Victim had worked to reduce violence against women / LJWorld.com

Archive for Saturday, July 5, 2008

Friends and family of a Lawrence murder victim hope to keep her memory alive. On Wednesday, friends and family gathered for a celebration of life to remember Jana Mackey.

By Jesse Fray

July 5, 2008

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Suspect sought in student's slaying (07-05-08)

Family, friends and educators on Saturday remembered Jana Mackey as a passionate and motivated woman who was dedicated to community service.

Mackey, 25, of Hays, was found dead Thursday inside a home at 409 Mich.

She was a second-year law student at Kansas University.

"Everybody that knew her ... is really going to miss her," said Beth Cateforis, a Kansas University clinical associate professor.

Mackey was a devoted advocate for women's rights and worked in the Statehouse as a lobbyist, said Sylvie Rueff, who worked with her in the National Organization for Women, where Mackey was dedicated to reducing violence against women.

"It appears now she's been the ultimate victim," Rueff said. "I really could not believe she got killed because she was just such a remarkable woman."

Sarah Jane Russell, executive director of the Ga Du Gi Safe Center, said Mackey worked as volunteer advocate for the nonprofit organization that provides support for survivors of sexual assault.

"Advocates are people who are on call 24/7 ... they do the front-line work with victims; they're the ones who have heart. It takes a heart, and it takes being honey on steel, and she had that ... she had everything, and above all she had compassion for others," Russell said.

Mackey was still on the list of advocates but was on hiatus during law school, Russell said.

"There are no answers. There are a thousand questions, and there always are when it involves domestic violence and sexual assault issues," Russell said.

Mackey was enrolled this summer in the Paul E. Wilson Defender Project at KU, where she represented federal prisoners in appellate and post-conviction litigation in state and federal courts.

"I think we have pictures of her dog up in our workroom," said Cateforis, supervising attorney for the Defender Project. "It's going to be very weird to clean up after her. I really don't know what I'm going to do."

Cateforis said Mackey was vibrant and had a lovely sense of humor.

"She was a pleasure," Cateforis said. "I always looked forward to walking into class and seeing her smile and hearing what she had to say or hearing her big laugh."

Mackey also was a singer and actress, receiving honors as an undergraduate for her theater performances. She was also given several scholarships for her law school work.

- 6News director Cody Howard and staff writer Janet Reid contributed to this report.

Discussion

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5 July 2008
at 8:24 a.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

What in the world was this “wonderful” 26 year old woman doing with this violent loser that is 46 years old? SHe was having a “relationship” with him and knew he had a record?
5 July 2008
at 9:08 a.m.

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TheEleventhStephanie (Anonymous) says…

Ah yes, blaming the victim.
5 July 2008
at 9:58 a.m.

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vavs0929 (Anonymous) says…

No one is blaming the victim… its just questionable for her to have been in that situation in the first place. No one is downplaying the tragedy; there are definitely a lot of details that need to be filled in, but sadly, they probably never will.
5 July 2008
at 10:13 a.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

I don't see Asbestos “blaming” the victim here but rather asking a perfectly legitimate question and one which is going to come up in the course of the investigation.Although there is nothing necessarily wrong with a 26 year-old being “with” a 46 year-old; narrowing the scope of the question to something like, “What was going on here that this violent three-time loser was so able to gain acceptance into the local art community?”“Was the guy *THAT* charismatic or was he merely a really good con man?”“Why were the red flags which were clearly up for all to see not really observed?”This very sad case is most certainly not the fault of the victim, so please do not interpret my post as suggesting any such thing and I think also that you should let Asbestos off that hook as I'm sure making this tragedy the victim's fault was not on the agenda!
5 July 2008
at 10:19 a.m.

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notwhatyourthink (Anonymous) says…

I don't think Asbestos is intending to be cruel with this point. It is kinda odd that you are a victim advocate and you are part of a group that works to defend the scum like this guy. http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2004/sep… does that say to the victims of violence? Your abuser is really not that bad?Look at this guys past. People like him should be locked up forever. This should be a slap in the face for those of you that don't think so. Read this article http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/oct… lets all give them a fresh start. To Cateforis, you really don't know what to do? Well I hope it makes you think twice and three times about who you give your efforts to defend. One who commits violence against another will not be rehabilitated and will commit violence again. I think the biggest tragedy here is that this monster was let go. A poor young girl who like everyone else in Lawrence has their head in the sand and think everyone is good no matter what they do is now dead.
5 July 2008
at 10:21 a.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

Actually the question was what is a woman that was working to reduce violence against women was doing in a relationship with a woman abuser? Somebody that had actually used a weapon on a woman (though nothing is acceptable, nor is assaulting or threatening a woman, nor do you need to think I am a blood thirsty woman beater just because you disagree with me politically).I am not blaming anyone here, I am at a loss for explaniation how in the world these two could get together in the first place. How could an advocate against a man like this end up with a realationship with a man like this? She knew this was a difficult behavior to change.
5 July 2008
at 10:23 a.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

46 years of age too, and cannot speak english? What is his immigration status. In the “old world” such as Mexico, women are treated this way, heads up ladies.

5 July 2008
at 10:35 a.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Again, Asbestos makes a perfectly legitimate point and an accurate one at that.Now wait for the calls for Asbestos to be put into the stocks.
5 July 2008
at 10:50 a.m.

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50YearResident (Anonymous) says…

My guess (and only a guess) is that the attacker in this tragedy hid his past by using an alias and Jana was not aware of his past offenses against women. It is so easy to get enamored by an “artist” who seems to be famous both in this town and in Cuba and not even consider that he might have a hidden dark past. I bet when the truth finally comes out there will be many more incidents come to light perpetrated by this person.
5 July 2008
at 10:52 a.m.

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readit (Anonymous) says…

I was invited to this artist's show last year, (or maybe the year before), and declined to go after his violent profile was printed in the paper. Seems my instincts were correct. Sometimes you need to listen to the little voice inside your head.
5 July 2008
at 10:54 a.m.

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mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…

Well, it's been resolved in other threads (not necessarily on ljworld.com) that Fito was a Cuban boat refugee. And, any of you knowledgeable of Cuban immigration policy is that, as long as they step on our shores, they are granted asylum. Mexico has absolutely nothing to do with this. Marion does bring forth a worthy question about the Lawrence art community. I've always thought of the art community as elitist, exclusionist, and to a certain extent, racist. Only the pretty people are allowed.
5 July 2008
at 11:03 a.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

Well, actually Marion and asbestos should both be put in stocks, for a variety of differing reasons. But Asbestos, who yells frequently that the world is going to h*** because of current broken immigration policies, wasn't smart enough to cogitate on the status of Cuban exiles as being totally legal. And if he was smart enough to remember this, we then have to raise that ugly racism word. Either option is not a complimentary one to him. As for the victim, she was obviously smarter, more sensitive, and more compassionate that most posters here. She participated in the KU Law Defender project, which says a lot by itself. And she undoubtedly believed, unlike so many here, in possible rehabilitation after incarceration. But that is a separate and difficult topic by itself. Condolences to this lady's classmates, friends, and family.
5 July 2008
at 11:10 a.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

“And, any of you knowledgeable of Cuban immigration policy is that, as long as they step on our shores, they are granted asylum.”Yes but asylum can be revoked (and should be) when the petitionee commits a violent felony, and does time. He was supposed to be deported, an asylum revoked.. This is not they type of people we need to be giving second chances in our society. We gave them one major break already, and they choose to disrespect it and do their selfish crap…and kill an American Citizen!Most you piillering me, do not know immigration law, and your opinions are a great indicator of that ignorance.
5 July 2008
at 11:13 a.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

” I've always thought of the art community as elitist, exclusionist, and to a certain extent, racist. Only the pretty people are allowed.”Wow!?! Nothing additional needs to be said here.
5 July 2008
at 11:15 a.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

asbestos: your rants on immigration….and they are not discussion; they are rants… on these boards and cjonline and the mercury are numerous and well known. You have some serious issues.

5 July 2008
at 11:20 a.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

“This is not the type of people we need to be giving second chances in our society.”Yea. Let's deport all incarcerated people back to their ancestral lands.
5 July 2008
at 11:23 a.m.

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jrlii (Anonymous) says…

“It appears now she's been the ultimate victim,”I pray that she is, put knowing what I know about this world and mankind, there will always be new victims. If everyone took charge of his or her own personal security, there would be far fewer, but stll, people will be victimized.
5 July 2008
at 11:26 a.m.

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ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…

OK, fine then,where is the guy?Do you think he will actually be found?Not likely, he left for San Francisco or Florida.He is but a ghost.
5 July 2008
at 12:13 p.m.

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Kropotkin (Anonymous) says…

As usual, Asbestos and Marion Lynn are looking at the world out of their backsides.This guy was a right-winger, like them, probably one of 125,000 Marielitos losers thrown out of Cuba in 1980. We've welcomed a lot worse, convicted narcoterrorists such as Dr. Orlando Bosch and Luis Posada Carriles. Posada came into the US with forged documents and a Bush-appointed judge set him free. The CIA had bribed the president of Panama four years ago to pardon him for an assassination attempt and release him from prison there, but their Supreme Court recently revoked that and other paid-for clemency . I expect John McCain may travel to Florida to kiss his hind quarters in an effort to secure the emigre vote. He's sold his soul to everyone else, so why stop now?Thanks Asbestos and Marion, for reminding us once again which side you're on.
5 July 2008
at 12:24 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Kropotkin:Get your facts straight and slow down your spinning top!”Fito” did come to the USA until the middle nineties!you wrote:”This guy was a right winger.”Interesting comment and decisively proves:(1) That you don't know what you are talking about.(2) That your lies are quite intentional.From his MySpace (Which plays “Dust In The Wind” as background music!):”cubanito's Blurbs About me:Fito Garche was born in Havana,Cuba in 1971 and graduate from the ISDI an interior desing in 1995.While living in Cuba,he made a living as a working artist,showing his work in Havana galleries as well as in Mexico and brazil. In 1994,cuban dictator Fidel Castro removed exit restrictions for people wanting to leave Cuba.Goverment surveillance of Garche and his family was escalating due to the controversial nature of his art,so he joined the thosands who risked their lives fleeing the Comunist country.One sees how the loss is processed through the eyes of this artist ,whose beliefs are birthed out of the two dominant religions of the island,Catholicism and “Santeria”the espiritual wisdom brought the africans.with the syncretism of these two faiths,Fito demostrates in his art the melting of two realities under one hegemonic system.He plays whith the powerful acts of creation and death,the points of transcendence and mutation,expressing the mistery that surrounds the process of life.His images are a cry for a people that are not permitted to speak for themselves.With his love for life and his sence of conmpassion for all humans Fito can finally paint the unspeakable,whithout censure,his trth,allowing the people of Kansas a inside perspective,diving deeper than the words printed in the newspaper or the images on the television.Living amoungst us,Fito Garche speaks of the love hi has for this beautiful island of Cuba that is shielded in barbed wire.Through his creations,the distance of Cuba becomes irrelevant and one witnesses the human struggle for way a better life. He has been painting and sculpting in Miami,Kansas City and Lawrence and plans on staying in the area.His work is now showing in museums and private collections in the caribbean,South America,Central America,europe and the United States. by Bill Woodard Lawrence Museum”
5 July 2008
at 12:33 p.m.

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Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

It is obvious this womans life was full of contradictions. At some point it will be appropriate to discuss those. Prior to her burial and before her family, friends, and classmates have had chance to mourn her loss it not the time. Any political or ideological points that you are rushing to make will fall on grief stricken deafness. There will be plenty of time and opportunity in the future for those of us still living to discuss Jana's death, but now is the time to reflect on the magnitude of our loss.
5 July 2008
at 12:48 p.m.

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Kropotkin (Anonymous) says…

Before you posted, Marion, I'd discovered my speculation about the alleged killer being a Marielito may have been in error. I was just coming back to the story to post a correction when I found your post calling me a “liar.” Had you actually been able to read the English language, you would have seen that I never claimed that Fito had been kicked out in 1980. I found a reference that he's been allowed to leave in 1994, but you have apparently depended on his own statements to claim his graduation from an institute a year after his departure, if that is correct. Of course he would never lie. Except when disclosing his age (he knocked 10 years off it) or confronted with charges, of course: (From the LJW in '94) According to a police report, (Fito) choked (his ex-girl friend), struck her and cut her on the arm with the knife. She notified police after she was able to get away from the scene, Ward said.Zabel said in court that the woman and Garche had been in a two- or three-year relationship that she cut off in May. Zabel also said Garche was on felony diversion in Douglas County after being charged earlier this year with making a false writing.Garche, a critic of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, has said he fled Cuba in the mid-1990s after the government persecuted him for political statements in his art. He was featured in a recent Journal-World series about the toughening of the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba.”Cuban artist reflects on intersection of Communism, faith (12-14-03) His paintings explore topics including the suppression of religion under Castro and the emotional pain caused by the U.S. embargo.”He apparently is also a religious nut, much like yourself, Marion.Of course, I don't expect you to start checking facts this late in life, given your I.Q. or your politics.
5 July 2008
at 12:50 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Many women involved in 'causes' get involved with a man they meet there. Hollywood has even glamorised this. Women “saving men, reforming them”.And a perp like this would definitely pick up on a young caring woman.May even be a love/hate thing in his head. Love the attention you are showing me, hate your attitude on men like me “being bad”.

5 July 2008
at 1:15 p.m.

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jaywalker (Anonymous) says…

Deepest sympathies for Jana's family and friends.
5 July 2008
at 1:19 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

check out the other article..this time today.fact or fiction?
5 July 2008
at 1:30 p.m.

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bmaestas (Brad Maestas) says…

I didn't know her personally but I know many people that did know her and this is tragic by all accounts. Just this afternoon I was told by a city employee that Garcia was successfully apprehended in New Jersey however, the coward succeeded in taking his own life by asphyxiating himself. My deepest condolences to her family and close friends.RIP Jana
5 July 2008
at 1:58 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Well, Komrade Kropotkin, you have yet again been caught in lies; this time not one but *TWO*!Lie Number One:Kropotkin wrote:”Before you posted, Marion, I'd discovered my speculation about the alleged killer being a Marielito may have been in error.”Marion writes:”…may have been in error.”?Marion writes:”May have been?”How about 100% wrong because you didn't check your facts before trying and pathetically trying to lie.And yeah, you sure checked your facts *AFTER* I pointed out that you were 100% wrong!Lie Number Two:Kropotkin wrote:”He apparently is also a religious nut, much like yourself, Marion.”Marion writes:I dunno about the Famous Artist Fito but some people may consider me to be a “religious nut” because I am *NOT* a Christian, *NOT* a Jew, *NOT* a Buddhist, *NOT* a Muslim, *NOT* any sort of religious person and have so stated many, many times on this forum and others.You really should do your homework or at least improve the quality and therefore believeability of your spin and lies if you are going to continue this sort of behaviour.In future when viewing Kropotkin's posts, I suggest that the Gentle Readers simply move along as there is nothing to see in them.
5 July 2008
at 2 p.m.

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jkealing (Jonathan Kealing) says…

Hi all,Lawrence police have confirmed that Adolfo Nunez-Garcia was arrested in Elizabeth, N.J., last night. He was booked into jail where he took his own life sometime over night, police said. We have a story in the works and we're trying to track down more information. Jonathan KealingOnline editor
5 July 2008
at 2:26 p.m.

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hinomayo (Anonymous) says…

Fito was the typical male who ends up killing a woman who questions anything about his reputation, even down to how well he make a cup of coffee. While everyone is analyzing his artistic and nationality purposes, none of this relates to how he perceives women, or even the life of another man, as its just the usual set of excuses to “explain” this guys hatred for Jana Mackey. And, yes, there is this same old thing taught to women, even the social workers, psychologists and lawyers are guilty of this, that if they think they are in some position of authority where they have an illusion of being “safe” from having something violent happening to them, they believe they are quite capable of “fixing” the problem by sympathizing with the violent person. In other words, if they flatter, show kindness and loads of “kissing up” to that person, then that person could never possibly do anything “really bad” to them. I suspect that Jana had a rather critical opinion underneath, as do most gals like her and others, of those women who are victims of violence, by assuring herself that nothing would ever happen to her because she is more knowledgable and understanding of this kind of guy. Somewhat like the person who assumes that every criminal “knows” they are carrying a weapon of self defense such as a gun, so therefore, the criminal is so fearful and respectful of them…like that criminal automatically is a mind reader from fifty yards.
5 July 2008
at 2:27 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Thanks Jonathan
5 July 2008
at 2:44 p.m.

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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

Asbestos, don't you know that you can't say anything bad about any immigrant, ever (legal or illegal)? Most people in Lawrence would be happy to fill all open jobs with illegals and ban English.

5 July 2008
at 3:19 p.m.

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vavs0929 (Anonymous) says…

I find it hard to believe that she didnt know about his past. I think she probably did but he somehow managed to assure her of his innocence or reform since the incident. I think perhaps the worst part of all of it is that he killed himself…coward. And I do find it funny that he needed a translator…I think he could speak english just fine, just chose not to…
5 July 2008
at 5:01 p.m.

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moxxie_mama (Anonymous) says…

What a bunch of f'd up bs you people spew. Trying to get inside her mind, what she knew, what she didn't know…this is what happens with women who were abused, the blame gets thrown back on them. BS. Women never fall in love with an abuser. They fall in love with very charming men and sometimes the signs that they're going to abuse aren't so very crystal clear. The education that she fought for was that women can find themselves in that situation so easy, and then feel that it isn't so bad, that it can't happen to them…whether you're an advocate OR NOT. She had LEFT the relationship. That is THE most dangerous time for a woman. And it also shows you can do everything right and still wind up a victim. There is no contradiction about her. I'm glad the scumball died. And you know what- I realize that innocent till proven guilty blah blah- I believe in it. But I'm not sitting in a darn courtroom as a juror- and that was someone who inspired MY life dead now, so I CAN make my judgement in the court of public opinion. Impartiality can kiss my hind end.I know that many of you are barely out of high school, but I was just thinking about this on my way home from work…I didn't ever look at Jana as if she was someone just out of high school or just another college student. I looked at her as a peer and a friend and I'm 36 years old. So maybe some of you ought to take a lesson from Jana's playbook- look at how far it got her so soon.And as far as the racial crap, that can just stop too. Jana hated racism, and she wouldn't be racist today- even if she knew what was going to happen to her. This guy obviously had serious issues. Lets deal with that rather than his race. And no, I'll never say that he should had never been released. I think the time should equal the crime. We lock people up for what they do- not for what they might do.
5 July 2008
at 8:40 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

It is interesting that Nunez was released from prison the same year that Mackey joined the defender project. I wonder if that is how she met him.If her family and friends are reading this, I offer my most sincere condolences.
5 July 2008
at 9:55 p.m.

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kai (Anonymous) says…

Does anyone know details about his truck? Did it have a red stripe? What year was it? How long had he owned it? I ask because I am wondering about possible connections to another unsolved crime.
5 July 2008
at 11:33 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

kai…post that on the most recent article. There are people reading who knew about a missing dog from that address, maybe they know about the truck.
9 July 2008
at 12:37 a.m.

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EverydayCitizen (Anonymous) says…

Some readers might want to read more from Jana's friends at EverydayCitizen.com in these blog posts and their comments. First, this one:http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2008/07/long_live_the_memory_of_jana_m.htmland, also, here:http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2008/07/community_stunned_by_murder_of.html