BBM
I'm not understanding the comparison of these cases at all. I don't profess to know much about the Columbine killings or annihilator-type murders however just Susan Smith and Andrea Yates are wholly incomparable - as are Dena Schlosser and Diane Downs. This is Sky's thread and I don't want to derail but a psychotic filicide and non-psychotic filicide are as different as night to day in my opinion.
Both Dena Schlosser and Andrea Yates committed psychotic filicides meaning that while their crimes are horrible they did not at the time of their children's murder understand the depth of their atrocity. Both suffered from post partum psychosis, were found to be not guilty by reason of insanity, and that has been recognised by the courts through their acquittals.
Smith and Downs both cold-bloodedly murdered their children because, presumably, intended lovers did not want children. Both women are afflicted with personality disorders, both crimes are categorized as non-psychotic filicide and both women were sentenced to life in prison for their crimes. I cannot find any information to confirm Smith was prescribed psychotropics before the murder of her sons either. Do you have a link for that?
No one here has to accept theories as facts though. It has been reported in abundancy that the court has found the abuse allegations unfounded so therefore I do not consider it a known fact. It is every bit as likely that JB exaggerated a domestic argument in her quest to alienate a non-custodial parent as it is that SM beat her. None of us was there so none of us truly know - we are left with opinions based on known facts and personal experience. Even if he was abusive though it does not change the fact in any way, shape or form that JB abandoned a two year old in a car on the side of a road. Which is why Sky is missing after all.
ETA: A copy of the transcript on NG was posted by Patty G in which Clay Terry, SM's attorney, stated the results of the 2nd poly could not be discussed. Never did he state the 2nd one was also inconclusive. Of course that is just that one show so perhaps it was stated elsewhere but both links below state the same. Results not disclosed.
http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1111/14/ng.01.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016748652_missing12m.html
http://www.king5.com/news/local/sky...-Skys-still-waiting-for-mother-133701148.html
Good post. One thing, though: We do not know whether the court found Julia's abuse claims unfounded. Solomon and his attorney stated LE and CPD determined they were unfounded and thus took no action.
It does appear that the claim about sexual abuse was determined to be unfounded by the family law court. However, I am not sure about the physical abuse claims. Also, it appears the Julia's claims of domestic violence were absolutely believed by the family law court because he has a restraining order against him.
I have considered it a possibility that Solomon abused Julia. I still consider that possibility. But, I tend to doubt those claims at this point for the following reasons:
1. Apart from the family law court rulings, there is nothing that has been released to substantiate Julia's claims.
2. Julia stated Solomon had never hit her or physically hurt her until the last year of marriage. As they had been together for 14 years, this does not fit the typical pattern of an abuser.
3. Julia did not make claims of abuse until Solomon filed for a divorce and a protective order to make sure the children were protected from her dangerous (according to him) behaviors.
4. Julia's reported suicidal text message support Solomon's claims, not hers.
5. Julia's several hospitalizations support Solomon's claims, not hers.
6. Media reports suggest a relationship that included much socializing and fun until the kids were born. That also is not typical of a relationship in which the man is controlling and sadistic. Usually, they tend to isolate their victims.
7. Julia is a liar, according to LE. She claimed to have run out of gas but her car was found with gas an no mechanical problems.
8. The abuse allegations suddenly escalated. Solomon went from a man who was a "great father" according to Julia's suicide text, to a man who then physically abused her, then bruised the children and then, finally, molested M. Solomon claims that these ever-escalating allegations were the efforts of a mentally ill mother struggling to maintain custody (and financial support for) her children and that if she was believed, and he was not, something bad would likely happen to her or their children.
9. Something bad did happen. Sky is now missing and no one can be found who saw him in the two weeks prior to his reported disappearance.
10. Solomon was ordered to undergo various lengthy and very costly domestic violence classes before he could regain visitation rights (according to reports). he has not done that, according to his attorney, because he lacks the funds. Thus, Julia was going into the looming trial with the upper hand, legally, and the better position to keep him from having custody or visitation rights. Yet, at court-ordered mediation prior to trial, she agreed to him having every other weekend with the kids, unsupervised. Domestic violence is child abuse. It is dangerous to children Nevertheless, Julia agreed to allowing him to have visitation prior to completing such classes.