New witness protection law in their names a fitting legacy for murdered young couple
Javier Erik Olvera, Rocky Mountain News
Published June 21, 2006 at midnight
AURORA - Holding hands, two mothers - brought together by their children's love and tied by their deaths - made their way into a memorial service Tuesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the day their kids were killed.
They didn't say a word as they took their seats to remember Javad Marshall Fields, who was shot to death with his fiancée, Vivian Wolfe, a week before he was to testify in a murder trial.
The mothers, Rhonda Fields and Christine Wolfe, have spent the better part of the year fighting for a law that would train officials how to spot cases where someone's life could be in danger and offer witness protection.
In a room filled with about 150 people - including prosecutors, police officials and state lawmakers - the pair were honored for their effort with copies of a law created in their children's names.
"I do believe that the justice system failed my son," said Fields before the ceremony at Aurora City Hall.
"Prior to this legislation, there was no training for officials," Fields said.
The law - which goes into effect in July - renames the state's witness protection program after Marshall Fields and Wolfe, who were both 22 when they were shot to death. It requires district attorney offices and law enforcement agencies across the state to provide education and risk assessment on witness protection to prosecutors, victim advocates and law enforcement officers.
Officials are then required to offer witness protection - which includes relocation assistance - to those whose lives could be at risk for their involvement in a case.
"Today is a good day," Fields said. "I don't want to see any other parent lose their child just because they were willing to participate in the (legal process)."
An Arapahoe County grand jury indicted Robert Ray, 20, Sir Mario Owens, 21, and Parish Carter, 24, three months ago on charges that they killed the couple to stop the murder trial. Marshall Fields was considered the prime witness in the trial against Ray, an alleged gunman in a July 4, 2004, shooting at Lowry Park that left Gregory Vann, 20, dead.
Marshall Fields was injured in that shooting, and worked with Aurora police during the investigation that led to charges against Ray and Owens.
Investigators say the tension leading up to the trial culminated with a hail of more than a dozen bullets that killed Marshall Fields and Wolfe on the night of June 20, 2005.
Marshall Field's sister, Maisha Pollard, can't get the call from her mother telling her that her brother and his fiancée were dead out of her head.
"Something died within me," said the Los Angeles resident, who for a time after his death called her brother's cell phone so she could hear his outgoing message and not forget the sound of his voice.
"There have been days and nights where we felt the sorrow would never let up. But we stood up on the shoulders of the community . . . in spite of everything happening."
One by one, leaders - including Sen. Peter Groff, R-Denver, Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, and Rep. Michael Garcia, D-Aurora - took turns thanking the women for pushing for reform.
Arapahoe County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Hower, the lead prosecutor in the case against the three men, said the number of people who attended the event speaks volumes about the women and their dedication.
olveraj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5113
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