I just watched the show and I feel so bad for both families.
As to whither Brandi killed Daniel intentionally or not, I'm not sure. Her story seems off. If you had just hit someone with a car, I'd think you're first instinct would be to pullover and see what happened and if the person you hit is OK. I don't believe she was in shock.
But I think, if Brandi did kill him purposely, she wouldn't have done it without a reason. Not to condone what she did, but Brandi doesn't seem like a girl that would run over her boyfriend for no reason. I believe he may have been abusive to her.
I also think that Daniel may have tried to kill himself when he stepped in front of her car. I think he thought he was losing his girlfriend, and he had threatened suicide if she left him, and was going to bluff her to stop the car. The only problem was, she called his bluff.
I feel so bad for Daniel's family. I can't imagine losing a child. But I think they have to let their hatred and bitterness go, or it will eat away at their lives. Though, I'm afraid they don't want it to.
With any loss of a loved one, people tend to sanctify the dead and try to avenge their death. To not would be a betrayal to their loved one. I think they feel if they stop this crusade to punish Daniel's killer, they are letting him down. They may feel this quilt from not preventing his death, and for not being a better family to him. But either way, I don't think they can see the possibility that Daniel might have caused, partly at least, his own death. It's a hard thing for someone to accept.
I agree with Brandi's family when they say that no matter where she is, in prison or home, she will still be punished for his death. And I'm not sure what Daniel's family want Brandi's punishment to be. Her in jail won't bring back their son. A life sentence won't replace what was taken. Taking Brandi's life from her won't do anything but cause more pain. Daniel's family said themselves they would never forgive her, whither she was in prison for 12 years or 100. Unless Brandi proves herself to be a threat to others or herself, she does not need to spend the rest of her life behind bars for a mistake.
I hope both families will let go of what happened and try to find peace with themselves and others. I wonder what Daniel thinks when he looks down at his family now. Does he think, "That's right, you keep being angry and fight for me no matter what it takes." or does he think, "You all need to stop this and move on. "
I think, in the end, Daniel did what he said he would. He took his life, his girlfriend's, and both of the families lives away from them.
(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.
