EMAIL DETAILS

Good evening Board Members:

You may recall that the Foundation appeared in this case as amicus on behalf of the child victims. Attached please find the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, affirming the decision of the District of Delaware and affirming the sentences of life in prison for the two remaining defendants. (One of the defendants has since died in prison after being convicted and sentenced.) This is a case of great significance.

For those not familiar with the case, this was the New Castle County Courthouse shooting that occurred while Beau was Attorney General. The facts of the case are shocking and terrifying; Christine Belford, the mother of four children (3 were young), and her best friend, (the mother of 2 children) were murdered in the lobby of the New Castle County Courthouse by Belford's former father-in-law, after being stalked and harassed for many years by her ex-husband, David Matusiewicz and his family.

For many reasons this case was very close to Beau’s heart. He had actually met Christine Belford at a community event shortly after the 3 little girls were kidnapped and Ms. Belford asked him for help, as she was not able to get any assistance. Beau promised Ms. Belford he would help- and he did, including getting the case on America’s Most Wanted which led to the children being found in Nicaragua. The biological father and his mother Lenore Matusiewicz were arrested and prosecuted for kidnapping and other offenses- David received 4 years in prison (Lenore got 18 months).

During his time in prison Matusiewicz (and his family along with some 20 unindicted co-conspirators) implemented a campaign of terror against Christine Belford. Shortly after he was released from prison, he carried out the plan, which included the murder of Belford. We worked hand in hand with the FBI and the US Attorneys Office on this federal prosecution under the Violence Against Women Act. Beau told me that I was to do whatever had to be done to protect these children, as it was our responsibility to handle all matters involving the children and insure their care and safety.

This was the first time we have joined a case as amicus, and it has turned out very well. The defendants will no doubt appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States, although it is unlikely that certiorari will be granted.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Have a good weekend!

Best,

Patty

Patricia Dailey Lewis, Esquire
Executive Director
Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children

www.beaubidenfoundation.org <http://www.beaubidenfoundation.org/>
patty@beaubidenfoundation.org <mailto:patty@beaubidennfoundation.org>

“We have seen the progress that can be made when society commits to shining a bright light on a crime like domestic violence, and we are seeing the beginning of what can be accomplished if we continue shining that bright light on child abuse. As adults, we have a legal and moral obligation to stand up and speak out for children who are being abused. These children cannot speak for themselves.” —Beau Biden