VALDOSTA — Members of the community gathered on the Lowndes County Courthouse lawn Wednesday to raise awareness for victims’ rights in conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

After a welcome from District Attorney J. David Miller, the presentation of colors by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard and the invocation by Rev. David Rogers, Lowndes County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rod Casey proclaimed the week National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Lowndes County. Chief Assistant District Attorney Brad Shealy then introduced the honored guest speaker, Carla D. Leggett.

Shealy described the day Leggett, victim services coordinator at the DA’s office, became the victim of a crime.

“When crimes occur, not only do the people harmed become victims,” Shealy said. “There family members and closest friends also become victims. I’ve worked with several crime victims during my career. But you are really changed when you see what a victim goes through firsthand. I experienced that change when I witnessed Carla’s tragedy.”

As Leggett addressed the audience she spoke of the day her cousin Deidre Miller was murdered by her former boyfriend, Julonda Lecedrick Clayton Nov. 1, 2005. Leggett received a call from her sister, who asked her whether she heard anything about Miller being shot. As a victim advocate, Leggett then called authorities to find out what had happened.

“When the police told me the shocking news, it plunged me into shock and anxiety,” Leggett said. “Instantly, I had become a victim and was in need of a victim advocate.”

Miller’s body was found in her car, which had crashed into a group of trees two houses down from her home on Hayes Road in northern Lowndes County. Authorities reported that they first received word of the incident after Clayton dropped off Miller’s 4-year-old son at daycare with blood on his clothing. The child told workers that Clayton had shot his mother. The child was not injured during the incident.

Clayton, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Miller for approximately nine years, eluded authorities until he turned himself in Nov. 5, 2005, in Fulton County. According to Leggett, Miller had been trying to break off the relationship.

Although Miller’s family and friends still mourn the loss of their loved one, Leggett affirmed that they found justice when Clayton was found guilty in court and sentenced to life in prison.

Before closing, Leggett challenged the community to reach out and assist crime victims.

“Victims want and need the community to stand firm behind them as criminals are brought to justice,” Leggett said.

After Leggett’s presentation, Shealy presented Lowndes County Detective Sgt. Stryde Jones with the Lynn Futch Blocker Award for his outstanding service as well as his dedicated role in the Clayton case.

“I feel honored to accept this award and I feel that we should all just thank God that we are not victims,” Jones said. “It would also seem unfair if I didn’t say there is a bit of sadness to this award, because it is made possible by the many victims of horrible crimes.”

At the ceremony’s end, Victim Advocate Marilyn Register encouraged community members to provide assistance to victims of crime and their families.