Topic : 03/16 Cheerleader Scandal

Nope.  It's a rerun: 

Original Air Date: 10/13/05) In a heartbeat, your entire life can change. No one knows this better than the families of Brandi and Daniel. Seventeen-year-old Brandi was a cheerleader, an excellent student and an all-American girl. She was in love with athletic 18-year old Daniel. Now he’s dead and she finds herself behind bars serving a 12-year sentence, all because of what happened in just a split second. Was it murder or simply a horrific accident? Hear members of both families describe how the tragedy unfolded, and the struggle to put together the pieces of their shattered lives. Plus, Dr. Phil visits Brandi in prison to ask some very hard questions. She has an emotional message for Daniel's mother -- and for Daniel. Talk about the show here. 

Brandi went to Daniel's house for trouble.  She is guiltly and behaved that way because she took the time to ram a piece of wood into the window of the car to hide it to her parents about what she had done.  She new she hit this boy.  She was enraged and acted on impulse.  This was a crime of passion.  I don't know if she premeditated it or not.  But the way she tried to cover up her crime tells a different story that her own story.  I feel extremely sad for the parents of Daniel.  They were there and witnessed and heard what happened.  I think it is very insensative for Brandi's family to attack and negate Daniel's parents feelings and their loss.  Brandi's parent gets to speak and see their daughter.  Daniel's parent will never see, talk, hug, and watch their son grow up to become a man. 

I empathize with this family deeply.  In my opinion I understand  Brandi's loss and  her family's sadness. However to unlease their anger onto an innocent family is futile.  Their anger and sadness should be pointed at their daughter who made several bad decisions that night.  One is going to Daniel's house and starting a quarrel that led to her murdering him.  I think that Brandi and her family need to look deep within themselves and develop empathy for Daniel's family.  They need to accept their daughter's responsibility and tell Daniel's family how sorry they are that Daniel is gone.  Brandi and her family are projecting the responsibility on the wrong people.  Brandi is 100% responsible for Daniel's murder.  That is something she is going to have to accept.  If I was a juror I would have given her 15 years to life in prison. Brandi's family should be thanking their lucky stars that she is  only serving 12 years and not 40 years.   

I think it's amazing that when a 17 year old trys to make a decision for themselves that adults say, "You're only a baby...." But when they do something wrong, then it's "You're an adult...." Which is it people? 

My heart goes out to Brandi since she is the one that is suffering the most out of this ordeal.  To be only 17 and having your life completely riped from underneath you can be very traumatic. Most 17 years olds are thinking about friends and what college they are going to go to. I can understand how Daniel's family feels about there lose but to have a one sided opinion of what happened is nieve on there part.  What if indeed he did walk out in front of her car out of a fit of rage and she did accidentally hit him it is not her fault.  He should have been smart enough to just let her go and be on his way.  I feel bad for Brandi cause what is a girl to do when she is scared and afraid for her life.  I had an abusive boyfriend my freshman year of highschool and he threatened me with my life and my families and towards the end I was doing practicully everything he told me to cause I was scared.  I didn't have enough sense to think that I didn't have to do what he said and I could just walk away.  If she was being abused then I can see her doing what he wanted.  Brandi I understand your pain and  the fear that you felt in your relationship.  I wish that I can learn more about what happened so I can really have a clear understanding for what happened.   

From what I saw on the show I think that Brandi is genuwine in her plea that she is innocent.  I mean there is a chance that she is guilty but in out society today is seems that you are guilty until proven innocent.  There are so many people that are in jail and prison today that are truely innocent because people didn't look to the possibilities that maybe that person is telling the truth.   

 I am a young woman who had an abusive boyfriend a few years ago. This boyfriend tried to kill me, and when people found out they always said "I can't believe he was like that, he was so nice and so sweet" etc. I truly think that this boy was abusive and it is totally probable that his family never saw it.  Why in the world would a straight A student, and cheerleader who had been trying to get out of this relationship decide "hmm, I think I'll run him over tonight since I'm finally free of him?" That just doesn't make any sense.  I think the boy's mother seems very immature and violent..and shall we say..Like mother like son?? This girl doesn't need to be in prison anymore, it really isn't accomplishing anything. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. I know what its like to be in shock..I know partly what she was feeling when she drove home..scared and confused. She can't be blamed for that. As for Dr. Phil saying it didn't make sense for a sane teenage boy to jump in front of a car, I say this: He obviously wasn't very mentally balanced if he was beating his girlfriend. My abusive boyfriend was always trying to commit suicide, while saying if he died it would be my fault. So I have reason to believe, that yes he did in fact jump out in front of that car, and in the end it was his ultimate way of controling her. Because he still has that control to this day..from the grave. 

I understand the loss of a child.  The family that lost their son can, at least, have closure if they want it.  The police could not determine the cause of the accident, whether he was run off the road, or fell asleep at the wheel on a straight road and just swerved off. 

They want to hold on to anger.  It is their reason for living.  They should forgive and let their reason for living be to honor the memory of their child instead of living a daily revenge itinerary. 

The young woman who killed their son should accept responsibility for her actions, as should her family, and find closure.  Twelve years seems like an eternity, but shes with them, alive. 

Until the hate, revenge, and anger is replaced by love, both families will never be able to heal from this trajady.  Both families needs to let love back into their lives and love each other.  I know personally that it will help ease the pain of the loss of a son. 

Hollis Petersen