FROM THE LOCHTEFELD FAMILY
To the editor:

June was an incredibly difficult month for our family! The emotional roller-coaster kept us on edge as the trial unfolded.

We need to thank those sixteen courageous people who agreed to serve on the jury in spite of the distasteful evidence that they knew they would see and hear. We were confident that they would find for the truth.

We thank also the Honorable Richard F. Connon, who presided over the trial. He was a model in justice with his calm but firm demeanor.

We thank William O'Keefe and members of the district attorney's office, especially Brian Glenny and his team, who gathered reams and reams of evidence and made an excellent and thoroughly believable case. Susan O'Reilly and Beth Brooks as victim and witness advocates couldn't have been kinder and more instructive to us throughout the two years and eight months leading up to the trial.

In addition, we thank our then brand new chief of police, Bill Pittman, and those first responders who maintained with great care the integrity of the crime scene. Without that the case could have been in serious jeopardy.

We thank the members of the press, especially the outof towners, who showed great respect by never approaching us, even on the day of the verdict. For my family, the possible mob scene at that time was our worst fear. Instead the press waited patiently for us outside the courthouse. None of them spoke even after our son Jim read the family statement. We will be eternally grateful for that.

We thank Fr. Paul and Deacon Don Battison and the parishioners at St. Mary's for daily support at morning Mass. The Deacon's experience in ministering to the prisoners at the Florida State Prison was an enormous help to us.

Most of all we thank the good people of Nantucket for their gifts, thoughts and prayers. Their glances and touches spoke volumes. Their support gave us the strength to face with dignity the unthinkable and unnecessary death of our daughter Beth.

As a final statement to this horrific ordeal, we want to say that we loved this middle child with all our hearts and souls and were devastated by her vicious attack and death. We quickly realized that we could face her death with Christian faith or in a vengeful way. We chose the former and are at peace, knowing that, in the arms of her loving Father, she will never be sick, terrified, or hurt again.

Sincerely,

- Judith R. Lochtefeld