VA - Justin Eberhart, 38, Portsmouth, 19 Oct 2008

[angelwngs]

Hello to all "Websleuth" members,

My name is Nan Eberhart and I am the mother of Justin Matthew Eberhart, 28 years old, who was shot and killed in Portsmouth, Virginia on October 19, 2008. You have been following this story on "Websleuths" since the beginning and I am grateful for all the support, encouragement and sympathy you have expressed.

The person responsible for Justin's death early that morning has not been arrested or charged with any crime, and this is completely impossible for me to comprehend. I am pleading for justice for my son, who left a five year old daughter to mourn his passing, along with a devastated father, a 21 year old brother who loved him dearly, many other relatives and close friends who are hurting and deperate for answers, and myself, a brokenhearted, inconsolable mother who has lost her first born son.

If anyone is interested in helping us further our attempts to pursue obtaining justice for Justin, I would like to urge you all to write letters to the Commonwealth Attorney in Portsmouth, Virginia. He holds the power to bring charges to the man who killed my son. I ask you to implore him to do his job, which is to prosecute people who have commited crimes. I need the Commonwealth Attorney to be sure that a complete and thoroughly investigated case is presented to him by all detectives involved in this matter. I need him to make wise decisions based on ALL facts and evidence, not just by taking the statements of the four people who were there that morning and closing the case and possibly not bringing charges against the shooter. Justin's dad and I are not giving up the fight to find justice and truth regarding our son's shooting death because we know he would do the same for us. Thank you for any help you can offer and please remember all of us in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Nan Eberhart, a grieving mother in need of assistance

Commonwealth Attorney's Address:

Mr. Earle Mobley
Commonwealth Attorney of the City of Portsmouth
430 Crawford Street, Suite 3
Portsmouth, VA 23704

 

[lizzybeth]

Has anyone tried to contact the local media? I was wondering if one of the stations might be interested in doing a piece on it. If not, and you'd like me to I will. I'm not very good at letter writing but I can give it a try. Maybe if we all did it would have more impact.

 

[angelwngs]

This is my first post - have been reading along with this and many other cases. Thought others might be interested in the link to this memorial site I came across today.

http://justice4justin.gonetoosoon.org/memorial/

I hope that link posts correctly.

Jelly,

I can not express my appreciation enough to you for posting the link to Justin's memorial site. His mom is on her way over to view it here with me for the first time as she has not even seen it. She did not want to be alone when she viewed it the first time, so I suggested that she come by my home and view it here with me before going home.

Many, Many Thanks,
AW

 

[Jelly Doughnut]

AW -

It's the least I could do - but it is really nothing much compared to the amazing help and support so many here have already shown you and Justin's family/friends. I hope, indeed, that there is justice for him soon.

Jelly

 

[angelwngs]

Has anyone tried to contact the local media? I was wondering if one of the stations might be interested in doing a piece on it. If not, and you'd like me to I will. I'm not very good at letter writing but I can give it a try. Maybe if we all did it would have more impact.

Yes, the family has contacted the media, but have heard and seen no response.

In addition, friends and supporters contacted the local television stations prior to the candlelight vigil and two stations reportedly indicated that they would be there but for whatever reason they both were a 'no-show'.

This is the most strange aspect of this case to me, personally. I can not understand why the local media appears to be more interested in solely supporting the local governmental agencies of Portsmouth, rather than showing fair and balanced reports from governmental agencies as well as incorporating concerns of the families, friends and supporters of the victims and of the citizens of Portsmouth.

 

[angelwngs]

AW -

It's the least I could do - but it is really nothing much compared to the amazing help and support so many here have already shown you and Justin's family/friends. I hope, indeed, that there is justice for him soon.

Jelly

Justin's mom is still here with me and thanks you as well for posting his memorial site's link here at Websleuths. She was vey, very touched.

Please keep the prayers and support coming.

 

[angelwngs]

LIS>Code of Virginia>18.2-286


18.2-286. Shooting in or across road or in street.

If any person discharges a firearm, crossbow or bow and arrow in or across any road, or within the right-of-way thereof, or in a street of any city or town, he shall, for each offense, be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

(Code 1950, 33.1-349;1970,cc.14,15;1993,c.322;1994, c. 18.)

To my understanding, and from pictures which I have seen, Justin's blood was covered with sawdust, after the fact, by Julie's husband out of respect for Justin. The sawdust covering Justin's blood was in the street. How could his blood have been in the street if his body was not. In the pictures, I saw no sawdust covering the grass at the edge of Justin's front yard.

Immediately following Justin's death, the shooter could have been held on these charges and interrogated....could he not?

Why was he not charged, held and interrogated further??

This is so frustrating, and confusing... Why have Portsmouth authorities not properly done their jobs?

 

[julie79]

julie79,
I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend the vigil. I didn't get off work in time. I hope it went well. Were there many people there?

I was surprised that they didn't have any news coverage. I watch last night and this morning but there wasn't anything.

The vigil was nice, about 30 people or so came. It was very cold so we are glad they decided to come out and be with us in the cold weather! People got up and said some very nice things about Justin including his supervisor at Lowe's. Justin's dad got up and did a very good job expressing thanks to everyone who came out and who has been helping so far. He let everyone know what they could do as far as writing letters and making calls. The detective came out and parked across the street and just stood there listening to what was being said. It's funny how they are suddenly acting like they care now after a month has gone by.

 

[julie79]

LIS>Code of Virginia>18.2-286


18.2-286. Shooting in or across road or in street.

If any person discharges a firearm, crossbow or bow and arrow in or across any road, or within the right-of-way thereof, or in a street of any city or town, he shall, for each offense, be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

(Code 1950, 33.1-349;1970,cc.14,15;1993,c.322;1994, c. 18.)

To my understanding, and from pictures which I have seen, Justin's blood was covered with sawdust, after the fact, by Julie's husband out of respect for Justin. The sawdust covering Justin's blood was in the street. How could his blood have been in the street if his body was not. In the pictures, I saw no sawdust covering the grass at the edge of Justin's front yard.

Immediately following Justin's death, the shooter could have been held on these charges and interrogated....could he not?

Why was he not charged, held and interrogated further??

This is so frustrating, and confusing... Why have Portsmouth authorities not properly done their jobs?

Yes some of the blood was in the street. Out of respect for Justin's mom and dad I won't go into the details of what my husband and I saw while cleaning up the yard but there was a huge area both in the strret and in the yard. We have also now learned that Justin may have actually been half in and half out of the car. Not sure if that is true or not but someone said that and of course I can't remember who right now. My brain has turned to mush since this all happened! But yes he definitely should have been at least charged with that. There is also a law in Va that makes discharging a firearm within so many feet of an occupied dwelling a crime too. Why wasn't he charged with that either? So many unanswered questions, it's so frustrating!!!

 

[lizzybeth]

Yes, the family has contacted the media, but have heard and seen no response.

In addition, friends and supporters contacted the local television stations prior to the candlelight vigil and two stations reportedly indicated that they would be there but for whatever reason they both were a 'no-show'.

This is the most strange aspect of this case to me, personally. I can not understand why the local media appears to be more interested in solely supporting the local governmental agencies of Portsmouth, rather than showing fair and balanced reports from governmental agencies as well as incorporating concerns of the families, friends and supporters of the victims and of the citizens of Portsmouth.

I think that the vigil for the three teenagers killed in the auto accident in VA Beach was held the same night. I did see that one on television. You'd think they would have more reporters/vans/cameras so that they could show both.

 

[AlwaysShocked]

"Yes some of the blood was in the street. Out of respect for Justin's mom and dad I won't go into the details of what my husband and I saw while cleaning up the yard but there was a huge area both in the strret and in the yard. We have also now learned that Justin may have actually been half in and half out of the car. Not sure if that is true or not but someone said that and of course I can't remember who right now. My brain has turned to mush since this all happened! "

Julie, this is such significant information for someone to have told you! And you say "we" have now learned. Who is "we"? Why not try to do some thinking on exactly where you were and who you were with when you learned this? Only someone who was there could have seen this, right?

 

[angelwngs]

I think that the vigil for the three teenagers killed in the auto accident in VA Beach was held the same night. I did see that one on television. You'd think they would have more reporters/vans/cameras so that they could show both.

TY, lizzybeth. Yes, you would think that media could indeed cover two events on the same night. I appreciate your post explaining about the possibility of the media covering a vigil for the three teenagers. However, it is my understanding that family and friends have written and called media on multiple occasions since Justin's death attempting to get additional requests for an intensive investigation into his homicide out to the general public of Portsmouth. Yet, I have seen and heard of no reports being published or shown by the media.

 

[julie79]

Julie, this is such significant information for someone to have told you! And you say "we" have now learned. Who is "we"? Why not try to do some thinking on exactly where you were and who you were with when you learned this? Only someone who was there could have seen this, right?[/QUOTE]


When I say "we" I mean the family. If I remember right I think it was the neighbor who told me that, and she had already told the police during her interview.

 

[Bobbisangel]

We have also now learned that Justin may have actually been half in and half out of the car. Not sure if that is true or not but someone said that and of course I can't remember who right now. My brain has turned to mush since this all happened!


Are you saying that you have heard that Justin was half in and half out of the car before the killer actually got out of the car and shot him? That sounds like Justin went after the killer first? Did the killer manage to get out of the car and the two fought and the gun went off? I'm trying to understand what this all means. I had thought that the killer got out of the car and went after Justin who had just come out of the garage or something and then the killer shot Justin in cold blood. Maybe it was an accident yet I still want to know why the killer brought his gun along when they went to pick up the girlfriend???????

I also don't understand why the killer hasn't been charged with something because he did bring the gun along with him and he got out of the car with the gun in his hands. Reckless disregard or something. He had to have known there would be problems when they went to pick up the girlfriend so why bring along a gun????

So the family haven't been able to get any answers from LE?

 

[julie79]

Are you saying that you have heard that Justin was half in and half out of the car before the killer actually got out of the car and shot him? That sounds like Justin went after the killer first? Did the killer manage to get out of the car and the two fought and the gun went off? I'm trying to understand what this all means. I had thought that the killer got out of the car and went after Justin who had just come out of the garage or something and then the killer shot Justin in cold blood. Maybe it was an accident yet I still want to know why the killer brought his gun along when they went to pick up the girlfriend???????

I also don't understand why the killer hasn't been charged with something because he did bring the gun along with him and he got out of the car with the gun in his hands. Reckless disregard or something. He had to have known there would be problems when they went to pick up the girlfriend so why bring along a gun????

So the family haven't been able to get any answers from LE?[/QUOTE]


Sorry I was wrong about the car thing, she said half in half out of the yard. I was at the vigil when I heard this and there was so much going on and like I said my brain is not functioning at full capacity since all this so excuse me for putting out wrong information. From looking at the area where he died it is obvious that he couldn't have been in the car at all. I'll try to explain this as best as I can, there is no sidewalk in the neighborhood. Justin's yard goes right out to the street. The bloody area was half in and half out of the yard and then there was an area in a diagonal line from the larger pool that was also bloody. I hope that explains it a little better, and again I'm sorry for the bad info.

 

[morethanconcerned1]

Julie it sounds to me like someone moved Justin from one place to another.

 

[julie79]

Julie it sounds to me like someone moved Justin from one place to another.

Since one of the shots exited out the side of his neck, I was thinking maybe it was arterial spray. Does that sound right? Because it was not a drag mark, more of a spray mark. From what we have been told noone even touched him as he lay there. They were too busy on their cell phones.

 

[morethanconcerned1]

julie79, you may be correct about the arterial injury/spray. I hope the investigators pull those cell phone records. Sounds like from what I have read thus far that LE was a little careless with their alleged investigation. Anyways, you are a remarkable young lady ! You were there in the beginning and I know you will be there until the very end of this horrible tragedy seeking justice for Justin. Your baby daughter will be so proud of Mommy for helping Daddy! God bless you !

 

[amethyst]

I think that the vigil for the three teenagers killed in the auto accident in VA Beach was held the same night. I did see that one on television. You'd think they would have more reporters/vans/cameras so that they could show both.

Is this a small town? Is there only one station? You would think at least one station would cover it. Perhaps letters to the editor of the local paper might stir up some interest. Also is there some type of victim's advocate's type group who might have some connections? Sorry I have so many questions and no answers.

 

[Bobbisangel]

Well now that we know that Justin wasn't near the car it sounds like cold blooded murder. I don't understand why LE isn't doing something about the killer. I would like to know what the people in that car told LE. It seems like LE would be able to tell something by where Justin was shot and how far away the killer was when he shot that gun. They can tell all kinds of things by where the bullet hit the victim, etc. Justin didn't have a weapon so the killer can't say it was self defense. Did the two wrestle over the weapon? Something is holding up the killer being arrested and I just wonder what it is.

Have Justin's parents spoken with LE yet? If so, are they telling them anything at all? Have they gone and talked to Justin's neighbors? That is something I would do myself so I could hear what they have to say with my own ears. Did someone say the parents hired a PI? So many questions I know.

I just hope LE isn't just shuffling this case back and forth on their desks but that they are working on it trying to get at the truth or waiting for the ME's report to come in.