We were told to be there before 9am. We were briefed by Guancarlos Pesci, the prosecuting attorney in this case. EP was escorted to the jury box along with about 12 other thugs, dressed in navy blue jump suits orange socks and shackled and handcuffed. There were many other cases to be heard before they got to our case. The prosecuting attorney reminded the judge of the severity of the killing and asked the judge for 20 years. The defense attorney again, reminded the judge of EP's background and recommended probation... EEEEEK.... probation. We did not know how the judge would go except that since the judge had remanded him into custody after the verdict, that he probably would not get probation, now. Thank God!
The judge asked him if he had anything to say...he proceeded to apologize to his family, the Heckler's and their family...he repeated that he only tried to help..... Carol was then called up to the stand to give her Impact Statement. She was nervous but to the point. Saying that probation was not an option and to give him the max and expressed complete sorrow for Kim's children. Ron was then called to the stand...he was also to the point about the brutality of the case and that EP could have walked away from this....I can't remember their exact words...then I was called up....I had been preparing for this for a long time and had over 2 pages to read, a photo collage board and my memory album filled with photos, letters and cards that Kim had sent me over the years. I had a lot to share.....for Kim had absolutely no voice to defend herself when they dragged her through the mud during the trial. The judge asked me where I lived and I told him. He then allowed me to read my statement. I was shaking like a leaf....He told me to slow down several times and was very attentive to me. After my statement, the judge told EP how insulting it was to the families for him to plea self defense...that this was a unique case, but the brutality of it could not justify a mere probation that he agreed with the recommendation of 2 consecutive terms of 4 - 8....Whew!...we had our day, finally, and it was rewarding for us to see him hauled away in chains and to know that he had at least 8 years to ponder his actions in a remote penitentiary in the northern deserts of Nevada. When parole time comes for him, he will have to face us again as we have the right to be there and will be notified when the time comes....for now, we can breathe, we can sleep a little easier and move on with our lives and celebrate Kim's.
Here is my statement.....and below that is the Link to the latest newspaper article declaring EP's sentence.
Victim’s Impact Statement Feb. 23 2011
Thank you for this opportunity to speak on Kim’s behalf. This is our story.
My name is Beverly Saunders. I am the biological mother to Kimberly Ann Heckler- Long. On Feb. 13, 1977, I gave birth to a baby girl, knowing that I would never hold her or see her possibly, ever. I was 17. It was a difficult time, but I was fortunate to have the support from my family and doctors who knew of a good family who could not have children of their own and were seeking adoption. I knew that I was unable to care for her the way a Mom and Dad together could. I agreed and trusted that this was the right thing to do for her at the time. This was a closed adoption.
I moved on with my life and finished school, went to college, got married and had a family of my own. Kim’s half sister, Andrea is almost 28 now. Quite often, especially around Feb. 13, I would wonder where she was, how she was and if I had made the right decision. I could only have hope and faith that things turned out well for her. I always felt that someday she may find me and kept that door open on that possibility.
Well, that fateful day came in April of 1997 when Kim was expecting her second child, Katelyn. She felt it was time to find me and did so courageously with the help of her Mom and family. We immediately melded and were both so grateful to find each other. God had given me the opportunity to be a mother to her...as it turned out it was more like a big sister, but this was my flesh and blood, a beautiful daughter that had sought to find her biological Mom, me. Not because she lacked a mother, because she definitely had a devoted one in Carol and a loving father in Ron,
but because she could.
She had questions that needed to be answered, being a young mom herself.
We shared photos and became friends very quickly.
She had no regrets; she said she had a happy and normal upbringing. The photos she sent confirmed that.
This curiosity would also lead her to her biological Father, Jeff Ash. Here she found answers that explained her son Kyle’s diabetes as it runs in Jeff’s family.....as well as a whole group of half siblings and a welcoming paternal family.
I was amazed at her personality and how much she looked like her half sister, Andrea, comparing photos of when they were the same age. We were both delighted to see how much alike we were in our demeanor and creative talents. We met in Nov. of 1997. I flew out to Vegas to meet her and spend a few days with her and her family. She was a beautiful and vibrant young woman, more than I could have imagined her to turn out to be. It was a dream come true. She was so warm and kind. She introduced me to her parents, sisters, grandparents, husband Mark and Kyle and Katie. I was so grateful for the opportunity she granted me, a relationship with her and her family. What a blessing!
This was the beginning of a new life for me and my family.
We talked often, sometimes once a week. We visited each other several times. She grew up in New York, so she felt comfortable coming back east. Throughout our time together we shared our ups and downs and encouraged each other sending letters, cards, gifts and photos to each other and the kids. I was able to understand her challenges, as her life had mirrored some of mine.
We had become very close and comfortable with each other.
Throughout the 11 short years that we shared, Kim had made some tough decisions, as we all do in life. I, being 3000 miles away, could only do my best to be there for her via the phone or email.
That was tough...I wish I lived closer.
I got to know her as she shared her aspirations of wanting her family, a good home and a good life for her children. She had a Christian faith that gave her hope in achieving the happiness she sought for her children and herself. She was a kind, gentle, artistic and a loving soul by nature.
Unfortunately, this was not meant to be in the rocky relationship that she had chosen with Jeff Preciado.
Sad...She continually tried to rise above the bouts of alcoholism, abuse and arguments. She would confide in me for encouragement, guidance and prayer. I would tell her straight about how I felt about drinking and its affects. She did not want to give up on her quest to have her family with Jeff. “She loved him...” She would say. I knew it was tough for her, Jeff and the kids, but I was hopeful that things would work out and they both could enjoy a life without alcohol and abuse in their new home.
On November 12, 2008, she called me and we spoke for almost two hours. She told me of the previous episode of domestic violence and said she finally had resolved to give up and move on. I did not realize how truly bad the relationship had become. She expressed her struggles during this time. I told her she needed to leave as soon as possible and find a safe place for the kids and her...she was crying and I didn’t know what to do except to continue to emphasize that she needed to get out. Having been in Domestic Violence situations myself, I knew this was not good and how volatile things can get. She seemed frightened and somewhat insecure on the phone but she said she had a friend and assured me she would leave as soon as she could. We ended the call and I prayed she had the support she needed to get through this.
The next night I get the news of this abominable act of violence. I was shocked and devastated. The brutal details followed. I couldn’t believe it.....this can’t be happening. I called the coroner’s office for proof and they said “Yes”, and gave me some details. They handled my call so well that I knew she was in God’s hands at that point. I flew out for her memorial with my daughter Andrea. No body, no casket, not even the charred remains after cremation. It was still so surreal and hard to accept.
Kim and I had a future; a life of reconnection and memories to create...that was cut way too short! She connected me to her children, my grandchildren. Her kids are a testament to the love she had for them. Without her I will never have the opportunity to experience the bond between her children and myself that only a mother nourishes.
Without her, Andrea, will never know how a big sister could enrich her life, through the good times and the bad.
Kim’s chance to grow and learn to get through life’s challenges was so brutally taken away that day. We all have problems and issues. God gives us each a new day to work through those problems.
Edward took away her chance at following her journey as God set forth for her.
Granted, I was blessed to have known her and to share our lives for a short while, but it was not enough...her children deserved more....She deserved more and I deserved more! There is an emptiness again in my soul....a space that was left 34 years ago..........filled with beauty and life 14 years ago .......... and completely drained 2 years ago on Nov. 13, 2008
My heart sees the face of an angel. In time, her beautiful smile, her gentle laugh and the good memories we shared will defeat the evil impressions I have on my soul. I will continue my life without her, but the memory of our time will forever be with me as a mother, a big sister and a friend.
I will never understand how this man, a man so well trained, mature and fatherly could so brutally take the life of a young woman, no matter how angry the situation had become and then soon after, show no remorse, even calling her names and showing his hatred toward her. He deprived her of 50 years/a lifetime with her children, her grandchildren and her family. When he had opportunity to stop the violence he continued to instigate the confrontation that would jeopardize and ultimately change my life and families lives forever. Losing a child is the worst of the worst and for her to
be taken away from me in such a senseless way is hard to get a grip on. I continue to grieve the loss of Kim, sometimes bursting out in my car and at my work. Counseling has helped and prayer has been comforting. I hope to find some sort of closure so that I can be there for Andrea. I can only pray for Kim’s soul and all those involved in this horrific situation and that justice in some form to prevail.
Thank you for this time.
Sincerely, Bev Saunders
http://www.lvrj.com/news/ex-fbi-agent-gets-prison-time-for-hammer-attack-116973223.html
I agree, this was not justice for your beautiful daughter. What an animal. My heart goes out to you
ReplyDeleteHe deserved a lot more time. But hopefully it will mean a life sentence for him.
ReplyDelete