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Comments from our friends who are concerned about Youth Violence and the murder of my mother.

From: Kathleen
To: Jerry Pippin
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 5:51 PM
Subject: Edited letter for your Mother

I went into Law Enforcement to try to help my fellow man and women, and I was very young (21) and had the naiveté to believe I could make a difference. It hit me hard, especially the homicides. The story of your mother brought back a memory that I have tried not to think about over the years, and for some reason the children and elderly deaths got me the most. One in particular was a lovely 80 year old woman who was brutally murdered by a teenager. This 'child' was caught and tried under Juvenile law (in the 70's things were different). I don't know whatever became of him. There was no reason for what he did, he just decided to do it. The members of her Baptist Church were so shocked as nothing of this sort had ever happened before.

She did not deserve what happened to her any more than your mother did. I will never understand how people can do the things that they do. I don't care how old the 'kids' were that killed your mother; the internal corruption is ageless, and the results are just as devastating. Their lack of remorse or any consideration for the family members is as telling as their crimes. They chose to take drugs and live the lives they did. As such, my sympathies are limited.

My sympathies go out to you and your family, as you are the ones left behind to deal with this terrible tragedy, and the legal system. I chose to leave this field even though I wanted to have a career with it. Many people don't understand how these things affect the Law Enforcement officers, and many of us couldn't cope. I also had to cope with being the only woman on board but eventually I earned the respect of my fellow officers. I should have realized I couldn't cope because of my gentle nature, but I tried anyway, having never failed at any job before. It leaves a mark on a person to see these things; and to try to comfort the families, when you yourself need comfort. These events haunt a person for the rest of their lives.

So you see, I understand from your perspective and now you have mine. To find your mother that way was totally devastating for you I know, but take heart; things have a way of coming around, and your mother is looking down upon you with pride for the fight that you had to go through on her behalf. Take solace in that, and that time and the support of others will heal you.

Tuesday, November 19th, 2002:

From: Tony Glynn
To: Jerry Pippin
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 6:53 PM
Subject: Megan's story

Hi, Jerry:
Courageous and thought-provoking - that was your interview with Megan. The girl certainly had courage in coming forward, particularly when, as she indicated, there are those around who might be capable of reprisals. It's good to know she has managed to kick the habit and has put her life together with every prospect of happiness in the future. Good luck to her.

It's so easy when we're a bit long in the tooth to preach to younger generations and expect young shoulders to have old heads as if WE never made any youthful mistakes but I guess we reach a stage where we just can't help it because we really do want youngsters to have the best, even if they scorn our sentiments.

I spent years reporting courts and in juvenile courts I was always frustrated by the sight of kids who'd slithered off the tracks and, in some cases, were clearly headed deeper into crime, perhaps for life. I wished to make them understand that, whoever they were, their lives were valuable; that they had dormant talents to be discovered and developed; that the world is a great place and the bulk of people in it are great people and it and the whole gift of life should be explored and enjoyed. Then there were the feckless parents who so obviously hardly cared for their kids and frequently whined to the magistrates: "Well, I just can't do anything with him/her" when there was every indication that they had hardly exercised any real parental responsibility. I just want every kid to have a decent break and I know it's tough enough even for concerned parents to keep their kids straight.

Life is a minefield for youngsters to-day, the more so because of the drugs explosion, as much here in the UK as in the US. Here, too, we have a dangerous criminal element unpinning the drugs scene. I saw it develop in my native city, Manchester, which like any large city, has always had its criminal element. Within my lifetime, I saw control of drug-dealing become a major element in criminal activity, with two warring gangs in the south of the city where I grew up, occasionally allied against gangs in the north. This has sparked a highly dangerous gun culture. Traditionally, British police go unarmed and there was a time when the old-style British criminal scorned the use of firearms, strange as many Americans find it, thus the police had no need to carry arms as a matter of course. Here, there is no automatic constitutional right to the ownership of guns (in fact, while the UK has a constitution, it is not a written one - something else which is difficult to explain to Americans) but the explosion in drug - related crime brought guns onto the street, often among mere teenagers involved with the drug gangs. Where any form of shooting was once rare, drive-by shootings between rival gangs became so common at one time that Manchester, the city I love, earned the shameful nickname of "Gunchester". Naturally, the police had to respond in kind. The British equivalent of SWAT squads now routinely go armed.

The whole drug scene has had a huge impact on criminality here and, at the user end of the chain, there are so many unfortunate kids hooked on a habit and driven to crime to feed it. Something of the same pattern seems to be repeated all over the world. Will anyone ever find the answer? Anyway, your website is doing valuable work and it was encouraging to hear callers who had managed to free themselves of enslavement to drugs giving their support to you and Megan. Keep it up. May your efforts help many kids - and their parents.

All the best, Tony.

Tuesday, November 19th, 2002:

From: MA
To: Jerry Pippin

Jerry,
We at this email address have for the pass 30 years backed laws to
allow the legalization of All Drugs. This would remove the middleman.
It was not the drugs that killed your mother, but "Profit" from then.

You are right about the profit. One of the reasons for the murder I am convinced is that it was the third of November and two things were in play here. First of all, these kids knew many social security checks were received on this day and this was the date that Gary Rightsell's parents were given as a deadline by their land lord as the date to pay up the back rent or move. These drugies had it made using Gary's garage / room as their own private little drug place. They didn't want to lose it and they thought of my Mother without thinking about the consequences of getting caught.

I agree that our drug laws have made it attractive financially and for some reason we never learned the lessons of prohibition in the 20s and 30s. Taking the profit out of drugs would go a long way to solving this problem. However my focus is on chemical drugs which does no one any good at all.

From: Jim Crighton [mailto:jcrighton@shaw.ca]
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2002 3:01 PM
To: Jerry Pippin
Subject: Last Night's Show

I listened to your show last night and it made my heart ache for you. That is of course the way I know you would have felt, or anyone of some normal level of intelligence. You released a lot of pain, I hope it helped you. I spent the morning reading the different things on your web site to do with your Mother's dreadful death. I find it hard to believe, as I do with most career criminals as these young people had chosen to become, that they feel remorse. I really believe that for the most part the remorse they feel is at having left some evidence, spoken to the wrong person, or whatever reason, that got them caught. What they are usually saying is a big loud "I AM SORRY" and a soft little "that I got caught." Not an easy couple of weeks for you, with your work stress and personal problems. You are a good man Jerry Pippin, it has been a pleasure getting to know you, at least as an on air personality, which I am sure is a very good sampling of Jerry Pippin the man.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Mine died last year suddenly, though of natural causes, but to lose your mother that way is terrible. My heart goes out for you. I hope that they convict all the bastards responsible for it.

It was most sad to hear about witness to your Mother' being killed in the city jail and in same manner as your poor mother. The answer to many your problem come from that "jail" ! Think about it . The collective IQ of these clowns (killers) were not high enough to carry out these crimes with direction from someone in the know. Organized crime works not as just the core group but as number of state, city and county officers. The sad truth is most of these kids will die in jail.

Jerry.... just read the story of your mothers' murder. I was not aware of this tragedy until this moment. Even though I have been in law enforcement for 30 years, these senseless and brutal cases still get to me, especially when they involve old friends. I wish that I could share some of your pain. I hope that the courts come through and that justice is served. Sounds like your mom was a great lady and touched many people in her life.

I look forward to seeing you at the reunion

Boyd

Hi Jerry,

It was good to see you again. It brought back a lot of memories of wild and crazy days. Like the time you and Wilhite started the fire across from the fire station. It was a good thing I was "The Gard boy" who would never do
anything like that. You guys were always getting me in trouble.
I saw a segment on TV the other night about this couple who were trying to get some justice for a murdered daughter. The prosecutor would not bring charges on the suspect so the couple were trying to get a grand jury
investigation. They were circulation a petition to get the case on a grand jury docket. I don't know how difficult it would be to get a grand jury to investigate but I just thought I would mention the idea to you.
Don Gard

Don went to school with Jerry Wilhite and myself. We ran around quite a bit. One day for no reason at all, Don was burning the grass, just a little patch, across the street from the Fire Station down the street from where I live now. The Fire Chief came over and was going to arrest us until he found out Don's last name. Then he started ranting about it must have been Wilhite or me that set the fire, not Don. Don's Dad, Lee would never raise a fire bug. As far as the grand jury is concerned, we still have confidence that with the right oversight the DA and Police will get to the bottom of the murder of my Mother and all five will face punishment; better yet, they will be off the street for sometime. The Preliminary hearing continues tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. ( Friday, March 30th ) Jerry 3:30 p.m. 3-29-01

Hi Jerry,
Attached is an email from a friend in Texas. Isn't it a shame that victims have to do their own investigating of their own perpetrator because the justice system won't do it for them.
Hjm
----- Original Message -----
Just wanted you to know the burglar that broke into our home in Arlington last Nov. 13th has been re-arrested, and bail bond has been set at $170,000. Several months ago I obtained through my computer his complete criminal
background in Georgia & Florida, including his Georgia prison picture. I Am now in the process of contacting the two Fort Worth prosecutors assigned to the case to convince them they should not allow any plea bargaining
because the individual obviously is an habitual criminal. Will try to let you know the eventual outcome of this matter. Wish us luck!
Reggie

I am not against anyone being able to post bail; but Gary is out on a $20,000 bond and this guy in Texas has a #170,000 one on a money crime. I see this all the time. I wonder why prosecutors and Judges think money is more important than violence. It makes to no sense to me. Jerry- 2:15 p.m. 3- 27-01

I am sure that you and your family must feel better with the developments of today. I know you have always thought there were at least four, and perhaps five, murderers involved in the death of your Mother. You have gone so far as to tell me the names of those you suspect. You have shared with me your amazement that the investigation does not seem to be progressing as you feel it should.

The second arrest today confirms that. Do you know if they are looking at any others? I would imagine that soon the suspects will start revealing the truth in an effort to lessen the punishment they will receive.

The thing that has troubled me is that the juvenile system in Muskogee seems to be totally ineffectual. This condemnation includes the school system. Why are these children not in school? I remember when I was in high school I took an unauthorized vacation. Day three a truant officer knocked on my door and arrested my Mother. I was back in school that very day. What has happened between then and now? Why are school age children free to walk the streets, and terrorize neighborhoods? I suppose we also must say that parental control is non-existent. Why? aren't the parents liable for the actions of their children? Who is in charge? Better yet, who is paid to be in charge? That may be the job I want...bearing in mind I don't want to work very hard, or accept responsibility!! Just mail the big bucks to my house, please.

How can children who have repeat, and escalating, offenses be released when in custody? Are judges blind to the world around them. Readers Digest has a regular series in which it exposes judges who do stupid things. That series has been responsible for the removal of more than a few of these poor judgment judges. Don't get me wrong. I do believe that most judges are fair and impartial, and not stupid. However, when you have a bad one it really sours the crop. The conclusion of all investigations and prosecutions turn on the premise that judges are not afraid to administer the law. When you get an uncaring judge he can do far more harm than we know. The investigators, and prosecutors soon quit giving "A" performances. They don't feel as if they can win.

If, in the future, you can suggest ways that improvement can be made in the fields of education, and juvenile justice, please share them with us. Having never experienced problems such as yours I am not able to even suggest improvements. Unfortunately you probably have to go through it to believe how bad it can be

Friday, March 16, 2001: We like to pass along out sadness on hearing of your mother' murder in the
heartland of America. i think the key is the money and drugs ! Was there! Any politics involved? Did it have anything to do with your show and the local cops( where there is drugs there are dirty cops).

Keep up the good work ............!
Cheers,
M.A.

There is something going on; but I am not sure it is as sinister as it appears. It may just be incompetence and a system of justice that is rarely challenged. If there is politics involved, it is their politics. The DA is a Democrat and so am I; but I do not care for the way he runs his office. They know that and unfortunately they do not seem to get by that fact. IF there are dirty cops, we will uncover it. This is one time that we will not rest until the whole truth comes out; whatever that is. Jerry (12:30 a.m.- 3-16-01 )

Jerry, have been following the info on your Mom's murder. It still seems so unreal and of course, unnecessary. I continue to check your website. Sammye Henderson Rodden ( Muskogee )

I know you are eager to have this terrible thing put to rest. Thanks for keeping us up to date on what's happening. I can only imagine how painful it is for you to do so.
Paula ( Texas )

Congratulations Jerry, it sounds like finally some progress is being made. I wish you the best with the DA. Please be persistent and do not give up. - Edna ( Las Vegas )

George Chambers ( Broken Arrow )

Jerry,
I just saw the front page on the website........This is such good news! I am so happy for you and your family. Judi Bentley ( Catoosa )

Everyday I read and hear the most horrible stories but it has always been outside of my inner circle. Until now, I have never felt personally touched. In reading about your mother I feel almost as though I knew her. I think about those terrible moments and her last breaths of life. Oh how I wish I could comfort you.

I don't understand the DA, I don't understand the machinations of this investigation, I don't understand the competency hearing. This seems very political and disgusts me. I wish I could help you. My heart goes out to you.

Thanks for your sweet sentiments. As far as the DA is concerned, it might be political; but why I am not sure. I am a Democrat and so is he. However, I have not been a fan of the way he runs his office only going for what appears to be winnable cases and leaving a trail of stories about how people have felt that justice has not been served in Muskogee County. I have never met him. The ast. DA David Pierce has always been my contact person in the Muskogee DA offices. I have called for John David Luton, the DA, but always seem to end up with David.

There are four to seven others involved either by being there or with knowing about it in advance and not doing anything about it. Jason the tenth grader who is still in the 8th grade and who lives across the street from my Mother's house is a devil worshipper and loves to tell everyone about it. He runs everytime I come around; all I know about him is hearsay and from what I can hear on the CD player from outside and see what I can through his bedroom window. It looks like a bad horror movie.

We will not rest until all are brought to justice. Keep checking back on our web site for future updates.

Jerry:

You are exactly right about "easy" cases. The DAs all want slam dunks. If they have to work, forget it. They need to take all the bastards to trial. You want to watch out for some kind of "plea" bargain deal since she is under 21 years old. That's the kind of crap that chaps me.

Don't forget the House of Reps/Senate do the appropriations for the state agencies. They've been controlled by Demos since state hood. Get on some of "our" friends that are members about getting the OSBI more money. I certainly will.

If I understand all of this, there is one person in jail (Amanda) and there are witnesses that say there were at "least" three others in the house with her. Having only one person in jail is a travesty of justice.

MBeard
www.katsassy.com <= Check it out!

You are right, Marshall. One person in jail; one person out on bond as a material witness, another witness left town at Midnight on Friday to go to TEXAS, and at least two and I feel three killers walking the streets of Muskogee and the neighborhood.

Jerry,
Thanks very much for letting us know about your web site. It brings tears to my eyes. We too easily forget that the victims and families are very real people. Also, I caretake my 83-yr-old mom (she has alzheimers) because I know how vulnerable she is. I added a link to your site along with the story post. Please feel free to keep us updated with additional story links for our news page.

Best wishes,

Martha Knapp
CrimeNews2000 (all volunteers)
http://www.crimenews2000.com

Saturday, December 3, 2000:

Jerry,

You know how close my family was to Pippin. She was more than a Sunday school/V.B.S. teacher & babysitter
to myself and brother. She was like a second Grandmother.

We were on the way to Diana's Mom's the night you talked on air about the crime to Humanity. We lost
KBIX at Keefton. I come to the library to check E-mail since we don't have a home computer.

My family was there Halloween night. When we arrived, Marlene was leaving. Kim and Husband arrived shortly
after we did. Tanya came inside after her and Kim's Miranda got candy. MY Miranda, Diana and Emilee were
inside and had just sat down to visit. Kim's family left. Between 6:15 and 6:30 THE TEENAGERS CAME TO
THE DOOR FROM ACROSS THE STREET. I cannot recall if AMANDA came to the door. I recall her in the street. I
will talk to Diana about this. I helped Pippin hand out the candy to the TEENAGERS. PIPPIN was in the
kitchen when they came to the door.

I apologize that I have not come forward earlier. Since I have read you web site, these events are
playing in my mind now. Please call me; If we need to testify or if you or investigators want to
ask questions.

Yours in Christ,

Mark, Diana, Miranda, & Emilee Walters

Click here for details about the night before my Mother's murder - Marlene is my younger sister, Kim is my sister Beverly's daughter.

Dear Jerry,

I have just re-read your horrifying crime story and continue to shake my head in disbelief; you are right, it isn't pretty.

When you first wrote about the the sequence of events, you indicated that Amanda went to "Granny and Papa" a few minutes after the murder. Then "Gary" enters the picture. If he is to be believed, he saw Amanda right
after the murder and took her to HIS house to wash up and do laundry. How long is "a few minutes"? How long is "right after"? Who is telling the truth?

Getting a time line on the events of this heinous crime is not going to be easy: there are so many "players," and the truth is probably not in any of them, most especially if they were "out there," or "high."

Keep on keepin' on!

Regards,

Marilyn ( from Muskogee )

I talked to Granny and Papa list night. They say they first saw Gary and Amanda at 12:25. They had on clean clothes and I was told Amanda still had wet hair. They were told that Gary and Amanda both were covered with blood and that Gary got it on him by hugging Amanda who said that she had been shoved out the front door with the bloody bat and then Gabriel locked the door behind her. I have been told by sources in the police department that Gary told them originally that this was how he found Amanda standing by a bush or tree near my Mother's front yard.

I believe I arrived at the house about 20 minutes before noon, about three or four minutes ahead of the Ambulance and Police who had been called by my sister who was at work. She had tried to call Mother at about 10:30 and she did not answer the phone, after a few tries, she called me to check on Mother. I have been told by two different people that while the police and ambulance were coming down the street with sirens and lights, Amanda and Gary were walking to his house covered in blood.

No one did any thing. No one called the cops the night before when they planned the murder and no one thought about calling 911 and saying, you know they are planning on killing the old lady who lives up the street.

Good to see you are back on the air and are doing well. So tragic that there are kids out there in that condition, as well as adults. Under the circumstances that you and your family are struggling through, I hesitate to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving; but I wish you a Blessed Thanksgiving as you have your own angel looking over you. Gail- ( Lake Fort Gibson, Oklahoma )

From what I read your mother was an amazing woman who loved the Lord. What a legacy she has left that even in the midst of such senselessness, her character was spoken of in such a light that you couldn't help but recognize that this was a caring, loving, beautiful woman. My prayers are with you, Jerry.

Suzie Eller ( Muskogee )

Yes, Grandma was an amazing woman, and the more I think about what happened to her, the madder I get. She didn't deserve the terrifying conclusion to her earthly existence at the hands of psychopathic teens.
After all I've learned here and by talking with Jerry, Roberta, and my cousins after the funeral, I have to say my opinion of the Muskogee County Justice System is quite a bit lower than it was before....it's in the toilet, actually. The Muskogee Police could be classified as being testicularly-challenged for allowing a bunch of worthless kids to
terrorize a neighborhood of senior citizens. That's disgusting.

Lucky for those kids that I live 250 miles away.....

Greg James (Arlington, TX)

Oh, my God, Jerry!! I did not know about your mom. I am so sorry to hear about her. I can't imagine losing someone to a violent act. I lost both of my parents. My father committed suicide, but that was his choice. You are certainly in my prayers. I hope that you get through this ordeal okay, and that the girl who did this gets punished appropriately.

Katie McDonald ( Lincoln, Nebraska )
First, let me say Janet's and my heart goes out to you and your family. I've always considered you to be
family. Even though I did not know your mother, I know her son and only the finest mother can create a
special person like yourself.

It's good to see you back on the air again. Al Wilson called me and wanted me to relay his condolences.

Take care,

Jeff and Janet ( San Bernardino )