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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A Victim’s Thanks
To the editor: As one of the victims of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of Wirt Norris Jr., I want to express my deepest and most sincere appreciation to Dan Malone for his outstanding journalistic work in exposing this despicable man’s life as a serial pedophile (“A Long and Twisted Road,” June 1, 2005, and others). Malone’s ongoing and exhaustive work in this case has been instrumental in bringing this man to justice. Dan is responsible for making public the accusations made by a growing number of victims as well as the seeming reluctance of authorities to investigate and prosecute Norris.
Once I had made the incredibly difficult decision to come forward and reveal a dark secret of abuse, which I had never, in almost 50 years, revealed to anyone, Dan treated me with incredible compassion and caring. After telling him many of the sordid details of my abuse, he respectfully honored my request to be sensitive of my family’s feelings when reporting my story. He has, without exception, consulted with me prior to printing anything about my abuse or about what I may have said concerning these matters. For a sexual abuse victim, a trustworthy person in a position like Dan’s is a true blessing. Throughout this entire case, he has uncovered and thoroughly investigated many previously unknown details of these perverted events, and has reported them in a very professional and balanced manner. He has made a major contribution in the prosecution of this case and in securing Norris’ ultimate guilty plea. Dan, I sincerely thank you for your dedication and hard work on this story. I am sure your fellow journalists are in awe of your incredible capabilities and total dedication to your craft.
For the opportunity to exorcise my mind of a monstrous demon, I sincerely thank a very courageous Will Hallman, his parents Nancy and Bill, Bill Kirkman, Tim Kaastad, and all my fellow victims who came forward. And special appreciation to my wonderful family and to all those who have, in such kind and considerate ways, expressed their love and support of me and my family through these difficult times.
Finally, thanks to Fort Worth Weekly for having the intelligence to employ journalists of the caliber of Dan Malone and the absolute courage to continue to cover and print those important stories which other news entities are apparently hesitant and reluctant to report.
P.S.: If you are a victim of Wirt Norris Jr., especially if you are 28 years of age or younger, please come forward immediately. Prosecution is still possible for any newly reported abuses. I promise you will never regret coming forward and we will all support you completely.
Richard Chowning, Fort Worth
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