She Fought for Justin

Christine Samuels

At 9:04 pm on November 16, 2019, my husband, Justin Samuels, was murdered as I stood 30 feet from him. Our close friend was also shot that evening and while he survived his injuries, he was left with severe, permanent injuries.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney, Amber Drumheller was assigned to the case and arrived within an hour of the shooting. She introduced herself and immediately said, “Please let me or my office know if you need anything. Anything. We are here for you.”

Ms. Drumheller along with Commonwealth’s Attorney, Lyle Carver answered countless questions, emails, and had multiple in person meetings with my very large family. I was considered one of the victims in the case since my husband was killed and Judy Brooks was the second Victim Witness Advocate assigned to me. Mrs. Brooks was and still is an amazing support to me.

As long as I gave the okay for information to be released, Drumheller and Carver would share it with my family.

We are coming up on the 5 year anniversary of my husband’s murder and I can still contact Ms. Drumheller, Mr Carver, or Mrs. Brooks and they will answer questions myself or my family has, help me understand certain processes, and they still check on us to see if we need anything.

I would not have gotten through the entire process without them.

Ms. Drumheller asked me questions about Justin, she told me she was sorry that she never got to meet him, but she felt as if she knew him because of the way I spoke of him.

She fought for Justin.

I will forever be grateful for how the entire Amherst County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office treated myself and my family.