Slain girl's mother raises money to attend execution

An undated photo of Becky O'Connell. / AP Photo/Courtesy of Dave Curl

(CBS/AP) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A woman whose 9-year-old daughter was kidnapped, raped and slashed to death in South Dakota 22 years ago says she's raised enough money to attend the convicted killer's execution.

Tina Curl, who moved to Lake Luzerne, N.Y., shortly after Becky O'Connell's death in May 1990, appealed for help last month because she couldn't afford the 1,400-mile road trip to South Dakota for Donald Moeller's execution.

An undated photo of Dave Curl and his wife, Tina.

/ AP Photo/Courtesy of Dave Curl

Curl said publicity about her predicament brought in more than the needed $4,000, with donations from as far away as Chicago and Alaska. She said it also spawned a slew of negative comments online telling Curl to let it go and that she needs help.

"Everybody wants to put me down because I want to be there to see the execution," Curl said. "Unless you've walked in my shoes, don't judge me. Don't tell me what you would do if it happened to you. You don't know until it happens to you."

A neighbor helped Curl set up an online PayPal account and open a fund at a local credit union. Curl estimated it would take about $4,000 to cover gas, hotels, meals and other travel costs. Any donations over the amount spent on the trip will help cover unpaid bills from O'Connell's funeral, she said.

Authorities say Moeller kidnapped O'Connell from a Sioux Falls convenience store, drove her to a secluded area near the Big Sioux River, then raped and killed her. Her naked body was found the next day. She had been stabbed and her throat was slashed.

Moeller, 60, initially was convicted in 1992, but the state Supreme Court overturned it, ruling that improper evidence was used at trial. He was again convicted and sentenced to die in 1997.

The state Supreme Court affirmed the sentence, and Moeller has lost appeals on both the state and federal levels.

In July, a South Dakota circuit court judge set the execution for between Oct. 28 and Nov. 3, with the exact date and time up to prison officials. Moeller said through his attorney that he accepts the execution as the consequences of his actions.

Convicted killer Donald Moeller during a court appearance in Sioux Falls, S.D., Wednesday, July 18, 2012.

/ KELO-TV

Curl has said she doesn't believe Moeller's execution will help bring her closure, but she said she needs to be there.

Curl, who has battled alcoholism and suffered a heart attack and quadruple bypass in May 2003, is on disability. Her husband, Dave Curl, who is not Becky's father, has been out of work for about a year. The couple survives on $720-a-month disability checks, according to CBS Sioux Falls affiliate KELO.

They plan to leave New York by car on Oct. 25.

[sheila-beth71]

ONCE A PERSON IS FOUND GUILTY OF THESE CRIMES THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY APPEALS TO THE SENTENCE GIVEN. A SPEEDY TRIAL AND THEN EXECUTION! OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING WASTED AGAIN SO THAT THE POLITICIANS, LAWYERS, AND OF COURSE THE MEDIA CAN MAKE LOTS OF MONEY DURING THE YEARS THAT WE KEEP THESE PEOPLE ALIVE! WHAT A DISGRACE

[gnimelf1968]

I wonder why they want to drive out. You'd think it would be more convenient to fly, especially if they have medical problems. That's a really long drive if you end up sick or need emergency medical attention.

[FACEITT]

I admire Mrs. Curls determination to see this foul human being put to death for what he did. No one and I mean no one has the right to criticize her decision to get and see for herself this miscreants last moments since he was the one responsible for her 9-year-old child's last moments. I hope he suffers the fear that his victim suffered. Personally, I think he should be put to death in the same manner as the little girl. Gang raped by a hundred convicts then his body slashed and his throat cut.

[IAMCS]

I don't believe in the death penalty, but I certainly feel great compassion for this family. He was a horrible man and did a horrible thing and if it were my daughter...YES, I would kill him myself. But, no, I don't think the state should ever have that right. There can be too many abuses.

[FACEITT]

Your comment doesn't make sense to me. You are against the death penalty yet you would kill this sob yourself?! Isn't killing him yourself the same as a state sponsored death penalty?

[pokey5735]

Good for her! I would want the same.

[14FREEK]

"Everybody wants to put me down because I want to be there to see the execution," Curl said. "Unless you've walked in my shoes, don't judge me. Don't tell me what you would do if it happened to you. You don't know until it happens to you."

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, SHE WILL BE SURPRIZED AT THE CLOSURE SHE WILL BEGIN TO ACHIEVE ONCE THIS FILTHY VICIOUS ANIMAL IS BROUGHT TO HIS ULTIMATE JUSTICE FINALLY. IT IS NOT A VENGEFUL SATISIFACTION, IT IS VALIDATION THAT HE DID WHAT EVERYVODY SAYS HE DID AND HE ACTUALLY PAID FOR IT WITH HIS LIVE.

[FACEITT]

I agree with what you said.

[djseavy]

I was a strong opponent of the death penalty until the past couple of years. With all the violence, mass shootings, child rapes and abductions, etc., I am starting to change my mind. I realize it won't stop the violence to execute this guy, but at least he will pay the ultimate penalty for his depraved and monsterous acts. I wish I could afford to donate trip money for this mom. The one and only difference between her thoughts and mine are this: if somebody raped and murdered my daughter, I would be in prison for life, or on death row, because I would do whatever it took for me to personally take the killer out. He wouldn't make it to trial - guaranteed. And I don't care what they did to me after that. So mam, have a safe trip, and I hope that the execution doesn't get delayed. You have every right to feel and think the way you do.

[gnimelf1968]

I believe that if a state has a death penalty it would make at least sane criminals think twice. If you know that you'll just be set up with three squares, a gym and all the other cr@p they get there is no dire fear of what might happen to them.

[whozzzzure]

I don't understand this comment from Mrs. Curl -- "Any donations over the amount spent on the trip will help cover unpaid bills from O'Connell's funeral, she said."

This child was murdered 22 years ago. What funeral director in his right mind would still want the family to "pay the bill" after 22 years? After 22 years, I would think this bill would be written off. Additionally, what funeral home would take money after 22 years from a destitute family?

[askagain]

For all we know Mrs. Curl may be on an extended payment plan or promised to pay the bill if her fortunes changed in the future. I am in business and have been stiffed many times. My business has provided services for which we haven't been paid. My employees still had to be paid, my rent still had to be paid, and my creditors still had to be paid. Not only did I lose profits, expenses came right out of my pocket. Not knowing the circumstances, it would be unfair to criticize either Mrs. Curl or the people who incurred expenses for providing funeral services.

[FACEITT]

I just find that comment she made very hard to believe that after all these years, someone would continue to go after her. It's more likely the funeral director wrote it off years ago as a loss on his tax return.

[jwilsonte]

rwsmith29456 shut your flaping gums you sick thing mind your own business if the woman wants to see this scum excuted good for her .after murdering raping her daughter ,its pathlic things like you who fell sorry for these evil creatures or maybe your of like mind?

[sobobx]

Santa Claus is on Death Row?!

[jwilsonte]

its about time