TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
A round the world, strong women are being called to lead their communities in service like never before. From the highest-ranking political offices to global companies on the cutting edge of technology—women are at the helm of it all. Standing on the shoulders of generations of women who came before, the role of women has bloomed to be inclusive of all things, at all times. Texarkana has followed suit, empowering women across all industries and demographics by encouraging the strengths that women bring to the business environment. With the capacity to multitask, listen, empathize, nurture, engage others and see issues from a different perspective, Kelley Crisp and Lauren Richards have humbly risen to the task of bringing justice to those who need it most. These women have keen intelligence and a deep passion for one of the most challenging jobs in law enforcement. Though Crisp is the first female to hold the title Bowie County First Assistant District Attorney, and Richards is among a handful of female pioneers in the position of Bowie County Assistant District Attorney, the two remain advocates for all who support them as the real heroes of the story. Crisp and Richards point to the exceptional job the police perform daily and insist they are always supported by their incredible co- workers who go above and beyond to cover their backs during significant cases. They talk about their husbands, their village, and their community first, because those are the kind of leaders they are: humble, modest. In one of their most recent trials, Crisp and Richards prosecuted Taylor Parker for the murder of a young mother, Reagan Simmons Hancock, and her unborn baby Braxlynn Sage. National news outlets followed the story, and it was the longest trial Bowie County had ever experienced. With a guilty verdict, a jury of six men and six women sentenced Parker to death. This historic outcome makes Parker one of only seven women currently on death row in the State of Texas. While justice was served in this case, there are never any winners after such a loss. “As we prepare a case for trial, nearly every witness and family member we meet is dealing with the most traumatic and
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BUSINESS & POLITICS
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