I had an entirely different take on the nightmares. I think that they were entirely fabricated after hearing Steven's VIS. Recall that Samuels testimony included difficulty sleeping due to jail noise, but no mention of nightmares. DeMarte also did not mention any nightmares. Her sleep habits would have been part of a psych eval and this would have come out.
When I listened to her allocution and subsequent interviews, I interpreted a lot of her statements as being borrowed from the VIS. Whether her point was to lessen the impact on the Alexanders, or to elicit pity for herself, I do not know. So much of it was hurtful to the Alexander's and I do believe that this was/is intentional:
- "Challenge" Samantha by calling grandmother the glue of the family instead of Travis
- Minimize emotional impact of Steven's VIS re: Travis holding his niece and saying she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Poor CKJA tried to trump this by with not one, but two babies. Further "trump" because she's never seen her brother's baby...at least Travis got to hold his niece.
- I have nightmares too and they are so bad I can't even remember them, but my roommates tell me I have them.
- Focus on her family's pain...calls the day of the guilty verdict a dark day, which would have been more appropriate in reference to the day of the killing.
- Use of family photos...topped the VIS with sheer number of pix.
- Contributions to society plans focusing on two items near and dear to Travis; the environment and reading.
- Sniffling throughout her presentation, trying to imitate Samantha.
Late addition- add DT using the word ripped, just as Steven and Samantha said that Travis had been ripped from their lives.