Victims get face-to-face with pardons officials | savannahnow.com

The Davis family was among more than 250 crime victims in more than 150 cases expected to meet with parole board members who are touring the state as part of an effort to meet with the victims of inmates being considered for parole.

“Today is set aside for victims,” board chairman Albert Murray told the group meeting at the Coastal Georgia Center on Fahm Street in sessions brought together with the Chatham County Victim Witness Assistance Program in District Attorney Meg Heap’s office.

Murray said the effort continues an initiative started in 2006 to take board members to victims and listen to them.

“Any of us can become victims,” Murray said.

Frequently, board members will only hear from victims through Victim Impact Statements presented in courtrooms during sentencing.

Before he spoke, Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson welcomed the group.

“We have to bring closure for families,” Jackson said. “You need to know what can and cannot be done.”

And, Jackson said, her car was stolen Tuesday night.

“We have to energize anybody we can,” she said. “We’re all in this together.”

Heap, who prosecuted Dixon in the Dickey case, told the victims they could be assured they were not considered “just another page. … another file.”

via Victims get face-to-face with pardons officials | savannahnow.com.