Saying Goodbye to Nalisha Gravely

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Saying Goodbye to Nalisha Gravely

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Posted: 7:24 AM Jul 12, 2008
Last Updated: 10:59 PM Jul 12, 2008
Reporter: Susan Nicholas
Email Address: susan.nicholas@wsaz.com

23 comments

A | A | A

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ)-Loved ones gathered Saturday to remember the life of Nalisha Gravely. She's the young mother shot and killed last Saturday as she hid in a closet at a Taco Bell. The man accused of killing her, Desmond Clark, was her ex-boyfriend.

The First Baptist Church in Charleston was packed with friends, family and a community. Each one hoping for a change when it comes to domestic violence laws.

Friday, family members held a candlelight vigil for Gravely.

Nineteen-year-old Nalisha Gravely died July 5, allegedly at the
hands of Desmond Clark, her 2-year-old child's father.
Police say Gravely had run into the restaurant seeking shelter
after fleeing from Clark's car.

The case has caught the attention of domestic violence help
groups, who say Gravely's death could have been prevented.
During the past four years, Gravely had filed numerous domestic
battery charges against Clark.

The 22-year-old Clark is charged with first-degree murder. He's
being held South Central Regional Jail.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: wouldnt you know it on Sep 30, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I cannot beleive that rascism has been brought in to this. People are always trying to bring in more drama to tragidies that have already occoured. Racism will not die because of these people. If you want a pity party, join a support group for over emotional people. Has it ever once crosed your mind that no one even notices the color of your skin until you point it out that everyday life has happened to you and it only happened because you were this color or that color? Time for America to get over it! If you dont want discriminated against, dont say everything in this world happens because of the color of ur skin! Everyone was created equal, we were all dealt the same card in life, it wasnt meant to be easy for anyone. Let racism die! Dont revive it everyday!

Posted by: ebonieyes41 on Aug 20, 2008 at 02:35 PM
I would like to know what's going on with Desmond Clark????? I don't want my cousin's death to be in vain!!!!!!! I saw his criminal history and it is a shame that he was not locked up a long time ago!!!! PLEASE

Posted by: shaniece pettigrew on Jul 15, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Nalisha will be missed by everyone especially me because she was like a sister to me even know she was my cousin we were so close since we where little kids.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 14, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Hey, why not post my comments? I'm sure you'll post this one, to show that you are fair and unbiased, but why not the other comment? WBIAS.

Posted by: MAD on Jul 14, 2008 at 09:39 AM
it is a shame that the tax payers have to foot the bill for desmond clark,too bad wv doesnt have the death penality.he was a big man when he jumped the counter at taco bell,let him be a big man and go back into population at the regional jail also for his mom theres a place prepared for you,downstairs(hell)my condolensences go out to the family of the beautiful angel that we lost linda

Posted by: RIP Ms. Gravely on Jul 13, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Right Anonymous at 3:58, blame the victim. How do you know she didn't try to stay away from him? Until any of you have walked in the shoes of a domestic violence victim you have no right to comment on what should have been done, because you have no idea what you would do in the same situation. And to you that posted that this was enough, next, have you ever heard of compassion? Evidently not. And you didn't have to read it, or take your precious time to comment. So evidently you haven't had enough yet. And to all of the people asking where's Obama and Sharpton, well then I must ask, where's Bush and McCain? Bev, instead of sending out a search party for Sharpton and Jackson, I think you would be better off searching for a dictionary.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 13, 2008 at 03:58 PM
She should have stayed away from him. god bless the family and child.

Posted by: Linda on Jul 13, 2008 at 01:58 PM
danny jones & the so called chas police dept. has alot of answering to do,this beautiful young lady lost her life for them to have a snitch?her life was far more valluable than get a 20 dollar sale,it is sad how our system works it is time for change,dont you think.

Posted by: Lauren on Jul 13, 2008 at 12:26 PM
John on July 12: It is a frequent pattern in domestic violence cases for the victim to be abused, call the police, press charges, then reconcile with her abuser, and seek to have the charges dropped, only to have the entire pattern repeated. Because of this, in some local communities and states, domestic violence is now prosecuted as a crime by city and district attorneys, even without charges being brought by the abused person, and even without his or her assistance. In these localities, a criminal case may be brought against the person causing the harm without a complaint being made by the victim. Domestic violence is considered a crime against the community and the "state" should prosecute all harms against the community. Such localities try to "get the word out" that local authorities will not tolerate domestic violence; offenses will be prosecuted with or without the assistance of the victim.

Posted by: to her family on Jul 13, 2008 at 07:57 AM
your angel is home now,safe in gods arms,no more pain,that child is in heaven.god bless each and every one of you.

Posted by: rex on Jul 13, 2008 at 07:24 AM
enuff already sad but she wont be the last woman to die from domestic violence you have to us the system to make it work and why someone didnt call 911 when she was hiding???? looks like to me everyone had a hand in this

Posted by: Concerned on Jul 13, 2008 at 03:34 AM
Clark should had served years and had his time reduced from the remainder not omitted period. The system left him out there knowing he had an obsessive reaction to the mother of his child. They did not give her a chance, Charleston. What did he know that was more important than her life? Will someone in the court system man up or woman up and give a plausible explanation, please?

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 13, 2008 at 01:30 AM
ok. enough is enough. this story has been beat into the ground. next

Posted by: Mindy on Jul 13, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Domestic violence is a real problem for a lot of women in this area, white, black, red, green, it doesn't matter. We as a society must raise our sons not to hit women. This poor child will never know his mother because someone felt that releasing his anger was more important than his child having his mother in his life. Domestic violence MUST be taken more seriously by the court system. Society MUST not teach children that voilence is an acceptable way of expressing oneself. Nalisha, I didn't know you, but I hope that your death was not in vain. I pray that some woman who is being stalked, beat, and threatened by a man realizes he is not going to change and gets out before it escalates to her being a victim of murder. We as citizens need to support those who have the courage and desire to get out of the bad realtionships and not turn our backs on them when they need help to get away and stay away. I believe one person can make an impact, a lot of people can make a difference. :)

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 12, 2008 at 10:56 PM
It's so sad that the parents has to bury there child and a child has lost his mother.. may the family look to GOD for strength she is in a better place free from hurt and i pain she will always be with you may her son grow in to a beautiful young man and now his mother loved him and will always be with him...

Posted by: John on Jul 12, 2008 at 06:31 PM
It is sad that this young lady died, but look at the criminal history. she failed to appear to have desmond prosecuted numerous times. you cannot blame the court system or the officers if the vicitm failes to come to court. they may be scared, but nothing can be done unless they step up to the plate!

Posted by: Bev on Jul 12, 2008 at 05:22 PM
I agree with anonymous@11:49. Where is the outrage from all the "good citizens" for this poor lady? Oh, I forgot we can kill each other if we're the same colour. Sharpton and Jackson only come out if they can make a buck or have national attention. What about Obama? He's supposed to care about people of colour too. It's all about money people. I hope this family can heal from this, but they'll need help too. Is there going to be a rally and fundraiser??? Prolly not.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 12, 2008 at 01:21 PM
This is a very sad situation. This family needs to make a future for this child in the name sake of his beautiful mother that will never physically embrase her child again. The judicial system needs to pay for this needless act of violence. My thoughts and prayers are with the Gravely family may you find peace in God.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 12, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Where is Rev Jackson and Sharpton? Oh, I guess its because all the people were black it make a difference. It should not! They should be protesting that this man was able to walk the streets and continually harass this woman with no recourse! She was murdered not only by this man, but by the system! I hope her family sues on behalf of the child that will never see her!

Posted by: BIRDEYE on Jul 12, 2008 at 11:26 AM
HOW SAD GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY.

Posted by: RIP on Jul 12, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Nalisha you will never be forgotten, you have helped so many people to become strong, you are free to live in the spirit and never be scared again. God Bless you Nalisha, your son and your family.

Posted by: jtb on Jul 12, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I AM SURPRISED THE NATIONAL NEWS HASNT GRABBED THIS STORY BET ITS ON THE WAY WHERE ARE YOU NANCY GRACE OR BILL ORIRIRELY

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 12, 2008 at 10:10 AM
R.I.P L33 BOO I TOLD U YOU WAS A PERTTY GURL ....LEE BOO I LOVE U I LOOKD UP 2 U AS A BIG SISSY BUT NOW U GONE U WILL B IN A BETER PLACE NOW I LOVE MUH BIG SISSY This is for my peoples who just lost somebody Your best friend, your baby, your man, or your lady Put your hand way up high We will never say bye (no, no, no) Mamas, daddies, sisters, brothers, friends and cousins This is for my peoples who lost their grandmothers Lift your head to the sky 'cause we will never say bye R.I.P BIG SIS EASTSIDE ALL DAY