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Topic : 03/16 Cheerleader Scandal

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Created on : Friday, October 07, 2005, 03:42:52 pm
Author : DrPhilBoard1

(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.

 

Find out what happened on the show.

 

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October 18, 2005, 2:19 am PDT

stephyq, re your offer to explain:

Quote From: stephyg

I was never on the show and don't care what you think! My story has never changed! I don't hate Brandi.....I don't even know her! I hate what she did and i hope she can forgive herself!

ITS NOW 2005 LOL THIS ALL HAPPENED IN 2000 YOU CAN DO THE MATH! i DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW! bUT WILL BE MORE THEN HAPPY TO EXPLAIN THE PAST. oNLY THAT PERTAINS TO THIS MURDER CASE!  

========================================== 

Some quick questions if you could, and please answer as briefly as you care to. If you could, please copy the questions, paste them into your reply, and then answer between the spaces of each question. First, having read all of your posts, let me say I find your demeanor to be of one who wouldn't be lying, nor desiring to send someone to prison under false testimony. 

  

1. were you at the house when Brandi arrived? 

  

2. had Daniel telephoned Brandi to bring the stuff over? 

  

3. was Brandi angry because she was jealous, or because she had been called under threatening conditions? 

  

4. did Daniel have some alone time with Brandi, or was there such a ruckus his sister stayed involved? 

  

5. at what point did you step outside and why? 

  

6. if Brandi was revving her car for 15 minutes what were you and Daniel doing at that time and why? 

  

7. why did you finally turn away and begin walking to the house?  

  

8. were there 2 trucks from which Daniel could have walked out behind, whether he did or not? 

  

9. during the time you were with Daniel outside what was his reaction to all that was going on, and what was he telling you of the situation and Brandi's behavior, whether about her revving the car or in general? 

  

10. if you never met Brandi are we to assume she was already in the car when you joined Daniel outside? 

  

thank you. 

 
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October 18, 2005, 5:55 am PDT

thank God, some results for all my efforts

Quote From: mamashell

I'm Brandi aunt and I would like to thank everyone that thinks Brandi did it on accident. I love her very much and miss her a lot. Brandi said that she needed to be punished for hitting and killing Danial and she has been. How long should she be punished for an accident? I've watched the new a lot since this has happened and their is a lot of kids getting less of a sentence for the same thing, so why should she get more of a sentence than anyone else?  

I've been told by a lot of people that they think she should get a new trial just on what they seen on this show. Especally from what Daniels sister said, first she said that she was in side calling 911 and then she said she seen the whole thing. Then I was reading this message board and read what his susposed to be fiance stephanie said about being the only witness of that night.  

I think a better attorney would of got a better out come and maybe now that she has told her story maybe one would step up and help her. I hope so!!!!!!! 

  

Thank you for posting. This has been my point all along. Brandi must get a proper trial. She needs an ethical lawyer and use the loophole I suggested. It is ridiculous that a young girl get this kind of sentence for a crime of passion committed in a dangerous product... the car. If she had died as well by hitting a tree or something afterwards, no one would be as ugly to her as they are being now. There are many people out there who think they know about law, but they are simply wannabees who will never make it as anything else other than outsiders looking in. They also think they're doing God's work by saying, "she should rot in jail etc." God is not like that. 

  

The lesson here to the system is: Stop using only certain people as deterrents (namely what they think are "trailer park" throwaways.) Warn teenagers about the dangers of driving angry. Remember that justice is the way through which a good society is built. So many criminals are people who were once wrongly arrested, and unfairly treated by the judicial system. These people then go on to do worse crimes because they are angry and hurt. They also suffer from chronic PTSD, a criminal record and joblessness. I know work at the courthouse is fun for people like "crimepro" but even he/she will have to fall in line and do some logical thinking. 

  

Good luck and God bless both families. If you need my help ask Dr Phil for my e-mail address.  

  

 
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October 18, 2005, 6:00 am PDT

You're beliefs aside....

Quote From: ladywolf55

 I believe she deliberately hit the boy in a fit of rage, she is still lying about it, and she certainly does NOT deserve another trial. 

Have you considered, if she were to get another trial, the outcome might even be a LONGER sentence than 12 years?  I can guarantee it if I were on that jury, and I very well could be.
Have you considered that is she gets a new trial that she may walk out a free woman?  I can guaratee it if I were on that jury it would be a real possibility - especially considering the lies told by Crystal and/or David and depending on the statement of Stephanie, whose motivation has really come into question by some on this board - including me.
 
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October 18, 2005, 6:00 am PDT

That's an excellent idea

Quote From: ladywolf55

 And no, Brandi did not do an Alford plea. She plead guilty to intentional manslaughter.

I think a wrongful death suit brought by Daniel's family is an EXCELLENT idea.  This would give them the trial they never got, (if that is what they want, mind you), and would assess blame to whom and where it belongs.  Good post!
I agree this would be an excellent idea.  Not only would Brandi testify, but so would Daniels family members as well as Stephanie - 1 of only 2 living witness's - who to this point, from what I understand has given no statement.  And the more she types on this board, the more curious I become about what her role was that night.  I would also like to see the obvious contradictions of Crystal and David resolved.
 
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October 18, 2005, 6:40 am PDT

justice is "for sale" and that is wrong

Quote From: koriann2

As I watched this show I became more and more irritated that girl still remains in prison.  Those of us watching the show obviously we only have information from a hour long show which is not very much but what I can see watching this is that it was an accident on her part.  I really have a hard time believing that she is a cold blooded killer.  And the young man seemed to have some issues as well too bad that he wasn't able to get those worked out.   

  

Here is my problem, I believe that this was an accident.  In my State in the very recent past our US State Congressman was speeding on a State hyway ran a stop sign and killed a man on a motorcycle.  The Congressman was convicted in a jury trial of SECOND-DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER, speeding, running a stop sign and reckless driving.  He was sentanced to a mere 100 days in county jail, 3 years probabtion.  He  voluntarily gave up his seat in the House and lost his license to practice law which he is now trying to appeal, which he will probably win.  How is her sentance FAIR or RIGHT.  In my opinion its not.  100 days and he got out on work release for a quilty verdict on 2nd-degree manslaughter charges and she is serving 12 years for an accident?  I just think that there is seriously something wrong with our judicial system and it needs to be changed.   

so is health care. Good post. You sound like a very intelligent person.
 
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October 18, 2005, 7:26 am PDT

I know of only one way these statements can be reconciled

StephyG has acknowledged that she was the ONLY witness.  She stated on these boards that Brandi drove up the hill and sat there for what seemed like 15 minutes.  David has also stated she sat on top of the hill for 15 minutes.  I would be interested to know if they witnessed this first hand or got their information from the only witness - stephy 

  

Crystals statement on the show is as follows:  “I do not believe that it was an accident,” she says. “To me, it was on purpose. The night my brother died there was a knock at the door, I jumped up to answer it, and it was Brandi. Brandi said 'Let me talk to Daniel.' She pushed her way into the doorway and I finally got my brother out, and they went out and talked. And it went from talking to her screaming at him. Daniel was standing right next to the car and she just drove off. And I went and called the police and told them we had a disturbance, and I hit 9-1, and I hear this loud boom that sounded like she hit a car. I freaked out. I dropped the phone, and I ran downstairs.”  

 

The only way I can think to reconcile this statement with the eyewitness testimony of Steph is as follows: 

  

Brandi drives to the top of the hill, for whatever reason (maybe Daniel told her too in order to cool her down and get rid of Steph so Daniel and Brandi can talk in private). 

  

While sitting at the top of the hill for 15 minutes it is not Daniel and Brandi that Crystal hears fighting.  It is Daniel and Stephanie. 

 



 

 

 

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October 18, 2005, 8:09 am PDT

link?

Quote From: stormy3867

Thank you for the clarification.  This is very logical and makes much sense. 

  

Would it be possible for you to link to some of the old articles, if you can find them online so we can get more information on the case  to fill in some holes - or should I say canyons. 

 

(Brandi's) "attorney, Jeff Burnham, said that his co-counsel, Steve Taylor, withdrew from the case after being appointed as an assistant prosecutor by Clay County Prosecutor Don Norris.  "Because of that he has a conflict, so Bill Shull and myself are going to be handling the case,' Burnham said. "He got in kind of late, but he also had a murder trial starting (September 17).  We don't think the state has all their documents either, so it was an agreed on continuance.  (Sun-News of the Northland, July 2001) archives   

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=2405821&BRD=1452&PAG=461&dept_id=155076&rfi=8 

 
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October 18, 2005, 9:02 am PDT

Alford Plea

Quote From: ladywolf55

 And no, Brandi did not do an Alford plea. She plead guilty to intentional manslaughter.

I think a wrongful death suit brought by Daniel's family is an EXCELLENT idea.  This would give them the trial they never got, (if that is what they want, mind you), and would assess blame to whom and where it belongs.  Good post!

LOL!  That's what happens when you don't see the term in writing (Alfred=Alford).  I always wondered if it was named after a man. 

  

  

 

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October 18, 2005, 9:03 am PDT

Wrong month

Quote From: madaboutu

 

(Brandi's) "attorney, Jeff Burnham, said that his co-counsel, Steve Taylor, withdrew from the case after being appointed as an assistant prosecutor by Clay County Prosecutor Don Norris.  "Because of that he has a conflict, so Bill Shull and myself are going to be handling the case,' Burnham said. "He got in kind of late, but he also had a murder trial starting (September 17).  We don't think the state has all their documents either, so it was an agreed on continuance.  (Sun-News of the Northland, July 2001) archives   

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=2405821&BRD=1452&PAG=461&dept_id=155076&rfi=8 

This article is from September -- not July. 

  

There are a number of articles.  Sorry folks. 

  

 
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October 18, 2005, 9:09 am PDT

what lies?

Quote From: stormy3867

Have you considered that is she gets a new trial that she may walk out a free woman?  I can guaratee it if I were on that jury it would be a real possibility - especially considering the lies told by Crystal and/or David and depending on the statement of Stephanie, whose motivation has really come into question by some on this board - including me.
Where do you find lies by Crystal and or David? I don't believe either has said they saw the accident?
 
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