We had an interview with Sara Forheitz from KY3 in Springfield, MO. We are waiting on Don Trotter to give her a response then this should air.

Missouri's Attorney General Office Victim Advocate contacted me back via email. Her reply was:

Hello Jessica,

           First of all just let me say that I am sorry for what happened to you.  I can’t imagine the pain and trauma you have endured and truly admire the strength it must of taken for you (and the other victims) to come forward and tell your truth!   I was made aware of your situation last week after your initial contact with the Department of Public Safety. 

         Unfortunately there is no way to go back and give you all a way to provide your statements to the court since the plea has been accepted and sentence has been set.   I am not sure if you have been given any information on the Department of Corrections Victim Services Unit.  If not, here is the link to their website and the Victim Notification Form.

https://doc.mo.gov/director/office-victim-services

 As long as you complete this form and mail it back to DOC, you will be notified from them of possible release dates, parole hearings, etc.  You will have the right to attend any parole hearings and give a statement to the Parole Board regarding your feelings of his release. 

            In regards to your current situation, Department of Public Safety is currently investigating to determine if a Victims’ Rights Violation has occurred.  They will be notifying the Prosecutors Office of the complaint as well as requesting information regarding the events that took place.  I will also be in contact with the Victim Advocate in Lawrence County, however Department of Public Safety will be doing the actual investigation.  Unfortunately there is a clause within the Missouri Victims’ Rights statute that essentially says even if a violation has been found true, no repercussions can be taken against the agency/person responsible for the violation.  In cases like this the only thing that we can do is make the prosecutor/victim advocate is aware of the violation, if needed explain why it was a violation, and offer additional training so that hopefully violations do not occur in the future.

Department of Public Safety will be in contact with you regarding the outcome of the investigation.  If you need any further assistance getting in touch with Department of Corrections or would like any resource referrals for your area please let me know.  I will help in any way that I can.

Thanks

****THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE**** They know what they did wrong. Repercussions are a MUST!  Don't we all have Repercussions if we did something wrong?!