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Published: Fri, August 31, 2007 - 5:39 pm
Tiffany Craig
Every step is a miracle for Lacy Burch. Her petite body was riddled with bullets and left for dead. "It was the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. It's like a bomb hitting my body." Lacy's father, Frank James was divorced from her mom but living with them in Coden. Terri James says Lacy was determined to keep dad close. "For one thing, the property was in my and her name and she said as long as she lived here, her dad was gonna live here." Lacy says they were best friends. "My whole life, my dad has been everything to me. I've always been a daddy's girl." But a heated July argument would change their relationship forever. Terri James says the neighbor were as shocked as she was. "My neighbors when they all heard about it, they thought I was the one who was shot. Nobody could believe that he would actually shoot the one person in the world that cared for him as much as she did." The fight was over a guitar. Lacy's mom and 4-year old daughter saw it all. "Whenever he kicked my door open, the first thing I said was Dear God, please don't do that in front of Carmen." Terri James said her ex just started shooting his only child. "He actually took a few steps forward and he was aiming down at her while she's on the floor. I said you're killing her. I can't remember if I tried to grab him or the gun but when I did, he took the butt of the gun and did that number on my face. He hit me so hard I fell to the floor."
Lacy was near death for days her will to live was stronger. Her heart is a different story. "That's what's hardest for me I guess is because we were so close. That's why I’ve always wanted to take care of him because he didn't have anybody else. I still don't understand why it happened." Recovery will be slow for Lacy, but she has plenty of reason to keep living.
Lacy Burch didn't have health insurance and is now stuck with more than 100-thousand dollars in medical bills. If you'd like to help, St. Mary's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Coden is taking donations.
As for Frank James, he's been charged with attempted murder and assault.
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Football Fans Keep Eye On Gustav
By Tiffany Craig Special Assignment Reporter
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I personally think you did a great job on the story. Terri and Lacy may be upset by the lack of the mention of the Church on the news cast , but, the way I see it when you mention $100,000.00 in medical bills that says a lot right there. You may be getting calls and emails on where to send donations to. Feel free to give out the Church’s address. I give your story 2 thumbs up! Great job.
Your friend and fan,
Susan Weller