It's been the most painful of days in Northwest Indiana this month of October. Reporting on developments in the McClendon double-murder has been a difficult assignment - to say the very least.
On Wednesday, we watched as the teenage suspects shuffled into a Crown Point court room, wearing leg-irons and shackles. Reo Thompson and his alleged accomplice, Gregory Brooks, Junior, looked around the crowded courtroom, as they waited to hear from the magistrate. Peering back at them, in hushed silence, were the McClendon brothers, surrounded by family and supporters. For the McClendon's, still reeling in disbelief from the brutal murder of Waymon & Ruby McClendon, it was their first face-to-face look at the suspects.
It was as gut-wrenching a scene as I've ever witnesed. Our friend and colleague, Gerrard McClendon, with his brothers Theodore and Duane, looking at the accused, trying to comprehend how such a thing could happen. Two days later, the teens would be charged with murder.
I'll never forget the nobility of the McClendon's talking to reporters afterwards - once they'd had time to meet privately in a courthouse office to console one another.
Speaking for the family, Theodore eloquently described the family's feelings. And how they continue to hope that this tragedy will move us all to action. "It all begins with the terrible two's," Theodore explained. "We have have to raise and nurture our children from the moment they're born." And he urged parents everywhere to focus on their kids - make sure they're on the right path - teach them to work hard in school - support them so they do the right thing.
And the brothers repeated their startliing assertion that despite their loss, they forgive those who killed their parents. It was ... and continues to be ... one of the most courageous things I've ever heard. And I salute the McClendon's for the tremendous grace they've shown in the worst of all possible situations. They are born leaders.
I hope Chicago and the nation will listen to the message of the McClendon brothers. Because I believe they have some very profound things to say. And it's more urgent than ever that as Americans we pull together - to prevent the kind of tragedy we saw in Northwest Indiana.
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