To the Editor,

What gave them the right to take away my life? Another year has passed and still no justice has been served in the murder of Chad Allen Arnette.

On Valentines Day, February 15, 2007, his family suffered the pain like no other pain and lives with it daily, the loss of a loved one to murder, and knowing that the men that took Chad’s life and his family’s lives away from them are still out on bond living their lives with their families. Chad’s family was not notified about the bond hearing and no restrictions were put on their bond, giving them the freedom to enjoy their lives as free people. (What gave them the right to take away Chad from his family?)

Our court system in Robeson County is so over loaded with cases that the living victims of murder have to go through the pain of justice not being served, until they have been convicted of the crime that was committed.

So what does the family of the murder victim do? They call the District Attorney’s office on a monthly basis for some kind of answers and to hear ‘we are so over loaded.’

They have candlelight vigils for the victims of murder and homicide; they start a monthly support group for some kind of support to help them through their pain and let the community know that there needs to be something done to bring awareness to the ones who commit the murders. To let them know that they don’t only take the life away from the victim of murder but they change the living victims life and take away from their families and friends changing their lives forever. They also destroy their own families and cause them pain for their crime.

The families of the victims pray that bringing awareness will help someone else’s family so they won’t have to suffer the pain of losing a loved one to murder.

So on February 12, 2009, Chad Allen Arnette’s family will gather with pain at the grave of their beloved son on his birthday and release balloons in his memory. Those wishing to join the family may meet at Meadow Brook Cemetery at 5:30 p.m.

Please keep Chad’s family in your prayers.

Debra Arnette

Chad’s mother

Lumberton