For Release:  Immediate                                                               April 29, 2009

For more information contact:

Jim Reams at 642-4249

Press Release

Brentwood -        Each year in April, the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office observes National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which promotes victims' rights and honors crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf, by holding its 10^th Annual Victims Rights Awards Ceremony. County Attorney Jim Reams announced at today’s Ceremony that and the following recipients were awarded recognition plaques for their exemplary service and dedication to providing quality services and fair treatment to victims of crime:

· G. Cubbi Lirette, Victim Witness Coordinator with the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office for her dedication to providing quality services and fair treatment to victims of crime and for service above and beyond providing coverage in 2008.

· Chief Wade Parsons of the Danville Police Department for 25 years of exemplary service and dedication, particularly to one of our most vulnerable victims of crime:  animals, above all in State v. Kimberly Damato.

· Bureau of Investigative Services, of the Portsmouth Police Department for their  exemplary service and dedication to providing quality services and fair treatment to victims of crime, especially for the comprehensive investigation in State v. Jeffrey Marshall., Portsmouth Police Department was represented by Chief Michael Magnant, Deputy Chief Len DiSesa and Captain Janet Champlin (Ret.) and;

· Dr. Jennie V. Duval, Chief Medical Examiner for her exemplary service and dedication to providing quality services and fair treatment to victims of crime, especially for her testimony in State v. Jeffrey Marshall.

Danville-Kimberly Damato was charged and convicted with 4 Misdemeanor counts of Cruelty to Animals and 1 count of False Report to a Law Enforcement Officer stemming from incidences occurring at her residences in February 2008.  Damato deprived three horses and a Rottweiler with necessary sustenance, food and/or water.  All of the animals were malnourished.  A two year old Quarter Horse Gelding had to be euthanized as a result of Damato’s neglect.  Damato received a 12 month sentence at the Rockingham County House of Corrections with all but 15 days deferred, as well as a suspended sentence.

Portsmouth-Jeffrey Marshall was convicted on March 13, 2009 of Dispensing a Controlled Drug, Death Resulting and Theft by Receiving Stolen Property.  Marshall provided the heroin that killed Anthony Fosher in Portsmouth on October 21, 2007.  He is currently scheduled to be sentenced on June 22, 2009.

The national effort this week is aimed at raising public awareness about the impact of crime victim’s rights and the critical need for victim services.  “While much progress has been made, the budget cuts in the Court system threaten this progress. Those of us in the criminal justice system, must speak out to insure that the system remembers that it is there to serve victims”, said Reams. 

County Attorney James Reams, Retired Portsmouth Police Captain Janet Champlin,

Assistant County Attorney Scott Jordan, Deputy Chief Len DiSesa, Portsmouth Police

Chief Michael Magnant. 

        County Attorney James Reams and Chief Medical Examiner Jennie Duval.

   County Attorney James Reams, Assistant County Attorney Jill Cook and

   Danville Police Chief Wade Parsons.

County Attorney James Reams, Assistant County Attorney Patricia Conway,

Victim Witness Coordinator Cubbi Lirette and Victim Witness Coordinator

Stephanie Callahan.