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This story originally appeared July 17, 2003
| Thursday, Feb 15 2007 3:27 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, Feb 15 2007 3:27 PM
Victim remembered
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Photos:
The Bakersfield Convention Center was used for the Harper funeral in Bakersfield.
Jerry Scott, Kern County Educator, and friend of Joanie Harper, seen in foreground in photo holding Marshall James, her new born son during their funeral service.
Eddie Harper, of Florida, son of Earnestine Harper gives eulogistic remarks at the Bakersfield Convention Center during the funeral for the family of five killed.
Joanie Harper was a childhood friend from kindergarten. We spent nights over at each other's house, making mud pies in the back yard. We attended McKinley Elementary, Emerson Junior High School and Bakersfield High.
Our paths went different directions after high school. They crossed again when we had lunch with some of our classmates updating each other on our lives and children. We decided together to plan a class reunion party at my house a day before the original Bakersfield High Class of '81 reunion, which she attended.
That was the last time I saw her before I moved to Georgia. I will always remember her and her funny laugh.
My condolences go out to her brothers and sisters. Keep praying, as I will too, to find this killer, so justice can be served.
FRANCES E. PATTERSON
Bakersfield
Earnestine lived for justice
I would like to share with you my observations of Earnestine Harper. I had the pleasure of working with her in the Offord Rollins case. She was probably the most dedicated to the cause than anyone else in the Rollins case.
After many hours of planning and strategizing, I never saw her faith waver or doubt that Offord Rollins would be vindicated. She really trusted and relied on God, but she understood that you cannot pray problems away; you have to confront them.
She knew her strength and courage came from God. She was on the front line addressing the police, the district attorney, state attorney general and anyone else she thought would make a difference. She was really concerned about justice for all, regardless of race.
I thank God for having the opportunity to have worked with Earnestine Harper. Her son, Evangelist Eddie Harper, eloquently stated, "I did not know Vincent. We're not here as his judge ... if he is innocent it would be a travesty to judge him outside the court." Her daughter, Linda Piggee, stated that she said it was up to God to judge the perpetrator and she was not willing to pass judgment on Brothers.
We must take their lead. Vincent Brothers is innocent until proven guilty.
ARCHIE A. BAREFIELD JR.
Bakersfield
Leave Brothers alone
The media is doing an injustice to Vincent Brothers. There is obviously no evidence that can tie him to the murders because if there were, he would be in jail. So as for all of the media news, newspapers, etc., let him have time to grieve. Give him space.
We, as a community, have to come together for the Harper family, but we have basically outcasted him from the Bakersfield community his home. It has all been due to the media convicting him before he has been arrested and charged. We should be coming together to find the real killer, instead of harassing someone who has been released from custody before being charged.
STARR GAY
Bakersfield