and many of the local cyclists said they’ll be back again to support Stone’s family and represent Bend’s biking community. Witt will be back in court for her arraignment on Feb. The judge also ordered Witt to wear an alcohol monitor, banned from purchasing or consuming alcohol and put on house arrest. The judge did not raise Witt’s bail but he did agree to revoke Witt’s driving privileges. During her first court appearance on Tuesday, the state attorney asked that Witt’s bail be increased, that she be put on house arrest, that she be given an alcohol monitor and that her driving privileges be revoked. She posted 10 percent of this amount and, per Oregon law, was released from jail. Roughly 30 local cyclists and community members attended today’s hearing to support Stone’s family. 30 when her car crossed over into the opposite lane and struck 38-year-old Marika Stone who was biking with two other people near the corner of Dodds and Obernolte Road in Deschutes County. Witt was allegedly driving under the influence on the evening of Dec. Lara, a 32-year-old former COCC campus safety officer, is accused of abducting 23-year-old Sawyer as she was walking home, killing her on the college campus and dumping her body in a canyon west of Redmond in July 2016. Sawyer’s grandfather Jim Walden walked out during Lara’s statement and returned with the rest of Sawyer’s family. I ask you to please heal the hearts of this family, of everyone who is in this place today, and that Kaylee Sawyer rest in peace Amen.” God Almighty, who art in Heaven, I’ll ask you please, heal the hearts of this community. Someday, I would like to speak to whoever will listen.
I don’t have much to say to you at this moment. “Today, I’ve seen your pain,” said Lara, who turned around to address those gathered in the courtroom, rather than the judge. Much of Sawyer’s family, including her friends, coworkers, mother and paternal grandparents all chose to leave the courtroom and returned after Lara’s statement. Sawyer’s coworkers both delivered tearful testimony about how her murder has affect their lives and work and Sawyer’s father, the only person who addressed the court from the witness stand, held back tears before echoing that his daughter’s voice was not silenced by her murder.Īfter a brief recess Lara was able to address the court. Sawyer’s father, paternal grandparents and co-workers from Awbrey Dental Group read their impact statements this afternoon. The court took a break after testimony from Sawyer’s mother, maternal grandparents and friend. Sawyer’s maternal grandparents, Jim and Sharon Walden, and family friend Doug Gray all expressed frustration at Lara’s plea deal, which allowed him to avoid the death penalty that was being sought by District Attorney John Hummel, by pleading guilty. “I don’t even want to have children anymore because I know that monsters exist,” said Sawyer’s friend. She also said she still struggles to sleep or to be alone at night. One of Sawyer’s friends who testified said she regularly reaches for her phone to text or call Sawyer before she remembers that she can’t.
“I’ll always be the mother of a murder victim, but your mother will always be the mother of a murderer and a rapist,” said VanCleave.
Sawyer’s mother Juli Walden VanCleave said to Lara during her statement, “You have failed to silence her.” Talking about how Sawyer’s death united the community and there is now a foundation and a scholarship in her honor. With that Judge Adler allowed impact statements from Sawyer’s friends and family.
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