Holding a black and white picture of a debonair man in a white suit, Christine MacNaughton held back tears as she spoke about her brother.
Donald Donnie MacNaughton was killed in May 1991 as he was walking his dog in Glouster. He was struck from behind and beaten to death in an unprovoked attack.
Christine MacNaughton of Warren, Ohio, asked those in attendance to keep fighting for what should be done in justice.
She spoke yesterday outside the Athens County Courthouse as part of National Crime Victims Rights Week, which the city honors each year with a flower planting and dedication ceremony.
The annual ceremony reflects the city's observation of National Crime Victims Rights Week.
The victim assistance program, which is run through the county's prosecuting attorney's office, was started in 1986. It provides support for all victims of felony crimes and certain civil protection orders, said Denise Brooks, director of the program.
About 1,000 new people seek assistance from the program, which is housed on the first floor of the courthouse, every year, Brooks said.
The program is part of the victim rights movement. Prior to the
(Victims of Crime Act)
victims weren't told about their own cases she said.
The program also provides victims and their families with information regarding about judicial procedure, assistance with victim impact statements and petitioning for civil protection orders, Brooks said. Victim impact statements describe the crime's effect on a victim's life and are taken into account during sentencing.
A victim impact statement is a statement prepared by the victim that tells how the incident has affected his or her life, she said.
The Victims of Crime Act became law in 1984 and provides federal funding for victim assistance programs. Two annual grants fund the Athens program.
The bulk of the budget comes from the Victims of Crime Act, which provides $88,216, she said. An additional $8,822 comes through Ohio's State Victims Assistance Act, which is funded through the federal law.
This week signifies that victims' voices are being heard and they will be able to have meaningful participation in the judicial process said C. David Warren, Athens County prosecutor.
The majority of victims' rights legislation deals with notification about cases
Brooks said. People have a right to know the status of their case and any upcoming court dates.
The Victim Assistance Program is a safe way for families to get information or help, MacNaughton said.
You can go to any prosecutor's office at any given time and if you have questions
or if you need to share something - even if you're having a bad day
their doors are open
she said.
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Elizabeth Lundblad
