Clearing of death row colors many reactions

Bridget Drobney's parents still feel the pain of losing their 16-year-old daughter, who was stabbed to death in a Macoupin County cornfield more than 20 years ago.

[I remember that]

What happened to that girl was and is a nightmare. Anyone who believes people with that kind of behavior problem can be fixed is just plain crazy. I was the same age when.... What she went through and what her family must feel everyday of their lives is without a doubt deserving of some solid, real justice. They(those responsible) don't deserve our $ spent for food, housing, healthcare. A bullet would be much more cost effective and take care of the problem immediately. What's with people against the death penalty? Unless those affected by the crime can forgive and forget, then let the losers who hurt others be dead. If you're so messed up you can hurt a person like that then there's nothing that can fix you anyway.

[Family Friend]

I went through this with the family and they do not deserve this. They feel the loss of Bridget every day, as do many of their friends. The men responsible for this tragedy should never have been taken off death row. There is NO DOUBT, NO POSSIBILITY that they were not guilty. Why should Bridget's family have to pay taxes that are supporting keeping animals like this in prison? They should get no better treatment than they gave Bridget!!!! When the governor can do something like granting them clemancy, there is something REALLY wrong with our system!!!

[cherokee]

What if they were put back on death row and killed, according to law, then 5 or 10 years down the road it was found out they didnt do it? or someone else put to death and then found out later they were innocent. Do we then kill the judge and prosecutor for murder? The Death Penalty is wrong in every way.

[Awful]

Everytime I hear the story my eyes fill up with tears. I was only a year old when it happened. I have the deepest sorrows for what the family had to go through. There is NO WAY that those men are innocent.

[Arianamanx]

I was only 8 years old when this happened. I have to tell you that Mike and Robert Turner are my second cousins. The night that they killed that poor girl my mom, dad, me and a frien of the family were less than 2 miles from where this happened. Country cruising. I wish to god now that we would have made the turn down the road that would have taken us past where this was happening and maybe we could have saved her life. I can tell you without a doubt in my mind that those boys are guilty as sin and death is not a harsh enough punishment.

I found this site because I am now a criminal justice student learning how to fight against animals like this. Our discussion posting this week is on the death penalty in our state and I remembered Bridget and what Robert did to her. I used what happened to her as my argument for the death penalty. I know nothing I can say will ever be able to comfort her family and friends.

I loved Robert and Mike dearly when I was younger, before any of this happened and now all that I can say is that they all deserve to rot in hell. For the sake of the Drobney family, and many others like them, I pray that the Moratorium on the death penalty will be lifted and Robert will finally be put to death.

[Hipp]

I believe I was a teenager when this happened but I remember it very well. I live in Litchfield and this was very big news. This case is the reason nobody can have a revolving red light in their car in Illinois. Too bad the law came to late for Bridget. Even though I never knew Bridget or her family or the Turner brothers that did this, to this day I have remembered the name Bridget Drobney. Sometimes just out of the blue her name would pop into my head for no apparent reason. So I guess in a way I have kept her alive in my memory. A girl I never met or heard of before that. Kinda strange really.

[An Eye for An Eye]

I happened across these postings today and I found myself transported back 20+ years. I live exactily 1/2 mile from where they found the car Bridget was driving. I was a teacher at that time in Gillespie and knew Bridget's cousins, aunt and uncle well. The morning after Bridget disappeared I was asked to mobilize my students and ask them to join the search...and this is what we did for nearly two weeks....the community frantically searching for this innocent child....hoping beyond hope we'd find her. When the word came they had found her...this community collectively wept for Bridget and her family.... The trial was long and at no time did Turner ever show any remorse for his actions. Some of my student who attended the trial said he would smile as they lead him in and out of the courtroom. He was/is a monster and I think we need to remember this is the face of the person Ryan "pardoned"...the face of a person who raped, maimed and murdered an innocent child and has never felt any remorse. I have asked myself many times could I put the needle in this man's arm and each time the answer has been yes....and I too hope the death penalty is reinstated and justice is finally served for this family.

[Newbie]

I know this is kinda off subject, but im buying a house in Mount Olive very soon and was reading old news articles and things like that. Do u think this is a good area to live in or a dangerous area.

[rose]

I know this is kinda off subject, but im buying a house in Mount Olive very soon and was reading old news articles and things like that. Do u think this is a good area to live in or a dangerous area. It is strictly a small town one color community if you get my drift. home prices are great. lots of locals all know one another. cliquish type people baptist, lutheran and catholic churches all round town plenty of bars for drinking, the entire town closes up at noon on Thursdays and reopens Friday morning; the locals are used to it. good fishing in a few local lakes. nice once a year home coming carnival and parade. lots of quiet bike riding places 2 restaurants i believe, one wonderful dentist, Dr Guardia. also be care of your pets of they roam the streets they will be picked up and you will never be notified even if the pets wears a tag. Nice public parks two of them actually one with a playground and pavillion one with a gazebo. Saturday night fun for young teens is driving up and down main street over and over.

[Newbie]

Rose, thank you so much for the information, it was very helpful. :)

[classmate]

I remember Bridget's smile and her awesome personality. I had her in my drivers education class in high school she sat right next to me and although I did not really know her I will never forget her smile and charm. I was angry/upset at the time of her murder and till this day I still think of her like "HIPP" said; to this day I have remembered the name Bridget Drobney. Sometimes just out of the blue her name would pop into my head for no apparent reason. So I guess in a way I have kept her alive in my memory. Well put "HIPP".
I live near where Bridget is laid to rest and I have even told my children about her. I found this site because I now work in a high school and had just heard about a former student who was murdered this last weekend and as parent my heart sank has it did over twenty years ago. Its just horrible when children lives are cut short it affects everyone Parents, schools and communities.

[Tim Drover]

Bridget was an incredible friend. A constant beaming smile. A beautiful girl. God bless you Bridge. We all miss you every day.