Defense Fund Established for Nelson
Over the last week, South Cobb Patch has received tons of emails from all over the country asking how to support Raquel Nelson. Well, here's how.
Photos
Raquel Nelson's story of being charged with vehicular homicide after her 4-year-old son was hit and killed last year when she was crossing the street with him and her other two children has made national and even international news, and people from all over have expressed outrage. Many have wanted to help, but were not sure how.
These are just a handful of the many emails sent to South Cobb Patch about Nelson's case:
- Patti Martin of North Carolina wrote: "would like to show my support somehow for this mother & what horror she is going through. Is there something I can do?"
- Barbara Roberts of Tallahassee, Fla. wrote: "Hello Kiri, I've been reading about the horrors that Raquel Nelson has been put thru--my heart hurts so much for her loss, but also I am so ANGRY at the utter callousness displayed by the Cobb Co. DAs!! Enough venting... My reason for e-mailing you is to find out what would be some near-by, safe-to-get-to beauty salons /movie theatres, etc. I want to purchase a gift certificate for dear Raquel to enjoy some pampering. I'm writing from Tallahassee FL so i have no idea which neighborhood she lives in or what's close by. Any info that you could provide would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much for your time!"
- Katy Dennison (before the sentencing hearing): "Hi, I heard this story on the Today show this morning and I'm just so outraged that this woman could possible face three years in jail when the man that killed her child served 6 months. I wish I could do somehting - anything! - to help her. Do you know if there's a letter I can write to send to the judge or who might be the best recipient of the letter? This poor woman, a single mom with three kids trying to walk in a place that requires a car and she doesn't have the luxury of owning a car like the rest of us Atlantans. I just wish I could do something. Please let me know if you think I could write a letter to someone that might help her."
Although Nelson has not yet officially announced whether she will have a new trial, her family is setting up a defense fund.
Donations will be accepted at any Chase Bank across the nation starting Monday, said Nelson's aunt, Loretta Williams.
Williams said the family will have more details once all the paperwork for the fund has been completed.
However, for those who want to send Nelson gifts or cards, they should send them to:
Loretta Williams, care of Raquel Nelson
8241 Augusta Lane
Sagamore Hills, OH 44067
"We've gotten to a point where we've got a specific victory, but we're not done by any means," Williams told South Cobb Patch on Thursday. "We need to get a crosswalk there, and we're going to look at her (Nelson's) legal options."
Williams said Nelson and her family are working closely with Edward DuBose of the NAACP.
Pam
9:35 am on Friday, July 29, 2011
Has anything been said about A.J.'s father? Where has he been all this time?
Teresa Jones
12:52 pm on Friday, July 29, 2011
If the taxpayers don't have to pay, I am all for it. Between the taxes in our county and Washington, I truly don't want to have to pay for anything else. If there is a defense fund, go for it. But, I would sue the person who hit her child, garnish his wages and make his life miserable if it was one of mine. He would only wish he was the one behind bars. If I read that you are going to sue him, I will donate to the fund. He has gotten off too easy.
Pam
4:51 pm on Friday, July 29, 2011
If you remember, the driver of the car was not charged with vehicular homicide because the little boy ran out in front of him. Like I've said, it could have been anybody. It was just dumb luck that it was somebody who didn't stop. And leaving the scene of an accident is really not enough to keep you in jail all your life unless you ran a stop sign or red light and hit somebody. But he didn't do either one of those things. He hit a little boy who ran out in front of him. I'm not saying this guy should have been driving, but he was legal. So he needs to be taken out of the equation forever. Just concentrate on Raquel and her family. And I will say this again - she is the one that put them in danger and yes, she will have to pay for that for the rest of her life. Now, did she hire her attorney or was he a public defender? I don't think I ever heard. And if she was so upset about the all-white jury, why didn't she hire a black attorney? If he was a public defender, why the defense fund?
THETRUTHHURTS
3:59 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Pam just stop alcohol AND medication.Take him out of the eq....he is PART of it, reguardless of what she decided to do had he stayed home and not driven impaired, he would not have been there to hit anyone. As stated they ran across WITH OTHER PEOPLE.She has paid the ultimate price next to AJ. She lost her child, she is partly to blame, yes and that is sad. But dont crucify her for it. The DA needs to FDIAF. And people like us need to stop posting our $.02.As for what you would do if it was your child give me a ----- break, I hope you never have anything happed because I would make Damn sure my tax dollars didnt go to ANYTHING that would help you, based on that comment. AND you arent paying for her trail you dolt.No one is knocking on your door asking for funds for this woman. Tired of idots using the "not my tax dollars." Get a life. Your dollars are going into the pockets of of greedy people in DC. WTFC where his father is. Think because daddy was there that this would not have happen, or are you eluding to the fact she is not married she is some how less of a mother or a human being, that comment alone is disgusting.I can see what you are getting at becuase that is the first thing "you people say." Yep Im sure you can guess what I mean.You wont reply as this is old but It made ME feel better to rant about it. I wishYOU were in this poor woman's shoes I can just bet your posts would have been alot different, and I would love to hear what SHE would have to say about YOU.
THETRUTHHURTS
4:29 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Tax payers rant was for Teresa Jones, not Pam, my apologies Pam.
THETRUTHHURTS
4:15 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
My last post may have been harsh to say the least, and this is where I apologize for being such. I apologize, but will not remove it. if Im wrong then you can say so, but come one now, your comments alone are enough to make them laughable. (although not by Ms Nelson.) You want him sued, then you want him forgotten all together. Then you jump on the "race wagon" like everyone else. SHE isnt the one that was reported as saying anything about the white jury. The media and everyone else is. What does the color of the attorney have to do with it anyway? If he/she was black as well they are not the one on trial. Given the fact that she doesnt have a car, and doesnt live in the greatest of places I would think it was more the cost than the color of the attorney. This is a human being, a mother of 3, a hard working, tax paying, woman that has to deal with the fact her son died just hours before her birthday, which will no longer hold happines for her. You would think as a mother, and a woman you would have more compassion for her than to worry about your tax dollars and her trial. Atleast I would hope your humanity would win out over any other snarky parts we usually seem to have when passing judgement over people as we do. Just think about what I said, if you were her, would you want someone like you posting or god forbid someone like me passing judgement over you...it could happen thats what jurors are for. Keep that in mind.