Correction: Frankel Not First Person To Make Grandmother's Name Public

Rep. Frederica Wilson Leads Congressional Field Hearing On Nursing Homes

Photo: Getty Images

Turns out, South Florida Congresswoman Lois Frankel was not the first person to make public the name of a grandmother who was murdered, along with her one-year old grandson at a Royal Palm Beach Publix last week.

A member of Frankel's staff notified us that the representative got the name from an article last Sunday in the SunSentinel, in which a reporter spoke to neighbors of the slain 69-year old woman.

Frankel, on the House floor Wednesday, cited the recent shooting to call for more action to be taken against gun violence.

"A grandmother, Litha Verone, was innocently shopping in a local supermarket with her precious young grandson when they were both brutally murdered by a deranged man with a semi-automatic weapon."

While not announcing the name of the one year old boy who was murdered, the Democrat did name the grandmother.

The victims' family had invoked "Marsy's Law" in asking that the names not be made public.

"Marsy's Law" was approved by voters in 2018. The statute is in effect in a number of states as a way of protecting victims of crime.

Frankel cited the tragedy in advocating for common sense gun legislation and the strengthening of our mental health system.

She said "a grandmother watched in horror as her grandchild was shot and killed by a man who should never have had a gun."

Upon our informing her that Marsy's Law had been invoked, Representative Frankel issued the following statement:

“I learned of the name through numerous news articles and, because of that, was unaware it was being shielded. My heart breaks for their suffering.”

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is working to figure out how Timothy J. Wall came to own the handgun used in the murders, because he was not the original owner.

Wall turned the gun on himself after killing the woman and child in front of shoppers.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content