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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (June 19, 2015)
JUNE 19, 2015, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A5 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM Death penalty discourse draws celebrity to Keizer discovered the bodies of her tales of getting to know death mother and stepfather a day row inmates, but was far more after they had each been fi ery in his approach to the stabbed 17 times. need to move beyond capital “We were threatened punishment. or tempted – I’m not sure “The death penalty is the which – with the death lid to the garbage can and, penalty by Clackamas County once we take the lid off, we prosecutors,” she said. “One will be forced to look into the prosecutor rotten, stinking told us that “ We were m a g g o t our brother threatened or infested mess was exactly the that is our kind of person tempted — I’m cr iminal the death justice system,” not sure which penalty was Farrell said. designed for.” “(The death — with the She said she penalty) is pleaded with death penalty.” primarily the judge to against — Becky O’Neil McBrayer used spare Joe’s life. the poor He is currently and poorly- serving a life sentence without defended. It is far more the possibility of parole after expensive than life without pleading guilty to two counts parole.” of murder. A study published in “It was resolution in terms January out of Seattle of judicial justice. I still relive University estimated that the it every day, but I never have average death penalty case to step foot in a courtroom costs Washington taxpayers an again,” she said. “Let’s turn average of about $1 million our attention to healing and more than cases where the growth. We can direct pain death penalty was not sought. into meaningful activities, “We imperil ourselves learn to smile again and love and our nation if we do not life again. Killing the killer understand that at the core won’t achieve any of those of all rights and struggles is things. Let’s be one of the the demand that we honor next states to say, ‘Not in our and value all of our citizens’ name.’” unalienable right to life,” Farrell relayed numerous Farrell said. I N O R E G O N YEAR OF LAST EXECUTION 1997 tion njec hal I : Let hod Met For Becky O’Neil McBrayer, “closure” is something that belongs solely in the realm of real estate. “There isn’t closure for murder family victims,” said O’Neil at an annual meeting and fundraiser at Keizer Civic Center for the Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. “Killing the killer doesn’t bring anybody back, it doesn’t solve anything, it protects no one, but what it does do is create more victims.” O’Neil McBrayer, whose mother and stepfather were killed by her brother, Joe in 2006, was representing Murder Victim Families for Reconciliation during her talk. Her talk preceded celebrity keynote speaker actor Mike Farrell, famous for roles in M*A*S*H and Providence as well as being an outspoken opponent of the death penalty. O’Neil McBrayer said her brother became “increasingly odd as a teenager and it progressed well into his 20s. My family didn’t know much about family illness and even in the weeks leading up the murder, despite some red fl ags, we didn’t really know how to help Joe even though we were trying.” She and another brother THE DEATH PENALTY 1978 Year the death penalty was affi rmed as just punishment by United States Supreme Court CURRENT NUMBER OF MEN ON DEATH ROW $$$ CURRENT NUMBER OF WOMEN ON DEATH ROW CO$T of an aggravated murder case… in which death penalty is on the table 4 38,651 $ * in which death penalty is NOT * on the table $ 216,693 Number of executions since 1978: Since taking offi ce in February, Gov. Kate Brown has said she will continue the moratorium… 2011 “ I am convinced we can fi nd a better solution that keeps society safe, Former Gov. John Kitzhaber declared a moratorium on executions. 2 supports the victims of crime and their families and refl ects Oregon values. ” — GOVERNOR KATE BROWN, 2015 *According to a study of Oregon cases published in the Lewis & Clark review in 2013. Other information compiled from multiple sources. KEIZERTIMES/Andrew Jackson Africa on display at KHM African exhibits are on display until Aug. 1 at the Keizer Heritage Museum and Keizer Community Library, both on the ground fl oor of the Keizer Heritage Center, 980 Chemawa Road NE. Dr. and Mrs. LeRoy Judd, missionary teachers in various African countries for 40 years, focus the Heritage Museum display on the country of Kenya. A collection of musical instruments, sisal and baobab fi ber baskets, household objects, Kitenge fabrics and paintings are included in the display. A highlight of the Museum exhibit is the painting titled “Grace’s Grandma.” Grace, a student of Mrs. Judd, had proudly invited Dr. Judd and his family to visit her home, but she neglected to mention that there was no road leading to the homestead. Soon the Judds found themselves driving on cow paths and then a dry river bed. Dr. Judd also remembers it as the only time he was asked to preach seven different sermons in one day, walking from farm to farm. As their farewell gift, Grace’s grandmother gave them a large, black goat that was carefully laid in the back of the station wagon on a bed of green leaves. For the several-hour drive home, the goat would bleat at every jolt and bump, greatly amusing the three children. Mrs. Judd, who was teaching art at a high school, celebrated the occasion by creating a small portrait for a larger painting. The Judds served with the Africa Inland Mission in Tanzania, Kenya and Namibia. Dr. Judd taught in theological colleges and seminaries and also conducted a church orchestra, working especially with the brass section. Mrs. Judd taught art in high school and the women’s prison as well as private music lessons. The Judds retired from work in Africa in 2014. Mrs. Judd now teaches private strings and piano lessons and plays cello for the Salem Pops Orchestra. Dr. Judd serves as a volunteer at Keizer Community Church and the Keizer Community Library, where his display features Namibia. He also plays horn for the Salem Pops and Salem Philharmonic Orchestras. WorshipDirectory These Salem-Keizer houses of worship invite you to visit. Call to list your church in our Worship Directory: (503) 390-1051 John Knox Presbyterian Church JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 am • 10 am • 11:30 am • 6 pm PEOPLESCHURCH 4500 LANCASTER DR NE | SALEM 503.304.4000 • www.peopleschurch.com Celebration Services Saturday Evening 6:00 pm Children’s Programs, Student and Adult Ministries 1755 Lockhaven Dr. NE Keizer 503-390-3900 www.dayspringfellowship.com Sunday Morning 9:00 am and 10:45 am 452 Cummings Lane North • 393-0404 Father Gary L. Zerr, Pastor Saturday Vigil Liturgy: 5:30 p.m. Sundays: 8:15 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. La Misa en Español: 12:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. John Neal, Pastor Worship - 10:30 a.m. Education Hour - 10:00 a.m. Nursery Care Available www.keizerjkpres.org Jason Lee UMC 820 Jeff erson St. NE Salem OR 97301 Dr. Jon F. Langenwalter, Pastor The church with the purple doors 503-364-2844 Worship at 9:30 am • Child Care Available Faith Lutheran Church 4505 River Rd N • 393-4507 Sunday Schedule: 9:00 a.m. Children’s Church 9:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Children’s Activities Pastor Virginia Eggert 10:30 a.m. Worship with Communion