APPROACH! What do you guys think about me just having a post every week for us all to talk? You can talk about whatever you want even ..
the Zimmerman trial, but I will not moderate discussion…er.. much. Compromise?
Come for the tea. Stay for the shade.
APPROACH! What do you guys think about me just having a post every week for us all to talk? You can talk about whatever you want even ..
the Zimmerman trial, but I will not moderate discussion…er.. much. Compromise?
Come for the tea. Stay for the shade. Not for the easily offended. You're a special snowflake just like everyone else.
Love it! Yes
Me, too… There is still stuff coming out, her newest tweets, etc… for the JA trial.. Withdrawal….. But, please don’t judge, I’m over talking about all the stuff that has occurred.. Time for new material to discuss…
I have really enjoyed Ryan Smith’s LiveChat. I like having a place to ask questions & have them answered by someone who is thoughtful, intelligent and educated. I wouldn’t be interested in a place for people to vent. And I am definitely not interested in a hit and run; i.e., hit me with your best insult and run away. I have had my fill of that on the HLN FB site. But a discussion based in reality? I would be interested to see how you could accomplish it.
um so would I… I am not sure what to do at this point. I have a group of new posters that I like, and we despite our hairpulling differences … I don’t want to see go anywhere. The Zimmerman trial is up soon and I fear CATASTROPHE there . so I am sort of hoping to give them free reign in a weekly type post? I don’t know what else to do. I would like to explain to some that stealing other bloggers posts is NOT ACCEPTABLE… but oh I dunno…
The Zimmerman trial will be a catastrophe in deed I am still not sure one way or the other on that trial. I will wait to hear the evidence to make up my mind. The one thing I didn’t like is when Zimmerman and his wife lied about having money made from donations to his defense fund. Anyway I will watch that trial to feed my addiction.
I see much danger there. I have been a pretty regular post-er on HLN FB and have been able to chalk up some of the crazy comments to the idea that crazies draw out other crazies. Jodi birds of a feather flock together, so to speak. But yesterday after the Zimmerman hearing some of the comments were almost too much for me. As I stated on the Trial Cafe post asking what trial we want to focus on next, I always feel obligated to reason with racism. I guess it goes back to my love of the movie “Gentlemen’s Agreement” and the idea that even if you are not a bigot, if you don’t fight against it, you help it along. But you can’t reason with a racist. Their hate clouds everything. Like I said, moderation, good. But very hard for you to accomplish, I think. I guess if you already had an idea of the character of the people participating, and a strong warning that one strike and you are out, it would be worth a shot.
Curious as to why you are skeptical about blogging on the Zimmerman trial…I assume it’s past experience with racial sensitive topics? People behaving badly?
Yes! I love all of you… but I sometimes feel like calling people out. I am not a nice person… This Zimmerman thing will be hard….
Sounds like a great idea
That would be great since I am so addicted to watching court trials now.
YAY. I will see how often I need to start a new post… maybe once a week at first or more. it is up to you guys. I feel like I have brought us all together, and I can’t just turn you out into the world now. xoxo
Do you want me to spread the word? I have made many “friends” on the HLN FB page. I could make a blanket post or send individual messages.
As you wish…. 🙂
This ZImmerman thing WILL be Hard. I think it will tear us up. I don’t want it too.
Sounds good TT, weekly therapy sessions!! its kinda nice knowing ja is alone in a cell hopefully for a long time to come. The judge in zimmerman doesnt mess around. She moved pretty quickly thru motions the other day. I wonder what ja new strategy will be? Will the story change again? Or will the state just go for life?
This is a great idea Tamara! I have enjoyed posting here and love your blog and have grown quite fond of all the posters here. Your site is the first thing I bring up on the computer when I sit down with that first cup of coffee in the morning!
I would love to have a place to go every morning for focused ‘water cooler’ talk. Can it be any worse than some of the RHONJ boards? Those could be brutal! One reason I no longer watch Bravo is the ugliness they promote. I think if we can all agree to be honest, civil, and remember our manners, we’ll be ok. And feel free to stop it if it turns into something you don’t want…
I must admit, I don’t mind watching all the ugliness as long as it isn’t in my life. They make money off all that meanness thew spew, so I figure I am just helping them make a living. ;-}
I used to think it was harmless, but no more. It’s just to ugly for me to enjoy, and I don’t want to give Andy Cohen the ratings lol.
I went to the dr. last friday then stopped by mothers house. she asked what did the dr. say? i answered, i`ll live long enough to pay the bill. went to kmart to return this broken life. was told warranty is up. buy a new one. so i did. returned the next day because it malfunctioned.. juan says i`m crazy but i`m not crazy. nurmi had me tested. i need a sidebar.
Amen.
I’ve enjoyed your blog so much; I’m sorry it took me so long to find it. The Zimmerman trial makes me nervy and sad. I’m going to read and post a little, but I’m not following the trial closely. I’m going to the beach, walk Puddin’ the Giant German Shepherd, dig in my yard, and play with my friends. I’m suffering from too much Arias exposure. Have a great evening.
I think “Sidebar” is a great idea. I’m going to read it instead of getting hooked on hours of the trial on the telly. Thank you.
Hi JF – I’m JustUs – Sounds like we have alot in common. Decompressing the JA angst in my gardens and running my big & beautiful AKC G.Shepherd “Strider” in the sun. (he’s been giving me those sad GSD eyes 5 months now !) Good to shake off the dust – keeping good vibes and tossing aside bad ones ~ is healthy ! There are always trials – then there are “those trials.” One has to de-brief themselves. Looking forward to Scheiderman’s – not Zimmerman’s. Too charged up..! So far, like the Judge though – No BS ? […and thanks -TT for the SideBar thread.] Hope everybody gets back in ! 🙂
Hi JustUs, we are peas in the garden! I just posted about the Sneiderman trial…a creepy, murderous boyfriend, a soccer mom and professional woman, fancy Atlanta suburb, LOTS of money, a handome dead husband, very serious charges…ingredients for an interesting trial. I hope it gets lots of coverage, but by then the media will be all up in Zimmerman, freaking me out down here in the Carolinas. I’m going outside right now to water the annuals. Enjoy your day!
YES PLEASE! I live in Massachusetts and NONE of my friends watch trials (they think I’m sick!). I don’t use FB so this is great! Thanks TT & fellow Trial Watchers!
My friends already thought I was sick so my going on & on about the skank was nothing new to them. I actually got my entire lunch crew hooked on it. It is so much fun to have someone in common to bash. We have spent hours at lunch over the last five months laughing our asses off with all the Jodi-isms.
Great idea! Hubby and friends thought I was nuts for being “obsessed”with Arias. Need somewhere to vent with like minds! 🙂
What about Caryn Kelly (victim: Phillip Peatross) from Orlando, FL? I see it on the HLN website but not sure if they are covering the trial live. Has anyone heard/seen it? She is being dubbed “the next Jodi Arias”. Ugh. My 14 year old son asked “why do so many bad things happen in Florida?” (Casey Anthony, Zimmerman, Caryn Kelly). I told him it’s to balance out “The Happiest Place on Earth” – Disney. I’m Just Kidding, Everyone! I didn’t say that. I told him bad things happen everywhere. The media just can’t report it all. And there’s plenty of good things that happen everyday, too!
Paris, she was found not guilty.
Also, I love you guys and I don’t want you to go anywhere. Will not be able to babysit y’all but I hope to visit and say hey frequently.
I suggest you at some point get together and nominate a FOREPERSON to communicate with me if I can’t always be here. I actually kind of asked a new person to be that but I am willing to let you guys choose.
PLEASE limit links. I am willing to put links through but not everything you ever saw that was interesting on the internet.
All I really care about is that you don’t PLAGARIZE, that is drag other people’s words here ordo anything else that will land me in court with you. Capeche?
Other than that, Have fun. This could be a weekly post or a daily we will see.
xoxo
tt
I’m in and I love your site TT and the talk and the folk. Although I was getting stoked for Caryn Kelly and then KABOOM, not guilty. I used to do a lot of security work when younger and I tell you what, listening to her change her story told me all i needed to know… she be guilty. BUT they were both hammered and he did show back up at her house. Also, one look at her mug after the reporter asked her what she was going to do.. “DIsneyworld” argghhhh. or GOSH!
Good grief I feel like I fell into a time warp or something…I just heard about Caryn Kelly last week! Looked for trial coverage, but there’s already a verdict?! wow…and not guilty! Interesting. Sort of. I like the idea of your sidebar…go for it!
I’m also up for Sidebar. I don’t usually post often but I do enjoy reading what everyone else has to say. I do agree with you about the Zimmerman trial, TT. Maybe being from the south makes me worried and uneasy about this trial. People can spew such hatred and there seems to always be some one waiting in the wings just wanting to jump on the race wagon!
It seems to me that any discussion of the Zimmerman trial is going to have race in it. Is there any reason we can’t discuss it? If you have an opinion and express it with an attitude of openness and willingness to hear others’ opinions, you may just change someone’s mind. Are you open to having your mind changed as well? I truly believe that if we have a discussion with a true willingness to hear and a mutual respect for each other, we can at least agree to disagree. Personally, I fear the discussion as well.
While the OJ trial was going on it caused issues at my office in Birmingham. These were suposed to be a group of grown women, who for the most part were pretty level headed and a great group to discuss topics with. That trial changed a lot in our office, there were raised voices and yes, even the race card was played and hurt feelings ran rampant. It was not pleasant to say the least. I really hope that we all can look past the black/white and just all be green polka dots for this trial.
My distrust of cops and my disbelief that a celebrity could act as bad as any other citizen influenced me more than race in the Simpson trial. The fact that Furman claimed his racism was a “disability” didn’t help. And DNA was pretty new at that time. It is all just a faded memory.
As far as the Zimmerman case goes, it seems to me that everyone involved has their own agenda. That might be a more appropriate discussion.
Those are the exact reasons I do not want to follow the case too closely. Who would have thought the OJ trial on the other side of the country could stir up racial tensions in my sleepy little rural town? But, it did. This will be much, much worse, I fear.
Just today I was thinking I needed to check into the Caryn Kelly trial and then heard this afternoon that she was found not guilty!! How did the murder and trial happen so quickly? Or was I so wrapped up with the JA trial that I just took notice of this murder last week? I suppose it happened a while ago and I just didn’t notice!! Earth to Rose….
Psst Nancy is new. I would like to nominate her for foreman. (I swear I know nothing about her other than she was new today. Or yesterday or whenever.
I will need you to elect a foreperson whose only duty will be to let me know things are getiing out of hand down here…
I feel like I have a new “Edgarrrrr” who for the most part stays in his cage. (don’t ask)
I second your nomination, TT. Will Nancy accept?
i third that……………..TT, i am gonna hang for side-bar. THANX hope it works out well
might be up for zimmerman, not sure yet—–depends on evidence. Time to start my net research. Considering this is Florida, i anticipate loads of info, interviews, etc posted online (praying for no riots)
I think I’m going to be as obsessed with Andrew Scheiderman’s trial in October, as much as I was with the arias trial!
In reading comments tonight, just found out that Caryn Kelley was found not guilty. She was SO drunk during that 911 call, that I couldn’t decide. I am strangely relieved that the arias trial is over (for now) – I’m now back into a normal routine!!
annie, do you mean andrea sneiderman, accused of murder of husband, Rusty? or someone else? (inquiring minds wanna know…………..if it is Andreas Sneiderman, hereto who shall be known as AS -wonder if she has a middle name that starts with “s”??—) Imagine, TT could go to court everyday to give us inside scoop! KIDDING TT, i know you have better things to do!!!
Anniebannanie, are you referring to the Andrea Sneiderman trial? I’d love to watch that one, too. The trial is set to begin July 29. The most serious indictments against her are for malice murder and felony murder in the shooting death of her husband, Rusty Sneiderman, by her former boss, Hemy Neuman. He’s doing life after being found “guilty but mentally ill,” which doesn’t grant him any special status, really. She, of course, claims she had nothing to do with her husband’s murder, but she testified for days in Neuman’s trial and guess what? She lied and deleted texts, emails, etc. Sneiderman and Neuman don’t look any more like murderers than Arias does! What’s at stake: her freedom and $2,000,000 in life insurance. This one…I could get hooked on. Does it show?
and to add to this, i saw, somewhere that she was actually more involved with another man…….so looks like she may have been involved with 3 men…………
I sense a big cup of crazy here. Sneiderman doesn’t look as if she’d attract so many admirers. Maybe it’s like a guy friend of mine said recently: ” I really like a little crazy.”
Or, perhaps used Neuman to kill her husband so she could be with the 2nd lover. I admire Rusty’s parents. She would not allow them to see their grandchildren so they took her to court and won visitation. I can’t wait to see what we don’t know. One of those dateline or whatever shows has already done her story before she was added as a defendent, so y’all can look that up and see how strange she is. I call her an uglier, smarter JA. Oh, she even stood up in court and gave a witness, her former bestie, a kiss of death infront of judge and jury. Get thee to youtube and see this witch in action.
cannot wait for the Andrea Sneiderman trial!
I want a place to see what happens in the Zimmerman trial. I can’t watch during the day and you all were lifesavers for the Arias trial.
The comments here confuse me and I usually scroll and read Tamara’s so I know what’s going on. Is there an easy way to just read new posts?
I feel it should be OK to discuss the Zimmerman trial as it brings about necessary discussion about potential prejudgment and the repercussions that it engenders. I am also curious as to each side’s strategy and how they will implement those strategies.
This is a great idea to me. I actually moved my moral compass a slight bit during the JA trial. When it all began I would have been satisfied with nothing less than death but now I find I can be satisfied with LWOP. She will be in a type of Dante’s Inferno with the 7 rings of hell so who am I to complain?
We seem to be an intelligent group who are willing to entertain new ideas without flamethrowing at those who disagree. Who knows what ideas and solutions might stem from an open dialogue among friends? Count me in. I’ll begin today and encourage you all to find a place to volunteer where you are to make your small part of the world a better place. For me, the decision was to become a CASA-court appointed special advocate-for children. Most areas have a backpack buddies program that sends home food for the weekend for children who suffer from hunger. So many needs in a hurting world.
I also volunteer as a court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem. It’s the essentially the same program of court-appointed advocates for children who are, for whatever reason, in foster care. Here in the Carolinas, it’s GAL volunteers. We have a backpack buddies program, too and several volunteer-staffed thrift shops whose proceeds support Hope Harbor, a haven for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence. Find a place to volunteer; you’ll be welcomed with open arms. I volunteer with German Shepherd Rescue and Adoption, serving NC, SC, and Virginia…I like the dogs MUCH BETTER than people! GSRA, based in Fuquay, NC, always needs loving foster homes and transport volunteers. Get you some GS love!
jf That sounds like a great program. I’m in coastal NC, OBX area. Do you know of the programs in my area if any? Thanks
Would that be Outer Banks? It sounds as if you’re as far north coastal as I am far south coastal. Every judicial district in NC has, by state law, a Guardian Ad Litem program. Check the web site for your judicial district; you should find the program listed somewhere on the site. If you don’t find it, call the judicial district’s clerk and ask. The GAL program director will be delighted!
Ahhhhhhh ! ~ my GSD heaven. My breeder keeps 8 house GSDs.. and has a 30 acre farm in Amish country w/ 12+ intact dogs & up to 5 litters at intervals through the yr. GSD puppies everywhere ! 🙂 She has training, SAR, etc. reunions every summer. Last one was over 100 GSD (all her lines) We took over the town – stopped traffic. My Strider is gonna’ be mad at me for watching another trial !
Hey Peachteachr – so that was a heart I saw on your sleeve after all ? 🙂 I bow humbly to your good work and kindness. World needs more of you !
I am just meeting you all on here for the first time and am liking what I am hearing. I did not follow Jodi Arias believe it or not. I feel like one of the few who didn’t as it was everywhere it seems. I was glued to the Casey Anthony trial and my heart wouldn’t let me with JA trial. . I live right up the street from CA’s parents and worked at the hospital next door to her mothers office. Used to see the parents at Publix’s and the Farmers Market. Weird. Just every day people living next door. . I read TT’s blog during the JA trial and all of your comments so feel like I know many of you. I saw JA speak once. Her demeanor was so similar to CA’s it made my hair on my neck stand up. That sociopathic personality that has no conscience. I am excited now to see where TT is going with this! I have wanted to do the guardian ad litem for years. I would like to hear sometime from those of you that have been doing it how much time you give and all that it entails. Here in Florida they desperately need qualified volunteers. I admire those of you that are doing this! Looking forward to seeing all of you on here more and more! What a bright group of folks you all seem!
Sandy, you just get in touch through your courthouse might be the best 1st stop. In my case, they were running an ad in our weekly paper. It will probably involed a couple of hours for 4 or 5 weeks to train you. After that, a judge will swear you in and then you will be given a child to help. EVERYTHING about the child’s life from school records, psychologicals, medical visits, and all open to you and you speak only for the child. All of this is an effort to get the child into a safe, secure home free of neglect. Please continue in this plan as I’m sure you are badly needed. Crack is destroying so many families.
welcome Sandy! i am also a newbie, just hit this blog one night rather obsessing over evidence, statements, etc. Tamara is BADASS and so are the other trial bloggers here…………(don’t know the RHW viewers so no offense on this-sure they are also great)….what i have really liked about the fellow court-watchers here is that they are more informed than your ave. watcher, so either you are on same page in evidence, or they enlighten you to links with more info. (for me, it is all about the details) i could only imagine living so close to the Anthonys…….think that case hooked me on getting the details and truly understanding not only what goes on in court, but also out of court. this group in also HILLARIOUS and snarky, as you shall see……..(oh shit, i lied, i have been interested in details about every case, just i have suddenly found a fun, sometimes serious group who enjoy sharing insight and humor)
Im steve..and im a courtaholic.. In session started my habit years ago. This past week has been really strange not having a jodi issue to snark on. Lets just hope the new jury gets it right for the Alexander family. Caryn Kelly may have been drunk and she changed her story..the big issue was she DID call 911 as soon as possible. I think that made a big difference for her case.
From what very little I gleaned watching HLN, I think she’s guilty as hell. Phillip had a new gal-pal and this chick was “aww, hells no!” She was jealous as hell so she shot him dead and planned it. Her calling 911 so swiftly was calculated. Again, all this is my opinion, my prejudgment of what I gathered on HLN. Possession and sexual jealousy is a hell of a dark force.
I have a mental image of his wife, paying the big life insurance premiums, patiently waiting for one of his many lovers (or their husbands, ex-bedmates…you pick) to kill him. After all, it’s the South. (No haters, please, I’m so Southern I’ve never been north of Norfolk, VA). And, no, I certainly don’t think he deserved to die for his success (?) with the ladies.
Dlister – Seems the dark-side of breaking up is the norm, lately. Ekk ! What ever happened to just losing weight, buying a new outfit, and sporting a new guy at the next party…? Guess I’ve been married too long. 🙂 Waiting on Andrea – she’s a trip, that one.
Darling JustUs! I so agree! Recently broke up with a guy … got my hair dyed darker, got a tan, lost a few pounds, and have a few new men to date! Woohoo! 🙂
Bless you, lovely lady, for being married so long. I love reading from posters about happy, secure, loving and warm marriages. I am living vicariously through you and feeling dang great about it!
Good for you! APPLAUSE!!!!!
Just got in from what I hope is the FINAL Sheree Whitfield court debacle. Just like all the other times, the judge DENIED Sheree’s request for a warrant. Case closed. YAY. I am EXHAUSTED. Need a nap but will blog the whole thing eventually. 🙂
Congratulations, TT! Woot-woot!!! So glad the judge did the right thing. Sleep, rest, and blog another day.
Hey Thanks, I’m amazed myself…Ha ! Married way late – but 20yrs. now. Ekks !
Got to agree with you Steve. This anticlimactic ending left many hanging midair with no real resolution in sight. I love the idea of a general talk spot, if most topics are ok. Tamara,I don’t want you to have to work any harder. Hopefully the haters are tired too. Count me in to talk! Thank you for all you do Tamara!!!
i’m Doc and a courtaholic, too………..i am happy about Caryn Kelly, and look forward to tons of coffee, smokes and time spent in SIDEBAR ……….oh yea, i forgot…..a bit of wine, too (how’s that Steve?)
Steve, I just saw a bit about the Caryn Kelley trial, and I agree that her calling 911 and her obvious distress was a big factor. I think the drinking was also part of it, as they were both drunk and a messy struggle happened, not premeditated at all. I would have voted the same as the jury.
Zimmerman trial & comments could be volatile… Hopefully we will agree to always be respectful and agree to disagree. That gets tricky and I think the GZ trial will bring out ugliness in us humans. I’m a first timer here too- thanks for the forum.
Hi to everyone, count me in! Been a reader of TT’s since last fall. Not a big commenter, but I do love some TT!!
2 Rotties, siblings. My babies! I am the only human in my circle of friends =)
I won’t be participating in GZ /TM, it has already been too much for me. My heart is already hurting on this one.
Ready for Andrea, been watching all the updates on Websluthes. Going to be a good one!
Thank you TT!
I’m totally and completely with you, Deej, on everything you said. I hardly comment either, but I do read everyday. In these JA down days I have gone to the RH posts, because I do watch & like RHOBH, but the little I’ve read of the comments so far, it just seems like so much fluff talk about nothing. Reminds me of when I worked for the federal government and after several yrs at the Environmental Dept., I was transferred to the Film Agency. First few weeks I kept saying to myself, this isn’t real work, I can’t believe these people get paid to think, talk, & watch films all day. But, in time I came to appreciation that everyone’s jobs are critical to complete the ‘big picture’ of life.
My rambling way of saying I enjoy TT so much that I will probably continue to read about Lisa, Kim & Yolanda, but not before I check for the latest court related (excluding GZ) intelligent discussions, sharing of interesting relevant inside information, and of course the hilarious witty observations of the various players! So, yes, TT, I think a court cases only area to post is a fab idea, Thanks for thinking of it!
We can talk about anything ? My husband has stage 4 colon cancer and hospice is coming in. Nothing more can be done medically. He is in complete denial . My sons and I are his caregivers. Any tips regarding end of life care ? I am really not Debbie Downer. Been mourning since the diagnosis. So don’t be sad for us just helpful advice if you choose to comment at all. TYIA. Belinda
Belinda,
My husband died 5 years ago from brain cancer. I feel for you and your sons. Hospice is wonderful and the social worker was invaluable. My only advice is to go to her for support. She was especially good with my children who were 19 and 22 at the time.
I pray he goes quickly and painlessly as possible.
I will echo the advice regarding hospice. My husband is a hospice worker so I get a peek into that world. Don’t be afraid to speak up about his care if you have any questions, remember they are there to make it easier on you. Take full advantage of their presence and focus on making however many days he has left more about quality. Take a break when you need to. It’s ok.
Belinda, Tleigh — my love is with you both. Thanks for sharing.
Belinda, I am sorry for what your family is going through. Your husband may not be in denial. He may be trying to shield you & your sons from what he knows lies before you.
It may sound selfish to you, but my advice is to take full advantage of Hospice and your sons caring for their dad. Give yourself a break when they are there. Do some normal things you have always done. But the most important thing, is do it without guilt. You have to take care of yourself, in order to better care for your husband & sons.
My best wishes to your family.
Belinda, I’m very, very sorry to hear about your husband. Your husband’s denial, in the end, will not change what is happening to his body. Continue to do what you and your children are doing in caring and ministering to him. You will never regret it.
My dad had lung cancer and was only given 8 weeks to live. Let hospice, neighbors, friends, and family help you by cooking or cleaning or running errands for you. They feel helpless and want to do something to help you provide the best care for your husband in his final days. Since his time is limited here on earth, and though this may not go along with what someone else has said, spend as much time with your husband now as you can, talking, and making more memories, as he will eventually sleep most of the time and you won’t have the benefit of talking to him.
I have 4 brothers and they did not come visit my dad as they could not stand to see him so sick. Oh my, the tears of regret they shed after my dad died. He wanted to see them, asked about them every day but they put their feelings before his and denied themselves invaluable time they could have spent with him. It is wonderful that your children are there with you, helping with your husband’s care. It’s a precious gift they are giving him without realizing it. After their dad is gone, you can share with them how precious their gift of helping was and perhaps that will give them a modicum of comfort from the pain of losing their dad.
God bless you.
My Grandpa was told many times he only had a few weeks – he in fact lived almost 6 months more. He knew the truth but did not want to focus on that – he wanted to focus on living. If his way of dealing with things is truly denial then let him live out his remaining days in whatever he is most comfortable with.
At one point we had no choice but to place him Hospice and they were wonderful! We were allowed to stay with him 24 hours a day and they even let us bring his dog to visit so long as we bathed him first. In fact the other patients really loved seeing his dog.
It was very hard to have him at the Hospice House as he wanted to die in his own home but we did not have the necessary knowledge to keep him comfortalbe.
Do what you can to honor his requests but also do not feel guilty if you need more help such as placing him in Hospice rather than having Hospice coming to you.
My dad passed suddenly – I wish I had the opportunity to tell him one more time how much I loved him – maybe instead of thinking of it as saying goodbye – since your husband does not seem to want to acknowledge that he is ‘leaving’ you and your sons could focus on sitting around with him and talking of favorite memories.
Belinda, i am so sorry for what a heavy load you are carrying. Remember that this shit SUCKS, but you are all stronger than THIS SHIT. This is not to say that it is not painful and stressful……nor to say that it is ever wrong for you to complain, cry , or have a little self-pity in this process (that is all OK!!)……..it is to say that you have already begun a ripple of support here, by the simple request, and so the only thing we can give you, really, is an open-at-all-hours board and loving wishes……..peaceful wishes. As a woman and mother, i can only imagine your stress………..i have no cancer in my world, but major stress, yet stories like yours always wake me up a little to how i sometimes need to appreciate the moments. (you see, your pain has already helped somr of us to appreciate the simplicity of our lives-thanx!) So i would not tell you to avoid or deny the moments, i would tell you to greet the moments face on and appreciate where life has come as a result of LOVE in your family (or even in the face of “a call for love “…….when things/personalities were or are or will be difficult) Sounds stupid to you right now, maybe everything i am saying does, but, i wanna tell you one of my little prayers that i use, when CRAP is hitting my peace (lately on a daily basis) …. my prayer is: “God, please help me to accept what is happening, instead of trying to make it the way i think it should be…..for i am sure that any investment in an outcome by me is less than your will.” My heart and
hugs to you!!!!
Doc
I, too, have been there with hospice and my children as their dad died at 48. I think the most important thing that happened for us was that I had the chance to ask him if there was anything I had not asked him to forgive. We had been divorced but not separated for years and this was helpful to us both. In the children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit, the new toy in the nursery asks the old horsehair toy what it’s like to be real. The answer is that you lose some of your fur, an eye may fall out, but when someone really, really loves you, you become real. May you all feel love one for another in the days to come. Rest and restore your spirit for a few minutes each day. If you don’t have anything stored up, you don’t have anything to give to another. Peace and love to you all.
My husband died 5 1/2 years ago from pancreatic cancer. Hospsice is wonderful. He was able to tell me just how he wanted his funeral and where he wanted to be buried. I kow it sounds morbid, but when the time came, I knew what his wishes were.
I think you may have just added a great insight. It’s very uncomfortable to listen to someone tell you what they want when they die. But, for the person who is dying, it is very important for them to talk about what is about to happen.
Belinda, so sorry to hear what you and your family are going through. Take full advantage of whatever services your Hospice will offer. Ask what they will provide as support for in home care too if that is what you want. Palliative care is very important and I am glad you are doing it. Rather than the medical community saying there is nothing more we can do, the focus becomes about making the transition from this life to the next more pleasant and meaningful for him and the family. With the support of Hospice you and your sons can spend less of your time as caregivers and more as wife and children which will allow you to spend time as a family remembering the good times and making this final journey together.
Don’t know what state you are in but most states honor a package called The Five Wishes. Your Hospice can probably get a copy for you, you can also google it and find it easy. It is a great tool that let’s you talk with your husband and document his final wishes in a variety of areas. It has space for real person input, for example a friend of mine has her documented that one of her wishes is that she has family by her bedside and whether conscious or not wants them to talk to her like she is still with them and to caress her and make sure she is wearing earrings. It also asks her family to not mourn her passing but to work hard to focus on the happy memories they shared.
Sometimes when very sick people are in denial it is because they are afraid….afraid of dying, afraid of leaving their loved ones behind. Sometimes those of us who are caring for them have to tell them it is okay and give them our permission to leave when they can no longer find the strength to fight. Filling out the Five Wishes packet will be a way that you both can deal with the reality you are facing and come together in how you want to deal with it, it can be very comforting for both the person dying and those who are being left behind to mourn.
Your grief you feel is natural as you know you have been losing your husband a little bit every day, it will turn into a different kind of grief at the end. Take advantage of support groups for you and your sons they help. God bless you and I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Please try to take care of yourself, your sons will need you when they lose their Dad.
first of all belinda i want to express my sincerist condolances and ur courage for sharing i would like to tell u to make SURE ur husband is not in any pain that they give him scheduled pain meds-morphine-maybe a thing he can wear to push the button when he needs to (sorry just cant think of the word) and something like ativan(lorazapam) for anxiety the two work good together to help them to be able to let go. its very hard i am a retired nurse and had many patients who were on hospice and like the other lady said “take full advantage” of them being there!! God bless u and ur family best of luck
Tamara. Please do me a favor and delete my post #52. my head is so far up my ass that I didn’t read the trial watchers heading. VERY sorry.
yes! especially when it comes time for the ariel castro trial!
girl, that’ll be years, according to my crystal ball!
Rose Law Group Reporter
County attorney says he has ‘ethical obligation’ to discuss taking death off the table in the Arias case.
…he is open to input from defense lawyers and the family of the victim about possibly scraping a new trial in favor of a life sentence for the convicted murderer.
But it’s also possible that lawyers agree to end the case without a trial and give Arias a life sentence with no parole.
He declined to say whether defense lawyers had come forward with an offer to take the death penalty off the table, but added that he has “an ethical obligation” to consider such a deal.
“That’s really the strongest statement or commitment I can make to look at resolving” the case, he said.
This is the gist of the report after county attorney Bill Montgomery held a press conference today.
TT-after watching HLN tonight, i am sue that there is potentially way too much racism in Zimmerman for me to be able to contribute……..(unless you wanna talk about “racists discussing racism” too heated.
Yep. This is precisely why I am out.
Ya ! – has had me worried too… & not just about race either. Since Zimmerman is actually bi-racial – I wonder if they were both the same, this would still be a challange to the “stand-your-ground” law vs. castle law which has reached congressional attention. (translation: they’ll stand down till lobby $ piles up) 🙂
Let’s talk about the real issue: Lawyers out to make a name for themselves & get rich in the process.
I thought they already did that and it was denied? I don’t know if it’s just ethical but legal too, don’t they have to hear out the defense attorneys who appealed to them? I’m sure they presented it to them, why else would it be under consideration?
What Arias wanted originally was something less than Murder 1. That was not on the table. If she accepts LWOP & waives her right to appeals, she will get it. But, because she is so narcissistic it will never happen. She is delusional & will be until she feels the pin prick of that needle going in to her arm.
Rose, that’s exactly what I expect to happen. I don’t think this death penalty phase will ever be re-tried. I also think that if the district attorney’s office and the defense team don’t reach an agreement on LWOP, it will be because Arias refuses to take the deal. Given the opportunity, I think she’ll want to gamble on a sentence of life with the possibility of parole after she serves 20 more years. After all, she’s not paying her legal expenses and the cost of multiple trials, and she’s never believed she’d actually be sentenced to death. If she takes a deal, someone will have to do some heavy convincing. That is one determined woman.
I was running in & out of the house – and thought I heard on TV that Arizona Prosecuter’s Office decided NOT to take the DP – off the table ! Is that correct ?
As I understand it, the AZ District Attorney said he would consider taking the DP off the table if the Defense comes to him with an offer. At this point, the Defense team and Arias apparently have not offered anything. And I don’t think Arias will, regardless of what her defense attorneys tell her.
I blogged my court drama from yesterday… http://s17948.p858.sites.pressdns.com/2013/05/31/my-last-court-date-with-sheree-whitfield/ it was a nail biter!
Hey TT, Juicy Joe Giudice goes to trial July 15…let’s follow that. Should be a mess full of laughs..
Pure entertainment. I hope they’ve judge -shopped for one with an appreciation for the absurd. I’ll definitely follow.
Can justice withstand the Giudices? It’ll be a hoot, I’m sure.
At the risk of sounding like I live under I rock… Who and what is Joe Guidices about ?
Justus, if you don’t know, you should really stay oblivious. Trust me. 🙂
Awhhh, Tamara !! Ok – now I remember how I “used” to get in trouble in my crazy days… gimme’ a hint ! – No ? – Yes ? God, I hope he’s not Calabrian ! Like my NaNa used to tell me say – No speaka-da-englisha ! 🙂
He’s a husband on RHONJ. (Real Housewives of New Jersey) I’m just trying to spare you the addiction because I like you and want you to keep all your brain cells. 🙂
Got it ! ~ Like I said, No-speaka-da-englisha ! – 🙂 Thx TT.
Justus…..Joe has dui’s and he got caught with an I.D. that was his brother’s..they want to give him a few years in jail.
Count me in!
Don’t forget StilettoGate! Maybe we can have some on-site trial watchers reporting on the court proceedings. That would be fun.
kh
You could probably read Caroline Manzo’s blog for the details and get gleeful revenge as a bonus.
http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-76105231/ CA update.
What i find interesting about this article is that Roy Kronk has a lawsuit against CA……can he not sue Biaz and the defense team, since they were the ones who attempted to implicate him? I can see how CA might be ultimately responsible as they were her attnys, but they were the ones who spewed the lies. Imagine what right George Anthony might have here for the accusations of molesting his daughter! But, “blood from a turnip”, attnys should have ethics and liability charges when they take the liberty to just throw everything against the wall in such a profound and unsubstantiaed way. (where are their boards??)
you know to me it seems strange that noone else has been acused of murder what just becuz bozo says caylee drowned thats it?? its so sad and i think georhe could go after ca but y would he isnt he like talkin to her now? its insane!!!! the whole lot of ’em
So I probably shouldn’t put it out there …but I grew up in an active civil rights family in the heat of the 60s. My Mom’s Dad was the 1st man to coach poor grade school boys in the poorest neighborhood when NO other grown men wouldn’t. My Mom’s Mom was one of the 1st Honorary white women to attend the annual Black & White Ball, (she attended church w/Coretta King’s sister who had kin here) & as a seamstress, she dedicated herself making free clothes for impoverished kids the rest of her life. My Dad’s oldest of 9 brothers started the 1st free training center for World Class Golden Glove Commission for poor kids in heart of our North End. And my Uncle in NYC marched in 5th row of Selma March w/Dr.King. – For real ! (I keep 1 of the framed family copies of his Thank you letter). We were just NOT allowed to grow up racist – At All ! So I watched 5 min. of After Dark & p-ssed me off already, they lead teaser off with a highly provocative remark to get started. – Rrr ! (Vinne used to be better than that)
I won’t be watching ! ~ Tolerance !
Your family is so admirable!!!
Thanks LL ! I miss their wisdom and open-minded humor terribly. It was cool growing up. MLK was shot on birthday when I was having my Brownies B-Day party and I remember crying so hard watching the TV – Mom just gave the girls all of the party favor gifts then called their Mom’s to come get them. That was hard one to explain in Brownies that month ! -Ha ! – I got kicked out !! – The 60’s.
What a memory you have of that day!.. I, too, remember it so vividly.. I was in Memphis for our “other family’s” son’s Bar Mitzvah. We had lived next door to them and moved to New Orleans, and I flew up to represent our family… It was so shocking, even as a 14 year old… My “Jewish” parents had the TV on, were crying so hard and trying to explain it all to us children with so much compassion, education and empathy.. I will never forget the scenes on local Memphis TV (only 3 channels then!) of the footage… Now I live in Atlanta, so MLK is a very prominent entity in all our lives… Such respect for a wonderful humanitarian,,
LL – Amazing time we grew up in ! Things were really scary then – BUT people didn’t have the tolerance then for hatred, violence, weapons, and death like they do now. That shock value has changed… I have vivid memories when JFK was assinated too… weird my Mom turned off the TV just before the motorcade left the airport – said she couldn’t watch any longer…she had a feeling ! I was 5. For me it was Bobby K. & 1968 – the worst year. It was the Summer of Love, the horrible invasion of Cambodia & Civil & Women’s Rights were heated up
(…I couldn’t even wear a bra to burn !) But still – Loved my Beatles & Motown 45’s. 🙂 ahh ! — stevie & marvin !
Wow! That is absolutely awesome. What a legacy for you to have.
JustUsForAll:
JFK… I was in Catholic Grammar School.. An announcement came over the PA system. We all herded down into the church saying the “Rosary” over and over and over, praying for his recovery…. Vivid memories…
Hey, LL & JustUs……Mind if I butt in?……If I’m doing my math correctly, I would have been born right smack between the two of you. I remember being in a diner in Massachusetts with my mother & grandmother when the news broke about the shooting of JFK. School happened to be out for the day, so we were just enjoying a meal together. (or so I thought) I remember my mother crying, so I started crying too, although at that age, I didn’t realize the gravity of the situation. And then there was the funeral……poor little John-John waving as his father’s body drove by……..heartwrenching! I guess growning up in the sixties was a mix of the best of times & the worst of times! Makes us who we are today. 🙂
Oops!………..SALUTING…….John-John saluting as his father’s body drove by. (even more heartwrenching than waving, IMO)
Bobbi: You are not butting in!!! Amazing how vivid that memory is for all of us….Changed our parent’s lives forever.. And ours, too!…
Little John-John… saluting… is the memory we all have of his Father… Still brings tears to my eyes… (ESPECIALLY when JJ’s plane went down… HOW SAD!)…. I cried for days and days…
Nicely written article by Wendy Murphy, JD about Jodi Arias mess. It’s worth the read. This part really jumped out at me:
“…………. how lawyers in death penalty cases go out of their way, especially in cases like Jodi Arias’ where the evidence is overwhelming, to intentionally commit ineffective assistance of counsel errors at the time of sentencing so they can use the error to win a reversal of the death penalty on appeal.
The most striking observation the author makes is that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which will ultimately decide the constitutionality of the verdict in Arias’ case if she is sentenced to death, has overturned the death penalty in no less than thirteen cases in the past decade alone based on defense counsel intentionally committing ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to put on mitigation evidence during the sentencing hearing……………”
So, basically, the defense threw their first Hail Mary to remove themselves as counsel after Jodi did her “I want to die” interview tour. This was quickly denied by judge Stephens and they went for their second Hail Mary by refusing to call mitigation witnesses. They’re just trying to keep the clock running and the cost (fiscal as well as emotional) rising for as long as they can or until someone cries “uncle.”
kh
I really liked this article. Wendy is a bright woman who made her career as a federal prosecutor when women moving up was not an easy thing. She has long been a strong advocate for abused children as in pedophile rings. BTW, since I have typed the word pedophile, I just want to say how dumb JA was to say TA had one solitary picture of a young boy, and if he was into boys why was he doing her? Wendy has done a lot for children the world over, helps battered women now, and is against the death penalty although she would make an exception for JA. Like kh, I was surprised to learn that intentional errors were committed so there could be new trial. Sad, sad state of affairs.
Wendy Murphy says what everyone else is thinking but is afraid to say. I was very surprised when I found out she thinks the death penalty should be abolished. I think her reasons may be the same as mine. Pretty, waifish girls are spared. Fat old mean looking men, not so much. UNFAIR!
Wow I remember thinking and posting a comment somewhere that I thought Nurmi and Wilmott were laying a foundation for appeal with selecting Samuels and LaViolette as whacko nut jobs with their made up shrink testimony about PTSD and Battered Woman syndrome. Think I even asked an attorney on twitter who thought I might be on to something. Makes sense I guess and would imagine they do it in what they think is a subtle way as no way do they want to trash their reputations and like Baez showed if you can get your client off it is a huge win for your career.
Frankly I am sick of the Jodi trainwreck and just want her to go “Poof and be gone”.
i’m with u iamrealitytvlover: im gettin sick of seeing her face and having so much air time about her!!! she needs to go to jail and be done with it i dont think anyine is gonna give her the death penalty if they do so be it but i’ll be very surprised! lol on to the next case zimmerman, that will be a good one and then travis alexander’s family and friends can try to get some peace and consulation that if she hurts anyone else…it will be in prison just my thoughts 🙂
I like this idea you have TT!
Today is my last day at my job. I’m desperately seeking a new one. Fortunately I have been looking for a few months and have some interviews schedule. But golly it’s scary not having a job! Please pray for me.
Belinda, I am praying for you and your family. I know God will carry all of you through this. I have had no personal experience with hospice, but I believe the others who wrote a response to you and said they are wonderful people who are there to help.
There was a tornado in Granbury, TX just before the tornado in Moore, OK. It was an EF-4 with winds around 166mph. People died, there was a lot of devestation. How come Moore, OK got more press? Just curious. Both are terrible tragedies and the people in both places deserve prayers and assistance.
Ok, there’s my randomness for today! Hope everyone is having a good day!
Was there video? The national news seems to only show news where there is video of it happening. Everyone wants the gore.
Has anybody heard from our (Canadian) Jane ? Hope all is OK there. Hey Lady, if you’re out there… 🙂 🙂 🙂 Wee-e-e-e ! 🙂 !!
Maybe she doesn’t realize we are starting a new ‘thing’. She has been a calm port in a storm during this trial. I’m off to the beach for a few days with my daughter and grandchildren. Someone once told me when I was heading to the beach that they hoped noone would stand in my sunshine or weaken my drinks. Sounds good to me.
Joran Van Der Sloot is getting hitched!
The Dutchman’s new bride, who can justifiably be questioned for her taste in men, is Leydi Figueroa Uced, a 22-year-old Peruvian who regularly visits van der Sloot in Piedras Gordas prison. His lawyer, Máximo Altez, confirmed the impending nuptials, which will take place in prison in early June. Last October van der Sloot told the Dutch daily De Telegraaf that his bride-to-be was pregnant with his child, but no reports of the baby’s birth have since been released. Conjugal visits are allowed in Peruvian prisons if couples register as common-law partners, as the two lovebirds are.
While no one can know for sure whether van ser Sloot and Figueroa Uced are truly in love, marrying a Peruvian and fathering her child may save van der Sloot from further punishment. In 2010, van der Sloot was charged with attempting to extort $250,000 from Beth Holloway in exchange for the exact location and details of her daughter’s death. Holloway gave him $25,000 as a down payment, but he took the money and traveled to Peru to play in a poker tournament, where he ultimately met Flores, lured her to his Lima hotel room and then killed her after she found incriminating materials relating to the Holloway case on his personal computer. He pled guilty in his trial and was sentenced to 28 years, two years short of the maximum sentence of 30 years. He was also ordered to pay the Flores family around $75,000 in damages. He faces 25 years in the American extortion case.
From The Daily Beast http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/05/31/wedding-bells-for-natalie-holloway-suspect-joran-van-der-sloot.html
man-boy is a pig to the ultimate extreme! i would love to help with $$$ to see him locked up permanently and castrated!
good Lord, i want to apologize to all the pigs i know for having said that! (you know who you are Mr. Pickles)
LOL most people would be joking when apologizing to all the pigs they know. Not our Doc….
On Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 7:35 AM, Tamara Tattles
There is a sucker born every minute.
Oh, I heard that yesterday… ya’ know – a “little” salt peter would have gone a long way with the likes of that guy. Where’s Darwin’s theory when you need it.
I always call it (jokingly fo course) “Survival of the Feces.” ~ Perfect for him !
NEW JODI POST! http://s17948.p858.sites.pressdns.com/2013/06/01/did-jodi-ariass-brother-break-his-silence-about-jodi/
I read on Mixedbagblogdotcom that azcentral.com says Willmott has a conflict on the July 18th trial date for JA so looks like the trial date will be pushed back.
Presuming, I suppose, that the county attorney doesn’t offer a plea that JA accepts.
I hope you trial folks are on occasion at least peeking at the titles to my non trialy posts. But just in case you aren’t, you might like this one. http://s17948.p858.sites.pressdns.com/2013/06/02/shows-you-are-probably-not-watching-but-should-be/
5 years ago today Jodi butchered and terrorized Travis Alexander. It was as premeditated and cold blooded as a murder can be. . She continues to terrorize his family. I hope this comes to some conclusion soon. But I don’t think it will.
kh
Hi kh
I think you have echoed the thoughts and feelings of many on this date. Death anniversaries are painful under any circumstance, at least the Alexander family has finally been accorded some small degree of peace today knowing that the murderer may be alive, but there is no, will never be, quality to her wretched life, No freedom, no pleasure, no credibility to her vile tales of “justification.” Just the confines of four cold walls where she too can contemplate June 4th. RIP Travis. Many mourn your passing.
I wonder how JA is remembering Travis today……The REAL Travis that we’ve all come to know and admire. The Travis that she claimed to have loved and wanted to marry……… Or the IMAGINARY Travis that she denigrated over and over throughout the trial. One can only guess what is going on in her twisted and evil mind!……..Thoughts and prayers to the Alexander family!
kh – probably not till they lay the pennies on her eyes – BUT someone WILL get her sometime… they did Dahmer !!
What the Hell!!! We knew Jodi or the defense team would pull something… Today they filed papers stating that if Jodi is mentally ill as the psychologist stated – that if the state pursued the death penalty – they would be putting a mentally ill person to death. And that they may ask for an agreement with the state and family. She just couldn’t let it be the anniversary that the family lost Travis because of her – she had to stir up this garbage. I’ve always defended the defense because they were dealing with such a nut job – but not this time. They couldn’t wait a week??? I’m sure Jodi has instigated this AGAIN! She is totally the devil’s spawn, has anyone looked under that skanky hair of hers for 666? I’m done, I hope she does get stabbed in prison, I would applaud the person that did it!
Hey C0astal – Don’t we need to get a life ! LOLOLOL ! Look where we are again ? Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr ! ~ Never hated a stranger as much as I do JA. Just seeing her face again…. Rrrrrrrrrr !
I know! Just the mention of her name sends me into a rage. Dang, I need a punching bag… I’d look really good after all this pent up stuff from this trial.
I tried so hard to ignore the updates, but this one sucked me back into the vortex. At least I have my interweb sisters to vent with. Thanks to all of you. My son is sooo tired of hearing about this trial, his friends won’t even come upstairs to grab a bite to eat. I feel so shunned!
Since this is the 5 year memory of Travis’ gruesome murder, it’s only fitting that I just heard Arias Defense team has released an official statement… something to do with (paraphrased) – “If the Prosection believes Ms. Demarte, and Jodi Arias suffers from mental disorders… then they can not put to death a mentally ill person who has had no priors.” – The panel has agreed that the defense is putting this out there to indicate what Aria’s new strategy will be for a new penalty phase trial / jury. Rumors are put out that Natural Life w/possible parole in 20 years on the table ! ~ Of course, all of us know that’s B_llsh_t ! Just when I started to lift my head above the static and the dullness aftermath blahs… from spending the last 5 months emersed in this mess… Good thing we have each other…@ TT. 🙂 Get some summer work done, kids. Let the games begin… again ! ~ JustUs
The defense knows FULL WELL that Borderline personality does not meet the legal definition of insanity. This is ridiculous BS.
On Tue, Jun 4, 2013 at 9:24 PM, Tamara Tattles
Agree Tamara. Didn’t we just hear all this before ? Is the Defense team getting a crash course from Jodi ?????
http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/06/03/jodi-arias-fellow-inmates-amazing-person-nancy-grace-behind-bars-estrella-jail
A week later, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said that his office would go forward with the trial to convince a new jury to impose the death penalty, but …
“If they were to make an offer for resolution, I think I have an ethical responsibility to consider that,” he said.
Today Arias’ defense attorneys, Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Willmott issued a joint statement in an exclusive to The Arizona Republic.
“If the diagnosis made by the State’s psychologist is correct, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is seeking to impose the death penalty upon a mentally ill woman who has no prior criminal history,” they wrote. “Despite Mr. Montgomery’s recent statements to the media, it is not incumbent upon Ms. Arias’ defense counsel to resolve this case. Instead, the choice to end this case sits squarely with Mr. Montgomery and his office.
“It is solely for them to determine if continuing to pursue a death sentence upon Ms. Arias, who is already facing a mandatory life sentence, is a good and proper use of taxpayer resources.”
The decision will indeed be up to Montgomery. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens has set a tentative court date of July 18 to seat a new jury just to consider the death penalty, but Willmott has already indicated that she has a scheduling conflict then.
Montgomery’s statement that he would consider “offers” from the defense indicates he might consider concessions from Arias, such as not pursuing appeals. But courthouse regulars suggest that Arias, 32, could just as easily take her chances going back to trial. And in the event she gets death, she would have 20 years or so to do battle in state and federal appeals court to try to get a lesser sentence or a new trial.
Ultimately, however, offers have to come from Montgomery. His office, not the judge, makes the decision to seek the death penalty. And at this point, because Arias is already convicted of first-degree murder, there is no need to reach a settlement with Arias in order for her to be sentenced to life in prison. Montgomery only has to lift the intent to seek the death penalty and she would receive a mandatory life sentence.
Judge Sherry Stephens would then choose between life in prison or natural life in prison. The former is frequently referred to as “life with chance of parole after 25 years,” but that is a misnomer often used even during court proceedings.
Arizona discontinued parole for first-degree murderers in 1994. Anyone sentenced since then might be sentenced to life with possibility of release after 25 years. Parole is only available for those who committed murders before 1994.
“Now the only chance of release is commutation from the governor through the Board of Executive Clemency,” a more difficult process, said Ron Reinstein, a retired Superior Court judge who chairss the Arizona Supreme Court’s capital case oversight committee.
“It doesn’t happen very often,” he said.
And given the fact that the jury found an aggravating factor in Arias’ case, it’s unlikely Stephens would impose that sentence.
If she had committed the murder after 2012, release after 25 years would not even be an option, because the Arizona State Legislature has abolished the sentence for premeditated first-degree murder. It is still a possibility for juveniles convicted of murder or adults convicted of first-degree felony murder, which means that someone was killed during the commission of another felony.
I meant to put together an Andrea Sneiderman overview for us today, but I slept through Monday so I am way behind on the blogging this week. Anyone want to write of an outline of the background? Kind of a Sneirderman for dummies? It’s almost time for a new SIDEBAR post and I could you it. I will pay you 100 times what I get paid. Maybe a million times. lol.
New Andrea Sneiderman Post http://s17948.p858.sites.pressdns.com/2013/06/07/sidebar-andrea-sneiderman-murder-trial/
This is a rather morbid blog that has all the letters from a guy on death row who is set to die in a week. Dunno if you are interested. I ran across it by accident. http://www.deathrowdiary.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-min=2013-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2014-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=13