Local & Community
Victims of Violent Crime to be Remembered During Vigil in Palm Desert Tuesday Night
PALM DESERT (CNS) - The first of two candlelight vigils in Riverside
County is scheduled Tuesday night in Palm Desert to honor the memories of residents
whose lives were taken during acts of violence.
This week is National Crime Victims' Rights Week, recognized in
special ceremonies hosted by the District Attorney's Office annually, beginning
in 2004.
The first of two memorials -- both beginning at 7 p.m. -- is set for
Tuesday in the amphitheater of the Palm Desert Civic Center, 43-900 San Pablo
Ave.
Duane Baker, whose father, Reginald Baker, was killed and his mother,
Peggy, severely assaulted in a Coachella Valley home invasion robbery.
``The crime led to a 27-year legal battle,'' according to the D.A.'s
office. ``Duane's powerful story and unwavering commitment inspire others to
raise their voices for justice.''
The second and final vigil will be on Thursday, beginning with a brief
ceremony outside the Riverside Historic Courthouse, 4050 Main St., from
which attendees will walk and gather at the Victims' Memorial Courtyard,
adjacent to the D.A.'s headquarters at 3960 Orange St.
During that vigil, Marcy Ruiz Reason will recount the loss of her
sister, Esther Ruiz, to domestic abuse in 2015 in the Riverside metropolitan
area.
``Marcy was confronted with the harsh realities of domestic violence
and its enduring consequences,'' the D.A.'s office stated. ``As she and her
family navigated both the criminal justice system and their own grief, Marcy
found purpose in advocacy, transforming tragedy into a force for change.''
Agency officials said Reason has been steadfast in her efforts to
``empower survivors and honor her sister's memory ... through dedication to
justice.''
Names recently added to the Victims Memorial Wall will also be
unveiled during Thursday's vigil, and there will be a special tribute paid to
the agency's Division of Victim Services, which was established in 1980 for the
express purpose of aiding crime victims and their loved ones.
District Attorney Mike Hestrin and other staff will attend both gatherings.
Further information regarding the services can be found at http://rivcoda.org/.
Copyright 2025, City News Service, Inc.
By: NBC Palm Springs
April 8, 2025
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