Linda Gail Hendrick, who was attacked by a student 10 years ago Sunday, was remembered Friday with the rededication of a garden in her honor.
Teachers who worked with Ms. Hendrick, members of a scholarship committee in her name, her former principal and the physician who cared for her attended the ceremony at Murphey Middle Charter School. They held a moment of silence, recalled Ms. Hendrick's "beautiful spirit" and then opened a restored memory garden that was moved to the front of the school.
"Her memory does live on," said Pauline Andrews, who worked with Ms. Hendrick at Murphey Middle and was a member of the Linda Gail Hendrick Scholarship Committee.
On Nov. 22, 1999, Ms. Hendrick was attacked by 14-year-old special education student David Drayton in a bathroom attached to her classroom. She was stabbed 70 times with scissors and suffered severe head wounds. She remained in a semicomatose state until May 31, 2007, when she died at age 59.
Her case led to a law change that allowed someone as young as 13 to be tried as an adult on a charge of aggravated battery. Mr. Drayton's case was initially handled in juvenile court. After Ms. Hendrick died, he was sentenced in Superior Court to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to a voluntary manslaughter charge.
The garden was originally dedicated in 2000 on the side of the school, but it fell into disrepair as those who had taught with Ms. Hendrick moved to other schools.
The garden has a marker, benches, new shrubs and flowers and will be maintained by the school's chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America.
"It's a lovely garden," said Dr. Eleanor Hopson, who was Murphey Middle's principal at the time of the attack.
Michael Felz, who cared for Ms. Hendrick for seven years, told the group he came to know her as "my teacher Gail Hendrick."
"I have received far more than I ever invested in this case," Dr. Felz said, noting that despite her condition Ms. Hendrick held on for many years, making little steps that to many seemed impossible.
He said his son would play a guitar for Ms. Hendrick on occasion "and she seemed to tap her foot to his serenade." He also mentioned that she enjoyed eating ice cream and pudding even though she wasn't expected to have the capability to swallow.
"There were miracles -- small ones, but real ones along the way," he said, adding that Ms. Hendrick's legacy is to love one another. He said Ms. Hendrick had moved to Augusta from Florida to take care of her parents, but instead they took care of her.
"Now look at what stands in honor of Gail Hendrick," he said, motioning to the garden. "I'm delighted to celebrate victory in seeming defeat."
Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 828-3851 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
TO CONTRIBUTE
Those wanting to contribute to the Linda Gail Hendrick Scholarship Fund can make a check out to the fund and mail it to either Gene Spires or Eleanor Hopson, 864 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901.
TIMELINE
Nov. 22, 1999: Murphey Middle Charter School teacher Linda Gail Hendrick is attacked by special education student David Drayton. She is stabbed 70 times with scissors and suffers severe head wounds. Mr. Drayton initially tells a story about a man coming through a classroom window and attacking his teacher, but he later admits he stabbed her, and Ms. Hendrick identified him as her attacker before going into surgery.
DEC. 15, 1999: Mr. Drayton is sentenced to five years in Georgia's juvenile justice system.
MARCH 22, 2000: In response to Ms. Hendrick's case, state law is changed to allow someone as young as 13 to be tried as an adult on a charge of aggravated battery. Previously, no one younger than 17 could stand trial on such a charge as an adult.
MAY 2000: A memory garden in honor of Ms. Hendrick is established at Murphey Middle.
MAY 31, 2007: Ms. Hendrick dies at age 59.
JULY 26, 2007: Mr. Drayton, 22, pleads not guilty while facing a murder charge in superior court.
FEB. 24: Judge Sheryl B. Jolly sentences Mr. Drayton to the maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter, 20 years in prison. The charge was part of a plea deal that was acceptable to the victim's mother.
FRIDAY: The garden in honor of Ms. Hendrick is moved to the front of the school, restored and rededicated. The garden had fallen into disrepair as teachers who worked with Ms. Hendrick moved to other schools.
Source: The Augusta Chronicle archives
Comments
This horrible case is a fine example why most special ed kids need to be in special schools. The result of the injury and death is that the special ed student is now a ward of the state. What will be done with him when he leaves the state facility? The problem still exists and this memorial garden is a sad reminder of justice not done and positive action not taken. Political correctness wins, society loses.
When the [filtered word] leaves the state facility, it will become a federal problem and the govt. (honest taxpayers) will be supporting this waste of humanity. Gail was a fine person. There is no justice in the PC world, anymore.
Another burden for the taxpayers,,such a sad case,,& people resent the money teachers get..They should start w/55,000 & up.
We really miss Gail. She was a very soft spoken angel with great mercy to others. She was involved with helping others in need every chance she got. She will "ALWAYS" be missed. I am so happy that the law changed. I just hate it that the murderer will be out in 20 years or less. We do not need people like that running loose again. Even a child is known by his countenance. Gail was my friend and a friend to all.
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