Funerals are generally sad affairs and that of Donald Clark was no different.
A crowd of uncomfortable folks sat in a funeral home chapel and listened to two preachers and watched Clark's family suffer.
Their period of suffering has been more anguished and protracted than most.
Donald was buried January 24 - 66 days after he died a violent death. Donald's ex-wife and her lover allegedly put a plastic bag over his head and bashed him with a metal baseball bat.
They wrapped his body in the sheets and blanket on which he lay and dumped it in a cornfield. Through the long investigation, neither exhibited a shred of remorse.
Donald was found on Christmas Eve - a holiday that will never be the same for his surviving loved ones.
From that point until Saturday afternoon, his body was at the state crime lab for all the testing that goes with a high-profile, murder case autopsy.
No one deserves to die like Donald did.
As Donald's coffin was carried to the grave, a bright sun broke through a dreary, daylong haze and his last rites were conducted in the light. It seemed fitting that his body, which lay shrouded and decomposing for weeks, was laid to rest in the light.
That decomposition process denied his family a last look at him - another painful thorn for the grieving.
Through the entire ordeal, Donald's sister Brenda Maddox has been a rock. Her strength has earned my utmost respect.
When all the preaching and praying were done, Brenda distributed flowers among Donald's parents, children and other family members.
One by one they approached the coffin and laid the blossoms atop it.
Their misery was palpable.
I wish everyone responsible for punishing Donald's killers had been there to see it. Sadly, none were.
This case demands swift and severe punishment. Nothing less is acceptable.
This is not a case for plea bargaining or deal making.
It is a case for making a harsh example of two cold-blooded killers who acted with malice on their minds.
Remember that as the story continues to unfold.
Do what you can - use whatever influence you may have - to make sure justice is served.
Donald's family will appreciate it.
Comments
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My deepest sympathys go to the family
I know their grief is deep and will last for many years.
I hope the DA has the strength of Character to see the need for justice, and will act in a way that will get justice for this young man.
WHAT REASON OTHER THAN TO MAKE EXCUSES ON WHY HE LET HENRY ABREU OUT OF JAIL (YES HE HAD THE AUTHORITY TO AND HAD TO ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN!)
ALSO HE KNOWS THE UPCOMING TRIAL ON THE CLARK CASE IS PENDING AND IT PROBABLY WILL NOT BE GIVEN THE JUSTICE IT DESERVES BECAUSE WALLER DOES NOT WANT ANY CASES THET SHERIFF BUICE (SOLVED)/MADE TO BE PROSECUTED OR TRIED. IT IS NOT ABOUT "LAW" OR "JUSTICE" BUT DIRTY POLITICS. THAT IS HOW WALLER OPERATES. MAKE OTHERS FEEL DUMB OR IGNORANT SO THEY BELIEVE WHATEVER THEY ARE TOLD.
PLEASE PRINT THIS, I HOPE THOSE WHO READ THESE BLOGS WILL NOT ALL BE SO GULLIBLE. LOOK AT THE PAST, HOW DID SO MANY CRIMES GO UNNOTICED FOR EIGHT YEARS WHILE WALLER WAS IN OFFICE BEFORE? WAKE UP PEOPLE, THAT IS NOT JUSTICE OR CONSTITUTIONAL. LOOK AT THE RECENT ARREST, HOW MANY PEOPLE ON THE CURRENT ARREST LIST HAVE "MONEY OR HOLD POSITIONS" IN THIS COUNTY? IT IS OBVOIUS THAT IT IS ALL ABOUT "WHO YOU KNOW OR OWE"
I do take issue with Walter’s effort in using his editorial power to incite the community in an attempt to usurp the legal process. No matter how gruesome the crime, a citizen has the right to equal treatment under the law. To insure justice, is the responsibility of the legal system and should not be subjected to the bias of local influence.
By making an example of the guilty, suggest that Walter believes the death penalty will help prevent this crime from happening in the future. For it to have happen in the first place, we must, be living in a society where one could come to the belief that murder could solve their domestic problems and that they could “actually” get away something so hanus. It goes without saying that society should be protected from such individuals.
In my own mind, murder is insane act. To destroy the body of the guilty, in an effort to some how, heal the mind of someone else, that in the future may entertain such destructive thoughts, would be in itself committing just another act of insanity. This is way I am against the death penalty.
I believe I have come to some understanding of free will. It doesn’t originate from the human mind but from the spirit. If the mind is diseased or misguided the two never connect and acts of violence can become common place. I believe to prevent this in the future our clergy must concentrate on what is written in red, instead of defending their own little piece of dogma.
A community that provides more readily available mental health would solve most of our social problems. I blame the educators, civic leaders, doctors, leading citizens, as well as, the clergy, for not stepping up to forefront of social reform on this issue. If this were to happen, we could then, as a community, join so many of the other advance societies that have been able to move beyond the need for capital punishment.
Scott Cone
Milner, Georgia
To Loui - I agree Walter does not need to be trying to influence anyone who might be called on this case. This is typical of Walter's bias in shading things to his way of thinking.
I agree, funerals can be very disturbing, and to witness friends and family in their moments of grieving makes one feel so helpless. We must also understand, it is a necessary step in healing from such a tragic loss. For our community to just be there, is sometimes all we “can” do.
I do take issue with Walter’s effort in using his editorial power to incite the community in an attempt to usurp the legal process. No matter how gruesome the crime, a citizen has the right to equal treatment under the law. To insure justice, is the responsibility of the legal system and should not be subjected to the bias of local influence.
By making an example of the guilty, suggest that Walter believes the death penalty will help prevent this crime from happening in the future. For it to have happen in the first place, we must, be living in a society where one could come to the belief that murder could solve their domestic problems and that they could “actually” get away something so hanus. It goes without saying that society should be protected from such individuals.
In my own mind, murder is an insane act. To destroy the body of the guilty, in an effort to some how, heal the mind of someone else, that in the future may entertain such destructive thoughts, would be in itself committing just another act of insanity. This is why I am against the death penalty.
I believe, I have come to some understanding of free will. It doesn’t originate from the human mind but from the spirit. If the mind is diseased or misguided the two never connect and acts of violence can become common place. I believe to prevent this in the future our clergy must concentrate on what is written in red, instead of defending their own little piece of dogma.
A community that provides more readily available mental health care would solve most of our social problems. I blame the educators, civic leaders, doctors, leading citizens, as well as, the clergy, for not stepping up to the forefront of social reform on these issues. If this were to happen, we could then, as a community, join so many of the other advance societies that have been able to move beyond this perceived need for capital punishment.
Scott Cone
Milner, Georgia
I admire people in the media that publish true opinions come what may.