THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 15, 1994 TAG: 9407150021
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
SOURCE: By ROBERT G. DOUMAR
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
We so often focus on the wrongs and indifference of our fellow citizens and fail to realize that a great portion of our society is not only responsible but willingly becomes involved when witnessing wrongs.
Unfortunately, constructive acts by members of the community who are concerned, caring and willing to get involved to rid themselves of those who prey on society are never sensational. We tend to focus on the negative aspects of our nature and these were certainly portrayed negatively in the recent film ``Short Cuts,'' which contained numerous scenes of what would be degrading to society.
That movie contained a scene in which fishermen saw a body floating in the water but continued their fishing for three days rather than notify the police because it might interfere with their fishing.
The very antithesis of this scene occurred in instances that came to light during the recent trial of the United States vs. Mark Christopher Poe. This was a crime of depravity. There was deliberate dissemination of the parts of the body of Judy Beecher Greer. Her head and limbs were severed and disposed of in different parts of our community. In contrast to this horrendous crime was the concern shown by members of this community.
Lewis Megginson and Amy Wilkerson were driving down Route 58 in Suffolk and noticed strange actions by an individual who was tossing something into the river from a bridge; they promptly reported the incident to police. They wrote down the license number of the vehicle and took particular note of the driver (at some risk to themselves). Their involvement and prompt reporting of this incident to the police ultimately led to the arrest of the man charged.
Gary Myrick and his companions, Paul Anderson and Roosevelt Hill Jr., were fishing when they saw the victim's torso in Lake Meade on the day following Megginson's report. They immediately stopped their fishing to notify the police. Later, Delyle Wolford, while catching minnows in Virginia Beach, spotted the victim's head near Indian River Road and promptly contacted the police.
Aubrey Weeks and his companion, Ron Prettle, stopped to help George Robinson, whose truck had broken down, and they spotted the victim's arm on one side of the road and the other arm on the other side of the road. Without hesitation, they swiftly advised the authorities.
These individuals, all of whom took their time and effort to notify the authorities, represent the best of society while the perpetrator of this vicious crime represents the worst of society. There was a great deal of notoriety concerning the perpetrator of this crime as well as the victim. Little public notice was taken of the individuals who got involved, fulfilling their civic responsibilities.
To Lewis Megginson, Amy Wilkerson, Gary Myrick, Paul Anderson, Roosevelt Hill Jr., Delyle Wolford, Aubrey Weeks, George Robinson and Ron Prettle, I, on behalf of our community, express thanks for demonstrating that ours is still a society of responsible and involved citizens. Occasionally, we should focus on the good rather than being so graphic about the evil. MEMO: Mr. Doumar is a U.S. district judge based in Norfolk. by CNB