Baldwin County, you have a great District Attorney. Hallie Dixon is not only a great DA, but a wonderful, caring person.

I am the wife (I hate the term widow) of Bil Grunden, the person who David Coombs was recently convicted of killing on Jan. 29, 2009. 

The trial lasted a grueling three weeks. Dixon and her staff plus investigators from the Baldwin County Sheriff's Department were wonderful during this very difficult time. I was kept informed and comforted throughout.

I would also like to achnowledge Investigator Mike Malone. He was the case agent, until his untimely accidential death in January 2010. He helped me keep my sanity during that first year.

Additionally, I would like to address the family of David Coombs, many of whom I spoke to after the trial. I understand that you are going through a terrible time as well. I wish all of you the best of luck, as you put your lives back together.

Thanks to Hallie Dixon and many others, I am finally able to take full breaths again, something I didn’t feel capable of since that awful night I was notified of Bil’s death. He was the love of my life, and I appreciate the closure that came wtih this conviction. 

Obviously, nothing will bring Bil back, but I do feel that I can move forward now, as I find out what my new normal is.

Eleta Parris

Pensacola, Fla.