Molly Young, from the Angels For Molly Facebook page
JACKSON CO., Ill.—Heartbroken family members of the late Molly Young have responded with their own press release regarding the announcement yesterday that prosecutors will not follow through with the investigation into the woman’s March 2012 death.
Larry Young, Molly’s father, has advised Disclosure that he was NOT apprised of the decision by the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office Special Prosecution Unit in Springfield to not prosecute, which was information we posted erroneously yesterday at this article (and then corrected).
We attempted to reach special prosecutor Ed Parkinson yesterday morning in Springfield, but he hasn’t returned our calls.
Young yesterday released this information in a presser from the family:
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There continues to remain a stench like a very heavy fog surrounding not only Molly’s death but Pravin’s, and who knows how many others in Carbondale. It is sickening and disheartening how some unscrupulous prosecutors and investigators treat the Victims’ families with such disrespect and lack of communication or compassion according to the Constitution of the State of Illinois.
ARTICLE I BILL OF RIGHTS
SECTION 8.1. CRIME VICTIM’S RIGHTS.
(a) Crime victims, as defined by law, shall have the following rights as provided by law;
(1) The right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.
(2) The right to notification of court proceedings.
(3) The right to communicate with the prosecution.
(725 ILCS 120/2) (from Ch. 38, par. 1402)
Sec. 2. The purpose of this Act is to implement, preserve and protect the rights guaranteed to crime victims by Article 1, Section 8.1 of the Illinois Constitution to ensure that crime victims are treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice system and to increase the effectiveness of the criminal justice system by affording certain basic rights and considerations to the witnesses of violent crime who are essential to prosecution.
(Source: P.A. 88-489.)
(725 ILCS 120/4.5)
Sec. 4.5. Procedures to implement the rights of crime victims. To afford crime victims their rights, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and corrections will provide information, as appropriate of the following procedures:
(a) At the request of the crime victim, law enforcement authorities investigating the case shall provide notice of the status of the investigation, except where the State’s Attorney determines that disclosure of such information would unreasonable interfere with the investigation, until such time as the alleged assailant is apprehended or the investigation is closed.
(a-5) When law enforcement authorities re-open a closed case to resume investigating, they shall provide notice of the re-opening of the case, except where the State’s Attorney determines that disclosure of such information would unreasonably interfere with the investigation.
It is unconscionable that prosecutors would let the media have their report without contacting our family about our concerns and explaining the findings to us first. This action has followed a disgraceful pattern in these cases with investigators trying to manipulate the outcome from day one by not using due diligence and keeping us informed. This rubber stamp is just another pothole in the road that we will overcome. We now believe closure can only happen if an unbiased independent investigation and prosecution is accomplished.
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We’ll have more on the situation as it develops, and if Ed Parkinson calls us back.
