1 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:11,280 Speaker 1: From School of Humans and iHeart podcasts. This is Cold 2 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:24,799 Speaker 1: Case Files Miami. I'm your host in the Quisantos. You 3 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 1: may remember our very first episode about Brian Herrera, a 4 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: cold case that was solved after twelve years. It was 5 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:35,160 Speaker 1: a powerful story. Annabel, Brian's mother mentioned a woman who 6 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:39,440 Speaker 1: helped her fight for her son. That woman is Tangalias Hears. 7 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: Amongst certain circles in Miami, the named Tangalus Hears is 8 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:45,400 Speaker 1: very well known. She's a political consultant, the community activist, 9 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:49,200 Speaker 1: and the founder and president of Florida Parents of Murdered Children. 10 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 1: She started this organization after her son was tragically killed 11 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:53,640 Speaker 1: back in twenty fifteen. 12 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 2: He was only twenty nine. 13 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:58,960 Speaker 1: Tangela works directly with police departments and other agencies to 14 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 1: support victims families after a loss. 15 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 2: She worked with lawmakers. 16 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:07,200 Speaker 1: In twenty seventeen, she created this bill that keeps the 17 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: names of people who witness murders out of the public 18 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:10,960 Speaker 1: record for two years. 19 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:13,319 Speaker 2: She's absolutely a force to be reckoned with. 20 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:15,680 Speaker 1: Tangela, thank you so much for taking the time to 21 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:18,319 Speaker 1: talk to us today about this very important topic which 22 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 1: is very near and dear to your heart, and you've 23 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:24,639 Speaker 1: turned into your life mission. It's admirable because most people, 24 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:27,759 Speaker 1: after a tragedy such as the one that you, unfortunately 25 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 1: had to live through, most people can pick up the pieces. 26 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:33,480 Speaker 3: And to be honest with you, I'm one of those 27 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,319 Speaker 3: people as well. I'm really you see the work that 28 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 3: I do, but I have my down sparrows as well, 29 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 3: And in the beginning, it wasn't like this. It took 30 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 3: a while and for me to go through some things 31 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 3: to actually get to where I'm at. And it actually, 32 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 3: you know, out of all the years I've dealt with families, 33 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 3: when I I saw a mother lose a fifteen year 34 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 3: old on TV, I wanted to beat up for her. 35 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 3: I realized then the knowledge and the understanding that I 36 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 3: had for the system, and I also realized that I 37 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:22,920 Speaker 3: needed to bring more positive attention to black on black killings. 38 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:27,239 Speaker 1: So after your son was tragically killed, you were disconnected, 39 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 1: you were down. I don't want to speak out of turn, 40 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:32,720 Speaker 1: but I know that this is a life changing event. Right, 41 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:36,360 Speaker 1: You saw another mother going through what you lived through. 42 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 2: And you decided to reach out and help. 43 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 1: Yes, what were some of the earliest causes you worked 44 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 1: on besides this one family that you saw on the news. 45 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:49,399 Speaker 3: What I did was, I've brought parents together. I started 46 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 3: holding weekly meetings with families that lost their kids or 47 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 3: kids that even lost their parents, you know, because we 48 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 3: had it both. We had sometime parents was deceased and 49 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 3: an aunt or a grandparent raised them and they lost 50 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 3: their kids. 51 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 4: What I did was I brought them. 52 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 3: All in one room and I began to hear a 53 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 3: lot of their stories. One of the things that I 54 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:20,240 Speaker 3: learned was there was no contact between law enforcement and 55 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:21,080 Speaker 3: these families. 56 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 4: They did not have. 57 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:27,359 Speaker 3: People to fight for them or to stand up with them, 58 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,359 Speaker 3: like what you may see on the news, on the 59 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 3: national news when the police killed someone. They didn't have 60 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:38,119 Speaker 3: that type of attention, and all of their kids was labeled. 61 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,920 Speaker 3: I'm not saying all of the kids are perfect, but 62 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 3: I'm very familiar with innocent kids like King Cotta, like 63 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:52,119 Speaker 3: Jada Page, Dorothy William's son. 64 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 4: These kids are six years. 65 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 3: Old and younger and losing them. You can't accuse them 66 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 3: of being involved, engage or dismissed their you know, their 67 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 3: killings or what has happened to them. You have to 68 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 3: bring us to the forefront. You have to bring attention 69 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 3: to it, and you have to make the powers that be, 70 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 3: you know, what they are supposed to do in these matters, 71 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 3: and they was not doing what they were supposed to do. 72 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 3: And I started bringing law enforcement, and I brought legislators 73 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 3: and the commissioners in, you know, so I never talked 74 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:33,760 Speaker 3: about my story. I wanted them to hear the issues 75 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:39,440 Speaker 3: that families was having across this county. And then it 76 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 3: began to be across the state because I begin to 77 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 3: build relationship with state attorneys that I didn't know, so 78 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:50,719 Speaker 3: that if I'm dealing with the family, I could be 79 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 3: able to reach out to them and get them to 80 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:58,600 Speaker 3: communicate with these families. You let them know that they 81 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:01,920 Speaker 3: are not forgotten. And so those were some of the 82 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:06,039 Speaker 3: things that took me. I mean I had already been 83 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:10,000 Speaker 3: involved for maybe twenty something years at a time, but 84 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 3: it took me to another level because what you can 85 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 3: be there for a person, but if you don't experience it, 86 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:20,280 Speaker 3: you don't understand it. 87 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 2: And walking through it. 88 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 1: When your son David was tragically killed in twenty fifteen, 89 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 1: you all of a sudden became part of this group 90 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 1: of parents whose children have been murdered. And from what 91 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:35,359 Speaker 1: you're describing, there was like a void. You kind of 92 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 1: became like the liaison of some sort between the police 93 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 1: departments and these victims families. 94 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 3: And sitting down talking to elected officials, letting them know 95 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 3: what our needs were, you know, letting them know so 96 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 3: that they can put policies in. I'm able to help 97 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:55,760 Speaker 3: them understand why it's important not to go between the 98 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 3: yellow tape. I know it. They're emotional at the time, 99 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:02,840 Speaker 3: and that's why for advocates that was not on the 100 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 3: scene to be on the scene. The advocates that works 101 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 3: for the police department, they have to be on those 102 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 3: scenes because the police is not They're not educated on 103 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:18,599 Speaker 3: helping us. So that's why you need the advocates out 104 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 3: there to be able to communicate with them to help 105 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:25,600 Speaker 3: them understand, and not advocates with a bad joe on 106 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 3: working for the police department, because everybody don't connect with 107 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 3: the police department. 108 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 1: Take us back to when you first reach out to 109 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,600 Speaker 1: these politicians to try to make the connection and try 110 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: to help these other families. How receptive were the politicians 111 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:40,479 Speaker 1: that you contacted. 112 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:43,839 Speaker 3: Working with them all my life, I don't have direct 113 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:48,200 Speaker 3: contact with most of them, so I would just call. 114 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:50,520 Speaker 4: Them and invite them out to a meeting. They would come. 115 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:57,159 Speaker 3: They saw the pain that I went through, and I 116 00:06:57,440 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 3: just think wanting to see what they can do and 117 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 3: being in a room, being in a room that's filled 118 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 3: with parents that have lost their kids the gun violence. 119 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 4: How can you ignore that? 120 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 3: It was not just me brought them to the table, 121 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 3: with families not only in Miami Dade County, but even 122 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 3: families in Browood County was coming to the table, and 123 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 3: some of them had passed the time to get that 124 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 3: therapy that they're entitled to because before I started, I 125 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 3: told you, a lot of advocates was not connecting with 126 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 3: the families, so they missed a lot of the services 127 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 3: that they was entitled to. And so thanks to our 128 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 3: state Attorney Catherine Fernandez Rundel here in Miami Dade County, 129 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:57,480 Speaker 3: she committed to giving them service that did not get 130 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 3: the service. They didn't even know they was in idle 131 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 3: to victim compensation. They're already going through a lot losing 132 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 3: their kid, regardless of how they were, They're going through 133 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 3: a lot, and they have to be entitled for conversation 134 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 3: to be able to assist them as other families are. 135 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 4: In the state of. 136 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: Florida, Angela when a parent calls you asking for help, 137 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 1: what's the first thing you tell them? For example, Brian 138 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 1: Hereda's stepmother, she reached out to you when she was 139 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: feeling frustrated after not hearing much from the police over 140 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 1: the years. 141 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 2: What did you tell her? 142 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 3: She came to the meeting. Actually, she showed up to 143 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 3: the meeting. I heard every parents story and I would 144 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 3: get parents meetings with their detectives. We're gonna be Alvera 145 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 3: and her husband. They stayed on top of this. They 146 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 3: stayed on top of me, which. 147 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 4: Is a good thing. 148 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 3: She come to meetings. She maintained contact with a child's case, 149 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:08,440 Speaker 3: and that's what I encourage parents to do. If a 150 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 3: detective change, she knows she calls me, I'll get our 151 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 3: meeting with the chief, get a meeting with the state attorney. 152 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:19,439 Speaker 4: As detectives change. We kept this in the forefront. 153 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 3: We got the state Attorney office involved because they have 154 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 3: detectives as well. So I know there's a such thing 155 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 3: as cold case. But then there is no such thing 156 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 3: as cold case, because anytime they get the information it 157 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 3: could have been twenty years ago, they will go out 158 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 3: and investigate it. However, when you have to break down 159 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 3: the details, the appearance, it becomes discouraged because you're dealing 160 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 3: with a system, and the system is the system, not 161 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:54,080 Speaker 3: that I agree with every single thing within the system. 162 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 3: And so that's why I pushed, because I want to 163 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:01,920 Speaker 3: go with the needs of the majority and not the minority. 164 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:05,320 Speaker 2: How would you say, parents or family members who've had 165 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 2: a loved one killed, work most effectively with the police 166 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 2: departments that are investigating these cases. 167 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 3: Work with their advocate, get to know their advocate, Get 168 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,080 Speaker 3: into a therapy program, Go get some therapy. 169 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:21,199 Speaker 4: You need it. 170 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,960 Speaker 3: You need it. I mean, I tell parents this and 171 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,400 Speaker 3: it's three years later, they tell me I need it now. 172 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 3: And so as hard as it is, because I know 173 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,960 Speaker 3: it's hard for me, it was hard, but once I 174 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 3: got settled in there, it was okay. But to maintain 175 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 3: contact with your detective, Remember your detective is investigating a 176 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 3: lot of cases. They're in trial, some week, they're in court. 177 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:48,400 Speaker 3: So connecting with your advocate, who you can reach every 178 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 3: day is important, and that's the liaison between you and 179 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 3: your detective. 180 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 2: You mentioned therapy free. Could you explain that, Yes. 181 00:10:57,880 --> 00:11:02,880 Speaker 3: The Attorney General provide services for parents. That's why I 182 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 3: talked about the victim compensation to help with the funeral 183 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:11,319 Speaker 3: the burial. So that's another reason I push the advocates 184 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 3: to be with these parents right then because it's a 185 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 3: quick burial, so they need the funds and got to 186 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,480 Speaker 3: get the paperwork up there. But when a parent first 187 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 3: called me, one of the first questions I ask them 188 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 3: is have you spoke with your advocate? And if they 189 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 3: have not spoke with their advocate, I'm gonna call the 190 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:39,199 Speaker 3: advocate supervisor, which I have monthly meetings with all police 191 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 3: advocates in Miami Dade County. We created a bond, and 192 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:46,320 Speaker 3: I put a bond with them where they can even 193 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,280 Speaker 3: advise one another of certain things they do and give. 194 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:50,079 Speaker 4: Each other ideas. 195 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 3: I hear this in the room, and what I see 196 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:56,880 Speaker 3: is a system that's really trying to help these families. 197 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:59,679 Speaker 3: So one of the first things I ask them if 198 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:03,319 Speaker 3: you've been in contact with your advocate. That next thing 199 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 3: I asked them if you talked to your detective. Now, 200 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:09,760 Speaker 3: if they're on the scene, there's not a lot I 201 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 3: can say, but try to get the assistance on the 202 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:17,600 Speaker 3: scene that's needed. I deal with altercations between the police 203 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 3: and families on the scene. You know, but at that 204 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:25,079 Speaker 3: time I called the chief. They say a chain of command, 205 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 3: but I just don't feel as people that work in 206 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 3: these positions there's a chain of command. If their people 207 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:36,680 Speaker 3: are not doing what they're supposed to do on the scene, 208 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 3: I'm going wait to call the chief. 209 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:44,719 Speaker 1: You've created this healthy rapport with various police chiefs in 210 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: South Florida. 211 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 3: Yes, I've even become the advisor to City of Miami 212 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:50,120 Speaker 3: police chief. 213 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:53,959 Speaker 4: Yes, and I worked with police departments. 214 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 3: I've represented the state Attorney in the community for many, many, 215 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:01,959 Speaker 3: many years. And when I started parents and murdered children, 216 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 3: I wasn't very easy to deal with. I was difficult. 217 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 3: I was angry for me, I was angry for the 218 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:14,679 Speaker 3: other families, and hearing their stories even made me even, 219 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 3: you know, more angrier, and I became very attactful on 220 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:27,080 Speaker 3: the State Attorney's office. I just didn't feel that laws 221 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 3: was being enforced. It's enforced on the most petty crimes, 222 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 3: but when it comes to murder, that's a serious that's 223 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 3: a serious crime. And hearing the parents' story, it's like 224 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:50,679 Speaker 3: I they've ben heard and I had to rally around 225 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 3: the office. 226 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 4: I never attacked her, but I rallied. 227 00:13:55,679 --> 00:14:02,000 Speaker 3: On the office not being as tough as I saw 228 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 3: other counties, you know, being. 229 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: One thing that I think we are learning and educated. 230 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 1: You're helping educate these people that now, all of a sudden, 231 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 1: out of no choice of their own, are seen in 232 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 1: this nightmare for the rest of their life. Letting them 233 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: know there's resources available. Could you just name off just 234 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:27,800 Speaker 1: you know, top three or four or five things that's 235 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 1: available through funds, through their counties, through their states. 236 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 2: A lot of people may not. 237 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 1: You know, again, this is unexpected, it's life changing, it's tragic, 238 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:39,960 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, they don't have the resources. It's 239 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: an unexpected expense. How do they pay tribute to their 240 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 1: loved one? And they don't they have no money in 241 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 1: the bank. There's money available. 242 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 2: For these violent cases. 243 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 4: There's money available. 244 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 3: Now I can speak for Florida, okay, but I think 245 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 3: it's similar everywhere, and if it's. 246 00:14:56,960 --> 00:15:00,960 Speaker 1: Not, this should be an example of what other states. 247 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 3: So an advocate does the paperwork for you to see 248 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:11,400 Speaker 3: if you're eligible. However, that parent his kids, they are 249 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 3: still entitled to therapy, not just the parents, but his kids, 250 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 3: his sibling, the brothers, sisters. 251 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 4: Are entitled to therapy and counselor Candela. 252 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: One thing we've really seen when talking to these families 253 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 1: in some of these cases that we've covered this very 254 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 1: first season is how dedicated and involved they are in 255 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 1: making sure their loved ones cases don't get forgotten. And 256 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:40,920 Speaker 1: you've touched a little bit on that, but can you 257 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 1: talk a little more specifically with cold cases and family involvement. 258 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:46,920 Speaker 2: How important is it that they keep pushing. 259 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:56,760 Speaker 3: It's important because we go into depressional stages more than others, 260 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 3: and so being involved and hopeing on other it helps you. 261 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 3: Now it don't. There comes a time though, and I 262 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 3: tell the parents this because we get them so engaged 263 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 3: and so involved that they lose themselves and then they 264 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 3: get burnt out. And then I also have to educate 265 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 3: them about some politicians. I've seen some of my parents 266 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 3: get hurt because they don't understand it's a game. It's 267 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 3: a game. You're a voter. You have to be demanding 268 00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 3: to your needs. Don't make it personal. I learn that. 269 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:44,200 Speaker 4: Don't make it personal. Don't attack anyone personal, but attack 270 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 4: the issue. What's not being done? 271 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 3: Before you attack the issue, try to meet with them 272 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 3: on the issue. You don't have to hold a title, 273 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 3: to be there for an individual, be there for a 274 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 3: commun unity to stand up. 275 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 4: I don't wear they elect the title. 276 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:09,160 Speaker 3: But I'm engaged and involved because I care about not 277 00:17:09,320 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 3: just my community. I care about people. I care about families, 278 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:15,480 Speaker 3: I care about individuals. 279 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:18,960 Speaker 4: So we try to pour that. 280 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 3: Into the families that have lost their loved ones, to 281 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:27,680 Speaker 3: keep them involved, keep them engaged. 282 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 4: But don't overdo it. You gotta you have to pace yourself. 283 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:35,320 Speaker 2: What is the problem with overdoing it? 284 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:39,880 Speaker 3: Number one, you become sick. You develop our blood pressure. 285 00:17:40,119 --> 00:17:43,600 Speaker 3: That's why I tell parents when they lose their kids, 286 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:47,639 Speaker 3: after they bury their kids, go get a physical heart issues. 287 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,400 Speaker 4: That pain is deep and it's real. 288 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,760 Speaker 3: I had a pink parent who never got out of 289 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:55,720 Speaker 3: her bed and died. 290 00:17:57,320 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 4: That pain is real. 291 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 3: So you want to be engaged because you want to 292 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 3: stay busy, but you also want to have that engagement 293 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:13,240 Speaker 3: time with your family, with your friends, and your mean time, 294 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 3: so that you're balancing out your life because if not, 295 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:24,360 Speaker 3: when you burn out, that death comes back on you. You 296 00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 3: never grieve. You just got out there and got in 297 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 3: the cage and just stay busy around the clock, ignoring 298 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 3: the pain. You can't ignore the pain because the pain 299 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:41,919 Speaker 3: eventually comes back to you, even if it's the holidays, 300 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:47,360 Speaker 3: even if it's their birthday. If you're not dealing with it, 301 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:51,040 Speaker 3: you go through more when you have those breakdowns. 302 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:55,360 Speaker 1: Taking a quick break, we'll continue your discussion with Tangala's Hears. 303 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:01,119 Speaker 1: I'm here with Tangela's Sears, founder of Florida Parents of 304 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:03,640 Speaker 1: Murdered Children. Tangla, what have you found as the most 305 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:06,360 Speaker 1: effective approach for a family to raise awareness about their 306 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:09,919 Speaker 1: loved ones in these cold cases? Firing social media, the 307 00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:13,879 Speaker 1: press conferences which has been the most effective in your experience. 308 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:19,120 Speaker 3: Press conferences, but maintaining not do a press conference and 309 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 3: nothing else social media and keeping the prints engaged and 310 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:33,680 Speaker 3: getting involved because when you get involved, you begin to 311 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:38,400 Speaker 3: spread awareness. Now, I'm very careful on saying to parents, 312 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:42,439 Speaker 3: get involved and share your story. I never allowed the 313 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 3: parents to share their stories. I mean they give their experience, 314 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:52,200 Speaker 3: what they went through when they got their call, how 315 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:56,760 Speaker 3: they built, but anything dealing with the case. I tell 316 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:01,600 Speaker 3: them not to say anything. If your detective have shared 317 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:05,679 Speaker 3: something with you, keep it to yourself. Develop a bond 318 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:09,359 Speaker 3: between you and your detective. Because some of these parents 319 00:20:09,359 --> 00:20:13,200 Speaker 3: have never been engaged with the system. Then they don't 320 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:17,880 Speaker 3: know nothing about the system. That's scary already. So that's 321 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 3: what we like to do. Make sure they become an 322 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:26,880 Speaker 3: advocate and raise awareness within their own areas, their own communities. 323 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:27,639 Speaker 4: And being there for families. 324 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:32,200 Speaker 3: I teach them the process so they can understand how 325 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:35,440 Speaker 3: to help another family, because I'm not gonna be able 326 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:40,439 Speaker 3: to reach everybody in Miami Dade County, even though I try, 327 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:44,040 Speaker 3: and if somebody contact me, I do what I can 328 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:48,480 Speaker 3: to assist them. God knows, I understand exactly what they're 329 00:20:48,520 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 3: going through, but helping them understand the system is just 330 00:20:54,040 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 3: different from your emotions, your grieving mother, you lost your child, 331 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:02,480 Speaker 3: but I don't need you to carry on with your story. 332 00:21:02,560 --> 00:21:04,240 Speaker 4: Because these are legislators. 333 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 3: Whatever policy was supporting law, we supporting law we put up. 334 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 3: We have to get across to them the importance of 335 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:15,160 Speaker 3: that being implemented. 336 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:17,920 Speaker 1: I know you work directly with many police departments, as 337 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:21,439 Speaker 1: you've described, What does your work with them look like? 338 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:24,520 Speaker 2: Actually walk us through the process. 339 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:35,080 Speaker 3: Now, if they don't have a good advocate system, it's 340 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:41,959 Speaker 3: a difficult week because I'm now fighting with the advocacies, 341 00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:52,600 Speaker 3: contacting the major contacting the chief, very upset raises my 342 00:21:52,680 --> 00:22:00,400 Speaker 3: blood pressure because no one is connecting with this family now, 343 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:05,560 Speaker 3: it don't happen as often as it did, so I 344 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:09,680 Speaker 3: feel that we've gotten somewhere. They dn next, I said earlier, 345 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:13,680 Speaker 3: having our advocates engaged with me in a meeting once 346 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 3: a month, but having a working relationship with the chief, 347 00:22:19,359 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 3: having a working relationship with some of the elected officials rnestly, 348 00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:26,119 Speaker 3: I think that helps me get a lot of things 349 00:22:26,200 --> 00:22:29,959 Speaker 3: done because everybody knows that I will call go to 350 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 3: the next level, the next level, so they tend now 351 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 3: to try to take care of these things so it 352 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:40,639 Speaker 3: don't go to the next level. And great relationships with 353 00:22:40,720 --> 00:22:45,879 Speaker 3: these individuals, but I put the people needs before our. 354 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:50,399 Speaker 1: Relationships, and it's a two way street right right what 355 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:53,359 Speaker 1: you're describing the community and also the police departments need 356 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:53,640 Speaker 1: to do. 357 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:55,639 Speaker 2: Some police departments do better. 358 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:58,960 Speaker 1: Better than others with these with this advocacy and understanding 359 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:04,480 Speaker 1: training you mentioned earlier. As a police officer myself, I've 360 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:09,040 Speaker 1: had to make my fair share of notifications and it's 361 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:13,600 Speaker 1: no fun having to tell a mother that her son's 362 00:23:13,640 --> 00:23:17,560 Speaker 1: been murdered. These are very very difficult situations that we're 363 00:23:17,560 --> 00:23:18,159 Speaker 1: talking about. 364 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 2: What advice. 365 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:23,240 Speaker 1: Would you tell law enforcement officers when they're working cold cases, 366 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:26,920 Speaker 1: when they're working murder cases in terms of their interaction 367 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:29,200 Speaker 1: with families and keeping them updated. 368 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:33,480 Speaker 3: Rachel asks that I'm involved with a lot of their trainings. 369 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 3: I get an opportunity to sit down with detectives, with 370 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:41,800 Speaker 3: majors with the chief to share with them the weight 371 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:45,480 Speaker 3: I've dealt with this, the way families should be treated. 372 00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:50,440 Speaker 3: I feel, even if the case is cold, someone from 373 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:54,119 Speaker 3: that department still need to do follow ups with that 374 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:57,480 Speaker 3: family every sixty to ninety days, just to let them 375 00:23:57,480 --> 00:23:59,679 Speaker 3: know they're not forgotten. Because one of the things I 376 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:04,960 Speaker 3: tell them is your actions towards these families can reduce 377 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:09,800 Speaker 3: some retaliations they feel you don't care, the department don't care. 378 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 3: I think through parents of murdered children, us rising up, 379 00:24:16,880 --> 00:24:21,040 Speaker 3: us being a voice, we have bought so much more 380 00:24:21,200 --> 00:24:28,119 Speaker 3: attention to gun violence. It's being discussed more. I didn't 381 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:31,720 Speaker 3: just meet with law enforcement. I met with parents of 382 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:38,600 Speaker 3: murdered children, met with all media outlets. We met with 383 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 3: the editors of the Miami Herald, because reporters come out 384 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:46,440 Speaker 3: and take notes. 385 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,240 Speaker 4: You have to be that boys for your child. 386 00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:55,080 Speaker 3: It can happen to anybody out there, no matter what 387 00:24:55,119 --> 00:24:57,840 Speaker 3: you're doing. You don't have to be a bad person 388 00:24:58,320 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 3: to experience gun violence. 389 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:04,320 Speaker 2: It could be anybody in any given moment anywhere. 390 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:07,679 Speaker 3: I tell you another thing I encouraged detectives to do. 391 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:12,680 Speaker 3: I had a mother that used to want to attack 392 00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:16,679 Speaker 3: the police department. I was familiar with the background of 393 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:23,800 Speaker 3: her case, and what I learned doing that moment is detectives. 394 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:26,399 Speaker 3: I went and sat in the room with detectives from 395 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:32,479 Speaker 3: different departments, the majors of the investigation unit, and I 396 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:39,359 Speaker 3: told them that I need you to tell the mother 397 00:25:40,359 --> 00:25:43,280 Speaker 3: once she get over the funeral, and y'all sit down 398 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 3: and talk. 399 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:45,280 Speaker 4: You know what I'm saying. 400 00:25:45,880 --> 00:25:48,919 Speaker 3: I need her to know the information you have on 401 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:51,119 Speaker 3: her son, if he was in a gang. 402 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:53,600 Speaker 4: Let mom know that. 403 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:59,639 Speaker 3: Let her know that that people selling drugs because I 404 00:25:59,720 --> 00:26:03,720 Speaker 3: learned from them that they wanted to be careful because 405 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:08,359 Speaker 3: Mom was hurting. But Mom deserved to know the truth. 406 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 3: Not that our child don't deserve to get an arrest, 407 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:17,800 Speaker 3: but she needs to understand the difficulties of why it's 408 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:22,919 Speaker 3: taken a while because of the company don't want to 409 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:27,879 Speaker 3: tell on themselves for various things. So you know, every 410 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:31,840 Speaker 3: single case is different, and I begin to tell the 411 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:36,239 Speaker 3: departments you have to have patients inside you. You know, 412 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:42,639 Speaker 3: your detectives on work because they may trust somebody that 413 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:46,120 Speaker 3: speaks their language. Make it sure that you make them 414 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:51,239 Speaker 3: as comfortable as possible to get cases solved if they 415 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:53,480 Speaker 3: have information, especiallyhip as their kids. 416 00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:56,000 Speaker 1: I know you've also worked a lot with the State 417 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:58,440 Speaker 1: Attorney Kathain Fernandez Rundel. As you mentioned, how do you 418 00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:02,520 Speaker 1: and how do parents most successfully work with prosecutors, be 419 00:27:02,560 --> 00:27:04,560 Speaker 1: it here in Miami or wherever else people may be 420 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 1: listening from on these cases, the same pressure you're putting 421 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:11,240 Speaker 1: on the police chiefs is the yes, same pressure. 422 00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:16,080 Speaker 3: Yes, I've put a lot of pressure on, especially the 423 00:27:16,119 --> 00:27:18,760 Speaker 3: first years when Florida parents have murdered Jitus at it. 424 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:21,520 Speaker 3: There was a lot of It was fireworks in the 425 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:25,359 Speaker 3: room between me and police department, me and the state 426 00:27:25,359 --> 00:27:26,120 Speaker 3: attorneys off. 427 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:27,639 Speaker 2: You brought it, you brought it. 428 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:28,880 Speaker 4: It was. It was a lot of heat. 429 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:32,600 Speaker 3: I mean I even protest the State Attorney's office enforcing 430 00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 3: laws and forced ten twenty life on these murder cases, 431 00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:40,240 Speaker 3: rape cases, you know, any case that makes an individual 432 00:27:40,359 --> 00:27:43,920 Speaker 3: a victim. Put put pressure on them to do that. 433 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:49,880 Speaker 3: I learned a lot from Kathy's office. One of the 434 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:53,040 Speaker 3: most important things I've learned where I'm able to help 435 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:58,359 Speaker 3: parents from Kathy is I have to remove my emotions. 436 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:05,199 Speaker 3: I don't have to understand policies, procedures, law and remove 437 00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:08,280 Speaker 3: my emotions. And if it's something that I don't agree with, 438 00:28:09,040 --> 00:28:11,240 Speaker 3: then you have a right to work towards change it. 439 00:28:11,520 --> 00:28:14,160 Speaker 1: I mentioned at the beginning that you were an influential 440 00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:16,280 Speaker 1: part of a bill passed here in the state of Florida. 441 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:18,679 Speaker 1: This was in twenty seventeen that keeps the names of 442 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:22,800 Speaker 1: witnesses of murders two murders out of the public record 443 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:26,399 Speaker 1: for two years. What made you open your eyes to 444 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:29,000 Speaker 1: that to realize you could help and that this was necessary? 445 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:31,159 Speaker 1: And what would you say to witnesses who might have 446 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 1: information to share but are afraid to come forward. 447 00:28:35,359 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 3: It was important because when I sat in a room 448 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:42,640 Speaker 3: with parents, it was like if I got seventy parents 449 00:28:42,680 --> 00:28:46,720 Speaker 3: in the room, maybe two have an arrest, and their 450 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:54,400 Speaker 3: discussion always was witnesses. No one's talking, And like I said, 451 00:28:54,440 --> 00:28:56,240 Speaker 3: I had to put myself in the shoes of a 452 00:28:56,280 --> 00:29:01,560 Speaker 3: witness decide that I understood legislation because I don't work 453 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:08,080 Speaker 3: with legislation for years. However, what I realized was I 454 00:29:08,160 --> 00:29:17,400 Speaker 3: realized that because of my involvement throughout the years, when 455 00:29:17,440 --> 00:29:21,959 Speaker 3: I saw that fifteen year old killed by one of 456 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 3: his friends and I heard that mother's scream, it activated 457 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:34,760 Speaker 3: the knowledge, the education that I had in getting legislation done. 458 00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:35,080 Speaker 4: Now. 459 00:29:35,160 --> 00:29:37,800 Speaker 3: At that time, I didn't know it would be the 460 00:29:37,840 --> 00:29:42,200 Speaker 3: witness Protection Law that I would be pushing as a bill, because, 461 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:46,480 Speaker 3: like I said earlier, I got in a room with parents. 462 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:49,720 Speaker 3: I didn't put my issue on the table because I 463 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:51,760 Speaker 3: had a witness in my case. I had an arrest 464 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:55,320 Speaker 3: in my case, but none of these families, ninety nine 465 00:29:55,360 --> 00:30:00,200 Speaker 3: point one percent of these families had an arrest. And 466 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:05,360 Speaker 3: so it puts witnesses in a very difficult position because 467 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 3: little kids have been killed because they go and shoot 468 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:15,320 Speaker 3: up the house. So I put myself in their positions, 469 00:30:15,640 --> 00:30:19,400 Speaker 3: and I've talked to my congresswoman, which because there's a 470 00:30:19,480 --> 00:30:24,400 Speaker 3: constitution that says that they have a right to confront 471 00:30:24,480 --> 00:30:28,680 Speaker 3: their accusers if you use the Witness Protection Act. No 472 00:30:28,680 --> 00:30:32,920 Speaker 3: matter what you use when it comes to trial, they 473 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:39,240 Speaker 3: still have a right. And those witnesses become afraid because 474 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:42,800 Speaker 3: other people that they have on the street. We've had 475 00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:45,680 Speaker 3: a killer in jail that got a witness on the 476 00:30:45,680 --> 00:30:47,120 Speaker 3: way the court killed before. 477 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:53,040 Speaker 4: So I understand them, and I keep. 478 00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:56,840 Speaker 3: Asking, it's something we have to do where maybe they 479 00:30:56,960 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 3: boys could be in there, or even an over voice 480 00:31:00,920 --> 00:31:05,960 Speaker 3: could be in the courtroom if this person is dangerous. 481 00:31:06,640 --> 00:31:11,000 Speaker 1: Tangela, what are your current goals or initiatives for Florida 482 00:31:11,040 --> 00:31:12,000 Speaker 1: parents and murdered children? 483 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:17,920 Speaker 3: Stay your ground? I have a different outlook. I lost 484 00:31:17,960 --> 00:31:21,800 Speaker 3: my case to stand your ground. I am very good 485 00:31:21,880 --> 00:31:29,840 Speaker 3: friends with the senator that created that bill. I don't 486 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:33,160 Speaker 3: feel that he created that bill for my son to. 487 00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:33,880 Speaker 4: Lose a case. 488 00:31:35,560 --> 00:31:37,640 Speaker 1: Just to shed some light for those that don't know 489 00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:40,200 Speaker 1: and aren't aware of the standard ground the law of 490 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:42,960 Speaker 1: Florida's Standard ground law allows a person to use deadly 491 00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:45,880 Speaker 1: for us if they reasonably believe it's necessary to prevent 492 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:49,000 Speaker 1: death or great bodily harm to themselves or others, without 493 00:31:49,000 --> 00:31:52,480 Speaker 1: the duty to retreat, even if they could safely do so. 494 00:31:52,920 --> 00:31:55,960 Speaker 3: One of the things Catherine Fernandez teaches me is you 495 00:31:56,120 --> 00:32:00,240 Speaker 3: have to be careful of every policy allotted to put 496 00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:05,200 Speaker 3: in place, because an attorney can turn three words in 497 00:32:05,280 --> 00:32:11,000 Speaker 3: the five hundred different means, and so nobody knew it 498 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:14,440 Speaker 3: can be used the way it was used until treyvon 499 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:20,920 Speaker 3: Martin was killed. That's really when the public learned about 500 00:32:21,000 --> 00:32:21,880 Speaker 3: Stanley Ground. 501 00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:27,720 Speaker 4: I went from legislator to legislator with groups of parents 502 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:30,120 Speaker 4: on my own. 503 00:32:30,320 --> 00:32:32,680 Speaker 3: And what I didn't do, I did not go to 504 00:32:32,840 --> 00:32:36,520 Speaker 3: my legislators because I had a meeting with all my 505 00:32:36,640 --> 00:32:40,920 Speaker 3: legislators before they went back to Tallahassee at a community 506 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:43,040 Speaker 3: meeting where all them is so they knew what our 507 00:32:43,080 --> 00:32:45,080 Speaker 3: needs was. And it's what I tell people when they 508 00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:46,880 Speaker 3: go to lobby things that they want. 509 00:32:47,040 --> 00:32:49,600 Speaker 4: You go to your onn elected officials. 510 00:32:49,640 --> 00:32:57,560 Speaker 3: However, the problem with Stanyel Ground is all the details 511 00:32:58,320 --> 00:33:01,920 Speaker 3: is not submitted to the jury. They don't have all 512 00:33:01,960 --> 00:33:07,520 Speaker 3: the information. It's so much you can't bring in to 513 00:33:07,680 --> 00:33:08,120 Speaker 3: the case. 514 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:15,720 Speaker 1: Tangila, your work is very challenging, emotionally, very difficult, but necessary. 515 00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:18,360 Speaker 1: I know your parents. We're both heavily engaged in the community. 516 00:33:18,360 --> 00:33:20,360 Speaker 1: Your father was a principal, your mother worked for the 517 00:33:20,680 --> 00:33:23,840 Speaker 1: Vermamda County. What did you learn from them in terms 518 00:33:23,840 --> 00:33:25,960 Speaker 1: of community involvement. 519 00:33:26,080 --> 00:33:30,640 Speaker 3: The importance of working, the importance of being engaged the 520 00:33:30,680 --> 00:33:36,320 Speaker 3: importance of being involved and being educated on the issues. 521 00:33:36,520 --> 00:33:38,560 Speaker 1: And I applaud you for everything you're doing. I really 522 00:33:38,640 --> 00:33:40,760 Speaker 1: appreciate your time here today as well as your energy 523 00:33:40,800 --> 00:33:43,560 Speaker 1: to put to keep helping victims' families. Your work is 524 00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:46,880 Speaker 1: invaluable to the communities that you serve. Thank you for 525 00:33:46,920 --> 00:33:49,760 Speaker 1: speaking with me today. Thank you for having me take 526 00:33:49,760 --> 00:33:53,320 Speaker 1: care of Tagula. If you have information to share on 527 00:33:53,360 --> 00:33:56,200 Speaker 1: any cold case, please call or send in a tip 528 00:33:56,240 --> 00:34:00,000 Speaker 1: with your local crime stoppers or law enforcement department in Miami. 529 00:34:00,320 --> 00:34:02,680 Speaker 1: That number is three zero five four to seven to 530 00:34:02,680 --> 00:34:06,520 Speaker 1: one tips. That's three zero five four seven one eight 531 00:34:06,640 --> 00:34:10,080 Speaker 1: four seven seven. You can also visit crime Stoppers three 532 00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:25,640 Speaker 1: zero five dot com and select give a tip. Cold 533 00:34:25,719 --> 00:34:29,160 Speaker 1: Case Files Miami as a production of Iheart'smichael Duda podcast 534 00:34:29,239 --> 00:34:32,920 Speaker 1: Network and School of Humans. I'm your host Enrique Santos. 535 00:34:33,480 --> 00:34:36,400 Speaker 1: This show is written and researched by Marissa Brown. Our 536 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:39,520 Speaker 1: lead producer is Josh thing He Delis Perez is our 537 00:34:39,560 --> 00:34:43,680 Speaker 1: senior producer, Sound design and mix by Josh Thain, fact 538 00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:47,359 Speaker 1: checking by Savannah Hugley. Our production manager is Daisy Church. 539 00:34:47,840 --> 00:34:53,640 Speaker 1: Executive producers include me Imbriques Santos, Virginia Prescott, Brandon Barr, 540 00:34:53,840 --> 00:34:57,440 Speaker 1: and Elsie Crowley from School of Humans. For more podcasts, 541 00:34:57,480 --> 00:35:01,040 Speaker 1: listen to the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you 542 00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:02,280 Speaker 1: listen to your favorite shows.