The Metro Atlanta Chapter for the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. has announced the formation of a new grief support group aimed at helping victims and survivors of homicide. The chapter will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Cobb Family Advocacy Center in Marietta.
Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady and Victim Witness Unit Director Kim McCoy have been instrumental in supporting the formation of the chapter, providing administrative assistance and a venue for the meetings. District Attorney Flynn Broady emphasized the importance of ongoing support for victims and survivors, stating, "Our job in this community does not end when we prosecute people who commit murders, we continue to support the victims and survivors."
The leader of the new chapter is Nancy Aguilar, who, along with her husband Frank, lost their only son, 24-year-old Jesse, to a homicide in 2006. Reflecting on their own experience, Nancy expressed gratitude for the support and resources they received from the POMC group, stating, "We were devastated to lose our only son but the support and resources we received from POMC helped us a lot."
The Metro Atlanta chapter is affiliated with the National Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. based in Cincinnati, OH. This is the first and only POMC chapter in Georgia.
In addition to the newly-formed grief support group, the article also provides contact information for various courts and legal entities in Cobb County. These include the State Court, Superior Court, Probate Court, Juvenile Court, Magistrate Court, the District Attorney's office, and the Solicitor General's office.
The State Court hears traffic violation and misdemeanor cases, and the State Court Administration provides administrative support for judges and manages probation cases. The State Court Clerk maintains all State Court records and handles fines and fees.
The Superior Court, on the other hand, handles felony, divorce, and title to land cases. The Superior Court Administration provides administrative support for judges and oversees jury service. The Superior Court Clerk is responsible for maintaining all Superior Court records, including divorce decrees and real estate records.
The Probate Court oversees guardianship appointments, management of decedent estates, and the probate of wills. Additionally, they issue marriage and weapons carry licenses. The Juvenile Court, on the other hand, hears cases involving children under the age of 18.
The Magistrate Court is responsible for issuing arrest warrants, hearing small claims cases, conducting weddings, and offering volunteer mediation. The District Attorney's office handles felony prosecution and appeals, alternative case resolution, victim witness support, and child support enforcement. Finally, the Solicitor General's office investigates crimes, interviews victims and witnesses, and prosecutes misdemeanors.
Overall, the formation of the new grief support group for homicide victims and survivors is a significant step in providing ongoing support and resources to those affected by such tragedies. The local community, along with various legal entities, is working together to ensure that individuals receive the necessary assistance to navigate the grieving process and the criminal justice system.