GUILTY SC - Devon Epps, 7, murdered, Greenville, 12 Aug 2007

[mollymalone]

The posters at the forum state there will be a Candle Light Vigil for Devon..tomorrow 6pm at Greenville Memorial Gardens at Devons gravesite.


EDITED TO ADD: forum poster (Greenville online) "I just heard where her best friend Brandy says she will fight these charges"

DP since she took Devon's life or LWOP, on the low end of the totem pole in prisoner hierarchy and having to be placed with other child murderers and female sex offenders for her own protection. hmmm...

The problem with her getting LWOP, if she's sociopathic or whatever diagnosis label gets put on her, is that if she enjoyed killing him, she'll have more time to relive the enjoyment. It also doesn't mean she'll think about killing him with remorse or any other emotion that the public would wish her to. At least with the DP, she can experience every day with the fear that her life will be taken. Being LWOP she can become institutionalized and accept and adapt to her life behind prison bars without myspace, french nails and partying.

 

[CaliKid]

I want to share this poem with all of you. :blowkiss:



A Prayer For the Children

We pray for children who sneak Popsicles before supper,
Who erase holes in math workbooks,
Who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
Who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
Who never "counted potatoes",
Who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead in,
Who never saw a circus,
Who live in an x-rated world.

We pray for children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,
Who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.

And we pray for those who never get dessert,
Who have no security blanket to drag behind them,
Who watch their parents watch them die,
Who can't find any bread to steal,
Who don't have any rooms to clean up,
Whose pictures aren't on anyone's dresser,
Whose monsters are real.

We pray for children who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
Who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,
Who like ghost stories,
Who shove their dirty clothes under the bed and never rinse out the tub,
Who get visits from the tooth fairy,
Who don't like to be kissed in front of their friends,
Who squirm in church or temple and scream into the phone.
Whose tears we sometimes laugh at,
And whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,
Who will eat anthing,
Who have never seen a dentist,
Who aren't spoiled by anyone,
Who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
Who live and move, but have no being.

We pray for children who want to be carried,
And for those who must be.
For those we never give up on,
And for those who never get a second chance.

For those we smother,
And for those who will grab the hand of anyone kind enough to offer it.

--- Author Unknown

That is a lovely poem, sweetmop. Thank you.

 

[mollymalone]

In the latest reincarnation of ARS's myspace page, she filled out a quiz, and among the questions/responses were these:

The Letter E What's the easiest thing ever to do? *** UP

Th Letter G
Are you a giver or a taker? DEF. A GiVER

The Letter K
Who do you want to kill? THE MAN THE ****ED UP MY LIFE
Do you want kids?: I DONT WANT ANYMORE THAN THE ONE I HAD

The Letter O
What's your one wish? TO GO BACK IN TIME TO 2 MONTHS AGO

The Letter P
What are your pet peeves?: STUPID, JUDGEMENTAL PEOPLE

The Letter R
Do you think you're always right?: NO i ADMiT WHEN iM WRONG

The Letter W
What's your worst fear?: lOSiNG THE ONES i lOVE (THE FEW I HAVE LEFT)

The Letter Y
What's one thing you yearn for?: TO jUST BE HAPPY

 

[philamena]

I want to share this poem with all of you. :blowkiss: A Prayer For the Children

sweetmop,
That's a beautiful poem. Thanks for posting it. :blowkiss:

 

[philamena]

mollymalone,
Thanks for all the wonderful updates you've provided on this case.

 

[SewingDeb]

Sweetmop, that poem made me cry but it is beautiful.

mollymalone, those answers to the quiz are very revealing.

 

[Chicogirl36]

I want to share this poem with all of you. :blowkiss:



A Prayer For the Children

We pray for children who sneak Popsicles before supper,
Who erase holes in math workbooks,
Who can never find their shoes.


WOW sweetmop- your poem REALLY touched my heart- I have been following this case from the beginning and I too, have a son who is 9 years old and is energetic and a typical "wild,crazy, and curious" boy. Ever since I read this story, I have made an effort to spend more time with him and give him en extra hug and kiss each day that poor Devon should have recieved- There are so many options that single mothers have ( and it sounds like she had other relatives that could have taken/watched him if she needed a break) and she took a cowards way out and I hope her punishment fits her crime- Your poem you posted was so profound and deep- I cant stop re-reading it. I apoligize for not continuing- I cant stop crying and praying that sweet baby Devon rests in peace now- God bless you and all the other WS'ers out there that continue to give facts and tips to LE to stop these crazy people.

 

[ceeaura]

Oh thank goodness she has been aressted :woohoo: Watching the video of Devons dad brought tears to my eyes.
http://www.wyff4.com/video/14516380/index.html

Rest in peace now sweet little man and hope justice for you comes very soon.

 

[calidreamin]

Oh thank goodness she has been aressted :woohoo: Watching the video of Devons dad brought tears to my eyes.
http://www.wyff4.com/video/14516380/index.html

Rest in peace now sweet little man and hope justice for you comes very soon.

That brought me to tears too. How could she have done such a thing? That poor sweet baby, I can't imagine the life he had lived with her.

 

[ceeaura]

I just read on the greenville forums and saw this post by babybrea01,

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject: Just to let everyone know CHAD is doing good. He is happy that she finally was arressted. They have waited for this day for so long. They were going to go see Devon's new marker, it is symbolic because it was placed the same day his "MOTHER" was arrested. Thanks to all who have stood by watching and waiting for Justice. Now I can't wait for her trial. She will get WHAT'S COMING. Thank you Lord for giving us this wonderful day.

Wow that is very symbolic.

 

[ceeaura]

Just saw this video at wspa.com

http://www.wspa.com/midatlantic/spa/home.html

Its the second video in the list.Has a lot of footage of Amanda recent arrest bond hearing and from the vigil she put on.

 

[mollymalone]

Sweetmop, that poem made me cry but it is beautiful.

mollymalone, those answers to the quiz are very revealing.

There was more, I have to find it again, quite revealing indeed!

EDITED TO ADD: The link for the answers to that part of a quiz are here:http://forums.greenvilleonline.com/viewtopic.php?t=19948&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=105

The myspace page was set to private, however, a poster at the Greenville forum
"Amanda is a Murderer" was on her friends list and had access, and it is thanks
to her that these were posted.

Here's ARS's answers to other quiz questions that were in different sections
(I didn't copy the entire thing, too long, and the other questions are about
likes/dislikes) :
http://forums.greenvilleonline.com/viewtopic.php?t=19948&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45


{{ KeEp 'eM gUeSsInG }}'s Blurbs
About me:

..:: i ** DONT CHANGE 4 ANYONE ** ::.. ..:: i HAV A HARD TiME SAYiN **NO** ::..

..:: iM FUNNY AS HELL ::..

..:: i ALWAYS FALL 4 DA WRONG GUY ::..
..:: i FALL ON MY FACE AND GET BACK UP AGAIN ::..
..:: Mi HEART iS BROKEN ::..
..:: i APPEAR 2 B A ::..
..:: i LiVE ONE DAY AT A TiME ::..

..:: i BEEN THRU A LOT OF *** JUST LiKE EVERYONE ELSE HAS && THAT STUPiD
SAYiN “WHAT DOESN’T KiLL YA WiLL ONLY MAKE YA STRONGER” iS SO SADLY
TRUE ..:: SOMETiMES WE HAV 2 LOSE EVERYTHiNG 2 SEE WHAT REALLY MATTERS
iN LiFE- && THAT IS **LiFE iTSELF** ..:: SO AS HARD AT SEEMS, PiCK UP THE
PiECES && SUPERGLUE THEM BACK TOGETHER. BE THANKFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
..:: LiFE iS SHORT SO HANDLE WiT CARE!!

7. Are you happy with your life right now?
..:: NOPE ::..

10. How do you make money?
..:: SLANGiN CHiCKEN AND WATCHiNG OLD PEOPLE ::.. (HA HA )

14. Where do you wish you were right now?
..:: FAR FAR AWAY ::..

15. What should you be doing right now?
..:: WORKiNG ::..

2. Did you ever receive an engagement ring?
..:: YUP.. HAHA FOR BOUT 2 MONTHS LOL ::..

1. How many cars have you owned?
..:: A BUNCH LOL ::..

2. How many jobs have you had?
..:: A BUNCH LOL

1. Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
..:: A JOB iNTERViEW YESTERDAY ::..

2. What did you dream last night?
..:: I HAD A NiGHT MARE ::..
6. What is something you've learned about yourself recently?
..:: iM STRONGER THAN i THOUGHT

10. Who was the last person to make you cry?
..:: DCE ::..

12. When was the last time you cried?
..:: TODAY ::..

13. What is one thing you miss about your past?
..:: EVERYTHiNG ::..

14. What is one thing you've learned about life?
..:: THAT iT CAN BE SNATCHED AWAY iN ONE SPLiT SECOND ::..


20. What are you looking forward to?
..:: NOT A DAMN THiNG ::..

21. How are you today?
..:: DEPRESSED ::..

22. What's your worst experience?
..:: DEATH ::..

24. How many things in your past do you regret?
..:: i DUNNO ABOUT REGRET REALLY , MAYBE JUST DOiN A FEW THiNGS A LiL DiFFERENT ::..

25. Do you have a best friend?
..:: ::..

29. If you could change anything about yourself, what would you change?
..:: THE FACT THAT i CARE TOO DAMN MUCH ABOUT EVERYTHiNG AND EVERY BODY ::..

30. Have you ever felt like killing somebody?
..:: LOL YEA , WHO HASNT ? ::..

31. Do you like your life?
..:: *** NO ::..

32. When was the last time you were extremely disappointed?
..:: I STAY DiSAPPOiNTED LAST FEW MONTHS

38. What's one thing you wish you could be better about?
..:: ALOT ::..

40. What are some of your biggest fears of your life?
..:: iM ALREADY FACiNG MY BiGGEST FEAR AND IT SUX ::..

41. Have you ever cried yourself to sleep?
..:: ALL THE TiME ::..

42. Have you ever not been able to get someone out of your head?
..:: YEP ::..

46. What's the one thing you hope to accomplish in your life?
..:: TO FiNiSH SCHOOL

50. Do you believe in love?
..:: NO ::..

 

[mollymalone]

mollymalone,
Thanks for all the wonderful updates you've provided on this case.

You're welcome but Thank You to all who've been keeping up with the local forum and providing updates!



http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/NEWS01/311060001/1004/NEWS01

Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Bob Ariail said the case is eligible for the death penalty because of the victim’s age, but he hasn’t decided if he would seek it in the event of a conviction.

“Whether or not we would seek the death penalty would be a matter of us considering the strength of the case and other considerations,” he said.

Loftis declined to elaborate on a possible motive, evidence or forensic testing, saying they would be revealed in court. He wouldn’t say where or when investigators believe the strangulation happened, or whether they thought a weapon was involved."

"Ariail said investigators involved his office from the outset to ensure that the investigation “would pass the necessary test in court.”

 

[mollymalone]

From the same link:http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/NEWS01/311060001/1004/NEWS01


"Devon’s father, who works as a painter, said he and Amanda Raegan Smith had a relationship, but they never married and broke up several years ago.

“I let go of her, but I never let go of my son,” he said.

Epps said he last saw his son about a week before the boy went to the beach with his mother over the summer. He said they visited Caesars Head State Park and rode a Harley-Davidson.

He said he wants his son remembered as “a little boy” who never had a chance to go to high school, get a driver’s license or find a girlfriend.

“He always asked about Jesus, so I know where he’s at,” Epps said. "

 

[Taximom]

Just saw this video at wspa.com

http://www.wspa.com/midatlantic/spa/home.html

Its the second video in the list.Has a lot of footage of Amanda recent arrest bond hearing and from the vigil she put on.

I don't know if I watched the same video you did, but it was very interesting. Thanks for the link!

I hadn't seen a lot of "live" video of Amanda Smith before. She looks MEAN.

 

[mollymalone]

I don't know if I watched the same video you did, but it was very interesting. Thanks for the link!

I hadn't seen a lot of "live" video of Amanda Smith before. She looks MEAN.

Definitely a far cry from the pics she posted on her myspace pages.
Perhaps she was posting her "younger" pics from a few years ago.

 

[ceeaura]

I don't know if I watched the same video you did, but it was very interesting. Thanks for the link!

I hadn't seen a lot of "live" video of Amanda Smith before. She looks MEAN.

You are welcome.I haven't saw a lot of video of her either.I too thought that was very interesting and my thought was she looked like a cold woman.Even at the vigil *shivers* I would not have been able to stand or have my face set as she did.So sad for little Devon.My heart breaks for what he had to go through.

 

[ceeaura]

Definitely a far cry from the pics she posted on her myspace pages.
Perhaps she was posting her "younger" pics from a few years ago.

Yes I thought the same thing mollymalone.

 

[CaliKid]

Devon deserved a chance to grow up. I'm glad he will finally get justice, but I so wish she had chosen a different path if she felt she didn't want to be a mom.

I just don't understand why these women have to be so self-centered when it comes to their children- give them to the father or another relative if you can't deal with the stress. Don't kill them. That poor little baby.

 

[mollymalone]

One poster close to the family had previously stated that Devon had been diagnosed with ADHD and had been given medicine for it, but that ARS refused to give it to him, even when they were to get free assistance for him.

Another has now stated that Devon had Tourette's and that ARS also had it, but in her it only "caused a slight twitch."

Regardless of whether Devon had either, he deserved to live a full and happy life. There were others in the family who watched him when she was working or wanted to go party. There were other options for her to take, other than murdering him.