NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WKBW) — A memorial still stands--almost 17 years later--at the overpass in Niagara Falls where the body of Jennifer Bolender was found in 2002. It's there her picture keeps her frozen in time at 16-year-old.
"She had so many friends, she had so many dreams," Tina Berry, Jennifer's mother, said.
Bolender died of multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma in December of 2002. Three teenagers were sentenced in her murder: brothers Kyle and Christopher Cummings and Daniel Pardee. Kyle was sentenced to six years to life in prison, Christopher 10 years to life and Daniel 25 years to life.
"They're monsters. They're old enough to know what's right and wrong and for such a brutal incident, they deserve more punishment," Tina told 7 Eyewitness News in 2003. Now living in Florida, Tina still feels their sentences were too lenient.
"16 and a half years to me is just not enough," Tina said. She continued, "He (Kyle) had a choice that night. He didn't have to provide a weapon, he didn't have to help move her body, he didn't have to go back. He had choices to make and the choices he made weren't the right ones."
But now Kyle will soon be a free man. He is scheduled for release between now and October 10th. Tina says she won't stop fighting for her daughter's justice so no other family will have to experience the pain and loss she feels every day.
