VA - Cullen, 1, Emily Bivens, 24, & Joan Bernard, 62, Pittsylvania, murdered, 26 Aug 2019 *Arrest*

[10ofRods]

I'm expecting an Alford or no contest plea too. I'm not sure if they try for not guilty by insanity because, I think, too much information will come out. Such as, the family failed to get Matthew the mental health treatment he needed in time.

Perhaps. I don't know the law there. But in California (and many states), the suspect is remanded into psychiatric custody (locked up in a mental hospital) until a panel of psychiatrists (sometimes with reports or testimony of yet other experts) decide the person is mentally fit to stand trial.

A plea is entered at that point. We have quite a few people in hospitals for the criminally insane. For a long time.

I sure do wonder what will happen here. Drugs alone? Or drugs + major mental illness?

 

[Mary Mallon]

Perhaps. I don't know the law there. But in California (and many states), the suspect is remanded into psychiatric custody (locked up in a mental hospital) until a panel of psychiatrists (sometimes with reports or testimony of yet other experts) decide the person is mentally fit to stand trial.

A plea is entered at that point. We have quite a few people in hospitals for the criminally insane. For a long time.

I sure do wonder what will happen here. Drugs alone? Or drugs + major mental illness?

Based on statements from the family it's mental illness. A cousin, Jenn Stallard, posted on her Facebook page that it was mental illness. Mathew doesn't fit the pattern of a drug user. And since I live 15 minutes from where this incident took place I can attest to the fact that Bath Salts and PCP is not prevalent in this area. Matthew Bernard, according to an uncle, was a good, church going kid that had begun having bad dreams talking about demons. The day it happened Mathew said something to the effect of "this ends today.".

As far as his mental state, he will have to be found competent to stand trail. If not he will stay in a secure mental facility for life or until he is found competent.

 

[Mary Mallon]

Based on statements from the family it's mental illness. A cousin, Jenn Stallard, posted on her Facebook page that it was mental illness. Mathew doesn't fit the pattern of a drug user. And since I live 15 minutes from where this incident took place I can attest to the fact that Bath Salts and PCP is not prevalent in this area. Matthew Bernard, according to an uncle, was a good, church going kid that had begun having bad dreams talking about demons. The day it happened Mathew said something to the effect of "this ends today.".

As far as his mental state, he will have to be found competent to stand trail. If not he will stay in a secure mental facility for life or until he is found competent.

Matthew was taken to the local hospital and then to a larger hospital in Roanoke the day of the murders. This is the normal procedure for mental health patients in the area, but normally the mental health patients are kept for at least 3 days at the second hospital. Matthew was transferred back to jail after the hospital in Roanoke. Then in the early morning he was taken to the hospital in Roanoke again before his arraignment, which is why it was postponed and rescheduled. I'm not sure of his exact location at this point. I'll see what I can find out.

 

[Mary Mallon]

As of August 29, the local paper, the Chatham Star-Tribune did not know Matthew Bernard's exact location and has not reported anything since. In earlier articles it was reported that he was brought back to the jail after the hospital in Roanoke and even though he was acting normal, he was placed on suicide watch.

 

[Mary Mallon]

§ 19.2-169.1. Raising question of competency to stand trial or plead; evaluation and determination of competency

Virginia statue concerning defendant competency and declaration of incompetency to stand trial.

 

[realanastasia]

Quite a bit of info here.the neighbor Ms. Jefferson is his aunt. Search warrant reveals new, grisly details in Pittsylvania Co. triple slaying

ETA warrant doesn’t clarify who the male was but does state suspect not at home. Also never clarified who’s scream they heard but it wasn’t the neighbor because she was outside and LE though there was another victim inside.

Related to my last post asking about which of the two victims were shot to death, this article confirms that the toddler was found with a GSW to the head, meaning one of the women was the other GSW victim . Unspeakably awful .

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Yes I agree. Even as a complete stranger I Struggle with this one because on one side I think of BB and what he has lost and it makes me angry and hateful. And then on the other side I find myself empathizing with the remaining family members that MB remains their son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle. Most, if not all, of who will likely love him and forgive him for what he has done. And even more so IF this was associated with a medical or mental disorder.

Morning!

True, either way it's a life altering experience.

I have seen a few family members be able to forgive the murderer whether they were family members or total strangers.

When forgiveness has happened on occasion the basis for forgiveness was totally based on their strong faith in God.

Then I have seen many family members of murder victims who also were of a strong faith in God who believe whoever (stranger or family member) murdered their loved ones deserve to be punished fully, and held fully accountable under the laws of man.

So family members of deep faith have widely varying beliefs.

I've seen many crime shows with family members, who say years or even decades later, when another family member destroyed the ones they dearly love, they continue to struggle with forgiveness even though they know God believes they must forgive all others. It's common to also see them say even though they know they should they cant ever forgive them for what they have done.

They may personally forgive them or not, but also know justice must be served, which is totally left up to each prosecutor in each jurisdiction. The families know it's not their call to make.

I suppose it would make it easier for forgiveness to come at some point if the murderer is deemed to be mentally insane under judicial standards at the time they committed murder.

However it's still extremely rare for murderers to be declared mentally insane. Only a very tiny minority were actually mentally insane at the time it occurred.

Iirc the last stats I read of all murderers in all states collectively only 2 to 4 percent actually were found mentally insane. Although this defense is often the ones DT use, it's extremely rare for juries to agree.

At one time most states could vote only NG due to being mentally insane, but now several states have enacted new laws, my state included.

Now if the juries do believe the insanity defense they can vote Guilty, but insane.

The sentencing punishment is the same as it would be for anyone committing heinous murders if convicted, but the defendant is either locked up in the mental health part of the prison or they are afforded medication they may need by a prison mental health doctors.

We should know soon if the mental health professionals have either found him incompetent or competent to stand trial, and if they believe he was truly mentally insane at the time he murdered all three.

It shouldn't take long to know this answer, I dont think.

Jmho

 

[Mary Mallon]

Morning!

True, either way it's a life altering experience.

I have seen a few family members be able to forgive the murderer whether they were family members or total strangers.

When forgiveness has happened on occasion the basis for forgiveness was totally based on their strong faith in God.

Then I have seen many family members of murder victims who also were of a strong faith in God who believe whoever (stranger or family member) murdered their loved ones deserve to be punished fully, and held fully accountable under the laws of man.

So family members of deep faith have widely varying beliefs.

I've seen many crime shows with family members, who say years or even decades later, when another family member destroyed the ones they dearly love, they continue to struggle with forgiveness even though they know God believes they must forgive all others. It's common to also see them say even though they know they should they cant ever forgive them for what they have done.

They may personally forgive them or not, but also know justice must be served, which is totally left up to each prosecutor in each jurisdiction. The families know it's not their call to make.

I suppose it would make it easier for forgiveness to come at some point if the murderer is deemed to be mentally insane under judicial standards at the time they committed murder.

However it's still extremely rare for murderers to be declared mentally insane. Only a very tiny minority were actually mentally insane at the time it occurred.

Iirc the last stats I read of all murderers in all states collectively only 2 to 4 percent actually were found mentally insane. Although this defense is often the ones DT use, it's extremely rare for juries to agree.

At one time most states could vote only NG due to being mentally insane, but now several states have enacted new laws, my state included.

Now if the juries do believe the insanity defense they can vote Guilty, but insane.

The sentencing punishment is the same as it would be for anyone committing heinous murders if convicted, but the defendant is either locked up in the mental health part of the prison or they are afforded medication they may need by a prison mental health doctors.

We should know soon if the mental health professionals have either found him incompetent or competent to stand trial, and if they believe he was truly mentally insane at the time he murdered all three.

It shouldn't take long to know this answer, I dont think.

Jmho

I think it's very telling of the family that they are somewhat forgiving of Matthew's actions that he is listed in the obituary, but for the mother only. This family is a member of a Church of God congregation. From what I understand this church sees all actions as the will of God, in some way. And forgiveness, to them, might not be there's to give. The memorials are today, at the church, all together. I think someone said Matthew's name was added to the mother's obituary after the initial printing without it.

Obituaries

 

[oceanblueeyes]

As of August 29, the local paper, the Chatham Star-Tribune did not know Matthew Bernard's exact location and has not reported anything since. In earlier articles it was reported that he was brought back to the jail after the hospital in Roanoke and even though he was acting normal, he was placed on suicide watch.

From all of the other cases I've followed when any suspect has been arrested, its standard protocol for all of them to be put on suicide watch.

Jmho

 

[Mary Mallon]

From all of the other cases I've followed when any suspect has been arrested, its standard protocol for all of them to be put on suicide watch.

Jmho

Yes, most definitely, and especially in this area. Even if there wasn't a chance of suicide he would not have been put in jail population, due to the crimes committed. Any offender accused of a violent crime at either the County Jail in Chatham, Va. or the city jail in Danville, Va, would be held in isolation with limited access to objects used for self harm.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I think it's very telling of the family that they are somewhat forgiving of Matthew's actions that he is listed in the obituary, but for the mother only. This family is a member of a Church of God congregation. From what I understand this church sees all actions as the will of God, in some way. And forgiveness, to them, might not be there's to give. The memorials are today, at the church, all together. I think someone said Matthew's name was added to the mother's obituary after the initial printing without it.

Obituaries

I have no doubt this family will forgive him especially if he's legally deemed mentally insane at the time.

However, family members aren't mental health professionals as we have seen in countless other cases where other families also immediately came out to the media, and declared this was the reason they murdered.

I have seen so many families come out, and declare the very same thing as a reason why their family member did such awful violent acts.

However, many more times than not, they weren't declared mentally insane.

So while I perfectly understand all families wanting to believe this, I will wait until it's been verified to be true.

This one may be one of those rare cases, but until he is thoroughly evaluated we just don't know that answer.

I'm sure the doctors will look for any signs of cognitive thought patterns he may have done when he murdered all three. Also how rational he was talking to the investigators or doctors when arrested.

It is interesting he was sent to the hospital, but was returned shortly afterwards. While I know many think drugs couldn't be involved at this time we just dont know that answer yet.

Being of strong faith doesn't immune anyone from falling, unfortunately. All churches are filled with imperfect human beings.

One of his high school friends said he had just seen him walking around on campus the day before, iirc, and he was his normal self.

So there are too many unanswered questions at this point to know what really did happen, and why. Imo

Jmho

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Iirc his uncle said he was fine, but then became aggravated or agitated about something.

I would like to know what was the trigger that aggravated him?

Jmho

 

[Mary Mallon]

Iirc his uncle said he was fine, but then became aggravated or agitated about something.

I would like to know what was the trigger that aggravated him?

Jmho

His uncle stated that Matthew had been experiencing bad dreams and spoke about demons in the day or so leading up to the incident. And the day of the incident someone said Matthew said "this ends today." Also I believe it was the neighbor, Matthew's aunt, Ms. Jefferson spoke about seeing him in a field across from his house sitting staring into space with a blank look on his face. She waved and Matthew didn't respond, which was out of character.

I'm still going to have a hard time believing Matthew knowingly ingested drugs due to so many people saying it would be out of character. Even the kids I know that are his age and know him that party themselves said there's no way he knowingly ingested drugs.

But, as you said, we won't know until the case makes its way through the system and we may never know.

 

[Mary Mallon]

I usually don't like posting and spreading gossip or unproven statements, but the person that gave me this information is close to several deputies in the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Dept. Supposedly, Matthew's father was shot at in the house. Also that morning before the incident took place Matthew was up in the kitchen and his mother complained that he was making too much noise and would wake the baby.

Again, this was told to me by someone that knows several Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Deputies and cannot be confirmed as fact, at the moment. I'm just trying to provide some insight into what happened that morning.

Just my opinion.

 

[Simply Southern]

.....

I think it's very telling of the family that they are somewhat forgiving of Matthew's actions that he is listed in the obituary, but for the mother only. This family is a member of a Church of God congregation. From what I understand this church sees all actions as the will of God, in some way. And forgiveness, to them, might not be there's to give. The memorials are today, at the church, all together. I think someone said Matthew's name was added to the mother's obituary after the initial printing without it.

Obituaries

I'm pretty sure Mathews name was in the mothers obit from the start. His name is NOT in Emily's obit.

 

[Simply Southern]

His uncle stated that Matthew had been experiencing bad dreams and spoke about demons in the day or so leading up to the incident. And the day of the incident someone said Matthew said "this ends today." Also I believe it was the neighbor, Matthew's aunt, Ms. Jefferson spoke about seeing him in a field across from his house sitting staring into space with a blank look on his face. She waved and Matthew didn't respond, which was out of character.

I'm still going to have a hard time believing Matthew knowingly ingested drugs due to so many people saying it would be out of character. Even the kids I know that are his age and know him that party themselves said there's no way he knowingly ingested drugs.

But, as you said, we won't know until the case makes its way through the system and we may never know.

Yeap, that's how it works.

If it is drugs, then someone had to have drugged him unknowingly.

Imho...

 

[oceanblueeyes]

His uncle stated that Matthew had been experiencing bad dreams and spoke about demons in the day or so leading up to the incident. And the day of the incident someone said Matthew said "this ends today." Also I believe it was the neighbor, Matthew's aunt, Ms. Jefferson spoke about seeing him in a field across from his house sitting staring into space with a blank look on his face. She waved and Matthew didn't respond, which was out of character.

I'm still going to have a hard time believing Matthew knowingly ingested drugs due to so many people saying it would be out of character. Even the kids I know that are his age and know him that party themselves said there's no way he knowingly ingested drugs.

But, as you said, we won't know until the case makes its way through the system and we may never know.

Ita, Mary!

We simply don't know what we don't know at this time.

Hopefully, the answers to at least the mental illiness question will be known soon one way or the other.

I did read the competency rules for VA provided, and it did state just because the offender may say they don't remember what happened that isn't sufficient to prove incompentcy. What did surprise me though is the offenders' attorneys only have to produce only enough preponderance of the evidence it's true. Imo, that means more likely than not of course, which I find is a low threshold standard of proof on such serious crimes like when anyone commits triple mass murder.

As far as his family recalling strange behavior that also can be the same behavior when deadly drugs have been ingested.

I have no doubt they pulled a blood sample for toxicology testing when he was at the hospital.

Those results will be vitally important to the state, and the defense depending on the results. Imo, the results of those tests will greatly determine how the state decides to go forward with this case.

If all of the tests are negative that will certainly work in his favor, but he wont be out of the woods yet. Imo. The investigators will investigate to see if he had a possible motive to murder all three that wasn't known until investigated thoroughly.

For all we know there may have been some hidden agenda, and conflict we aren't aware of now. The family dynamics between the shooter, and the 2 adult victims will be closely investigated.

I feel many times if murderers come from a deeply religious home, they tend to hide any secret they may have even more so.

I'm not saying this is the case here, but it isn't all that unusual that people let others see what they only want them to see, and not what's really happening or what they may be thinking.

I do find it odd that he picked a time to murder all of three when he knew there wasn't any adult men there who would try their best to stop him.

I guess I could believe the mental illiness proclamation by his family members more easily if I hadn't already heard that very same reason given by so many other families who found themselves in the same situations when in the end, it wasn't the case at all.

How long had he been attending community college? Tia.

Imoo

 

[Simply Southern]

Ita, Mary!

We simply don't know what we don't know at this time.

Hopefully, the answers to at least the mental illiness question will be known soon one way or the other.

I did read the competency rules for VA provided, and it did state just because the offender may say they don't remember what happened that isn't sufficient to prove incompentcy. What did surprise me though is the offenders' attorneys only have to produce only enough preponderance of the evidence it's true. Imo, that means more likely than not of course, which I find is a low threshold standard of proof on such serious crimes like when anyone commits triple mass murder.

As far as his family recalling strange behavior that also can be the same behavior when deadly drugs have been ingested.

I have no doubt they pulled a blood sample for toxicology testing when he was at the hospital.

Those results will be vitally important to the state, and the defense depending on the results. Imo, the results of those tests will greatly determine how the state decides to go forward with this case.

If all of the tests are negative that will certainly work in his favor, but he wont be out of the woods yet. Imo. The investigators will investigate to see if he had a possible motive to murder all three that wasn't known until investigated thoroughly.

For all we know there may have been some hidden agenda, and conflict we aren't aware of now. The family dynamics between the shooter, and the 2 adult victims will be closely investigated.

I feel many times if murderers come from a deeply religious home, they tend to hide any secret they may have even more so.

I'm not saying this is the case here, but it isn't all that unusual that people let others see what they only want them to see, and not what's really happening or what they may be thinking.

I do find it odd that he picked a time to murder all of three when he knew there wasn't any adult men there who would try their best to stop him.

I guess I could believe the mental illiness proclamation by his family members more easily if I hadn't already heard that very same reason given by so many other families who found themselves in the same situations when in the end, it wasn't the case at all.

How long had he been attending community college? Tia.

Imoo

I've had many MH clients not pass the competency test. They are evaluated by the local Community Services Board, with a series of specific questions, they are given a booklet to study and have a second evaluation. Then they are seen by the CSB psychiatrist, who has a court checklist to determine if they met competency. They must be able to participate in their trial.

Its not up to the attorneys.

Jmo

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I usually don't like posting and spreading gossip or unproven statements, but the person that gave me this information is close to several deputies in the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Dept. Supposedly, Matthew's father was shot at in the house. Also that morning before the incident took place Matthew was up in the kitchen and his mother complained that he was making too much noise and would wake the baby.

Again, this was told to me by someone that knows several Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Deputies and cannot be confirmed as fact, at the moment. I'm just trying to provide some insight into what happened that morning.

Just my opinion.

Is any other police agency assisting in this case? Most mass homicides I've followed through the decades the local LE jurisdiction immediately calls in it's the state police agency, and/or the FBI to assist in such a case.

I'm surprised the press hasn't learned the father was in the home at the time if that was the case.

I have always found local, and area reporters are much much better at getting information on these kind of cases than the national media.

I live in a small rural community myself, and talk travels quickly. It's odd that the press hasn't mentioned the father being in the home.

But it does seem he did get ticked off when his mother told him his noise was going to wake the baby. Was he jealous of his sister, and baby, and the attention they were getting, I wonder? Sigh.

Sometimes that's all it takes for someone to erupt into a murderous rage as we have seen happen before.

It seems it's always something totally triviaI that starts it.

Imoo

 

[Simply Southern]

Matthew was taken to the local hospital and then to a larger hospital in Roanoke the day of the murders. This is the normal procedure for mental health patients in the area, but normally the mental health patients are kept for at least 3 days at the second hospital. Matthew was transferred back to jail after the hospital in Roanoke. Then in the early morning he was taken to the hospital in Roanoke again before his arraignment, which is why it was postponed and rescheduled. I'm not sure of his exact location at this point. I'll see what I can find out.

I still believe it maybe a physical/medical problem with Matthew. Danville Regional houses many MH clients in a violent episode, as well as Lynchburg.

By taking to Roanoke Memorial ( Carilion), they are a level 5 Trauma Center, I feel DR found "something" medical. Then being returned to the hospital. If it was just MI, they would have transferred to Southern Virginia mental health facility, right in Danville. They have the 24 hour RN nurses and a full time psychiatrist. They handle many MI patients with medical needs.

As with all mental health patients they can be fine for along time and then develop a urinary track infection and decompensate in hours.

Jmo