UPDATE: My nephew was buried, with the full wake, funeral and interment. My sister only wanted a cremation and a small, simple service. She didn't feel like she could stand all of that but his father's family balked and insisted on the traditional services. She tried several times to tell his father that she didn't have that kind of money to contribute. My nephew did not have any insurance.
His father's relatives, who were pushing for the full traditional services, were not forthcoming with very much of the needed funds. At one time, his father agreed with my sister for a cremation but he was not able to stand up to his family. They went ahead with the extensive plans and my sister was very upset and frustrated. She said she felt like she was losing control of what would happen to her son.
Donations eventually came in at the funeral home website for over $9,000, which covered the around $10,000 fee. My sister made it safely through the nightmare of the services and went back to work 2 days after the burial. She was able to work the entire day and she is doing well.
The trial was changed from yesterday, 10/29, to 11/18. I don't know if the suspect will be charged with first or second degree murder. The detective's report said basically that the group (males and females) was at a restaurant celebrating a birthday and a dispute happened inside. Some of them went out, I guess, and the suspect, who at 42 is 12 yrs older than my nephew, went out to his car.
My nephew was still inside sitting at the table watching through the window into the parking lot. It looked like the guy was getting a gun out of his car and my nephew went out to protect his friends whom he thought were in danger. Probably an altercation happened and he was shot. It's possible that they all may have been in various stages of intoxication. So, it seems that he died trying to defend or help others.
We are grateful to the person(s) who took him to the hospital because he could have been left in the street or in a gutter like what happens to the precious loved ones of so many others. I am glad that I can share this info because as many of you know, it's still a nightmare. Nothing will be the same but I know that over time it will become easier to bear. I will share the results of the trial when it is over.
