Actually what is even sadder IMO is that Judge Donna Heller actually nailed Fd as being a 'liar' and 'willing to lie while under oath' and clearly documented it in the Family Court file and then goes on to discuss it further in her Custody Ruling in favor of GF.
No, I am the last person on earth to defend Judge Donna Heller but IMO she saw through Fd quite clearly. She seemed, however, to prioritise the idea of an 'intact family' and 'the important of children's relationships with their father' when the evidence on both of these issues IMO in the Dulos case simply didn't exist. IMO once Fd went down the path of getting the 2 oldest children to lie on his behalf (and no doubt keeping the other children in line on the issue as well) about the MT and daughter situation and violation of Judge Heller order on visitation then severe measures were called for IMO. Judge Heller sent FD to therapy and parenting classes I believe and he lost contact with his children for nearly 10 months. Even so, the damage to the oldest had been done and by all accounts the situation was heartbreaking. But, Fd didn't care as his priority was MT and her daughter and the fact that he didn't agree with Judge Heller.
@gitana1 has been on this case from the beginning and speaks clearly about the issues Judge's like Judge Heller face. I respect
@gitana1 and her POV on this as I do believe Judge's face tough calls every day. I think where I struggle on the Dulos case was the sheer amount of evidence Judge Heller had as to Fd character and ethical issues and yet she continue to push to create a relationship with the children and a 'father' who never really had functioned as a father in the sense of someone being there day and day out etc. I guess IMO Judge Heller was naive perhaps as to her intentions or perhaps also simply poorly trained in the field of Family Law as her experience prior to joining Family Law Court was as a corporate litigator.
Hindsight is always 100% on these tough issues but the DV Advocates in CT have been all over the Dulos case and the issues that seemed as clear as day to those well versed in the issues. I do wonder how much DV training Judge Heller has had during her period on the bench?
MOO