Topic : 03/16 Cheerleader Scandal

Before making judgement. I would really like to see an accident report. The person that claimed to have witnessed this event. And to also hear what Brandi's attorneys had to say. Without all of those things available, a person can ONLY assume what happened. No jury could ever find a person innocent nor guilty without far more information than an hour t.v. show. Though most on here show a judgment without truly knowing all the facts. So I will make mine as simply based on the very little information that was available.   I first off find Brandi's family to be blinded by the obvious love they all have for Brandi. Or should someone call that being in denial due to spoiling their child all their life? Why would a person be physically or emotionally worried of another yet steal a car in the middle of the night to go see that same person? Why didn't she have any police records of any abuse? I heard that Brandi never once got into any trouble prior to this accident. Was she really so good or did her parents bail her out of all things prior to this? Who really knows? But I do know that her actions was contributed to knowing fully well that she was hoping to get once again bailed out of something that she caused. Why would her brother want to be so wrecklace himself if he also wasnt assured that he too would be bailed out of any wrong doing? Is he spoiled also? If a family member of mine was sentenced to time in prison and that same person truly be innocent? That alone would make me be MORE prone to obey to law. And not be the way Brandi's brother is being. But then again I was never spoiled either. Never once did I hear how sorry they were for Daniel's family either but sorry for what they have lost. Brandi to me is guilty of hit & run, wrecklace driving, leaving the scene of an accident, stealing a vehicle, lieing, man slaughter, and yes being a spoiled brat. Those things should add up to her 12 yr sentence. So what really does she have to complain about? Their was a reason she was offered a plea deal and we all know why too. And we all know why she took it also. She felt 12 years was much shorter than life. And now she dont even think that she should do that. What I hate more than anything is people saying this: BEING SENT TO JAIL DOES NOT BRING THE OTHER PERSON BACK.  No it dont and its not suppose too. The purpose of doing time is because from doing a crime.  And its stupid that have to listen to people say they shouldnt do their time because it doesnt bring a person back to life.  Its called punishment!!!!!!! Miss Brandi and her entire family needs to own up.   On the other hand:   Did Mr Daniel commit suicide? Who knows but Mr Daniel himself. Most on here say no person would ever do such a thing. But a person thats so far gone that truly wants to end their life. Will in fact do what ever it takes. I am not saying that he did commit suicide. I am only saying that he very well may have. Daniel's family didnt impress me very much either. I can see why they lived in a trailor park. Daniel's family threw just as many darts as Brandi's did. And Daniel's family needs just as much counceling also. If the shoes were on the other feet? Then it would be just the opposite. Fact is..........both family's are simply siding withing their own family because its blood. And I can understand why. Who really wants to admit that they have a family member that committed suicide or that one hit another with a car? Daniel's mother did in fact, leave her son for over 5 years of his life. And maybe she is crying of her own guilt and that reason alone. I seen allot of anger and hate from Daniel's family. That I can understand. BUT I also noticed an awfu lot of other reactions from them. And without going into detail I will simply say this. I do believe that Mr Daniel abused Brandi either physically or emotionally. Maybe both? Who really knows? I dont have all the facts nor does anyone else except Brandi now.   I pray that Dr Phil can somehow help both families move forward. Still straddling the fence here.

Today was the second time I saw this particular show. I feel for both families.  I don't believe that Brandi Intentionally ran Daniel down and murdered him like some people have said in there messages.  I believe it was young love gone bad.  I think it was a very emotional relationship that ended very tragically.  I believe Daniel's family is very angry and bitter towards Brandi and her family.  I believe they want revenge for losing their son/brother.  No amount of time in Jail will bring Daniel back.  Brandi will live with the knowledge that she killed someone she loved for the rest of her life.  I know all about the anger that Daniels family feels.  I lost my brother due to a car accident 15 years ago this may.  He wasn't alone in the car.  The passenger walked away.  The only one's that truely know what happened in my brother's accident is my brother and the passenger.  Just like the only ones who truely know what happend that terrible night are Brandi and Daniel.  I don't believe that Brandi should spend any more time in jail.  She will be in an emotional jail for the rest of her life.  Both families need to forgive and go on with their lives.  In my brother's accident , I believe that the passenger played a huge role.  I don't know everything that happened that night and there are times that I find myself still angry that the passenger walked away.  On my brother's anniversary I celebrate his life.  I know that 's what he would want.  My sympathy and prayers go out to both families.  I don't believe that Brandi is a murderer and to call her one that is just cruel to both families.

I think it sounded as if both parties have suffered enouph. Brandi will live the rest of her life knowing the truth either way. Daniel's parents seem to only be out for revenge as Brandi's parents stated. The look of absolute rage on Daniel's moms face was terrible. Dr. Phil tried to tell the familys that there needed to be forgiveness but there was no breaking through the wall of rage that Daniel's mom has put up. She needs to start moving on or her rage is going to destroy the rest of her family too.

AAHHH, I totally agree!  I feel that Daniel's mother's rage seems to stem from her own guilt. I totally felt that same thing. That would explain why she has no compassion for Brandi's family and their loss as well. There's just ALOT of hate deep down in that woman.

I think Daniel's mother was a VERY poor mother and think part of the anger she feels is towards herself. I believe that Daniel did have anger issues probably as a direct result from a poor family life. And for that, Daniel is doubly a victim. I believe everything happened so fast that night that it probably was like a dream for Brandy. Not sure if I believe that he had threatened to kill her little brother. Sounded a little fishy to me. I think Brandy should have gotten 8-10 because accident or not, she did kill him. I do not think she will be a threat to society. She looks like someone I would have been friends with.

    After watching the show today, I feel very frustrated and also very angry. I think that this whole event is very sad. I can not imagine how badly each family must feel (for their own reasons), but they need to get over their anger for the other child in the family. I am sure that the situation has been hard for the other children in the families to deal with, but all of this anger between the parents is going to be even harder on them. I do not think that the two families absolutely need to become close friends or anything like that, but I think that they need to forgive each other. Doing this will lift a lot of pain and sorrow from both of the families. Daniel can not speak for himself or for what happened, so it is difficult to hear what his side of the story is. However, we have heard Brandi's and I think that she is very sincere. She is still only a child. She is having a difficult time in prison and also dealing with the fact of knowing how much pain and sorrow she has put her own family and Daniel's family through. She has apoligized many times, and she has stated over and over that it is an accident. I can not say for sure that this was an accident, but after 6 years I think that the families should be accepting what has happened and trying to come to terms with the idea that no matter how angry they are, or how hard they fight, it will not bring Daniel back. I am not saying that it is easy to get over the loss of a son, but I think that Daniel would want them to be living the rest of their lives to the fullest because he was not able to. He would not want them to be fighting and angry with each other. 

   My advice to Brandi's brother: Do not be angry with the judicial system or Daniel's family. Do not listen to the people that are trying to tell you that your sister is a murderer. You know your sister better than those people do and as long as you believe in her, and live your life to its highest potential, you will feel satisfied. I know it must be hard for you to deal with this whole situation but try to understand that if you know that this was an accident, and your sister would not have done something like this on purpose, then you can be at peace with yourself.  

   My advice to Daniel's sister: I know that it must be hard to deal with the loss of your brother. However, you need to realize that he would not want you to be angry and mad at Brandi's family. If what happened was on purpose than you need to realize that it was not Brandi's family who did this, it was her. You need to forgive those people. If you eventually found out that this had been an accident then you would be very uncomfortable with the way that you have behaved. Your brother would want you to live your life and do the things that he will not be able to. 

   My advice to Brandi's parents: You need to come to grips with the situation that your daughter is in. Unless a polygraph test or evidence surfaces that proves your daughter's complete innocence, you need to realize that she has to finish her time in prison. I know it must be hard on you, but you need to realize that it is also hard on your son who is not in prison. He is losing a lot of valuable childhood experiences because of all of the sorrow and anger. You need to be strong and take care of yourselves. I know that you do not believe that your daughter would do something like this and you are probably angry because you think that she is suffering for something that she does not deserve, however, without a polygraph or clear evidence to prove her innocence, she needs to complete the punishment set for her. You need to be there for her and stay strong for her. You need to do the same for your son, and for the benifit of your own health.  

   My advice to Daniel's parents: I know that it must be terrible to go through the loss of your son. I have never experienced something like this, but I am sure that it would be a terrible situation. However, you need to realize that there may have been more to the situation than you are aware of. You can not hear Daniel's side of the story, so all that you have is Brandi's. She has apoligized to you many times. Staying angry with her, and her family, is not going to bring your son back. Also, it does not seem fair for you to call her mother "a piss-poor mother" because her mother was not involved in the situation. You do not have the ability to say that her mother is a bad mother because you think that her daughter killed your son on purpose. I might not understand the whole situation completely, but you are not acting like a mature person when you start trashing Brandi's mother, for an event that she was not even involved in. Brandi's mother could say the same thing about you because you are making your daughter, who is still alive, deal with this whole situation and see your anger every day for 6 years. She is missing out on childhood experiences because you are mourning the loss of your son. Nothing will bring him back and you need to accept that. If Brandi's record ever becomes clear because a polygraph test is completed, or clear evidence that proves her innocence surfaces, you are making yourself look worse. I do not think that you will be able to become friends with Brandi's family, but I think that you need to stop being angry at them. You also need to forgive Brandi because your son would not want you to live the rest of your life in anger. 

    I think that everything Dr. Phil said today was very true. Forgiveness is not about the people, it is about lifting your pains and sorrows from you in order to move on with your lives. You are killing yourselves slowly if you keep up with this anger. You are not living your lives to the fullest, which is something that I think both of your children would want you to do. 

Hello, I  had mentioned the words "unstable" in a comment I had made earlier, so I will put in my two cents and hope for the best....

When I said "Unstable" I was just refereing to the types of homes that abusive people come from in general... not refering to this family... I was only trying to make a point.... I agree with you and her grief should be there...

Sorry if I flew anybody on the edge

I certainly never intended to say that Brandi's parents were nice while the boy's were not. I clearly said that the bickering between the parents was ridiculous. THis means that I agree that both sides were rude. brandy's dad could have added three snaps to some of his statements bc he had that head going and was totally in tell off mode. However, the boy's family was more unrealistic in the recollection of events. 

May God bless your every moment.  Your son is home and happy and healthy and will never hurt again.  He is with God now.