ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Jamie Weast described her strength as an "invisible bulletproof vest."
The mother of three has endured more tragedy in the last year than some do in a lifetime. In September, her sister-in-law, Marjorie Nicole (Nikki) Cappello, was charged with murder of Weast's brother, James Cappello.
"The evening of September 19, (2018) was the last conversation I had with my brother," Weast said. "There were concerns about how he was feeling."
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He was reported missing on Sept. 21, 2018. His wife was arrested the following day, after his body was found and experts determined he had been poisoned with insulin. Now, more than a year later, Nikki Cappello is indicted by a jury and has a trial date set for Jan. 27, 2020.
Weast said now that it "feels real," she's ready to talk about her brother and what it has been like caring for his daughter -- her niece -- in St. Johns County.
"She mentions, almost every day, if not every other day, 'I miss my daddy.'" Weast said. "Before she goes to bed, she either gives him a kiss, or she gives him a hug or sometime she sleeps with that picture."
Despite, the little girl missing her father, she fits in perfectly at the Weast household and is enjoying life in kindergarten.
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"We have four kids now between the ages of 5 and 7 so literally, she fits right in there," Weast said, smiling.
She also started a Facebook group called "Legacy of James Cappello" where people can post stories about her brother. The plan is to take those stories and make a memory book for her niece to have once she is older.
"I want everyone to know the person my brother was." That — Jamie Weast said — is her only goal. "This is giving me the motivation to make something of it to do something bigger."
She said her family is the reason get wakes up every day and puts on a brave face.
"I have to see to it that justice is going to be served," she said. "And, I know my brother is looking down and he's proud."
Cox Media Group
