Miriam Shehane “restored balance” to Alabama’s judicial system, according to Gov. Kay Ivey.
Shehane became Alabama's crime victims' advocate following the murder of her daughter, Quenette, in 1976 while a student at Birmingham-Southern College. Shehane served as a commissioner for the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission for 37 years and was instrumental in its founding in 1984.
Shehane passed away on Monday afternoon at the age of 91 years old.
“Alabama owes a tremendous debt to Miriam Shehane. 40 years ago, she spearheaded a campaign to restore balance in Alabama’s judicial system, seeking to give crime victims an equally strong voice as accused criminals. She founded and personally led Alabama Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) to advocate for crime victims, elevating their plight and supporting them through the process, while opposing lenient sentencing for violent offenders. Her voice for crime victims will be heard loud and clear for many years to come,” Ivey said.
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