Rochester, N.Y.—It’s a cold November night and Mary James should be indoors getting ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with family.
But a day before Thanksgiving, she and her family were gathered at the corner of North and Wilkins Streets to hold a vigil for James’ son, Terry Crittenden Jr. Crittenden was shot and killed at that corner exactly a year ago.
“My whole life is turned around,” says James “There is a hole in my soul. I miss my son so much, so much.”
Police have yet to charge the people or person responsible for Crittenden’s death and the family held the vigil to call attention to his murder.
“I know my son wasn't the most perfect person in the world,” James says. “But taking someone’s life and thinking you're going to get away with it? It's not going to happen.”
On Wednesday night, about three dozen people sang songs and said prayers for Crittenden’s family.
James says she believes someone has information about her son’s murder—information that could lead to an arrest, but so far, there has been silence.
“You ain’t being a snitch if you know something about this case,” says Terry Crittenden Sr. “You're supposed to come clean and tell us what you know. You're being a coward.”
The family hopes someone has the courage to come forward, so that when the next Thanksgiving comes around, they’ll have some closure.
“You act like you don't want to help out but once it touches your doorstep you'll want some help,” says Crittenden Sr. “You don't feel [the pain] until it touches you.”
If you have any information about this murder or any other homicide you can call CrimeStoppers at 423-9300. Your call can be anonymous and you may even be eligible for a reward if your tip leads to an arrest.
