Cape Girardeau vandalism victims offered help, support

Frank and Sylvia Ellis say they've been blessed by the compassion of the community of Cape Girardeau.

Meals from friends and neighbors. Cards and letters of support -- emotional and financial -- from strangers. Offers of help from churches. A visit from Mayor Harry Rediger expressing his concern.

"We've had an outpouring of love from the community of Cape, and we thank God for that," Sylvia Ellis said. She sees it as a salve for the hatred she says she and her husband faced New Year's Day.

The Ellises this week continue to clean up the pieces of their damaged home and lives after the Alpine Drive house they have lived in for two decades was vandalized. The case is being prosecuted as a hate crime.

Darrell Nice, 49, of Cape Girardeau has been charged with two counts of first-degree property damage, with an amended charge of property damage motivated by discrimination. Both counts are felonies. He is free on bond, awaiting an initial arraignment scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 25. At that time, Associate Circuit Judge Scott Thomsen is expected to set a preliminary hearing.

Nice is charged with spray-painting profane and intimidating graffiti on the Ellis house and on the couple's vehicle. The words "La Voca," "XVIII" and "Chicano Power," were scrawled on the garage door, a skull and crossbones was painted on the concrete in front of the main entrance to the home, and similar markings were spray-painted on the back of the house, with the words "Death to You" on the left side of the door. The N-word and an obscene term were painted on the Ellises' sport utility vehicle, which was damaged beyond repair.

The vandalism occurred sometime early New Year's Day morning, after Frank Ellis had called police about a loud party at a residence on Greenbriar Drive, behind Alpine Drive. Nice was attending the party, according to court documents.

Nice, who lives in the Ellises' neighborhood at 219 Greenbriar Drive, admitted to damaging the vehicle but didn't recall using spray paint on the home or the car, according to an affidavit. Officers matched the tread pattern of Nice's shoes to footprints around the victims' home, according to the probable-cause statement. They also found sandpaper with paint on it in a pocket of Nice's pants.

Sylvia Ellis said re-siding the house will cost $12,000, and the car, a total loss, is valued at about $11,000. Another car parked at the premises also was damaged.

A condition of Nice's bond demands that he have no contact with the Ellises. On Wednesday, Sylvia Ellis said Nice has complied with the order. She said she's still concerned for her safety, however.

"I'm still not sleeping," she said. "I still can't find words to explain it. I see myself tailspinning into depression. I'm looking out my windows all day long, paranoid."

Sylvia Ellis said she's trying to work her way back emotionally, and she's received help from counselors and her church. She said the support has meant a lot to her and her husband.

"The outpouring of love has just been tremendous," she said.

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

215 Alpine Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.