Anoopa Sharma

Anoopa's mom shared this note regarding Anoopa's case going to court beginning today in Ashland, Alabama.

Dear Friends and Family,

Please keep Anoopa and our family in your prayers. Dennis and I will be in Clay County courthouse in Ashland, Alabama during the week of Monday 28 January for the court proceedings. My sister and brother-in-law will be with us for support. It has taken almost three years to bring this case to court. That says something about the situation of legal affairs in Clay County.

Our attorneys tell us it is unlikely that the district attorney (DA) of Clay County will ever bring a criminal case against the defendant, Mr. Darren Smith, whose reckless driving caused the loss of our beloved Anoopa. That says a lot more about law enforcement practices in Clay County, Alabama.

We wanted to hold Mr. Smith responsible for his actions on highway 77 on the evening of 5 March 2005, and have him face the consequences of his high speed reckless driving. We do not expect much from this case; however we would like to see him do 200-400 hours of social service and donate part of his wages to Anoopa Sharma Children's Foundation. Social service at hospitals attending automobile accident victims will help him learn to respect laws of the road. It is our wish that neither he nor anyone else take another innocent life by driving recklessly, at excessively high speed, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We also wish to see Anoopa's dream of helping under represented young women around the world better their lives.

Your prayers and acts of kindness have been so important to us in the past, and we continue to be grateful for your concern and support. Please think of Anoopa and us and pray the lord to give us strength to face this difficult time.

With best wishes to all,

Anita