Nelson's Supporters Speak Out

Nearly 60 people crowded Courtroom 3A at the Cobb State Court on Tuesday morning to witness the sentencing hearing of Raquel Nelson, the mother convicted this month of in the April 10, 2010 accident that killed her 4-year-old son, A.J.

The crowd could not hold back its applause, cheers and sighs of relief when Judge Kathryn Tanksley sentenced Nelson to 40 hours of community service and offered the option for a new trial.

Many of those in attendance were Nelson’s supporters and were members of civil rights organizations, such as the NAACP, SCLC and The Action Network. Others were Nelson’s friends, family members and coworkers; others had never laid eyes on Nelson, but wanted to attend the sentencing hearing to show their support.

At the hearing, Beverly Word, who was A.J.’s Pre-K teacher, said “I feel that probation, jail time and parenting classes” are for those who “are paying a debt to society. Every day that she gets up and keeps moving, her debt’s paid.”

Thomas Casillas read a letter from Nelson’s father, George Nelson, who lives in South Africa and could not make it to the hearing.

“Even here we are appalled by the mighty American justice system in this case…Let my family heal,” George Nelson’s letter read.

Lisa Cupid, a South Cobb resident, helped deliver about 17 letters from Nelson’s supporters to the judge today.

Although Cupid said she was relieved that Nelson was not sentenced to serve any time, she was not satisfied with Nelson’s probation terms.

“I feel like her sentencing, it doesn’t just criminalize her, but people in like circumstances whose sole transportation is their feet,” Cupid said.

Helen Miskell also attended the sentencing hearing and found hope in the outcome. Miskell is a South Cobb resident whose husband died in December when he was dropped off by a CCT bus on Floyd Road and was struck by a driver as he crossed the street at night.

The woman who struck Miskell's husband has not been charged.

"I really do feel her pain," Miskell said.

Miskell said she hopes Nelson's case will bring more attention and support to the issue of pedestrian safety.

"Our next step is the Capitol," Miskell said.