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Victimized Again?

By Jessica Taloney Reporter

Published: Mon, March 31, 2008 - 5:59 pm Last Updated: Thu, August 14, 2008 - 6:22 pm

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/12222/

Jessica Taloney

When an elderly woman knocked on Cherry Simpson's door, she never thought to question what the woman was saying.
"She must have been in her late 60s or early 70s," said Simpson. "She just poured her heart out and told me about Becca."
The woman claimed to be 11-year-old Rebecca McEvoy step-grandmother. McEvoy, who in 2006 told family and friends she was raped by her step-father, died in a car accident earlier this year, while waiting for the rape case to go before a grand jury.
Since her death, McEvoy family has fought to have the evidence heard by a judge.
"I thought this might be the one good thing that God would bring from this," said Simpson, who gave the woman $20. "I wanted to do so much more."
After the woman left her house, Simpson, who has a daughter of her own that was brutally raped two years ago, searched the Internet hoping to find Rebecca's family and offer more help. But, instead she learned the woman at her door was running a scam.
"That's no one we even know," said Rhonda Wheelus, Rebecca's cousin, who says her family first learned about the scam Sunday when a church member told them they donated!
Wheelus says a fund for Rebecca's family is set up at Compass Bank in Rebecca McEvoy name. The family has also created an online petition to lobby lawmakers to create some kind of legislation so sexual assault causes don't risk being dropped if the victim dies.
Rebecca's family will be in court April 2nd when a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to send her case to a grand jury.
Rebecca's stepfather, who at the time was also a Chickasaw police officer, is charged with raping the eleven year old.
Family members say Rebecca gave statements to investigators and to counselors before she died.

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Carrying a bowl in one hand and a little girl's obituary in the other, an elderly woman scammed neighbors in one West Mobile neighborhood.

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Concerned Parent Says:

Thu, Apr 10, 2008 at 4:30 pm

God Bless you and your family.

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fee fee Says:

Thu, Apr 10, 2008 at 2:17 pm

my heart goes out for that beautiful little girls family an if the law cant get the lady that has used that precious little girls memory to get money the lord himself will give her what she deserves an may the man that did that to her fry here an with the devil im so sorry

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cherry6905 Says:

Tue, Apr 01, 2008 at 12:55 pm

I’m glad the woman came forward.

I’d very much like everyone to help this family. Please sign the petition or write or call our representatives. Or make a donation at Compass.

We must all remember brotherly love for one another. It’s how God can bring good from this. God Bless you Woody you are in our prayers!

I also have a few questions about the case.

What about infant rape or senility rape or mentally challenged rape. Don’t they all fall into the category of not being able to testify for themselves or face their accuser? How would an infant do that? Does that mean those pedophiles and rapist’s go free? How is that American Justice?!

They have the “Outcry Testimony” of family members and friends.. “Outcry” testimony has often been used in cases of rape, and is an exception to the hearsay rule. (i.e. Lisa Bloch Rodwin Erie, NY and the Ulner Lee Still case.)

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sgtmac Says:

Tue, Apr 01, 2008 at 8:43 am

Hi, I am Becca;s Dad, i would likt to thank T.V. 5, for all you have done for my daughter, the support that the people have shown for her is overwelming.

the story you did on the lady going door to door was great, but i would like to clear the story. the lady was the step grandmother, years ago. but has not had much contact with family. what she did was wrong but she thought she was helping. she made contact with me about this matter. she was told not to go door to door any more and to take the money she recieved to compass bank, for the (Becca fund). she is very sorry for what she thought was helping. and would never do anything to hurt the family, or keep people from giving to BECCA.
Thanks
ADEN MCEVOY

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SEANGEL Says:

Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 11:11 pm

This woman also came to my house near Old Shell Road. She had a small white car that was full of stuff, with her plastic container and an obituary, a week or two ago. It is sad that people try to take advantage of innocent people trying to help others in a time of need.

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size19shoe Says:

Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 10:40 pm

that old women was in my neighborhood off airport on a sunday!! in west mobile trying to get money!! she had the paper pic of rebecca and a money jar!!she was old around 67 and very nice!! and had a beat up car that was her. i was thinking something was not right so i did not give money to her. but god bless to the real family and i am very sorry to hear about the death of a love one that is very sad.

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