Coble, Santos honored for Benton County work

BENTONVILLE -- Kim Coble and Robin Santos help crime victims navigate through the judicial system.

Coble is the victim witness coordinator and Santos is the victim advocate for the Benton County prosecuting attorney's office.

Coble and Santos were honored with the Justice For Victims award at the Arkansas Recognition and Victim Rights' Ceremony in Little Rock on Wednesday. The award is given by the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

They were nominated by Nathan Smith, Benton County prosecuting attorney, and Carly Marshall, deputy prosecutor.

Smith described Coble and Santos as "outstanding" crime victim advocates. They usually are the first contact victims have with the prosecutor's office, Smith said.

"I am extremely proud of them," Smith said.

"They are more than deserving of this award for the countless hours they put into making sure victim's voices are heard throughout the court process," Marshall said.

Kay Harvey and her family depended on Coble and Santos when Harvey's daughter was killed by her husband in 2012. Perry Davis of Bentonville fatally shot his wife, Kelly, and turned the gun on himself. A self-inflicted head wound left him blind. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison for kidnapping and murder.

Coble and Santos were there for her and her family as the case proceeded through court, Harvey said.

"It's such a process to go through while you have to deal with so much hurt and pain," Harvey said.

Coble and Santos are deserving of any award or honor they get, Harvey said.

Kristy Long was involved in a domestic abuse case. It was Santos who helped her through the entire process. Long said she never imagined she would be in a situation like that. She had no idea how protection orders and the court system work.

"Robin was always responsive," Long said. "She was always honest even when I may not have liked the answer. She became one the very few beacons of hope that I had through the entire process."

Coble said she was honored to be nominated and was happy for the recognition the award brings to the prosecutor's office. Coble, who has worked in the office for eight years, was pleased she and Santos were presented the award during Crime Victim Week.

Santos has worked with prosecutors for five years. The award is a recognition for the work they do, she said.

"We always try to do what is right," Santos said. "We just come in every day and do our jobs to the best of our ability. We don't do things for recognition."

Coble said she was pleased to see victims' families recognized at the state ceremony.

"The presentations were very powerful," Coble said. "They recognized the Pulaski County sheriff's office and Beverly Carter. Her family was there and it was a powerful moment."

Carter, a real estate agent, was killed last year in Pulaski County.

Stephanie McLemore, deputy prosecutor, said it is unfortunate the office needs to have two victim advocates, but Benton County has the best two people for that task.

"They both exhibit more compassion and patience than any normal human possesses. They are heroines every day," McLemore said. "Never have two people put more effort toward working themselves out of a job. Every victim they encounter leaves our office empowered with the knowledge that someone cares."

NW News on 04/27/2015

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