Judge Tillett, Over and over again you listened to how our hearts have been broken, how our lives have been changed forever. Melissa Marvin's life has also been changed. Judge Tillett, Melissa Marvin had a choice in her future . Angie, Meg, Amanda, Mike. and my Shana did not. Melissa Marvin made her own decision. Melissa Marvin, on April 6, 1999, with total disregard for the law, got behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming at least 5 drinks .

I received a letter from a friend the other day and he had put down the essence of the problem that we have here concerning drinking and driving. I would like to read a portion of that letter:

Bruce states,  "As a parent myself, observing the suffering of all the families involved that day caused me to think that this could happen to one of my children someday. The thing that kept coming to my mind was why this happened.

"In 1991 and 1996 our Justice System, in the name of compassion, let Melissa Marvin go, with no regard for previous offenses. Oh she may have received some kind of sentence but it had all the effect of saying, "There, there now, little girl. Now don't do it again." That was not compassion but encouragement to repeat her behavior. The most compassionate thing that could have happened to the defendant would have been to punish her to the fullest extent possible. To try and get her to realize that there are consequences for immoral behavior or choices.

"In my professional life I am a minister to children. I observe the effects of children who are raised in environments without boundaries. I know that if they do not learn to subscribe to an authority higher than their individual feelings, many will end up in courtrooms such as yours.

"That is tragic, but if they do not even have an opportunity to learn in that setting, then they will continue making tragic choices that will hurt them and society at large. We can see how leniency and so-called tolerance has resulted in an explosion of crime and immorality. But we can also see that strict enforcement of justice has caused major improvements in crime where many people had lost hope. The signals that truly compassionate justice sends are deterrence to would-be offenders. Causing them to think through their choices before committing their actions.

"As a child I grew up in a permissive environment culturally. I was taught to use my feelings to be my personal morality. It led to many lawless deeds. But as an adult I learned the hard way that honesty and integrity are based on a moral law. I learned if you have a moral law then there must be a moral law giver. A higher authority. You sir, represent that concept of a higher authority.

"As a parent, I am loving and supportive when my children demonstrate good behavior and choices. But I am strict with my children when they commit infractions. It is the hardest job I have ever done but I do it out of duty, love and true compassion to them so that they will not turn into individuals that you will be looking at across your bench someday.

"I do not envy the difficult decisions that comes with the duties your job requires. But we are all called to do our duty. As far as the defendant is concerned, she has ruined her life and destroyed the lives of many others. But this senseless tragedy can be used to get others to think through their actions. I implore you to please do your duty and sentence Melissa Marvin to the maximum sentence possible."

My friend was correct in his observations.

The letters and phone calls I have received have told me the residents of Dare County are tired of DWIs being dismissed as inconsequential. They want to see Miss Marvin prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I have heard it said that "Missy has suffered enough." Looking at my Shana's empty bed, reading over and over the I love you notes, aching for a hug from my little girl. That, judge, is suffering.

My Shana was so special. You see at 17 she was a child who respected and loved her parents and her sisters. Not a day passed that she didn't say "I love you Mom." April 6, 1999, the last thing Shane said to me was "Mom, thanks for letting my friends come down, I love you!" and off to work she went. Shana was a responsible 17 year old. We taught her that most of the events in life are shaped by your own actions and that you have to be accountable for those actions. Shana, at 17, knew that drinking and driving was not only against the law but I can vividly remember her saying, "Mom I would never do that, it's stupid."

Judge Tillett, I ask that the sentence you give Melissa Marvin fit the crime of killing 4 beautiful 17 year old children. As far as I'm concerned, Miss Marvin does not deserve anything other then the maximum penalty allowed by law. This woman needs to be kept off the roads, and I believe jail is the only thing that will accomplish that.

I would also like to say that I do not hate you, Melissa. I hate what you did, but I refuse to fill myself with bitterness. If I did that you would have not only taken my daughter's life, but mine as well.

Judge Tillett, please consider all I have stated when sentencing Melissa Marvin. Our community wants people to understand that driving while intoxicated will no longer be tolerated.

Thank you,

Brenda Lawler