victim, who made a mistake and has tried to correct it. only to be bludgeoned through the media. i m so honored to be amongst the attorneys and the ones that are seeking justice for all of those voices that were screaming in the dark for decades. it is my pleasure to be here. i thank all of you for hearing my story and i want now to introduce to you my friend and my co-author, ronald cotton. [applause] [applause] thank you. it s a pleasure and honor to be before you today. i somewhat feel like i m out of place. it s only because i m not home, but i feel like i m in place because there are other men and women here today that have traveled the roads that i ve traveled, lived that same life, and i give my props to you for being strong and hanging in there. you have to excuse me, i have somewhat of a light cold. i do my best to speak clearly, hoping that you understand. but my journey started as august 1, 1984. i drive home that early morning to find my mother s boyfriend stand