All are invited: JHV Annual Memorial Honoring Homicide Victims Sunday, April 6, 2014. This years’ National theme is “30 years: restoring the balance to justice.” And JHV is celebrating: “30 years of helping victims of homicide in the Los Angeles area” Sunday, April 6, 2014, Justice for Homicide Victims will hold their annual Memorial at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Ca., honoring all victims of homicide. We will also honor the 30 years of Justice for Homicide Victims as an organization and recognize the achievements of our founders including Marcella Nicholas Leach and Ellen Griffin Dunn. Many of those who have suffered the loss of a loved one and worked through JHV to change laws and perceptions will attend and speak. Keynote speaker will be Griffin Dunne, an actor, film producer and film director and more importantly the son of JHV founder Ellen Griffin Dunne and brother to homicide victim actress Dominique Dunne.
Family Members of a 30 year old cold case solved in 2012 feel their Marsy’s Law rights are violated and ask JHV for assistance.
Details
Marsy Law Training for Fullerton Police Academy Cadets: For the second year in a row Justice for Homicide Victim members gathered at the Fullerton Police Academy on the evening of September 26, 2013, to talk about “victim’s rights”. We go through each of the 17 Marsy Law constitutional rights specified under Marsy’s Law; talk about what they mean; how each provision relates to police field work and particularly how they impact victim families. The cadets are very interested in our personal stories of homicide and its great sharing information and answering questions as to what exactly Marsy's Law provides victims' of violent crimes and/or their surviving family members. We thank Chief Dennis Kies for inviting JHV to participate in their training program. We look forward to participating again next year.
First Ever Unsolved Homicide Summit Huge Success
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department hosted L.A.'s first ever Unsolved Homicide Summit Saturday, July 20, 2013. The event was sponsored by Justice for Homicide Victims and Justice For Murdered Children and they lined the Sheriff's media room with pictures of homicide victims. Details
Justice For Murdered Children and Justice for Homicide Victims are sponsoring Los Angeles County's first ever Unsolved Homicide Summit on Saturday, July 20, 2013 from 8.a.m. to 1 p.m. at the L.A. Sheriff's Headquarters at 4700 Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, Ca. The event is free to the public and all are invited.
The Honorable Michael A. Latin (retired) will moderated questions amongst law enforcement, district attorneys, media and other professionals regarding unsolved homicides, seek suggestions and ways to solve cold cases and bring closure to families. Details
If you have an unsolved homicide case and have questions; please email us. Maybe we can help get answers. .
Justice for Homicide Victims to be honored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 for their exemplary achievements in assisting crime victims. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will commend our organization during National Crime Victims' Rights Week with a Proclamation. JHV will also be recognized by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office during their Victims' Rights Recognition Ceremony and luncheon on Thursday, April 25. We are humbled and thankful. Photo
29th Justice for Homicide Victims Memorial Foundation Event is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, 2013, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Ca. The Homicide Victims Memorial is just inside Gate 19 off of Workman Mill Road.
Justice for Homicide Victims' will honor Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca with the Robert W. Leach Victim Advocate Award. We are also extremely pleased that Los Angeles County’s new District Attorney, Jackie Lacey, will be present and speak to those gathered. Todd Spitzer, Legal Director, Marcy’s Law for All, Orange County Supervisor and former Assistant District Attorney will bring everyone up to date on Marsy’s Law and Lynette Duncan, who survived the murder of her father and sister, will tell her inspiring survival story.
Bring your loved one’s picture, release a balloon in their memory and watch the Doves take flight. Light refreshments will be served. (see flier)
RSVP to jhvinfo@gmail.com
JHV started 2013 with a LAPD West Bureau hosted Crime Victims’ Clinic Saturday, January 12th, at the LAPD’s Ahmanson Recruit Training Center in Westchester. Dr. Michael Crosby, Sr. led the group in an inspiring innovation. Welcoming was LAPD Commander Dennis Kato; Captain Peters; Donna Wills, Director of the Los Angeles District Attorney Victim-Witness Assistance Program; and the Honorable Jim Dear, Mayor of Carson. Details
Justice for Homicide Victims has entered into a partnership with the media publication “Cuffed & Wanted”. They will happily publish information regarding your unsolved homicide case in their bi-monthly Los Angeles County edition. "Cuffed & Wanted" newspapers are available at most 7-11, Circle K and such around the area. Details
Justice for Homicide Victim members spent a recent evening with recruits of the Fullerton Police Academy explaining Marsy's Law and Victims' Rights to potential law enforcement personnel. It was an exhilarating evening sharing information and answering questions as to what exactly Marsy's Law provides victims' of violent crimes and/or their surviving family members. After going through a power point presentation on the basics of the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 2008 (Marsy's Law) JHV members shared stories of their experience with law enforcement.
We all think the Fullerton Police Academy and particularly Chief Kies, are really on to something in bringing victims in to share their stories. Thank you Chief Kies it was a great experience.
Long Time JHV Advisory Board Members Ralph & Francine Myers report on the June 2012 parole hearing for the murderer of their son Tom. Details
Unsolved Cases Project
In an effort to bring attention to unsolved homicides, JHV has begun listing unsolved cases. View current cold cases and/or if you are interested in participating in the project, Details
2012 Victims' Rights Memorial at Rose Hills
Details
2012 Marathon Fund Raiser another fun day.....
WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU! CYNTHIA AND HER DAUGHTER, ARIANA, WALKED THE WHOLE 26.2 MILE MARATHON EARNING THOSE BEAUTIFUL MEDALS. Details
Old Fashion Picnic - National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims
In 2007 U.S. Congress designated September 25 as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. As such, we are partnering with many Southern California victim advocacy groups in sponsoring an Old Fashion Picnic in memory of our lost loved ones.
Get your picnic basket together, grab a blanket and some chairs and come join us for a day of new memories. We’re going to be picnicking around the Lighthouse, directly across from the Queen Mary. We’re planning activities for the kids and lots of food and entertainment for the adults. Remembrance ceremony will take place from 3 to 5 p.m.
Details
If you’re interested in volunteering to help, email us or call Jane or La Wanda.
Two hundred pictures of homicide victims lined the roadway around the Homicide Victims Memorial in a powerful tribute of lost loved ones
Details
2011 L.A. Marathon Fundraiser - Great Success in the Pouring Rain
JHV members and other victims along with District Attorney personnel showed their grit by walking three-mile segments of the of the Los Angeles Marathon in pouring rain on the first day of spring Sunday, March 20, 2011. They jogged and walked in memory of their loved ones and all victims of homicide. Details
Knowing your Rights
As a Victim of Crime
During the last few months Justice for Homicide Victims and Justice for Murdered Children have joined forces holding Crime Victims' Clinic to help educate all victims of crime to ensure they know their constitutional rights here in California. We promise to keep you informed of upcoming Clinics and to provide a recap of those meetings. If you are interested in attending, or need additional information, we are just an email or phone call away. Details
Former JHV Board Member, Ralph Meyers, had the following article printed in the Bellingham Herald on July 27, 2010, remembering the murder of his son, Tom
Details
Were you the victim of a crime and the court ordered restitution?
The California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation may have collected money for you. Contact the Office of Victims & Survivors Rights & Services to inquire if you have unclaimed money from a direct order of restitution. To update your address or obtain additional information call us, toll free at 1-877-256-6877
Katie James, Manager
Office of Victims & Survivors Rights & Services
Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
916-341-7064 katie.james@cdcr.ca.gov
Judges reinstate some Proposition 9 parole rules
A federal appeals court Thursday upheld strict parole revocation rules approved by California voters in 2008, overturning a federal judge’s decision against Proposition 9.. Details
Long Time JHV Board Member LaWanda Hawkins named a Los Angeles Freedmon's Sister
When LaWanda Hawkins received the call that she was selected as a Los Angeles Freedom’s Sister, her response was classic: “You don’t mean me; how did you find me?”. Details
JHV Board Member Honored
Jeanette Chavez, mother of Sammantha Salas, was recently named "Woman of the Year" by local Assemblyman. Details
KTTV Fox 11 Interview with Dr. Henry “Nick” Nicholas and Marcella Leach on Marsy's Law
Dr. Henry “Nick” Nicholas and his mother Marcella Leach were interviewed on KTTV Fox 11 in Los Angeles about Marsy’s Law. They were guests May 17 on the Midday Sunday show hosted by Emmy award-winning crime reporter Tony Valdez, who also reports on Fox 11’s “L.A.’s Most Wanted” news segment. Details & Video >>
Marsy's Law: Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 2008
Marsy’s Law is the strongest Victim’s Bill of Rights in any state in the nation. Its passage means that, for the first time, victims in California have meaningful and enforceable rights. The law includes these rights:
- The rights to justice and due process
- The right to notice of all proceedings
- The right to be present whenever the defendant has the right to be present
- The right to be heard --at critical stages of the criminal justice system-- any time that a victim's rights are at issue
- The right to have victims' safety considered before any release decisions are made
- The right to know when an offender is being released, or escapes
- The right to protect victims' confidential records
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- The right to refuse to submit to interrogation by a defendant or his lawyer before trial
- The right to confer with the prosecutor
- The right to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse, and to be treated with fairness and respect
- The right to restitution
- The right to a speedy trial and to reasonable finality
- The right to enforce these special rights in any court
- The right of victims be informed of their Marsy rights-- just as defendants are given their Miranda rights
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Marsy's Law gives victims a meaningful opportunity to participate in parole proceedings and their safety – and the safety of the general public – are the critical standard, before any release decisions are made. This has meant setting a new maximum of 15 years between parole hearings.
Download Marsy's Law Bill of Rights 2008
Thanks to recently enacted Marsy's Law
Heilemann Family wins 15 year Parole Denial
The 1987 killing of Palisades High School student Clinton Heilemann shocked the community. His parents, Arnold and Evelyn Heilemann sprung into action becoming victim advocates strieving to help other families devastated by murder. Arnold serves as JHV president and Evelyn was Treasurer until her death last year.
In a January 5, 2009 hearing at Vacaville, the Board of Prison Terms mandated a 15 year denial for further parole hearings under Marsy's Law, which was passed last November by voters, giving victims and their families icreased rights. The board, which based parole requests on several factors including future employment and living plans, improvement through self-help programs, a psychology evaluation, education, remorse, restitution and responsibility for the crime, heard from several speakers including members of Justice for Homicide Victims, Arnold Heilemann, Clinton's sisters, an aunt, cousins and friends Kenneth Waco and Matthew Williams, who was wounded in the shooting
July 3, 1987.
Remembering Our Beloved Bob Leach
1914-2008
Justice for Homicide Victims’ co-founder and President Robert W. Leach passed away March 30, 2008 following a lengthy illness. Bob has championed the rights of homicide victim survivors over the last twenty-five years following the murder of his step-daughter, Marsy Nicholas. In 1983, Marsy, then a senior at UC Santa Barbara, was murdered by an ex-boyfriend, Kerry Conley.
(read
more) 
Seeking
Justice for Slain Loved Ones
Los Angeles Times Covers the
JHV Memorial
"There's
not a writer yet who can describe the feeling," Jack Reilley
said. "The rage and the helplessness and the sense of loss
and despair. Victims get a certain look on their face that we
all recognize and know. And then you have to do something about
it."
(read
more)
Victims'
Rights Week, 2009
Help JHV Celebrate The Memory
Of You Loved-One!
The
annual JHV Victims' Rights Week Memorial celebration will be held At the JHV Homicide Victims Memorial (just inside Gate 19) at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary on Sunday April 26, 2009. More information to follow.
Extraordinary
Leadership In Victims' Rights
JHV & Los Angeles County District Attorney
Honor Robert Leach
JHV
President, Robert Leach was honored for his extraordinary leadership
in victims' rights at the JHV Annual Awards Banquet
on December 4, 2005. The ceremony was held at the Hotel Bel
Air and was attended by many supporters, including L.A. District
Attorney, Steve Cooley.
(read
more)
includes video 
