others either did not notice or simply chose to ignore.  [The later being the true reality of most people lacking interest in this world!] 

[Footnote Justin did not understand why the PA teachers did not stand at the classroom doors and greet the students in the morning like the teachers in NC??]

Unami had just under 1,000 students from 7th, 8th and 9th grades~0nly 8 student alumnus were African American~Black.  These few students and Justin became fast friends; he treated them differently from the local students.  Justin had a couple of hurtful and hateful altercations for which I called and informed the school, "If ya'll cannot straighten this out I'll be more than happy, too!"  I believe I added something to the effect of "tearing down the school one brick at a time with my bear hands is not a stretch"!  Yes this sounds exactly like me and I meant every word!  They got it straightened out pronto!  There are times in life, "NICE don't feed the Bull dog!!"  They knew I am southern, they knew I spoke like a hillbilly, they did not know I possess an IQ above 130 and was as protective of Justin as a momma bear.  I have always found it most interesting that so many Northerners believe Southerners to be illiterate; even comparing us to the 1960's TV sit-com "Mayberry".  This was [one] of the main reasons behind my call to Unami; students were bullying Justin and calling him illiterate.  Justin was taught to be the "bigger person" so he would not boast of his high IQ and his scholastic accomplishments; HOWEVER, I will! 

[Footnote Justin wanted to know why the PA students thought he was illiterate because he came from the South?]

Oh now do not get me wrong my boasting about Justin's scholastic prowess aggravated him to no end and he would always whisper to me, "momma why do you always tell people about my school; don't do that!"  I would answer with the same comment, "aw Honey I am just so proud of you; if I had been half as focused as you growing up who knows where I could be."  Then Justin would just laugh knowingly; as if he did understand this was part of his mommas love and pride that he maintained his focus and had not allowed outside influences to take his [eye] off his goals.  He still did not like that I spoke of his accomplishments; he preferred no one know his grades.  Justin decided in elementary if his anyone knew about his grades they might not like him.          

Parents receiving notes from school?  Imagine how embarrassing, for us as parents, to receive a note Justin's first year attending Unami middle in PA asking us, "Could you please see that your son is properly clothed for the climate?"  WHOA!  Unaccustomed to this harsher, colder, windy climate Justin was shivering, his extremities visually red enduring standing outside during Health/PE trying to be like the other guys!

Justin properly attired for the colder elements!!  Look at that DeSha smile...wow!

In February 2003 [while residing in PA] Justin came home one afternoon concerned that his middle school [Unami] was not observing "Black History Month".  Justin asked if I would please call the school on this matter.  Of course I called the school; I too wanted to know why there was no mention of "Black History Month".  Oh I already knew the answer I just wanted to see them squirm; hey I have a [dark side!]  So many Black Doctors, Scientists, Physicists, Mathematicians, Engineers, Historians, Educators, Actors, Composers, Musicians, Directors, Writers, Poets, I can go on and on with the many contributions by men and women not being recognized.  When Justin ask me a question and I do not know the answer I do research to attain the answer; what I found was bigotry.


[Footnote the principal at Unami ask me if I had his permission to explain to Justin why Unami did not observe "Black History Month?"  My response, "Go ahead but keep in mind Justin is brilliant; but possesses my personality."  When Justin got in the car that afternoon I said, "Honey did the principal talk with you?"  He said, almost in a questioning tone, "Yeah momma but he kept talking about *"Ellis Island Day". * A whole 'nother blog!!  OMG!  You will never believe what this school representative said to my son and me!  I still shudder to think folks like this have a job molding young minds!] 



All of the new young folks Justin encountered had known each other for decades; the same statistic Justin had left in NC!  Being the new kid, like Justin, though is not an easy task; so painfully shy he really had to learn how to break out of his shell first.  Because Justin does not see color it took some time for many of the PA students to understand and appreciate Justin's compassion and kindness toward everyone.  He slowly began to make a few friends; however, it would take time to meet anyone he felt comfortable enough to spend a lot of time around outside of the school experience or the occasional Saturday afternoon movie.  For a little over two years Justin mainly stayed in the basement studying and finally the day came.

My concern for Justin how to make friends; lasting friends?  Who knew all it would take was the right person to hear Justin utter "ya'll"?  Thank God for Rob Campbell [a well known and well liked student a year older] who introduced Justin to everyone and showed him the ropes!  Not to mention the many lessons of independence and leadership sunk in so much better than I [had] hoped, the lessons in diffusing altercations verbally~excellent!

Everyone packed and ready to leave for their respective colleges from PA.  Lasting friends/Cuzes/brothers/sisters.

[Diffuse the situation verbally by calming your foe; precisely what Justin was attempting to do the day he was murdered; however; Justin had not learned one cannot rationalize with an irrational [spawn of satin, yes I typed this] being.]


The career criminal was wearing an ankle monitor he rec'd 22 days before cold bloodily murdering Justin for a Felony II Handgun Charge in DC.  The murderer was NOT supposed to be released until his trial date 13 days AFTER HE MURDERED Justin.  The murderer was also on a parole violation for a 2009 charge he committed in the county in which he MURDERED Justin.  Not once but TWICE this murderer just waiting to HAPPEN was supposed to be JAILED!  
[Footnote THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE for the harm and heinously cowardice act that befell my beautiful son and the life long mental and emotional destruction heaped upon Justin's family and friends!]

Justin's genetic make-up is innate; I have watched him evolve since birth.  Justin is competitive but not a bully, strong but not self absorbed, independent but compassionate, persevering but places others before his own needs.  He has respect for others, empathy for others, and a true love of people and all that surrounds him in nature and the sky.  He is loyal to societal morals and ethics.

Justin and Luke on 38th Avenue College Park; I had taken Justin to a dr appt and we stopped by my rental home and picked up Luke for a ride.  Justin was laughing so hard and loudly when Luke got into the car. he had never seen Luke's riding [preparedness regime] in action!
 
During the next four years Justin would point out many differences, between NC and PA, until his high school graduation date in June 2006.  I am so proud Justin possessed the flexibility and maturity one needs to change your entire life [as you knew it] yet continue to learn, grow scholastically and ultimately succeed.  These four years, in PA, showed me everything I needed to know about my son; Justin would succeed in life without much difficulty.  He'd 'roll with the punches' and 'if he got knocked down' he wouldn't be down long.  He possessed a resilience and strength of attitude and was 'always up for the challenge.' He would not be intimidated; he was happy, worked hard and was destined to have a good life.  Justin could see the bigger picture and knew "in the scheme of things there were so many things that do not matter."

My SON!

Early on Justin foresaw the use of physics, not just in his scholastic aptitude, but in his everyday life and always had back-up plans!  I never saw Justin scholastically unprepared; he truly loved learning and expanding his mind as much as athletes love practicing and prepping for a game.

Justin at the corner of Campus and University[UMd College Park, MD] Justin's Almata [Grad 2011]

Justin played sports, musical instruments, composed music and consistently came up with entrepreneurial [small business] opportunities that were fresh, exciting and challenging.  Justin was thinking all of the time and he enjoyed many interests.  In my opinion, Justin lived more in his short 22 years than many live in an entire life time....he used every minute wisely!  Do you?

'Better times' Justin and Goofy [not pictured CJ] at Disney World celebrating Justin's 13th Birthday!




Son I miss you so very deeply the pain is real; the day you left I felt something being physically ripped from my body.  Something important, something I needed to survive in this world; YOU!  I love you honey.  I am and will remain [love you bigger than the universe] your momma



A Letter [About Justin] From a PA Former Attorney Turned Writer

This letter, penned to me, by a Pittsburgh, PA former defense/prosecutor truly lifted my spirits.  No it cannot bring my child back nor give me happiness or love from Justin back.  However; what Edwards word proved to me is I am not in denial and I see very clearly what is wrong with Americas judicial system.  Stand up, shout out, this system must be stopped and repaired before more innocent people or their loved ones die over senseless human mistakes.  I am Justin's [sadly bereaved] momma 


Hi Karen,

I wanted to reply to your heartfelt message sooner but it is taken me this long to assimilate and appreciate the import of your email. I hope this doesn't offend you, but when I first saw your picture I said to myself...that is one sad lady. After reading your story, I now understand why I had that weird impression. Before I begin to speak to your message, please be forewarned that I tend to babble and that brevity has never been my friend.

I have read as much as I could about Justin. He struck me as a fine, young man who would make any parent proud. To be struck down so early in life by a career criminal who never should have been breathing the same air as your son is an insult to all righteous people who believe in the sanctity of life. As you mentioned, this dirt-bag Williams should never have been unleashed on society in the first place. Had egregious mistakes not been made by those whose job is to protect society from degenerates, then your fine son would be with you today. How sad.

What really upset me was knowing that Williams will be eligible for parole in 2040 when he will only be 52 years old. We will provide him with life's necessities for 28 years and then a liberal parole board will probably release him to commit more atrocities. (I was a parole agent so I know a little about the system and how it works.) To add insult upon injury, his attorney-in-denial had the audacity to justify this reprobates behavior by insinuating the lenient sentence for first degree murder proved that his client was not some heartless soul. (My words but since I was also a defense attorney, I know from what I speak) To inflict further insult, the court sentenced the getaway driver to only fifteen years meaning he will probably be unleashed upon an unsuspecting society in 2021. Twenty-five and ten years respectively for FIRST DEGREE MURDER. Where is the justice?

{*Edward responded with the following pursuant to my complaint from Mr. & Mrs. Dan McCanns  last meeting with the Baltimore City Police Department about their 16 year old daughter, Annie McCanns unsolved 5 year old murder, they were told they COULD NOT take notes?} 
*You mentioned note taking in your moving story and I agree that it is ridiculous to deny individuals this right. Did you know that only eleven states expressly allow jurors to take notes during a jury trial? One state prohibits it and the rest leave it to the discretion of the judge. And with this collection of demigods deciding this important right (in my opinion jurors return a more rational sentence when they have the opportunity to memorialize testimony in the form of notes), only 37% recommend that jurors be encouraged to take notes during testimony. How is justice served if all precautions to ensure objectivity and fairness are eviscerated? It is because of this and much, much more that I refer to our judicial operations as the Criminal Injustice System.

I found it intolerable that the police and prosecutors seemed to minimize your son's death by implying that he was a drug dealer. Even if he imbibed occasionally, so what? And when did he find the time to get high? According to what I read, this man worked three jobs, tutored other students, and socialized with staff and classmates. Unlike Williams, he had no prior criminal record. He was a superior student. He was liked and respected by all. The participants in the Criminal Injustice system should have portrayed Justin as someone worthy of emulation. He should have been lionized, not criticized. How disturbing this must have been for you, to hear your son's life besmirched and degraded while his killer is granted every right, every privilege, every benefit of an inept system.

Allow me to digress with examples of the injustices in our country. While I was employed as a Protective Services Worker in northern California, the case of Polly Klass attracted national attention. This nine-year old angel was kidnapped and brutally raped by one Richard Allen in 1993. He was subsequently convicted of murder with special circumstances and sentenced to death in 1996. Upon conviction, he raised the middle fingers of both hands to the court as a parting gesture. As of today, he is on death row and still fighting his conviction due to a denial of his rights. Can you believe that? What about poor Polly's rights? The point of this story is that shortly after the kidnapping, Allen was stopped by the California Highway Patrol or the County Sheriff in a deserted stretch of a rural road. The traumatized Polly lay twenty yards away too petrified to scream. All the police had to do was to conduct a routine search of the area and they would have discovered the little girl and she would be alive today. But no, they didn't do that because they were afraid they would be accused of violating the suspects rights.

In 2005, Jessica Lunsford, a gorgeous nine-year old toddler, was kidnapped by a convicted pedophile named John Couey in Florida. Couey had an extended history of arrests dating back thirty years. The girl was removed from her home to a neighboring house where Couey lived with his half-sister and four other criminals.
Twice during the investigation, police questioned the half-sister and several of the residents. They had a suspicion that something was amiss but they did not have PROBABLE CAUSE to search the premises. They were unaware that Jessica, shackled and muffled, lay hidden in the closet. She was still alive during these visits by the police. The girl was subsequently brutally raped and then buried alive. She died from asphyxiation.
Couey was later convicted of numerous crimes and sentenced to death. Before the state of Florida could execute the soulless predator, he died in prison.

John Walsh, best known for his television show, America's Most Wanted, underwent a tragedy similar as yours when his six-year old son, Adam, was kidnapped in1981. A suspect was quickly identified-Otis Toole. Along with Henry Lee Lucas, this pair of serial killers slaughtered between 50 and 100 individuals in the eighties. Toole, a practicing cannibal, was eventually convicted off several murders and died in prison before he could be executed. When he was questioned regarding the disappearance of young Adam Walsh, he denied any involvement. The police searched his residence and car for clues. Pictures were taken, evidentiary items cataloged. Nothing. Then, in the late 2000's, Walsh and his wife contacted a former police officer and requested his help in apprehending the actual and finally achieving closure. The officer requested and was given all the files pertaining to the Walsh murder 27 years earlier. He analyzed every single item in the files until he uncovered a photograph of Toole's car. It was a picture of blood on the backseat floor and it appeared to be the image of a face! After more investigating and analysis by forensics, it was determined that the image was that of Adam, captured for posterity in his own blood.
The Florida prosecutor's office later admitted that its investigators mishandled the case and apologized to the Walsh's. For over twenty years, the couple agonized over their son's death, not knowing the true circumstances. Utilizing  routine investigative skills, the police would have quickly concluded that Toole was the murderer and the Walsh's twenty plus years of agonizing would have been avoided.

I could add more anecdotes but I do not wish to belabor the point. Mistakes are made every day which diminish the value of victims and coddle the accused. When I was researching my book concerning serial killers (it turned out to be too long, too convoluted, too much of this, etc. but I am re-editing it) I discovered numerous cases where mistakes were made by psychiatrists, social workers, police officers, penal authorities, and even judges that allowed serial killers to walk free, to be able to continue their murderous rampage. Scores of innocent victims could have been saved had only the people in charge done what they were supposed to do. Had they only done their job, nothing more, nothing less.

Before you fall asleep, I will conclude my dissertation. I can only applaud your efforts and courage. Because of you, victims have a voice. You speak for those who cannot. Your work offers solace and comfort to those who grieve for their loved ones. I hope you continue to fight the good fight, to rail against the injustices of this society, to provide a bastions of relief to those who need it the most. My hat is off to you, Karen. I hope some day we can meet. I will borrow a phrase from Mr. Spock when I say, live long and prosper.

Respectfully,

Edward