Sunday, November 7, 2010

Published 7:05 pm Friday, August 1, 2014

By The Meridian Star

Victim rights

    Leon Johnson was convicted April 27, 1984 of capitol murder. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Prior to July 2010 he was located at Parchment. In July 2010 he was moved to San Diego California Department of Corrections under a Governors Borrowed Warrant to stand trial for a 1975 cold case of Rape and Murder.

    November 2, 2010, I received a letter from the Mississippi Department of Corrections stating Leon Johnson is under consideration for parole.

    There are only 10 days to respond in writing regarding the possible release of Leon Johnson.

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The address for response is noted below:

    MDOC Parole Board

    600 North Street

    Suite 100A

    Jackson, MS 39202

All letters must contain:

    Leon Johnson #41634

    Please help my family keep him in prison for life.

Tracy Crane Buckalew

Granddaughter of the late Eileen Pogue Grogan

Meridian        

Please help fund

mental illness centers

    As the mother of a 48-year-old mentally handicapped son I would like to ask the public to support Ed LeGrand’s stand by imploring our family, friends and advocates to contact their local legislator in support of funding for the public mental health system.

    Not only am I a parent but also a friend of many citizens in Mississippi’s mental health system. The sense of accomplishment in performing their jobs at MIDD and local businesses brings much happiness and self worth into their lives. The group homes in Mississippi are mainstreaming these individuals into becoming working and productive citizens. This has been part of the objective for all levels of professional and non-professional people who through state agencies and their funding has made this possible. One has also to consider the caregivers how are employed through state agencies who are teaching individuals their self help skills which does not come easily for those whoa re mentally handicapped.

    My son has had 25 years of involvement with different levels of state agencies. He, along with staff members, has focused on developing his goals for a better life focusing on the least restrictive environment. To think that lack of support for our loved ones through our appropriation and allocation committees are due to small involvement by our legislature is deplorable.

    In the 1980s when Medicaid had funding cuts my son had to be admitted to Ellisville State School. His Medicaid benefits had been decreased and his family could not control some of the behaviors he exhibited. He requires medication, medical monitoring and 24-hour supervision. Was this fair? No, not to him or society as everyone worked so hard to obtain a level of social acceptance and functioning for him.

    Years of progress were lost during this time frame. After the state saw what happened when the funding was cut they restored funding and so many clients had to basically start over. After reaching what had been their potential they were starting at Ground Zero to reach it again. Who smart is that?

    Medication is vital to so many people and to think that over 15,000 individuals might not have access to these basic needs is frightening. I have experienced this before and let me state no parent wants to see this happen to a loved one. Last, but not least, let me say to you, the public, to please be their voice. Show that you care, as we have to be their advocates. Please, please call your leaders.

Mary Kate Gavin