UPDATED
On June 18, 1997, after almost five months on the run they finally caught the monster who murdered Barbara. I am sitting here typing this with tears streaming down my face...so many prayers have been answered and NOW Kenneth will have to face what he has done. He was captured in Burlington, NC about two and a half hours from where the crime took place...he had been living there since May...he had completely changed his appearance and luck was on our side that there was a break in the case and he was found! They interviewed Barbara's family shortly after the capture and they were relieved that he had been caught but they know there is still a long way to go before justice will be served if it ever is....Barbara's parents said they would never have recognized him but Emily...Barbara's daughter said she would have recognized his ugly face anywhere...Emily is so bitter...she has been in extensive counselling since the murder and they say she still hasn't cried..its so sad to think about the effect this is all going to end up having on Emily...she will never grow up to be the woman she would have been had Barbara not been murdered...the light is gone from Emily's eyes and she is so sad and bitter...Please pray for this family that Emily will be okay and that Kenneth will get what he deserves. His first trial date is July 2, 1997 I'll keep everyone posted as to what happens when I know more. They are also going to auction off his property beginning on August 2. The Absher family won a wrongful death suit while Kenneth was on the run and his estate has to pay Emily over nine million dollars or what is taken in by the sale...we all know this won't bring Barbara back but the money won't benefit Kenneth or his family either! Thanks again for all the prayers and support please keep it coming because it still isn't over!
UPDATED
Over a year has passed since Barbara's sensless murder and I still can't believe she is gone...the pain is a little less but I still think about her all the time and I miss her so...The trial is set to start shortly...but from what I hear the death penalty isn't going to be saught...not sure why lots of rumors seem to be flying around the place...some true some not...Its a shame that even in death Barbara is still being abused..she should be allowed to rest in peace and her family and friends should be able to grieve and find a little comfort in knowing that the monster who did this will pay with his life...but it doesn't seem that that is going to happen...please continue to pray for justice and for Barbara's family. Barbara you are an angel who will always be remembered for your kindness, gentleness and love...we miss you...always...Septemember
21, 1998....iI'm sitting here with such a sense of loss and
hostility....Life is so unfair! Marvin Kenneth Bell was sentenced
today to a total of no less than 17 years and no more than 21 and
a half years in prison for Barbara's murder. The scum which I
might add is a kind name for him was allowed to plead guilty to
SECOND degree murder and felonious breaking and entering. He was
scheduled to go to trial sometime in Novemeber but made a plea
bargin. Some of the reasons for accepting the plea bargin were
that after interviewing certain witnesses, the memory of some of
thime and thier recollection of events leading up to and on the
day of the murder had changed somewhat and that if they proceeded
with the trial that Emily would have to take the stand (Em is
Barb's 13 year old daughter) and she is still having extreme
difficulty dealing with all that has happened. Finally it became
apparent and was a concern that there was ample evidence to
suggest that Bell used drugs...particularly cocaine on the day of
the murder and his diminished capacity would be raised as a
defense. So in order to save a lot more grief and with the slim
chance that he might get out of paying for the crime completely
the family all agreed to allow him the plea bargin with the
knowledge that he would be given the most aggravated sentence
possible for his record level and that the sentences run
consecutively to each other
TRIAL RESULTS
As
part of the plea arrangement between the state and defense
attorneys Bell stood and apologized to Barb's family which filled
half of the courtroom. He stated that "I'm very sorry for
the pain and hurt I caused...""IF I could change it I
would. I'm very sorry. Please forgive me for this. Bell also
pledged that he wouldn't have anyone bother or harass Barb's
family in any way which was also part of the agreement. After
hearing Bell's statement Barb's mom stood and responded saying
"You have created the worst nightmare this family could ever
imagine," "You have made our lives torment since that
day, there is no punishment in the world that is good enough for
you." The results of the autopsy showed that Barbara had
been shot first in the stomach and that she was still alive when
he shot her in the head...it is sad knowing that she was alive
and probably begging for her life and this moster didn't care he
just stood there and shot her again...how can anyone be so cruel.
I don't think I will ever be able to accept what happened to Barbara and the results of what happened at the hearing you can't say trial because there wasn't one. I have lost a dear friend that I will never again see is this life. A dear gentle soul who loved everyone animals included. A person who would go out of her way to help anyone and would never harm another soul. Barbara never saw life easy up until the day of her death but she was trying to fix things and to pull her life together and make things better for her and Emily...she had left this monster for good but it was too late. I will always remember Barbara and I will always miss her sweet smile and bubbly personality. Kenneth took her away from all that loved her and deprived Emily of so much that she deserved. I will never think he got what he deserved...there was no sentence big enough and no penalty severe enough for him but I realize we must put closure to this and get on with life...this is what Barbara would want. Rest well sweet friend and one day we will all be together.
Barbara Eldridge Absher a wonderful mother, daugher, sister and friend you will never be forgotten...you deserved so much more in life..you deserved happiness and you deserved to live a life without the fear of abuse. Always know you were loved, will always be loved and remembered. Goodbye my dear dear friend.......
I want to thank all of you in cyberspace who have read Barb's story and offered your kind words and thoughts, and prayers they mean so much. I also want to say once again if you are in an abusive relationship or you know someone who is PLEASE Please leave while you can...your life is worth to much to loose...just remember what happened to Barbara and think if you stay it could be you, or someone you love.