April - Parents of Murdered Children

Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.
VALLEY OF THE SUN CHAPTER
F
“For the Families & Friends of those who have died by violence”
P.O. Box 39603 Phoenix, AZ 85069-9603
(602) 254-8818 Chapter E-mail: BeckieRose@aol.com
* National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. (POMC)
100 E. 8 th St., Ste 202, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513-721-5683) Fax (513-345-4489)
Toll Free Number (888) 818-7662
http://www.pomc.com/phoenix/index.html Volume 21; No. 4 April 2012
MONTHLY MEETING
LOCATIONS
Grief support meetings
EASTSIDE
NEW LOCATION
April 24, 2012 7pm
(4th TUESDAY of each month)
Mountain View Lutheran Church
11002 S. 48 th Street, Phoenix
(1/2 mile west of I-10 at 48 th Street & Elliot)
Room 8
Facilitator: Mari Bailey
(602) 405-7401
maribailey@gmail.com
Co-facilitator: Mark & Sandy LeGault
(480) 242-0038
WESTSIDE
April 24, 2012 7pm
(4th TUESDAY of each month)
Antioch Church of God in Christ
9600 West Peoria Avenue
NW Corner just off
Loop 101
Facilitator: Beckie Miller
(623) 582-2406
Co-facilitator: Kathy Hernandez
(623) 707-6825
CRIME VICTIMS LEGAL ASSISTANCE
PROJECT
Free legal aide to help assert victims' rights
through Arizona Voice for Crime Victims @
(602) 258-1812, P.O. Box 875920, Tempe, AZ
85287-5920 or contact Keli Luther at
kluther@voiceforvictims.org or Mary
Wallace at mwallace@voiceforvictims.org.
SPEAKER/INFORMATION MEETING
April 10, 2012
7 PM
(2 nd Tuesday of the month)
PPSSLA TRAINING ROOM
8821 N. 7 TH STREET
(south of Dunlap on East side of street)
Our meeting this month will feature
Speaker Nancy Molever discussing the
Juvenile Justice Impact Program. They are
beginning impact panels and you may wish
to be a part of this.
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Cynthia Harvey 602-482-8329
Mail Memorial Page items for “The Journey”, by
the 10 th of the month prior to publication to:
POMC Editor
1925 E. Vista Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85022
Payment for articles should be mailed to the P.O.
Box address listed above.
You can also email items to cynthiacharvey@cox.net Be
sure to place any article/picture in an attachment,
otherwise it can’t be accessed properly (especially
pictures) and may not be used. Also be sure to put POMC
newsletter in the subject line of the email or it may be
overlooked
1

Ernestina Marie Collins
April 1, 2005
Katrina Ruiz
April 2, 2000
James K. McDonnell
April 2, 2002
Kent Dunne
April 3, 1999
Shelly & Andy Parks
April 4, 1999
Eddie Payan
April 4, 1999
Matthew R. Donaldson
April 4, 2009
Robin Lee Livesay
April 5, 2010
Jason Vanosdell
April 5, 2010
Robert Burton
April 6, 1993
Simon Torres, Jr.
April 6, 1997
Cody B. Morrison
April 7, 2005
Chad R. Conquest
April 7, 2007
William H. Chandler
April 8, 2000
James LeSueur
April 9, 2004
Mary, Brittney &
Bobby Fisher
April 10, 2001
Sophia Nunez
April 10, 2006
Rosemarie Little
April 11, 2011
Spencer Stingley
April 12, 1994
Michelle Dickinson
April 12, 2009
Ernie Scroud
April 13, 2002
Jose Rodrigues
April 13, 2008
Tanya Rae Samora
April 13, 1988
Thom J. Kennedy
April 16, 1992
Susan Elaine Rancourt
April 17, 1974
Chris “Bear” Assman
April 17, 1997
Nila Ruth Lynn
April 19, 2000
2

Ali Altug
April 19, 2001
James Turley, Jr.
April 19, 1994
Thomas Hawthorne, Sr.
April 19, 1995
Brett Holbrook
April 21, 2002
Anders Ortega
April 21, 2006
Vincent Michael
Contreras
April 22, 2009
Bryan Allred
April 24, 2001
Alfonso Puyana
April 24, 2004
Christy Marie Gill
April 24, 2007
Bill Lewis Brown
April 24, 1992
Bill Schmidt &
Karen Swan
April 24, 1998
Lincoln Brevard
April 25, 2010
Mandy LeAnn Lund
April 26, 1995
Jared Scott Olson
April 28, 2006
Rafael Gaxiola
April 28, 2006
David Dill
April 28, 1990
Nick Pappas
April 28, 1996
Terry Sackett
April 29, 2003
Edward James Green
April 29, 2005
Matthew Clarke
April 30, 1994
Stephen D. Perry
April 30, 1994
Adam Leyva
April 30, 2007
Emilio Tapia
April 25, 2008
Bill Moxey
April 25, 1988
*Every effort is made to
ensure accuracy on this
page. Please call ASAP
with changes.

Memorial Wall Order Form
Please add my loved one’s name to the “Valley of
the Sun Memorial Wall in their Memories.” Each
Nameplate is $10. Our wall is displayed at many
special events across the valley such as the
Victims’ Rights Vigil at the State Capitol.
NAME__________________________________
Age:___________ Murder date: _____________
Picture Board
___Check here if sending picture for the picture
board (no cost).
Picture Buttons
___Please make #____picture buttons of my
loved one. (Enclose photo) Each button is 3”, and
costs $5.
** Send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope if
you want your photo returned. *Make all
checks out to POMC ….
*Mail to P.O. Box 39603
Phoenix AZ 85069-9603
___MasterCard ___Visa ___Discover Card
CC#_________________________________
Expiration Date:____________
THANKS FOR CARING
To The PPSSLA for donating our Speaker
meeting room; to Cross Point Christian &
Mountain View Lutheran Churches for the
Support Group meeting rooms; to The
Department of Public Safety VOCA for the grant
for our newsletter & everyone who has donated
gifts of their time, talents and energy to our
chapter activities. With your help we are able
to continue the outreach that is needed by our
community.
THE VALLEY OF THE SUN
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Beckie Miller, Chapter-Leader .............. (623) 582-2406
Sue Osolin, Co-Leader ......................... (602) 938-4593
Cynthia Clark-Harvey, Co-Leader…….(602) 482-8329
Don Miller, Treasurer ........................... (623) 582-2406
Mari Bailey, Secretary………………….(602)-405-7401
Kathy Hernandez-Schofield ................. (623) 707-6825
Tim Osolin ............................................ (602) 938-4593
Mark LeGault……………………………(480) 242-0038
Sandy LeGault…………………………..(480) 242-0038
Angie Saucedo....................................(480) 209-8465
Amanda Harris.....................................(623) 866-3189
“The Journey” Memorial Order Form (newsletter)
Please reserve: □ ¼ page (donation $10)
□ ½ page (donation $20)
□ Full page (donation $40)
Month you wish memorial to appear in:__________________
Loved One’s Name__________________________________
Date of Birth _______________Date of Death____________
YOUR Name______________________________________
YOUR Phone Number_______________________________
A quarter page will hold either a picture OR a brief message; a
half page will hold a picture and short poem OR message,
depending on space. If a photo is included, please provide
identification of the person on the back. If you wish the photo
to be returned include a self-addressed stamped envelope, big
enough for the picture to fit in. Unless otherwise specified,
location, size and structure of the text and picture will be at
editor’s discretion and space permitting.
*Return this form with your material for The Journey by the
10 th of the month preceding the issue you wish it to appear in.
*A donation for the memorial page can be made either by filling
out the credit card information below or sending a check with
the memorial information in care of:
Cynthia Harvey, Newsletter Editor
1925 E. Vista Dr.
Phoenix, Az 85022
____MasterCard ____ Visa ____ Discover Card
CC# ______________________________________
Expiration Date: _________________
CONTACT NUMBERS
POMC (after hrs V/M) ..................... ..(602) 254-8818
CRISIS LINE/MOBILE CRISIS TEAM
Empact Crisis Line ......................... …..(480) 784-1500
OTHER HELP LINES
Teen Lifeline .................................. …..(602) 248-8336
GrandCare (Grandparents help line)…..(602) 274-5022
Chapter E-mail……………………. BeckieRose@aol.com
Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project (480) 965-5640
Maricopa County Attorney,
Victim Services Advocates
(602) 506-8522
Crime Victim Compensation (602) 506-4955
4

THE COURAGE TO GRIEVE 2012
(A Weekend Retreat of Hope and Healing in the Pines)
May 4 - 6 in beautiful PINE, ARIZONA
Our chapter is hosting our seventeenth, self-help, rewarding weekend of the courage to grieve,
to
face the many overwhelming and difficult emotions that are the aftermath of murder and are often
compounded by the intrusion and frustration of the judicial process. Beneath the explosive
emotions of rage, hate, and revenge lay the more primary feelings of pain, fear and helplessness.
Unresolved these emotions can cause survivors to feel they are losing their minds. The isolation
survivors feel from those who will not or cannot deal with the impact of the loss, leave survivors
alone with their grief or discourage them from grieving at all. An integral part of this weekend will
be an examination of love, tenderness and affection, relaxation techniques and the encouragement
to move forward, uncover and experience within a safe environment of others who truly
understand. The retreat has been designed to influence the reconstruction of a new life -- a life that
has a renewed sense of purpose, though forever changed by murder.
The weekend begins with dinner on Friday night. Those attending will all meet at the cabin in
Pine at 5:00 p.m. and introductions to the group. This cabin was built by the Fornoffs specifically
for retreats, Roger and Carol, whose daughter Christy Ann was killed in Tempe in 1984 while
collecting money for her newspaper delivery route. Our chapter has hosted 17 retreats at the
Fornoff’s cabin in the beautiful and peaceful pines surrounding it.
The retreat cost is $125 and includes all meals while at the cabin, home- cooked and served
family style as if you were at home. Roger is a very good cook and he loves doing so. Space is
limited to 19, so reserve your spot now. Scholarships are available so do not let money be a factor
in your decision to participate. However, a $25 deposit is required if you apply for a scholarship
and will be refunded to you after your participation that weekend.
Many of those who have attended the weekend retreats will tell you, though it is hard emotional
work, it is very beneficial and rewarding. Husbands and wives, as well as siblings should attend
together and learn that while we each grieve differently and had our own relationship with our
loved ones, we all share the pain and the trauma of losing a loved one to murder.
Please sign me up for the grief retreat in Pine.
Name:_________________________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________City:__________State: _____Zip________
Phone: Home:____________ Cell:_____________ E-mail: ___________________________
Check enclosed ______ Requesting Scholarship _____ Need to Carpool _____
CREDIT CARD INFO:# __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ TYPE________ EXP DATE _________
3 number code on back __ __ __ (no credit card for deposit only money order or check)
Any questions, please call Beckie @ (602) 254-8818 or E-mail BeckieRose@aol.com
*Mail to POMC, Valley of the Sun Chapter, P.O. Box 39603 Phoenix AZ 85069-9603
*Map, info on what to bring and other information will be mailed after sign up.

eprintedfrom:GriefDigestMagazinewww.griefdigest.com

VALLEY OF THE SUN CHAPTER NEWS
TRIAL & JUDICIAL & ARREST UPDATES
• The sentencing of the killer of Paul James Kapitz, son of Ken and Carolyn of Wisconsin, accepted a plea
agreement and was sentenced to natural life. Paul was murdered in Phoenix October 27 of 2009.
• The killer of Alexander J. Niazi, son of Kim Niazi, has been sentenced to 14 years.
“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with each and every family member as they endure this necessary but
difficult process.”
IN LOVING MEMORY GIFT DONATIONS (THANK YOU!)
(*All donations are tax deductible: Our chapter exists on the generosity of others and grants) If you would like to
have your loved one’s name listed here each and every month like some are all you need do is contribute a small
amount monthly to the chapter in their loving memory to do so). Some below do in-kind contributions such as
working in the POMC Office or donating the fax-line etc. Some give their restitution checks to POMC.
♥ John & Patsy Gillis in very loving memory of their daughter, Louarna.
♥ Cynthia Clark-Harvey in very loving memory of her daughter, Erica.
♥ Don & Beckie Miller in very loving memory of their son, Brian Ray Miller.
♥ Carolee Holbrook in very loving memory of her son, Brett Holbrook.
CORPORATE & OTHER DONATIONS THANK YOU!
UNITED WAY (Note: the write in number to designate funds to our chapter through your employee
contributions is 0772) You must use this number for designating any funds to go to our chapter. Our chapter
name is not listed except by number.
SPEAKER INFORMATION MEETING
Our speaker this month featured two experts from the Phoenix PD Crime Lab: Kelley Merwin a Forensic
Biology Supervisor and Jody Wolf an Assistant Lab Administrator to address evidence, DNA and other issues
involving crime scene investigation. We learned last night that the Phoenix Crime Lab, which used to be in the
basement of the Phoenix Police Station on Washington, but since 2007 is in their own huge facility, is the
second largest crime lab in Arizona. Arizona DPS Crime Lab is the largest. The Phoenix Crime Lab is
nationally accredited through ISO.
They are lucky to have received some high-tech equipment through grants, notably the Qia Symphony, as
extraction robot and the Qiagility which is a quantitation set-up which basically means these machines free
them up from manually doing many things as the machine does it for them, faster and more efficient.
The Phoenix Crime Lab has Finger Prints, Tire and Shoe Prints, DNA, Drugs, Firearms lab specialists all
testing evidence in an attempt to get scientific answers to what really happened.
One thing that is a big complaint from many of our members is how long it takes, in reality, not on CSI and
other crime shows, to get evidence reports back. Kelley and Jody explained the major causes of why it takes the
time that it does:
Multiple Cases
Quality Control (they have their own strict guidelines to do it right)
Limited Resources and High Demand
Multiple Rounds of Analysis
Flow of Processing - Multiple Analysts needed for same item, multiple victims and or multiple suspects
CSI Effect (expectation of analysis from prosecutors, attorneys and jurists etc.
8

(Chapter News cont'd.)
KID’S SESSIONS AT OUR POMC NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN AUGUST
We are excited to have our “Children’s Healing Hurt Sessions” at our National Conference this August at the
Arizona Grand Hotel thanks to a grant from Cox Charities and a partnership with the M.I.S.S. Foundation.
During the adult workshops, the children will have their own sessions with art and music, role-play and also
swimming in the spectacular water park. Plan to come for yourself and bring your children for their own grief
work sessions specifically geared for helping children express their emotions kid style. When your children are
registered for the meals, their sessions are free. For more information, please call Beckie at (623) 582-2406.
SIBLING ON LINE SUPPORT
Amanda Harris, a member of our chapter, has formed an on line Sibling Support venue.
www.unitingsiblings.com or phone her for more information at 623-866-3189. Amanda lost her brother Joshua
to murder and understands the sibling grief in a way only siblings can.
FYI: SPANISH SPEAKING SURVIVORS MEETING
Spanish Speaking support meetings. “Parents and Families of Murdered Children” not a part of POMC,
have changed meeting locations. They now meet at 6201 North 35 th Avenue, Suite B-4, Phoenix AZ 85017.
For more information please call Jose Guzman at (602) 246-1335 (cell) or (602) 463-3932. Also Bajo Las
Mismas Lagrimas “Under the Same Tears” meets every other Monday, Golden Gate Community Center, 6:00
p.m. at 39 th Avenue and McDowell. Please call Mercedes Cazarez (602) 367-4009 or 623-444-0171.
►CHAPTER WINDOW DECALS AND BRACELETS FOR SALE◄
We have new white window decals in a beautiful circular design with our name, chapter web site, and logo
with a sun surrounding a parent/child for sale. They are $10 and they are for the outside of your car window
and last through weather and car washes or you can even put them on house windows ( I did). Also our
Chapter Bracelets are black and red multi with “POMC” and “Always in our Hearts” (our loved ones) on them.
These are only $3. To order, just send a note and payment to our PO Box 39603, Phoenix AZ 85069-9603. The
window decals are better than bumper stickers, easier to remove when needed and come with instructions for
attaching.
MEMORIAL TEDDY BEARS FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN AUGUST
We are raffling off teddy bears at the National Conference this year in Phoenix. Please plan to donate one
now. Buy a bear and dress it up in memory of your loved one in a way that reminds you of them, dancer,
favorite sports team, hobby such as fishing or bowling etc. Sky is the limit and with on line choices and or
Build-a-Bear stores you can find the perfect way to memorialize your loved one. Include a page describing
them, what happened to them to go along with your bear. Bring your finished bear to any of the meetings
before August and we will ensure them a good home and you are helping raise funds to offset the many
conference expenses. Over the many years that POMC has had the teddy bears at their conferences I have seen
many beautiful connections and ‘Angel” stories from the bears and who they go to and who they came from.
*Be sure and have your bear (s) be a part of the comfort and healing that comes from our loved ones stories
and the connections with others that defy anything normal.
9

NATIONAL POMC INFORMATION
☺ CINCINNATI OHIO OFFICE☺
• AUTO DONATIONS: We are encouraging all chapters and contact persons to get involved with POMC
Debit Authorization. You can now donate to NATIONAL POMC by setting up an automatic withdrawal from
your bank account to National. Contact National for a debit authorization form. This is a fast and easy way to
make a donation to National to help us help others. Your donation is withdrawn at the same time of the month
each month and no amount is too small. We appreciate your help during these difficult economic times.
● PAROLE BLOCK PROGRAM: To date this program had kept more than 1257 prisoners who committed
murders from being released early. Parole Block was begun in 1990 and all members across the United States
whose loved one’s killer is up for early release/parole consideration can file a petition with National that is sent
nationwide for signatures protesting their release.
TOPIC FORUM: POMC has a “Topic Forum” on its web site. It provides a place where survivors all over
the U.S. can communicate with each other. It’s a good place to suggest to those who aren’t able to attend
monthly grief support meetings to utilize the support. Please let your members know that it is there for
additional support so that they can tell their other family members, co-workers and friends who may be in states
where we have no POMC chapters.
SECOND OPINION SERVICES: A program that provides second opinions on unsolved or complicated
cases by a national board comprised solely of experts in the medical, law enforcement and investigative fields.
MURDER IS NOT ENTERTAINMENT (MINE) PROGRAM: Through this program, POMC raises
public awareness to the insensitivity of murder as entertainment through toys, games, murder mystery
weekends, drive by shooting fashions, serial killer trading cards and anything that glamorizes violence.
BIG TURN OFF: This is an annual event, each January, in which citizens are asked to turn of their
televisions for one evening during prime time hours to protest the violence on television.
MURDER WALL: (A traveling tribute honoring the memories of murder victims). A photo album is also
available with each plaque. Currently, the cost is $75 to add your loved ones names to the Walnut Plaques that
comprise the Murder Wall. You have two pages for the photo album to add information, poetry or pictures.
SILENCED VOICES: A program begun in January 2002 which advocates for the vigorous investigation
and prosecution of those responsible for the murder of abused children. The first case was that of Brandi
Conley. POMC was instrumental in bringing charges against her parents.
●SURVIVORS NEWSLETTER is available through National for only $10 per year. It is a wonderful way to
stay connected, keep informed about POMC nationally and also to SUPPORT national financially. Please order
using the form below. . .
NATIONAL POMC SURVIVORS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION FORM
Please find enclosed $10.00 for my annual subscription (three issues) for the Survivors
Newsletter. Please consider adding an extra subscription fee to help defray the cost for
someone who cannot afford it.
Enclosed is my _____Check
_____Money Order
Name:____________________________
In the amount of $_______for
Address:__________________________
_______year (s) subscription.
City:_____________________________
State/Zip:_________________________
Phone: ( )______________________
Mail to: POMC, Inc.
100 E. Eighth St., B-41
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Please charge $___________for ____year(s)
subscription to my:
____Visa ____Master Card
Card Number:_________________________
Expiration Date:_______________________
____I have enclosed an extra subscription fee to defray
the cost for someone who cannot afford a Survivors
Newsletter subscription.
10

Remember, we all stumble,
every one of us.
That's why it's a comfort
to go hand in hand. Emily Kimbrough
As time passes,
gradually we move
toward the day when
the comfort of our memories
is greater than
the sorrow of our loss.
Contributed by Louise Pattison
11

Return Address
PARENTS OF MURDERED CHILDREN, INC.
VALLEY OF THE SUN CHAPTER
P.O. Box 39603
Phoenix AZ 85069-9603
(602) 254-8818
Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc., is a self-help organization dedicated to the aftermath of
murder. The success of its mission depends upon the participation of the families and friends of
those lost to murder. POMC number (602) 254-8818
WHY WE ARE HERE:
MISSION STATEMENT: “POMC makes the difference through ongoing emotional support, education,
prevention, advocacy, and awareness.”
VISION STATEMENT: “To provide support and assistance to all survivors of homicide victims while
working to create a world free of murder.”
This project is supported by Grant No. 2010-VA-GX-0064 from the US Department of Justice - Office for Victims of Crime.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US DOJ or the Arizona Department of Public Safety.