Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

LV community honors crime victims’ rights

They are the shoulders that victims cry on, the advocates for justice when a distraught family feels there is no place left to turn.

And it is for them that events are being held through Saturday as part of National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

"This week gives us a chance to honor the many professionals and volunteers who strive to make a difference in the lives of victims and survivors," said Elynne Greene, a victims advocate with Metro Police.

"These people devote themselves to helping others, so that victims don't fall through the cracks."

Local celebrations kicked off Sunday with a picnic in Pahrump and will continue through Saturday with events to help educate the community on victims' rights.

Monday's events began with an all-day information fair at the Meadows Mall. Volunteers distributed information on services available in Clark County to victims and their survivors.

Balloons filled the skies above the Clark County Courthouse at 6 p.m. Monday, each one in memory of someone who died at the hands of murderers, drunken drivers and other criminals.

Sunday's picnic honored Shane Miller, 24, of Pahrump, who was killed one year ago allegedly by Dana Schaefers, 37, whom police say thought Miller was driving too close behind him with his high beams on.

The grief Miller's family suffers, Greene said, is complicated by the fact that there still are so many unanswered questions in their son's death:

"They had been subpoenaed to identify their son's body," Greene said. "So, because they were subpoenaed, they can't be in the courtroom to hear the evidence in their own son's death. ... The system has made them feel even further victimized."

Efforts are under way to turn the criminal justice system around to favor the victims, Greene said.

A constitutional amendment proposed Monday would grant victims the right to be informed if their attackers are up for parole or released.

Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced the amendment to mark National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

The proposed amendment would give crime victims the right to be informed of and be present at proceedings involving their offenders. They also would be given the right to be heard at any proceedings involving sentencing and would automatically be notified of release or escape.

Currently, victims are often kept from testifying by legal maneuvers and are rarely notified when offenders are released.

SCRIPPS HOWARD News Service contributed to this report.

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