Public reaction mixed on Marsh’s release
Reactions to the release of a man responsible for the Tri-State Crematory scandal in Walker County were mixed.
At one time, prosecutors figured Brent Marsh, if given the maximum penalty on all counts, could have been sentenced to nearly 8,000 years in penitentiary.
LaFayette resident Wanda Mitchell said Marsh failed to fulfill his duty to properly cremate the remains of two relatives, aunt Nellie Cleghorn and uncle Alfred Collins.
Mitchell said she feels March has served his time and is ready to forgive him but forgetting his deeds is another matter entirely.
“They found my aunt (Cleghorn) thrown in on a bunch of other people,” she said. “My uncle (Collins), they never found.”
Mitchell believes Marsh did a horrible thing and was aware of his actions after taking over the Marsh family business.
“I know I am not his judge, I am not trying to say that,” she said. “But a lot of people were hurt and whether or not that was enough time (served), I don’t know.”
When asked about the convicted felon’s plea of forgiveness, Mitchell said, “You should always forgive people, you know. One thing, God forgives us for everything we ask, so yeah, I think we should forgive him for what he did.”
Responses on social media varied, from those willing to forgive and those who cannot — who will not — forget the indignity and suffering Marsh caused.
Michael Lawson reacted by saying, “I hope he lives a nightmare every day of his life. If I had a family member found there I know he would fear me.”
Jane Scroggins said, “Pathetic excuse for a human being but keeping him in prison and feeding him doesn’t accomplish anything. Assume he will not run a business and rip anymore people off, not to mention the horror his customers felt about the way their family was treated!!”
Stacy Westbrook posted, “Wow..... People get longer sentences than that over drugs!!”
Tiffany Daniel Duffy posted on a local news Facebook outlet, “As the daughter of someone who wound up there, 12 years is not enough. When we found out what had happened, it was like she’d died all over again. Those of you who say 12 years is enough, and that he did his time: I have no idea where my mother wound up. Is 12 years really enough time? Had it happened to you, you’d think what we’re all thinking.”
Amber Woody posted, “He deserves nothing more than to be in prison for the rest of his life or better yet he deserves to be dead and his body just (thrown) out back like he did my uncle and so many more. Such a shame he is able to walk free.”
Others on social media feel Marsh has served his time based on the punishment set by the judge.
Terry Walker said, “He served all the time that the courts gave him, would you expect him to say “12 years is not enough give me more” let him be.”
Many, like Mitchell, say it does not seem like the sentence was handed down a dozen years ago.
“You won’t forget. People won’t forget,” she said. “I know forgiving and forgetting are two different things, You’ll always remember.”
Asked how she might react on seeing Marsh out and about at a local store, Mitchell said she would know who he is. And even though she forgives him in her heart, it is far more difficult to forget what was done.
“Even though, those people were dead, they didn’t deserve that,” Mitchell said. “I wonder if he has remorse about it.”