Wow! What incredible insight into DM and MB and their relationship. I think MB and DM worked on this strange composition together, a joint effort if you will, just as I believe they did for WMs obituary (and perhaps EG too). Regardless of who specifically created the letter, MB signed it, so now she must own it completely, IMO.
To speak of herself in the third person is weird but also informative and highlights to me MBs ability to distance herself from the reality of DM and of her herself and others and their lives. There is a striking sense of detachment in this letter as if no true feelings are behind the words. The message is coldly contrived and empty of meaning.
When MB states that she is the only person who knows the real DM and I need to speak his truth as I see it, I knew it was only going to get worse.
When MB shamelessly wrote how DM protected the marginalized, weaker and lacking in some way it smacked me in the face as I thought of how often and how cruelly LB was referred to in these terms.
When MB rhymed off the following attributes of DM, I swear she had him confused with DMs victim, TB! Dellen is a reflection of the values he has been raised with; Compassion, loyalty, generosity, and hard work. Yes, MB, I actually agree with you DM is most definitely a reflection of the values he was raised with!
MB said that DM didnt experience the joy of the tribal community I wondered if this mention was intended to give credence to his purported Indigenous roots. She went on about how DM was an only child as if that fact deserves somehow to be pitied but then goes on to talk extensively about his close ties with cousins. Many digs to the family in this letter and its intentional and obvious, IMO, and its as if they did not even bother to consider their audience and the reason for this letter in the first place. I cannot imagine what Justice Code will make of it all, but I cannot imagine anyone reading its contents and being swayed to sympathy or empathy for DM or MB.
The mention of the setup of DM by his high school peers about removing chemicals from the classroom is also telling of a mother and son who lack all insight into themselves. Why even mention this incident unless the Court has school documents from DMs past that tell a different version of this story? And the mention of neighbourhood kids who wouldnt share their toys MB would want the reader to believe that DM is always the victim in all circumstances large and small.
For self described deep, intelligent people, this letter is the height of stupidity, IMO.
MB states that she was hoping DM would go to France when he was twenty years old. I believe that MB did wish him to be far away where she could have minimal contact, content to live out the fantasy of the son that lived only in her imagination. MB is IMO beholden to DM because she is financially dependent on him, IMO, (DM as kind, loving and generous) so she cannot reveal deeper truths about DM because she would be cut off and because she likely cannot see it herself, or if she can, she could not handle the guilt of knowing and never having intervened or at the very least, helped him after the fact by standing up to the truth and denouncing his crimes. Denial is a much more comfortable place to reside for both DM and MB. MB is, in my opinion, a great example of the ultimate enabler.
The mentions in the letter of kindness to insects is so disturbing. That MB prays that DM will stay the same wonderful soul I know, and he is not marred by the tragic events that have lead him to the inexplicable abandonment he surely feels is bizarre!
Heres a suggestion for what MB might be better to write if she has another opportunity at a sentencing hearing in the future:
Your honour, I love my son with my whole heart. His actions took me by complete surprise as the man I see now is not the son I thought I and his father had raised. That son was kind and loving. The man I now know is proved to be guilty of murder by his own actions, and is cruel, calculating, and cunning. He is a killer of innocent people and he shows no remorse for taking two lives. He accepts no responsibility for his crimes and the resulting heartbreak experienced by the victims families and friends, or by his own.
Upon deep, honest and painful reflection, I now see signs that my son needed help in his youth that I and his father did not then see and nor did we intervene to get him the help that could have possibly prevented the tragic trajectory of his life. For all my days I will live with sorrow, regret and self-condemnation. I am his mother and I will love my son forever without fail, but I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to see that he gets the therapeutic support in prison to help him come to terms with himself, his past and his future. I dont know if there is any therapy that will be able to help my son, but I must hope that somehow, he can be rehabilitated. I believe that change is possible for my son, but I acknowledge that it will be a very long road to realize such change.
My heart is with the victims, their families, their friends and their communities. Their sorrow is endless.
I beg you to show mercy to my son. I will likely die long before he is released from prison. Please trust that I while I am living, I will do everything possible to help him become the kind of man he had the potential to become.
ALL MOO.