Mother of Shelby Farah asks state to file charges against 2

Darlene Farah writes letter to State Attorney's Office

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the case against the man accused of gunning down her daughter moves forward, one grieving mother is asking the state to file charges against two others.

Darlene Farah's daughter, Shelby, was robbed, shot and killed at a Metro PCS store last year. James Rhodes (pictured, below) is charged with murder in the case and could face the death penalty if convicted.

"It's like there's a piece of the puzzle missing and it's not going to be complete until -- I'll never have closure," said Farah.

In a letter to the State Attorney's Office, Farah outlined why she believes Rhodes' girlfriend, Crystal Lewis, and Justin Curry (pictured, right) should also be charged in connection to the case.

The letter is short and sweet, and gets right to the point. It addresses State Attorney Angela Corey by name and formally asks that Lewis and Curry be charged. According to the letter, both had knowledge of the crime, either before or after.

"My hope is to get justice for Shelby and not just Shelby, all the other victims," said Farah.

Since the day her 20-year-old daughter (pictured, below left) was shot and killed, Farah has fought hard to have Rhodes brought to justice.

In the letter, Farah has asked that more people be held accountable, including Lewis and Curry, the man seen standing behind Rhodes in surveillance video.

"I'm not here to bad-mouth anyone," said Farah. "I appreciate what everyone has done so far, but what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong. You have evidence to charge somebody else."

Shortly after her boyfriend was arrested, Lewis sat down with investigators and described what she did with the shoes he was wearing the night of Shelby's death.

"Where did you hide them at?" Lewis was asked.
"Up and around the house, between four and five houses down from his mom's house," said Lewis.
"Are you going to take detectives to where those shoes are?" Lewis was asked.

"When you heard that exchange between the police and Lewis, what went through your mind?" News4Jax's Ashley Harding asked Farah.

"She's just as guilty, if you ask me," said Farah.

Also in her letter, Farah said the surveillance video shows Curry's actions before and after the shooting.

"It shows him and Rhodes (pictured, right) -- on Subway's video -- Rhodes (was) passing something onto him and then they both go their separate ways," said Farah.


About the Author:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.