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Post by LadyBlue on Mar 1, 2005 21:04:23 GMT -5
Kalyn and Joe Bowes grip the pictures of Jessica Lunsford and hold on to hope that their missing cousin will be found safe. Family members say she was abducted from her grandparent's home in Florida "We just want who ever has got her or anybody who has seen and know anything to call -- we just want her home," said Joe Bowes. As the search on the ground continues in Florida, family members in Gastonia County are asking for prayers and vowing to keep watch. "We won't stop until she comes home," said Bowes. They say much of Jessica young life was spend in Gaston County. She went to Carr Elementary School in Dallas. Her teacher called her a nice and shy young lady. The same temperament that cousin Kayln Bowes saw in her. "Outgoing, she's got a shy side to her, but she is awesome. She is a sweet girl," she said. Last year, Lunsford and her father went to stay with his parents in Citrus County, Fla. "She was very happy, very content. Very happy with where she was at," said Bowes. Her grandmother tucked her into bed Wednesday night. Thursday morning she and one of her stuffed animals were gone. "We love her we miss her," said Bowes. "It's just unreal." www.wsoctv.com/news/4244016/detail.html |
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Post by gestalt on Mar 21, 2005 11:19:19 GMT -5
News update from Florida: www.wtsp.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=12637Excuse me for this comment, but when I read postings from people on other websites about what happened to Jessica, I'm amazed at their ignorance! They are shocked that this has happened. Well, I have news for you folks: you need to become AWARE of what's been going on for years. These are not "isolated" incidents. Something must be done and should have been done long ago about these child rapers and murderers. They will snatch children at any opportunity, and will be bold enough to get into your house. If this is not terrorism, I don't know what is! Our government is spending Billions of dollars on a war, and gave Billions to tsunami recovery in another country. They say that we can't afford to house prisoners--so they're letting them loose to murder our children and women. IMO: This is domestic terrorism and should be treated as a terroristic crime by the Federal Government. 1. Get them OUT of our society 2. Funnel major money into prevention 3. Should be: Priority 1 at Federal Level all the way down. People like Patty Wetterling in Minnesota, who is a crusader, didn't get elected because people are more concerned about their taxes than children and women. Who is going to deal with this before it happens again? I'm so angry that our goverment isn't ACTING on this.   I'm sorry Jessica, I'm sorry this government failed to protect you. I'm so sorry...God help us. |
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Post by LadyBlue on Mar 21, 2005 11:31:56 GMT -5
You know what Gestalt, I can't even believe this. When Dru went missing, and we all went thru that together, and our hearts broke for she and her family, I thought maybe, just maybe things would be different, that her death would bring change, but it hasn't.
People are still ignorant of the facts. They think that Jessica was the first, well maybe she was for them and it finally hit home with more people, but there have been so many, too many to even count. Things have to change in this country. People have to begin to stand up and speak and make people in the legislature hear them.
During the time that Dru went missing, we also had Carlie Brucia be walked away from a car wash in Florida, by another sex offender, he murdered her and there she was, laying beside a church. My heart once again broke, and we thought something good would come out of this, well it really hasn't has it? Nothing more is being done by LE to protect the children. They just think that parents need to be the responsible parties. Well parents can't put their children inside a protective bubble. They can only do so much when there are predators out there stalking woman and children on a daily basis.
That damn Amber Alert needs to be changed, and LE needs to begin immediately to search for the missing person, instead of focusing on the family first. I realize they need to investigate the family, but while doing that, also search for the child for GOD'S sake.
I have so much to say here that I can't even begin!
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Post by LadyBlue on Mar 21, 2005 17:51:50 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Jessica Lunsford's Uncle Wants Justice
[/glow]
A Miami Valley family prepares for a sad journey to Florida to remember 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.
Authorities said Jessica's body was found over the weekend in a wooded area near her grandparent's Citrus County, Fla., home. Investigators said a registered sex offender, John Couey, 46, is suspected of kidnapping and killing Jessica.
Jessica's sister, uncle and cousins live in Springfield. They have been dealing with many emotions from sadness to extreme anger for the man accused of taking her life.
Paul Lunsford wants justice for his niece who was taken from her grandparent's home on Feb. 23.
Last week, police said Couey, a registered sex offender confessed to abducting Jessica and killing her. Authorities said Couey was staying with his half-sister near Jessica's home.
Paul Lunsford said that when his niece disappeared, he immediately went to Florida to help search for her. He said he came back to Springfield to hear the news that Jessica's body had been found.
While family members are leaning on each other, they have also received tremendous support from friends and strangers.
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Post by LadyBlue on Mar 21, 2005 17:53:22 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Death Penalty Charge Filed[/glow]
The Citrus County sheriff's office in Florida has charged John Couey with the capital murder of 9-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford.
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said that he doesn't believe "you get two chances when you get involved with a young child."
Couey is also charged with burglary with battery, kidnapping, and sexual battery on a child under the age of 12. Officials said he would be arraigned Tuesday morning.
The body of Jessica Lunsford was found over the weekend. Police said Couey, 46, a convicted sex offender, confessed.
The Citrus County sheriff said Couey entered Jessica's house through an unlocked door, snatched the girl from her bed and later sexually assaulted her before killing her.
Dawsy said medical examiners confirmed the sexual assault. But, Dawsy said, because the suspect was in a "drug haze" during the abduction, it may never be known how long she was held before she was killed. She was last seen alive Feb. 23.
The girl's body was found near a mobile home where Couey had been staying -- about 150 yards from her house.
Couey's half-sister and two others who lived in the home are charged with obstructing police for failing to notify authorities when Couey allegedly told them he had committed a crime.
Forgiveness Hard For Jessica's Father
How can a father forgive his child's killer?
That's a question Christians ponder this Holy Week as they remember Jesus' words from the cross: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
In Florida, a grieving Mark Lunsford said he wants the killer of his 9-year-old daughter Jessica to be executed and sent to "hell."
Lunsford said anyone who acts like that does not "deserve to be amongst us." He said he'd like to confront the killer himself.
But at the Baptist church that Jessica attended, the pastor asked his congregation Sunday to both pray for the Lunsford family and forgive the suspect.
Lunsford said he and his relatives will soon begin planning Jessica's funeral.
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Post by LadyBlue on Mar 21, 2005 17:54:15 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Friends, Family Remember Jessica[/glow]
Friends and relatives of Jessica held a candlelight vigil last night in a tearful tribute to the slain child.
Jessica spent much of her life in Gaston County, N.C., before moving to Florida with her father, Mark, about a year and a half ago. When she disappeared, former neighbors and friends sold barbecue plates to raise money for the family and recalled how the shy daddy's girl would refuse to talk to strangers.
On Sunday night, more than 100 supporters gathered again to honor her with a candlelight vigil outside The Boardwalk, where Mark Lunsford worked as a bartender. They remembered Jessica as a happy girl who loved to sing.
Donations can be made out to "Jessica Marie Lunsford Fund" and sent to the following address:
SunTrust Bank
Mail Code Fl Homosassa-0111
P.O.Box 156
Attn: Jamie
Brooksville, FL
34605
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They have rightsdo we
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Post by They have rightsdo we on Mar 22, 2005 14:00:37 GMT -5
Released from prison with a promise to the public that they will be watched, monitored.
Instead ,they spend their plentiful free time watching, observing and planning.
They know that parents can't possibly protect their children every second, every day. Parents have to work. Parents sometimes even need some time to themselves, to go out for dinner, to go to a movie, to visit a friend...
I'm sure the family of Jessica are thinking, "if only I could have protected her more"...getting angry, outraged at themselves, then crying themselves into exhaustion.
for God's sake, the child was in her own bedroom, her own home, and the grandparents were there.
He sat out on that porch with plenty of time, getting stoned, drunk, watching and not being watched by anyone--free to do whatever he wanted to.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Something is very wrong with this picture, don't you think? That's what I know.
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Post by gestalt on Mar 22, 2005 14:16:11 GMT -5
The last post was from me--they have rights, do we?
Sorry. Had to say something and was so upset I forgot to log in.
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Post by gestalt on Mar 23, 2005 10:31:53 GMT -5
Readers: I have discovered a very good Web site from the UK. There is an article here well worth reading and much information to explore. As I have discovered, sometimes it is very informative to read research and articles from media in countries other than our own, to gain a more thorough and different perspective of what goes on in the US. www.newcriminologist.co.uk/news.asp?id=1014257241 |
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Post by gestalt on Apr 5, 2005 0:40:02 GMT -5
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