Local News

I did not watch the local evening news yesterday, but browsing the web this afternoon I see that one local channel had mention of my mom's murder. Below is the story from the news channel's web site:

Number of Murders Down
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Web Editor: Jake Wade
Originally Created: 12/29/2006 7:30:58 PM
Last Update: 12/30/2006 12:32:55 PM

There were 12 murders in Macon in 2006. That's down from 20 murders in 2005. And 37 in 1992.

The only case where the Macon Police Department has not made any arrests is in the murder of Brenda Mathis, who was beaten and strangled in her apartment on Pursley Street in April.

The Macon Police Department says it will solve the case.

JIMMY BARBIE, MACON POLICE DEPARTMENT
"The fact that there was a time period between when the murder took place and when the body was found makes it a little difficult. The fact that we suspect it was someone who knew the victim, there's no sign of any forced entry into that apartment, but it's a solvable case and we'll solve it. We work hard to try to get the violent criminals off the street and get guns out of the hands of people and it's finally starting to show a little result."

The lower murder rate has a lot to do with getting guns off the streets, says the U.S. District Attorney for Middle Georgia.

MAXWELL WOOD, U.S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR MIDDLE GEORGIA
"Approximately 50 percent of your murders in the country are committed with a gun. Approximately 50 percent of those gun murders are committed by individuals who have previous felony convictions, if you can eliminate guns from getting into the hands of convicted felons, you can reduce your murder rate by 25 percent."

The U.S. District Attorney's office has had a project called safe neighborhoods since 2001 to get guns off the streets and to get much tougher sentences for criminals who use guns.

Bibb County, not including Macon, had four murders this year. They made arrests in all four. They had eight murders in 2005.


There is a video of the clip that ran on the news broadcast. I am trying to post it here. I'm working on it . . . keep checking back . . . don't give up on me . . . .

Try to click on the following link: http://www.13wmaz.com/video/player_news.aspx?aid=31130&bw=