from Capitol News Service:
Denise Amber Lee Act Clears Committee
February 16th, 2010 by Mike Vasilinda
9-1-1 Emergency operators will have to undergo increased training under legislation approved by a State House Committee this morning in Tallahassee. The legislation was inspired by the preventable death, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, of Denise Amber Lee, a Sarasota woman kidnapped and murdered in 2008.
The young mother was abducted in January 2008. Surprisingly she was able to use her kidnapper’s cell phone to call 911.
A second 9-1-1 call came from a motorist who saw Denise stressed out in the back of a car.
The hitch came when the calls were not relayed to police by an untrained operator. By some accounts, the kidnapper drove past at least three police cars who could have saved Denise.
Denise’s mother-in-law teared as a House committee debated a bill to require training. Police and sheriffs question the cost of additional training. So do some lawmakers.
“I want to be assured that there is no cost, that it is financially neutral,” Rep. Bill Proctor (R-St. Augustine) said.
Sponsors say what is not acceptable is calling 9-1-1 and getting a different response, depending on what part of the state you’re calling from.
15 other states already have similar laws on the books.
“Florida is certainly lagging behind in that regard,” Richard Pinsky with the Emergency Operators Association.
And there were more tears when the bill passed.
“This is about saving future lives and we just don’t want this to happen to anybody else,” Peggy Lee, Denise Amber Lee’s mother-in-law said.
“When you hear about the costs, you know, we all know what the cost is, it’s a lost life,” Mark Lee said.
Michael King has been sentenced to death in the case.
A Senate Committee hears similar legislation Thursday….but in tight budget times, passage is not a sure thing.
link: http://www.flanews.com/?p=8644
also from NBC2: http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=11994018
another: http://vodpod.com/watch/3063099-denise-lee-act-clears-committee
Showing posts with label Michael King. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael King. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Sunday marks 2 years
This Sunday will mark the second anniversary of Denise's death. My mind has been on her quite a bit recently. Between the holidays, Noah turning 4 (gosh I still think of him as 2), the trial, end of year newspaper stories etc... It's tough not having Denise on my mind.
I keep visualizing her coming through the door into the kitchen at our old house carrying Adam in his carseat. The carseat was huge, Adam weighed a ton, and Denise was so petite. Every time I think of her she's smiling.
"Every time I think of her she's smiling"...... hmmm... that's not totally true. In the beginning I could not get what happened to her out of my mind. It was hard thinking of her without visualising in some way the pain and terror of how she suffered. She was a beautiful, sweet young woman. If there were any flaws about her, I certainly never saw them.
But, it's true that now when I think of Denise the evil part (michael King's evil) does not always intrude.
The world lost a very wonderful person when it lost Denise. She was innocent, she was kind, she was sweet, loving, giving and truly selfless. The boys and Nathan always came first with her. Gosh, how she loved Nathan. She worshiped the ground he walked on. And how Nathan loved her and still loves her. He says he'll never stop loving her. It is all so very humbling.
The boys are doing well. We do not see them as much as we were and I miss them desperately. Adam has become a 2 year old hellion. He's so damn cute and he has Denise's smile. He's a stinker! And he knows it... he also knows how damn cute he is! Noah on the other hand is a tad bit more serious and very practical about just about everything. Both are precious... Oh, Denise... I'm crying not having you here. I know you are with us. I believe that or at least I do my best to believe that. We are doing our part to keep your spirit alive. I miss you so much.
It's unbelievable that people question our grieving. They have absolutely no clue.
Sunday we will be going to church as a family.
We are still working on the 9-1-1 front. We're doing our best behind the scenes to see that legislation in Florida passed. We are speaking at different county delegations trying to encourage the legislators to make 9-1-1 reform a priority. The response has been very good. Mark usually has me speak when Nathan cannot be there. I'm getting better at it. It is not so easy putting pain on display. My nerves are usually frazzled before I speak and afterward. But it is something I want to do.
Denise should be alive today. There is no doubt in my mind about that. She'd be damaged, sure. But she'd be home with people loving her.
As to Michael King? His picture was in the paper the other day. (His appeals have started.) He looks like Uncle Fester in the Addams Family only evil. But no matter. Even if they were to hang him tomorrow it would not bring Denise back.
Miss you, Denise. I wish we could hug. I wish I could caress your face just one more time. You were beautiful inside and out. Oh sweetie.
sigh
I keep visualizing her coming through the door into the kitchen at our old house carrying Adam in his carseat. The carseat was huge, Adam weighed a ton, and Denise was so petite. Every time I think of her she's smiling.
"Every time I think of her she's smiling"...... hmmm... that's not totally true. In the beginning I could not get what happened to her out of my mind. It was hard thinking of her without visualising in some way the pain and terror of how she suffered. She was a beautiful, sweet young woman. If there were any flaws about her, I certainly never saw them.
But, it's true that now when I think of Denise the evil part (michael King's evil) does not always intrude.
The world lost a very wonderful person when it lost Denise. She was innocent, she was kind, she was sweet, loving, giving and truly selfless. The boys and Nathan always came first with her. Gosh, how she loved Nathan. She worshiped the ground he walked on. And how Nathan loved her and still loves her. He says he'll never stop loving her. It is all so very humbling.
The boys are doing well. We do not see them as much as we were and I miss them desperately. Adam has become a 2 year old hellion. He's so damn cute and he has Denise's smile. He's a stinker! And he knows it... he also knows how damn cute he is! Noah on the other hand is a tad bit more serious and very practical about just about everything. Both are precious... Oh, Denise... I'm crying not having you here. I know you are with us. I believe that or at least I do my best to believe that. We are doing our part to keep your spirit alive. I miss you so much.
It's unbelievable that people question our grieving. They have absolutely no clue.
Sunday we will be going to church as a family.
We are still working on the 9-1-1 front. We're doing our best behind the scenes to see that legislation in Florida passed. We are speaking at different county delegations trying to encourage the legislators to make 9-1-1 reform a priority. The response has been very good. Mark usually has me speak when Nathan cannot be there. I'm getting better at it. It is not so easy putting pain on display. My nerves are usually frazzled before I speak and afterward. But it is something I want to do.
Denise should be alive today. There is no doubt in my mind about that. She'd be damaged, sure. But she'd be home with people loving her.
As to Michael King? His picture was in the paper the other day. (His appeals have started.) He looks like Uncle Fester in the Addams Family only evil. But no matter. Even if they were to hang him tomorrow it would not bring Denise back.
Miss you, Denise. I wish we could hug. I wish I could caress your face just one more time. You were beautiful inside and out. Oh sweetie.
sigh
Monday, January 11, 2010
Today's Sun
King's Lawyers file death penalty appeal
SARASOTA -- Attorneys for Michael King have listed 21 reasons why he should not be put to death, including that the death penalty is "unconstitutional" and the state should not have used eyewitness 911 calls as evidence during his trial.
On Dec. 21, King's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Carolyn Schlemmer, filed a motion to the Attorney General Criminal Appeals and the Clerk of the Florida Supreme Court appealing a judge's decision to sentence King to death.
Last year, King was found guilty in the kidnapping, rape and murder of 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee.
King held Lee at gunpoint when he took her from her North Port home on Jan. 17, 2008. Her remains were found two days later, buried in a wooded area of Toledo Blade Boulevard.
After a three-week trial at the Sarasota County Courthouse that ended in September, all 12 jurors recommended a death sentence.
During the December sentencing, 12th Circuit Judge Deno Economou became emotional while reading into the record what King did to Lee. He agreed with the jury, sentencing King to death.
Florida law requires an automatic appeal in all capital murder cases such as King's.
In Schlemmer's appeal, she calls the death penalty -- reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976 -- unconstitutional. The appeal states the defense counsel should have been allowed to further interview jurors, and criticizes a unanimous decision needed for the jury to conclude in the penalty phase of the trial, as well as "unreliable and misleading evidence" from a state Department of Law Enforcement firearms analyst.
It goes on to state the 911 call Lee made while trapped inside of King's Camaro should not have been allowed in court, as well as another 911 call played in court made by witness Jane Kowalski, who saw King's car on the evening Lee was taken. Kowalski reported someone -- now known to be Lee -- screaming and slapping the window in the back seat of the Camaro, stopped at a traffic light next to her.
The prosecution's use of bullet casings, voice identification and allowing state doctors to evaluate King during the trial is also being appealed. Schlemmer being denied a motion for a mistrial and an acquittal are also listed as grounds for an appeal, according to the attorney.
Schlemmer wrote that King was denied a change of venue outside Sarasota, therefore, he was not given a "fair trial." The suppression of certain evidence and the court's finding of King's competency during the trial are also listed.
Schlemmer noted there were "errors" made in the sentencing order, as well as "the court's error" in allowing "certain portions of victim impact statements during the penalty phase" of the trial.
However, before the trial, Schlemmer filed motions to have some evidence suppressed -- such as King's demeanor when he was arrested and early evidence collected in a police raid of King's North Port house where Lee was raped -- and won.
Schlemmer could not be reached for comment.
Assistant State Attorney Lon Arend said he believed King, who stared straight ahead and was emotionless through most of the trial, faked a mental illness.
"He was competent to stand trial," Arend said. "We had tapes from the night he was arrested showing Michael speaking and moving around. They were suppressed, so the jury never saw them."
Arend said an appeal is the appropriate step in King's case.
"It is important that each and every issue brought up by the defense in the trial be included on the notice of appeal so that they can be reviewed by the Supreme Court," he said. "In order for a just, true sentence to be carried out, everyone has to be ensured that the defendant received a fair trial, and the Supreme Court review is an automatic part of the process.
"The fact that his attorneys have so thoroughly documented every possible argument is a testament to their professionalism, and should assist the Florida Supreme Court in what hopefully will be a thorough yet expeditious review of the trial," he said.
Arend said that if King's appeal is not overturned, he could be executed -- most likely by lethal injection -- in five years.
"It should not take 15 years," he said. "Laws have changed to make executions more speedy when appeals have been exhausted."
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
http://sunnewspapers.net/articles/pnnews.aspx?NewsID=450595&a=newsarchive2/011110/ew2.htm&pnpg=0
SARASOTA -- Attorneys for Michael King have listed 21 reasons why he should not be put to death, including that the death penalty is "unconstitutional" and the state should not have used eyewitness 911 calls as evidence during his trial.
On Dec. 21, King's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Carolyn Schlemmer, filed a motion to the Attorney General Criminal Appeals and the Clerk of the Florida Supreme Court appealing a judge's decision to sentence King to death.
Last year, King was found guilty in the kidnapping, rape and murder of 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee.
King held Lee at gunpoint when he took her from her North Port home on Jan. 17, 2008. Her remains were found two days later, buried in a wooded area of Toledo Blade Boulevard.
After a three-week trial at the Sarasota County Courthouse that ended in September, all 12 jurors recommended a death sentence.
During the December sentencing, 12th Circuit Judge Deno Economou became emotional while reading into the record what King did to Lee. He agreed with the jury, sentencing King to death.
Florida law requires an automatic appeal in all capital murder cases such as King's.
In Schlemmer's appeal, she calls the death penalty -- reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976 -- unconstitutional. The appeal states the defense counsel should have been allowed to further interview jurors, and criticizes a unanimous decision needed for the jury to conclude in the penalty phase of the trial, as well as "unreliable and misleading evidence" from a state Department of Law Enforcement firearms analyst.
It goes on to state the 911 call Lee made while trapped inside of King's Camaro should not have been allowed in court, as well as another 911 call played in court made by witness Jane Kowalski, who saw King's car on the evening Lee was taken. Kowalski reported someone -- now known to be Lee -- screaming and slapping the window in the back seat of the Camaro, stopped at a traffic light next to her.
The prosecution's use of bullet casings, voice identification and allowing state doctors to evaluate King during the trial is also being appealed. Schlemmer being denied a motion for a mistrial and an acquittal are also listed as grounds for an appeal, according to the attorney.
Schlemmer wrote that King was denied a change of venue outside Sarasota, therefore, he was not given a "fair trial." The suppression of certain evidence and the court's finding of King's competency during the trial are also listed.
Schlemmer noted there were "errors" made in the sentencing order, as well as "the court's error" in allowing "certain portions of victim impact statements during the penalty phase" of the trial.
However, before the trial, Schlemmer filed motions to have some evidence suppressed -- such as King's demeanor when he was arrested and early evidence collected in a police raid of King's North Port house where Lee was raped -- and won.
Schlemmer could not be reached for comment.
Assistant State Attorney Lon Arend said he believed King, who stared straight ahead and was emotionless through most of the trial, faked a mental illness.
"He was competent to stand trial," Arend said. "We had tapes from the night he was arrested showing Michael speaking and moving around. They were suppressed, so the jury never saw them."
Arend said an appeal is the appropriate step in King's case.
"It is important that each and every issue brought up by the defense in the trial be included on the notice of appeal so that they can be reviewed by the Supreme Court," he said. "In order for a just, true sentence to be carried out, everyone has to be ensured that the defendant received a fair trial, and the Supreme Court review is an automatic part of the process.
"The fact that his attorneys have so thoroughly documented every possible argument is a testament to their professionalism, and should assist the Florida Supreme Court in what hopefully will be a thorough yet expeditious review of the trial," he said.
Arend said that if King's appeal is not overturned, he could be executed -- most likely by lethal injection -- in five years.
"It should not take 15 years," he said. "Laws have changed to make executions more speedy when appeals have been exhausted."
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
http://sunnewspapers.net/articles/pnnews.aspx?NewsID=450595&a=newsarchive2/011110/ew2.htm&pnpg=0
Saturday, December 5, 2009
articles in today's paper December 5, 2009
Herald Tribune
It's death for the man who killed Denise Lee
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091205/ARTICLE/912051043/2416/NEWS?Title=It-s-death-for-the-man-who-killed-Denise-Lee
Paying the price
Justice in Denise Lee case, but harsh realities remain
Published: Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, December 4, 2009 at 8:10 p.m.
There are crimes so heinous, with guilt so certain, that they melt opposition to the death penalty.
The 2008 abduction, rape and murder of North Port mom Denise Lee is one such crime.
Friday, a Sarasota judge sentenced Lee's killer, Michael King, to the ultimate punishment. The sentence followed the unanimous recommendation of the jury that found King guilty of first-degree murder and other horrible offenses.
By most measures, the sentence is just. But any satisfaction that may be taken from it must be weighed against harsh realities.
The first and most tragic of these is that King's execution will not bring back the murdered woman, nor restore the normal life that her husband and two young children once had.
The second is that a death penalty automatically triggers procedures that could delay execution for years, putting the family on an agonizing merry-go-round of appeals.
The third is that this and dozens of other capital cases drain the resources of Florida's criminal justice system.
Because of heightened constitutional requirements, death penalty cases are far more expensive than murder trials in which life with no possibility of parole is sought.
In Florida, the difference between death-penalty and life-without-parole adds up to tens of millions of dollars per year, studies indicate.
It is wrong to put a price tag on justice. But at a time when recession has forced serious budget cuts on law enforcement agencies and the courts, who can feel good about spending so much on a punishment that does so little for crime prevention?
Studies indicate that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent to violent crime, especially in comparison with the less expensive life-without-parole option.
The millions spent on death-penalty pursuits could pay for important crime prevention measures. They could fund additional police, probation and corrections officers, investigators and prosecutors.
They could fund additional crime labs to process large backlogs in DNA samples and evidence.
They could fund substance-abuse programs and facilities for handling severe mental illness.
The dollars could even fund better 9-1-1 emergency communications -- a critical lifesaving link that was disastrously mishandled in Lee's case, causing a missed opportunity to save her.
Budgets aside, the trial and conviction of Michael King stand as proof that, even amid cuts and shortages, the justice system worked. Law enforcement found, analyzed and preserved crucial evidence; the killer was caught; and a jury of his peers convicted him.
Jurors, the judge, and probably the vast majority of Southwest Florida residents agree that King deserves the death penalty.
The punishment fits the crime. It's the cost -- not the penalty -- that is out of line.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091205/OPINION/912051031/2198/OPINION?Title=Paying-the-pricee
From the Sun
King sentenced to death
SARASOTA -- Sobs reverberated across the courtroom Friday as family members of Denise Amber Lee reacted to Michael King getting the death penalty for her murder.
An elderly man sitting in front of King's parents at the Sarasota County Courthouse, who wore a button of Denise smiling, raised his fists in the air twice and grinned as 12th Circuit Judge Deno Economou read from his 45-page decision.
A clean-shaven King stared ahead and didn't move.
The 38-year-old also showed no emotion when the judge read how, on Jan. 17, 2008, King kidnapped Lee from her North Port home at gunpoint. He brought her to his home for about three hours, raped her, then drove her to his cousin's house to borrow a shovel, a flashlight and a gas can to dispose of her body. He promised to let the 21-year-old mother of two young sons go, but then shot her and buried her remains in a wooded area off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
Denise's widower, Nathan, was joined by his parents, Mark and Peggy, as well as her parents, Rick and Susan Goff, and other family members. At times they cried as the judge read graphic details of the rape and spoke of her bruising and the fatal gunshot wound above her eyebrow.
Economou's voice cracked several times as he read Denise's words from her desperate 911 call. He said Denise managed to call 911 without King knowing. She gave the operator valuable information, such as her address and that she was bound and could not see where she was. She repeatedly begged for King -- who was a stranger to her -- to let her go.
The judge said King's "words and actions" revealed a crime that was "conscienceless, pitiless and unnecessarily tortuous with an utter indifference to Denise's suffering.
"His telling her that he would let her go as soon as she gave him the cell phone was a lie, knowing full well that he was going to take her to a secluded area and murder her," Economou said.
The judge weighed little consideration for the arguments that King had a low IQ, suffered an alleged brain injury when he was 6, and was paranoid, which may have been contributing factors to him killing Denise.
Assistant State Attorney Lon Arend said Denise's actions helped solve the case.
"She was the best witness we had," Arend said of Denise leaving her heart-shaped ring and strands of her hair in King's Camaro for investigators to link her to her killer.
Arend said he didn't buy King's bizarre, catatonic-like behavior during his three-week trial.
"I think he faked a mental illness," Arend said.
Outside the courthouse, Nathan joined the Goffs to thank everyone who has been supportive. He said he made "lifelong friends" through the process.
"I want to thank Denise," he said. "She was the most awesome person I've ever known. She was a wonderful wife and mother."
Rick Goff, a 26-year veteran with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, agreed, adding several longtime friends from out of state came to support them in court. For some of them, it was the first time hearing the judge's overview of the murder.
"We wouldn't have found Denise or him (King) if it weren't for Denise leaving behind clues," Goff said. "I could not have done what she did. She was a great detective."
Goff said he understands there will be appeals -- but said he cannot wait until King is executed.
"I will rent the bus for us to go up there and watch that man die," he said. "I may have to go in a wheelchair (following years of appeals), but myself and my family will be there."
Several jurors, who have formed a bond with each other and have met with Nathan and his sons, Noah and Adam, following the trial, were in court Friday.
"I'm so happy that he is going to pay for what he did to that beautiful girl," said Pat O'Quinn, who was one of 12 jurors who recommended the death penalty for King in September.
O'Quinn says she has been following Nathan's fight against the CCSO in a wrongful death lawsuit he filed in October. Nathan contends the CCSO was negligent in not sending any deputies to Toledo Blade Boulevard on the night Denise was kidnapped, despite receiving a 911 call from Jane Kowalski saying there was a person screaming and banging on the window in the back seat of the Camaro next to her.
Reached by phone Friday night, Kowalski, of Tampa, said she was pleased with the judge's decision.
"If there was any case for the death penalty, this was one," she said. "It shouldn't be anything else."
After most left the courthouse Friday, North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis returned to Nathan the ring and necklace -- that was marked as "evidence" for nearly two years -- that Nathan had given to Denise.
Sun staff writers Carol Sakowitz and Anne Klockenkemper contributed to this report.
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
http://sunnewspapers.net/articles/tsnews.aspx?ArticleID=448590&pubdate=12/5/2009
Case Ends, Appeals Begin
SARASOTA -- Twelfth Circuit Judge Deno Economou handed down the death penalty Friday for convicted killer Michael King in the 2008 murder of young mother of two, Denise Amber Lee.
For those connected to the case, one question remains.
What's next?
* King's death sentence automatically will be appealed to the Florida Supreme Court, according to Dennis Menendez, spokesman for the 12th Judicial Circuit. The process could take at least three years, and if upheld, there is a likelihood that it will be 15 years before King is executed.
There are 387 inmates currently on Florida's death row. King makes it 388.
* King himself will wait in a Sarasota County Jail cell until he is transferred to a state penitentiary, according to Maj. Jim Lilly, who oversees county corrections operations. No date has been scheduled for the transfer.
* Denise's younger sister, Amanda Goff, answered, "Yes and no," when asked Friday if the judge's decision puts the case to rest for her.
"(There's an) end in the sense that the trial is completely over," she said. "But it's not over until the day he dies."
For now, she said, "I can put it out of my mind."
Amanda will return to the University of Central Florida, where the school semester will end next week. She also holds two jobs in Orlando.
Friends at school have been great, she said, and added one of them came to the Sarasota County Courthouse to support the family.
She had one final thought before leaving the courthouse: "I want to thank the jury. They were great."
* North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis said his department is starting to prepare for the Coralrose Fullwood murder trial, scheduled to begin in April. Patrick Murphy, 28, is accused in the 6-year-old's 2006 slaying.
"We'll move to the next case and, sadly, the next case is Coralrose," he said.
Preparations will involve up to five detectives, he said, and the department has been given "incredible assistance" almost daily by members of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
Looking over to where journalists waited for a press conference by the Lee and Goff families, a somber Lewis said they "are now part of the North Port police family."
"That's not a cliché," he added.
* In October, Nathan filed a wrongful death suit against the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. He contends the CCSO was negligent for not sending any deputies to Toledo Blade Boulevard on the night Denise was kidnapped, despite receiving a 911 call from the area saying a man driving a dark Camaro had a person screaming and banging on the window for help in his back seat. Last month, the CCSO filed a motion to dismiss the suit. A judge will determine if the case will continue.
* David Garofalo, North Port City Commission chair, attended Friday's hearing. Garofalo has been part of the local movement to set standards for 911 operators.
Friday, Garofalo said he has 411 letters ready to send to other Florida municipalities asking them to support legislation making its way to law in Tallahassee.
That legislation, he said, could "pave the way for the rest of the country."
* Bonnie Turgeon of Sarasota is a stranger to the Lee and Goff families but she was in court Friday, just as she had been for King's trial.
Turgeon said she was there to support the man who sold her and her family a TV set at Best Buy in January. When she went home, she saw the salesman -- Nathan Lee -- on that TV.
During the trial, Turgeon said she met Nathan's mother, Peggy, and learned of a cookbook that she and Denise's mother, Susan, were compiling as a fundraiser. Turgeon said she bought one.
Turgeon spoke Friday of Denise's two young sons. She said Peggy told her the 2-year-old, Noah, remembers the last words his mother said to him: "Goodbye ... and I love you."
E-mail: csakowitz@sun-herald.com
By CAROL SAKOWITZ
North Port Assistant Editor
http://sunnewspapers.net/articles/pnnews.aspx?NewsID=448608&a=newsarchive2/120509/ew5.htm&pnpg=1
It's death for the man who killed Denise Lee
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091205/ARTICLE/912051043/2416/NEWS?Title=It-s-death-for-the-man-who-killed-Denise-Lee
Paying the price
Justice in Denise Lee case, but harsh realities remain
Published: Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, December 4, 2009 at 8:10 p.m.
There are crimes so heinous, with guilt so certain, that they melt opposition to the death penalty.
The 2008 abduction, rape and murder of North Port mom Denise Lee is one such crime.
Friday, a Sarasota judge sentenced Lee's killer, Michael King, to the ultimate punishment. The sentence followed the unanimous recommendation of the jury that found King guilty of first-degree murder and other horrible offenses.
By most measures, the sentence is just. But any satisfaction that may be taken from it must be weighed against harsh realities.
The first and most tragic of these is that King's execution will not bring back the murdered woman, nor restore the normal life that her husband and two young children once had.
The second is that a death penalty automatically triggers procedures that could delay execution for years, putting the family on an agonizing merry-go-round of appeals.
The third is that this and dozens of other capital cases drain the resources of Florida's criminal justice system.
Because of heightened constitutional requirements, death penalty cases are far more expensive than murder trials in which life with no possibility of parole is sought.
In Florida, the difference between death-penalty and life-without-parole adds up to tens of millions of dollars per year, studies indicate.
It is wrong to put a price tag on justice. But at a time when recession has forced serious budget cuts on law enforcement agencies and the courts, who can feel good about spending so much on a punishment that does so little for crime prevention?
Studies indicate that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent to violent crime, especially in comparison with the less expensive life-without-parole option.
The millions spent on death-penalty pursuits could pay for important crime prevention measures. They could fund additional police, probation and corrections officers, investigators and prosecutors.
They could fund additional crime labs to process large backlogs in DNA samples and evidence.
They could fund substance-abuse programs and facilities for handling severe mental illness.
The dollars could even fund better 9-1-1 emergency communications -- a critical lifesaving link that was disastrously mishandled in Lee's case, causing a missed opportunity to save her.
Budgets aside, the trial and conviction of Michael King stand as proof that, even amid cuts and shortages, the justice system worked. Law enforcement found, analyzed and preserved crucial evidence; the killer was caught; and a jury of his peers convicted him.
Jurors, the judge, and probably the vast majority of Southwest Florida residents agree that King deserves the death penalty.
The punishment fits the crime. It's the cost -- not the penalty -- that is out of line.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091205/OPINION/912051031/2198/OPINION?Title=Paying-the-pricee
From the Sun
King sentenced to death
SARASOTA -- Sobs reverberated across the courtroom Friday as family members of Denise Amber Lee reacted to Michael King getting the death penalty for her murder.
An elderly man sitting in front of King's parents at the Sarasota County Courthouse, who wore a button of Denise smiling, raised his fists in the air twice and grinned as 12th Circuit Judge Deno Economou read from his 45-page decision.
A clean-shaven King stared ahead and didn't move.
The 38-year-old also showed no emotion when the judge read how, on Jan. 17, 2008, King kidnapped Lee from her North Port home at gunpoint. He brought her to his home for about three hours, raped her, then drove her to his cousin's house to borrow a shovel, a flashlight and a gas can to dispose of her body. He promised to let the 21-year-old mother of two young sons go, but then shot her and buried her remains in a wooded area off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
Denise's widower, Nathan, was joined by his parents, Mark and Peggy, as well as her parents, Rick and Susan Goff, and other family members. At times they cried as the judge read graphic details of the rape and spoke of her bruising and the fatal gunshot wound above her eyebrow.
Economou's voice cracked several times as he read Denise's words from her desperate 911 call. He said Denise managed to call 911 without King knowing. She gave the operator valuable information, such as her address and that she was bound and could not see where she was. She repeatedly begged for King -- who was a stranger to her -- to let her go.
The judge said King's "words and actions" revealed a crime that was "conscienceless, pitiless and unnecessarily tortuous with an utter indifference to Denise's suffering.
"His telling her that he would let her go as soon as she gave him the cell phone was a lie, knowing full well that he was going to take her to a secluded area and murder her," Economou said.
The judge weighed little consideration for the arguments that King had a low IQ, suffered an alleged brain injury when he was 6, and was paranoid, which may have been contributing factors to him killing Denise.
Assistant State Attorney Lon Arend said Denise's actions helped solve the case.
"She was the best witness we had," Arend said of Denise leaving her heart-shaped ring and strands of her hair in King's Camaro for investigators to link her to her killer.
Arend said he didn't buy King's bizarre, catatonic-like behavior during his three-week trial.
"I think he faked a mental illness," Arend said.
Outside the courthouse, Nathan joined the Goffs to thank everyone who has been supportive. He said he made "lifelong friends" through the process.
"I want to thank Denise," he said. "She was the most awesome person I've ever known. She was a wonderful wife and mother."
Rick Goff, a 26-year veteran with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, agreed, adding several longtime friends from out of state came to support them in court. For some of them, it was the first time hearing the judge's overview of the murder.
"We wouldn't have found Denise or him (King) if it weren't for Denise leaving behind clues," Goff said. "I could not have done what she did. She was a great detective."
Goff said he understands there will be appeals -- but said he cannot wait until King is executed.
"I will rent the bus for us to go up there and watch that man die," he said. "I may have to go in a wheelchair (following years of appeals), but myself and my family will be there."
Several jurors, who have formed a bond with each other and have met with Nathan and his sons, Noah and Adam, following the trial, were in court Friday.
"I'm so happy that he is going to pay for what he did to that beautiful girl," said Pat O'Quinn, who was one of 12 jurors who recommended the death penalty for King in September.
O'Quinn says she has been following Nathan's fight against the CCSO in a wrongful death lawsuit he filed in October. Nathan contends the CCSO was negligent in not sending any deputies to Toledo Blade Boulevard on the night Denise was kidnapped, despite receiving a 911 call from Jane Kowalski saying there was a person screaming and banging on the window in the back seat of the Camaro next to her.
Reached by phone Friday night, Kowalski, of Tampa, said she was pleased with the judge's decision.
"If there was any case for the death penalty, this was one," she said. "It shouldn't be anything else."
After most left the courthouse Friday, North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis returned to Nathan the ring and necklace -- that was marked as "evidence" for nearly two years -- that Nathan had given to Denise.
Sun staff writers Carol Sakowitz and Anne Klockenkemper contributed to this report.
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
http://sunnewspapers.net/articles/tsnews.aspx?ArticleID=448590&pubdate=12/5/2009
Case Ends, Appeals Begin
SARASOTA -- Twelfth Circuit Judge Deno Economou handed down the death penalty Friday for convicted killer Michael King in the 2008 murder of young mother of two, Denise Amber Lee.
For those connected to the case, one question remains.
What's next?
* King's death sentence automatically will be appealed to the Florida Supreme Court, according to Dennis Menendez, spokesman for the 12th Judicial Circuit. The process could take at least three years, and if upheld, there is a likelihood that it will be 15 years before King is executed.
There are 387 inmates currently on Florida's death row. King makes it 388.
* King himself will wait in a Sarasota County Jail cell until he is transferred to a state penitentiary, according to Maj. Jim Lilly, who oversees county corrections operations. No date has been scheduled for the transfer.
* Denise's younger sister, Amanda Goff, answered, "Yes and no," when asked Friday if the judge's decision puts the case to rest for her.
"(There's an) end in the sense that the trial is completely over," she said. "But it's not over until the day he dies."
For now, she said, "I can put it out of my mind."
Amanda will return to the University of Central Florida, where the school semester will end next week. She also holds two jobs in Orlando.
Friends at school have been great, she said, and added one of them came to the Sarasota County Courthouse to support the family.
She had one final thought before leaving the courthouse: "I want to thank the jury. They were great."
* North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis said his department is starting to prepare for the Coralrose Fullwood murder trial, scheduled to begin in April. Patrick Murphy, 28, is accused in the 6-year-old's 2006 slaying.
"We'll move to the next case and, sadly, the next case is Coralrose," he said.
Preparations will involve up to five detectives, he said, and the department has been given "incredible assistance" almost daily by members of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
Looking over to where journalists waited for a press conference by the Lee and Goff families, a somber Lewis said they "are now part of the North Port police family."
"That's not a cliché," he added.
* In October, Nathan filed a wrongful death suit against the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. He contends the CCSO was negligent for not sending any deputies to Toledo Blade Boulevard on the night Denise was kidnapped, despite receiving a 911 call from the area saying a man driving a dark Camaro had a person screaming and banging on the window for help in his back seat. Last month, the CCSO filed a motion to dismiss the suit. A judge will determine if the case will continue.
* David Garofalo, North Port City Commission chair, attended Friday's hearing. Garofalo has been part of the local movement to set standards for 911 operators.
Friday, Garofalo said he has 411 letters ready to send to other Florida municipalities asking them to support legislation making its way to law in Tallahassee.
That legislation, he said, could "pave the way for the rest of the country."
* Bonnie Turgeon of Sarasota is a stranger to the Lee and Goff families but she was in court Friday, just as she had been for King's trial.
Turgeon said she was there to support the man who sold her and her family a TV set at Best Buy in January. When she went home, she saw the salesman -- Nathan Lee -- on that TV.
During the trial, Turgeon said she met Nathan's mother, Peggy, and learned of a cookbook that she and Denise's mother, Susan, were compiling as a fundraiser. Turgeon said she bought one.
Turgeon spoke Friday of Denise's two young sons. She said Peggy told her the 2-year-old, Noah, remembers the last words his mother said to him: "Goodbye ... and I love you."
E-mail: csakowitz@sun-herald.com
By CAROL SAKOWITZ
North Port Assistant Editor
http://sunnewspapers.net/articles/pnnews.aspx?NewsID=448608&a=newsarchive2/120509/ew5.htm&pnpg=1
Friday, December 4, 2009
Michael King Sentencing Order
http://www.heraldtribune.com/assets/pdf/SH18992124.PDF
My heartfelt thanks to Judge Economou for his fairness, diligence, professional and thoroughness. My heartfelt thanks to Lon Arend and his prosecuting team. My heartfelt thanks to all the jurors. My heartfelt thanks to the North Port Police Department.
Job well done.
Oh, sweet Denise, you brave brave girl. The world needs more people like you. Let God know that. Miss you, baby.
My heartfelt thanks to Judge Economou for his fairness, diligence, professional and thoroughness. My heartfelt thanks to Lon Arend and his prosecuting team. My heartfelt thanks to all the jurors. My heartfelt thanks to the North Port Police Department.
Job well done.
Oh, sweet Denise, you brave brave girl. The world needs more people like you. Let God know that. Miss you, baby.
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 2009, a crazy month and so emotional
October is crazy for us. But it's so emotional and so moving. I'm crying.
Mark and Nathan are in Michigan. Amber and Noah went with them. They are attending another 9-1-1 conference for APCO. Mark and Nate have just returned from the Missouri APCO and are off again in Michigan. It was Noah's first plane ride. I wish I was with them but I stayed home with Adam. Adam is such a cutie. It's been wonderful but I'm missing Mark and Nathan.
Next week Mark, Nathan and I will be going to Colorado for another conference in Longmont.
The following week Mark and Nathan go to Springfield, Illinois. Yes, another conference.
And then the last week of October to Wisconsin.
Nathan is speaking at all of them. The outpouring of support has been indescribable. So many 9-1-1 telecommunicators being touched by this story. I can't describe the letters and emails we receive.
Also this month we have a float in the Sun Fiesta Parade held in Venice, Florida just north of us. We'll also have a booth. And another booth at the Placida Seafood Festival.
Many still ask what our purpose is. Well, Nathan tells Denise's story. Then he goes into problems in the 9-1-1 industry that need addressing. That call takers and dispatchers, in many places, are underpaid, underappreciated and the first to be thrown under the bus when tragedies and/or cut backs occur. 9-1-1 telecommunicators are our "true" first responders and deserve respect where in many places there is none. Without them the firefighters would never get to the fire, the EMTs would never get to the medical emergency and the police cannot prevent certain crimes in progress. He explains why he thinks they needs standards and certification. How they DESERVE that. It's not fair that some counties and townships do not have the same technologies and training standards others do. Also not everyone is capable of doing the 9-1-1 telecommunicators job. Some people are just not cut out for the job! It takes a special person to be a 9-1-1 telecommunicator. A person who has compassion, can think outside the box, make quicker than quick decision, multi-task, and work with dilegence. To get these people and "retain" them they need to be recognized. That there should be quality assurance always. A CELL PHONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE LOCATED BY 9-1-1. Sadly, it takes a tragedy such as Denise's to bring this to light to the general public. The general public needs to be educated as to the proper use of 9-1-1. They need to know that consumer cell phone technology has advanced at such a rapid rate that the 9-1-1 centers cannot keep up unless they receive more funding. Oh, boy. I really ran away with that but as you know I could talk about 9-1-1 24/7.
All good things.
Then at the very end of the month is the Spencer Hearing. Ugh! Apparently Spencer Hearings are unique to Florida. The jury found King guilty and "recommended" to the judge he receive death. Now the prosecutors and the defense go before the judge without the jury and go over the mitigating and aggravating factors all over again. We all get to read our impact statements and we have to go through it all again. I could just scream.
So.... October is busy. It's good. Denise will not die in vain. Michael King cannot hurt anyone else. Noah took his first plane ride. Adam can count to ten and recite his ABCs. Adam refuses to let me read to him and insists reading to me even though he's just turned two. And life goes on. I think and pray Denise would be proud.
Mark and Nathan are in Michigan. Amber and Noah went with them. They are attending another 9-1-1 conference for APCO. Mark and Nate have just returned from the Missouri APCO and are off again in Michigan. It was Noah's first plane ride. I wish I was with them but I stayed home with Adam. Adam is such a cutie. It's been wonderful but I'm missing Mark and Nathan.
Next week Mark, Nathan and I will be going to Colorado for another conference in Longmont.
The following week Mark and Nathan go to Springfield, Illinois. Yes, another conference.
And then the last week of October to Wisconsin.
Nathan is speaking at all of them. The outpouring of support has been indescribable. So many 9-1-1 telecommunicators being touched by this story. I can't describe the letters and emails we receive.
Also this month we have a float in the Sun Fiesta Parade held in Venice, Florida just north of us. We'll also have a booth. And another booth at the Placida Seafood Festival.
Many still ask what our purpose is. Well, Nathan tells Denise's story. Then he goes into problems in the 9-1-1 industry that need addressing. That call takers and dispatchers, in many places, are underpaid, underappreciated and the first to be thrown under the bus when tragedies and/or cut backs occur. 9-1-1 telecommunicators are our "true" first responders and deserve respect where in many places there is none. Without them the firefighters would never get to the fire, the EMTs would never get to the medical emergency and the police cannot prevent certain crimes in progress. He explains why he thinks they needs standards and certification. How they DESERVE that. It's not fair that some counties and townships do not have the same technologies and training standards others do. Also not everyone is capable of doing the 9-1-1 telecommunicators job. Some people are just not cut out for the job! It takes a special person to be a 9-1-1 telecommunicator. A person who has compassion, can think outside the box, make quicker than quick decision, multi-task, and work with dilegence. To get these people and "retain" them they need to be recognized. That there should be quality assurance always. A CELL PHONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE LOCATED BY 9-1-1. Sadly, it takes a tragedy such as Denise's to bring this to light to the general public. The general public needs to be educated as to the proper use of 9-1-1. They need to know that consumer cell phone technology has advanced at such a rapid rate that the 9-1-1 centers cannot keep up unless they receive more funding. Oh, boy. I really ran away with that but as you know I could talk about 9-1-1 24/7.
All good things.
Then at the very end of the month is the Spencer Hearing. Ugh! Apparently Spencer Hearings are unique to Florida. The jury found King guilty and "recommended" to the judge he receive death. Now the prosecutors and the defense go before the judge without the jury and go over the mitigating and aggravating factors all over again. We all get to read our impact statements and we have to go through it all again. I could just scream.
So.... October is busy. It's good. Denise will not die in vain. Michael King cannot hurt anyone else. Noah took his first plane ride. Adam can count to ten and recite his ABCs. Adam refuses to let me read to him and insists reading to me even though he's just turned two. And life goes on. I think and pray Denise would be proud.
Thank you
It's been a while since I've blogged. I'm not sorry for that. My thoughts have been going every which way and much of them would not make much sense to most people. We wrote a letter to the local editors with a thank you but I need to write more. I wrote that letter out of a sense of duty laced with heartfelt gratitude but much was left unsaid.
You would think things would get easier now that the trial is over. Having the trial over is a major relief. We were very blessed and still are in so many ways.
- The judge was so thorough. He crossed every t and dotted every i. He was determined that there should be no mistrial.
- The prosecuting team was in a word awesome. I could listen to Lon Arend speak all day. His professionalism was exceptional. He never lost his cool and slowly and methodically presented the state's case against Michael King. His sensitivity was incredible. He had to present the horrific facts all the while knowing our family was sitting there and reliving the pain.
- The defense team did their utmost and everything they could to save Michael King. And even though they irritated the hell out of me and listening to them was like nails running down a chalkboard, I was grateful they did all they could. Why? Because there will be less likelihood that this case gets overturned. It was that solid.
- The jury, like the judge did all they could to cross every t and dot every i. They sat there in stoic silence listening and paying the closest attention to every that was said. They listened to Denise's tragedy with such strength. I commend them and thank them for performing their civic duty with such dignity.
- Police Chief Lewis who sat their every day with the lead detective. Job well done. They too were as sensitive as possible. I was so moved.
- And, of course, our family and friends. Oh crap. I'm tearring up thinking about them. My sister, Chris, who came in from Indiana... our friend, Kevin Willett from the 9-1-1 industry from California... Nancy and Kathy who were there everyday... Connie and Sherry from different chapters of Parents of Murdered Children. Dave Dignam who drove Nate back and forth everyday and kept Nate's nerves calm. Nathan could not ask for a better mentor and friend. Sean, Nate's best friend who came all the way from Minnesota. Mark's brother, Steve, who kept the home fires burning for us when we got home. Joan and Jackie who I know I would have been friends with even if this tragedy never happened. Tammy and Jeanine who are always there for us.
- The King family, especially the brother who is raising King's son. I know this sounds odd but they treated our family with dignity and respect. I'm so saddened and heartbroken for them. They kept their distance and tried their best not to make us uncomfortable.
- The press also treated our family with sensitivity, respect and dignity. The North Port Sun and the Sarasota Herald Tribune reporters were especially sensitive, yet, were able to retain their objectivity.
- The hundreds of people we've never met who wrote letters and sent cards from not just across the country but from around the world. I could read and feel their pain. They were truly that touched by Denise's story. Total strangers....... It's humbling.
- And, last but not least, Denise. Denise. Denise. Denise. The prosecution's best witness. Her bravery and courage. Her beauty and goodness shining through that horrific 9-1-1 call. Her presence everywhere. Oh, sweetie, you humbled that entire room all except for that one creep who showed no remorse. But, you did it, baby. He'll never hurt anyone else ever again.
I'm sure there's many people I'm forgetting. I did not mention Rick and Sue's friends and family. I'll leave that for them but I thank them, too.
As I said, it's all very humbling to be touched by so many people.
Thank you.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
More in the Sun by Elaine Allen-Emrich
giant sigh
500 to be questioned as potential jurors in Denise Amber Lee murder trial
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
SARASOTA COUNTY -- Michael King's defense attorney argued Wednesday that police officers didn't have a search warrant when they broke into his home on the day of Denise Amber Lee's disappearance.
That was one of 30 pending motions 12th Circuit Judge Deno Economou listened to from both sides in King's hearing at the Sarasota County Courthouse. He is expected to rule on the motions in early August.
A jury trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 17 for King, 38, charged in the kidnapping, rape and murder of 21-year-old Denise on Jan. 17, 2008.
Motions included King's attorney Carolyn Schlemmer declaring "the death penalty is unconstitutional," the need to change the trial's venue, and officers not reading King his rights immediately after he was arrested, when he asked repeatedly for his attorney.
Schlemmer appeared in court with a clean-shaven King whose hands and feet were shackled. He wore a pale yellow jail jumpsuit.
King mostly looked forward at the judge throughout the five-hour hearing. One of the few times he spoke was to answer "yes" when Economou asked if he still wanted Schlemmer to represent him.
"He never made eye contact with me," said Nathan Lee, Denise's husband, who was in court with Denise's father Rick Goff and her brother, Tyler.
Schlemmer argued that on Jan. 17, 2008, North Port police officers should not have entered King's house without a search warrant.
In testimony Wednesday, North Port Detective Lt. Kevin Sullivan said King's neighbor told them they saw him pull into his driveway and park his car in the garage earlier in the day. When police arrived at King's Sardinia Avenue home, they reported hearing voices coming from the residence.
Sullivan ordered two officers to go into the house. Once inside, they saw, "in plain view," duct tape with strands of hair attached. King and Denise were not there.
Schlemmer said that evidence should not be introduced during the trial because it was illegally obtained.
Sullivan said police went inside the home after receiving two 911 calls, one from Denise and the other from King's teenage cousin, Sabrina Muxlow. Sabrina told police her father, Harold Jr., was concerned King may have been holding a woman against her will.
Schlemmer also argued that King would not get a fair trail and asked for the trial to be moved out of Sarasota. The defense asked residents in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties if they had ever heard of Michael King or Denise Amber Lee. Schlemmer called the results "disturbing."
"Some of the comments gathered were so venomous (toward King) they could not be repeated," she said.
Economou said he would consider Schlemmer's change of venue request.
The judge said if a "fair and impartial jury" of 11 people could not be found from 500 potential candidates, he would consider the change.
"I'm inclined to move forward with jury selection," he said.
Assistant State Attorney Lon Arend said Lee's family members requested to be in the courtroom during the anticipated weeklong jury selection in August.
Economou said there might not be enough space if even 100 potential jurors are in the courtroom at once. He said the candidates also might ask who the victim's family members are, and that could affect some jurors.
"I would suggest it be explained that (the victim's family members) have the right to be there," Arend said.
Schlemmer also argued that when King was stopped on Interstate 75 off Toledo Blade Boulevard, near the wooded area where Denise's body was later discovered, he asked for an attorney.
Sullivan said he introduced himself to King, who said he was also abducted. Sullivan said he asked King to show him where he was taken. King said he had a hood over his head and wasn't sure where he was taken.
Schlemmer objected to North Port detectives taking King on a "ride-along," searching for Lee while questioning him.
Officers said because King said he was a victim, they treated him accordingly.
The judge acknowledged that police read King his Miranda rights, but it was hours after a series of interviews with several different police officers.
Schlemmer said due to the delay, King's rights were "clearly violated."
During a break, Nathan said he plans to file a negligence lawsuit in September against the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for what he calls a "botched" handling of the 911 call from the last witness who saw Denise alive, Jane Kowalski.
"I'll do it after (King's) trial," he said.
Another hearing is set for Aug. 10.
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/llnews.aspx?articleID=13730&bnpg=0
500 to be questioned as potential jurors in Denise Amber Lee murder trial
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
SARASOTA COUNTY -- Michael King's defense attorney argued Wednesday that police officers didn't have a search warrant when they broke into his home on the day of Denise Amber Lee's disappearance.
That was one of 30 pending motions 12th Circuit Judge Deno Economou listened to from both sides in King's hearing at the Sarasota County Courthouse. He is expected to rule on the motions in early August.
A jury trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 17 for King, 38, charged in the kidnapping, rape and murder of 21-year-old Denise on Jan. 17, 2008.
Motions included King's attorney Carolyn Schlemmer declaring "the death penalty is unconstitutional," the need to change the trial's venue, and officers not reading King his rights immediately after he was arrested, when he asked repeatedly for his attorney.
Schlemmer appeared in court with a clean-shaven King whose hands and feet were shackled. He wore a pale yellow jail jumpsuit.
King mostly looked forward at the judge throughout the five-hour hearing. One of the few times he spoke was to answer "yes" when Economou asked if he still wanted Schlemmer to represent him.
"He never made eye contact with me," said Nathan Lee, Denise's husband, who was in court with Denise's father Rick Goff and her brother, Tyler.
Schlemmer argued that on Jan. 17, 2008, North Port police officers should not have entered King's house without a search warrant.
In testimony Wednesday, North Port Detective Lt. Kevin Sullivan said King's neighbor told them they saw him pull into his driveway and park his car in the garage earlier in the day. When police arrived at King's Sardinia Avenue home, they reported hearing voices coming from the residence.
Sullivan ordered two officers to go into the house. Once inside, they saw, "in plain view," duct tape with strands of hair attached. King and Denise were not there.
Schlemmer said that evidence should not be introduced during the trial because it was illegally obtained.
Sullivan said police went inside the home after receiving two 911 calls, one from Denise and the other from King's teenage cousin, Sabrina Muxlow. Sabrina told police her father, Harold Jr., was concerned King may have been holding a woman against her will.
Schlemmer also argued that King would not get a fair trail and asked for the trial to be moved out of Sarasota. The defense asked residents in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties if they had ever heard of Michael King or Denise Amber Lee. Schlemmer called the results "disturbing."
"Some of the comments gathered were so venomous (toward King) they could not be repeated," she said.
Economou said he would consider Schlemmer's change of venue request.
The judge said if a "fair and impartial jury" of 11 people could not be found from 500 potential candidates, he would consider the change.
"I'm inclined to move forward with jury selection," he said.
Assistant State Attorney Lon Arend said Lee's family members requested to be in the courtroom during the anticipated weeklong jury selection in August.
Economou said there might not be enough space if even 100 potential jurors are in the courtroom at once. He said the candidates also might ask who the victim's family members are, and that could affect some jurors.
"I would suggest it be explained that (the victim's family members) have the right to be there," Arend said.
Schlemmer also argued that when King was stopped on Interstate 75 off Toledo Blade Boulevard, near the wooded area where Denise's body was later discovered, he asked for an attorney.
Sullivan said he introduced himself to King, who said he was also abducted. Sullivan said he asked King to show him where he was taken. King said he had a hood over his head and wasn't sure where he was taken.
Schlemmer objected to North Port detectives taking King on a "ride-along," searching for Lee while questioning him.
Officers said because King said he was a victim, they treated him accordingly.
The judge acknowledged that police read King his Miranda rights, but it was hours after a series of interviews with several different police officers.
Schlemmer said due to the delay, King's rights were "clearly violated."
During a break, Nathan said he plans to file a negligence lawsuit in September against the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for what he calls a "botched" handling of the 911 call from the last witness who saw Denise alive, Jane Kowalski.
"I'll do it after (King's) trial," he said.
Another hearing is set for Aug. 10.
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/llnews.aspx?articleID=13730&bnpg=0
Todays North Port Sun by Elaine Allen-Emrich
This should come as no surprise. And IMO the prosecutor is absolutely correct "Alleging of negligence of the police does not constitute a legally recognizable defense to the crime of murder in the first degree, kidnapping or sexual battery."
State wants CCSO lawsuit, Lee foundation information barred from King trial
State prosecutors don't want Nathan Lee's impending civil lawsuit against the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office over what he calls a "botched 911 call" to hinder the criminal case against his wife's accused killer.
According to court documents recently filed by the state attorney's office in Sarasota, Nathan's "alleged negligence" lawsuit and his campaign to improve 911 training after his wife's murder "is not legally relevant and should be excluded from the penalty phase of the trial." Lee can formally file a lawsuit beginning in September.
An Aug. 15 trial is set for Michael King, 38, who is accused of killing Denise Amber Lee, 21, after allegedly kidnapping and raping her on Jan. 17, 2008. Her body was found buried off Toledo Blade Boulevard two days later. The state is seeking the death penalty in the case.
The trial is planned to be at the Sarasota County Courthouse, but King's attorneys are seeking a change of venue due to the massive media coverage of the case. That would be determined at jury selection, according to the state.
In October, Nathan filed an intent to sue against the CCSO alleging negligence led to his wife's death after learning how a nine-minute 911 call from witness Jane Kowalski was handled.
Court documents show that Kowalski later learned it was Denise in the back seat of King's green Camaro while she was on the phone with a 911 operator reporting the suspicious incident.
Kowalski, of Tampa, reported each street she passed on U.S. 41 in Charlotte County while witnessing someone � whom she originally thought was a child � struggling in King's car. She stopped following the car when it turned onto Toledo Blade.
During her call, she asked the Charlotte County 911 operator if there was a BOLO � Be On the Lookout � for a missing person because she saw someone screaming and slapping the car's back window with her hand.
Nathan claims the critical information provided by Kowalski, believed to be the last witness to see Denise alive, was not relayed to CCSO deputies or North Port police officers during the massive manhunt for his wife.
"Numerous accounts in the media have attributed some amount of negligence on the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for the matter in which the call was handled," the state claims in court documents. "Alleging of negligence of the police does not constitute a legally recognizable defense to the crime of murder in the first degree, kidnapping or sexual battery."
Nathan also formed the Denise Amber Lee Foundation to help create uniform training for 911 operators and other first responders nationwide.
But the state doesn't want Nathan's impending lawsuit against the CCSO or the foundation's work to cloud the criminal case against King.
Prosecutors are asking that neither the lawsuit nor the foundation's efforts be mentioned or even suggested during King's trial. E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
link: http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/pnnews.aspx?NewsID=441319&a=newsarchive2/072209/np1.htm&pnpg=0
State wants CCSO lawsuit, Lee foundation information barred from King trial
State prosecutors don't want Nathan Lee's impending civil lawsuit against the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office over what he calls a "botched 911 call" to hinder the criminal case against his wife's accused killer.
According to court documents recently filed by the state attorney's office in Sarasota, Nathan's "alleged negligence" lawsuit and his campaign to improve 911 training after his wife's murder "is not legally relevant and should be excluded from the penalty phase of the trial." Lee can formally file a lawsuit beginning in September.
An Aug. 15 trial is set for Michael King, 38, who is accused of killing Denise Amber Lee, 21, after allegedly kidnapping and raping her on Jan. 17, 2008. Her body was found buried off Toledo Blade Boulevard two days later. The state is seeking the death penalty in the case.
The trial is planned to be at the Sarasota County Courthouse, but King's attorneys are seeking a change of venue due to the massive media coverage of the case. That would be determined at jury selection, according to the state.
In October, Nathan filed an intent to sue against the CCSO alleging negligence led to his wife's death after learning how a nine-minute 911 call from witness Jane Kowalski was handled.
Court documents show that Kowalski later learned it was Denise in the back seat of King's green Camaro while she was on the phone with a 911 operator reporting the suspicious incident.
Kowalski, of Tampa, reported each street she passed on U.S. 41 in Charlotte County while witnessing someone � whom she originally thought was a child � struggling in King's car. She stopped following the car when it turned onto Toledo Blade.
During her call, she asked the Charlotte County 911 operator if there was a BOLO � Be On the Lookout � for a missing person because she saw someone screaming and slapping the car's back window with her hand.
Nathan claims the critical information provided by Kowalski, believed to be the last witness to see Denise alive, was not relayed to CCSO deputies or North Port police officers during the massive manhunt for his wife.
"Numerous accounts in the media have attributed some amount of negligence on the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for the matter in which the call was handled," the state claims in court documents. "Alleging of negligence of the police does not constitute a legally recognizable defense to the crime of murder in the first degree, kidnapping or sexual battery."
Nathan also formed the Denise Amber Lee Foundation to help create uniform training for 911 operators and other first responders nationwide.
But the state doesn't want Nathan's impending lawsuit against the CCSO or the foundation's work to cloud the criminal case against King.
Prosecutors are asking that neither the lawsuit nor the foundation's efforts be mentioned or even suggested during King's trial. E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
link: http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/pnnews.aspx?NewsID=441319&a=newsarchive2/072209/np1.htm&pnpg=0
Thursday, June 11, 2009
King's attorneys ask to move trial in murder of Denise Lee
By Todd Ruger
Published: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
SARASOTA COUNTY - The community reaction and publicity surrounding the kidnapping and murder of Denise Amber Lee mean extra preparations for the trial of her alleged attacker, which is scheduled to begin in August.
Related Links:
The legacy of Denise Amber Lee
Moving ceremony for Denise Lee
Denise Lee-inspired 911 law passes
King pleads not guilty in death of Lee
Sheriff standing by handling of 911 call
On night Lee died, chances were lost
Did 911 call slip through cracks?
An unsettling portrait of a suspect
External Links:
TOPICS: Slaying of Denise Amber Lee
Denise Amber Lee Jurors will be asked individually what they remember about media coverage of Michael King, 38, who is charged with kidnapping, rape and murder. Jurors will also be asked whether they discussed the case on the Internet through blogs or by posting to message boards, court records show.
King’s attorneys are asking that the trial be moved somewhere else in the state because of extensive publicity. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for King.
The case became the topic of a "Dr. Phil" show and hourlong national network shows, and became an impetus for improving emergency call centers across Florida.
If it stays in Sarasota County, the trial will be held in the largest courtroom to accommodate family, media and the public, as well as an extra large pool of potential jurors. It is expected to last three weeks.
Lee, 21, was reported missing from her North Port home on the afternoon of Jan. 17.
Her body was found two days later in a shallow grave six miles from her home.
King was arrested on a kidnapping charge the night of the abduction and was charged with murder after the body was found. He is being held in solitary confinement at the Sarasota County Jail.
A lab has matched King’s DNA to DNA found on Lee’s body, according to court documents filed by the prosecution.
My opinion
Well, we can't say this surprises us. Mostly my blog has been about 9-1-1 and, of course, Denise and our grief. sigh.
Published: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
SARASOTA COUNTY - The community reaction and publicity surrounding the kidnapping and murder of Denise Amber Lee mean extra preparations for the trial of her alleged attacker, which is scheduled to begin in August.
Related Links:
The legacy of Denise Amber Lee
Moving ceremony for Denise Lee
Denise Lee-inspired 911 law passes
King pleads not guilty in death of Lee
Sheriff standing by handling of 911 call
On night Lee died, chances were lost
Did 911 call slip through cracks?
An unsettling portrait of a suspect
External Links:
TOPICS: Slaying of Denise Amber Lee
Denise Amber Lee Jurors will be asked individually what they remember about media coverage of Michael King, 38, who is charged with kidnapping, rape and murder. Jurors will also be asked whether they discussed the case on the Internet through blogs or by posting to message boards, court records show.
King’s attorneys are asking that the trial be moved somewhere else in the state because of extensive publicity. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for King.
The case became the topic of a "Dr. Phil" show and hourlong national network shows, and became an impetus for improving emergency call centers across Florida.
If it stays in Sarasota County, the trial will be held in the largest courtroom to accommodate family, media and the public, as well as an extra large pool of potential jurors. It is expected to last three weeks.
Lee, 21, was reported missing from her North Port home on the afternoon of Jan. 17.
Her body was found two days later in a shallow grave six miles from her home.
King was arrested on a kidnapping charge the night of the abduction and was charged with murder after the body was found. He is being held in solitary confinement at the Sarasota County Jail.
A lab has matched King’s DNA to DNA found on Lee’s body, according to court documents filed by the prosecution.
My opinion
Well, we can't say this surprises us. Mostly my blog has been about 9-1-1 and, of course, Denise and our grief. sigh.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
In today's Sun-Herald
FWIW, we knew this was coming. Whatever. I rarely think of Michael King. What's fascinating is I still run into people who have no idea who Michael King is. They know about Denise and the 9-1-1 debacle but not about King. Just yesterday a customer asked me if they caught "the guy" yet. Two weeks ago someone asked "did they catch the guys who did this?" There are so many people out there that don't read newspapers or blogs.
It's just like nails on a chalkboard. I guess it'll get worse. I'm not looking forward to it.
Here's the article:
Venue change requested in King trial
SARASOTA COUNTY -- With media coverage ranging from hundreds of local newspaper articles to an hour-long "Dateline NBC" TV broadcast, Michael King's name has been associated with Denise Amber Lee since police named him as a suspect in her kidnapping, rape and murder on Jan. 17, 2008.
Now King's attorneys are trying to have his upcoming trial, set for August at the Sarasota County Courthouse, moved because of the vast amount of media coverage of the case.
More than 75 pages of court documents were recently submitted by one of King's public defenders asking for the highly publicized trial to be moved out of the county.
However, according to Sarasota County Assistant State Attorney Lon Arend, the request will not be considered until the jury selection process beings.
"We don't really address it until we are trying to pick a jury," Arend said Monday. "If we tried to pick a jury and can't find enough people who are not familiar with the case, then it would be decided if the trial should be moved."
Arend said it's standard procedure for an attorney to ask for the trial to be moved if it generates massive media attention.
This isn't the first time King's attorneys have sought accommodations. Shortly after King was arrested last year, assistant public defender John Scotese asked a judge for a gag order banning everyone involved in the case from speaking to all news media.
In his motion, Scotese wrote that the more information reported about King, 37, would make it harder for a fair trial.
The motion requested attorneys, witnesses, law enforcement and court personnel, and the prosecution not give information to any news agencies. Scotese also requested a motion asking the judge to keep specific information secret until the trial ended.
The judge did not uphold the gag order request. A copy of a 911 tape from witness Jane Kowalski, who spotted King's green Camaro on the night of the murder, was released to the media. Police investigators held news conferences to brief the public about updates in the case, and some documents in King's file have been made public.
Since Denise Lee's murder, her widower Nathan has appeared on the "Dr. Phil Show" and "Primetime," and has been interviewed by a multitude of reporters throughout the nation.
Blogs and Web sites include postings from local citizens to residents of New Zealand who discuss all aspects of the King case, including police finding Denise's ring in King's Camaro, a DNA sample taken from Lee's body that matched King's, and strands of the 21-year-old's hair found at his North Port home.
"I expected this. I was warned that his attorney would be scrambling," Lee said Monday. "Evidence is evidence. Justice will prevail for Denise.
"I have to have faith in the State Attorney's Office. I hope (King) has the best defense so he has no chance to appeal it."
Earlier this month, Assistant Public Defender Carolyn Schlemmer filed a motion to block the death penalty for King, citing lethal injection, if not done properly would create "unnecessary pain."
She also asked that some evidence be banned from the trial, citing King's rights were violated on the night he was arrested. She said King was not read his rights before being questioned for hours.
However, in a series of taped interviews with King on the night Lee was abducted, released to the media, an officer read King his rights.
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
North Port Sun article (March 18, 2009)
What can I say? Not much I can say. But, I thought I'd put this out there for you to read. I would like to thank Elaine for emailing me the evening before this was printed. That was very considerate and greatly appreciated. She warned me about some of what was going to be in the article. Thank you, Elaine. It helped me be emotionally prepared when I read it.
King's lawyer files motion to have evidence thrown out in Lee case
ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH
North Port Community News Editor
SARASOTA -- Michael King's attorney is trying to have evidence and King's alleged confession to the Jan. 17, 2008, kidnapping, rape and murder of Denise Amber Lee thrown out before his August trial begins, saying her client's rights were violated.
Assistant Public Defender Carolyn Schlemmer is trying to block the death penalty against King being sought by the state, according to a recently filed motion.
Following an evaluation of King, 37, the state asked that he be examined by a second doctor. The documents show the first physician, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Kasper -- selected by King's attorney -- found King "incompetent to proceed with the upcoming trial."
Schlemmer wrote that King's rights were violated shortly after he was arrested on Interstate 75 off Toledo Blade Boulevard near where the 21-year-old's body was found Jan. 19. At the time, police observed King's pants were soaking wet and saw a shovel in his car.
Minutes after he was handcuffed, King said he would like to speak to an attorney, according to the 11-page document detailing King's questioning on the night of the incident.
At the same time, numerous law enforcement agencies were on a massive manhunt for Lee.
Earlier in the evening, police dispatchers in North Port received four different 911 calls relating to Lee's kidnapping, including one Lee made from King's cell phone when he got out of his car to allegedly borrow a gas can, flashlight and shovel from his cousin, Harold Muxlow Jr., while in North Port.
Schlemmer wrote that instead of clarifying King's request for an attorney, North Port detectives took him on a "ride-along," searching for Lee while questioning him. She added that King's rights were "clearly violated" as his Miranda rights were not read to him until hours after he was taken into custody.
She wrote that police obtained information illegally when asking about injuries or bruises on King's body. She asked to suppress the information during the trial.
According to documents, Schlemmer alleges police also illegally searched and seized evidence after breaking into King's North Port home. Schlemmer wrote that hair strands reportedly belonging to Lee, pieces of duct tape and hair ties, bedding, carpeting and clothing were illegally removed from the home before police had a search warrant. Therefore, this information should not be used against King.
"At the time of the illegal entry into Mr. King's house, there was no evidence that any crime had been committed in his house," Schlemmer wrote, referring to police officer's reaction to a 911 call Jan. 17 from Sabrina Muxlow -- King's niece -- who reported her father, Harold, was concerned King might do something harmful to a woman in his green Camaro.
North Port Police Detective Chris Morales maintains the department "didn't do anything wrong."
"That's false," he said Tuesday, regarding the accusations of the department's method of questioning King. "It's (interviews with King) all on video."
Schlemmer said none of the information gathered from Muxlow should be allowed in court.
According to documents, police "circumvented" King's rights by allowing Muxlow to come to the police department and identify the items King borrowed.
The state is seeking the death penalty for King in this case. However, King's attorney wrote that lethal injection is "unconstitutional." She cited cases where lethal injection didn't immediately kill a prisoner. The anesthetic wore off and caused five to seven minutes of "unnecessary pain," the report said.
King's trial is set for August.
E-mail: eallen@sun-herald.com
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Harold Muxlow
I'm deleting this post.
I have a lot of anger going on in my life and certainly do not want to incite more.
A lot of positive things have happened this past week.
I'm going to concentrate on those.
My apologies.
I have a lot of anger going on in my life and certainly do not want to incite more.
A lot of positive things have happened this past week.
I'm going to concentrate on those.
My apologies.
Monday, February 23, 2009
A simply horrible task at hand
I don't know if I can do it.
While packing boxes and cleaning out closets we came across all the newspapers since Denise died last January 2008. It's a stack about 3 and half feet tall.
We asked Nate what he wanted to do with them.
He said he wanted them all laminated but we can't afford to do that and even so I'd still have to face the task at hand.
He asked me to cut all the articles out. I said sure. Not thinking how awful it would be. I decided I had plenty of plastic sleeves for binders and they could go in there. Plus while they are in San Diego and Sue (Denise's mom) was taking care of the kids, I'd have plenty of time.
Well..... I just started.
Let's see. She died and was taken January 17. The first newspaper articles ran January 18. I'm only on January 19 and already I'm crying.
And I'm not even reading the articles. I'm just cutting them out. But all the pictures! Nathan, the babies, Denise and MICHAEL KING. As if he deserves to be on the same page taking up the same print as Denise and Nathan.
The January 19 headline is: "WHY WAS DENISE LEE TAKEN?"
Yes. That's the magic question. Why?
The other day I found some of Denise's clothes in a closet. They are still sitting there. I didn't know what to do with them.
sigh
While packing boxes and cleaning out closets we came across all the newspapers since Denise died last January 2008. It's a stack about 3 and half feet tall.
We asked Nate what he wanted to do with them.
He said he wanted them all laminated but we can't afford to do that and even so I'd still have to face the task at hand.
He asked me to cut all the articles out. I said sure. Not thinking how awful it would be. I decided I had plenty of plastic sleeves for binders and they could go in there. Plus while they are in San Diego and Sue (Denise's mom) was taking care of the kids, I'd have plenty of time.
Well..... I just started.
Let's see. She died and was taken January 17. The first newspaper articles ran January 18. I'm only on January 19 and already I'm crying.
And I'm not even reading the articles. I'm just cutting them out. But all the pictures! Nathan, the babies, Denise and MICHAEL KING. As if he deserves to be on the same page taking up the same print as Denise and Nathan.
The January 19 headline is: "WHY WAS DENISE LEE TAKEN?"
Yes. That's the magic question. Why?
The other day I found some of Denise's clothes in a closet. They are still sitting there. I didn't know what to do with them.
sigh
Thursday, January 1, 2009
April 4, 2008
This is also from my myspace page. I blogged this last April. I promise no more blogs from over myspace. I know it's confusing but I wanted them over here since I find it easier to blog here. But for those who want to know more about homicide grief, I think this is a good interesting read.
Homicide grief
Current mood: thoughtful
sigh
I thought I’d write a few notes about what I’m experiencing grieving for Denise and how different it is than any other grief I’ve known. I’ve lost some very dear people in my life but this is so very VERY different. If anything, I hope this blog entry will help my family, friends and others to understand what we’re going through. It may help you in finding what to say, what not to say, etc... I know it’s been difficult for all of you as well. Heck, I know I wouldn’t know what to say. Also, I hope not to offend anyone. You all have been wonderful. And you can’t hurt me. While experiencing the hurt that that SOB has inflicted on me and my family, I don’t think anyone could do or say anything to hurt me again. So, if I seem mad at you. No. I’m probably not. I’m mad at him.
The hardest part about being a homicide survivor so far is remembering Denise. I think of her constantly throughout the day. I can’t help it. I see her everywhere. And when I see her she’s ALWAYS smiling. But you know what? As soon as her image is conjured up in my mind, I start crying inside and thinking about what that evil SOB did to her. I can’t stop myself. His evil continually intrudes into my memory of her. Then the horrors of what she may have suffered comes flooding in. And let me tell you, it’s a battle. It’s a MAJOR BATTLE fighting that SOB’s evil that’s continually intruding into our family and making us miserable. I’m afraid evil will win in the end if he continues to intrude into my memories. So I fight him. All day long, I fight him. I’m fighting him now, while writing this. I’ve read extensively on this, and I’m finding that this isn’t unusual for homicide survivors.
I don’t know how the rest of my family is dealing with their grief work. I know we’re all different. We don’t talk about it very often. What’s there to talk about? We do talk about Denise and we share our memories of her.
Counseling. How do I feel about counseling. sigh. That’s a tough one. IMHO counseling can be good or bad. It can really help you or really hurt you. I’ve been helped in the past and I’ve been destroyed in the past by counseling. sigh. Nathan, of course, is seeing somebody who’s a psychologist trained in this. His psychologist is an ex-cop which IMHO is a very good thing. He understands this kind of tragedy.
I’m so afraid I’m going to get someone not experienced in this. I don’t want someone who doesn’t understand the deep, dark, ugly anger and anguish. The horrific nightmares etc.... I afraid I’m going to get someone who will spout butterflies, and positive thinking and who will want to put me on meds. I don’t want someone telling to look at the positives. I KNOW what the positives are. Nathan and the babies being alive are the positives. If Nathan had gotten home a half an hour earlier, he’d be dead. If Denise wasn’t the smart, brave, and courageous woman she was, we would have lost the babies too! I know the positives of Mark and I reconciling long before this happened. Thank God, we’re together and have never loved each other more! The positives of our families who have been so wonderful and loving. Friends so loyal and so very very generous. And a community that came together and recognized a good family when they saw one. They recognized that Nathan and Denise were just a loving couple trying to raise a loving family. I know God loves me and my family (altho’ it’s questionable to me right now but, hey, something like this makes a person wonder!). I know I need to forgive and move on. So, I don’t want to hear any of that. I want someone who will help me fight my battle against evil. I want someone to help me fight for my family’s survival. I know we can do it. I know we will. I also want someone who will accept my anger and say something like "dang straight! You oughta be angry! That guy robbed you of something more precious than gold!"
The nightmares are horrific. I won’t share mine. They are very disturbing and trust me, you don’t want to know them. Suffice to say, they graphic, bloody and there’s always a death occuring. Oddly, not Denise’s. Other people who I love and cherish die.
We’re all having nightmares. And that sux because aren’t our lives sucky enough? Does life have to be sucky while we’re sleeping too?
So I’m finding support in a support group run by POMC. Parents Of Murdered Children. Wow. That put things in perspective. Sitting there with parents, just like me, who have lost there children to homicide. I can’t go on anymore, writing this stuff. It’s very difficult. But I’m so thankful for all the love and support we’ve been receiving. I can’t help but think of all the homicides that happen daily and how those families are coping. They don’t receive near the support we received. And their pain is no less than ours. I’ve read this type of grief can last years and years and for some a lifetime. God bless all those families.
I would like to ask one thing and that’s not to ask us too many questions. To be quite honest, we’re not sure what we’re doing. We’re new at this. Just know, we’re doing the best we can.
"How are you?" is all you need to say and ask. Asking things like "when are the kids starting daycare?" "are you receiving counseling?" "are you going to church?" "are the kids receiving the help and care they need?" (yes, someone actually asked me that) These aren’t good questions to ask. These aren’t anybody’s business.We understand that you’re concerned and only wanting to help but these kind of questions can hurt unknowingly. Sometimes it seems as if those people who ask these questions are questioning our ability to parent and be grandparents. Like I said though, I know you’re just trying to help. And we’re just way too sensitive. You know we love you and appreciate you.
Also just ot let you know, I’m going to go underground a while. We’ve been pretty visible in the past couple of months and I’m still going to go to the public functions. I want so much to give to the community the support they’ve given me. But, I need time to heal. Presently Mark and I are spending as much time with Nathan, Noah, and Adam as we can. Seeing Brian is always a bonus, he’s ALWAYS so busy! (Aside to Brian: I love you and miss you. Please come home soon!)
With peace and love,
Peggy
Homicide grief
Current mood: thoughtful
sigh
I thought I’d write a few notes about what I’m experiencing grieving for Denise and how different it is than any other grief I’ve known. I’ve lost some very dear people in my life but this is so very VERY different. If anything, I hope this blog entry will help my family, friends and others to understand what we’re going through. It may help you in finding what to say, what not to say, etc... I know it’s been difficult for all of you as well. Heck, I know I wouldn’t know what to say. Also, I hope not to offend anyone. You all have been wonderful. And you can’t hurt me. While experiencing the hurt that that SOB has inflicted on me and my family, I don’t think anyone could do or say anything to hurt me again. So, if I seem mad at you. No. I’m probably not. I’m mad at him.
The hardest part about being a homicide survivor so far is remembering Denise. I think of her constantly throughout the day. I can’t help it. I see her everywhere. And when I see her she’s ALWAYS smiling. But you know what? As soon as her image is conjured up in my mind, I start crying inside and thinking about what that evil SOB did to her. I can’t stop myself. His evil continually intrudes into my memory of her. Then the horrors of what she may have suffered comes flooding in. And let me tell you, it’s a battle. It’s a MAJOR BATTLE fighting that SOB’s evil that’s continually intruding into our family and making us miserable. I’m afraid evil will win in the end if he continues to intrude into my memories. So I fight him. All day long, I fight him. I’m fighting him now, while writing this. I’ve read extensively on this, and I’m finding that this isn’t unusual for homicide survivors.
I don’t know how the rest of my family is dealing with their grief work. I know we’re all different. We don’t talk about it very often. What’s there to talk about? We do talk about Denise and we share our memories of her.
Counseling. How do I feel about counseling. sigh. That’s a tough one. IMHO counseling can be good or bad. It can really help you or really hurt you. I’ve been helped in the past and I’ve been destroyed in the past by counseling. sigh. Nathan, of course, is seeing somebody who’s a psychologist trained in this. His psychologist is an ex-cop which IMHO is a very good thing. He understands this kind of tragedy.
I’m so afraid I’m going to get someone not experienced in this. I don’t want someone who doesn’t understand the deep, dark, ugly anger and anguish. The horrific nightmares etc.... I afraid I’m going to get someone who will spout butterflies, and positive thinking and who will want to put me on meds. I don’t want someone telling to look at the positives. I KNOW what the positives are. Nathan and the babies being alive are the positives. If Nathan had gotten home a half an hour earlier, he’d be dead. If Denise wasn’t the smart, brave, and courageous woman she was, we would have lost the babies too! I know the positives of Mark and I reconciling long before this happened. Thank God, we’re together and have never loved each other more! The positives of our families who have been so wonderful and loving. Friends so loyal and so very very generous. And a community that came together and recognized a good family when they saw one. They recognized that Nathan and Denise were just a loving couple trying to raise a loving family. I know God loves me and my family (altho’ it’s questionable to me right now but, hey, something like this makes a person wonder!). I know I need to forgive and move on. So, I don’t want to hear any of that. I want someone who will help me fight my battle against evil. I want someone to help me fight for my family’s survival. I know we can do it. I know we will. I also want someone who will accept my anger and say something like "dang straight! You oughta be angry! That guy robbed you of something more precious than gold!"
The nightmares are horrific. I won’t share mine. They are very disturbing and trust me, you don’t want to know them. Suffice to say, they graphic, bloody and there’s always a death occuring. Oddly, not Denise’s. Other people who I love and cherish die.
We’re all having nightmares. And that sux because aren’t our lives sucky enough? Does life have to be sucky while we’re sleeping too?
So I’m finding support in a support group run by POMC. Parents Of Murdered Children. Wow. That put things in perspective. Sitting there with parents, just like me, who have lost there children to homicide. I can’t go on anymore, writing this stuff. It’s very difficult. But I’m so thankful for all the love and support we’ve been receiving. I can’t help but think of all the homicides that happen daily and how those families are coping. They don’t receive near the support we received. And their pain is no less than ours. I’ve read this type of grief can last years and years and for some a lifetime. God bless all those families.
I would like to ask one thing and that’s not to ask us too many questions. To be quite honest, we’re not sure what we’re doing. We’re new at this. Just know, we’re doing the best we can.
"How are you?" is all you need to say and ask. Asking things like "when are the kids starting daycare?" "are you receiving counseling?" "are you going to church?" "are the kids receiving the help and care they need?" (yes, someone actually asked me that) These aren’t good questions to ask. These aren’t anybody’s business.We understand that you’re concerned and only wanting to help but these kind of questions can hurt unknowingly. Sometimes it seems as if those people who ask these questions are questioning our ability to parent and be grandparents. Like I said though, I know you’re just trying to help. And we’re just way too sensitive. You know we love you and appreciate you.
Also just ot let you know, I’m going to go underground a while. We’ve been pretty visible in the past couple of months and I’m still going to go to the public functions. I want so much to give to the community the support they’ve given me. But, I need time to heal. Presently Mark and I are spending as much time with Nathan, Noah, and Adam as we can. Seeing Brian is always a bonus, he’s ALWAYS so busy! (Aside to Brian: I love you and miss you. Please come home soon!)
With peace and love,
Peggy
Anger issues? You bet.
Today I was discussing with an old friend the tragic story I wrote about yesterday of Drew Pearson. The young man who was killed in a car accident on his way home from the hospital after his wife just gave birth to a baby girl. He was 10 minutes from the hospital and only 5 minutes from his home. And you know what she said? She said "Well, at least, now you know that other people are going through problems too."
Huh? Like that's supposed to make me feel better. I was so upset by this statement, I was almost physically ill.
Sigh.
So far I haven't said a whole lot about Michael King, the man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering Denise. There's not a whole lot I have to say. I feel that thinking about him is a waste of time. Am I angry at him? Oh, by all means. But I'm too afraid to go there. Because think about how angry I am at the CCSO. If I'm that mad at Davenport, Cameron and their cronies imagine how mad I am at Michael King! So, I just can't go there. I don't know much about him and I don't want to know much about him. And, I have nothing to base this on other than what's been reported in the papers but IMO if he hadn't done this before he would most certainly have tried to do it again if it wasn't for Denise's bravery, courage and smarts.
As for his cousin, Harold Muxlow? well...... I can't go there either. To me it's just unthinkable that he didn't call the cops and supplied the gas can, flashlight and shovel. What's up with that? I simply can't wrap my brain around it. It's unimaginable.
Sabrina Muxlow? You are a sweetheart. Thank you for calling 9-1-1. You and Jane Kowalski are our heroes forever. I'm deeply sorrowful that you and Jane had to even been involved in all this. You'll most likely have to testify and you'll be cross examined and be put on trial yourselves. That truly saddens me. Because you are both very good, stand-up people who have great character and courage.
As for the call taker and the dispatchers or fouled up so badly? There's only two I'm REALLY angry at. The call taker for refusing to learn how to use the CAD properly and not taking enough pride in her work to admit responsibility that she messed up very badly. And not even caring enough to follow up. And the shift supervisor who I believe knew a lot more than she testified to in the I/A report. She, too, washed her hands of any responsibility by blaming it on "Nextel". As to the two dispatchers? Disappointed, yes. Mad, yes. But not to the extend that I'm mad at the rest of the CCSO crew that night. As to Bill Cameron? I can't go there. Just typing his name makes me physically ill. And John Davenport? These two men are supposed to be men of integrity and honor. Bah! They're politicians and they definitely put politics before public safety. I don't have an ounce of respect for either one. As to their cronies? The COPS for CAMERON? I don't know. Because I don't know how much they knew of what went wrong that night.
It truly is as if we're living in some very badly written novel.
Huh? Like that's supposed to make me feel better. I was so upset by this statement, I was almost physically ill.
Sigh.
So far I haven't said a whole lot about Michael King, the man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering Denise. There's not a whole lot I have to say. I feel that thinking about him is a waste of time. Am I angry at him? Oh, by all means. But I'm too afraid to go there. Because think about how angry I am at the CCSO. If I'm that mad at Davenport, Cameron and their cronies imagine how mad I am at Michael King! So, I just can't go there. I don't know much about him and I don't want to know much about him. And, I have nothing to base this on other than what's been reported in the papers but IMO if he hadn't done this before he would most certainly have tried to do it again if it wasn't for Denise's bravery, courage and smarts.
As for his cousin, Harold Muxlow? well...... I can't go there either. To me it's just unthinkable that he didn't call the cops and supplied the gas can, flashlight and shovel. What's up with that? I simply can't wrap my brain around it. It's unimaginable.
Sabrina Muxlow? You are a sweetheart. Thank you for calling 9-1-1. You and Jane Kowalski are our heroes forever. I'm deeply sorrowful that you and Jane had to even been involved in all this. You'll most likely have to testify and you'll be cross examined and be put on trial yourselves. That truly saddens me. Because you are both very good, stand-up people who have great character and courage.
As for the call taker and the dispatchers or fouled up so badly? There's only two I'm REALLY angry at. The call taker for refusing to learn how to use the CAD properly and not taking enough pride in her work to admit responsibility that she messed up very badly. And not even caring enough to follow up. And the shift supervisor who I believe knew a lot more than she testified to in the I/A report. She, too, washed her hands of any responsibility by blaming it on "Nextel". As to the two dispatchers? Disappointed, yes. Mad, yes. But not to the extend that I'm mad at the rest of the CCSO crew that night. As to Bill Cameron? I can't go there. Just typing his name makes me physically ill. And John Davenport? These two men are supposed to be men of integrity and honor. Bah! They're politicians and they definitely put politics before public safety. I don't have an ounce of respect for either one. As to their cronies? The COPS for CAMERON? I don't know. Because I don't know how much they knew of what went wrong that night.
It truly is as if we're living in some very badly written novel.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Denise Amber Lee and setting the record straight
I've read countless blogs, news reports, stories etc... writing about Denise. First let me say most, if not all, have been very moving and supportive. Some are all too true but others have errors. I don't think the errors have been intentional. But it's a complicated case and it's very emotional. You almost have to harden your heart a bit to be able to write about this stuff because some of it is very unpleasant. But then other parts leave a person in awe. Those parts are inspiring. Denise's strength, her heart and her smarts were amazing. I don't know anyone who could have fought for her life harder, stronger and smarter than she did.
For those of you just learning of this story. I'll give you a brief synopsis of what happened to Denise on January 17, 2008. Sometimes I forget how much people DON'T know. Even people who think they do know, have the story skewed because of false information that was reported.
Anyhow, here is an attempt to dispel certain urban legends about Denise and to offer answers to popular questions.
1.) She DID NOT know Michael King.
2.) She WAS NEVER at the post office.
3.) She would NEVER leave her children alone unless she felt their lives were in danger. It is my belief she wanted to get the monster as far away from her children as possible.
4.) We can only speculate as to how Michael King got into the house. She may have answered the door. She was a very sweet person. The windows were open and he may have crept in. She may have thought it was Nathan coming home early. We honestly don't know.
5.) We have no clue as to why he picked Denise. She was a very quiet, sweet, unassuming individual. She was shy. But she was also beautiful. Even without make-up she was beautiful. She was wholesome, petite and simply a nice person. She wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was home. She wasn't a person to flaunt her boobies on the beach. She was modest. And she certainly wouldn't even have looked at a person like Michael King unless maybe he needed help. She was kind and caring. We know he was stalking at least two other women. We don't know if or for how long he may have been stalking her.
6.) We'll probably never get the truth out of Michael King. His stories have changed far too often.
7.) He's in jail. And the trial date has been moved back now to Aug 2009.
8.) The day she was taken we know Michael King met with an attorney and filed bankruptcy around noon. Then he went to a shooting range. An hour after he was done at the shooting range, Denise was gone.
All I can remember of that horrific day is being at work and receiving a phone call on the work phone. I work in a bookstore. It's unusual for me to receive calls at work. But, there I was being called over the loud speaker to the phone. To this day I've only received one other call at work and let me tell you the hairs on the back of my neck rose, I got goosebumps and didn't want to go anywhere near the phone. But on with the story. Mark, my husband, called to tell me Denise was missing. Huh? He told me Nathan had arrived home from work to find Denise gone. Both boys were home (Noah 2, Adam 6mo) and in the same crib but not Denise. I immediately wanted to have Mark pick me up to take me to the house. (I didn't think I could drive, I was so shaken). My boss kept asking me "would she leave?" "is she like that?" And I kept think "NO!!!" It was incredible. Mark was already on the way to the house so I did have to drive. Oh, was I praying. Shaking. Calling people. Speeding. Oh, I was bad. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. Anyhow, I kept thinking. NO. Denise wouldn't leave. Then you start thinking.... Well, who knows what goes on in another person's marriage. Maybe she did leave. But it was still, NO! She worshiped the ground Nathan walked on and besides even if she hated Nathan (which she didn't) she would never have left the children.
I get to the house and it's totally surreal. Cops, helicopters, dogs, police tape. Nathan looking as if he's going through hell. (For those of you who don't know, I'm Nathan's mother). It was so heartbreaking watching him suffer and worry. I know I was in the way and he kept telling me I could leave but any mama bear knows you don't leave your young when they're in grave danger. And Nathan was a suspect. They always have to consider the spouse as a suspect. And I wasn't leaving. I tried my best not to hover. I tried my best to stay on the sideline. I tired my best to stay out of the way. But I wasn't going to leave him. He WAS MY BABY.
One thing that really bothered me about law enforcement that night. One of the Charlotte County officers (I won't mention his name) was almost flirting with me. I guess he was trying to make me comfortable. He was saying stuff like "your too young to be a grandmother........". He wasn't hitting on me, he was just annoying me with that talk. I tried to be gracious but..... it was just weird. Then later he kept wanting me to go over and distract and occupy Rick (Denise's father). He said "can't you distract him and talk to him for a while." As if Rick was in the way. I can't remember the exact words but he asked me to do that 3 or 4 times. I kept saying "Rick doesn't want me to do that" and "no, I can't".
Geez, my son's a suspect, my daughter-in-law is missing, I'm a wreck wondering if she could've left on her own, I'm thinking the unimaginable, knowing the worst and that just seemed bizarre to me. And I say I knew the worst because in my heart, I knew for a fact, Denise would never leave Nathan and the babies of her own free will.
Now this is where I'm going to have trouble separating the emotional parts of what we were experiencing as a family and what was going on at the sheriff's office.
I think I'm going to stick with my experiences first, at least, for that first night. Then tomorrow I'll get into what went on in the CCSO. And I'll alternate.
So, at the house we don't know what to do. All the babies clothes, bottles, diapers, sheets etc... were in the house. Of course, the house is sealed off because it's a crime scene. Earlier, Sue (Denise's mother) had taken the babies to her house. Nathan's being questioned. The North Port investigator was very kind. He needed to ask Nathan some horrific questions because he was a suspect but he also knew that he could possibly be a victim.
Then we get news that Denise was alive. That she was definitely abducted and that she made a 9-1-1 call from her captors cell phone where she stayed on the line 7 minutes. Poor poor Rick. He had to listen to it to verify it was indeed his daughter and not a prankster.
You wouldn't believe the nut cases that come out during these kinds of tragedies. It's awful.
so HOPE! She's alive. She's smart. She's still in North Port. She confirmed what we had been saying all along that she was taken against her will. Oh the beautiful brave baby. I'm in tears thinking of how smart she was.
Then another 2 hours go by and nothing. Nothing. No sign of her. Where'd they go? The police go to Michael King's house and no one is there. There's hair and duct tape but no persons.
Huh? We're all in disbelief.
Finally around 9 PM they tell Nate to go home. Rick stayed and assured Nate he'd call. But Nate needed to see the babies. So, I had to drive Nate home. It was awful. We were both numb. He kept saying "I hope he hasn't hurt her" because we're still thinking she's alive. We're stopped by a cop who shines a flashlight in our car. We don't tell him who we are but we're thinking "wow, their searching everybody". This is good. The exits on and off of I-75 are closed. We're thinking this is good.
But then the phone call at 9:15PM. We're almost home when Rick called Nate. Poor poor Nate. Rick says they found Michael King, they found the car, and they found her ring, but not Denise. This we know isn't good.
I was driving. Oh my. What do you do? Your son's life is being shattered before your eyes and there's not a damn thing you can do. Oh the hell.
So, I take Nate to Rick and Sue's to stay so he could be close to Rick and any news. He's broken up. It's more than any person can stand. The not knowing. The pain.
I picked up Noah and brought Noah home with me. Sue kept Adam.
At our house Mark had picked up his mother who was in the guest bedroom prostrate with grief and worry.
The boys didn't have any of their toys from home. The cops picked out some clothes from the house and threw them in a clothes basket. They sent them out of the house for the boys. In the basket were some of Denise's clothes and underwear (it was awful) and not one matching pair of socks for the babies. No stuffed animals, no favorite toys just mismatched clothes.
added edit: We had to go out and buy diapers, bottles, wipes, Binkys, clothes, socks, food, formula etc...... IMO that was bizarre. Thank goodness we had the money. This stuff's expensive. Imagine poor families who have lost loved ones to murder and they don't have an extra $150 to go out and start buying stuff. Plus, we're numb. It's midnight. And we have to go shopping at Wal-Mart? Poor Mark. He's the one that had to do that. He didn't know what he was shopping for. These are the things you don't think of. And all the while we're not knowing where Denise is.
Too surreal for words.
It was too sad to be a nightmare. There's no word to describe it.
For those of you just learning of this story. I'll give you a brief synopsis of what happened to Denise on January 17, 2008. Sometimes I forget how much people DON'T know. Even people who think they do know, have the story skewed because of false information that was reported.
Anyhow, here is an attempt to dispel certain urban legends about Denise and to offer answers to popular questions.
1.) She DID NOT know Michael King.
2.) She WAS NEVER at the post office.
3.) She would NEVER leave her children alone unless she felt their lives were in danger. It is my belief she wanted to get the monster as far away from her children as possible.
4.) We can only speculate as to how Michael King got into the house. She may have answered the door. She was a very sweet person. The windows were open and he may have crept in. She may have thought it was Nathan coming home early. We honestly don't know.
5.) We have no clue as to why he picked Denise. She was a very quiet, sweet, unassuming individual. She was shy. But she was also beautiful. Even without make-up she was beautiful. She was wholesome, petite and simply a nice person. She wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was home. She wasn't a person to flaunt her boobies on the beach. She was modest. And she certainly wouldn't even have looked at a person like Michael King unless maybe he needed help. She was kind and caring. We know he was stalking at least two other women. We don't know if or for how long he may have been stalking her.
6.) We'll probably never get the truth out of Michael King. His stories have changed far too often.
7.) He's in jail. And the trial date has been moved back now to Aug 2009.
8.) The day she was taken we know Michael King met with an attorney and filed bankruptcy around noon. Then he went to a shooting range. An hour after he was done at the shooting range, Denise was gone.
All I can remember of that horrific day is being at work and receiving a phone call on the work phone. I work in a bookstore. It's unusual for me to receive calls at work. But, there I was being called over the loud speaker to the phone. To this day I've only received one other call at work and let me tell you the hairs on the back of my neck rose, I got goosebumps and didn't want to go anywhere near the phone. But on with the story. Mark, my husband, called to tell me Denise was missing. Huh? He told me Nathan had arrived home from work to find Denise gone. Both boys were home (Noah 2, Adam 6mo) and in the same crib but not Denise. I immediately wanted to have Mark pick me up to take me to the house. (I didn't think I could drive, I was so shaken). My boss kept asking me "would she leave?" "is she like that?" And I kept think "NO!!!" It was incredible. Mark was already on the way to the house so I did have to drive. Oh, was I praying. Shaking. Calling people. Speeding. Oh, I was bad. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. Anyhow, I kept thinking. NO. Denise wouldn't leave. Then you start thinking.... Well, who knows what goes on in another person's marriage. Maybe she did leave. But it was still, NO! She worshiped the ground Nathan walked on and besides even if she hated Nathan (which she didn't) she would never have left the children.
I get to the house and it's totally surreal. Cops, helicopters, dogs, police tape. Nathan looking as if he's going through hell. (For those of you who don't know, I'm Nathan's mother). It was so heartbreaking watching him suffer and worry. I know I was in the way and he kept telling me I could leave but any mama bear knows you don't leave your young when they're in grave danger. And Nathan was a suspect. They always have to consider the spouse as a suspect. And I wasn't leaving. I tried my best not to hover. I tried my best to stay on the sideline. I tired my best to stay out of the way. But I wasn't going to leave him. He WAS MY BABY.
One thing that really bothered me about law enforcement that night. One of the Charlotte County officers (I won't mention his name) was almost flirting with me. I guess he was trying to make me comfortable. He was saying stuff like "your too young to be a grandmother........". He wasn't hitting on me, he was just annoying me with that talk. I tried to be gracious but..... it was just weird. Then later he kept wanting me to go over and distract and occupy Rick (Denise's father). He said "can't you distract him and talk to him for a while." As if Rick was in the way. I can't remember the exact words but he asked me to do that 3 or 4 times. I kept saying "Rick doesn't want me to do that" and "no, I can't".
Geez, my son's a suspect, my daughter-in-law is missing, I'm a wreck wondering if she could've left on her own, I'm thinking the unimaginable, knowing the worst and that just seemed bizarre to me. And I say I knew the worst because in my heart, I knew for a fact, Denise would never leave Nathan and the babies of her own free will.
Now this is where I'm going to have trouble separating the emotional parts of what we were experiencing as a family and what was going on at the sheriff's office.
I think I'm going to stick with my experiences first, at least, for that first night. Then tomorrow I'll get into what went on in the CCSO. And I'll alternate.
So, at the house we don't know what to do. All the babies clothes, bottles, diapers, sheets etc... were in the house. Of course, the house is sealed off because it's a crime scene. Earlier, Sue (Denise's mother) had taken the babies to her house. Nathan's being questioned. The North Port investigator was very kind. He needed to ask Nathan some horrific questions because he was a suspect but he also knew that he could possibly be a victim.
Then we get news that Denise was alive. That she was definitely abducted and that she made a 9-1-1 call from her captors cell phone where she stayed on the line 7 minutes. Poor poor Rick. He had to listen to it to verify it was indeed his daughter and not a prankster.
You wouldn't believe the nut cases that come out during these kinds of tragedies. It's awful.
so HOPE! She's alive. She's smart. She's still in North Port. She confirmed what we had been saying all along that she was taken against her will. Oh the beautiful brave baby. I'm in tears thinking of how smart she was.
Then another 2 hours go by and nothing. Nothing. No sign of her. Where'd they go? The police go to Michael King's house and no one is there. There's hair and duct tape but no persons.
Huh? We're all in disbelief.
Finally around 9 PM they tell Nate to go home. Rick stayed and assured Nate he'd call. But Nate needed to see the babies. So, I had to drive Nate home. It was awful. We were both numb. He kept saying "I hope he hasn't hurt her" because we're still thinking she's alive. We're stopped by a cop who shines a flashlight in our car. We don't tell him who we are but we're thinking "wow, their searching everybody". This is good. The exits on and off of I-75 are closed. We're thinking this is good.
But then the phone call at 9:15PM. We're almost home when Rick called Nate. Poor poor Nate. Rick says they found Michael King, they found the car, and they found her ring, but not Denise. This we know isn't good.
I was driving. Oh my. What do you do? Your son's life is being shattered before your eyes and there's not a damn thing you can do. Oh the hell.
So, I take Nate to Rick and Sue's to stay so he could be close to Rick and any news. He's broken up. It's more than any person can stand. The not knowing. The pain.
I picked up Noah and brought Noah home with me. Sue kept Adam.
At our house Mark had picked up his mother who was in the guest bedroom prostrate with grief and worry.
The boys didn't have any of their toys from home. The cops picked out some clothes from the house and threw them in a clothes basket. They sent them out of the house for the boys. In the basket were some of Denise's clothes and underwear (it was awful) and not one matching pair of socks for the babies. No stuffed animals, no favorite toys just mismatched clothes.
added edit: We had to go out and buy diapers, bottles, wipes, Binkys, clothes, socks, food, formula etc...... IMO that was bizarre. Thank goodness we had the money. This stuff's expensive. Imagine poor families who have lost loved ones to murder and they don't have an extra $150 to go out and start buying stuff. Plus, we're numb. It's midnight. And we have to go shopping at Wal-Mart? Poor Mark. He's the one that had to do that. He didn't know what he was shopping for. These are the things you don't think of. And all the while we're not knowing where Denise is.
Too surreal for words.
It was too sad to be a nightmare. There's no word to describe it.
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