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Our Vision
Nigel Hunt: Advertiser 26th Feb 05
Ken Turner is determined to ensure his daughter’s death was not in vain.
He believes young people can learn valuable lessons from her murder. So Mr Turner is conducting testimonials about the murder of his daughter Shirree, 22 to ensure young people are aware of the dangers they face.
So far he has presented the testimonial to six church and youth groups, hoping his audiences will learn from mistakes Shirree made on the night she was killed.
“It is simply aimed at what I call” – the awareness factor,” Mr Turner said yesterday.
“Shirree made mistakes that may have contributed to her death. She got separated from her friends, she had a few champagnes and she obviously left Hindley St with someone she should not have.
“If we can get through to young people that they need to avoid these mistakes, then they will be a lot safer and avoid the same situation Shirree found herself in.”
Shirree Turner was fatally stabbed at Oaklands Park reserve in the early hours of Sunday, June 6, 1993. She was last seen by two girlfriends at a Hindley St tavern about 10.30 the night before.
In October 1995, police charged convicted sex offender Frank Mercuri with her murder, but he was subsequently acquitted.
Mr Turner then launched civil action against Mercuri for wrongful death, but this was abandoned. Mr Turner, who last month married long-time friend Jenny, said the testimonial did not preach “doom and gloom” or advise young people not to go to places such as Hindley St alone.
It involved the playing of a song and video clip about Shirree’s life, a collage of photographs and newspaper clippings and commentary.
“I don’t think there is one woman who cannot relate to what Shirree did that night…. But at least they are aware of what can happen if they make the wrong choices. Nor did it highlight the failings of the legal system. Mr Turner has done this in a book he and cousin Lesley Turner, have written about the case-Halfway to justice.
Crossroad Connexions is a charitable organization totally committed to serving the community at large, whose primary aim is to assist teenagers, young adults and people from all walks of life. We are a non-profit organization and rely solely on grants, corporate sponsorship and donations. Anyone who makes a donation to our organization over $100 will receive a free copy of our book “Halfway to Justice”.Please contact us for speaking engagements appointments and general enquiries. |
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