An Open Letter to Judge L.A. Harris
This morning, Jeffery Brooks was sentenced to 10 years in prison (with 20 additional years suspended) for his crimes on August 13, 2022.
As part of the Commonweath Prosecutor’s presentation, I was invited to share a Victim Impact Statement, which I share with you below as an Open Letter. Jeffery was present in the courtroom, which granted us an important few moments of eye contact and personal acknowledgement.
Forgiveness and acceptance are important steps in the healing process for all of us. I hope that these words can serve as a balm for the broken hearts in our community as we move into the next chapter.
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Victim Impact Statement: Natalie Rainer on the occasion of
Jeffery Brook’s Sentencing to 10 years in Prison
October 11, 2023
Good Morning Your Honor, and thank you for the opportunity to speak.
I appear before you today as bombastic and determined as I have ever been: battered, but absolutely not defeated.
On the morning of August 13, 2022 I set out to live every minute of my day to the fullest, and I intend to do the same every day until I die.
Jeffery’s decision to drive while intoxicated that morning will affect me daily for the rest of my life. Every single day I suffer as a result of his crime, as I look at the scars that riddle my chest, arms, abdomen, legs, and pelvis. My left hip and right collarbone, now held together by titanium hardware, ache daily, especially on rainy days. My disfigured stomach will forever be prone to hernias, and my road rash scarred skin will forever be an invitation to unwanted public attention. I will continue to experience complications from my injuries, including worsening arthritis in my damaged hip joints as I age.
Then there’s the survivor's guilt, the PTSD, the intense sadness of every little thing that reminds me of Jonah, and the crash that nearly killed me.
My life will absolutely never be the same.
And yet, despite all of this, I am the lucky one. Lucky because I get to live a life full of adventure and laughter and fulfillment, something that was robbed of Jonah. She will never see the fruits of her labors. She will never see her children graduate college, marry, and build their own families.
She is not here to share her thoughts, or see justice served in this proceeding. Jonah’s death tore a deep wound in our community. She was deeply loved and respected by many, many people, and her absence will forever leave a void in our hearts.
In thinking about Jonah, I often find myself wondering, what is the result that she would want from these proceedings?
What can we do to move forward from this tragedy in ways that would make her proud?
I believe that Jonah would want me to use my voice to spread positivity, and to honor her legacy of uplifting the people around her.
And so, It is my deepest prayer that in this courtroom we can deal justice, while also granting mercy.
(Speaking now to Jeffery) I pray for you Jeffery, that you seize every possible opportunity to better yourself, to make amends for your crimes, but also to heal your own wounds, and re-enter society one day with a positive outlook. I believe that people can grow and change, and can learn from their mistakes. I wish that for you.
I pray that our community can find forgiveness and honor redemption. I pray that we can plant our sorrows as seeds to grow a brighter, more positive future. I pray that we can turn grief into passion and purpose.
We owe that to Jonah.
Each and every one of us owes it to Jonah to live out the rest of our lives working to make this world a better place, and to be better people.
Thank You, Your Honor
