From the Elvis family:
From last week:
"It's gotten harder in those five years," Debbie Elvis told ABC15 after court wrapped up Friday afternoon. "It punches you in the stomach." Her daughter, Morgan Elvis, agreed. "What most people don't understand is that you can't move on. You find yourself in the middle of a moment and you wonder, 'Where's Heather?'" Because of the gag order, the family couldn't talk about their thoughts on this week's testimony, saying only that the evidence speaks for itself. They told us two things have been troubling them since they first sat down for opening statements Tuesday morning: the defense attorneys and the online comments. The Elvis' said listening to the attorneys talk about their daughter was difficult, even as they said they knew they were doing their jobs. "It's acceptable in the court room, but not anywhere else," one of the parents explained. "The defense right off the bat is trying to paint our daughter in a bad light [in front of us.]" Morgan mentioned a phrase someone used that particularly stung: "It's not like the world stops turning." "Saying that in any situation in front of family of a victim is horrible," she said. The other trouble? Online bullying Moorer and her family have endured since the case began. We as a family read those comments. We see the theories, and we live the theories face to face," Debbie Elvis said, "We don't condone online bullying. There are children involved." They said their thoughts extend to Moorer herself, who has never faced a jury for the kidnapping charges before, much less been found guilty. "I forgave the Moorers a long time ago," Morgan explained. "It's not my burden to carry." Still, the Elvises said they were surprised by the number of people who indicated they hadn't heard about the case, despite its high profile and duration. Around 40 percent of potential jury members said they were unfamiliar with it, as well as many people commenting on ABC15's live coverage of the trial. "It's never too late to do the right thing," Debbie pleaded. "We still need information. This is all about Heather; it's all about finding Heather."
'It's gotten harder:' Heather Elvis' family opens up about being back in court
From yesterday:
News 13 spoke with the Elvis family after sitting through testimony for nearly two weeks. "She's not allegedly a victim, she's not allegedly missing, she's not that young lady, she's Heather Elvis and she's missing," said Terry Elvis, Heather's father. Her sister Morgan Elvis said, "I was afraid to take the stand because I don't want to say how old I was specifically because that means admitting that I outlived my older sister." The Elvis family said they won't have closure until Heather is found. "It's not over, it's nearly 5 years of kidnapping every second of every minute of every day," said Terry Elvis.
https://www.wbtw.com/news/grand-str...al-and-tammy-says-she-will-testify/1532197841
from yesterday:
After the state rested their case, Moorer said she would testify. Her decision was shocking to many people including Heather's father, Terry Elvis. “Whatever comes tomorrow comes. I fully expect they will throw the worst they can. And we’ve weathered all of it and we will weather this," he said. He said it has been an extremely difficult several days for the Elvis family. Heather's sister, Morgan, said in times like this they lean on each other for strength. “In a week like this it’s almost like you’re just drowning. So when you have moments like that you have to reach out and hold on to other people because it’s hard. The world kind of swallows you up," she said. Morgan also said she knows Heather isn't the only missing person, and wants other victims to know they are not alone. “People don’t just disappear. Nobody deserves to disappear," she said. Debbie Elvis, Heather's mom, said she just wishes people could know Heather. "We are still looking. We are not going to give up. We are never, ever going to give up," she said. The family believes tomorrow will be the toughest day yet as they watch Moorer take the stand.
“Heather used to put hand prints on things and she would say in 10 years I’m going to be famous, so no matter what, she’s famous. And they can’t take that away. So, she doesn’t win. That woman on that stand tomorrow, no matter what comes out of her mouth, she doesn’t win because it’s 10 years later and Heather is famous. So take that," Morgan said.
Heather Elvis' family speaks out: 'We are never going to give up hope'