I am Terri Burby, the mother of Talan Marva.

On the evening of August 11, 2023, at approximately 11:36 p.m., my son Talan had just gotten off work. His girlfriend Rachel was there to pick him up, as she always did. But this night was different—this night would change everything. As they left, they crossed paths with Braxton Judy, who had just left Tailgatez Bar and Grill. Talan had completed a left-hand turn and was preparing to make a right-hand turn when Braxton, driving at 91 mph in a 35 mph zone, lost control around a curve and crashed into Talan and Rachel. The impact was so violent that both of them were killed instantly.

Witnesses called 911 immediately, but instead of helping, Braxton’s passenger got out of the car and began gathering beer cans, bottles, and other items to clear the scene. Around 12:06 a.m., police arrived. Officers noted that Braxton appeared intoxicated. He failed a field sobriety test and admitted to drinking at the bar before getting behind the wheel and speeding nearly three times over the posted limit. According to the crash reconstruction, Braxton lied about Talan being in his lane—his story was proven false by the investigation. Yet, despite everything—his speeding, drinking, and the deaths of two innocent people—Braxton was not arrested that night. He wasn’t arrested until April 1, 2024, nearly eight months later. And even then, he was simply fingerprinted and released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.

From that point on, we endured five court continuances and repeated delays. On July 3, 2025, I received a missed call from the so-called “victim’s advocate.” I returned the call, assuming it was about yet another delay for our upcoming court date on July 17. When she finally called back, she informed me that District Attorney Molly Metzger and assistant DA Thomas Leiden were also on the line. They explained that a judge had made an “unusual request” to schedule an emergency plea status hearing before July 17—allegedly something unprecedented in Pennsylvania. I was told that if we went before the judge on the 17th without first offering a plea deal, the judge would be upset. This was the first I’d heard of any of this. I wasn’t given any prior notice that this meeting would happen.

They asked me what justice looked like for our family. I told them I didn’t know—how could I possibly put a number on what my son’s life was worth? I also said I wanted Talan’s father and our older son involved, but they claimed only legal next of kin—me and Talan’s father—were allowed. Throughout the call, I was blindsided with questions, excuses, and misinformation. They falsely claimed no 911 calls were made. They couldn’t give a straight answer about Braxton’s second blood draw. They even said they couldn’t explain why Braxton still had a valid driver’s license after admitting to DUI and speeding. I asked why he wasn’t ticketed at the scene—they blamed law enforcement. I asked why Braxton’s defense was allowed to bring up the fact that Talan didn’t have a license or had THC in his system, even though it had nothing to do with the crash. They offered no answers—just excuses.

They claimed they didn’t want to take the case to trial to “spare the families from painful details.” Instead, they wanted to offer Braxton a lesser plea: two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless driving. I told them, “If I say give him the death penalty, that’s not going to happen. You’ve already made up your minds. What I say doesn’t matter.” They had already decided. I felt railroaded, cornered, and manipulated into a conversation I didn’t ask for, wasn’t prepared for, and never agreed to have. They told me to come to the courthouse on July 10 to “discuss plea options.”

On July 10, I walked up the courthouse stairs—and saw Braxton, his wife, and his attorney sitting there. He had paperwork in his hand. I immediately broke down—crying, shaking, unable to breathe. Sarah, the “victim’s advocate,” came over and walked me into a conference room where Rachel’s family was already seated. She then told us that Braxton had just pleaded guilty. We were stunned. This meeting was supposed to be about discussing options—not about finalizing a deal we never consented to. We were never consulted, never informed, never asked for our approval.

Then the district attorneys walked in and said Braxton’s lawyer had accepted the deal the night before—two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless driving. All other charges would be dropped. We were heartbroken. We never approved this. And when we entered the courtroom, things got even worse. Molly Metzger, the same DA who claimed to be our advocate, stood in front of the judge and told an outright lie—that Talan’s father had agreed to the plea deal months earlier to “speed up insurance claims.” That is absolutely false. The insurance process had nothing to do with this. It was a complete and disgusting fabrication. I broke down  in that courtroom while she spoke. And Sarah, again, did nothing but say she’d “talk to Molly” and that “it wouldn’t happen again.”

But the damage was already done. The court accepted the plea deal. Talan and Rachel—two beautiful, innocent young people—were taken from us by someone who chose to drink and speed, and now that person will face only minimal consequences. This system failed us. It failed our children. It failed our families and our entire community. And it never once gave us the respect or voice we deserved. We were manipulated, lied to, and misled every step of the way.

This is why I am speaking out. This is why I am asking you to stand with us.

We never agreed to this plea deal—not verbally, not in writing, not ever. The District Attorney’s Office lied and misrepresented our wishes in court. This is not justice. This is a betrayal. Braxton Judy made a conscious choice to drink, speed, and drive recklessly. His actions ended two lives. He should be held fully accountable. But instead, the Somerset County justice system let him walk away with a slap on the wrist.

We demand accountability. We demand change. We demand that those who are supposed to protect victims actually listen to victims.

Please help us bring justice to Talan and Rachel. Help us hold those in power accountable. And please—do not vote for Molly Metzger in her upcoming judicial election. She does not represent justice. She does not represent victims. She silenced us, lied about us, and betrayed our trust.

Let this petition be a voice not just for our children, but for every family in this community that deserves real justice.

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