I attended the three day trial of Kenneth Alvira, one of three people accused in the murder case of Anitra Pirkle, the Salisbury young lady whom on Jan 22 2009 was carjacked, stabbed and left in a field in Delmar to later die. As I followed this case I later found out states attorney Davis Ruark would be the prosecuting attorney. As I entered the court room I saw community members and family members of the victim and family members of the accused and reporters, and guards. I thought to myself "this case is going to be big". I found a seat near a huge window where the sun was streaming through, bringing warmth to an otherwise cold and gloomy atmosphere. As the accused and his attorneys entered the courtroom whispers rippled through the air " look !! that must be him". Attorney Ruark entered the courtroom. He was impeccably dressed and carrying a briefcase filled with an enormous amount of documentation... His assistant attorney Jaimie Lynn Dykes a strikingly beautiful young woman was by his side. They were like soldiers poised and ready for battle.
We stood as the judge entered the courtroom. The jurors filed in one after the other, looking like they purposely tried not to make eye contact with anyone in the room.. I looked at each one never realizing that the testimony that we were about to hear and the things we were about to see would change our lives forever. Ruark had done his homework on this case. Direct evidence and eye witness testimony linking Alvira to the crime. Seemingly endless testimony, each more gruesome than the last. The courtroom "gasped " when the murder weapon was shown. I felt like I couldn't take another breath. Who could be that cruel and heartless to use something like that to kill someone.. Before and after photos of a tiny young woman who had not only been stabbed but mutilated, tortured and gutted like an animal.
Doctors testimony indicated she died a slow and painful merciless death.. I nor the jury members could hold back our tears. Some could not even look at the pictures. Alvira through a taped confession told of Anitra's begging for her life to be spared. Her mother who was now hearing the horrible details about her daughters death for the first time was inconsolable. Kenneth Alvira sat emotionless the entire time. As I glanced over at him I realized I was seeing a monster for the first time in my life. Ruark knew this case wasn't just about Anitra but about the safety and well being of an entire community. He had to win. Not only was this murder senseless and brutal but it was random.. It could have been any one of us.. It had been earlier reported that Anitra Pirkle had offered the suspects a ride but eye witness testimony proved the three accused murderers simultaneously entered Anitra's car by force.. Forcing her to drive down a dark lonely road and dragging her from her car and brutally stabbing her.
On the third day of the trial state attorney Davis Ruark gave his closing arguments. He was focused, deliberate, calm and articulate and the jury was spellbound by his compassion in this case and his amazing knowledge of the law.. By now he was my hero. The jury deliberated on this case and found Kenneth Alvira guilty on all 11 counts.. This case will be continued with the trial of the other two suspects Briana Brinkley and Brittany Barkley in Aug and Sept 2009..
The Pirkle Family
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
they aren't fit to live with the tribe so put them in a prison or kill them.
ReplyDeleteJoe, this is only "half" the victory the community needs. Let's wait until sentencing before we feel good about it.
ReplyDeleteGreat passionate post Joe
ReplyDeleteWhile the "progressives" call these monsters the "real victims of a capitalist society", and let them out as soon as possible after their "rehabilitation", the innocent among us will continue to be slain.
ReplyDelete100 years at HARD LABOR with only bread & water is adequate in cases such as these.
Oh, sorry, that's "cruel and unusual punishment" isn't it?
He should get nothing less than Natural Life without the possiblitiy of parole. Anything less is unacceptable. I'd actually like to see him hanged in front of the courthouse for the world to see but that won't happen in this bleeding heart society.
ReplyDeleteJustice will be served, when Bubba latches on to his young ass in Jessup.
150 year to and old man that bilked billions was justice. this monster should get 300 years
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written post, Joe.
ReplyDeleteToo bad we can't just put this monster in front of a firing squad right now.
Who was the judge & will it be the same judge that does the sentencing?
ReplyDeleteThank you Joe for this post..It was well written ..We can always post about when attorney Davis Ruark "isnt" doing something right.. Thanks for letting us know when he "is" doing something right..Good job!! so far Ruark..We'll be watching for the outcome of this case.
ReplyDeleteLet him get the death penalty. Why should the tax paying citizens continue to pay for his scumbag life in prison?
ReplyDeleteJH
was this written by "The Pirkle Family" ?
ReplyDeleteto 10:59
ReplyDeletethe judge was jackson and he indeed
will give the sentence.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteI can tell you that I prefer to stay away from your blog, but I have to give you credit. This was written very nicely. I am a police officer and it basically seems that you are always being negative about things we do and things that happen in government but this article is one of the best written articles ive read in quiet some time.
It is a total shame that the family has had to deal with this ordeal. I cant fathom what it is like for any person to lose a loved one, yet to lose a daughter has to be one of the worst.
We all understand life and know that one day, we are going to have to bury our moms, dads, grandmothers and grandfathers...but we never expect to bury our sons or daughters. The hurt and pain that the parents had to go through must be unbearable and my heart really goes out to them.
Joe, good work. I would love to see more stuff like this and less of the negative stuff. You did a great job on this article and should be commended.
God Bless
I agree-16 or not he is getting off light-maybe someone will stab him in prison.
ReplyDeleteI did not write this letter. Anitra's Aunt wrote the letter representing the Family.
ReplyDeleteI asked Mr. Ruark why this individual couldn't get the death penalty and this was his reply.
ReplyDelete"Under Maryland law, Alvira is not eligible for the Death Penalty because he's only 16 years old."
Maryland law sucks because it doesn't matter his age he does not deserve to live and us pay for his entertainment in prison the rest of his life. I wish the public could see how good they have it in prison in this state. The public needs to write your lawmakers and try to get laws changed to protect the law abiding citizens instead of the criminals.
ReplyDeleteThese animals should be put to death there's no need to waste money in keeping them alive when they don't deserve to breathe the same air we breathe.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it sad when someone can take another's life by murder which is a death penalty for the innocent, that they for whatever reason can't get the same.
ReplyDeleteMister Joe,
ReplyDeleteI read the post and then the comments, agreeing with those who said "nice job Joe, good writing". I thought it might be worth a pullet-zer prize myself, until you commented that some else wrote it. A sad commentary, but well written and quite an indictment of a society that breeds preditors who have absolutely no regard for human life in a state which will not permit its law abiding citizens to arm and protect themselves.
2:26;
ReplyDeleteThat's why the gangs use the under 18's to do the dirty work for them. The young strive for membership and acceptance, the older ones have their sick fun and drugs, and they all live to wreak havoc again someday.
I agree, the piece is well written and gives an accurate and descriptive account of what happened in the courtroom over the three days of the trial. My sister has given the exact sentiments of our family in regard to our beloved Anitra. Mr. Ruark and Ms. Dykes are to be commended for a job truly well done! They tag-teamed flawlessly, spoke to the hearts and the inherent goodness in each juror and ended the trial victorious!! If you were not there, you missed two "violinists" playing for the courtroom....the verdict was sweet music to our ears.... Thank You, to everyone involved with the case so far!
ReplyDeleteif it will help save the state some money....i have some rope and a couple of big trees in my yard they are welcome to use
ReplyDeleteWay to go Davis I just hope the judge does the same thing. i dont care how old this person is he took a incident life. He knew what he was doing and so did the others. Was this a gang initation or what. Maybe everyone should send the judge a letter and put in thier feelings maybe it would help.I hope this is a hanging judge if not he will learn in prison.
ReplyDeleteGreat Police work by the way. It shows what happens when all work together. Joe great work following the story. To the family God Bless. Two more to go.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is incredibly horrendous what happened, I've met these two women. I was in prison with them. Neither are soul less, in fact quite the opposite. And I promise you they have so much remorse for what they did. But to hear all of you talking of hanging and all that, well, doesn't that put you on that same "level" you're oh so gladly putting them on?
ReplyDelete