Crime & Safety
RivCo Honors Crime Victims' Rights Week: Palm Desert, Riverside Vigils
Two candlelight vigils are scheduled, the first in Palm Desert, honoring the Baker family, victims of violent assault, murder in Coachella.
PALM DESERT, CA — The first of two candlelight vigils in Riverside County is scheduled Tuesday evening in Palm Desert to honor the memories of residents whose lives were taken during acts of violence.
This week is National Crime Victims' Rights Week, recognized in special ceremonies hosted by the District Attorney's Office annually, beginning in 2004.
The first of two memorials -- both beginning at 7 p.m. -- is set for Tuesday in the amphitheater of the Palm Desert Civic Center, 43-900 San Pablo Ave.
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Duane Baker, whose father, Reginald Baker, was killed and his mother, Peggy, severely assaulted in a Coachella Valley home invasion robbery.
"The crime led to a 27-year legal battle," according to the D.A.'s office. "Duane's powerful story and unwavering commitment inspire others to raise their voices for justice."
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The second and final vigil will be on Thursday, beginning with a brief ceremony outside the Riverside Historic Courthouse, 4050 Main St., from which attendees will walk and gather at the Victims' Memorial Courtyard, adjacent to the D.A.'s headquarters at 3960 Orange St.
During that vigil, Marcy Ruiz Reason will recount the loss of her sister, Esther Ruiz, to domestic abuse in 2015 in the Riverside metropolitan area.
"Marcy was confronted with the harsh realities of domestic violence and its enduring consequences," the D.A.'s office stated. "As she and her family navigated both the criminal justice system and their own grief, Marcy found purpose in advocacy, transforming tragedy into a force for change."
Agency officials said Reason has been steadfast in her efforts to "empower survivors and honor her sister's memory ... through dedication to justice."
Names recently added to the Victims Memorial Wall will also be unveiled during Thursday's vigil, and there will be a special tribute paid to the agency's Division of Victim Services, which was established in 1980 for the express purpose of aiding crime victims and their loved ones.
District Attorney Mike Hestrin and other staff will attend both gatherings.
Further information regarding the services can be found at rivcoda.org.
