David was my first born. Maybe only a mother can understand that. He was so special, so beautiful. We had waited six years for him.

David was interested in many things. We lived in San Marcos and he loved to look for Indian artifacts on the San Marcos River banks. He found many arrowheads and even some pottery pieces. We had a cousin who was a Texas Ranger and he taught David a lot about the different uses and tools of the Indians.

We moved to Austin in 1974 after my first husband and I divorced. My second husband was so good and kind to David. He marveled at how quickly David learned whatever he was teaching him.

David worked at different jobs. He loved to draw and was quite good at it. Mostly he did roofing work and enjoyed the comraderie of his co-workers. He loved to tell jokes but wasn't too good at it. He would always start laughing before you could hear the punch line.

Family was everything to David. He was even talking of trying to have a "cousin" family reunion.

David had one true love. That didn't work out and he never married or became serious about anyone after her.

David was at an RV Park in Johnson City. He was sitting at a bench talking to another person when this man he barely knew came up to him. The man, Kenneth R. O'Brien, pulled a gun from the back of his jeans and shot David in the heart. O'Brien then carried David to his pick up. He took him to a roadside park where he mutilated him in an attempt to hide his identity. He was caught within the hour. At court, O'Brien said he didn't know why he did it. He said David was a nice little guy and he liked him. He got 30 years. I wish it had been the death penalty. It should have been.

David is very much missed by all of us. His stepfather, Web, his sister and brother, niece and nephews. We will never forget.

I am thankful to PAVC and the support they give to victims. Verna Lee Carr has the toughest job I know because she hears all the stories and deeply cares.She is an angel.

-- Mary Ann Witter