Family of Murdered Man Takes The Stand at Parole Hearing - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

SMYRNA, Del. - The family of a man murdered back in 1987 continues the fight to keep his killer behind bars.

"Dougie was my clown - he liked to make people laugh," said Peggy Truitt, mother of victim. He was 18 years old - just graduated from high school, ready to embrace the next chapter of his life. But all that stripped by the hands of Ransford Bryan. Douglas Brockway was shot in the back of the head three times and left to die in the woods. Bryan was sentenced to life in prison.

It's now his 4th time up for parole. Dougie's family took the stand Tuesday morning at the Department of Corrections in Smyrna, begging the parole board to keep his killer behind bars. "There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. He wasn't there for my wedding - wasn't there for any of my brothers' weddings - it's hard, and Randy wants to get out and have these moments with his family when he took that from my brother," said Missy Walls, sister of Dougie.

Chairman of the parole board, David Henderson says the board listened to the victim's mother, younger brother and older sister and heard statements from Bryan, Bryan's defense attorney and a representative from the Sussex Correctional Institute where Bryan is being held. They have come to a decision but won't release the verdict until Wednesday afternoon, after family has been notified. Henderson says that Bryan had strong recommendations from SCI - he was a model prisoner and had no history of violations. He noted that if Bryan were to be sentenced after 1990, he would have been released by now according to Delaware law.

The thought of Randy getting out - all too much to bear for Brockway's family. "I have thought about that and the only thing I can say is, I'll take one day at a time," said Truitt.

The family has received so much support from the community. They've received hundreds of letters in the mail opposing Randy's parole - they even got a letter from someone all the way out in California. They also have a petition with over 1000 signatures. All which they hope will keep Bryan locked away.

"My father on his dying bed, asked us to fight to keep that boy in prison," said Truitt. The family is using this horrific tragedy as a platform to reach out to others going through similar trials. They've created an organization aimed at helping family members of victims cope. Email victimrightsassociation@gmail.com or go to www.victimrightsassociation.com for more information.