Terry Sturgis' neighbors react to his 'guilty on all counts' convictions

May 24, 2012|By Colleen Ferreira (cferreira@wsbt.com), Click here to follow Colleen on Twitter | By Colleen Ferreira (cferreira@wsbt.com), Click here to follow Colleen on Twitter

SOUTH BEND — Since 10-year-old Tramelle Sturgis' death on Nov.4, 2011, the West Washington Street neighborhood where the Sturgis family lived has been on edge.

Terry Sturgis' neighbors closely followed his trial down to the verdict Thursday. Every neighbor WSBT spoke with says the "guilyt on all counts" verdict is a weight lifted from their shoulders.

"Everybody is excited and happy that justice is served for the little boy," said neighbor Takarra Anderson.

"A big sigh of relief ... oh God, what can I say,” said Pam Bryant, who owns the snack shop across from where the Sturgis family used to live.

They followed the trial from day one hoping to learn what actually went on inside the Sturgis home.

"I'm happy that it’s over and that he's guilty,” Bryant said. “I think he's deserved everything he's gotten so far."

As details of the case surfaced day-to-day during the trial, overwhelming emotions traveled across the neighborhood. Neighbors said the graphic details of testimony were appalling.

"That’s so sad, what he put those little boys through,” Anderson said. “No little boys should be put through that."

"To find out they were being more or less tortured," Bryant said.

For some, questions have finally been answered. Bryant said the Sturgis children were always rough with each other when they visited her store.

"After we found out what was happening, we understood their behavior, because that’s what they saw on a daily basis," Bryant said.

She said everyone is more proactive now to prevent another case like this one.

"Now when it comes to seeing any marks or bruises on kids, they're asking them to see what's going on," she said.

Since Tramelle's death in November, neighbors said their lives have been on hold, but the jury's decision on Thursday gives them a good reason to start healing.

"Everybody can stop talking about it and living their lives, because we got the good verdict," Anderson said.

"It was really tragic what happened to Tramelle, and he's gotten justice, and we will move on and we will recover," Bryant said.

They said Tramelle’s smiling face will always be an angel keeping watch on their street.

"Tramelle is still in our hearts," Bryant said.

Sturgis will be sentenced on June 21, but all of this isn't over just yet. Also in June, Tramelle's grandmother and Terry’s mother, Dellia Castile, is expected to go on trial. She's accused of not reporting the abuse that took place inside the home where she also lived.

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