Saturday, February 16, 2008

"Remember Lori DeKleine as a brave and resilient woman"

"...Lori's contagious optimism, profound and expressive writing, quick wit and sparkling smile were gifts to those who knew and loved her and will carry us through dark nights ahead..."

Excerpted from a letter to the Editor of the Holland Sentinel on January 19th, 2008, titled,

"Remember Lori DeKleine
as a brave and resilient woman"


"...In order to escape the guilt that must be shared corporately for ignoring the signs of abuse, we tend to blame and explain. However, "Did you know ... ?" or "I heard that ... ," only crucify the truth and intensify the pain. Malicious lies were spread for a long time before Lori's death, and perpetuating the existence of such lies is not only destructive and unjust, but it dishonors Lori, her family, friends and this community.
It is time to put the focus where it belongs.
On Jan. 8, two nights before she died, Lori shared her hopes for the future. At the monthly meeting of the FOCUS+ adult ADHD advocacy group, of which she was a member and leader, Lori shared her deep faith and confidently challenged the group to see obstacles as opportunities. Her resiliency and relentless tenacity for finding solutions to problems, encouraged the listeners who were there that night. Diverting attention from herself, she asked us to consider, "What's on your plate? What are you carrying?" She then handed each group a paper plate to pass so each person could share the obstacle she wanted to turn into opportunity for growth in 2008. Lori's contagious optimism, profound and expressive writing, quick wit and sparkling smile were gifts to those who knew and loved her and will carry us through dark nights ahead..."

Saturday, February 2, 2008

DEKLEINE PLEADS NOT GUILTY...

DeKleine pleads not guilty
Trial of police officer accused of killing his wife at her home is scheduled for June
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Holland Sentinel
MEGAN SCHMIDT megan.schmidt@hollandsentinel.com (616) 546-4279 http://www.hollandsentinel.com/stories/020208/local_20080202005.shtml

The Holland police officer accused of killing his wife last month has pleaded not guilty for the charge of open murder.

Ken DeKleine's defense attorney Floyd Farmer confirmed Friday that DeKleine signed a written waiver of arraignment stating his plea after his preliminary exam on Jan. 25.

As a result, an arraignment that had been set for Monday at the 20th Circuit Court in Grand Haven, has been canceled.

A jury trial has been scheduled for June 24.

DeKleine, 44, was taken into custody the day after his wife, Lori, 43, was found dead in her Calvin Avenue home's basement Jan 10. The couple had separated and were going through a divorce before Lori's death.

Farmer declined to comment on why DeKleine might enter a plea of not guilty despite having previously confessed to police that he committed the murder.

Meanwhile, a church leader acting as a spokesman for the family said Friday that DeKleine's two children, Breanne, 18, and Christopher, 16, have returned to class at Holland Christian High School.

"I don't think they are back full-time, but they're trying to get some routine back into their lives," said Brad Ward, elder at Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church.

Principal Tony Stahl said the two children were easing back into their normal schedule.

"We're working with them but also want them to take as much time as they need to," Stahl said.

Ward said the church and some individuals are working to put together a fund in the coming weeks for the children's education.

"They have lives to continue to lead and school and no source of income to do it," he said.