Justice for Vanessa
On Father’s Day June 20th 2021 approximately 9pm EST, Vanessa was nearly beaten to death by her neighbour Shelley Doucette, who lives 2 houses down from her. It's an emotional day for her, as her father passed away in 2009. She decided to stay home and hang out with her puppy Gigi and her immediate next door neighbour Tony & his daughter Maria.
The lay out of the neighbor's is Vanessa's house, Tony's house in the middle and then Shelley house next to Tony's house. Vanessa and Tony have a joint bungalow house together.
Vanessa went outside her home to clean her car where Tony and Maria were outside as well on their balcony, Maria offered Vanessa some ice-cream cake. Vanessa accepted because it’s nice to celebrate with another elderly father. She sat down on Tony’s chair outside his front door to eat and chat with Tony and Maria. While Vanessa was eating, Gigi saw a stray cat and as any young puppy, Gigi ran after the cat towards Shelley’s backyard. Vanessa immediately got up and called Gigi’s name and noticed her coming out from Shelley’s backyard as his gate was open because he never closes it. Gigi responded back very quickly and sat down in front of Vanessa. She spoke to Gigi about not running after cats and disciplined her by placing her in her backyard. Vanessa made her way back to sit and enjoy her time with Tony and Maria. A few minutes later, Vanessa could hear someone aggressively yelling “yo buddy”, “hey pal” and “hey punk”. Since Shelley and Vanessa have never spoken to one another before she did not think he was addressing her. Also she did not expect the name calling he used to be addressed to her. Shelley walks up from the side of Tony’s house, hovering over her, invading her personal space as she eats her cake sitting down. He then started pointing his finger in her face and says “HEY, IM FUCKING TALKING TO YOU, IVE BEEN WATCHING YOU PAL , YOU AND YOUR FUCKING DOG HAVE BEEN CHILLING IN MY BACKYARD”. Vanessa was confused by his accusations as she has never been in his backyard. Vanessa then said "Don't approach me aggressively like that". Before Vanessa even had a chance to tell Shelley she’d never been in his backyard he began punching her in the face, head and eyes very hard.
Vanessa fell to the ground from the force but he didn’t stop there, He pulled her hair and dragged her face across the concrete, then continued to punch and bash her head into the concrete, while shouting that “he isn’t scared of the police or scared of going to jail”.
Even though Vanessa cried out “stop” he didn’t, he kept on punching her in the face while securing her head to the ground. She was completely vulnerable, couldn’t do anything as he's 3 times her size. She could only brace herself for more impact. Vanessa heard Maria cry out stop and Shelley kept going. He punched her over 30 times. He targeted no where else on her body but her head and face.
Vanessa had to wait for this monster to be done with her. Vanessa was left there laying on the ground. When she realized the beaten stopped, she crawled and blindly felt for the railings of Tony's house and used it to guide her back towards her home to where she laid bleeding on the kitchen floor. She didn't hear anyone nor could she see because of the swelling around the eyes. She didn't know where he was or if he was coming back. As she laid on the ground disorientated, she could hear Gigi her puppy screaming and howling in a panic. Vanessa panicked and struggled to get up as she worried about Shelley harming Gigi. She got the strength and bravery to blindly feel her way out her house to opened the backyard gate for Gigi to come out and enter into her home where she then fell in pain to the floor bleeding from her scalp, eyes, forehead, arms, knees and toe. She finally pushed through and found more strength to get her phone from her pocket and called someone for help. Her friend Roneka answered, who then called her sister, mom and 911. Roneka arrived at Vanessa's house and noticed blood everywhere on her kitchen floor. There was a trail of blood leading from Tony’s door to Vanessa's door. Vanessa was not responsive. Thankfully EMS came quite quickly.
After being admitted to the hospital Vanessa’s body was covered in multiple abrasions and bruises. Her orbital bone (the bone underneath her eye) is completely broken, she needed a total of eight stitches. A huge chunk of her eyebrow is completely gone (from the pressure of the concrete), She suffers a large amount of swelling & pain in her head and eyes which lead her not being able to see for over a week. Imagine losing your sight and all you can think about is the last memories you have of this attacker. Life just flashed by.
The police arrived around 6am the next day to take a statement.
Shelley was apprehend the next day on June 21 time 4:42. Surprisingly Shelley Doucette was release on bail June 22.
Vanessa has decided to pursue legal action against Shelley’s brutally attacking her. This is a serious Hate Crime. Shelley Doucette is a 300lbs caucasian, male approximately in his 50s or 60’s beating a small 5 foot, 110lbs African American/ Asian female who is a part of the LGBTQ and Black community.
A man who beats a petite woman in broad daylight infront of witnesses, stating that he isn’t scared of the police or being incarcerated needs to be taken off the streets immediately. Maria and Vanessa yelled stop but he continued, that is overkill. He feels fearless, unstoppable and privileged.
This is the month of Pride where we show love and compassion. It's also Father's day, a day of appreciation.
Vanessa will soon undergo surgery for the changes to her face. She is still attending continuous appointments for her eyes and brain. No one needs to be reminded by a traumatic incident eveey time they look in the mirror. At this time Vanessa is unsure how much the total expenses will accumulate to but she is seeking your support. If you are not able to contribute please share.
If you can help in any way that would be greatly appreciated.
Blessing to all.
Thank you
This will cover:
Legal fees
Medical fees
Treatments
Loss of income
