Topic : 03/16 Cheerleader Scandal

      i don't believe daniel stepped out in front of the car. . not only that, i don't believe he would say he would kill her brother--i believe that was something (along with the thought of her putting a tree stump in the windshield to make up a story) she said to get more support in her story. . .if daniel stated he'd kill himself, why would he say something about killing her brother. . .and the most important point is the forensics--how this young man was thrown so many feet---if i was on a jury, that in itself and the fact that she deliberately put a tree stump in the windshield equals guilt. . . 

i really feel the parents are reaching/looking for SOMETHING to deny admitting she may have done this on purpose--and to hang onto a statement made by ANYONE about 'possibly old tire tracks' is not enough (esp if that's the only thing they have). .physical science/gravity does not lie---the young man was thrown. . .another thing i have a problem with is that the girl's parents DO NOT recognize that even if this was an ACCIDENT, then consequences should not be adhered to----drunk drivers are sentenced for yrs (and some are under the influence of alcohol). . . .ACCIDENT or NO ACCIDENT, she DID DO IT and she should serve the time because a life was lost. . 

   I do feel badly for both families and can understand the emotions must be very strong, especially for Daniel's parents, they lost their son and I can only imagine what a horrible void that is for them. I hope that someday they can heal and be able to start a new life in which they can function in a way that will be productive and happy. It will have to be without Daniel and will never be the same but can be fullfilling and happy again. 

   I was watching the interview with Brandi and, in my opinion, she is truly sorry for the pain she has caused everyone. I know that she should have to have a consequence but think it really should fit what happened and I truly beiieve that Daniels parents should not be factored in to the decision of what the consequences for Brandi should be.  

  I say that because when I watched the parts of the show that focused on Daniels family I saw how angry bitter and disfunctional they are and so using their input as to what Brandi's consequence should be, would be wrong and that is putting it mildly.  

   Wouldn't one of the best things for Daniel's family to do be to honor their son's memory. They talk about what a great person he was, then shouldn't they honor him by showing the same great traits that he had. If he truly was wonderful than they should show wonderful qualities (i.e. understanding, forgiveness etc.) instead of displaying the kind of behavior they showed on this episode. Their bitterness and, mean spirit just makes me wonder about their son. Brandi said that Daniel was abusive and if he did behave anything like how his parents were acting then he very well may have been. That is not to say that Brandi would have had the right to kill Brandon, however, it does show that Brandon had some qualities and ways of thinking that might have led hit to in fact jump out in front of Brandi's car just as she said he did. I just think Daniels parents should change their outlook and behaviour because I am not so sure they are honoring and portraying their son in the best of light. 

My heart goes out to the mother who lost her son.  My heart goes out to the parents of the girl who was convicted of the other childs death.  As the girl has been processed by the judicial system - she has been judged, we do not need to keep judging her.  She will live with this experience for the rest of her life. 

I lost a son fifteen years ago.  I beat myself for his death over a six to seven year period.  I was angry, and avoided people because I knew I I truely believed it was wrong he had been taken from me.  I had two other children but, he was my youngest.  The day of his death my mother told me, "remember, you have two other children who need you".  A woman at work said to me a few weeks later that God took him from me to protect me.  I became angered because children are innocent and should never die.  In the end, I realized, none of us ever expect to lose a child.   

One day a friend who's life I dropped in and out of said , "Have you stopped beating yourself for his death, you know, it is time".  The day I let go, a ton of weight was removed from shoulders.  I look back at those years and now see how selfish I was.  My sons soul could not rest because I was angry holding on to him trying to reason  why it was not his time to go.  Yes, I know he will never graduate high school or college, get married, give me grandbabies, but I have two other loving children who will do some, if not all, of these thing.  These children were so strong during my selfish pain.  To this day, they are the most giving people I have ever known.  I wonder how I kept myself from making them angry people too.   

To both parents, don't allow the children you have at home to become filled with the anger and discontent you are feeling for you lost child.  The children living in your home ought to be happy - they will have a life time to deal with anger and discontent as adults, don't encourage bitterness and keep your children beautiful for as long as you can. 

How naive are you to think that just because someone takes a plea bargain they are guilty?  Having a lawyer and going to trial takes time, enormous amounts of money, and can drain a person emotionally.  Trying to prove your innocence isn't like it is in the movies, not only are you trying to defend yourself against the prosecutors but against 12 jurors who have never met you and can decide your future with the drop of a hat.  Some people don't like to gamble with their freedom and if I had the choice of going to trial which would costs me thousands of dollars and no gaurantee of proving my innocence or taking a lesser plea where I could do some time and still move on with my life, then I would probably consider a lesser plea.  I have been through a similar ordeal with a friend. 

But of course you know from personal experience and can pass your unfounded judgement onto others with your holier than thou attitude. 

Brandi's mom's response to me regarding whether the skate was in her car after the incident was "no it wasnt she through it out up the street  at johns house  which its what she has said she was going to do this whole time she was not stoping at daniels dads house she was driving past because that was the only way she knew to go" 

Looking at your diagram, in addition to your question for her, Stephy, I'm trying to get Brandi's mom's response to the following... IF she thinks Brandi didn't throw the skate out at John's the first time she went past his house, right after she left from dropping off Daniel's stuff which would was why she said she had to drive by Daniel's house again on her way to John's, then Brandi would have had to stop down the street, I would imagine still within view of where she hit Daniel, and drop the skate off at John's after having hit Daniel and before she went home.   

I just don't see how Brandi's mom can believe Brandi on that issue.