Wafer murders still unsolved
Family, investigators seek justice for
slain mother and son
Photo courtesy of the Wafer Family
In this undated photo, Ruby Wafer is
pictured with her son Devion. Devion was found face down in Beaver Creek near
Lisbon Landing in March 2011. Just a few short weeks later, the little boy’s
mother was found deceased at a vacant store on Hwys. 2 and 807. Investigators
are asking anyone with any information to contact them at 318-927-9800.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Two
homicides are still unsolved and the Wafer family is more than a little
frustrated.
Devion
Wafer, 2, and his mother Ruby Wafer were found dead in March 2011. Little
Devion was found face down in Beaver Creek near Lisbon Landing, and a few short
weeks later, the body of his mother was found near a vacant store on the corner
of Hwys. 2 and 807.
In a
joint statement by the Wafer and Jefferson families, they say their frustration
grows each passing day the killer of these two family members goes free.
“On
this day, just like every other day, we, the Wafer and Jefferson family [sic],
seek for answers about our loved ones who were taken from us. Ruby, Fiona, and
Devion Wafer. [sic]” the statement says. “We seek justice and closure. We pray
to the Lord that whoever took their precious lives will turn their self [sic]
in. It will be a year on March 22nd, 2012, yet it seems like it was only
yesterday. We love our family just like you love your family, so please help
us! God bless you!”
Likewise,
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey shares their frustration and anger because
they have no answers either.
“Somebody
saw something that night,” Bailey said vehemently during a telephone interview.
“Somebody out there knows something and we want them to come forward. We’re not
going to quit until we find out who did this and we can bring them to justice.”
Like
the Wafer and Jefferson families, Bailey thinks about this horrible, horrible
tragedy all the time. In fact, he said, he has a bookmark with little Devion’s
picture in his Bible. He sees the face of this little boy who’s life was cut
short way too soon every time he opens the Good Book, which further strengthens
his resolve to solve this case.
“I long
for the day I can call the family and tell them we’ve made an arrest,” the
sheriff said. “I’m not going to rest until the person or persons are brought to
justice.”
Currently,
investigators are still conducting interviews and trying desperately to find
new leads, but there just aren’t any, he said.
Detective
Randy Smith, lead investigator on the case, said he’s just as frustrated as
everyone else.
“I want
it solved just as bad as anybody else,” he said. “I deal with it every day.”
He said
he continues to work on the case daily, and there are things they are looking
into.
“Any
information or leads we get, we follow up on it and go from there,” he said.
Investigators
have exhausted every lead they have gotten so far, but even autopsy reports
aren’t showing anything. According to earlier reports from Sheriff Bailey,
Devion’s cause of death was listed as drowning. However, authorities weren’t so
lucky with Ruby’s results. Her cause of death is listed as “unknown,” Bailey
said.
When
Ruby’s remains were discovered, so much time had passed between the time of her
death and her discovery that there just wasn’t any evidence to indicate how she
died. Also, there was nothing at the scene where she was discovered that could
lead authorities in any direction. She had nothing on her; there was no purse,
no cell phone, no nothing, Bailey said.
And
while investigators work tirelessly to give a grieving family answers, Sheriff
Bailey is “begging” anyone who has any information to come forward with
anything that might break this case open.
As the
family statement said, “We want justice and closure.”
Anyone
with any information that will lead to the arrest or arrests of the person or
persons responsible for these crimes is strongly urged to call investigators at
the Claiborne Parish Criminal Investigations Division at 318-927-9800 or the
sheriff’s office at 318-927-2011.
Garrett fundraiser a huge success
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Kelley Garrett, left, and her husband
Tommy, right, stop a moment for a picture during the fish fry fundraiser held
on Saturday, March 3 to help raise money to offset the costs of her cancer
treatment and travel expenses. Mrs. Garrett was diagnosed with colon cancer in
2009.
Richey Bailey, Mike Ware and Bob Lewis
were just a few of many who helped make the Garrett Fish Fry fundraiser a
success. Ware stirs the spoon in a huge pot of collard greens.
These items were several that were auctioned
off to help raise money for Kelley Garrett, diagnosed with cancer in 2009.
Raffled off was a Benelli Superback Black Eagle II Camo rifle.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A fish
fry fundraiser held for Kelley Garrett was a huge success.
With a
silent auction, fish fry, ribs and all the fixins’, the fundraiser brought a
community together to help one of their own.
“We’d
like to thank everyone who helped make this a success,” said Doug Garrett, on
behalf of all the organizers of the fundraiser. “There were so many people that
gave and we just want everyone to know how much we all appreciate everyone who
helped support this fundraiser.”
A
Benelli Superback Black Eagle II Camo rifle as well as a Judge pistol was
raffled off, and there was an array of silent auction items to choose from.
From wreaths, coolers, LSU memorabilia and handmade jewelry, there was
something for everyone to bid on.
Held at
the Haynesville Country Club, there was so much food that for a contribution of
the donor’s choosing, no one went hungry.
Kelley
Garrett, a fifth grade teacher at Claiborne Academy, was diagnosed with colon
cancer in 2009, and she says it was a fluke that they found it. She’d gone into
the hospital for gallbladder surgery, and that’s when they found the tumors and
the cancer cells, she said.
She
then began with traditional treatments at Christus Schumpert Hospital in
Shreveport, but got no response to the treatments. At first, they tried surgery
to remove the tumors, she said, and then began the traditional treatments. While
the tumors didn’t grow any more, they didn’t shrink either.
So on
to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, they went. According to Mrs.
Garrett’s husband, Tommy, they went through one clinical trial, but got the
same result. The tumors didn’t grow any more, but neither did they shrink.
“We’ve
just been going to treatments,” he said, “and it wasn’t growing, but it wasn’t
going away.”
Now
Mrs. Garrett is going through her second clinical trial where doctors at MD
Anderson have mapped her DNA. During the process, they discovered she was
deficient in one protein. Her treatment now consists of one drug that starves
the tumor, she said, and the other drug will not allow the cancer cells to
divide. However, the second drug allows the deficient protein to be made.
As the
second clinical trial for her began just last Thursday, she said they don’t
know if she will respond to this treatment, but they are hoping the DNA mapping
will be a new way to treat cancer. It’s more individualized to the patient,
because the DNA mapping would be a more direct approach to treat the
individual.
And
while the Garretts have health insurance, it does not cover clinical trials
because they are experimental -- which means the treatments are very expensive.
Mrs. Garrett said these treatments have cost anywhere from $7,000 to $150,000.
And while the treatments are expensive, the Garretts still have travel expenses
to consider, fuel to get to Houston, hotel rooms, plus the costs of the drugs
and the doctor bills.
And
while she fights to eradicate the cancer in her body, her attitude and spirit
have been positive and upbeat. Tommy Garrett praised his wife in how she’s
handled the last three years.
“She’s
a trooper,” he said. “She’s got a positive outlook and she doesn’t let it get
her down. She’s still teaching and continuing to work.”
Mrs.
Garrett said she just keeps going.
“It’s a
marathon,” she said. “You have to fight it everyday and keep going.”
In
fact, she said, with raising two children, teaching school and being involved
in her community, she doesn’t have time to “feel bad.” However, she credits so
many people with the support she and her family has received.
“The
community has been so gracious,” she said. “They’ve stood behind me all the
way. It’s been overwhelming, and there’s no way to say thank you -- words
cannot express. You just hope that in some way you can pay it forward and do
something for someone else in the community.”
Man arrested for damage to store
The Guardian-Journal
A man
was arrested on a couple of charges after Homer Police officers were dispatched
to a local convenience store in reference to an attempted break in.
Arrested
on Friday, March 2, was Mark E. Griggs, 56, on charges of simple criminal
damage to property with bond set at $500, vagrancy with bond set at $500 and
disturbing the peace with bond set at $500.
According
to reports, Officers Scott Glenn and Franklin Evans were dispatched to
Pak-A-Bag, and when they arrived, a store clerk told Glenn that a man, later
identified as Griggs, was beating on the door, breaking the glass of the front
door, yelling offensive words.
When
officers spoke with Griggs, reports say he said he was seeking attention for a
medical condition. At that point, Pafford Ambulance Service was dispatched to
the store, where paramedics checked him out.
He was
arrested for vagrancy because the store clerk said he was knocking on the door
asking her for money, Police Chief Russell Mills said.
Officers
then arrested him on the above charges and transferred to the Claiborne Parish
Detention Center for further booking.
In a
separate incident, a Homer man was arrested on several charges.
Demarius
Willis, 24, of Homer, was charged with simple possession of marijuana with bond
set at $500, speeding with bond set at $500, driving under suspension with bond
set at $500 and open container with bond set at $500.
According
to reports, on Monday, February 27, Willis was stopped for speeding on Martin
Luther King Jr. Drive by Homer Police Officer Thomas Davis. When he asked the
subject for proper paperwork, reports say Willis handed him a Louisiana ID
card, telling the officer that he believed his driver’s license was expired.
Reports say Willis also could not produce an insurance card.
When
Thomas initially made contact with Willis, he noticed an open beer can in the
cup holder of the vehicle, and Thomas reportedly detected an odor believed to
be commonly associated with marijuana.
Officer
Willie Fred Knowles arrived on scene, and at that time, Willis was asked to
exit his vehicle, searched for officer safety, detained and placed into
Knowles’ patrol unit. However, during the search of his person, reports say
Thomas noticed Willis kicking the ground under the driver’s side front door.
Once
Willis was detained, Thomas utilized his canine partner and did an exterior
search with his canine partner. The dog alerted twice on the driver’s side
front door, and Thomas then began an interior search of the vehicle. Once
inside, the officer discovered a green leafy substance as well as what was
believed to be residue inside. At the discovery, Officer Knowles was asked to
check the ground under the vehicle where a cigar was found that was believed to
contain marijuana.
All
items found were collected and taken into evidence. Willis was arrested on the
above charges and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for
further booking.
Fuller Center for Housing application
seminar March 16-17
The
Fuller Center for Housing of Claiborne Parish, Greater Blessing Program, will
be taking applications for home repairs on Friday, March 16, and Saturday, March 17, from 6 until 8 p.m.
each evening at Believers Worship Center in Homer.
Criteria
to be eligible includes:
• Name
and address with a photo ID
•
Income of the entire household
• Proof
of home ownership
Please
bring these items to the seminar.
“Through
the Greater Blessing Program, homeowners can apply to a Fuller Center Covenant
Partner to have their homes restored to a simple, decent living condition,” a
brochure on the program says. “The program seeks to aid homeowners with
extremely limited income who cannot afford, for example, to replace a leaking
roof, fix broken windows or repair hazardous kitchens or bathrooms.”
The
program is based on Christ’s teachings that it is more blessed to give than to
receive, allowing homeowners to experience the “greater blessing” of giving.
The
program works by the homeowner submitting an application to a local Covenant
Partner, which in turn the Fuller Center provides a written job estimate and
work agreement. A repayment plan, based on the homeowner’s budget is developed.
Volunteers
repair the home, and when the work is done, the homeowner is given a Greater
Blessing box with enough envelopes in it to repay the cost of the materials
over an agreed-upon period and on terms they can afford.
“If
unexpected bills or medical emergencies come up and a monthly payment cannot be
made, the payment schedule is simply increased by onemonth,” the brochure says.
“Homeowner payments are recycled to purchase materials to help another neighbor
in need.”
Volunteers
to provide the labor are always needed. To get involved, churches can sponsor
and lead projects, from simple wheelchair ramps to major rehabilitations.
Individuals may also get involved by visiting www.FullerCenter.org to connect
with a local project. The Fuller Center is always looking for skilled people to
serve as teachers and site leaders, but inexperienced volunteers are always
welcome.
Business
owners may also get involved by becoming a Corporate Builder, sponsoring a
Greater Blessing Project and inviting your employees to volunteer with the
Fuller Center.
The
Fuller Center was founded in 2005 by Millard and Linda Fuller, co-founders of
Habitat for Humanity. Former President Bill Clinton said Millard
“revolutionized the concept of philanthropy” with Habitat, which housed more
than one million people in 100 countries under Millard’s leadership. In 1996,
Millard was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Clinton, the highest
award for a United States citizen.
The
Fuller Center for Housing is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations
are tax deductible.
The
Fuller Center for Housing of Claiborne Parish office is currently housed at
Believer’s Worship Center, which is located at 10161 Hwy. 9 in Homer.
For
more information, please call Jeffrey Rhone at 318-927-1161 or Pastor Russell
Grigsby, president of the Fuller Center for Housing for Claiborne Parish, at
318-927-9797, or David Colbert at 318-624-1698.
Presidential primaries election set for
March 24
Early voting begins Saturday
The Guardian-Journal
The
closed primary for the presidential election will be held in Louisiana on March
24, with early voting beginning this Saturday, March 10, and ending Saturday,
March 17.
The
office will be closed on Sunday, March 18.
Presidential
hopefuls for both the Democratic and Republican parties will be on the ballot
for the March 24 election.
Only
registered voters that are Democratic can vote on the Democratic Party, and
only registered voters that are Republican can vote on the Republican Party.
All other parties will NOT be eligible for this election.
Early
voting will take place the week of March 10-17.
On the
ballot for the Democratic Party includes Incumbent President Barack Obama,
“Bob” Ely, Darcy G. Richardson and John Wolfe.
On the
ballot for the Republican Party includes Michele Bachmann, Randy Crow, Newt
Gingrich, John Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Charles “Buddy” Roemer, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.
Even
though some candidates have announced their withdrawal from the presidential
race, if they have not formally withdrawn by letter with their Registrar of
Voters Office, then their name must remain on the ballot, Claiborne Parish
Registrar Patricia Sanders said.
Also on
the ballot for March 24 will be a 1 percent sales tax renewal for the Village
of Athens. Only those registered voters in the Village of Athens will be able
to vote on this proposition.
It
reads as follows:
Village
of Athens Proposition
(Sales
Tax)
Summary:
1% sales and use tax to be levied in perpetuity of the Village of Athens with
the proceeds to be used to support the general fund.
Shall
the Village of Athens, State of Louisiana (the “Village”), under the provisions
of Article VI, Section 29 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, and other
constitutional and statutory authority, be authorized to levy and collect a tax
of one percent (1%) (the “Tax”) in perpetuity from and after July 1, 2012, upon
the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, and the
storage for use or consumption, of tangible personal property and on sales of
services in the Village, all as defined by law (an estimated $36,000 reasonably
expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire
year), with the proceeds of the Tax (after paying the reasonable and necessary
expenses of collecting and administering the Tax), to be used to support the
general fund of the Village?
The
open primary election for U.S. President, U.S. Representative, Lisbon Mayor and
Lisbon aldermen will be held on November 6. Qualifying period for this election
will be August 15-17, with early voting set for October 23-30.
A
general election will be held December 1 for the runoff for U.S. Representative
and Lisbon mayor and aldermen, if any. Early voting will be held from November
17-24.
Early
voting hours for March 10-17, October 23-30 and November 17-24 will be from
8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Voter
Education Week will also be held May 14-18.
For
more information, or for questions, please call the Claiborne Registrar of
Voters Office at 318-927-3332 or go to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s
website at www.sos.louisiana.gov.
Relay for Life drawing, bake sale slated
The Guardian-Journal
The
annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is just around the corner and
while sponsors have made donations, other activities will be going on as well
before the actual Relay.
First,
though, the Relay for Life will be held from noon until midnight on Saturday,
April 14, at the Ronny G. Beard Memorial Stadium at Homer High School.
Luminarias are available for $10 each; just see this week’s edition of The
Guardian-Journal to get a form. Please send your completed form and
contribution to your team member or mail to Luminaria Chair, Ann Burton, P.O.
Box 240, Homer, LA 71040.
Another
way money is being raised for the American Cancer Society is through a drawing
for several prizes. A six-gallon cajun fryer from R&V Works will be raffled
off for $5 per donation per ticket. A four-gallon cajun fryer, also by R&V
Works will be raffled off for a $2 donation per ticket. For a $5 donation per
ticket, a smokin’ cajun grill, by R&V Works will be raffled off.
The
drawing will be held at the Relay, but winners do not have to be present to
win. Tickets are available at Homer Memorial Hospital. For more information on
the raffle, please call 318-927-1400 or email .
On
Friday, March 16, a bake sale will be held from 9 until 11 a.m. at Emerson Oil
Co., Inc., located at 352 Sycamore Street in Homer.
All
funds raised through the Relay for Life, raffle and bake sale will go directly
to the American Cancer Society for cancer research as well as many other things
related to a cancer patient’s treatment.
According
to their website, www.cancer.org, “The American Cancer Society Relay For Life
represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that
those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be
eliminated.”
The
idea is to help cancer patients fight back, educate the public on reducing
cancer risks, getting cancer patient support and many other aspects dealing
with cancer. The Relay for Life celebrates the survivors of cancer with a
survivor lap, and through luminaria ceremonies, those who lost their battle to
cancer are remembered.
In
Claiborne Parish, the communities throughout the parish have been so generous
in raising money for the American Cancer Society as well as celebrating local
survivors and remembering locals who have lost their battles to cancer.
Football camp slated for March 17
A free
football camp, hosted by Homer Mayor Alecia Smith, Town of Homer Recreation
Department and NFL Player Demetrius Bell, will be held at Mayfield Park from
noon until 4:30 p.m. From noon until 2 p.m. will be free elementary school payer
football and cheer camps with NFL players (grades 1-6), and from 2 until 4:30
p.m., free high school player football skills camp with NFL players (grades
7-12). For more information and to pick up a registration form, please contact
Shaquaila Lewis at the Town of Homer for more information, at 318-927-1312 or
318-927-3555.
Charges dismissed in 2010 beating
The Guardian-Journal
Charges
against two men allegedly involved in a 2009 altercation on Lake Claiborne have
been dismissed.
Wesley
Branch was charged with aggravated second degree battery, and Dane McFarland
was charged with second degree battery. A third involved, Daniel Payne, was acquitted of charges of second degree
aggravated battery in July 2010, following a day and a half trial in front of
Second Judicial District Judge Jenifer W. Clason.
Court
records show that Assistant District Attorney Danny Newell asked that the
charges be dismissed, but did not give a reason as to why. As of press time
Tuesday, Newell could not be reached for comment as he was out of town.
The
three were accused of beating an Arkansas man to the point of being
hospitalized during what Claiborne authorities said was a “drinking game” where
large amounts of whiskey was consumed. Published reports say that one of the
charged got upset when the victim reportedly “out-drank” him. Afterwards, all
three began to gang-hit him.
The
victim, Robert Dixon, was airlifted to Louisiana State University Health
Sciences Center where he was reportedly placed on life-support due to head
injuries. He also received a broken jaw from the incident.
A civil
suit was filed against Payne in July 2010 by the Dixon family, but court
records show there has been no activity on that aspect of the case in
approximately 15 months.
Payne
and Branch are both registered Mixed Martial Arts fighters, and since the
acquittal and dismissal of remaining charges have moved on with their lives.
Payne and Branch both have gone on to become a part of the MTV reality show
“Caged” which showcases the mixed martial arts fighters.
DWCC HELPER Group observes World AIDS
Day
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle Bates
The DWCC Christian Band performs two
songs during the World AIDS Day observance in the prison chapel. The day was
set aside to bring awareness to and educate the public about HIV?AIDS and
strides researchers have made since the 1980s.
Zintorrio Cole sings with the DWCC
Christian Band, entertaining the audience during the observance of World AIDS
Day.
Charles Alexander, a peer counselor with
the HELPER Group talks about how the group works and how offenders are educated
about health and safety.
Col. Brad Rogers, a pioneer of the HELPER
Group, speaks to offenders, security, administration and staff alike about the
statistics of HIV/AIDS.
The Guardian-Journal
Offenders
at David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC) brought awareness to the dreaded
disease of HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day in February.
During
a program held in the chapel at the prison, members of the HELPER Group not
only brought awareness to the disease but called it a day of celebration. In
the 1980s, when it was first identified, AIDS was a death sentence. Today,
according to Col. Brad Rogers, one of the pioneers of the HELPER Group, people
are able to live with the disease, and live not only longer, but live long,
productive lives.
“World
AIDS Day is to educate and help bring awareness to this pandemic,” he said to a
nearly packed house.
The
theme for this year is “Getting to Zero,” which means no new infections. And
the way to do that is through education about the myths, facts and prevention.
He gave
startling statistics in that the black population throughout the United States
only makes up about 14 percent of the overall population. However, half of
those make up all HIV/AIDS diagnoses.
And
according to Charles Alexander, a peer counselor with the HELPER Group, he said
the most important thing for an HIV/AIDS patient is to keep taking the
medication. In prison, he said, it is important to talk to the health
professionals on staff and keep up with taking their medications.
The
HELPER Group also educates the prison population on other diseases like
sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis and others.
“The
goal,” Alexander said, “is to teach prevention, how to stay healthy and prevent
transmission.”
According
to the website, www.worldaidsday.org, HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency
Virus.
“It is
a virus which attacks the body’s immune system -- the body’s defense against
diseases,” it says. “HIV can be passed on through infected bodily fluids, most
commonly via sex without a condom or by sharing infected needles, syringes or
other injecting drug equipment.”
According
to the website, www.aids.gov, AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency
Syndrome, which is the final stage of HIV infection.
“People
at this stage of HIV disease have badly damaged immune systems, which put them
at risk for opportunistic infections (OIs),” it states.
An
Opportunistic Infection is an illness caused by any one of various organisms
that occur in people with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV or
AIDS. Common AIDS-related OIs include pneumonia, other parasitic, viral and
fungal infections and some types of cancers.
The
HELPER Group began in 1998 as a pilot peer health education program. The group
consists of offenders certified as health/safety instructors and peer
counselors which provide health-related education to fellow offenders in an
accessible format geared toward specific needs.
Confidential
and non-judgmental, members of the HELPER Group delivers practical information
on how offenders can protect their health within the institutional community by
utilizing replacement resources when more traditional resources are not
available.
The
group sponsors HIV/AIDS awareness and testing day and a World AIDS Day
observation as well as other community and charitable fundraisers.
Nurse
Sue Odom is the current sponsor of the HELPER Group, and she supplies them with
information from the Centers of Disease Control and other educational journals.
She said she has found the members to be very well educated on the subjects
they present to the other offenders.
For
more information on HIV, AIDS, prevention and education, please visit one of
the websites listed above.
Attending
the program were 124 offenders as well as members from security, administration
and mental health.
