The Guilty and the Not Guilty

Our family is thankful to the prosecutors, detectives, and jury for giving Jace the justice he deserved.  There are so many things we could say, and Thank You can never be enough. 

http://www.ktul.com/story/17015416/tulsa-county-man-found-guilty-of-first-degree-murder


I have tried to be very careful all along not to say anything about Cody Sartin on here or facebook.  I did want to inadvertently give the defense any ammunition or say anything "wrong."  I think that some things now deserve to be said publicly, and I think I will probably use this blog to say them in the near future, but there is someone else that deserves my attention more.

I have gone through every emotion toward my sister during the last two years. I have been mad at her, sad for her, blamed her, forgiven her, but every minute I have loved her.

She has had to listen to criticism from people who do not know the whole story.  Even today there are comments on news stories that say she should be held accountable too.  She was naive.  She made mistakes.  She didn't listen to her smarter older sister, but here is the difference between her and the man who was just found guilty. 

She admits to every mistake she made.  She accepts responsibility.  She feels remorse.


While Jace was dying in the hospital, she begged God to let her trade places with her son.  Meanwhile, Cody Sartin went to our house and stole our TV.

I could tell you a lot about the ways she was lied to and manipulated, but I don't have the energy this minute. I think a lot of "smart" people including myself could have found themselves in this situation. She was also a victim. 

I have never been more proud of my sister than when she brought Jace home to live with us and took care of him.  She saved his life.  I am proud of her now too.  For the way she has handled herself in the midst of a waking nightmare.  She handled herself with grace and strength and as a picture of the power of God to restore, heal, and make beauty from ashes. 

Life will probably always be hard for us, but hard is not synonymous with bad.  I know Leslie will continue to make Jace and the rest of her family proud. 

Justice for Jace

The trial for the man who killed Jace starts Monday February 13th in Judge Kellough's court.  Every day that Jace was on this earth was a gift, and that gift was stolen from us.  There is no reason, no explaination, nothing that will ever make that better. 

If you are interested in attending the trial, testimony will probably start on Wednesday.  Please pray for my family, because this is very difficult to face.  Every minute of it is just a reminder of the hole in our lives and the pain that will never fully go away.  The things we will have to think about and hear and face will rip that hole open again, and I'm afraid of how much that is going to hurt.  Please also pray for justice and for the truth to be heard.  Pray that good wins. 

I miss you sweet boy.  Aunt Stacey loves you.