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Shooting victim's mother creates support groupBy Katie Moore_Topeka Capital-JournalTopeka — Leslie Vetaw couldn't sleep late one night in September, a little over a month after her son, Kenneth Leray Vetaw, was shot and killed.“I've had so many sleepless nights,” she said.Vetaw’s pent-up restlessness got her thinking about how to do something for herself and other family members of homicide victims. Soon afterward, she created MOMS — Mothers of Murdered Sons.The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that four women lead the group, including Angela Lee, whose son, Justice Mitchell, 18, was killed in June. Three people have been arrested and charged in connection with his death.Theresa Wynne’s son, Dominique White, was shot and killed by two Topeka police officers in September. Her family has been fighting to view police body camera footage of the incident. The Lawrence Police Department is investigating.In July 2011, Shanta Trice’s father-in-law, James Trice, was found stabbed to death. His slaying remains unsolved, as does that of Kenneth Vetaw.Members of the support group understand what the others are going through and help each other work through their grief.“It’s been a good thing, because we talk all the time,” Leslie Vetaw said.Some of the communication is conducted through a Facebook group where relatives of homicide victims and members of the community have been able to connect. Posts often contain words of encouragement or updates on local homicide investigations and cases.Vetaw said she is frustrated and disappointed with how the Topeka Police Department has handled her son’s case. She said it has been difficult to get in touch with officers involved in the investigation.“I have no confidence in TPD,” Vetaw said.Since she noticed a MOMS, 4A
Newspaper Details
Lawrence Journal World
Lawrence, Kansas, US
Mon, Nov 27, 2017
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Salina P.
KS, USA 27 Apr 2021
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