Project Homicide: J-Baby
Donation protected
Introduction
Hi! My name is Melissa DeBoer. Also known by the media as Melissa Davis. I was very private for many years, but when I spoke, it was the name I was known by when my mother was murdered. Time to truly emerge from the shadows.
In a world where the negative is often emphasized, I hope to bring beauty from brutality and encourage survivors of crime, injustice, corruption to forge new paths to healing. We cannot change the past, but we can offer new perspectives and healing to others.
Below you will see mention of the scholarship fund and for awareness tshirts. My passion for helping others is paramount in my life. Speaking out is not enough anymore.
The scholarship fund is for survivors of violent crime and those who overcome trauma to go to college. It will help with tuition and/or living expenses for select students.
I am also seeking a retailor for t-shirts I am designing to raise awareness.
You are welcome to donate to the scholarship or awareness tshirt fund. Your donation is going to be an amazing tool for growth and healing. :)
The Background
"J-Baby" began as a passion project. My mother, Joann, was often called Jo-Baby by those who loved her. My little sister, Joanna Renee, was the only person who lived through that awful night with me. Both are gone now. One an immediate victim of homicide (mom) and the other, so tortured in life that cancer easily killed her when she was 31. "J-Baby" will honor their suffering, and will be a tool to create awareness.
As the last surviving person of an unspeakable crime on that terrible night, it's up to me to make sure crime victims continue to have a voice. I hope to create scholarships, retreats and publish my memoir about surviving homicide.
I seek to shed light on the immediate public dismissal based on a person's circumstances, race, religion. I hope to educate others in the community and judicial system how damaging it is for survivors to feel their loved ones matter less. I ask for our judicial system to be as accountable as our citizens should be.
Let's all get there, together.
What you need to know
My mother, Joann Tate was murdered on April 27th,1982 in the Hyde Park neighborhood in North Saint Louis. My sister Joanna age 4, and I, age 7, were savagely brutalized with a steak knife, and left for dead by Tommy Lynn Sells.
I realized recently that Rodney Lincoln, whom I identified as the killer, did not commit the crime. I am horrified that Rodney was robbed of his freedom due to my testimony.
Rodney's family, my family, our supporters and the Circuit Attorney's office are working together for his release.
What's Next
My experiences have taught me that there is a valid need for system overhaul including the wrongful conviction movement. I cannot dismiss the suffering of any innocent human and have found compassion for people victimized by corruption on either side of the prison bars. My intent is to help make the system balanced and fair for all.
Until "J-Baby" gets off the ground, I will keep talking about injustice. One way to get the word out is to write. Great therapy and it may save a life someday. :)
This memoir covers homicide, child abuse, PTSD but most importantly, speaks of growth and determination. Sometimes it's painful to put my sadness into words. Almost complete but currently just plodding along, I keep thinking that my story's most valuable message is that we can and will make it. I don't dare stop writing it. My intent and hope is to help eradicate shame and isolation.
Another eventual goal is to become an asset to my hometown of Saint Louis. Giving back is so important. The criminal justice system is broken and needs transparency as well as a complete overhaul.
I hope to work with all members of society from victims, to offenders, the community, police and as a mouthpiece to facilitate change.
Thank you for viewing my page. Please feel free to share my page. Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.
If you can't donate, please consider a random act of kindness to a stranger. Kind strangers have shown up in my life at my lowest moments, and it's given me hope. Have a wonderful day!
Hi! My name is Melissa DeBoer. Also known by the media as Melissa Davis. I was very private for many years, but when I spoke, it was the name I was known by when my mother was murdered. Time to truly emerge from the shadows.
In a world where the negative is often emphasized, I hope to bring beauty from brutality and encourage survivors of crime, injustice, corruption to forge new paths to healing. We cannot change the past, but we can offer new perspectives and healing to others.
Below you will see mention of the scholarship fund and for awareness tshirts. My passion for helping others is paramount in my life. Speaking out is not enough anymore.
The scholarship fund is for survivors of violent crime and those who overcome trauma to go to college. It will help with tuition and/or living expenses for select students.
I am also seeking a retailor for t-shirts I am designing to raise awareness.
You are welcome to donate to the scholarship or awareness tshirt fund. Your donation is going to be an amazing tool for growth and healing. :)
The Background
"J-Baby" began as a passion project. My mother, Joann, was often called Jo-Baby by those who loved her. My little sister, Joanna Renee, was the only person who lived through that awful night with me. Both are gone now. One an immediate victim of homicide (mom) and the other, so tortured in life that cancer easily killed her when she was 31. "J-Baby" will honor their suffering, and will be a tool to create awareness.
As the last surviving person of an unspeakable crime on that terrible night, it's up to me to make sure crime victims continue to have a voice. I hope to create scholarships, retreats and publish my memoir about surviving homicide.
I seek to shed light on the immediate public dismissal based on a person's circumstances, race, religion. I hope to educate others in the community and judicial system how damaging it is for survivors to feel their loved ones matter less. I ask for our judicial system to be as accountable as our citizens should be.
Let's all get there, together.
What you need to know
My mother, Joann Tate was murdered on April 27th,1982 in the Hyde Park neighborhood in North Saint Louis. My sister Joanna age 4, and I, age 7, were savagely brutalized with a steak knife, and left for dead by Tommy Lynn Sells.
I realized recently that Rodney Lincoln, whom I identified as the killer, did not commit the crime. I am horrified that Rodney was robbed of his freedom due to my testimony.
Rodney's family, my family, our supporters and the Circuit Attorney's office are working together for his release.
What's Next
My experiences have taught me that there is a valid need for system overhaul including the wrongful conviction movement. I cannot dismiss the suffering of any innocent human and have found compassion for people victimized by corruption on either side of the prison bars. My intent is to help make the system balanced and fair for all.
Until "J-Baby" gets off the ground, I will keep talking about injustice. One way to get the word out is to write. Great therapy and it may save a life someday. :)
This memoir covers homicide, child abuse, PTSD but most importantly, speaks of growth and determination. Sometimes it's painful to put my sadness into words. Almost complete but currently just plodding along, I keep thinking that my story's most valuable message is that we can and will make it. I don't dare stop writing it. My intent and hope is to help eradicate shame and isolation.
Another eventual goal is to become an asset to my hometown of Saint Louis. Giving back is so important. The criminal justice system is broken and needs transparency as well as a complete overhaul.
I hope to work with all members of society from victims, to offenders, the community, police and as a mouthpiece to facilitate change.
Thank you for viewing my page. Please feel free to share my page. Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.
If you can't donate, please consider a random act of kindness to a stranger. Kind strangers have shown up in my life at my lowest moments, and it's given me hope. Have a wonderful day!
Organizer
Melissa DeBoer
Organizer
Virginia Beach, VA