Somer Renee Thompson #3 4/26/2010 -

[Brandi]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/24021450/detail.html

Jarred Harrell Absent From Pretrial Hearing
Man Accused Of Killing 7-Year-Old Orange Park Girl Somer Thompson
POSTED: Thursday, June 24, 2010
UPDATED: 11:51 am EDT June 24, 2010

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- Jarred Harrell, the man accused of killing 7-year-old Somer Thompson, did not appear at a pretrial hearing Thursday morning.

A prosecutor told the judge depositions in Somer's murder case are under way.

Diena Thompson, Somer's mother, was in the courtroom for the hearing. When Harrell's name was called, she closed her eyes, leaned her head on her father's shoulder and cried softly.

Thompson said investigators have not told her anything about evidence in the case, but she doesn't expect them to.

She said she has "full faith" in the Clay County criminal justice system, and is confident she will get justice for her daughter.

The Orange Park girl disappeared on her way home from school in October. Her body was found days later in a southeast Georgia landfill, where Orange Park's trash is dumped.

Harrell's next hearing is set for Aug. 3.

[Brandi]

Molly Hatchet, playing free show in Hampton Saturday, unveils concept album



Southern rock boogie kings Molly Hatchet, set to play this week's Saturday Summer Street Fest in Hampton, released a new album "Justice" earlier this month.

The group's new disc is described as a concept album, the first in the band's 32-year history.

Several aspects of justice, or the lack thereof, are described by songs in the collection.

One of the tunes spins off a tragedy in the band's home state of Florida. "It has a real-life story about something happening right now in our community," guitarist Bobby Ingram told the FayettevilleObserver (NC) back in May. The song, "Fly on the Wings of Angels," touches on the murder of 7-year-old Florida girl Somer Thompson. She went missing Oct. 19, 2009, and her body was found two days later in a landfill in Georgia.

The tune features singing from Abby Thompson, Somer's 10-year-old sister.

"Every penny of the song's sales goes to the Somer Thompson Foundation," Ingram said. "We're honored to be able to help in that respect. See, that's a real-life thing going on now, that was dealing with justice."

Other horrors -- such as terrorist attacks -- are described in songs on "Justice." Titles include "American Pride" and "Vengeance."

"There's been a lot of injustices done," he told the Fayetteville newspaper. "We have seen a positive side of that [too] where justice has been served. And a lot of people have picked themselves up and been able to move forward. I think with all of that, it's all around us. We have to tell the story; we have to tell it Molly Hatchet style. And we're going to unleash the justice."

Molly Hatchet will rock out Saturday at Hampton's Saturday Summer Street Fest. The free party takes place along Queens Way in downtown Hampton and starts at 6 p.m.

http://weblogs.dailypress.com/entertainment/music/pop/blog/2010/06/molly_hatchet_playing_hampton.html

[no rose colored glasses]

Thanks for the updates Brandi.

[Brandi]

Thanks for the updates Brandi.

Welcome!

I just wish there was more to report!

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.prlog.org/10810840-summer-most-dangerous-time-for-child-abductions-murders-and-other-crimes-against-our-children-psa.html
Summer Most Dangerous Time For Child Abductions, Murders and Other Crimes Against Our Children (PSA)
“If it were not for The Somer Thompson Foundation, Molly Hatchet (Bobby Ingram) and The Southern Rock Society’s work on this issue we would not be as aware of the out of control growth of these horrific crimes against innocent children.”
Justice Molly Hatchet & The Southern Rock Society
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 22, 2010 – Cornwall-On-Hudson, New York—K2 Global Communications LLC is issuing its Public Service Announcement (PSA) reminding you do not  leave your children alone (includes teenagers), keep your children safe from abductions and killings this summer.   
“Earlier this year we issued the press release/public service announcement:  Molly Hatchet & The Southern Rock Society: For Somer Thompson, Children Everywhere…”Justice”.  This has made us increasingly sensitive to and aware of the dangers our children face every day of their lives,” Greg Kelly, Partner, K2 Global Communications LLC said.  “If it were not for The Somer Thompson Foundation, Molly Hatchet (Bobby Ingram) and The Southern Rock Society’s work on this issue
we would not be as aware of the out of control growth of these horrific crimes against innocent children.”

Support The Somer Thompson Foundation
www.somerthompsonfoundation.com

The Somer Thompson Foundation was formed in March 2010 after the abduction and murder of 7-year-old Somer Thompson. The Foundation provides education, resources and help to victims of violent crimes against children.  Grants will be given to the victims' families to assist with financial hardships that come with the horror of the death of a child through stranger abduction.  This financial assistance was desperately needed during the search for Somer and allowed the family to find their daughter and not worry about the day-to-day distractions and bills that interfere with the focus of getting a loved one back home safely.

Video Southern Rock Society, discussing Molly Hatchet, Somer Thompson and more... (Crossroads TV Magazine):
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/iO-I7L4uO30&amp;amp;hl=en_US&amp;amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;amp;color1=0x5d1719&amp;amp;color2=0xcd311b&amp;amp;border=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/iO-I7L4uO30&amp;amp;hl=en_US&amp;amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;amp;color1=0x5d1719&amp;amp;color2=0xcd311b&amp;amp;border=1</a>

[Brandi]

Somer Thompson's Mother Seeks Justice
 Sarah Sheppard    Created:  8/3/2010 10:25:44 PM  Updated: 8/3/2010 11:50:12 PM
Green Cove Springs, FL -- Somer Thompson's mother says she'll be at every court hearing for the child's accused killer.

The 7-year-old, whose father lives in Graham, disappeared on her way home from school in Florida last fall. Her body was found in a trash dump two days later.

"It still doesn't seem real," said Diena Thompson. "I still don't believe it. I have a hard time really believing it."

Thompson says she wants justice for her daughter and wants to make the streets safer for children.

She plans to attend every hearing for Jared Harrell, who's charged with premeditated murder.

Harrell was supposed to be in court Wednesday morning, but the hearing was postponed until September 28.

"It is frustrating, but I know that it's what has to happen," said Thompson. "You know, I've already been made well aware of the fact that it's going to take a while to get this case going."

Harrell was arrested last February in Mississippi.

He also faces dozens of unrelated child pornography charges.

http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=146146&catid=57

[Brandi]

Somer's Mom At Hearing; Harrell Absent
Man Accused Of Killing Somer Thompson Skips Pretrial Hearing In Clay County
POSTED: Tuesday, August 3, 2010
UPDATED: 12:31 pm EDT August 3, 2010

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- The man accused of killing 7-year-old Somer Thompson was not in court Tuesday for a pretrial hearing, but Somer's mother attended.

Jarred Harrell faces charges of murder in the death of the Orange Park girl, along with dozens of counts of child pornography. Harrell has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Harrell faces the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder in Somer's death.

Somer's mother, Diena Thompson, was in the courtroom. She said she will attend all legal proceedings involving the prosecution of the man accused of killing her daughter.

"It still doesn't seem real. I still don't believe it. I have a hard time really believing it," Thompson said. "I want justice. I want justice for our children. I want justice for my child, and I want to make the streets safer for our kids."

It's been months since Harrell has appeared in court, and Thompson said that time has been a challenge for her, though she said she's prepared to wait for justice for her daughter.

"It is frustrating, but I know that it's what has to happen," Thompson said. "I've already been made well aware of the fact that it's going to take a while to get this case going."

Other members of a group called Justice for Somer also attended the hearing.

"The motorcyclists outside, people honking their horns, (Justice for Somer) signs, seeing the stickers and magnets. I love all of that," Thompson said. "That means that people are still thinking about Somer because we don't want to forget."

"We're here as long as it takes, if it takes days, if it takes months, if it takes years, we're going to be here," said Dee McCollum, who was one of several Justice for Somer members holding signs along the road Tuesday.

Attorneys for the defense and the prosecution approached the bench to make arguments in the case and the case was continued until Sept. 28.

"We're muddling through, and it's going to take a whole lot more than the likes of the monster in the courtroom to knock us down," Thompson said.

Because this was an administrative hearing, Harrell was not required to attend.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/24492525/detail.html

[Brandi]

Somer Thompson Murder Suspect Jarred Harrell Not in Court Today
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- The trial in the murder of Somer Thompson will have to wait for several more weeks.

Jarred Harrell has been charged with the abduction and murder of 7-year-old Somer Thompson last fall as she walked home from school in Orange Park.

He was scheduled to be in court this morning for a pre-trial hearing, but the hearing was passed until Sept. 28. Harrell was not in the courtroom.

But Somer's mother, Diena Thompson, was there today, seated next to Bobby Ingram from the local band Molly Hatchet.

The band has been a key supporter of Thompson since Somer's murder.

Somer didn't come home after school one day in October 2009, and her body was found in a Georgia landfill days later.

Harrell was identified as a person of interest while he lived in Mississippi. He was arrested there Feb. 11 on 29 counts of child pornography and extradited to Clay County.

He was charged with Somer's murder in March.

In addition to Ingram's presence, Diena Thompson said she was comforted by a line of motorcycle riders outside the courtroom showing their support for children, a cause Thompson has taken up since Somer's murder.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=161882&catid=3

[cookie]

I admire Somer's mother...bless her heart...

[MuffyBee]

I admire Somer's mother...bless her heart...

 

[Brandi]

Diena Thompson attends Haleigh's Vigil:



Video: http://www.news4jax.com/video/24588027/index.html

[cookie]

thanks for the video Brandi...

[Brandi]

thanks for the video Brandi...

[Nuna]

Today was the first day of school in Clay County, Florida.  My son's elementary school sent home a letter with a hanging decal for the rearview mirror for the vehicles at parent pickup.  Each student has their own decal and will not be let into any car without it until proper ID and emergency contact list is verified.     I'm  not sure if anything changed for the walkers but, I would imagine it has if they've gone to these lengths for the car riders finally. 

From the letter: "Our county suffered a tragic loss of a young student at a fellow elementary school this past year and as a result, all schools have reflected to make their campus safer.  While we would like to think that our community is safe and that no one would harm our children, we now know differently."

Diena Thompson is being heard, loud and clear.   

[Sister]

Today was the first day of school in Clay County, Florida.  My son's elementary school sent home a letter with a hanging decal for the rearview mirror for the vehicles at parent pickup.  Each student has their own decal and will not be let into any car without it until proper ID and emergency contact list is verified.     I'm  not sure if anything changed for the walkers but, I would imagine it has if they've gone to these lengths for the car riders finally. 

From the letter: "Our county suffered a tragic loss of a young student at a fellow elementary school this past year and as a result, all schools have reflected to make their campus safer.  While we would like to think that our community is safe and that no one would harm our children, we now know differently."

Diena Thompson is being heard, loud and clear.   

I am happy to hear schools are being proactive.  I know I come from another generation, but my goodness, the responsibility of parenthood today in truly a full time job.  My prayers for parents and others who watch over our little ones.

[Brandi]

Input sought for Somer Thompson vigil
September 13, 2010
By Stephen Kindland

ORANGE PARK – The president of an expanded Neighborhood Watch program is seeking input from the general public about activities to coincide with a candlelight vigil planned for the first anniversary of the slaying of 7-year-old Somer Thompson.

Hayward Peterson, who prefers to call himself an area coordinator for the newly established First Coast Neighborhood Watch program, is asking anyone interested in helping to organize the event to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Pentecostal church, 1909 Debarry Ave., near Kingsley Avenue.

“Anybody and everybody are welcome,” said Peterson, whose efforts to expand the former Grove Park/Oak Hollow Neighborhood Watch program has resulted in a revised membership list of 500 households between Wells Road and Kingsley Avenue and Park Avenue and Blanding Boulevard.

Peterson said Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler and Pastor David Tarkington of the First Baptist Church of Orange Park have agreed to speak at the vigil, scheduled for Oct. 19 on the Orange Park Middle School campus on Gano Avenue.

Other speakers may be invited, and a walk is planned, starting at the school and ending about a half-mile away at a makeshift memorial that has been set up across the street from the Thompson family’s Grove Park home.

“We’ve had great cooperation from the Sheriff’s Office and the Orange Park Police Department,” Peterson said. “Now we’re just asking for input – for ideas – from the general public.”

The vigil is being held to mourn and observe Somer’s abduction and murder -- which investigators believe occurred in a vacant house on Gano Avenue as the child walked home with her siblings from Grove Park Elementary School. At some point, investigators believe, Somer broke away from the group she was with and wasn’t seen again until her body was discovered at South Georgia landfill two days later.

Police arrested Jarred Harrell, now 25, in February and charged him with Somer’s abduction and murder. He also faces multiple counts of possession of child pornography and related charges.

Harrell has been held in the Clay County jail since he was extradited from Meridian, Miss., on the child pornography charges. He has had several pre-trial hearings and is scheduled for another hearing on Monday, Sept. 28.

His attorneys have said he won’t be appearing in court until his trial begins.
http://www.claytodayonline.com/content/2665_1.php     

[Sister]

Input sought for Somer Thompson vigil
September 13, 2010
By Stephen Kindland

ORANGE PARK – The president of an expanded Neighborhood Watch program is seeking input from the general public about activities to coincide with a candlelight vigil planned for the first anniversary of the slaying of 7-year-old Somer Thompson.

Hayward Peterson, who prefers to call himself an area coordinator for the newly established First Coast Neighborhood Watch program, is asking anyone interested in helping to organize the event to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Pentecostal church, 1909 Debarry Ave., near Kingsley Avenue.

“Anybody and everybody are welcome,” said Peterson, whose efforts to expand the former Grove Park/Oak Hollow Neighborhood Watch program has resulted in a revised membership list of 500 households between Wells Road and Kingsley Avenue and Park Avenue and Blanding Boulevard.

Peterson said Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler and Pastor David Tarkington of the First Baptist Church of Orange Park have agreed to speak at the vigil, scheduled for Oct. 19 on the Orange Park Middle School campus on Gano Avenue.

Other speakers may be invited, and a walk is planned, starting at the school and ending about a half-mile away at a makeshift memorial that has been set up across the street from the Thompson family’s Grove Park home.

“We’ve had great cooperation from the Sheriff’s Office and the Orange Park Police Department,” Peterson said. “Now we’re just asking for input – for ideas – from the general public.”

The vigil is being held to mourn and observe Somer’s abduction and murder -- which investigators believe occurred in a vacant house on Gano Avenue as the child walked home with her siblings from Grove Park Elementary School. At some point, investigators believe, Somer broke away from the group she was with and wasn’t seen again until her body was discovered at South Georgia landfill two days later.

Police arrested Jarred Harrell, now 25, in February and charged him with Somer’s abduction and murder. He also faces multiple counts of possession of child pornography and related charges.

Harrell has been held in the Clay County jail since he was extradited from Meridian, Miss., on the child pornography charges. He has had several pre-trial hearings and is scheduled for another hearing on Monday, Sept. 28.

His attorneys have said he won’t be appearing in court until his trial begins.
http://www.claytodayonline.com/content/2665_1.php     

Brandi, I read all the things JessStar is doing for Nevaeh . . . maybe they could get some ideas from them . . . I feel sure JessStar would love to share.  I just don't know how to make that connection.

[JessStar]

Input sought for Somer Thompson vigil
September 13, 2010
By Stephen Kindland

ORANGE PARK – The president of an expanded Neighborhood Watch program is seeking input from the general public about activities to coincide with a candlelight vigil planned for the first anniversary of the slaying of 7-year-old Somer Thompson.

Hayward Peterson, who prefers to call himself an area coordinator for the newly established First Coast Neighborhood Watch program, is asking anyone interested in helping to organize the event to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Pentecostal church, 1909 Debarry Ave., near Kingsley Avenue.

“Anybody and everybody are welcome,” said Peterson, whose efforts to expand the former Grove Park/Oak Hollow Neighborhood Watch program has resulted in a revised membership list of 500 households between Wells Road and Kingsley Avenue and Park Avenue and Blanding Boulevard.

Peterson said Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler and Pastor David Tarkington of the First Baptist Church of Orange Park have agreed to speak at the vigil, scheduled for Oct. 19 on the Orange Park Middle School campus on Gano Avenue.

Other speakers may be invited, and a walk is planned, starting at the school and ending about a half-mile away at a makeshift memorial that has been set up across the street from the Thompson family’s Grove Park home.

“We’ve had great cooperation from the Sheriff’s Office and the Orange Park Police Department,” Peterson said. “Now we’re just asking for input – for ideas – from the general public.”

The vigil is being held to mourn and observe Somer’s abduction and murder -- which investigators believe occurred in a vacant house on Gano Avenue as the child walked home with her siblings from Grove Park Elementary School. At some point, investigators believe, Somer broke away from the group she was with and wasn’t seen again until her body was discovered at South Georgia landfill two days later.

Police arrested Jarred Harrell, now 25, in February and charged him with Somer’s abduction and murder. He also faces multiple counts of possession of child pornography and related charges.

Harrell has been held in the Clay County jail since he was extradited from Meridian, Miss., on the child pornography charges. He has had several pre-trial hearings and is scheduled for another hearing on Monday, Sept. 28.

His attorneys have said he won’t be appearing in court until his trial begins.
http://www.claytodayonline.com/content/2665_1.php     

Brandi, I read all the things JessStar is doing for Nevaeh . . . maybe they could get some ideas from them . . . I feel sure JessStar would love to share.  I just don't know how to make that connection.

You got that right, Sister!  I am MORE than happy to share ideas with Somer's folks.  I'll reach out to them.  Thanks, Brandi, for posting this article and thank you Sister for your comments.   

[melisb]

As Matt Lauer just put it, "It's the anniversary" of Somer's death if you can call it that.  Ill fitting word I must say.  Anniversary is usually a celebration of something happy.  There is nothing happy about the death of a child, ever.  I'm watching Somer's Mom still crying and grieving this am on Today talking about a vigil they are holding for the one year mark since her passing.  It's breaking my heart to see her cry and say she feels it's her fault her daughter is dead.  These Mom's need to take a cue from a woman with real pain and love for her dead child.  Somer's Mom is someone I feel shows real emotion and compassion for the little girl she can never hold again.  So sad, God I hope I never have to feel that loss before my time is up.  I don't think I could take it.  God Bless you Somer and Mommy!

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/10/15/1874649/somer-thompsons-mom-to-attend.html
Posted on Friday, 10.15.10

Somer Thompson's mom to attend each day of trial
 .The Associated Press
ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- The mother of slain 7-year-old Somer Thompson says she will be in court every day for the trial of the man accused of kidnapping and murdering her daughter.

Diena Thompson told NBC's "Today Show" that she still feels guilty over what happened to her daughter.

Somer Thompson disappeared while walking home from school with her siblings in north Florida last year. Her body was found two days later in a Georgia landfill.

Jared Mitchell Harrell has been charged in her death.

Thompson said Thursday she had taught her daughter about stranger danger, but that parents need to go a step further, teaching them things like running away when they have a bad feeling about an adult.

A vigil will take place on the anniversary of the Somer Thompson's death next week.