A Younger Sister Remembers Doreen Picard

WOONSOCKET, RI — Doreen Picard was 22 in 1982 when she was found beaten to death in the laundry room of her Providence Street apartment building. Investigators believe she happened upon Raymond Tempest as he was attacking her landlady Susan Laferte and tried to help Laferte, the state Attorney General's office said. Ultimately, Laferte survived. Picard did not.

Raymond Tempest was charged with the crime and convicted of second degree murder. He appealed. On Monday, 35 years after her death, he was effectively convicted again when the court accepted a plea deal. Tempest, who has been on home confinement two years, goes free, but the judge sentenced him to 23 years and seven months time served.

Picard's younger sister, Catherine Sawicki, read a statement in court. Here is what she said.

Judge Krause and members of the court, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. The content I read is conveyed on behalf of Ron and Simone Picard, my mom and dad.

Let's start with the fact that Doreen's actions on that fateful day 2/19/82 demonstrate the kind of person she was. She was selfless, always tried to do the right thing, was strong-willed, and confident. Let's also recognize Christmas is less than a week away. Our faith is central in our lives and midnight mass, a family tradition. Our memere Robidoux always made sure Doreen, Michael, Ronnie, me, and all our cousins were outfitted in matching pajamas. Our home filled with laughter, joy, and food, deep rooted in French tradition.

On October 22, 1959, Ron and Simone had their first child Doreen. She was a precious gift from God. So many photos and super-8 films memorialize the joy­ filled times they shared. Doreen was truly a miracle. No matter how many years pass Doreen remains their little girl, beloved sister, cousin, grandchild, and niece. We each have a relationship characterized by something that is uniquely Doreen. To my brother Michael, she is forever a best friend. To Ronnie, a fun big sister. On 2/14/1982, she found a way to leave a Valentine's heart in his car. Ronnie can never say thank you because he learned it was from her...after she died. Doreen was my hero. She was the best big sister who shared secrets and taught me how to play sports. I remember driving to RI beaches with all the windows rolled down, singing at the top of our voices. There are so many memories that I could stand here for many days sharing her light- and love-filled life.

The joy we experienced would have to last a lifetime because her life was interrupted when the 6th commandment "You shall not murder" was violated. The killing of Doreen was barbaric, savage and senseless. Her last moments on earth must have been filled with the antithesis of joy. Not only was she bludgeoned to death, but she was also strangled with her own sweater. There was barely any blood that remained in her lifeless body because every last beat of her heart pumped and emptied her life in the basement of 409 Providence Street.

The overarching situation about this tragedy is the fact that she had barely anything at 409 Providence Street. Most of her things were in a new apartment that she was moving into on February 20th 1982.

It took cowardice and blatant disregard for life when a pipe was repeatedJy used on the head of a woman weighing approximately 120 lbs. Make no mistake, while we are within a court of man today, this blatant disregard for human life is not only judged by man, it is ultimately judged by our God. It is He who determines the eternal disposition of the soul. The committed act represents pure evil. However, this savage brutal and inhuman circumstance cannot and will never extinguish Doreen's light. Doreen continues to live in the hearts and minds of those she touched. To our children, she is a hero. An aunt they know as an angel.
Her heroic actions give us integrity and strength. She is dearly remembered as being brave enough to do something when a child was left in a hallway. A woman who took a risk and halted the savage beating of Susan Laferte. Doreen was the personification of God's love because Great er love has no one than this, than
to lay down one's life for his friends."(John 15:13}. We stand here today, knowing she paid the ultimate sacrifice of her life to save another.

In late February of 1982, Doreen was busy preparing to move, she was also planning a family dinner at her new apartment. She intended to share that she had recently finished school for early childhood education. You see, she kept her commitment to finish. She seemed so excited to surprise mom and dad. On February 18th, the night before she died, we spoke for a long time. I was on the downstairs phone and mom on the upstairs phone. The three of us talked about curtains, and how we had to bring memere's folding chairs and extra plates. We giggled as plans were made. Little did I know that she would never be able to share the surprise with mom and dad or that it was the last time we'd hear her voice.

The next day, Friday, February 19th, snow lightly covered the ground. Mom and Dad came in the house with groceries and the phone rang, a woman's frantic voice urged them to go to the Woonsocket police station.

Something bad happened to Doreen.

We'll never forget the images shown on TV. Of Doreen, in a body bag, being placed into an ambulance. I cannot even imagine what it was like for mom and dad to have to identify the lifeless body of their little girl.

And subsequently have to go to 409 Providence St., not to move the last pieces of furniture from the apartment, but to get clothing, the garments she would be buried in.

The surreal and hollow place deep within, and void in our hearts is unfillable. For parents to have to bury a child is unthinkable, under these circumstances horrific. We made preparations at the funeral home. I recall the discoloration of her face, uncharacteristic bright lipstick, and Mimsy Fournier apologizing for the thick makeup masking Doreen's brutally beaten figure; her head had to be pieced together, and her hair arranged to shroud the devastation.

Dad pulled me away as I hugged my big sister. But before I let go, I felt the raised stitching from the Y-incision. Could this really be her? Who was this person in her prom gown with her delicate crystal rosary resting gently on her hands? Within days, we would see her casket lowered into the vault. We buried her. The numbness of that experience will never leave us. These events altered our lives and those around us from those moments, now, and forever.

In the years that passed, Ron and Simone remained deeply rooted in their faith but also had reasons to fear for our safety. We often received calls with veiled threats. Our phones had tape recorders and an attachment for the receiver. Every time we picked up the phone, we were to press record. One example is the call where the voice on the other end stated my dad's business was on fire. I remember sitting in the parking lot with Dad in his jeep for hours during the night watching his business. To be on guard, was the norm for us. Another example is the threat on my life. I'll never forget that late night when my college Dean and campus police came to my dorm room to verify that I was there and not harmed.

No matter what proceedings occur today, in a way, nothing changes. She didn't have the opportunity to be at our weddings, the birth of our children, to see them laugh and retell the stories of our youth. Our mom and dad were robbed of seeing her children, to see if they were as spirited as Doreen. She was loving and
caring, an accomplished high school varsity athlete, captain, two-time MVP in volleyball and basketball, and prom queen. Many still stop my parents to share a fun-fact and cherished memory of her.

Today I look across this courtroom and see our heroes. A man and a woman, married for 58 years, 35 of which fighting for justice in the memory of their first born. The intimidation, constant threats and hardships might have discouraged average people. Ron and Simone are fearless, loving, and strong. Endless hours, conversations, letters, court dates, and appearances before parole boards is not what they envisioned for our family life. Nor did we plan to attend court for the trial during the same time we made final preparations for my wedding. Every experience re-opens the wounds and interrupts healing. They and we do not stop because Doreen would do the same for each one of us.

Please remember Doreen in the words composed by poet Mary Elizabeth Frye to express life and death:

"Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush. I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die."

As I approach the end of this document, we would be remiss by not mentioning the devastating injuries Susan had to deal with. We truly thank God that she survived to raise her beautiful daughters. The pursuit of justice and truth is nothing sh9rt of inspirational...a reminder of the good in humanity. In grief, we
have been surrounded by many who fight for Doreen and for our family.

We'd like to thank those deceased and still living. In particular, the members of the court, Ron Pennington, Jim O'Neil, Jeffrey Pine, Jim Ryan, Terrance Donnelly, Francis Lanctot, Rodney Remblad, John Dionne, Alphonse Auclair, Roger Remtnillard, Doug Connel, Patrick Youngs, Jeanine Mcconaghy, Chris Bush, Ana,
Peter Kilmartin, and so many others who have persevered to justice. We are eternally grateful for your dedication, time, and love. Last but not least, thank you, mom and dad. Without your tenacity, deep faith, and endless pursuit of justice, we would not be here today. Doreen is with God now and forever smiles
upon you and dwells within our hearts.

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