Happy New Year!

To all of our dear friends and family! We want to wish each and every one of you a very happy and blessed new year. Because of your support we are looking ahead knowing that the coming year will bring us positive things and perhaps next New Years Eve this nightmare will be over. Thank you all for the love, support and everything that you have done for Mechele and our family! Sending you all much love and big hugs!

Sandy

Merry Christmas

Happy holidays to all our dear friends!! How wonderful that our Mechele is free this Christmas!! To Dutch who asked about the Linehan dogs..they have a lab/huskie mix named JoJo, a yorkie named Maggie, a yorkie/poo named Emma,a cat and an Amazon Grey parrot!

opps...sorry!

Thanks, Stephanie....Mechele's correct address is PO Box 101342, Anchorage, AK. 99510-1342........Hope everyone is well....it has been a quiet, peaceful time for now...just enjoying it....keep updated on Mechele's legal site on what motions are being made and what is going on legally with her case....thanks, as always for your love and support!!
Mech's Mom

address for letters

In case some of you do not have it, here is Mechele's mailing address:

Mechele Linehan, PO Box 1342, Anchorage, Ak. 99510-1342!

posts in foreign language

Hi to all! We continue to get post that are either in Chinese or Japanese or not sure! I cannot translate them. Please re-post in English! Thanks to all for your continued support!

A very grateful mom!
Sandy

Thursday

Dear friends, I hope you are all doing well and healthy. We have had some amazing days here. The weather is funny. One day it feels 70 degrees and sunny, then the very next its wet, windy and chilly.
We have been kicking it downtown and doing touristy things. I never thought that I would say I love Anchorage, but I do. The parks, trails and waterfront, are all breathtaking.
Yesterday, we ventured out with the dog and kids to be tourist for the day. We bought chocolate, lattes and ice cream. We had fun and took lots of pictures. Anchorage is super dog friendly too. Cake Studio has BEST soy latte!
We watched the fisherman at Ship Creek, and then went to the boat dock and the kids climbed on the big boulders, as we snapped photos of the big land mass across the water, which we wondered. ..is that Russia? Just kidding! We knew it wasn’t. Maggie, my little dog, scored when she found some discarded potato chips among the rocks…ick.
Tomorrow extreme disk golf.

Happy Sunday

Hello everyone. Today’s highlight was that we went to the market for the bear naming contest, and entered our suggestions. I read the op-ed in the ADN, and would like to say a BIG thank you to Professor Boraas. Thank you for your strength, bravery and your work. I feel a change in the air. As you know I have choose to walk silently, with dignity and not engage. I am appreciative of the ADN’s ability to allow fairness (even in op-ed) something that I believed had been lost

Today's Bail Hearing

Today was a great victory! We asked the court for reasonable bail conditions & the court granted these. I would once again like to say thank you to all those who have offered prayers and support during this difficult long journey. It has been a long road, and I know that this road is nearing the end.

This week four friends came into town, and my daughter returned from her one week return to home. I am so thankful for the time that they can spend with me here. I have dreamed about these moments for years.

I would like to thank all those who helped with the website. Mechelelinehan.com. It is a grand task, still in progress. Since it's design is to hold (never online before) documents, pertaining to this case, I anticipate that it will be ongoing.

I would like to thank my friends at randomtv.com, who created a live broadcast of the hearing. It alleviated much tension to know that many supporters were there live with me throughout the progression. Most surprisingly was, when Brad Pitt, from within Terri's purse deployed one of his most memorable lines from Fight Club, loudly notifying the court the"The first rule of Fight Club is you do not talk about Fight Club, the second rule of Fight Club, you don't talk about Fight Club" Thank you Brad, for the humor and support. This was truly an icebreaker. I am downloading the ring tone tonight. :-)

I will be sporting a new ankle monitor adorned with GPS. I wore this for a year while out on bail in 2006-2007. I previously wrote a story on this blog about the transmitter box. Funny that a month in a half later we would ask the court for electronic monitoring.

I am especially thankful to my attorneys, John Cashion and Chester Gilmore. Without their diligence and knowledge, today's results would not have been possible. I constantly pepper them with questions, they are an endless fountain of information and patience.

I am thankful to the courts for granting me reasonable bail conditions

Please visit the website, mechelelinehan.com frequently, as we will be building it up quickly as new motions are filed with the court, in addition to posting older records as they become available electronically.

Thank you to all

Mechele

Important Bail Hearing Today: LIVE ONLINE

Please keep Mechele in your thoughts and prayers today as we head into an important hearing to have some of her bail restrictions relaxed.

If you'd like to watch the bail hearing LIVE, click HERE.

Info from the site that will be covering it live:

"Vomodo will be live from Alaska on today at 3:15 PM PDT at Mechele Linehan's bail hearing as long as there are no objections from the court. We are off the air now."

Mechele's contact info

Opps, forgot to post Mechele's contact info for those who have asked. Her mailing address is: Mechele Linehan, PO Box 101342, Anchorage AK 99510-1342. Her email is mechele.linehan@gmail.com!!

New website

Hi to all!! We are really excited about the new website that has been created! Many of you have asked for more legal info regarding Mechele's case. Well, here it is! Please be sure that you put www.mechelelinehan.com when you try to access it. For some reason you have to put the "www" in. We will continue to use this blog site for the purpose for which it was created but wanted another venue that focuses on the legal aspects of the case. I hope you all will check it out. Mechele has really been busy putting this together as well as working on her case with her attorneys. We have another hearing on Wednesday regarding her very confined bail restrictions. Thanks again for all your love and support. There is someone that has posted several comments but unfortunately they are in chinese and I am unable to translate them! Will post more this week!!
Sandy

Hi to all!

Sorry I haven't posted earlier as well! Spent an absolutely wonderful two weeks with my precious daughter and delighful granddaughter. Colin is so on target (as always!) when he talked about the little things that we all take for granted. Sharing jokes, walks, fixing coffee for each other. Watching tv and holding hands. Let this be a true lesson for all you dear friends. Give your child an extra hug, your spouse and extra kiss. Stop and enjoy each of the "little things" that are so often taken for granted. You truly don't miss them until they are taken away from you. Mechele is doing great! She is not wasting precious and energy with bitterness and hate. Instead she has turned her energies into a positive direction and your support has shown her that we are not alone in our mission to bring her home for good. Things have been crazy here since my return. For those who do not know this, I am a Realtor in south Mississippi. We have finally recovered from Katrina and now are having to deal with this horrible oil spill. If that isn't enough we are at the start of hurricane season and actually have one already in the Gulf. This has been devasting to so many people, espcially our friends in south Louisiana. Please keep these resiliant people in your prayers. Hope to go back to Anchorage beginning of August. I love and value each and every one of you!!
Sandy

Thoughts to share

Hello to all,

I must apologize for the delay in posting to the blog. I have had very limited access to the internet (dang router). I check my email daily, and try to respond quickly. It’s been a crazy time.

There is much confusion about this. The public evidence about my case is abundant. However, the only available evidence is what has been given by the State. There are some items that have been individually posted by the ADN that are independent of the prosecution’s discretion. There are also some items that my husband has posted that are not directly at the State’s discretion. However, we have been very reluctant to post anything and to let the legal issues stay in the court. Throughout the appeal and the bail hearing, we have kept our arguments in the court. We are also very aware that there is a ‘court of public opinion’. It is a shame that this ‘court’ has influence beyond legal arguments.

We will never try this case through the media. However, it is also not productive to not make available evidence that reveals the true irresponsibility of the State’s allegations. This is easier said than done. It requires legal counsel and emotional energy. It has been a non issue during the appeal and the bail hearing (which is still ongoing). But now, it is time to start putting some information out there.

There is confusion about this posted by some internet surfers. They argue that everything that pertains to the case is online. If it isn’t online, then it simply doesn’t exist. This is naive at best. Let me explain for those visitors who are not exactly sure how to obtain these records or do proper research. The evidence, records, or transcripts that have been generated through the internet come from a large pool. This pool of information is available to every person, however they have to request it and pay for it from the state. There has been only a small volume of documentation from that pool that has been posted.

I have decided that it is best to post various documents that are public record but aren’t available online. It will take some time and will be a detailed process. I am working on a website that will be able to contain this volume of data securely. We are now at a point that this is possible. Anything posted has to be vetted and approved by our attorneys. Up until now, our legal counsel has advised us not to post documents related to the trial. The postings will be from previous trial, and ongoing motions. These documents will be posted once they are filed with the court and approved by our counsel. Again… this will be a slow process, so please bear with me. It, of course, will be free. I’ll let you know, via this blog, when this new website is up.

I appreciate all the support you have given me. I appreciate those of you who have taken time and energy out of your life to write me and those who have offered and given help.

There are truly angels here and I would be a lesser being without you,

Mechele

Heya friends,

I have been super busy with life. I have been very blessed to have all your support. It means the world to me. The blessings and hope you send keep me going.

It has been great to spend time with my wife and daughter together. We have been having so much fun. It has been unbelievable to be able to cuddle with my wife again. Simple things are so precious. To joke, play games, argue and discuss, walk, eat. These are things we all take for granted to some degree with our spouse. It is wonderful.

I haven’t been able to post anything about the case because of legal constraints. Right now we aren’t even done with our bail. As of this moment we have bail conditions that aren’t feasible and are legally dubious. So, we fight on.

I will be going back to Washington for awhile. We have three combat brigades coming back to Fort Lewis and my position at the Department of Defense directly involves returning soldiers.

Thank you all again for your love,
Colin

from mechele

Today was a fantastic day. I was in such heaven. I spent a wonderful four hours in bliss, aster assistance from a wonderful post office employee, who should receive postal worker of the year. Found myself choked up by her kindness and words of concern. I met the most remarkable hair expert, who I turned complete trust over to, and don’t regret it for a second. I loved it. He understood exactly what I needed and I ultimately I deferred all direction to him. He was confident, compassionate and professional. Once I told him that he really could do anything, he didn’t hesitate, took a handful of hair and chop. It was most liberating.

Audrey got her hair cut too. When I first went to HMCC, we were on the phone talking about how we both wanted to cut our hair but were waffling. We decided that when I got out we would go cut it together. Neither of us went as short as we had initially thought, although I think its best. Baby steps.

It’s still sunny outside and I feel like its 6pm, its almost 11. I tried to look at the stop signs differently today and be thankful for them. Today I am thankful to men who do hair and stop signs. Tomorrow I will try to find something new to appreciate, no matter how small. Have a good night- it’s almost over have a good day. Smile

p.s. im sending this to my mom so she can post a bit of it.

happy, happy mom

Hi to all!!! Arrived in Anchorage last night and I cannot tell you the joy I felt in seeing my child free!! There are no words to describe how wonderful it was to hug her and know she did not have to be put back in a cell! Audrey is drinking in her mother's love and trying to make up for lost moments. Thanks to all of you for helping in making this come about. You support got us here. Mechele and I will both post later...just wanted to share the excitement of FINALLY getting here and being with Mechele and Audrey.

A very excited mom!!

from mechele

miss my family, friends and my home. It’s difficult to not be in Oly with everyone. However so many here have made me feel so welcome and it feels like home too.
I love Anchorage. I love the people. I never thought I would say that. Strangers have been so kind to me. Everywhere I run into locals who wish good for us, from the GCI employees, staff at restaurants, baristas, cashiers, and shoppers. The recognition is bazaar to me and feels unreal. When people are so kind, I just want to hug them and cry, but just like picking up strange babies, I know this is not socially acceptable as well. So I graciously thank them the best I can, typically I’m tongue tied.
I am hoping to have a little more freedom as time passes. It’s difficult at times for my third party, she is essentially on house arrest too. Strange, since no other case (we have found) has placed a third party on house arrest with the defendant. It’s punishing a citizen who watched the system fail, and stepped forward to help. Now, she is punished for getting involved in government affairs. She is a strong, smart woman who sees it clearly. She is not intimidated. I love that about her.
My daughter and I want to ride our bikes, venture out and explore the parks and downtown. After my Judge said I was even less of a flight risk than before, I am hoping that they will be more lenient, and lift some of the restrictive conditions; and not treat me as sentenced to house arrest, rather let me live as “innocent until proven guilty” while on bail. Goodnight to all of my angels

from mechele

2 of 3 Funny Bits
I used a public restroom and cracked myself up as I reached for the protective toilet seat cover with tissue covered fingers; after all I had just left a highly charged bacteria-viral fiesta. After all what was I afraid of catching?
I did a load of heavily bleached whites, checking over my shoulder as I poured the contraband into the modern washer (with way too many selections of pre-wash, pre-soak, agitation speed, soak length).
Went to buy a toothbrush and was excited and amazed. I miss my commissary choosing for me and delivering it to me. I order a toothbrush and nine days later it arrives. After standing in awe of every adjective used, I figure I must need all of them, why else would they sell them. However I couldn’t find one that offered everything. In the end, I simply shrugged and walked away, thinking the one I had would be fine till the next time, when I am more prepared for the big decision. Obviously I haven’t done enough research. I think the commissary people must really know what they’re doing. I appreciate them, and thought of them fondly as I walked away. Perhaps I will send them a note. First time I missed something from HMCC.

from mechele

From the moment the Officer said "roll-up", Ive been in a dream!
My first week out flew by. At first it was a little stressful and overwhelming with stimuli.
A friend flew in and was with Barbra waiting at the door.
My first trip to the store, I searched the car floor board for my electronic monitoring transmitter box. The year I spent out on bail with the ankle monitor, I was required to carry a little black box with me at all times. If I were out of range, it would beep. After realizing my pre-rescue, pre-bail, pre-trial programming was not at all adjusted well, what could I do but laugh. I just got the desired mango and avocado. The idea of venturing through the aisles was not at all an option yet. As I was checking out, the cashiers register was beeping as the fruit passed through, once again I checked for my black transmitter box. It’s been two and a half years and I have never once thought about that little box. It’s comical how surroundings trigger reactions.
Barbra was so thoughtful. She had thought of everything ahead of time. I don’t know if I could have adjusted so well without her. She is affectionately protective and bold. I love her and am very thankful for her and her zest.
Colin and Audrey flew in and we stayed up all night giggling the first night. We were silly with excitement and disbelief. Still, after a week I grab Audrey and yes, sniff her, like a mamma lion, she is mine. The little one and I are snuggled tightly. I don’t let go of her, even when she tries to shake her little paw from mine, I hold tighter, and we laugh.
I made an old favorite on a roaring gas stove with a sizzling cast iron skillet—my favs! I missed the sizzle sounds and smells of cooking real, good food( without the use of the microwave and iron). Audrey was so sweet when she took her first bite of my peanut sauce; she smiled and said I remember this taste. OHHH! Melt my heart. I love watching her eat what I made for her.
I washed dishes. Yes a mundane task which I found so much joy in. I was using the big kitchen sink, with a real sponge (not a dinky bathroom sink with paper towel). Oh, and the feel and sound of real glass, and ceramic, and metal flatware! Wow! Yes, I found joy in that.
I still look for the iron to toast my croissant, or pause at the microwave, contemplating how to cook the asparagus---never!
I hear so much. I never heard traffic, horns, or sirens for two and a half years. Still more joy to be had. I am thankful for it all.
When we were in the grocery a little tiny person ran into us and scattered about underfoot as the mother apologized and attempted to catch the speedy little sprite. I smile and loved it. I felt a little weepy for a second. I really missed little people. I know it’s not socially acceptable to pick up someone’s baby and cuddle them but I have to admit I see them and the urge strikes, it’s so tempting. They have so much happiness and spunk. We should all run about like that. :-)

from mechele

Hello my Dear Friends and Family: I am truly blessed. I am so sorry that it’s taken me almost a week to sign on here. I have been shell shocked. Im going full force today. Set up a facebook account, twitter and email. Its difficult to express my gratitude to all, because words aren’t enough. I know that I wouldn’t be sitting here with my daughter if it weren’t for all of you and your strength. You all worked so hard for my release. I should say rescue. You not only rescued me, physically, but spiritually. I love you all!
I will post a lengthy update this evening

May 19, 2010 5:11 P

greeting from Mechele

Hi all...look under comments of previous post....greetings from Mechele!!!!! Not sure how it ended up there...but it is.......

update

It it with the utmost joy in my heart that I can report that Mechele, Colin and Audrey are enjoying the weekend together at last!!! Tears of joy and lots of hugs and kisses were shared. Each of you have tread this journey with us for so long that finally some joy can be shared with all of you. We are getting internet service next week at the apartment and Mechele is anxious to send messages to all of our dear friends and family. For the first time in over three years I can go to sleep with a smile and thankfulness that my child has been reunited with her husband and daughter. YOU my dear friends have helped so very much in making this dream become a reality. Our journey is not ended, but we have taken a HUGE step in bringing her home for good. Let's just take a deep breath for now, and revel in this blessing. My heart is full of love and gratitude to every single one of you, and with great appreciation to Terry and Brian, who truly are Angels among us!! Will post later in the week....my love and many hugs to each of you.

A VERY happy and GRATEFUL mom!
Sandy

FREE AT LAST!!!

Mechele was released from Hiland late last night. Thanks to everyone who made this possible, especially our two very special angels!! I talked to her about 130AM (CDT) and I don't think the reality of being released had sunk in just yet. I will post more info later, but for now I just wanted to share this precious moment of joy and happiness with all of you!!! BIG Hugs to everyone!!
Sandy

update..again

Well, it seems that after the state's opinion made public by Alaska Daily News re: www.adn.com that they would not object to property bond, they did! How sad! I do so hope that people in Alaska are paying attention to statements made to the press that they are going to do one thing then.....opps., not really!! So, we are back to spending $25,000 of which we will not get back so that a bailbondmen will pocket. Sorry I must be missing something here...but makes no sense to me..would love you guys feedback!

Bail update

Quick note to all! Waiting on state to reply to new bond allowing us to use property. They have expressed that they will not contest it so the Judge will just have to sign off on it. No one wants her out more than our family, but we are protecting people who have so generously agreed to contribute to this, so we will have to wait to insure that happens. The kind person that has put up the property bond is from Anchorage. Not sure where "Seattle" came into play. Mechele has been appointed a new attorney so we are working on that aspect. Thanks so much to those who have donated money to help defer expenses. Although it appears we will have a public defender there still will be expenses involved. I have set up an account for these expenses and donations can be made through PayPal or by check. If anyone would like details of how this money is being spent please email me personally and I will be happy to provide this to you. It is amazing after the last three and 1/2 years how many wonderful, generous and caring individuals are offering their support. What a turn around from the first bail hearing!!! Do know that it is because of all your support that we have come this far. I am so grateful that you have been there for us. I will update more as I find out more details. My love and gratitude to all of you. And to all the moms out there....have a blessed Mother's Day!! You have all made mine a much happier one than I have had in a long time!!

Sandy
PS....Willy, your posts are coming through in Japenese and I can't translate them!!

quick update

We are awaiting word on bail..we have gone back to the judge and asked if we can post bond directly with the court rather that spending $25,000 (non refundable) using a bail bondsman. It has delayed her release but ultimately could save $25,000 which could go towards atty fees. Either way, we have her covered. Mechele sends her love and gratitude to all of you....will post as soon as I hear news. Get ready, we are going to launch another letter campaign. I actually heard the last one we did was effective!!! Hugs to everyone! Sandy

new update

There truly are angels among us!!! We have been blessed by two of these wonderful beings that have so generously stepped up to the plate on Mechele's behalf! We have the resources to get her out!!!!Hopefully everything will be done and she will be out tomorrow or Wednesday....as always I will keep everyone posted.. Thanks to everyone for your generous offers of support, spiritually, emotionally and financially. We will be setting up a fund to help with expenses and I will post info on that soon. There is a light of the end of this long tunnel and each of you has helped get us to this point. My extreme gratitude and love to all of you. Will post soon....and thanks for helping give me the best mother's day gift of all!!

A humbled and grateful mom
Sandy

post bail hearing

Hi guys!! Just a quick update....thanks for all the great posts, emails, texts, etc...and all the positive energy coming our way. Been on the phone, fax, etc getting bail details worked out. So many of you have offered to help and it still may be needed....will know more later...but didn't want to leave you guys out of the loop....I will post later with updates...please keep posting feedback...hugs to all!!

sandy

bail hearing

Ok. That was confusing!! We didn't think Volland would be the judge then, there he was!! We are talking to attys, bondsmen,etc. to try and figure out where we are money-wise. We do know that the bail is $250,000 and can be cash, corporate or a combination of both. Be patient as we try to sort through all this and I will get back to everyone as soon as I can. Thanks, you guys got us here with all your positive vibes, your prayers and most of all your love. We ARE going to win this time and bring Mechele home. And you will all be invited to the BIGGEST party since the Saints won the Super Bowl!! My love and big hugs to each and everyone of you. I am interested in feedback from any of you that had the opportunity to watch the live feed.

Many big hugs,
Sandy

bail hearing

Volland is the judge! Live on adn.com

bail hearing

Judge volland is not presiding over the bail hearing!

update

Good morning all! First I want to apologize for not posting sooner, but as you all have been advised there are certain things I have not been able to make public. As you may know, Mechele's bail hearing is set for today. I will be able to post more after this hearing. Please keep us in your prayers, and continue to support our efforts to get Mechele home. We have arrived at this step because of the wonderful support of our family and friends. We view this as one step toward the light at the end of this tunnel. I will address some of your comments just as soon as we get through this bail hearing. I will be going to Anchorage in about two weeks but will have much more information in the next few days that I am anxious to share with all of you. It doesn't seem adequate enough, but honestly your support and concern is so very important to Mechele and our family. For immediate info you can go to www.adn.com . Thanks, dear friends. You are in my heart! Mechele sends her love and her gratitude.

Sandy

Thanks to all you!

It is very late and this is just a frustrated mom really missing her daughter, her best friend and someone I am so very proud of. Bear with me friends, for I am tired of holding back for fear that someone from the prosecution or the state of Alaska may be reading this. I do not care. I have missed the last two and a half years of sharing the joy of my daughter's life. I am tired of the red tape of legal strings that has bound my child into captivity. I feel bad for attorneys that only care about how much money they make representating this case. What ever happened about just doing it because it is the right thing? Where are the attorneys that took a vow about representing justice? Is is just about the money for you? Where are all the groups that talk about civil rights, etc? For those of you who think that Mechele and Colin have an abundance of wealth you should research what this has cost our family so far! And for those of you who that continue to attempt to post negative comments on this blog, can you not read!! This blog is for our family and our dear friends that support Mechele. There is an abundance of stupidy out there and I am truly sorry for them, but please find someplace else to vent your ignorance. People that have posted negative comments are not only not aware of the facts, but do not want to hear them. Ok, for all of your dear people that continue to support us, thank you for letting me vent!! I love all of you! For Pat and the prosecution, may you find some wisdom and pray that your child is not in the position that mine is in. And pray that she or he is not in Mississippi or Louisiana or a state that believes in a fair and just system. Thanks, my friends for just letting me say how I feel!! I just so miss my Mechele!!

Good Morning!

Hi everyone!! Thanks so much for all the encouraging emails, posts, letters, etc that you are sending our way!!! We have been busy getting prepared for bail hearing which we HOPE will be this Friday!! Please feel free to email me personally if you have any questions and don't feel comfortable asking them on the blog. Please be patient, as I mentioned before, this is a public site for anyone to read. And again, it has been created for our family and our friends therefore no negative comments will be posted. Hang in there with us......will post AS SOON as I have more info!! Your emails, etc are keeping me sane during this frustrating time!! Hugs to all of you!

Sandy
PS Mechele said thanks for all the encouragement and support...she looks forward to posting herself when she gets out!!

Happy Easter

Hi to all!! Wanted to share this picture of one of our dear blogger friends. That is true support for our cause!!! We are hoping for a bail hearing this week. Have all our "ducks in a row," and hope to have Mechele out soon!!! Thanks, for all the supportive comments and emails!!! Love to all of you and will post IMMEDIATELY with news!
Sandy

update on bail hearing

Good morning to all!! Many of you have expressed your concern as to why Mechele is not out on bail. The restrictions that she may be placed on all have to be addressed before the hearing. In other words, we have to be prepared for whatever demands the court may place on her. We are frantically trying to accomplish that so that we do not run into any objections that we are not prepared to overcome. Please be patient, no one wants her out more than we do!! I will update you as soon as I can. As I mentioned previously, some details cannot be expressed on this blog,but as always please feel free to email me and I will try to answer any questions as best I can. And please continue your love and support to our Mechele. Thank you so much for all the letters, faxes, etc that you have send to me as well as political individuals relating to her case!! Hugs and gratitude to everyone!

Sandy

Mechele

Good morning to all! First I would like to apologize for not writing sooner. It has been a stressful and hectic week. Mechele was rushed to the hospital and has had emergency surgery performed. It was successful and she is still in the hospital recovering. Sparing the details, it was female-related and not life-threating. I have talked to her several times and she has reported that she had been very well cared for both at Hiland and at the hospital. Hopefully she will be released from the hospital today and returned to Hiland. Many of you have expressed your concern regarding her bail hearing. Unfortunately I am not at liberty to discuss this but I can assure you it is being handled and we are hopeful to have the issue resolved soon. Please be patient with the information that I cannot discuss here. Each and every one of you is so very important to us. As I have mentioned before, your support and concern is crucial to us. And, as always feel free to email me personally at mechelemom@yahoo.com. I do answer your individual emails. A special thanks from our family and Mechele for the books, letters, cards that you have sent. They truly means so very much to all of us. I will update this site as soon as I am able to release information. Please understand that as you all are aware of, I do not post negative comments, but that does not prevent undesirable readers from reading what is on this site. Hopefully we will have good news to report soon! My heartfelt thanks and love to all of you!
Sandy

About this Site

By the way,

I don't run this site. I post when I can. Our dear friends, Kevin and Terry, started this blog site. My mother-in-law now mans the helm (or woman's the helm ;).

I could think of a million of things, off the top of my head, that I'd rather do than screen incoming blog posts concerning Mechele's trial. I got a taste of the mouth-breathers who post anonymous comments. And by the way... I don't read or watch anything concerning this trial. Got a feel for it at the beginning and then I bailed. Too much stupid. I haven't seen any of the television programs concerning Mechele. Why would I? They don't know her or know the trial. Mechele had told me day one I met her about the tragedy in Alaska. Her account is the only one that has never changed. Also, I actually sat through the entire trial. So, I know all the trial facts and also know all the situational facts.

I'm old school. If you are going to comment on an issue regarding me or my family... comment to me in person. I will then have a rational conversation about your opinions. I will take your comments into consideration and have a respectful response based on facts. Unfortunately, that is not how internet discourse takes place. Anonymity breeds cowards.

I am sorry that I don't have patience for that :(
I don't.
So, for the very low percentage of losers that like to talk about things they don't know about... move on. You are spinning your wheels. Get traction somewhere else. Or not.

For the vast majority of you who send your love and support...

Thanks :)
It keep us going. Love you all.

Colin

Hey All

We had been saying all along that we were fighting by a different set of rules than the prosecution during the trial. As a legal team, we kept making note of it and documenting the law infractions. Out of dozens of these infractions, our appellate attorneys chose three. A unanimous decision by the appellate court agreed that two of these three errors were unconstitutional. New trial.

The previous “show-trial”, which was narrated by the State, was absurd. So, we go at it again. And with prayers of grace, we will still not contribute to any attempt to morph the process into a Hollywood narrative. Knowing that Mr. Gullufsen will again be representing the State, we expect much sleaze and innuendo to come our way. I dealt with Mr. Gullufsen’s vile public accusations concerning my medical practice. I know first hand how his ignorance about the actual facts can be twisted to slimy accusations that have no basis in reality.
Mr. Gullufsen will not adhere to any standards of decency. This has been shown. He will bring any witness to the stand that will help him “win” the case. I predict right now that he will try to pull a “jail house confession” from some girl who met Mechele at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center. It is almost a given. He will bring anyone up to the witness stand, regardless of their credibility or veracity. It’s coming, and I am not looking forward to it. More importantly, nor is my wife. However… bring it on.

There is no more “show” in the next trial. That train has passed. Time for facts to compete with tabloid. I can’t wait for the “Barrow Email” to compete with the “Hope Note”. We will see the prosecution’s contradictions laid bare (see previous post about the fallacy of the “Hope Note”).

So I am sure there are a lot of questions. When is the bail hearing? When is the new trial? I don’t have the answers to any of these. We are trying to put a bail proposal together and present it to the judge. But we can’t present it to the Judge until the case comes back into our trial lawyer’s jurisdiction. It isn’t there yet, but will be soon.

So the bail, once set, will be the next obstacle. Depending on the amount, we might have to get a trustee to account for donations that have been offered. The bail money is then returned after the trial. We will know more after the bail hearing. Stay tuned.

Thanks SOOOO much for your faith and prayers,

Colin

thank you!!

Bail bondsmen

Hi again...someone had sent me an email and mentioned a couple of bail bondsmen that might be interested in helping us. I have misplaced the email!! Can you please send it to me again. Also, if there are any bonds bail people out there or if anyone knows one.....please let me know....

Sandy

Desperately need your help!

Our attys are preparing for the bail hearing. We do not have funds to get her out. We have exhaused family and are reaching out for your help. Please remember any funds donated will be a loan and can be repaid at the beginning of her trial. That date will be set soon and has to be within 180 days. Thanks so much for everyone's support! Please feel free to call or email me personally if you can help or if you have any questions!!

Sandy

update

just heard..Judge Volland will be the judge for bail hearing...will update as I hear!!!

to those who are anti-mechele

Obviously we are dealing with some people who can't read! This is a site for POSITIVE feeds. If you don't agree or just want to post negative things, this is not the venue for it. Thanks, good people who can read and understand why this blog exist. Sorry from a frustrated mom who doesn't understand why her daughter is still in prison when the verdict had been overturned!

amazon wish list

This list has been temporarily deleted. Obviously someone is posting books that are NOT on her list. I have tried to fix this, but apparantly they are still getting in. Therefore, any books that appear on this list have not been put there by anyone authorized to do so. Thanks!!

Interesting bit of Alaska Law

Found this and thought it is interesting. Found under Alaska Rules of Crimimal Court under Arraignment. This should apply to people who has also retained counsel. Share your thoughts!

(c) Peremptory Disqualification of the Judge. At the arraignment of any defendent who has waived counsel shall be advised that the defendent may peremptorily disqualify the judge to whom the defendent's case has been assigned on the grounds that the defendent believes the defendent cannot obtail a fair and impartial trial before that judge. In any court in the state where a master calendar system has been adopted, a defendent who has waived counsel shall be advised at the arraignment that the defendent may give notice of change of judge under Rule 25.

Thanks!!!!

A big thank you to everyone who has chosen to express their views to Judge Volland!! Many of you have sent me copies and I so very much appreciate it! We do have a voice, and last time I checked, we have a right to express those voices!!! Waiting on word for bail hearing and will post immediatelty!! Keep fingers, toes, etc. crossed and prayers won't hurt! Love and gratitude to all!
Sandy

Need your help!

I have had a suggestion as well as request for contact info for Judge Volland. I think it is a great idea that we fax letters to him requesting a fair and lenient bail for Mechele. It is vital to our case that she be free on bond. From what I understand the hearing will be next week. Here is his contact info: Judge Philip R. Volland, phone 907-264-0406 and fax 907-265-0121. For all of you who will take the time to fax a quick note to him, our gratitude and thanks go out to all of you. As ususal, I will post as soon as I hear news! Hugs to everyone!
Sandy

A quick note!

Thanks as always for your blogs, and your personal emails!!! I will try to answer a few questions that have been raised. First, it is an automatic thing in Alaska that when a new trial is granted, it goes before the original judge, unless he excuses himself from the case. We have heard no word on that. We are preparing for the bail hearing and I don't know the exact date. I understand that the ADN website has a huge comment section and that many residents of Alaska are outraged. I don't always read those as you can understand that some are negative and they usually don't have their facts straight, but it still upsets me. I have not heard anything about asking for a change of venue. Personally, I don't know that would help our case since most of the world has heard about it! I promise to keep this blog updated and to answer all your personal emails. I did talk to Mechele early this evening and she is very excited about getting out on bond and being able to personally write on the blog. I encourage any of you that want to express your opinions to write to the DA and Atty Gen. (their numbers and fax are in my previous post) Also, post your comments on the ADN website.Some of you have written to the various politicians and believe me, they are appreciated. We have to do our best to make sure we get the media on our side and we are working with a PR person to help us with that. I will update as soon as I know more. Hugs out to all of you and thanks for your support!!!
Sandy

Thanks!!

People's response to the State of Alaska's decision to re-try Mechele has been overwelming! Many people, especially taxpayers of the state are outraged. For those of you who have expressed your opinion I encourage you to speak out to the politicians, prosecutors and media!! Let them know how you feel. Although our attorney has agreed to take the case on a pro bono basis, there will still be expenses incurred. Witnesses will have to be flown in, accomodations provided, etc. From what we hear, a bail hearings will be schueduled within the next week. As always I will keep you informed as I find details out. We still stand strong in our belief that our Mechele will be home permantly! We hope that the media will give our case fair exposure this time around. We know that we have a tremendous support system in place and rely heavily on them to get us throuh this next trial. My thanks again to each and every one of you for your kindness, support and the wonderful emails, calls, prayers,letters and blogposts. Perhaps our battle has just begun but we have complete faith and confidence that we will prevail and that Mechele and Colin and our family will be able to put this behind us and resume our lives. With much love and affection to all of you!
Sandy

update

Just a quick update....State of Alaska has deceided to re-try Mechele. Do not have any details as yet,but will post as soon as I know more. This, of course is not the decision we would have preferred, but it is better than taking it to the Supreme Court which would have prolonged things forever!!! Thanks to all of you and has soon as I know details, Iwill let everyone know!
Much love!
Sandy

Hi to all!

Just a quick update...the State of Alaska has until Feb. 23 to declare their attentions to the Appeals Court. So, we are waiting for that. In the meantime, I have faxed all your letters to both the District Atty as well as the Atty General's office. In the meantime, since some of your letters were written before the Appeals decision, if you want to write another letter, or if you didn't write one before, or if you just have comments you want to relay to them, I am publishing both offices and their phone and fax numbers: Daniel S. Sulllivan, Attorney General, fax 907-465-2075 phone 907-465-2133. Adrienne P. Bachman, District Attorney, fax 907-269-6321, phone 907-269-6300. I want to also thank Laouida M.Dunn for her generous offer to help us with bail. There really are angels walking the earth and she is one!!!! With our prayers and positive thinking we will have our Mechele home soon!!! As always, thanks to everyone!!

Sandy

Thanks from Mechele

Good morning all!!! I talked to Mechele last night and she asked me to post this for her. She wants to thank all of you for the gifts and letters and most of all the support you have sent!! She is out of envelopes and won't get any until 10 days!! She has letters to you but can't mail them until she gets the envelopes. Of course we can't send them to her, she has to buy them. Crazy, I know. But she did want me to let you know she is writing...so be patient, she will mail them soon. Thanks to all...and will keep you updated on our progress!! Happy Valentines Day to all our wonderful followers!! You are in my heart!
Sandy

Thanks

Louida, I got your recent post and will call you Tuesday. I didn't post it to the blogsite because it had your home phone number and I wasn't sure if you wanted that made public. After I talk to you if you want me to post the entire post, I will. And God Bless You!!!!

update

Thanks for all your emails!!! Don't have much to update but here is the latest. Mechele is not home! We are waiting for the DA's office to decide how they are going to handle the decision of the Appeal Court. Should they decide not to prosecute further, Mechele will be released. If they decide on either of their other options (1. To challenge the decision to the Supreme Court or 2. To re-try the case) then a bail hearing will be held. They do have a time limit on when they have to respond. I am not sure exactly when that is, but have heard it is Feb. 23. I am frantically copying all your letters and putting them in a packet to send to the DA, Atty, General and anyone else, including the media that we feel would be effective. We are working on a plan for her bond, should that be necessary. I want to thank all of you who have offered suggestions as well as offered donations. I hope this won't be necessary, but we have to be prepared. We do not know what to expect from the bail hearing, so we can't really proceed until we know what happens next. For anyone that still wants to send letters, please do so!! Email them to me. Anyone who wants to assist in our efforts to post bail, please email me personally as well. It is hard for us to ask for this help, but unfortunately our families funds are pretty tapped out. We will provide a trustee and documentation of all funds received. If you have any questions, please email me. For all our Alaska friends, you are extremely important to this cause. You are the taxpayers that pay these peoples salaries!! If there is a new trial, or an appeal to the Supreme Court, you will foot the bill. So please feel free to contact your local politicians, the Atty. Gen. office and/or the DA's office. We are at a critical time now and your help is not only needed but so very vital in bringing Mechele home. This decision from the Appeal Court is the first good news we have had in four years, and we are very grateful but it is still not over. I know I sound repetitive, but you will never know how much joy each and every one of you has brought into Mechele and all our family's hearts. You have been the beacon at the end of a very long tunnel. My love and gratitude cannot be put into words.

Sandy
Mechele's mom

forgot to appeal to bail bonds people!!

Just in case any of you are reading this...we welcome your help!!! Hopefully, there are some bail bonds people out there that might heed out call!! Hopefully there are some of you out there that believe in our case to help us out. Recently, a bail bondsman paid the entire bond for a woman accused of murdering her child in south Florida...it would be nice to see someone in this profession to help out just to prove someone's innocence!

she's not home yet!

Hi to all!! Ok, this is what I know. We are still waiting for the prosecution to decide what they are going to do. Letters are being sent now, yes the ones you sent: to the prosectution..just to put every body on alert...we may have to do a major "bail bond" fund raiser to get her out while we wait.. if that is necessary, we will appoint a trustee, that willl not be a family member nor friend, but more than likely an attorney that will be held accountable for these funds. This may be the only way we can get her out on bail while awiting a new trial. I will be able to elaborate on this at a later date..but I do want everyone that has supported us or may choose to participate in her bail bond that these funds can be a donation or A LOAN to be repaid when the trial begins.Just trying to be realistic about where we are with this. Amazing that an appeal court has overturned her verdict and there is even a question of bail!!! Just gotta love Alaska's judicial system!! Your comments as always are so greatly appreciated...but feel free to share them with your local congressmen or representatives.'
Sandy
Mechele's Mom

First Impression

I appreciate the appellate decision today. It supports my belief that the trial of Mechele was fraught with error.

First, this decision would never have been possible without the defense conducted by Kevin Fitzgerald and Wayne Fricke. You might pause and say that there wouldn’t need to be an appellate decision if the defense was conducted different. “Mechele would have been found ‘not guilty’ from the start if a different defense was employed”. I think you would be wrong. This jury convicted Mechele before the case was over.

Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Fricke called foul many times and created an appellate record. We had many appellate points that were valid and documented by counsel. It is my belief that there were many more errors in this trial. However, out of the dozens of points illustrated by Mr. Fitzgerald, our appellate attorneys had to narrow it down to three. And that is where Miss Orlansky, Mr. Feldman, and Mr. Bryner come in.

The firm of Feldman, Orlansky & Sanders navigated the potential appellate points and chose the course that would best combat the errors of the trial court. They are brilliant and a tribute to the American justice system.

You see, it was not a fair trial. We played by one set of rules and the Prosecution chose to play by another. They played to the media while we played by the rules. The judge erred (more on this later after sleep) and was called on it by a higher court. No dispute.

I am grateful that the American justice system checked and balanced. And as I stated, there were more errors in this trial than the errors we challenged. However, the errors in trial presented by Mr. Feldman were stark.

A new trial will be forthcoming. An astute defense will follow. More witnesses have come forward and we will challenge the Prosecution narrative more aggressively. But… we will NOT try this case through the media. Therefore, we apologize if that is what you are looking for. You will not see me or Mechele on the 11:00 (2300) news. Sorry.

Thank you for your support.

Verdict has been made!

Quick update...just heard from Colin....appeal court has ruled....They have overturned her conviction!!!!! Do not have any details...but will update everyone as soon as I know!! Thanks, to all of you..we could not have done this without your support, concern, prayers and everything that each and every one of you have contributed!!!

With much love and gratitude!
Sandy

Hi to all!!!

I have had a few request for updates so I will comply! We have no news from the appeal court. But, we didn't expect anything quite this early. I certainly hope they give us an answer before they take off for the summer!! Don't quite understand if they are so backlogged how they can retire for the entire summer. We are still extremely optomistic and will continue to be!! If any of you are interested in reading "The Secret" it is a great book. I find it helpful in dealing with all aspects of one's life. We are still collecting letters of support. Thank all of you who have written, and for those that haven't, please write!!! I will keep everyone updated as soon as I know anything. Mechele is very excited that our home town team is on their way to the Super Bowl this Sunday. So join us in cheering our beloved Saints to victory!! Thanks, guys, for your calls, emails, letters and everything you do to make it easier to deal with this horrible misjustice!!

Geaux Saints!!
Sandy

Thanks blog posters!

So many questions that I was going to address have been answered by out bloggers!! Thank you all! The one thing we have to keep in mind is that it is not up to us to prove who was responsible for this horrendous act, but that there is not enough evidence to prove Mechele was! Thanks to all the bloggers and the people who have chosen to email me personally, we do have some leads as to who may be the person, not just responsible but that had motive and could have acted as an accomplice to this horrendous deed!! Thank you all!

post translation?

We have had a post to our blog, but it is in Chinese!! Could the sender please translate??? Thanks!!

posts

We have had several responses to the previous post. They have all been published and are under "Colins Intro." Thank all of you who have responded. I will write a follow up post addressing some of these issues this weekend. As always, thank you all for your support. I might mention that we have no problems addressing questions relating to our case. It is a very complex one and I will be glad to address questions to the best of my ability. Fortunately a lot of our bloggers are very astute and in tune with the legal system and have been able to point out the inaccuracies without my help!! To those who have done so, thank you!

Sandy

opps

Sorry, ok, "anonymous" post IS on the blogsite. It is under "Colin's Introduction." Google did post it!

re: Anonymous post

After posting a reply I noticed that the post from "Anonymous" was not posted! It seems since they chose not to create an account, it was not posted even though I approved it. If that person would like to publish it, please resend it and I will be glad to post it. It seems that if you do not have an account, google will not allow it to be posted. Sorry, I did try to post it and did reply to it!

Reply to post from "anonymous"

As previously expressed, this blogsite was intended for our family, friends and supporters of Mechele. We stated that no negative posts would be published. I have chosen to make an exception and publish the post from "anonymous." The reason I did this was that after reading it, I don't feel it was a "negative" post, but a concerned person that made some valid points. I would strongly advise anyone that is interested in this case to review the facts of the trial as well as the letter that Kent wrote. I am more than happy to answer questions and have encouraged people to email me personally or ask them on the blogsite. The answers to a lot of questions have been covered in previous blog post or I have been emailed personally to the ones that have sent them directly to me. For the benefit of the above mentioned post, and anyone else that may have raised the same questions, I will try to answer them now.

1.) First of all, the writers of this blogsite will not be the ones trying to convince a jury. This is what the attorneys will do. While I defend my daughter totally, I cannot possibly attempt to convince everyone that raises a question or has a doubt. I truly believe that a person should be convicted "beyond a reasonable doubt." We feel that with this case that there was not enough evidence and that "reasonable doubt" was indeed proven.

2.)According to Alaska law, Kent's letter should never have been admitted into evidence. A previous supreme court ruling stated that the accuser must be able to be questioned, in the case of the deceased being the author this was impossible. But, to answer the question concerning Kent' fear of Mechele or that someone was going to harm him, why didn't he leave? Why did he make two trips to Hope? If you read his letter, he knew his parents would get his insurance money, therefore he knew the beneficiary had been changed. Why did he mail the letter the same day his dad left? Why not just give it to him?
3.) As for the "theories" referring to Kent's letter. This entire case has been a "theory" that there was a conspiracy to murder this poor man. There was never any DNA, nor solid evidence to prove this "theory." Emails were "cherry-picked" that were used to try and prove this "theory." Although insurance was the supposed motive, it was known that the beneficiary had been changed and that Mechele was aware of it. Therefore the only people to benefit from the insurance were Kent's parents. Although it may be hard to believe that "a man who frequents strip clubs and lives with a female stripper is a closet homosexual," stranger things have happened! Kent's sexual preference did not indicate he was a homosexual, but rather that he was bi-sexual. Remember he also lived in a house with a man, his young son and "the stripper."

I hope this clarifies some points that this person raised. I received an email from one of our supporters that did an excellent job of analyzing Kent's letter and if he chooses to do so, would like to invite him to post it on our blog.
Again, my heartfelt thanks to all of you, especially those people who have chosen to get invoved by sending me information and data that will assist us in bringing justice to our family and bringing our Mechele home!
Sandy

Happy New Year!

Hello to all! Sorry I am so late posting! It has been crazy here!! So glad the holidays are over!! A big thanks to everyone who sent cards, letters and gifts to Mechele! She is so very grateful and so are we!! Lots of new posts on the blog. For those of you who have asked questions, if you will look at older blogs I think some of your questions may be answered there. We have no new news on the appeal. As we knew, this will be just a "wait and see" process. We are so thankful for the letters so many of you have sent on her behalf. It is not to late to send one if you have not done so. We will be using these letters once the appeal has been granted to do a "blitz mailout" to anyone that will be involved or have any influence in support of our cause. The holidays were difficult for us and they will continue to be until Mechele is home again. But we have faith that the sytem will prevail and we will be granted a new trial! Please keep our blog active and thank you all so very much for your support!!!

Sandy