The Paris News

For whatever reason — drugs and alcohol or young people who have lost their way and do not value either their lives or those of others — our community has experienced first hand in recent weeks what happens all too often in communities throughout the United States.

We have lost three young people to violent crimes along with at least three or four other individuals who are so flawed in their thinking that they would take another human being’s life. It is most likely drugs, including alcohol, had something to do in all three deaths.

We know from regional and national news sources how often these type crimes take place in urban communities and elsewhere. But surely not in Paris. Well, folks, Paris is just like the rest of the United States and we are not immune from horrible crimes. It is time this community wakes up to reality. The events of the past weeks sadly demonstrate the condition in which too many of our young people find themselves. These murders, if that is what is found to be the outcome of these three cases, must be thoroughly investigated. If those charged are found guilty they should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

I lift up in prayer the families of Dontrae Mitchell, who was shot in the early morning hours of Sept. 19 in Paris and of Jarvis Dewayne McCarty, formerly of Cooper but more recently of Paris, who was killed following an altercation at a club in Grant, Okla. on Aug. 16.

To the parents of the most recent victim, Brandon McClelland, you have my deepest sympathies and my prayers are with you just like I know you are in the prayers of literally thousands of people in this community. And to the families of the two young men who have been jailed in connection with McClelland’s death, as well as to the families to those arrested in connection with the deaths of the other victims, my prayers are with you also.

Sympathies extended, let’s now be clear in regard to the horrible and questionable death of Brandon McClelland.

As the editor of this newspaper and a resident of this community, I call on the Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, the Texas Rangers, the U.S. Marshals involved in this case and our Lamar County District Attorney’s office to be thorough in this investigation and to leave no stone unturned as to what happened prior to the discovery of this young man’s body in the early morning hours of Sept. 16.

Surely there is DNA evidence that will tell much about this crime. And, a full disclosure of autopsy reports should indicate how this young man died and the condition of his body when it was found. Because I realize this information may not be readily available to the public until time of trial, I call on the public to be vigilant but patient as law enforcement officials complete their investigation and those involved are brought to trial. Rumors run rampant on the Internet. I call on everyone to let this investigation run its course before we rush to judgment. And even if our worst fears prove to be true, let us realize that the actions of single individuals should in no way bring condemnation to an entire community.

I know there are some who believe they have been so wronged in the past that they will do almost anything to shed the harshest light on our community. Again, I call for restraint and ask those who may be inclined to push for immediate remedy, to be patient.

Hopefully this community has learned from its past.

Let’s pause for the moment; reflect on and acknowledge the possibility of past indiscretions — real or perceived — and move forward together with compassion and understanding and a fierce commitment to seek the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Mary Madewell is the managing editor of The Paris News.

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