Family Reflects After Sentencing
WARSAW — Community support continues for Steve, Michael and Katie Conrad. It was evident during the sentencing of Mickgomery Hisey Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 17. Over 30 people filled the courtroom to show support for the Conrads.
Kimberly Conrad and Stephen Conrad II lost their lives in a vehicle accident on Christmas Day, 2016. Today was closure for the family.
“Thank God it’s pretty much over,” said Steve Conrad. “It’s been on our mind ever since Dec. 25. We’re doing ok, but what would it be like if we were all together.” He stated the only memory from that day is at his sister’s house, where the family was together for what was the last time. “I have one picture of all three of us in one spot. That’s there in my mind.”
“I think him receiving the maximum allowable sentence from the plea deal is acceptable for us,” stated Michael Conrad. “Nothing’s going to bring them back. No amount of time is going to be justifiable in our minds … I think my mom and brother were such good people, they had a lot of lives left to touch. He (Hisey) needs to better himself, get out there and try to recoup what he did.”
“I felt a weight of relief from the family after the sentencing was over,” said Dan Hampton, prosecuting attorney. “The remorse and the unhappiness was all through the sentencing. When the sentencing was over and the judge stood up and walked out of the room, you could just feel the relief from where I was sitting … I just thought that was very impressive.”
“Our friends felt the same way too,” said Steve, who noted more came to the sentencing than he thought would be coming. “That’s what I meant about the backing of the community.” Michael added appreciation to the community members for all their support. “Still today, I feel it,” added Steve.
Hampton referred to a comment in one of many victim statements. “On Christmas when someone dies, they become Christmas Angels right away,” adding “We have two in heaven.” That statement was written by Kimberly’s mother, Ruth Webster. “They were at the golf course,” Hampton added.
During the golf outing in July for the Kimberly and Stephen Conrad Scholarship, at Maxwelton, two circular rainbows appeared and were seen by Steve. “ I looked up, when I was done playing, and there were two circular rainbows, one of them left. It must have been 1:30-2 p.m. I figured it was Stephen staying to watch the rest of the tournament and Kim left to go sell a house somewhere in heaven.”
That scholarship is now at $95,000 possibly more. “There’s going to be students who are going to get some help. That’s a good thing. At least there’s something good happen,” said Steve.