FL - Somer Thompson, 7, Orange Park, 19 Oct 2009 #32

[houndstooth]

Well, the video sure is long! The things that interested me where the reporter going into detail about why LE doesn't want to release COD (lots of people throwing this question around), the inside information on the funeral, did you notice when she referred to a male who was "there but not really near Somer? I thought she was talking about ST, but didn't SAD say ST was in the front row? Just little things here and there. Making a point of saying Diena told her if she had ANY idea anything that happened could be possible, she would NEVER have let Somer walk, etc., etc. I now am interested in raw or unedited videos and transcripts because a few are requesting editors to cut significant portions out and I wonder why??? Also, I watched something about ST where there was a donations acct set up for him to have travel expenses and etc.

DT's remark about her $14.00 an hour job is ironically made after she has quit because the bottomless source of funds can assure her that she won't have to worry about money for some time. I hope her remarks were sincere. What do you think?

You are very welcome.

Good work on the transcripts. Heck, I'd rather read a transcript if I can't see the video any ole day. But, I have a feeling they are all going the way of the do-do. There were indeed several interesting remarks in the NG transcript!
Regarding the other quote, as I said before it was first said a few weeks back in an article also written by Ms. Varnum.(article might have been "Somebody Knows Something") In the original she had another quote that was "I just hope people can feel my pain!" Now, me, I read these articles and I think hey, you sat down with this person for an interview that probably lasted half an hour or more. Why the heck do you pull two quotes like that out of context? I would love to hear more of what you two actually taked about than see a couple blurbs on the page!! To answer your question not having had the benefit of Ms. Varnum's interview a little more fleshed out: I would say the same thing you did. Why bring up how much money you were making on a job you quit two weeks ago ( at the time ), and use that as a segue into having to live the rest of your life feeling like you played a role in this"???
It seems a non sequitor to me, but then her quotes usually do leave me scratching my head.
As for what the preacher said; it is pretty much the same words of sympathy you hear when losing a loved one. People tell you that, but the reality is it USUALLY is easier said than done. Just laugh and smile and have fun..........it's going to be OK. When it isn't.

 

[ChickenPants]

Say What?! I just about swallowed one of my Houndsteeth! See, that's why I asked how the pastor treated him specifically. I thought of all people he would have set an example of compassion for ALL of the immediate family.

Was he planning on leaving the reception to take ya'll to Sonny's? I thought he would do a little pastoral counselling or whatever. I gathered from comments from the reporter that there wasn't time to do this beforehand, he was "away from the principal family members". I could only hear the one side of conversation with J.W. and Mary Baer. That's why I asked if maybe he made up for it at the reception. So the pastor just intimated ST was not welcome for some reason? Gyah!

ETA: Heaven's to Murghatroydd, even! I had to add something to express my utter confoundment, if you'll excuse me.

Hounds, Sad, I have to tell you a little story which I hope will lighten our sad minds just a little...

I know a (younger and outspoken) priest, and he told in his homily about a wedding he was going to officiate at. He called the Mother and Father of the Bride in separately, "counselling" them to put their vindictiveness aside for the sake of their daughter and this sacred occasion.

At the reception, apparently they got into it big time and a knock-down, drag-out fist fight actually occurred.

Pastor Tom took a video camera and filmed the whole thing. He then made 2 copies and sent it to the parents, saying now they could remember the beautiful gift they had given their daughter at their wedding.

 

[houndstooth]

Hounds, Sad, I have to tell you a little story which I hope will lighten our sad minds just a little...

I know a (younger and outspoken) priest, and he told in his homily about a wedding he was going to officiate at. He called the Mother and Father of the Bride in separately, "counselling" them to put their vindictiveness aside for the sake of their daughter and this sacred occasion.

At the reception, apparently they got into it big time and a knock-down, drag-out fist fight actually occurred.

Pastor Tom took a video camera and filmed the whole thing. He then made 2 copies and sent it to the parents, saying now they could remember the beautiful gift they had given their daughter at their wedding.

I see you don't know me very well. LOL lol. Now I am just sitting here thinking what a pair of selfish Jacka_ _ es!! But, the priest did about what I would do. Send them their Kodak moment.

 

[houndstooth]

I noticed my post went in at the stroke of midnight. It made me think about my sister again. It would have been her birthday, Dec. 25th. I thought of her first thing this morning and I noticed it again at the very moment the day was through.

I have been trying to stay busy today. Thanks for putting up with my near non-stop prattle all evening.

 

[pinamia]

Just want to tell you guys about a Christmas miracle in Phoenix.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/child_abduction_122509

 

[what about this?]

Just want to tell you guys about a Christmas miracle in Phoenix.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/child_abduction_122509

That was the most amazing, wonderful thing - listening for hours, and then hearing they are in pursuit, he took off, they had him, and that she was in the truck. I still have chills.

Thank you, God, so much. Please help little Sarah's family tonight, and Somer, I know you're here - please tell LE what happened. And take Sarah's hand.

 

[txsvicki]

Now with my usual self-examination of intentions and my own shortcomings, I am wondering if she wanted to have fun because the Pastor at the funeral kept encouraging everyone to laugh, have fun to heal?

How sickening. This was a funeral for murdered and possibly raped little girl who thought she was safe walking home because she wasn't old enough to know how evil lurks in the world and choose for herself whether to walk or not. Some preachers nowadays seem more like new age gurus than Bible teachers. How about encouraging prayers, turning to God, reading the Bible, and justice so that no more little girls are hurt by the person who did it.

 

[ChickenPants]

I listened. But, I didn't hear any answers. Can you tel what jumped out at you? Also I read the article mentioned above about Christmas Without Somer, and found a quote from an older article reposted about the $14 an hour single Mom who will live the rest of her life feeling like she played a role in this. And I found the person from Australia's quote about losing Mom too, um, er peculiar. For the rememberingsomer website anyways! Lastly, the first person who comments also is troubled as we have been again today over the fundraising. Outside of paying for a funeral (which was donated) or paying for an investigation ( taxpayer funded), this person could not justify apparantly, the need for them, either. Thanks ChickP

I'm not clued into the Australia person or what you are referrring to, but I find the fundraising troublesome also. However, I am TRYING HARD to refrain from being judgmental. So I will ask myself, is there anything that points to DT asking for money? Interviews with people at these events always feature one or more people who say they were "personally touched at this family's grief" or "just needed to be there" or were "led" to help. It reminds me of the mob mentality syndrome. We have people who would never have looked twice at this child or her family pouring money out so the grieving mom does not have to work. It's the community galvanized thing. They want to just "wrap (their) arms around her and show her they care".

And of course there are the countless people who just show up to stare or feel they were part of something. We have the ones who have survivor guilt (it could have been MY child), we have it hitting close to home. What's strange is that it keeps going on and on. Is that their way of coping or what? I have always felt sickened by DT being so visible throughout this whole thing, as you say, carnivals before the funeral. Gearing up in Harley clothes with head bandana and going on the ride...not the "appropriate" activities for a mom who I'd have thought would remain home clinging to her children, so devastated and emotionally paralyzed that appearing in public would be unthinkable. I hear posters thinking: Here we go again what does this have to do with who killed Somer? My answer is who killed Somer was more than likely to have been at one or more of these events and even DT said she hoped it "wasn't somebody who was at a vigil or something and hugged me..."

Most of the vigils or funerals I have ever attended have the mother or family standing for hours shaking hands and then collapsing and closing themselves away at home, while a family member or friend runs interference with people. DT exposed herself and her children (at the events) to all kinds of weirdos at those fundraisers. I was struck by the pathetic irony of little AT walking ahead, dressed like an angel and in a dignified manner carrying flowers for her little sister, while Mom was hobbling behind her in that cocktail dress sobbing on the walk from the car to the church - clinging helplessly to the arm of the bald giant. Through her public grieving, she became a "questionable" celebrity in the same category as other people who need 5 minutes of fame with all of those interviews and all of that venting and self-defensive remarks. All you have to do is look at how many hits the internet sites have about her. MO.

 

[ChickenPants]

I wasnt being snarky.. I hope you know that. I was seriously trying to answer how she could have fun. It was the only possibility that I can fathom, because, like you, I cant imagine ever having fun again.

From what you have observed and shared with WS, it doesn't seem like ST has been having much fun at all.

 

[ChickenPants]

This is a very interesting and informative article about criminal profiling, which may relate to Somer.

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/profiling/victimology/1.html

 

[Chickadee]

CNN RAW VIDEO THOMPSON HOUSE INTERVIEW WITH VINSON.
http://imagesource.cnn.com/imagesou....action.search.BrowseActionBean&damId=6375420

Thank you for the clips, ChickenPants!

This one is interesting! It's nice to know that Vinson, his helper, and his RSO brother all three had a swab test.

 

[Chickadee]

Nassau Notes: Hula Heros win Relay for Life
* By Coulter Kirkpatrick
* Story updated at 10:42 AM on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009


In addition to raising money for Relay for Life, the team donated money to the family of slain Clay County girl Somer Thompson and coloring books and toys to Wolfson Children's Hospital, Give Kids the World and the American Cancer Society's annual Christmas party.

The whole article is HERE

BBM

 

[sadnpod]

Say What?! I just about swallowed one of my Houndsteeth! See, that's why I asked how the pastor treated him specifically. I thought of all people he would have set an example of compassion for ALL of the immediate family.

Was he planning on leaving the reception to take ya'll to Sonny's? I thought he would do a little pastoral counselling or whatever. I gathered from comments from the reporter that there wasn't time to do this beforehand, he was "away from the principal family members". I could only hear the one side of conversation with J.W. and Mary Baer. That's why I asked if maybe he made up for it at the reception. So the pastor just intimated ST was not welcome for some reason? Gyah!

ETA: Heaven's to Murghatroydd, even! I had to add something to express my utter confoundment, if you'll excuse me.

Hounds... thanks that put a smile on my face.. The pastor approached us at the burial after the foot stomping and the mr tight jeans removal and asked st if he planned on attending the reception. He said yes, this is for his daughter, and the pastor said, he thought it would be better, under the circumstances if we didnt attend, that he would be glad to pay for our lunch at sonnys. ST said that DT had just gotten saved and would he please help her in her journey with Christ. He said of course he would and offered again to give us money for lunch. I told him we were capable of feeding ourselves, that we didnt need his money. He said he was sorry for the problems.. by now I wasnt really paying attention to him. Everyone else was gone but us.. and st was having a hard time leaving the gravesite. LE then came and talked to st and told him that they were going to find who did this and that they were not on dts side or his side in this, that they work for somer. The lead detective promised to call st as soon as they solved this. Then they asked him to leave so the workers could finish the burial and we did. We went to zaxbys and I started calling attorneys.

 

[sadnpod]

At the divorce hearing? Or custody hearing?

At first it wasnt a divorce hearing, just a hearing on immediate visitation, then the cases were combined and the judge granted the divorce. The custody hearing has not happened yet. Im not sure when.

So, it ws a visitation hearing that I saw her last.

 

[sadnpod]

Sorry SAD, another example of video/article overload. The person who stepped on his foot did it intentionally, I am sure I read that. It may not have been just you. The person who posted it was vehemently angry and none of your posts have been like that. You try to be fair and balanced.

Yes, I know it was on purpose, because st thought at first it was an accident and asked him to pls get off his foot, that he was hurting him and the man snarled that he would like to do more than that and called him a deadbeat dad in front of the kids and everyone. Dont think that I am not angry. I am so angry at all the adults in this that I want to (and do) scream occasionally. Remember I am sad and p'od. It was probably me, but if you know of anyone else who spoke on this, I would like to see it.

 

[sadnpod]

Its the day after Christmas and the killer has still not been charged. Some of my random thoughts after the last couple pages in this thread.

I will go back and read/watch the videos that chickp has posted. Chickadee stated that the brothers were swabbed... yahoo... does that mean they have dna then to compare?

ST has not had much fun for sure. He got to speak to dt, at and st yesterday and said it was nice conversations all around. (There were some who voiced that they were not happy about his discussion with dt) Im not calling anyone out here, but I firmly believe that if the "significant others" would step back (id rather they all ran away) that these two PARENTS could get along and st and at would have a much better chance of healing and so would somers PARENTS. Jealousy and envy are not pretty colors KWIM?

 

[houndstooth]

I'm not clued into the Australia person or what you are referrring to, but I find the fundraising troublesome also. However, I am TRYING HARD to refrain from being judgmental. So I will ask myself, is there anything that points to DT asking for money? Interviews with people at these events always feature one or more people who say they were "personally touched at this family's grief" or "just needed to be there" or were "led" to help. It reminds me of the mob mentality syndrome. We have people who would never have looked twice at this child or her family pouring money out so the grieving mom does not have to work. It's the community galvanized thing. They want to just "wrap (their) arms around her and show her they care".

And of course there are the countless people who just show up to stare or feel they were part of something. We have the ones who have survivor guilt (it could have been MY child), we have it hitting close to home. What's strange is that it keeps going on and on. Is that their way of coping or what? I have always felt sickened by DT being so visible throughout this whole thing, as you say, carnivals before the funeral. Gearing up in Harley clothes with head bandana and going on the ride...not the "appropriate" activities for a mom who I'd have thought would remain home clinging to her children, so devastated and emotionally paralyzed that appearing in public would be unthinkable. I hear posters thinking: Here we go again what does this have to do with who killed Somer? My answer is who killed Somer was more than likely to have been at one or more of these events and even DT said she hoped it "wasn't somebody who was at a vigil or something and hugged me..."

Most of the vigils or funerals I have ever attended have the mother or family standing for hours shaking hands and then collapsing and closing themselves away at home, while a family member or friend runs interference with people. DT exposed herself and her children (at the events) to all kinds of weirdos at those fundraisers. I was struck by the pathetic irony of little AT walking ahead, dressed like an angel and in a dignified manner carrying flowers for her little sister, while Mom was hobbling behind her in that cocktail dress sobbing on the walk from the car to the church - clinging helplessly to the arm of the bald giant. Through her public grieving, she became a "questionable" celebrity in the same category as other people who need 5 minutes of fame with all of those interviews and all of that venting and self-defensive remarks. All you have to do is look at how many hits the internet sites have about her. MO.

I was talking about the Lisa from Australia mentioned in the Christmas without Somer article. She says"...Don't forget to give your other kids lots of hugs and kisses, they don't want to lose their Mum and their sister." It's a quote in the "First Christmas Without Somer" article, taken from rememberingsomer website I believe, used in Catherine Varnum's article.

Speaking of which, I don't know how you could wonder if she was asking for donations. It's on every news article, it's been mentioned every interview, this was done by her, and with her permission. When she is on say the Today Show or GMA, she would have had to have told them about the website name in order for them to mention it. And of course when you do, It had a giant strobing DONATE sign at the very top. SHE sent her son out with a collection jar on street corners before S was even found. By law, she has to approve of every fundraiser done on her behalf. All those things were in her power to refuse at any time for the dignity of S. and herself and her family. She does not come from one that is desperately poor. So it has never made any sense to me what the purpose is. Except she could quit her job with the donations. But, why do that? By her own actions she has shown early on that she was able to work. She was not so emotionally wroght that she could not get out of bed in the mornings. She attended carnivals, rock concerts, rode motorcycles, went on dozens of interviews and
appearances. To the point where two months later, the only comment for the article itself, about Christmas without Somer is a footnote about the fundraising. Most likely in reference to the car show judging last Sat.

 

[houndstooth]

Hounds... thanks that put a smile on my face.. The pastor approached us at the burial after the foot stomping and the mr tight jeans removal and asked st if he planned on attending the reception. He said yes, this is for his daughter, and the pastor said, he thought it would be better, under the circumstances if we didnt attend, that he would be glad to pay for our lunch at sonnys. ST said that DT had just gotten saved and would he please help her in her journey with Christ. He said of course he would and offered again to give us money for lunch. I told him we were capable of feeding ourselves, that we didnt need his money. He said he was sorry for the problems.. by now I wasnt really paying attention to him. Everyone else was gone but us.. and st was having a hard time leaving the gravesite. LE then came and talked to st and told him that they were going to find who did this and that they were not on dts side or his side in this, that they work for somer. The lead detective promised to call st as soon as they solved this. Then they asked him to leave so the workers could finish the burial and we did. We went to zaxbys and I started calling attorneys.

This makes no sense whatsoever. I would think that a person who "just got saved", should be encouraged to display a Christ-like attitude towards others.
I find this whole situation crude and cant' imagine him offering to pay for your lunch to go elsewhere. How does that help her on her "journey"?
But, I am not one who is of the once saved, always saved brand of religion either. It would be gauche of me to want to know if she has been back to his church again on her own since his service and support was given, I suppose.

 

[sadnpod]

Another comment about the funeral that has nothing to do with finding somers killer.

Yes... Im going there again. It was ALL mind boggeling to me. The way DT dressed, and yes her sisters too. The way baldie was her "strength" and the way all the children were kinda on their own. I cant imagine not clinging to them. They would be my strength and my reason for being able to stand and walk at that time. Yet, I never, not once, saw her comfort or hold them. Not at the visitation or the burial. I saw lil st in so much pain that it took everything I had not to hug him myself. ST being in a wheelchair and unable to walk is all that held him back. I am sure it had nothing to do with PC's obvious "shield" technique. If it were really about protecting him from his own children, wouldnt it be YOU doing the protecting?

The way DT was so distraught and didnt give the glare at st or me, when general public or cameras were around, but almost immediately became hostile at the burial when it was only her entourage and the four of us. (and LE).

Doesnt this show an emotional detachment? I dont want to get graphic, but can any of you imagine being more concerned that your ex doesnt get to comfort his kids because YOU dont want him to, than you would be at that moment - when your precious child is in a coffin in front of you and is about to be put in the ground? Lost to you forever in this life? I really cant imagine caring about anything else, being able to think about anything else, other than my surviving children who would be in my arms. I would be their shield from anything I thought could harm them.
One repeated thought that rings true to me in this forum about DT is this:
It is all ME, ME, ME and she is enjoying the attention.

Her dress at the funeral is important to me because it shows her concern with looking, not just good, but attractive, at that time.. who seriously would consider this? Well, other than those trying to impress someone? The crazy purple funeral stalkers, crashers.. (yes that is how I refer to them) among all those caring people.

This is from my point of view:
Somer is missing, OMG that is sams daughter, and she was taken so close to my sons home..OMG it could have been my ****. I have to get to sam and let him know I will help get him to florida and provide a place for him to stay. I call my fam and we work out logistics. I go to sam and he tells me that LE doesnt advise him to leave yet. Somers body is found. I again go to sam and tell him about the birthmark thats been released on the news at home. I realize he cant ride with me and he tells me of the donated van and two friends that will go with him. I leave for home on friday. I cry for the whole ride home. I look terrible and distraught when I arrive. Saturday I go to jax and stay at my sons. I know I have to find something to wear, but all my appropriate funeral attire is for cold weather. I cant leave my babies long enough to think about it. So I hear about the purple and st arrives on sunday night. I dig through my suitcase and find an outfit that is decent to wear as I dont really care. Mommad called me out and said my top had low cleavage like DT's. The video she saw of me was me pushing st uphill (who is three times my weight) and I was stooped over. The point Im trying to make is that I didnt care if I had purple, new clothes, if my hair or nails were done, if I was gonna be on TV (duh, I really didnt think of that). I didnt care about anything, except sam was somers father and she was gone, murdered. I didnt want to go. I wanted to stay with my babies and hold them. I didnt want to witness his grief, it was horrible to watch. I didnt want to see DT's grief or the kids. I didnt want to go shopping for purple. I did what I had to do. I supported sam because I love him. I grieved for somer and made myself witness all of it because it is what family does for each other.

Of course, none of this has to do with somers murderer, I just want to know what your thoughts are on what you would have done? If you were DT. Search your heart, what would be important to you?

IMO that is why we question dts role in this.

 

[sadnpod]

This makes no sense whatsoever. I would think that a person who "just got saved", should be encouraged to display a Christ-like attitude towards others.
I find this whole situation crude and cant' imagine him offering to pay for your lunch to go elsewhere. How does that help her on her "journey"?
But, I am not one who is of the once saved, always saved brand of religion either. It would be gauche of me to want to know if she has been back to his church again on her own since his service and support was given, I suppose.

BBM

I have wondered that mygaucheself.