For once, I am doing my very first editorial for The Berkeley Observer. From politics to religion, I’ve always kept my thoughts pretty private as a journalist. And for those who know me, that’s painstakingly difficult to do. (Seriously, it is!)
God knows I have an opinion on just about everything. But in news, we report the facts—not opinions. And you know what? I respect that.
However, this is one instance I will not follow this golden rule—especially when it involves a case near and dear to my heart.
On Monday at 9:30 a.m., jury selection will finally begin for the double murder trial of Caleb Matlock. The trial is expected to last a week. After getting pushed back a number of times, the wheels of justice are finally starting to turn.
If found guilty, Caleb, deserves nothing less than the death penalty. Yes, I am one of those individuals who believe in it. You take an innocent life, you deserve to die. This, however, is not a death penalty case. The most Caleb could receive is life behind bars at the taxpayers’ expense, of course—but, hey, it’s certainly better than nothing.
Here in Berkeley County, we’ve not forgotten the senseless murders of Dana Woods and June Guerry. Their murders are just as fresh today as they were the day they were committed. Caleb and his cousin, Arthur Chavis, were charged with shooting them to death.
In 2012, Dana’s body was located in Cordesville—not very far from my aunt’s home. One day after Dana’s body was discovered, June was found dead off of Highway 17A on Greenwood
Drive—less than two minutes from my home on the very same road. Both girls had been brutally murdered and their bodies abandoned like a piece of trash.
Here in Berkeley County, while the county may be the biggest in the state—we’re a close bunch. If we don’t know each other personally, you can bet we know someone who does. My mother taught June in the fifth grade and always viewed her as a “sweet, quiet student.” My cousin worked with June’s grandmother at the Handy Mart in Macedonia. June was no stranger to the store. My youngest sister had classes with Caleb. Dana’s family lives five minutes from my parents.
To say this case rattled all of us here in the community is an understatement. The murders of these young girls proved that even in small, tight-knit communities, evil exists.
I believe everyone has the right to a fair trial. At the same token, I, like many others in Berkeley County, hope for justice in this case.
These girls had a bright future ahead of them, and it was snatched up from them by individuals who had no regard for human life. No one should get away with that.
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Praying for justice…I still cannot help but question why did they have to kill them? WHY?
That’s what we all want to know. #JusticeforDanaandJune