Some Call it Murder

In the rainy predawn darkness of April 4, 1985, Delbert Ray Edmonds lay on the ground watching his life slowly slip away in the rain as he bled to death from a gunshot wound.

A grand jury indicted William Westbay for the murder of Edmonds. A trial date was set, and then ------- nothing. That is where it stopped and has been in limbo since 1988. Prosecutors say there's a question of whether it was murder or suicide.

Justice for Myrna Opsahl

Myrna Opsahl, a wife and mother of four children, walked into a Crocker Bank to deposit the church funds. Moments later, she lay dying on the floor, her abdomen ripped open by a point-blank shotgun blast.

For three decades Sacramento County District Attorney's Office refused to arrest and prosecute the known killers, telling the family "Insufficient Evidence to prosecute." Not willing to accept that excuse, Myrna's son began a three decade crusade to get justice.

Why the System Fails Victims

The system is failing citizens in staggering numbers and it's created a Society of Cast Aways.

A law professor talks about how the justice system is not equipped or prepared for the level of white-collar crimes occurring, so, victims are falling through the cracks.

What are criminal offenses have spilled over into the civil courts overwhelming them.

Recovering from the violent Crime

Anne is still trying to survive the brutal attack by a serial attacker in Sacramento that targeted single women, and feeble elderly men in 1998. The attacker smashed Anne's skull, destroyed the hearing in one ear, and damaged her sight in one eye, just so the attacker could steal her purse.

A month later when Anne arrived home from the hospital, she found her cell phone bill. On it were calls to the same location amassing over $600 in calls.

Realizing she had the smoking gun, she took the evidence to prosecutors, who told her they'd be in touch. Anne is still waiting.

Failed System

Inside the Bullitt County prosecutor's office are boxes of evidence stored away by Commonwealth Attorney Michael Mann that tell the story of a judicial system so badly failing that victims of murder, fraud, and violence have never received justice, even though the guilty parties were arrested, arraigned in court, and a trial date set. That is where the ball kept dropping. One case of murder has been waiting to go to trial since 1985.

Justice for the Pearcys

The Pearcys' home was vandalized as part of a neighborhood riot protesting the Pearcy's symbol over their garage signifying their opposition to the war.

Local television crews caught the culprit on film in the act. But the District Attorney refused to provide justice citing "Insufficient Evidence to Prosecute."

Prisons: Are They Keeping Us Safe?

Several news and opinions about the state of prisons and what is needed to keep the bad guys from society.

You're Not Alone

" No one understands what I am going through."

You're not alone. It is common to feel angry about the victimization and injustice, feel betrayed by the system, and be depressed. WJFA is operated by crime victims denied justice. We understand how you feel. We're here if you need to talk or need support.