My final impact statement as you know I have been struggling with this. I was extremely difficult to deliver. So many things happened to quickly it felt like I was outside watching myself experience today.
I was walking to podium and the Defense chose to object which sent my brain into panic... Do I sit? Do I stay standing? I was frozen unsure of what to do. The judge dismissed the objection and I just remember hearing the Sheriff's deputy holding the half door say in a low voice you can go ahead.
My voice was shakey I am not sure if it was nerves, the fact that Patricia's statement brought tears to my eyes just moments before or if it was because I was speaking of him, near him, and he could hear me. It has been 7 years of hiding my thoughts, feelings, and for the most part simply not speaking aloud at all. Since I am one to say what I am thinking and wear my emotions on my sleeve I have been mute in his presence for majority of the 7 years. I have disassociated my thoughts and internal monologue when around him... you know the saying don't poke the bear. Well the Bear is my brother-in-law who killed my sister and has had sole parental control of my nieces so poking the bear could mean life or death... literally.
I was now left with the full attention of the Judge and I could feel the Bear's eyes burning a hole in my head. I could proceed or flee. I knew flee was not an option because "Don't stand up in the pool. Finish the race and breathe later." I placed my printed statement in front of me and as soon as I said "I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to speak." I panicked again because my voice was shakey. My thoughts raced to Honors Speech sophmore year and telling myself relax deep breathe just keep going.
I had an internal monologue going on throughout my statement. With each word I read I was also trying to decide whether to make eye contact with him or just the judge, do I speak directly to him, and do I give him the satisfaction of knowing he has made me a coward because I cannot look at him. What do I do the words are flying out of my mouth shakey as they may be but I am running out of them so I need to make a decision and fast. No, it was now or never. I am Christy's little sister, I love to beat the boys when I swam against them, I am not a coward, and I will not let him win.
My final paragraph came, so I looked at him in the eyes and said, "She is my Christina Ann Thompson and YOU had no right to take her away." I looked down took a breath looked up again made eye contact and said, "Christy did not deserve this and she should be here for your girls."
The eyes were as I suspected they would be. They have always been the same. The unphased, stone cold, impenetrable darkness and void of all emotion. These are not the eyes of an innocent man wrongly convicted nor were they the eyes of a loving husband or father. Everything I said even to pointing out I knew him well enough to know anything I said would mean nothing to him was true. So true that when the judge took his turn for speaking to Jason he acknowledged my words and said I was right and he could tell he too was not making a difference to him.
I never understood truly how to judge "no remorse" but I learned today. Watching a Bear stand ignoring all spoken words he himself saying, "i stand by my innocence, and have hopes for my appeal."
I will never be rid of the Bear. He is in my life as my sister vowed to him and he is my nieces father. The Bear is securely locked up with 3 Life sentences 1 being Life without Parole. There is relief with that but the girls need to be safe with my family in order for relief to truly be felt. Christy asked me to promise her things and I never back down on a promise.
My final Impact Statement was as follows...
To Whom It May Concern
The reasoning behind Christina Ann Thompson Harris’ murder is insignificant. A LIFE was taken away for what amounts to $130,000, Social Security benefits, and full parental control. The impact of Christina Ann-Thompson’s death is felt far beyond her immediate family. It is felt by anyone who knew her and knows our family.
The personal impact this crime has had on me is so great that it is difficult to articulate. Even though I have thought about this moment for seven years, I still haven’t been able to come up with the words. Jason Harris took something from me for reasons that are petty, selfish and does not justify taking someone’s LIFE.
I have known him since I was 16 years old. I have known him more than half my life. I have known him to manipulate to get whatever he wants. I was unaware of the lengths he would go in order to get what he wanted.
I understand Murder in the First-Degree has a Life Sentence without Parole. My wish for Jason is solitary confinement in order to prevent him from manipulating anyone else for the rest of his life.
His last words to me were in 2017. He stated, “I am disappointed in you, and I cannot trust you anymore.” I thought about having my last words be the same to him but honestly, I know him well enough to know it wouldn’t affect him.
Jason’s actions have caused me to have the toughest conversations that I wish no one to have to be a part of. The first was when I looked my 4-year-old niece in the eyes and had to deliver the news that she would not see her Mumma again. Once that conversation was over, the other two happened on November 17, 2021, when I sat in front of the now 12-year-old to tell her that 12 people decided her father was guilty. The 4-month-old at the time of Christy’s death is now 7 years old. Delivering that news was difficult beyond words. This is not joyful; I am not happy; this is painful for me on all levels.
While I have wanted Justice for Christy, I never thought I would be in the position to deliver such devastating news to two people I love so much.
My hope is for Christy’s girls, who have lost both parents, is to grow up surrounded by love, happy memories, and a deep understanding of family bonds.
Christina Ann-Thompson Harris is their mother and Jason Harris is their father. We cannot choose our parents, or what they choose to do. We can remember the good times, reflect on the actions they took, and know they have an aMAYSing family supporting them forever and always.
My wish for my family is to live our lives without worrying if he will be freed. I want us to have peace of mind and not worry about him ever again.
When my nieces are older and can understand what is happening here today, I want them to see our aMAYSing family fought for Christina Ann-Thompson and never stopped.
She is my Christina Ann-Thompson, and he had no right to take her away. The impact of his crime has and will affect my life forever more. Christy did not deserve this. She deserves to be here for her girls. I wish I could say more but again his impact on me is so great and yet my words spoken here today are insignificant in comparison.
Sincerely,
Katrina Marie
Christina Ann-Thompson Harris’ (younger sister)
aMAYSing Thoughts
