Mother of Murder Victim Prepares to Mark Anniversary

In a matter of days, a Morgan County mother will mark one year since her daughter's murder. In the year since Sue Perkins's daughter, Melissa Patrick was murdered, some of the only comfort Perkins finds is in the time she spends with Patrick's kids.

Police said Patrick was shot to death by her ex-boyfriend Robin Mapel after he escaped from the Montgomery County jail in November 2008. Mapel had been locked up on charges he kidnapped the couple's two-year-old son, Wyatt. Patrick's mother is frustrated because she's still waiting for Mapel's trial.

Perkins said what's making matters harder is that she lost custody of Patrick and Mapel's son who she kept almost a year after the murder. Now, he's in the custody of Mapel's parents. Perkins only sees him on some weekends.

Perkins said, "I'm so tickled when I go pick him up but then I have to let him go before the weekend is over with and that is so hard to do. And, I'm sure Missy would want him here with me. I know she would."

Perkins said she plans to fight for custody of Patrick and Mapel's son. Mapel's trial on the murder charge is set for March.

MORE FROM WLEX TV

WLEX TV Section Front

Former Russell County Daycare Employees Criminally Charged Dakota, Baby A.J. Four Months Later Man Frying Turkey Starts Apartment Fire Former Teacher Acquitted In Student Sex Case Sues Prosecutor Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence In Floyd County Murder WLEX TV Section Front   Add WLEX TV headlines to your news reader: