Victim awareness demonstration held in sunken gardens
April is Victim’s Awareness Month
– Demonstrators held signs along El Camino Real next to Sunken Gardens in Atascadero Sunday afternoon to raise awareness about Victim’s Awareness Month.
“April is Victim’s Awareness Month,” Carmen Velci of Atascadero said, “We’re victims of murder and alleged murder. The person who killed my son has been charged with second-degree murder, but we are victims of this crime.”
“That’s why we’re here today,” said another protester Mary Jane Jodry, “We’re trying to get the word out about what happened to our son.”
Thomas Jodry died two years ago in a fall from a parking garage in downtown San Luis Obispo. Initially, the San Luis Obispo Police dismissed a murder investigation, but as more information manifests, the case for murder is reportedly growing. Bill and Mary Jane Jodry will meet with San Luis Obispo’s new police chief later this week.
Carmen Velci’s son, Emilio, bought from a co-worker at an upscale Paso Robles restaurant what he thought was a pharmaceutical Percocet pill to relieve a toothache. The pill was actually a fake Percocet made of Fentanyl. It killed him.
The co-worker who sold him the pill is being charged with second-degree murder. District Attorney Dan Dow agreed to pursue second-degree murder charges in the case.
This coming Saturday evening at the Atascadero Recreation Center, Carmen Velci is producing a fundraising event called, “An Evening of Aloha.” It includes food, entertainment including hula, a fashion show by Faron Elizabeth, music, and dancing. District Attorney Dan Dow and Carmen Velci will speak about the Fentanyl pandemic. Tickets are available at Farron Elizabeth, located at 5955 Entrada Road in Atascadero. Proceeds benefit Atascadero and Paloma High Schools, and the Atascadero Teen Center and its athletic programs. Emilio Velci coached and refereed games at the Atascadero Recreation Center.
