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This story won first place for the 2002 Texas Associated
Press Managing Editors award in the category of “Breaking News”
Times Record News
Category: Page 1
Published: 07/18/2002
Page: A1
Town ready to move on
Byline: Daniel Bartel, Times Record News
NOCONA - The dust had settled. People could
finally get on with their lives again.
Then on Tuesday, the Montague County grand jury issued an
indictment, and all the emotions suddenly came rushing back.
After a year-and-half-long
investigation, former Nocona General Hospital nurse Vickie Dawn Jackson
has been indicted in murders of at least four hospital patients and implicated
in the deaths of 16 more, according to District Attorney Tim Cole.
Mayor Paul Gibbs, owner of Gibbs Drug Store, said he was
intimately acquainted with some of those believed to be victims.
"We had a bit of a lull there during the investigation," he
said. "But the pain and memories have come back again."
Several Nocona residents were concerned the incident would
leave a stain on the town.
Murder is not the type of advertising a small
town needs, said restaurant owner Robert Fenoglio, alluding to other
infamous episodes associated with Montague County such as the 1996 Heather
Rich murder.
Nonetheless, Fenoglio has left his "I (love) Nocona
General" bumper sticker in place on the outside window of his restaurant.
"It's disappointing what happened," he said. "But
I still think we're lucky enough to have a hospital with such good doctors."
Other residents said Nocona has bounced back from tragedy
before. The Nocona General Hospital murders would be another example
of its resilience.
"It's been a big blow to us," said Tom Horn, director
of the Nocona Economic Development Corp. "But we'll carry on with
the memories of the people who passed away."
Now that Jackson has been indicted, many Nocona residents
question whether the crime fits her character.
Nocona residents who had contact with Jackson describe her
as a quiet type.
Jerry Miller, owner of The Salon in Nocona, said he
knew Jackson through his son, who attended Nocona High School.
Miller said he was shocked by the grand jury's indictment.
"I know she had nothing to gain by doing it," Miller
said.
Gibbs said he crossed paths with Jackson infrequently. Most
of their conversations were over the phone when Jackson called to order
patient medication.
"She was a competent nurse," Gibbs said. "She
took good notes."
Paul Duckworth, owner of a Nocona barbershop, used to cut
Jackson's husband's hair and described Vickie Jackson as "just a
hair off normal."
"Both of them were real quiet," he said.
Whether Jackson is guilty of murder has yet to be determined.
However, Nocona residents said they're thankful the indictment has lifted
the cloud of suspicion.
For about a month after state and federal agent took over
the investigation of the hospital, everyone in town was a suspect, Gibbs
said.
"There was a definite air of anxiety," he said.
Much of the buzz over the hospital deaths had been laid
to rest the last few months. However, new information will most likely
cause a new wave of speculation, Gibbs said.
It might be a long time until the matter is fully resolved,
he said.
When that happens it will provide a sense of relief for
the community, especially for families who lost loved ones.
"It's been fairly consuming for them," Gibbs said. "They
want a swift and efficient trial so they can get on with their lives."
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