And California was saved millions of dollars. Before we had even a preliminary hearing, the attorney told me the state had already spent over $4 million dollars. The death penalty is "big bucks".
The families of the 3 tourists that he had also killed sought the Death Penalty and I saw them several years later. They had really 'aged', white-haired and very weary looking. Their remark to me was "you did the right thing". Plus they had waited over 2 years for their day in court. Our case was worked on first and theirs couldn't start until ours was "over". The perp is on Death Row to this day, and has been there now 17 or 18 years.
A Memorial Park in Sonoma County donated a plot (for 4) next to a water feature, under a tree, and next to the gravesite of Charles Schultz. My Counselor, after this ordeal, once said, "Well, Charlie Brown now has his "little red-haired girl". That did put a smile on my face.
Since I still haven't figured out how to add images, you can google "Joie Armstrong" and see her red hair. ;)
Additionally, $300,000 was donated to Yosemite National Institute, renamed now to NatureBridge, after her death. Her peer instructors (she was an outdoor educator) got together and organized a program called "Armstrong Scholars" where 13 girls are selected each year to traverse the Yosemite outback. Many have never had a backpack on in their life. They learn survival skills, get challenged beyond anything physical they've done in their past and arrive back with a new sense of power and ability they never knew they had. Over 200 young women have now been influenced by her. Several have become outdoor educators themselves.
I am in California now as the Scholars returned last week. There is a dinner and a campfire upon their return where they share their experience and what they've learned. I consider myself very fortunate as every year I'm given the 'gift' of her. All things considered, I'm very, very lucky.
And very, very anti-death penalty. Attorneys love the money, prisons love the money, and the victim families have to relive the tragedy.
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