When they rest their heads on their pillows at night I find it hard to believe they really have faith in the killer's innocence. Perhaps they find what she did so heinous they must rationalize her act to deal with it. Perhaps they're so embarrassed by the crime that denial is how they are able to show their faces in public. I can't really pretend to know why they choose not to face the truth, but it can't be healthy for any of them.
I don't condone for a millisecond the way CMJA's family have behaved. Their demeanour in court was disrespectful and inappropriate. Their actions (trying to sell the fake letters, the way they have acted online etc) is unforgivable. However there have been moments I've felt sorry for Sandy and Bill. It's blatently obvious that the abuse allegations are untrue. Whenever the camera has cut to them when the childhood abuse and trashing of them was going on you could just see in both Sandy and Aunt Sue's faces that it eas all lies. They aren't as good at hiding stuff as CMJA. CMJA's mom especially, you could read her like a book and it was so obvious that she had agreed to go along with whatever it took to try and get CMJA off. But she and the others weren't prepared to personally back up that story on the stand. That for me speaks volumes.
BBM.
Don't take this as me supporting the actions of JA's family. I don't. But I think that as parents Sandy and Bill gave a hell of a lot up for CMJA. They have been trashed in public for the world to see, and I think the allegations against them are as real as the paedo claims.
First, nothing Im about to say condones the familys stupid demands for an apology from the Alexanders; nor does it forgive JAs clan for other callous behaviors.
Its apparent from the police interviews with JAs Mom and Dad, that both of JAs parents knew something was seriously off with their daughter. Upon learning about TAs murder, Mom confronted JA about traveling to AZ (to which IIRC -- JA answered, no; and I have the receipts to prove it). Dad thought TA was supposed to marry her (JA).
They were clueless. What they knew of TA and the alleged TA/JA relationship was based on JAs lies.
And I felt for them as I watched these early interviews. We later learned that G-pa argued with the arresting officers
went to JAs employer to gather JAs time cards, to prove JA COULDNT have been in Mesa during the murder
then discovered ANOTHER JA lie. I cried when I read that.
My point is: JAs family and EXTENDED family -- lives in a rural, small town.
The entire family is known in the community. If JAs actions cant be -- on some level -- justified, the impact to JAs immediate and extended family goes well beyond embarrassment. To admit ones daughter/sister/niece/cousin is a cold-blooded murderer? Embarrassment is the LEAST of it.
Try ostracism.
IMO, JAs family also retains a shred of (baseless) hope that someway, someday JA will get a new trial where shell present fresh evidence of DV. Not. Ever. Gonna. Happen. But, in the meantime, JAs family is charged (by the Manipulator) to keep up appearances.
As to the nut-jobs who STILL think JAs bloody hands are virginally clean? I sincerely hope none of them are my neighbors.