Family of murder victim to host 'Walk for Justice'

A memorial "Walk for Justice" will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday in downtown Watertown.

The walk, hosted by the family of Tina R. Hosmer Smith, will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Mrs. Smith's murder on Goodale Street.

"We don't want Tinato be forgotten," said Larry D. Hosmer, Mrs. Smith's father. "It's been 20 years and we just felt we should do something to commemorate it."

The walk will last no more than an hour and a half, and its route will be marked by lilac-colored ribbons and balloons. It will begin on Public Square and progress to Goodale Street, where Mrs. Smith was shot four times on Aug. 1, 1990, at the site of the former Jack in the Box Bar, where Mrs. Smith was last seen alive, and continue to the Veterans Memorial Walkway behind the J.B. Wise parking lot, where a moment of silence and prayer will be held.

In attendance at the walk will be Police Chief Joseph J. Goss, the Revs. John A. and Ruth Petit of Living Waters Fellowship Church and Mrs. Smith's brother and son.The Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County has been supporting the Hosmers' efforts to commemorate Mrs. Smith on the anniversary of her slaying and has been seeking donations for refreshments and decorations for the event.

"We like to help bring a little bit of closure for the family and understand how they've been traumatized both by what happened with their daughter and the fact that it was a cold case," said Victims Assistance Center Executive Director Elaina F. Marra. "We just hope to be there as a resource for Mr. and Mrs. Hosmer."

In addition to honoring his daughter, Mr. Hosmer hopes the Walk for Justice will remind the public that no one has been convicted of the crime. The Hosmers have set aside a reward for anyone providing valuable information about the murder and hope that the event may serve as an impetus for people to come forward with fresh leads.

"I want to make it plain: We're still offering this $10,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction of the person responsible," Mr. Hosmer said. "We're asking anybody that either knew Tina or wants to see justice done to come."

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Watertown Police Department at 782-2233, or the Hosmer residence at 788-1912. For more information about the memorial walk, contact the Hosmers at their residence.