Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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
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
Saturday, January 9, 2010
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
Sandy
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Happy Holidays to all our friends and family!!
Hi everyone!! First of all, please accept my apologies for not posting or responding to all the wonderful emails you have sent. My step mom was rushed to the hospital last Thursday with spinal menengitias. (sorry, Colin, sure I totally mispelled that!) Fortunately, it was not bacterial, but viral. Anyway, I had to drive to Louisiana and give my sister a hand. For those who do not know, my dad is 85 and not in the best of health, so I stayed with him a few nights. Made a quick trip home today and will go back tomorrow. Hopefully she will be sent home in the next few days. But, it's just been crazy the last few days, so I hope you all will understand. Mechele sends her thanks to all of you who have written and sent her Christmas gifts! It truly brightens her holidays. Oh, if anyone sent her a book from Barnes & Nobles, it was a hardback and therefore sent back to B&N. So, if you did send it, make sure you check that you have been issued a credit. To our wonderful friend who sent me the beautiful floral arrangements, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! My favorite, roses and Mechele's favorite, lilies! It was perfect and ever so thoughtful!! I hope each and every one of you have a beautiful holiday season. Take time for your loved ones, family is so important, especially this time of year. In spite of everything, our family has so much to be thankful for. The closeness and love we have for each other is truly enhanced by the love and support people like you have shown us. It is our prayer and belief that our beloved Mechele will be sent home to us and next Christmas our family will once again be complete! Thank you all, we are truly blessed to have your care, concern and thoughtfulness. Each and every one of you are in my Christmas prayers!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Bmialone said...
Colin,I attended the hearing today. Mechele's lawyer did a good job. He was respectful, specific, informative, and logical.The lack of substance in the prosecuting attorney's arguments was shocking; shocking in that she produced nothing of substance so how could Mechele's life (and yours) been blown apart so easily?In fact, she actually said it all came down to only one thing, "interpretation." She was referring to the circumstantial evidence, admitting that is "only" what they had, and that it all came down to one's interpretation of that circumstantial evidence. It is stunning, surreal, how authorities could take a citizen, charge her, put her on trial, take her freedom for what amounts to the rest of her life, on nothing more than what the prosecutor's attorney herself admitted was only circumstantial evidence, and then because that is all they had, it all came down to interpretation of it. She said it as justification and as acceptable!How long can it take the judges to reach a decision?I'm sorry you spent your time and energy chasing planes.
December 3, 2009 9:50 PM
Colin,I attended the hearing today. Mechele's lawyer did a good job. He was respectful, specific, informative, and logical.The lack of substance in the prosecuting attorney's arguments was shocking; shocking in that she produced nothing of substance so how could Mechele's life (and yours) been blown apart so easily?In fact, she actually said it all came down to only one thing, "interpretation." She was referring to the circumstantial evidence, admitting that is "only" what they had, and that it all came down to one's interpretation of that circumstantial evidence. It is stunning, surreal, how authorities could take a citizen, charge her, put her on trial, take her freedom for what amounts to the rest of her life, on nothing more than what the prosecutor's attorney herself admitted was only circumstantial evidence, and then because that is all they had, it all came down to interpretation of it. She said it as justification and as acceptable!How long can it take the judges to reach a decision?I'm sorry you spent your time and energy chasing planes.
December 3, 2009 9:50 PM
Thank you...
Very well articulated.
Circumstance needs to be interpretated. If you have a prosecution that will, and can, take the circumstance and interpret it to meet their narrative... you have guilt of whoever they want to target per their narrative. If... If the jury takes this narrative as absolute.
The key is to get the jury to believe this narrative is fact. And it sure helps if all the media available to citizens (and thus jury) parrots this narrative.
Listen... The jurors follow the media narrative regardless of juror instructions. This is fact.
Regardless of all the holes poked into the narrative in the trial... The trial itself becomes secondary to the headlines.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Update
Belated Post:
Over the past year and a half, Mechele and I have been working with Mechele’s appellate lawyers concerning the appeal of Mechele’s conviction. This has been going on with no media attention and the hard work of Mechele’s appellate lawyers has been remarkable. I even studied the transcripts and appeal to add some minimal contribution. Although my time spent on it far outweighed my contribution, it was still gratifying to see. This process has been our sole focus. Today, the oral arguments concerning the appeal took place.
These arguments today are not the appeal. The three judge panel was there to hear both sides summarize the appellate points and to ask questions of the attorneys representing the State of Alaska and Mechele. The judges have already studied the written appeal and the case. For us, this was not a significant part of the process. The significant work was already done.
I wanted to come up with our daughter and visit Mechele and attend the arguments, but was unable to. Our daughter and I actually had stand-by tickets, but spent over a day and a half chasing planes at the Sea-Tac airport that were full. We just got home yesterday. We visit Mechele every chance we get and are very grateful for all the support we get when we come to Anchorage.
Mechele and I have decided that, like in the trial, this process should go forward without media attention. We still believe that justice doesn’t and shouldn’t involve tabloid headlines and blind adherence to prosecution narrative. However, the oral arguments about the appeal tend to be more noteworthy for the media because they don’t have to read the actual appeal and can treat the appellate arguments like a TV show. Not all the media, mind you, but most.
As a side note to this, here is the headline of an AP article published a few days ago: “Ex-stripper appeals Alaska killing conviction”. Again… bravo. Breaking news. The appeal, again, was initiated well over a year ago. And the “ex-stripper” meme is always enlightening. I want to be forever known as an “ex-Sunglass Hut employee”.
Not to beat a dead horse, but, Mechele’s character is well known and defined by the people who know and lover her. A three month thread of emails and circumstance doesn’t define anyone. Unless you are a TV or movie character. Or a cartoon villain with super powers to control men… but I digress.
Bottom line: we are still fighting, and we still have hope. Your support and prayers keep us going. So thanks again.
Colin Linehan
Over the past year and a half, Mechele and I have been working with Mechele’s appellate lawyers concerning the appeal of Mechele’s conviction. This has been going on with no media attention and the hard work of Mechele’s appellate lawyers has been remarkable. I even studied the transcripts and appeal to add some minimal contribution. Although my time spent on it far outweighed my contribution, it was still gratifying to see. This process has been our sole focus. Today, the oral arguments concerning the appeal took place.
These arguments today are not the appeal. The three judge panel was there to hear both sides summarize the appellate points and to ask questions of the attorneys representing the State of Alaska and Mechele. The judges have already studied the written appeal and the case. For us, this was not a significant part of the process. The significant work was already done.
I wanted to come up with our daughter and visit Mechele and attend the arguments, but was unable to. Our daughter and I actually had stand-by tickets, but spent over a day and a half chasing planes at the Sea-Tac airport that were full. We just got home yesterday. We visit Mechele every chance we get and are very grateful for all the support we get when we come to Anchorage.
Mechele and I have decided that, like in the trial, this process should go forward without media attention. We still believe that justice doesn’t and shouldn’t involve tabloid headlines and blind adherence to prosecution narrative. However, the oral arguments about the appeal tend to be more noteworthy for the media because they don’t have to read the actual appeal and can treat the appellate arguments like a TV show. Not all the media, mind you, but most.
As a side note to this, here is the headline of an AP article published a few days ago: “Ex-stripper appeals Alaska killing conviction”. Again… bravo. Breaking news. The appeal, again, was initiated well over a year ago. And the “ex-stripper” meme is always enlightening. I want to be forever known as an “ex-Sunglass Hut employee”.
Not to beat a dead horse, but, Mechele’s character is well known and defined by the people who know and lover her. A three month thread of emails and circumstance doesn’t define anyone. Unless you are a TV or movie character. Or a cartoon villain with super powers to control men… but I digress.
Bottom line: we are still fighting, and we still have hope. Your support and prayers keep us going. So thanks again.
Colin Linehan
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Hi to all!
Just a quick update!! Oral arguments are being heard Thursday afternoon. We won't know anything at that time, it is just a step in the process. Colin will be there. Hopefully he will post a note when he gets home. Thank you all for the letters you are sending! We are gathering names and addresses of politicians, etc. and will be ready to start sending them out. If you haven't sent your letter there is still time!! We cannot have too many!! Mail them or email them to me at mechelemom@yahoo.com! Hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving. Lets send all our prayers and postive thoughts to the three judges that are holding Mechele's fate in their hands!!
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