A letter to THV 11 from Karen Gentry McNeely, daughter of Edward Gentry Sr., written Nov. 8, 2012. Five members of her family were killed on Nov. 11, 2009. She learned Thursday that the accused killer will have a new trial."My heart is breaking...November 11, 2009 My last words to my dad were 'Happy Veteran's Day, I Love you' Dad said..."I have to go Karen, someone is at the door, I love you too, see you Friday.'
They broke in his door and killed my 80 year old father just as I hung up the phone. They went next door and killed my brother and his family and burned their home. If I had only stayed on the phone a moment longer...It was brutal and beyond anything you would believe...worse than any horror movie...How can this happen on the anniversary of their murders.
A gag order was placed on my family's murder, 5 people [killed] on Veteran's day 2009 and the media gag was placed in order to protect who? My family that were shot and burned or the men that killed my family over a set of stupid tire rims?...Robbery gone wrong?...What went wrong was letting these people run free.
During the trial my family had no voice left, my sister and I were concerned this was getting shoved under a rug and asked not to speak to the media... We did [talk] to 2 different news media to let it be known My father Edward Gentry Sr., 80, amputee, World War 2, Korean and Vietnam decorated war veteran, beaten, gagged,fought, got loose and shot in the head. My brother Edward Gentry Jr., 55; Shot in the head burned. My sister in law Pamela Gentry, 52 shot 5 times, did not die immediately, shot in the head burned; and my nephew Jeremy Gentry, 24 Shot in the head burned beside his girlfriend, Kristyn Warneke,19; Shot in head Killed in their homes. Home set on fire.
This was my family, not very different from any other family. My dad loved me so much I feel it when I breath. My brother was always there for me, he was 11 years my senior, my big brother. My Sister in law Pam was with us so long SHE WAS MY SISTER, I never heard her say a curse word or cross word about anyone. Jeremy my nephew always [had] a hug and an 'I love you,' he was the ring bearer in my wedding. Kristyn...where to begin, she was "19" Oh My God "19" a good girl smart with her whole life in front of her...Sane people do not do these things to people. This is not right.
This is how we found out about the appeal, my brother in law happened upon it online. Vicky, 'the victims advocate in the Hot Springs PA Office,' said it was under a different heading and did not have to let the family know when questioned by my husband about why we were not told. Scott, my husband, asked her to keep us up to date.
Please help me not to let this get swept under a rug. My sister Pam and I are trying to keep our lives in order. Another trial with no support and half truths is hard to even think about. This is one of the largest most horrific murders in Hot Springs, if not the country, to go about virtually unknown and now to go through another re trail and or go free is unbelievable.
Thank you for your time just reading this email. Please excuse any typo's it is written with raging emotions.
My warmest Regards, On behalf of my father Edwards E. Gentry Sr.. Edward E. Gentry Jr., Pamela Gentry, Jeremy Gentry, Kristyn Warneke... Scott and Karen Gentry McNeely and Children ( Ed Sr Daughter) Buddy and Pam Taylor and Children (Ed Sr. Daughter) Joey Gentry and Family (Ed Jr's only surviving son) and the Gentry Family
Karen Gentry McNeely