The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current, December 11, 2018, Image 7

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The times., December 11, 2018, Image 7

About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 2018)

Page of 16

Prev Issue Next Issue

Text PDF JP2 (3.1 MB) Clip/Print Image

Page of 16

Prev Issue Next Issue

Return to Top

Newspaper Page TextLOCATSOUTHEAST The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Tuesday, December 11,2018 7A CHARLOTESVILLE, VA. No sentence yet for man who rammed rally crowd Local activists raise their fists outside Charlottesville General District Court after a guilty verdict was reached in the trial of James Alex Fields Jr., in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Dec. 7. BY DENISE LAVOIE Associated Press Jurors considering the punishment for a man who drove his car into counterpro testers during a white nation alist rally heard emotional testimony Monday from a mother who described the pain caused by her daugh ter’s death and a psycholo gist who described the man’s long history of mental health problems. James Alex Fields Jr. faces up to life in prison for the death of Heather Heyer and injuries he caused to dozens of other counterprotesters. Jurors deliberated on a sentencing recommendation for just under two hours Mon day before adjourning. Delib erations will resume Tuesday morning. Fields’ lawyers argued that he acted in self-defense and out of fear when he rammed his car into a crowd in Char lottesville during a “Unite the Right” rally on Aug. 12,2017. Prosecutors called Heyer’s mother and several people who were severely injured to testify about the impact his crimes had on them. Heyer, 32, was a paralegal and civil rights activist. “She was full of love, she was full of justice, she was full of fairness, and Mr. Fields tried to silence that with his car, but I refuse to allow that,” said Susan Bro, Heyer’s mother. Jurors on Friday convicted Fields of first-degree murder and other charges. Judge Richard Moore will formally sentence Fields. Judges in Virginia often impose the sentence recommended by juries. Under the law, the jury can recommend from 20 years to life in prison on the first- degree murder charge and each of five charges of aggra vated malicious wounding. He also faces five to 20 years on three counts of malicious wounding, and up to 10 years on one count of leaving the scene of an accident. Bro said her daughter’s death has been like “an explosion in our family. “We are forever scarred by the pain,” she said. Jeanne “Star” Peterson said her life has been “a liv ing nightmare” since she was hit by Fields’ car. Her right leg was shattered, and she’s had five surgeries to try to repair it. She also suffered a broken spine and still hasn’t been able to return to work. “I will be dealing with the aftermath of Fields’ choices for the rest of my life,” Peter son said. Fields, 21, drove to Vir ginia from his home in Maumee, Ohio, to support the white nationalists. After the rally, as a large group of counterprotesters marched through Charlottesville sing ing and laughing, he stopped his car, backed up, then sped into the crowd, according to testimony from witnesses and video surveillance shown to jurors. Wednesday Bowie, a coun terprotester who got caught STEVE HELBER I Associated Press on the trunk of Fields’ car when he backed up and was then slammed into a parked truck and thrown to the ground, told the jury that in addition to a broken pelvis and other physical injuries, she has been hospitalized three times for post-trau matic stress disorder over the past year. She told the jury: “Please know that the world is not a safe place with Mr. Fields in it.” Testifying for the defense, University of Virginia School of Medicine professor and psychologist Daniel Murrie told the jury that while Fields was not legally insane at the time, he has a long history of mental health issues. Fields had inexplicable volatile outbursts as a young child and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 6, Murrie said. He was later diagnosed with schizoid per sonality disorder. Murrie said Fields went off his psychiatric medication at age 18 and built an isolated “lifestyle centered around being alone.” A video of Fields shown to the jury during the first phase of the trial showed him sob bing and hyperventilating after he was told a woman had died and others were seriously injured. Fields’ lawyer Denise Lun sford called him a “mentally compromised individual” and urged the jury to con sider his long history of mental health issues when considering a sentence. Prosecutors told the jury during his trial that Fields was angry after witness ing violent clashes between the two sides earlier in the day. The violence prompted police to shut down the rally before it even officially began. The trial also featured emotional testimony from survivors. The Unite the Right rally had been organized in part to protest the planned removal of a statue of Con federate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Hundreds of Ku Klux Klan members, neo-Nazis and other white nationalists — emboldened by the election of President Donald Trump — streamed into the college town for one of the largest gatherings of white suprem acists in a decade. Some dressed in battle gear. Afterward, Trump inflamed tensions even fur ther when he said “both sides” were to blame, a com ment some saw as a refusal to condemn racism. According to one of his former teachers, Fields was known in high school for being fascinated with Nazism and idolizing Adolf Hitler. Jurors were shown a text message he sent to his mother days before the rally that included an image of the notorious German dictator. When his mother pleaded with him to be care ful, he replied: “we’re not the one (sic) who need to be careful.” COLUMBIA, S.C. Lawmakers consider changes to moving mental patients Associated Press A group of South Carolina senators reviewing state laws on handling patients who doctors or judges decide need immediate mental health treatment wants to have proposed changes to the laws ready when the Legislature returns next month. Among the changes being con sidered after two mental patients drowned while locked in the back of a Horry County sheriff’s van during Hurricane Florence are requiring doctors and others to tell friends and family members they can take the patients to treat ment themselves if they accept responsibility. Family members of Wendy Newton and Nicolette Green said they weren’t given that option. The two women drowned after the van they were in flipped on its side in rising flood waters, blocking the only door two deputies had a key to unlock. Emergency crews could not get equipment to cut through the metal before the waters slowly engulfed the van. The van drove around barri cades blocking highways in danger of being undermined or flooding, authorities said. The two deputies were fired and a criminal investi gation continues. The subcommittee is also con sidering additional training and a requirement to create special teams like Charleston County’s Therapeutic Transportation Unit, which evaluates patients with doc tors and does not transport them in obvious police vehicles, said Sen. Marlon Kimpson, the Charleston Democrat leading the panel. Monday’s hearing included testimony on the lack of avail able space to treat mental health patients who need 24-hour care, especially in rural areas and con cerns that a dwindling number of psychiatrists in South Carolina means inadequate treatment even for the patients who are admitted. Senators also heard from Linda Green, the mother of Nicolette Green. She asked if they could require including a health pro vider — nurse, doctor or trained emergency medical technician — along with officers when they transport mental patients. She also said - if they did any thing - they should ban the use of police vans with all metal cages inside to transport nonviolent mental patients who have not been charged with any crimes. That kind of transportation leaves patients feeling like they are criminals and making the men tal problems they are already deal ing with worse, Linda Green said. “There has to be something more available to transport non violent mentally ill patients than a dog cage,” she said. OBITUARIES Denice Lynn Hamby Died Dec. 8, 2018 Services for Denice Lynn Hamby, 46, of Gainesville will be held Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Ward’s Funeral Home. The Rev. James Barber will officiate. Interment will follow at New Hope Baptist Church Cem etery in Dawsonville. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tues day at the funeral home. Mrs. Hamby died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. A native of Hall County, Mrs. Hamby was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Sue (Eller) Gooch, and grandchildren, Jeremiah Hamby and Destiny Moses. Survivors include hus band, David Hamby; daugh ter and son-in-law, Jessica and Rodney Collett, Gills- ville; son and daughter-in- law, Justice and Tabitha Hamby, Gainesville; step children, Jennifer Hamby, Cairo, Ga., Josh and Emma Hamby, Wetumpka, Ala.; brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Margaret Gooch, Gainesville; grandchildren, Morgan Collett, Luke Col lett, Carley Hamby, Carter Hamby, Faith Moses, Tay lor Palmer, Bryce Palmer, Josiah Hamby, Samuel Hamby and Lydia Hamby; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be sent to wardsfh.com. Ward’s Funeral Home, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 11,2018 Laurence 0’Hear Howard Jr. Died Dec. 7, 2018 Laurence O’Hear How ard Jr. “Larry” of Waynes boro, Va., (age 79) passed away Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. A1957 graduate of Lee H. Edwards High School (now Asheville High School) in Asheville, N.C. A graduate of Duke University in 1961. Member of Theta Chi Fra ternity. He also received his MBA from the University of Virginia Business School (now Darden) and served his country as a member of the National Guard. His entire career was spent in the banking indus try beginning with the Trust Company of Georgia (now SunTrust) as a manage ment trainee. Later work ing for Wachovia bank in Winston Salem, N.C., where he would also retire. Other employers included Manu facturers Hanover Trust Company in New York City (JPMorgan Chase), Commerce Union Bank, Nashville, Tenn. (Bank of America), First American Savings Bank, Greensboro, N.C., and First National Bank of Gainesville (Regions Financial). During retirement he volunteered at the pub lic library of Waynesboro as a shelf-reader. Joined the Friends of the Library where he was a member of the board and chaired the volunteer committee. He also volunteered at Augusta Health as a patient escort and chaired the escort committee. He was very passionate about land conservation and enjoyed spending time at his tree farm in North Carolina. He is preceded in death by his parents Laurence and Ernestine Howard and his son Richard K. Linville. He is survived by his wife Vicki Howard of Waynes boro, Va.; son, Laurence P. Howard and wife Candice; son, Thomas A. Howard and wife Emmie; son, Jeff Linville; daughter, Kristina Cantrell; son, Jay Deinlein; daughter Lisa Deinlein; sis ter, Dorothy Roberts and husband Don; grandchil dren, Ben and Mimi Lin ville and Isaiah and Jacob Howard and Nichole and William Marshall Deinlein; nephew, Jonathan Rob erts; and niece, Katherine Roberts. The family will be hold ing a private memorial. If desired friends may make contributions to the Waynesboro, Va., Public Library, 600 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, VA 22980 or the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, 1028 Wash ington St., Raleigh, NC 27605. McDow Funeral Home, Waynesboro, Va. Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes. com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 11, 2018 Charles T. Westmoreland June 4, 1936-Dec. 9, 2018 Charles T. Westmore land, Bud, as he was known to his family and friends, was born to the late How ard and Lillie (Nix) West moreland on June 4, 1936. He retired from Hanson Aggregates and enjoyed welding and working with metal and breakfast every Sunday with his brother Johnny. He also followed in his father and older broth er’s footsteps by joining the Army, as did his younger brother. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Maggie Jeanette Loggins, and daughter, Lydia Ann Westmoreland. He is survived by his loving daughter, Tammy Jean, and his grandson, Ethan Durkas. He is also survived by his brother, William Westmoreland; his brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Carolyn West moreland; his sisters, Jean Underwood, Patricia Butler and Darlene Spencer. He has many nieces and neph ews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was a quiet man and a bit shy, but he had a strong faith and an even stronger love for his family. It is hard to imagine our lives without him, but it gives us peace knowing he is with his Jeanette, his Lydia and his little dog Buddy. We all love you very much and will always miss you. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, from the chapel of Barrett Funeral Home. The Rev. Billy McKinney will offici ate. Burial will follow in Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018, at the funeral home. To share a memory or leave a condolence with the family, visit barrettfh.com. Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes. com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Dec. 11,2018 DEATH NOTICES Joe Blackburn Died Dec. 9, 2018 Joe Blackburn, 72, of Alto died Sunday. Memorial ser vice, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, funeral home. Whit field Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin. William Eugene Bradshaw Died Dec. 8, 2018 William Eugene Brad shaw, 60, of Bethlehem died Saturday. Graveside service, 11 a.m. Wednes day, Dec. 12, Hydes Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery, Conyers. Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton. Ralph Dalton Oct. 17, 1931-Dec. 9, 2018 Ralph Dalton, 87, of Alto died Sunday. Funeral ser vice, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, Line Baptist Church. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Pamela Denise Davenport March 31, 1959- Dec. 9,2018 Pamela Denise Daven port, 59, of Gainesville died Sunday. Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crema tory, Gainesville. Phyllis Elaine Thomason Fortner Died Dec. 9, 2018 Phyllis Elaine Thoma son Fortner, 63, of Royston died Sunday. Funeral ser vice, 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, funeral home. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson. Paul F. Goodman Died Dec. 6,2018 Paul F. Goodman, 87, of Lawrenceville died Dec. 6. Funeral Mass, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, St. Marguerite d’Youville Cath olic Church, Lawrenceville. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford. Sandra Gail Kimbrell Died Dec. 10,2018 Sandra Gail Kimbrell, 71, of Jefferson died Mon day. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, funeral home chapel. Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson. Mona Sue Burnett Rowland Feb. 6, 1936-Dec. 10, 2018 Mona Sue Burnett Row land, 82, of Lawrenceville died Monday. Funeral ser vice, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, funeral home cha pel. Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford. Ann Sherby Died Dec. 8, 2018 Ann Sherby, 104, of Gainesville died Saturday. Graveside service, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, Green Lawn Cemetery, Roswell. Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, Gainesville. Ret. Tech Sgt. Robert Mark Stewart Oct. 9, 1961-Dec. 9, 2018 Ret. Tech Sgt. Robert Mark Stewart, U.S. Air Force, 57, of Buford died Sunday. Funeral service, 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, funeral home chapel. Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford. Jacklyn Estelle Denise Tolbert Died Dec. 7, 2018 Jacklyn Estelle Denise Tolbert, infant, died Dec. 7. Graveside service, 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, Memorial Park South Cemetery. Memo rial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch. Lois Hill Walls Died Dec. 10,2018 Lois Hill Walls, 86, of Clarkesville died Monday. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Margaret Edith Woodall Feb. 1, 1935-Dec. 8, 2018 Margaret Edith Woodall, 83, of Gainesville died Sat urday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, Rock Hill Congregational Holiness Church. Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crema tory, Gainesville. INTRODUCING Little & Davenport Funeral Home To inquire about pricing packages available to memorialize a pet in print, please contact Megan Lewis at 770-535-6371 or mlewis@gainesvilletimes.com Pets at Peace will appear in The Times the last Sunday of each month.