The murder of Dan Martin weighs as heavy on my heart today as it did the first day I heard about it. Lampe is a very small town. Everyone knows everybody or at least knows of them. When I learned of Dan's death, murdered, in such a violent manner...I remember thinking that the person who had committed such an atrocious crime must be someone from someplace else, passing thru perhaps because how could anyone who lived here, knew Dan, knew his family commit such an awful act. In the days that followed, talk ran thru the town, very typical small town. I heard whispers of who everyone speculated had committed this awful act. I didn't want to listen. I didn't want to speculate. I held the hope that our law enforcement would find who was responsible and they would be held accountable. When I learned of AnneMaries arrest, I found myself heavy hearted again. I know this girl. I was her babysitter when she was a little girl....I thought there had to be some kind of mistake. As the days passed, and the story unfolded I ached for both of these families. In my mind, both families lost a child. All of their lives had been forever changed.
During the days leading up to the trial I struggled with myself. I wanted justice for Dan Martin. I wanted justice for his family. I wanted justice for his young son. I didn't want AnneMarie to be guilty. I hoped her arrest had been a mistake but as time passed and details emerged I knew it was not. When news was released that she was going to plea bargain, I again struggled within myself. I was disappointed in her. She had been a part of taking another life. Now she wants to strike a deal to lessen her prison time by turning states evidence on the other person involved. Why should she have the opportunity to lessen her her time? Why give her that choice? Did she give Dan Martin a choice? Did she ask him if he'd like to live longer, to be a son or a father for awhile longer? I doubt it. None of us know for a fact, beyond any doubt what happened that day. The only people who really know are the people who were there that day. Dan Martin can't tell us. The two arrested may tell the entire truth, or they may not. We won't ever know.
When AnneMarie received her sentence, I was shocked. 14 years? A young mans life is only worth 14 years? How could that be. Again, my heart ached for the Martin family. In my opinion, this was not justice for them.
Today, I read this article asking for signatures on this petition. There's that heavy heart again. But along with it this time is some upset. It's upsetting to me that AnneMarie could even possibly be looking at parole with serving such a little amount of time. I was of the opinion that 14 years was not a long enough sentence for this crime but now, possibility of early parole after just over 3 years, well to quite honest, I think is bullshit. Anne Marie is guilty of a heinous crime. The Martins will never see there son again, hear his voice, or see his smile. A little boy will never know his father. To even consider AnneMarie to be paroled in 2017, or in my opinion any at all before she's served the 14 years she was sentenced to, is the same as telling The Parents of Dan Martin that their sons life wasn't worth a damn, that it had no value. How unjust is that?
In my mind, AnneMarie made a choice the day Dan Martins life was taken. She could have chosen otherwise. She did not. She should have to pay the consequences for that choice. Dan Martin and his family deserve that much.

#66: -  

 

#66: -  

 I do not be leave she could have ever stopped this from happening and I would like to see what any one of these young girls would have done 2 just because it's printed in the paper does not make it true the it was stated in court to the judge that they did not be leave she had anything to do with the murder with all the talk there would have never been a Fair tril I think people should look at the court records but no one ever will and the boys mother was there she knows the truth and continue s to miss lead people knowing the truth I am sorry for her loss but there are and always will be things in a case that are not told which sometimes leaves people do side with the masses