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News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS A roadside memorial stands nearby the location where Aaron Doty's body was discovered in Sun 'N Lake in Sebring.

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published: Sunday, June 17, 2012

Doty family asks for peace

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

SEBRING -- The family of Aaron Doty took the opportunity Friday after to call for patience, not vengeance.

Investigators say Aaron, 20, died after he was in a fight with suspects Jonathan Ray Rodriguez, 22, and Kenneth Felipe, 19.

Rodriguez and Felipe allegedly dumped the his body in a secluded area of Sun 'N Lakes and burned it in an effort to conceal evidence.

Both suspects were denied bond Friday morning and charged with second degree murder, abuse of a dead body and tampering with evidence.

Instead of calling for vengeance, Aaron's father and uncle attempted to cool the emotions of several who knew Aaron by asking them to allow justice take its course.

"On behalf of the family, we are humbled by the outpouring of support from the community," wrote Jim Doty, Aaron's father, in an e-mail Friday.

Highlands County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Nell Hays told the media before the first appearance of defendants that the father wanted "peace and justice."

According to an e-mail forwarded to Hays, Jim Doty stated, "In tragedies such as these, many never find their loved ones and never find those responsible. We are thankful for those who assisted in finding Aaron's body. We want to commend the Highlands County Sheriff's Department in the capture of the accused and the handling of all the events which preceded. In our hearts, they are the best organization in the state."

"As Christians, we are asking those following this tragedy, please do not turn this into a message of vengeance and hate. Hate and anger took Aaron from us and it will not bring him back," Jim Doty said. "I know emotions run strong, but please, out of respect for our family, we ask you to have a Christian heart. Proverbs 29:11 'A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.'"

On his Facebook page, Chris Doty, Aaron's uncle, wrote before the appearance of the suspects, "On behalf of the family, we are asking any who attends the proceedings at the courthouse to please not turn this into a message of vengeance and hate."

"I know emotions run strong, but please out of respect for our family, we ask you to attend with a Christian heart. Proverbs 29:11 "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control," wrote Chris Doty, echoing his brother's words.

"Please consider this passage, this will likely draw mass media attention and we want those who watch to know that Christians united in prayer to bring Aaron home, that it has delivered those responsible, and God's hand will guide us the rest of the way."

"Lastly," Chris Doty wrote, "I leave you with this: Psalm 37: 8-9 'Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret, it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.'"

"Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let's inherit the land by standing TOGETHER, as we have since this all began, in the face of evil we will do so with Christian Reverence," Chris Doty wrote.