On February 23, 2012, I attended Senator Pam Roach's press conference with Chuck and Judy Cox in Olympia, Washington. At this conference, Mr. Cox said that a Utah judge had signed a search warrant stating that Joshua Powell was a suspect in his wife's murder, not merely her disappearance. This is the basis of Senate Bill 6603. If passed, Senate Bill 6603 will make it illegal to award custody of a child to a suspect in an active murder investigation in Washington.
Last weekend, I shared this information online. I was surprised by some of the replies I received.
One person did not believe that Josh was a suspect in a homicide investigation because he was not in jail. I don't believe this is how our criminal justice system works. The police can't arrest a person simply because they suspect that person may have been involved in a crime. Law enforcement cannot hold a person in jail without probable cause. If the police make an arrest but do not have sufficient evidence to support the charges, a judge may dismiss the charges. This may make it difficult -- if not impossible -- for the prosecution to bring charges against a suspect at a later time.
If I'm mistaken about this, I'm sure that someone involved in criminal justice will correct me.
Another person repeatedly demanded that I post "credible evidence" proving that a Utah judge signed a search warrant stating that Josh was a suspect in Susan's murder. I can't post the search warrants online. I don't have access to them because (1) I'm not a party to the action; (2) I don't work for law enforcement or for CPS; and (3) I'm not a professional journalist. I am merely a concerned citizen who attended the press conference because I wanted to know what my state senate intended to do to make sure that what happened to the little Powell boys does not happen to other children. I shared the information I received at the press conference because my readers want to know what was said there.
If you want copies of the search warrants, try to obtain copies of them from the courts yourself.
Senator Pam Roach has represented Washington's 31st District since 1991. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Brigham Young University is her alma mater. Although she and the Coxes belong to the same church, I do not believe that a woman in her position would provide false information at a press conference. She has too much integrity for that.
If you don't believe that Josh was a suspect in a homicide investigation, I refer you to the Pam Roach Report at pamroachreport.blogspot.com. In her article entitled "Roach, Powell Grandparents Question Child Protective Services," Senator Pam Roach wrote:
"Roach and the attorneys for the Cox family emphasized that DSHS knew Utah's West Valley City Police Department was conducting a murder investigation based on Susan Powell's disappearance and that they were looking at Josh Powell as a suspect. The attorneys noted that search warrants had been issued in Nevada, Utah and Washington."
I also refer you to Senator Pam Roach News at www.senaterepublicans.wa.gov/roach. The following is taken from an article entitled, "CPS Questioned by Roach and Powell Grandparents."
"Roach and the attorneys for the Cox family emphasized that DSHS knew Utah's West Valley City Police Department was conducting a murder investigation based on Susan Powell’s disappearance and that they were looking at Josh Powell as a suspect. The attorneys noted that search warrants had been issued in Nevada, Utah and Washington."
Showing posts with label Puyallup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Puyallup. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Should Josh Powell be Buried in Woodbine Cemetery?
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Joshua Powell's family would like to buy him near his sons in Woodbine Cemetery in Puyallup, WA. Crime Stoppers has purchased several burial plots located next to his sons' grave, hoping to prevent the Powells from burying next to the children.
Chuck and Judy Cox are taking legal action to prevent the Powells from burying Joshua next to their young grandsons. I fully support the Coxes about this. Even if Josh wasn't involved in Susan Cox Powell's disappearance, he murdered his two sons. The idea of burying a murderer next to his victims is deplorable to me.
This issue is a victims' rights issue. Charlie and Braden should be allowed to rest in peace. They should not be forced to spent eternity next to the man who killed them, even if he was their father.
Those of you who accuse the Coxes of promoting hate should try to look at it from the victims' point of view. These two innocent little boys had their whole lives ahead of them when their father murdered them in a most cruel and horrific way. Josh Powell took Charlie and Braden away from the Coxes, the Powells, the Graves and everyone else who loved them. Josh Powell violated his sons' trust. He stole his sons' childhood. The little boys were not permitted to finish elementary school. They won't be able to go to their senior proms. They won't attend college. They will never know the joy of falling in love, getting married or having children of their own. They missed out on so much because they were murdered by the man who was supposed to love and protect them.
Woodbine Cemetery is city-owned. Puyallup's residents might object to a child killer being buried in their cemetery. Others might object to a man who committed suicide being buried on hallowed ground. If Joshua Powell is buried in the cemetery, it might cause a decrease in plot values. Perhaps Puyallup's city council should call an emergency meeting and vote on whether the Powells should be permitted to bury Josh at Woodbine Cemetery.
I hope the Powell family will reconsider burying Josh. His family should take into consideration that Josh's grave will probably be vandalized if the public knows where it is. After all, Josh Powell is one of the most hated men in our state now. May I suggest that the Powells cremate Josh and keep his ashes in an urn in their own home?
Chuck and Judy Cox are taking legal action to prevent the Powells from burying Joshua next to their young grandsons. I fully support the Coxes about this. Even if Josh wasn't involved in Susan Cox Powell's disappearance, he murdered his two sons. The idea of burying a murderer next to his victims is deplorable to me.
This issue is a victims' rights issue. Charlie and Braden should be allowed to rest in peace. They should not be forced to spent eternity next to the man who killed them, even if he was their father.
Those of you who accuse the Coxes of promoting hate should try to look at it from the victims' point of view. These two innocent little boys had their whole lives ahead of them when their father murdered them in a most cruel and horrific way. Josh Powell took Charlie and Braden away from the Coxes, the Powells, the Graves and everyone else who loved them. Josh Powell violated his sons' trust. He stole his sons' childhood. The little boys were not permitted to finish elementary school. They won't be able to go to their senior proms. They won't attend college. They will never know the joy of falling in love, getting married or having children of their own. They missed out on so much because they were murdered by the man who was supposed to love and protect them.
Woodbine Cemetery is city-owned. Puyallup's residents might object to a child killer being buried in their cemetery. Others might object to a man who committed suicide being buried on hallowed ground. If Joshua Powell is buried in the cemetery, it might cause a decrease in plot values. Perhaps Puyallup's city council should call an emergency meeting and vote on whether the Powells should be permitted to bury Josh at Woodbine Cemetery.
I hope the Powell family will reconsider burying Josh. His family should take into consideration that Josh's grave will probably be vandalized if the public knows where it is. After all, Josh Powell is one of the most hated men in our state now. May I suggest that the Powells cremate Josh and keep his ashes in an urn in their own home?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Washington and Utah Grieve for Susan Powell's Boys
On Saturday, February 11, 2012, my husband and I attended the celebration of life honoring Susan Cox Powell's sons, seven year old Charlie and five year old Braden.
Normally, my husband and I don't go to funerals. We don't like them. But I've been following the story of Susan's disappearance in the Salt Lake Tribune since December 2009. We decided to go and show our support for the Cox famiy, Terrica Powell, and the Graves family.
Two funerals were held for Susan's boys on Saturday. More than one thousand people, including my husband and me, attended the funeral held in the morning at the Life Center Church in Tacoma. A second service was held at the LDS church in Puyallup in the afternoon.
The Westboro Baptist Church had announced that they intended to picket the service. A member of the Phelps family said that God allowed the boys to die because He is angry because our state legalized gay marriage. Why the Westboro Baptists think people are stupid enough to believe their nonsense is beyond me. Fortunately, the Phelps cancelled their plans shortly before the funeral.
About 100 bikers attended the funeral at the Life Center Church. The words "Gargoyles -- Protectors of Children" and "Bikers Against Child Abuse" blazed across the backs of their black leather jackets. I was grateful to see the bikers there. I felt that their presence helped to keep the Westboro Baptists and other troublemakers away. A small group of women and children carrying red balloons and signs which said "Love... Love... Love" stood across the street from the church.
The service itself was beautiful. Life Center Church's senior pastor, Dean Curry, welcomed the Cox and Powell families and the guests. He stated that the service would focus "two beautiful boys," and it did. Pastor Tim, who is a friend of the Cox family, led the opening prayer. Tears ran down my cheeks when a children's choir sang "Amazing Grace." A video presentation displayed photos of Charlie and Braden with their mother and other family members. Charlie's kindergarten teacher gave a speech in which she shared her happy memories of him. The boys attended a YMCA day camp in Washington. Braden's day camp counselor gave a talk about him. The boys' lives were short, but they touched so many hearts.
Kirk Graves, Joshua Powell's brother-in-law, led the benediction. At the end of the service, Judy and Chuck Cox thanked the guests for coming. Both appeared to be calm and composed, which was surprising because they have lost their daughter and two young grandsons. If I had been in Judy Cox's shoes, I don't think I would have been able to handle the funeral as well as she did.
As you may know, Susan Cox Powell has been missing from her home in West Valley City, Utah since December 2009. She is presumed by many to be dead. Her husband, Joshua Powell, claimed that he took his young sons on a winter camping trip during the middle of the night. He said that when they returned to their home, his wife was gone. Shortly after Susan disappeared, Josh and the boys moved into his father's home in Puyallup, Washington.
Josh's father, Steve Powell, was arrested several months ago for child pornography and voyeurism. He remains in jail. Joshua Powell murdered the boys and committed suicide on February 5, 2012.
If you would like to make a donation to Charlie and Braden Powell's memorial fund, you may do so at any branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
Rest in peace, Charlie and Braden.
Normally, my husband and I don't go to funerals. We don't like them. But I've been following the story of Susan's disappearance in the Salt Lake Tribune since December 2009. We decided to go and show our support for the Cox famiy, Terrica Powell, and the Graves family.
Two funerals were held for Susan's boys on Saturday. More than one thousand people, including my husband and me, attended the funeral held in the morning at the Life Center Church in Tacoma. A second service was held at the LDS church in Puyallup in the afternoon.
The Westboro Baptist Church had announced that they intended to picket the service. A member of the Phelps family said that God allowed the boys to die because He is angry because our state legalized gay marriage. Why the Westboro Baptists think people are stupid enough to believe their nonsense is beyond me. Fortunately, the Phelps cancelled their plans shortly before the funeral.
About 100 bikers attended the funeral at the Life Center Church. The words "Gargoyles -- Protectors of Children" and "Bikers Against Child Abuse" blazed across the backs of their black leather jackets. I was grateful to see the bikers there. I felt that their presence helped to keep the Westboro Baptists and other troublemakers away. A small group of women and children carrying red balloons and signs which said "Love... Love... Love" stood across the street from the church.
The service itself was beautiful. Life Center Church's senior pastor, Dean Curry, welcomed the Cox and Powell families and the guests. He stated that the service would focus "two beautiful boys," and it did. Pastor Tim, who is a friend of the Cox family, led the opening prayer. Tears ran down my cheeks when a children's choir sang "Amazing Grace." A video presentation displayed photos of Charlie and Braden with their mother and other family members. Charlie's kindergarten teacher gave a speech in which she shared her happy memories of him. The boys attended a YMCA day camp in Washington. Braden's day camp counselor gave a talk about him. The boys' lives were short, but they touched so many hearts.
Kirk Graves, Joshua Powell's brother-in-law, led the benediction. At the end of the service, Judy and Chuck Cox thanked the guests for coming. Both appeared to be calm and composed, which was surprising because they have lost their daughter and two young grandsons. If I had been in Judy Cox's shoes, I don't think I would have been able to handle the funeral as well as she did.
As you may know, Susan Cox Powell has been missing from her home in West Valley City, Utah since December 2009. She is presumed by many to be dead. Her husband, Joshua Powell, claimed that he took his young sons on a winter camping trip during the middle of the night. He said that when they returned to their home, his wife was gone. Shortly after Susan disappeared, Josh and the boys moved into his father's home in Puyallup, Washington.
Josh's father, Steve Powell, was arrested several months ago for child pornography and voyeurism. He remains in jail. Joshua Powell murdered the boys and committed suicide on February 5, 2012.
If you would like to make a donation to Charlie and Braden Powell's memorial fund, you may do so at any branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
Rest in peace, Charlie and Braden.
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