True tale of tragedy, persistence, payoff

By Gregg Goldstein

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Collene Campbell's son Scott was murdered in 1982. Six years later her brother, off-road racing legend Mickey Thompson, and his wife were gunned down.

Campbell fought a decades-long battle that ultimately saw the Victims' Bill of Rights become California law with the state's passage of Proposition 9 this month. Now her story is set to become an "Erin Brockovich"-style movie.

Campbell and her husband Gary are teaming with production companies The Collective and Three Friends Prods. to produce a film about her fight for justice. Talks are underway with writers and directors about adapting her story for the screen.

"No mom or dad should be forced to sit outside the courtroom during the trial of their child's murderer like we were or read in the newspaper about proceedings in their case instead of being informed officially about the proceedings," Collene Campbell said.

"No loved one should be forced to sit silent when it comes to release, plea or sentencing decisions and endure the endless delays that we were forced to endure, costing enormous taxpayer dollars. Now because of Proposition 9, victims in California will have these rights and more."

Campbell's battle began when her only son was strangled and thrown out of an airplane into the ocean. A half-dozen years into the fight to bring his killers to justice, her famous brother and sister-in-law were shot by two hitmen outside their home. As the daughter of a police officer, Campbell was unprepared for the roadblocks faced by crime victims, leading her to spearhead the Prop 9 fight.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter