8 Die in Crash on Taconic State Parkway

[redheadedgal]

And I'm trying to put myself in his shoes and I think, for me, and I can only speak for myself, I think I would try and cooperate with the police first and foremost BEFORE I have my lawyer out there and we're doing a press conference. By all means, get representation. But take that representation and sit down with the state police and answer their questions before you take to the airways. JMHO.

ITA.

Even if he was afraid the drug use would affect his job or other family secrets would get out, those things shouldn't be his number one concerns right now. EIGHT people DIED and the other families involved deserve answers... truthful, accurate, honest and timely answers - not avoidance, not non-cooperation w/ LE and not lawyer tactics to possibly hide the truth. even if the husband is grieving, emotional, afraid, angry or whatever other emotions/thoughts are in his head, if he had NOTHING to hide, he'd attempt to talk to LE. if his current state of mind is in a tizzy/stressed out due to the situation at least LE would know he's trying to provide answers. fact is, he's not even trying according to reports... and to me, that says a lot.

 

[justathought]

ITA.

snipped: if he had NOTHING to hide, he'd attempt to talk to LE. if his current state of mind is in a tizzy/stressed out due to the situation at least LE would know he's trying to provide answers. fact is, he's not even trying according to reports... and to me, that says a lot.

From the looks of it, we have a difference of opinion on this board about that. Frankly, I would never talk to LE about anything where there was a remote possibility of being considered a "suspect" or being held liable in civil court for something without the blessing of my attorney...the professional.....and my bet would be in this case he and the rest of the family are being advised by the lawyers to remain quiet until more of this can be sorted out. Was a lawyer for the family present with the brother and sister-in-law for that reported LE interview? The story didn't say but I hope so. LE will lie to you. LE will take things out of context. That's why the Miranda warning was created by the judiciary....what you say can and will be used against you in a court of law (paraphrasing).

Emotions are running high here on all sides. If lawsuits are brought against the rest of the family members and they prevail....a new system of justice is being created in the state of New York that will strike fear in the hearts of anyone dealing with any sort of addicted loved one. Someone, yesterday, alluded to the situation of bar tenders being considered culpable in situations of serving too many drinks...that's somewhat different because a commercial transaction for gain is taking place....than being a family member/friend who has some knowledge of an addiction.

 

[danniturn]

Doesn't anyone think it is strange that nobody has come forward to say she was a drinker. NOBODY (except the fake friend the Post listed, but I am not counting that) I just cannot imagine that nowhere in her life was her drinking noticed. At this point, why hasn't a liquor store employee said they have seen her over the years? Where did she buy her liquor? We know how the media works these days. They have had a few days to track down somoone with info. Why havent they? I once new a sneaky alcholic, and she thought nobody knew, but everyone did. Nobody talked about it or acknowledged it. Once we were able to talk about it, it bacame clear everyone knew.

Why would the family deny it, after hearing the toxicology results? We all know they are completly reliable? or did they mix up vials with someone elses blood?
Maybe this was a once in a lifetime behavior. Maybe she met up with someone on the road?

Something else had to happen. I am not saying I don't believe this, but I am having a hard time believing it.

 

[Curious1381]

Can someone please point me to where it says she had a nanny?

First of all, the word nanny? Unless you are Casey Anthony, the term "nanny" is usually used to describe a live-in child caretaker. The Schulers having a payrolled nanny is highly unlikely.

I have read, however, that Diane herself was a nanny before she got her job at Cablevision.

Also, as a Cablevision executive Diane most likely made more than her husband. (I know admin assistants who make more than her husband.)

During yesterday's interview. Either Daniel or the SIL, Jay, explained that he was at home during the day, a sitter came before he had to leave to go to work and stayed until Diane got home. I didn't hear it called a "Nanny".

Also, in the interview on the Today show this morning, it was said that they carried the bottle of Vodka back and forth with them. They said that Daniel loading the van, but isn't sure whether or not the Vodka was in the containers.

Having heard that I can tell you that I have a lake house, that I go to on many weekends. I have one of those large Rubbermaid storage containers that I pile all kinds of items into and haul back and forth. It has things in it that I may need either at the lake house or at home. Sometimes I don't even take it out of the vehicle. Anyhow, I just went and looked inside it, and sure enough...there is a bottle of whiskey in it. Now, I am not a heavy drinker, and don't even drink whiskey, but I am guessing that if I were in an accident, and the bottle came out of the container and broke, it might give the appearance that I had been drinking it.

I am not saying that this is what happened, as she had alcohol in her system. But it does validate to me what they said on the show this morning.

 

[Kat]

I still think an independent autopsy is needed. Just to confirm what was found in the first one. To lay speculation and arguments presented by the lawyers of her family to rest.

It's just seems very commonsensical to me to do that. It will either lay all speculation and arguments to rest, or it will open a huge can of worms. It would benefit the non-familial victims (God bless their families) and it would benefit the LE and ME, and the community at large by ending arguments presented so far.

 

[southcitymom]

From the looks of it, we have a difference of opinion on this board about that. Frankly, I would never talk to LE about anything where there was a remote possibility of being considered a "suspect" or being held liable in civil court for something without the blessing of my attorney...the professional.....and my bet would be in this case he and the rest of the family are being advised by the lawyers to remain quiet until more of this can be sorted out. Was a lawyer for the family present with the brother and sister-in-law for that reported LE interview? The story didn't say but I hope so. LE will lie to you. LE will take things out of context. That's why the Miranda warning was created by the judiciary....what you say can and will be used against you in a court of law (paraphrasing).

Emotions are running high here on all sides. If lawsuits are brought against the rest of the family members and they prevail....a new system of justice is being created in the state of New York that will strike fear in the hearts of anyone dealing with any sort of addicted loved one. Someone, yesterday, alluded to the situation of bar tenders being considered culpable in situations of serving too many drinks...that's somewhat different because a commercial transaction for gain is taking place....than being a family member/friend who has some knowledge of an addiction.

I couldn't agree with you more and, honestly, IMHO, most of us here would behave the same way as her husband has, and we would do so even if we knew we didn't do anything wrong.

I NEVER understand why getting a lawyer automatically translates into "hiding something" and/or "guilty" for some folks. Not only is it, as you point out, an important right, it is also usually the smartest thing you can do for yourself in a situation like this.

 

[southcitymom]

I still think an independent autopsy is needed. Just to confirm what was found in the first one. To lay speculation and arguments presented by the lawyers of her family to rest.

It's just seems very commonsensical to me to do that. It will either lay all speculation and arguments to rest, or it will open a huge can of worms. It would benefit the non-familial victims (God bless their families) and it would benefit the LE and ME, and the community at large by ending arguments presented so far.

I'd like to see an independent autopsy also.

 

[zippitydoda]

Place the blame where it lies, directly on the shoulders of Diane Schuler. Honestly, will everyone feel better when they vilify the husband and family and sue them or put them in prison? To what end? Aren't they ruined already? And a 5 year old who just lost his mom, sister and three cousins gets to be put into foster care while daddy goes to jail (for complicity?) This is a terribly sad story but trying to blame the family is absurd.

I would not use the word blame. No normal person would get joy from this man’s misery, and would not seek a pound of flesh. Mostly everyone simply wants the truth about they know. Prior to the tox report, this family was sheltered, and the community mourned and comforted them. Now, with the release of the report, some people, including myself, think the family is being less than forthcoming.

Perhaps if the family had simply issued a written statement once the tox report facts were known, and avoided any additional communications with media, they (media) would have gotten the message that the family was not engaging them and moved on. It is the family statement’s regarding the findings in these reports that are fueling the coverage now, and hence the heated discussions on this sad situation. (not on WS, but on other sites).

IMO, going on TV, which they have done many times now, and repeatedly stating what a wonderful person and great mother she was - are the wrong words at the wrong time. Everyone knows that a wonderful person and good mother does not get behind the wheel under the influence of alleged drugs and alcohol and kill 7 innocent people – 4 of them children. His talk of “she does not drink”, “I never saw her drunk”, and “it must be something medical” are not just denial, they are self serving. His refusal to take any questions about the “pot” issue are as well. A righteous person would acknowledge that a family member has done something horrific, and deal with the aftermath with dignity and truthfulness, and accept wherever these truths lead.

But any good attorney would tell the husband to admit nothing, avoid any questions that would incriminate himself or his family, and force the state to work for months or years, at our tax expense, to get to the truth of what occurred that day.

side note: I think hiring Dominic Barbara as your attorney in a high profile case invites cynicism on its own if you are somewhat familiar with him.

 

[southcitymom]

Doesn't anyone think it is strange that nobody has come forward to say she was a drinker. NOBODY (except the fake friend the Post listed, but I am not counting that) I just cannot imagine that nowhere in her life was her drinking noticed. At this point, why hasn't a liquor store employee said they have seen her over the years? Where did she buy her liquor? We know how the media works these days. They have had a few days to track down somoone with info. Why havent they? I once new a sneaky alcholic, and she thought nobody knew, but everyone did. Nobody talked about it or acknowledged it. Once we were able to talk about it, it bacame clear everyone knew.

Why would the family deny it, after hearing the toxicology results? We all know they are completly reliable? or did they mix up vials with someone elses blood?
Maybe this was a once in a lifetime behavior. Maybe she met up with someone on the road?

Something else had to happen. I am not saying I don't believe this, but I am having a hard time believing it.

Welcome to WS, danniturn! Good point - although I don't dismiss the Post drinking buddy as a liar.

There's too much we don't know about her drinking habits to fully answer that. Perhaps she was a social drinker for a while and it is only progressed hardcore into a problem over the last year or so. I know you can order wine online - not sure about vodka. Did she mainly drink alone? She's an executive - did she travel a lot? Is she crafty enough to go to different liquor stores and buy en masse (like for a party)? If you need something legal and also need to keep it hidden, well - where there's a will, there's a way.

Doubt we'll find out where she/they scored weed either!

There may also be some folks who come out of the woodwork over the course of the next few days, weeks.

 

[SleuthyMama]

I think another autopsy would do exactly as Kat stated. It will either end all speculation once and for all or it's going to open a whole other can of worms. Either way, I do agree it should be done.

I cannot speak for others but I know that getting a lawyer doesn't translate into hiding something or being guilty at all for me.

It's the not cooperating with LE and refusing to answer the questions that does give me pause to wonder though.

 

[SleuthyMama]

I would not use the word blame. No normal person would get joy from this man’s misery, and would not seek a pound of flesh. Mostly everyone simply wants the truth about they know. Prior to the tox report, this family was sheltered, and the community mourned and comforted them. Now, with the release of the report, some people, including myself, think the family is being less than forthcoming.

Perhaps if the family had simply issued a written statement once the tox report facts were know, and avoided any additional communications with media, they (media) would have gotten the message that the family was not engaging them and moved on. It is the family statement’s regarding the findings in these reports that are fueling the coverage now, and hence the heated discussions on this sad situation. (not on WS, but on other sites).

IMO, going on TV, which they have done many times now, and repeatedly stating what a wonderful a person and great mother she was - are the wrong words at the wrong time. Everyone knows that a wonderful person and good mother does not get behind the wheel under the influence of alleged drugs and alcohol and kill 7 innocent people – 4 of them children. His talk of “she does not drink”, “I never saw her drunk”, and “it must be something medical” are not just denial, they are self serving. His refusal to take any questions about the “pot” issue are well. A righteous person would acknowledge that a family member has done something horrific, and deal with the aftermath with dignity and truthfulness, and accept wherever these truths lead.

He can say that’s its unthinkable that she did this, but could admit that she did it. But any good attorney would tell the husband to admit nothing, avoid any questions that would incriminate himself or his family, and force the state work for months or years, at our tax expense, to get to the truth of what occurred that day.

side note: hiring Dominic Barbara as your attorney in a high profile case invites cynicism on its own if you are somewhat familiar with him.

ITA. Great post. Thank you.

 

[Native New Yorker]

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/5-liers-killed-in-ny-parkway-crash-1.1328669

There are 80 pics....I did not look at all of them...site seemed a little slow to me.....

 

[Brwnigirl]

Hello WS

I know people can get this messed up when they drink. Did Diane? I know we are waiting for more information. I am not drawn to every story on WS(in the news)but this one...

I do not drink, my parents are alcoholics: my father drove home drunk from my wedding. He had been walking/stumbling around thanking everyone for coming to "the birthday" when he and my mother came over and announced they would be going home. I asked, "do you think its okay for dad to drive?" And, my mother treated me as she always has: "of course he's okay to drive": like how dare you question us?

If I said out loud in public that my father is an alcoholic my mother would ask that I be checked out for sanity. If I told her I remember dad and her being drunk while I was a child they would say that I remember things the way I want to remember them. That I am melodramatic and a liar.

When my dad didn't come home on time my mom would have us sit in the dark in the living room "imagining" him home. We would imagine him pulling in the driveway and everything being okay: till he came home. Sometimes it was hours and we couldn't eat dinner till he came home. But by then he was so drunk he barely knew who he was or who we were. He would fall asleep eating dinner, or say and do things that made no sense. We would just wait for him to finally pass out.

Once we were in a restaurant waiting for my father(me, my sister, brother and mother)and when my father came in he was stumbling all over the place. When he came in everyone noticed how drunk he was: I was thinking about her children(of who there is only one left)and if their mom was a drinker, I know how scary that can be. If this wasn't her first time drinking, I think the kids knew, maybe too young to articulate what drinking is-but now that I am an adult I can look back and remember my father being drunk and my mom yelling at him about it as early as six. Diane's boy is five.

Will he be questioned? (I don't know if that would be right or not?):waitasec: Do we(under the law)ask questions in a investigation of children so young?


My mom drank and got angry. That is when she would come after us about something we had done earlier or anything we did wrong. I remember when she would pull my hair or get in my face, her breath would smell like alcohol.

But neither of my parents would dignify what I have said about them today. For you see, they have a crazy daughter. :crazy: (That would be me.)

Things are coming back to me now. I have never talked about this too much. My husband knows about my parents, his are equally as bad with the drink and his brother is an alcoholic too. It would take less time to list my family members that do not drink and are not alcoholics.

Well, sorry to go on...:boohoo:

I really do wonder if what really caused this "accident" was alcohol? And, if it was then we know it wasn't the alcohol that was the problem, it is whatever made her drink in the first place.

...jmo...

Chiquita: Thank you for sharing your story which I am sure is not easy and for taking a different path and choosing not to drink.

Just wanted to say that I don' t know about your state but where I am from a five year old would be interviewed, that is not too young and a CPS social worker would conduct the interview probably.

 

[southcitymom]

I would not use the word blame. No normal person would get joy from this man’s misery, and would not seek a pound of flesh. Mostly everyone simply wants the truth about they know. Prior to the tox report, this family was sheltered, and the community mourned and comforted them. Now, with the release of the report, some people, including myself, think the family is being less than forthcoming.

Perhaps if the family had simply issued a written statement once the tox report facts were know, and avoided any additional communications with media, they (media) would have gotten the message that the family was not engaging them and moved on. It is the family statement’s regarding the findings in these reports that are fueling the coverage now, and hence the heated discussions on this sad situation. (not on WS, but on other sites).

IMO, going on TV, which they have done many times now, and repeatedly stating what a wonderful a person and great mother she was - are the wrong words at the wrong time. Everyone knows that a wonderful person and good mother does not get behind the wheel under the influence of alleged drugs and alcohol and kill 7 innocent people – 4 of them children. His talk of “she does not drink”, “I never saw her drunk”, and “it must be something medical” are not just denial, they are self serving. His refusal to take any questions about the “pot” issue are well. Please stop talking to the media Mr. Schuler – please. A righteous person would acknowledge that a family member has done something horrific, and deal with the aftermath with dignity and truthfulness, and accept wherever these truths lead. They would not be defending or protecting their dead wife, who is accused of 7 deaths, including his own child.

He can say that’s its unthinkable that she did this, but should admit that she did it. But any good attorney would tell the husband to admit nothing, avoid any questions that would incriminate him or his family, and force the state work for months or years, at our tax expense, to get to the truth of what occurred that day.

side note: hiring Dominic Barbara as your attorney in a high profile case invites cynicism on its own if you are somewhat familiar with him.

I don't know this woman, of course, but I do know wonderful people and parents who have done terrible things in service to addiction. It's as nonsensical to remember and judge someone for only their worst decisions and behavior as it is to remember and judge them only for their best. That's just my opinion, of course.

The people who knew this woman best have an experience of her that we cannot begin to know - for them, even moreso than for us, the sum of what they now know doesn't make sense in light of the parts they thought they knew. More than one family of a secret addict has come to this fork in the road before, and I think it's fair to allow them some time to begin to accept a reality that they may not have known existed. An independent autopsy may go a long way towards bringing them to that place.

If they don't talk, they aren't being forthcoming....if they speak their truth, they're in denial or hiding something. It just seems unfair to judge this man too harshly.........right now, I suspect he is processing.....and then there's a whole host of other stages he might need to pass through before he can come to a place where he might be "righteous" :waitasec: In my own path, it took be YEARS to get from Denial to Acceptance....and some days, I can still duck back into Denial.

Thank God I have never had to walk through what he is walking through in a fishbowl.....the very thought of that makes me queasy.

I don't keep up with attorneys and have no idea who Barbara is, but I gather from this thread that he is known well-enough for me to assume he has been involved in something high profile and has been to this rodeo before. And for his client, that's a good thing.

 

[southcitymom]

I think another autopsy would do exactly as Kat stated. It will either end all speculation once and for all or it's going to open a whole other can of worms. Either way, I do agree it should be done.

I cannot speak for others but I know that getting a lawyer doesn't translate into hiding something or being guilty at all for me.

It's the not cooperating with LE and refusing to answer the questions that does give me pause to wonder though.

What would you do if that's what your lawyer told you to do at this stage in the game?

 

[Brwnigirl]

Can someone tell me which show the father appeared on? I haven't read back all the way on here and would like to watch his interveiw or comments. Thanks.

 

[SleuthyMama]

What would you do if that's what your lawyer told you to do at this stage in the game?

At this stage in the game? He's been doing it all along, SCM. There were reports of lack of cooperation even before Barbara was on the scene.

And if it was me and my lawyer told me not to talk then I guess I would not talk but I also don't think I would have agreed to go on air and do a presser either!

 

[Kat]

Off topic and as an aside: If I or my family are involved in something like the crimes we see here on WS, I would definately be retaining a lawyer and doing whatever they told me to do. Especially after reading these boards, family members and innocent ppl can behave in some really strange ways...sheeeew. JMHO. (I also would avoid the media like the plague but that's just me.)

 

[SleuthyMama]

Respectfully snipped:

I don't keep up with attorneys and have no idea who Barbara is, but I gather from this thread that he is known well-enough for me to assume he has been involved in something high profile and has been to this rodeo before. And for his client, that's a good thing.

He's been to the rodeo alright. And ridden some pretty interesting horses. He's represented Joey Buttafuoco, Jessica Hahn, the husband in the kidney divorce case, Michael Lohan, and Vincent Pastore to name the most well known ones.

Very theatrical style. Quoted as saying "I am literally bigger than life,"
And "the reputation is that if you try a case with me, I'm going to - kill you."

 

[zippitydoda]

I don't know this woman, of course, but I do know wonderful people and parents who have done terrible things in service to addiction. It's as nonsensical to remember and judge someone for only their worst decisions and behavior as it is to remember and judge them only for their best. That's just my opinion, of course.

I don't keep up with attorneys and have no idea who Barbara is, but I gather from this thread that he is known well-enough for me to assume he has been involved in something high profile and has been to this rodeo before. And for his client, that's a good thing.

South City Mom, I completely enjoy your comments. You bring life experiences to these discussions, and I thank you for your candidness.

I may not agree with you on some points, and thats that, but I do look forward to reading your comments.

ps. On Barbara, I personally would not hire him to get me out of a parking ticket.

His past client base is not exactly stellar, (Joey Buttefucco is one of the more notorious) and he and his clients made $$ being media . I also recall something about him being a divorce attorney, and made the papers when his wife tossed a big bowl of spagetti on his head when she asked for him divorce. He was a regular on Howard Stern show during the Jessica Hahn/ Jim Baker nonsence as well.