Face to face with the burglar

Many of you know that the sentencing for our burglar was held today. What a clown show. I do think a novel is in store.

Basically I arrived early—as usual—and our burglar arrived shortly after. I was able to identify him as he was one of the few young, white men in the courtroom. He arrived with his mother or grandmother. Not sure which. They sat right in front of me. The bailiff came out and asked all people sitting on the front row to move back as the front row was reserved for the attorneys. I was sitting on the end of the second row with room beside me so guess who gets to sit by me!!

I sat there for two hours and watched jailed criminals in orange jumpsuits come out of the holding room one by one. Most of for probation, most denied thanks to Judge Truman Hobbs. One gentleman had about ten family members speak on his behalf. It was hard watching what poor choices did to this family who wanted so much more for their son. Once the parole cases were heard, they moved onto new cases and of course, mine was about second to last.

The attorney had asked me if I would like to speak and it won’t surprise you that I said, “of course.” The case of Jonathan Michael Spann was announced and we all walked to the front. I basically told Judge Hobbs that my husband and I arrived home from work on March 14th, 2008 and found our house had been burglarized. I explained to him how you lie awake at night wondering if the person is going to come back, you see people on the street and wonder if that’s “the person” and how it overall rocks you. I told Judge Hobbs that I was a firm believer in forgiveness but I did feel the person should pay for the crime. He was very appreciative of me being there. The sentence was 10 years suspended (more than normal) with three years probation. Basically he won’t serve time as I suspected but will have to check in for the next three years and if he does anything else will get the automatic ten years.

Although I wish he served some time, I was so impressed with Judge Hobbs. Especially with the probation hearings. He did not fool around and we need more people in the courts like him.

After our hearing was complete, we were able to leave the courtroom. I held back because I did not want to get on an elevator with Mr. Spann and his relative and the bailiff saw what was happening. He came over to me quickly and told me I didn’t have to leave and could stay put as long as I wanted to. I thanked him and told him I just wanted to give him a few seconds to not have to encounter an awkward situation. He was very kind to see what was going on. I exited the building and saw Mr. Spann and his relative leave and hoped to God that he would take his sentence seriously.

He does have a job in Dothan. I didn’t get to ask why our house, where my stuff is, etc. I guess I could have afterwards but didn’t feel comfortable doing that.

So, I guess it’s over—I hope. Thanks to all who have listened to the drama unfold and offered support.

An Extremely Humbling Experience

Many of you have seen my photos and short updates I've posted on Facebook over the past few weeks and especially the the past week about being involved in the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project. I'll explain how I was lucky enough to witness this incredible act of kindness. For those that don't know, I work at an advertising agency in Montgomery (LWT Communications). One of our big clients is Aronov--which is a real estate company that handles everything from new homes to shopping center development to condominiums on the Gulf. Although they are located in Montgomery, they have a huge presence in the Southeast. 

Aronov was approached by EMHE to be the chosen builder to build a new home for a lucky family in Montgomery. They accepted and came to LWT to seek help in promoting the build. We handled everything from outdoor design promoting the announcement to vendor signage to VIP badges to t-shirts to a custom-built Web site with countdown to you name it! I say "we," that's not accurate. A group of LWT folks handled the majority of it including Cindy as the fearless leader, Kathleen, Karla, the Web dept and I'm sure I'm leaving out some. But I rounded up director's chairs and made a sign!!!!!! Kidding sort of. Anyway, as an employee of LWT I was lucky enough to be able to roll in the VIP area several times including seeing the shooting of the pre-demolition, house build, furniture move (including seeing inside which is limited) and of course the MOVE THAT BUS!

EMHE doesn't give a lot of lead time in their announcement to add to the suspense so needless to say the effort has to happen quick. The Jordan Family was the lucky family chosen to be the recipient of the new home. In the beginning the excitement was about the superstars being in town, a TV show being filmed, etc. But as the week progressed my focus switched to so many more things. 

A family's entire life is changed for the better in the matter of minutes of an announcement. Which is a change for the Jordans whose lives have in the past been changed for the worst in a matter of minutes including  the death of two children--one to domestic violence and one to drunk driving. 

I also looked around a sea of blue volunteer shirts and noticed the excitement and privilege of those that volunteered. Whether to hammer nails or to serve food. It took an army of folks. I heard Cindy mention the Sigma Nus from Huntingdon College and how EMHE couldn't have finished the house without their help from 12-6.....AM! These guys showed up nightly when everyone wanted to sleep to do anything asked of them. I took pride in that as a former SN sweetheart but thought to myself, "those guys will never get the credit they deserve but helped changed a life." There were so many people like that whose contributions added up to a lifetime of giving. 

I heard the sweet Jordan Family father interviewed this evening and had a tear in my eye as he told the news interviewer that he didn't expect to come home to a "castle." A house you and I might think is normal or average. It's a beautiful house indeed. 

I have that feeling inside after big events end. A sadness that the excitement is over. No more stars in town. No more VIP passes. No more MOVE THAT BUS signs to make. No more hearing Kathleen begging for "one more free sign." No more photo ops. No more shuttles to Southlawn. No more "project 621." But more importantly, no more living in sub par conditions for the Jordans. 

Please check out www.extremearonov.com to learn more and below is a link to some photos taken the days I was there. I'll be sure to announce when the airing is. We're hearing late April to early May. I'd also like to add how nice the EMHE cast/crew was while in town. I know they were tired of photos and autographs and being nice but they were so nice. Montgomery is a better place from their brief visit. 

http://gallery.me.com/scottiep/10036