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Concert raises money for family of slaying victim

Courtney Damico (back) and Heather Hoffman listen to the music of Fifth on the Floor on Sunday, March 14, at the Yardbirds Southern BBQ in Trenton. Tracy and Benjy Diesbach, co-owners of business held a benefit concert Sunday for the family of 32-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot.

Apryl Pilolli Courtney Damico (back) and Heather Hoffman listen to the music of Fifth on the Floor on Sunday, March 14, at the Yardbirds Southern BBQ in Trenton. Tracy and Benjy Diesbach, co-owners of business held a benefit concert Sunday for the family of 32-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot.

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By Dave Greber, Staff Writer Updated 8:36 AM Monday, March 15, 2010

TRENTON — The tragedy that shocked a community last month brought it together Sunday, March 14, as more than 100 people showed up for a fundraiser to benefit the victims of a fatal shooting.

Police say Donald Wyatt fatally shot his wife, Rhonda, during the afternoon hours of Feb. 22 at their South First Street home while the couple’s 3-year-old child was present. The couple’s other two children, ages 15 and 9, were returning home from school.

Wyatt, 41, is charged with murder, felonious assault, child endangerment and obstruction of official business for the incident he claims was an accident. His bond of more than $1 million was continued last week in Middletown Municipal Court and his case was bound over to a Butler County grand jury.

In addition to a packed house grooving to the likes of Fifth on the Floor, Stagger Lee, Pure Grain and Dallas Moore, Rhonda’s three children and other family members made an appearance.

“It’s been a lift because you have all these people here that don’t even know us,” said Steve “Trucker” Bright, Rhonda’s sister’s brother-in-law and road manager for Dallas Moore, who helped spearhead the event. “They’re having their moments, but I think this is helping. I just don’t think it’s all sunk in yet.”

The event ran from 2 to 8 p.m. at Yardbirds in Trenton, less than two miles from where the fatal shooting took place. Shortly after the benefit began, the area that held the stage also held a steady stream of people dropping money into donation buckets and filling out silent auction sheets. The music was a loud juxtaposition to a mood that was somber at times, especially considering money was being raised to pay for Rhonda’s nearly $8,000 funeral bill and for expenses for her surviving children.

Justin Wells, lead guitarist and vocalist for the Lexington, Ky.,-based Fifth on the Floor, made the trip to Trenton and was set to play as the University of Kentucky Wildcats took on Mississippi State for the Southeastern Conference finals in men’s basketball

“If it wasn’t a good cause, we wouldn’t be here,” Wells said laughing. “But this is a good cause, and we’ve got big hearts.”

A woman who said she was Rhonda’s sister but declined to give her name described the atmosphere and turnout at Yardbirds as “awesome.”

“There’s a lot of friends and family here, and it’s been great,” she said.

The family has set up accounts at First Financial, Fifth Third and U.S. banks to continue the fundraising efforts. Money raised beyond Rhonda’s funeral expenses will be placed in accounts for each child, Bright said. Money can also be donated through Colligan Funeral Home and ColorTyme Rent to Own in Hamilton.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2112 or dgreber@coxohio.com.

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