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(MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the State of Alabama will pay the maximum damages that may be awarded under state law—$1 million*—to the families of Jimmy O’Neal Spencer’s three alleged murder victims. The families allege that the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles wrongfully paroled and failed to supervise Spencer, resulting in the deaths of Marie Martin, Colton Lee and Martha Reliford.

Attorney General Marshall recused himself and was not a part of the settlement negotiations, having previously known two of the victims.

MONTGOMERY -- Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL), the State’s largest victims’ advocacy coalition, on Tuesday expressed the organization’s full support and the urgent need for legislation reforming the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The legislation has already passed the Alabama House of Representatives.

“We sincerely hope that the Alabama Senate will make this legislation a top priority in the remaining days of the regular session,” said VOCAL Founder, Miriam Shehane. “Victims have waited for years for our state officials to listen to us and pay attention to what is going on at Pardons and Paroles. We’ve finally got an Attorney General and Governor who get it, but they lack the authority to fix this problem. For any real change to occur, we desperately need the reforms proposed in this legislation.”

2019 04 12 VOCAL NCVRW Vigil 049
Every April, OVC leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW.

This year, OVC commemorated NCVRW on April 7–13. This year's NCVRW theme—Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.—celebrates the progress made by those before us as we look to a future of crime victim services that is even more inclusive, accessible, and trauma-informed. Vocal's annual candlelight vigil was held on April 12th, 2019 at 7 pm on the lawn of the Attorney General's office. The guest speakers were Chief Ernest Finley & Attorney General Steve Marshall. Many individuals who have continuously helped fight for crime victim's right's were honored that night.

To view gallery, click Read More!

Vocal attended Proclamation Hour to receive a proclamation from the governor declaring April 7th-13th Victims Rights Awareness Week.

2019 04 Gov Ivey signs Victims Rights Awareness Week 2

(Left to Right) Dr. Teresa Jones (Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission), Kim Martin (Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission), Dr. Cassie Jones (Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission), Melanie Beasley (Vocal, Victim Advocate), Teaonna Watson (Vocal, Counselor), Miriam Shehane (Founder of Vocal), Nayla Contreras (Vocal, Victim Advocate), Janette Grantham (Vocal, State Director), Jacqueline Fowler (Attorney General's Office), Ashley Harbin (Attorney General's Office).

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 716
Imposing a Temporary Moratorium on Early Parole Hearings and Requiring the Submission and Implementation of a Corrective Action Plan for the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

View EO 716

STATE CHAPTER

Director: Janette Grantham
Phone:  334-262-7197
E-Mail: jgrantham@vocalonline.org

EAST ALABAMA CHAPTER

President: Dianne Walden
Phone: 
E-Mail: vsodianewalden@yahoo.com

GULF COAST CHAPTER

President: Tracey Wilson Goens
Phone:  251-533-6832
E-Mail: tgoens15@gmail.com

ST. CLAIR VOCAL CHAPTER

President: June Hodges
Phone: 205-229-2104
E-Mail: hodgesracing66@gmail.com

RIVER REGION CHAPTER

President: Lester Ezekiel
Phone:  334-514-6862
E-Mail: lester.ezekiel@yahoo.com

SHOALS CHAPTER

President: Patsy Michael
Phone:  256-777-0482
E-Mail: patsymichael@charter.net

NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA CHAPTER

President: Wilburn Beavers
Phone:  205-363-0444
E-Mail: choochoo1n@yahoo.com

Contact Us

Address

Physical Address:
422 South Court St
Montgomery, AL 36104-4102

Mailing Address:V.O.C.A.L.
P.O. Box 4449
Montgomery, AL 36103-4449

Phone

Work: 334-262-7197

Fax: 334-834-5645

Staff

Janette Grantham
State Director
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Nayla Contreras
Court Advocate
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Melanie Beasley
Court Advocate
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Teaonna Watson
Counselor
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Miriam Shehane/Founder

V.O.C.A.L.

Physical Address:
422 South Court St
Montgomery, AL 36104-4102

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 4449
Montgomery, AL 36103-4449

Phone:
334-262-7197

Fax:
334-834-5645

Email:

Janette Grantham
State Director
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Margarita Betancourt
Angel House Counselor
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Kourtnie Nelson
Court Advocate
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Doris Hancock
Office Manager
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Miriam Shehane/Founder

Mission Statement

mission statement
VOCAL, Victims of Crime and Leniency, was organized in 1982 to create a more balanced system. Somewhere along the way, victim’s rights across the nation, for all practical purposes were non-existent. The same system that victims expected to protect them was hampered due to the aggressive efforts to ensure the rights of the offenders were protected. Vocal’s goal has been to balance the scales of justice by giving crime victims those same rights rather than eroding the rights of the offender.

V.O.C.A.L. Angel House advocates for victims’ rights and services for victims of violent crime, providing direct services to victims and their families, and providing public education and awareness. Our staff members are available to assist the family and loved ones of a homicide victim. Advocates assist survivors in communicating with Police, Attorney's General office, and Governor's Office and provide emotional and physical support throughout the course of your case. Advocates work closely with the staff in all phases of the Criminal Justice System. There are nearly 45,000 homicides annually in the United States. This effects between 150,000 and 200,000 relatives and other survivors. The trauma and grief experienced by survivors cause emotional scars that last a lifetime. We assist with Death Notification, Media Coverage, Funeral Arrangements, Victim's Compensation, Trial Attendance, Insurance Claims, Crime Scene Clean-up.