Victims Speak out during National Crime Victims’ Right Week

FORSYTH, Georgia (41 NBC/WMGT) – Imagine finding out one of your loved ones was a victim of a horrific crime, and later learned the person who committed the crime has been released from jail, without your knowledge.

 Monday, families of victims of violent crimes were given a voice as they met with the state parole board to ask for criminals to remain behind bars.

 Sylvia Mays was joined by her sisters they met with the state board of pardons and parole to discuss not allowing Robert King Hamilton, out of prison. Hamilton was convicted of murdering their niece.

 “She was home alone and he broke into the house he raped her and slit her throat, left her for dead,” said Mays. “He covered her body with dirty clothes that were in the house so that no one could find her.”

The women were among 300 other people attending the the 30th annual national crime victim rights week.

A ceremony and open house kicked off the event.
Participants went from table to table to learn about support services in place to assist victims and their families.

Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner, Brian Owens says it event was created to hear from victims and their families.

“Members of the actual Georgia and Parole Board are here today. they are going to spend the entire day here listening victims about their cases so it give them a voice,” said Owens.

Albert Murray is the chairman of the board of pardon and paroles. he says the board is made up of people who are concerned about the victims of crime.

“The parole board is just normal people much like they are. We are parents we have children,” said Murray. “We have people that we love, and we understand the difficulties one goes through when one of their love ones is traumatized. No matter the nature of the crime may be.”