After several years of anguish and justice system
logjams, Quenette’s murderers were found and finally tried. One was executed
nearly 14 years after the crime. Another was sentenced to life in prison and
the third was also sentenced to life in prison but without the possibility of
parole.
Even though this heinous crime received sensational
publicity, without the determined efforts of Quenette’s mother, the culprits
would probably still be walking around free today. She made it her mission to
get justice for her daughter’s tragic, horrible murder. She was relentless in
her pursuit of justice. Today, thousands of Alabama families can and have
received justice and peace of mind through the efforts of Quenette’s mother.
That mother is Miriam Shehane. She is the founder of
Alabama’s renowned Victims of Crime and Leniency, better known throughout the
state as VOCAL.
Miriam was a bank employee in the small town of Clio
in Barbour County when her daughter was murdered. Quenette had grown up in this
peaceful village in southern Alabama.
Miriam Shehane faced continuous legal hurdles in her
quest to bring Quenette’s murderers to trial. Her frustration with the legal
system caused her to become the greatest crusader for criminal justice in
Alabama’s history. She left her job at the bank and became a full-time activist
and advocate for victim’s rights.
Miriam founded VOCAL 30 years ago. Her tireless
efforts have changed the criminal laws in our state. Her zeal stemmed from her
desire to find justice as a mother of a slain daughter who had a bright and
promising future ahead of her. She said, “I can’t stand the thought of Quenette
being forgotten. That is what has given me such drive.”
She began VOCAL in 1982. That was my first year as a
young 30-year-old legislator. I represented Clio in the House of
Representatives. Clio was also the birthplace of George Wallace, who was
beginning the last of his four terms as governor.
I am not sure why Mrs. Shehane chose me, whether it
was because I represented Barbour County or the governor had chosen me as one
of his floor leaders, but she approached me and asked that I introduce and
handle one of her first VOCAL initiatives.
At that time the criminal justice laws in Alabama
allowed the criminal’s families to be in the courtroom during a trial. However,
amazingly the victim’s family could not be in the courtroom. We set out to
right this wrong.
It is difficult to pass any legislation. Even a
resolution honoring apple pie and motherhood takes jumping through hoops.
However, I spent my entire freshman year working with Mrs. Shehane to pass our
bill to rectify this unfair situation. We were successful. We passed the
legislation allowing crime victims or their families to not only be in the
courtroom but to sit at the prosecutor’s table as well.
This is one of my proudest legislative
accomplishments. As I write this column I am looking at a picture of me with
Gov. Wallace signing this landmark bill into law. That picture of 30 years ago
adorns my wall. I see it every day.
Mrs. Shehane has remained a close friend over the
years. She is still director of VOCAL 30 years later. She is still fighting for
victim’s rights in Alabama every day.
In January, VOCAL moved into a new building.
Fittingly it is named for Miriam’s daughter, Quenette.
See you next week.
About the author: Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading
political columnist. His column appears weekly in more than 70 Alabama
newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached
at http://www.steveflowers.us.
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