GUILTY IL - Sheila von Wiese Mack, 62, in suitcase in Bali, 12 Aug 2014 *fnd guilty in Bali* #6

[Niner]

So... any news on this custody trial? I shall post this for one more day....


Monday, Sept. 26th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 15) (custody) (@ am CT) –IL - Sheila von Wiese-Mack (62) (killed in Bali on 8/12/14 by daughter & her bf Tommy Schaefer at the St. Regis Bali Resort Hotel in Bali, Indonesia) - *Heather Mack (19 @ time of crime/26) Federal indictment (2017), charged & arrested (11/3/21) & arraigned (11/3/21) with conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to commit foreign murder of a U.S. national & obstruction of justice. Plead not guilty (11/3/21). Held without bond.
Bench trial began on 9/6/22 for custody of Stella.
Federal Trial set to begin on 7/31/23. (3 week trial)
Info on Mack’s previous crime & case info from 11/12/21 thru 6/29/22 & Bench Trial Day 1-13 (9/6/22 to 9/22/22) reference post #539 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-aug-2014-fnd-guilty-in-bali-6.593581/page-27
9/8/22 Update: Mack has pleaded not guilty to the charges & U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle on Thursday scheduled Mack's trial to begin on 7/31/23. Federal prosecutors have said they expect the trial "will last no longer than three weeks."
9/23/22 Friday, Trial Day 14: No idea what is going on. Trial (I guess) continues on Monday, 9/26/22.

 

[Niner]

I shall wait until someone can give me an answer on whether this is STILL going on - ?? TIA! if you can! I can not see this taking 15 days...

 

[Kamille]

I do think a news source will publish when a decision is made, so I believe this may still be going on, but I’m not sure the trial is happening daily. I assume it is being held by zoom to negate people and lawyers all having to travel to Chicago but it may be happening for a few hours a day periodically based on schedules. I assume Stella is doing well at the moment so there is no rush? Even after all parties have had their opportunity to plead their case, which may be wrapped up by now, I suppose the judge will be taking some time before making a decision?

MOO

 

[Niner]

I do think a news source will publish when a decision is made, so I believe this may still be going on, but I’m not sure the trial is happening daily. I assume it is being held by zoom to negate people and lawyers all having to travel to Chicago but it may be happening for a few hours a day periodically based on schedules. I assume Stella is doing well at the moment so there is no rush? Even after all parties have had their opportunity to plead their case, which may be wrapped up by now, I suppose the judge will be taking some time before making a decision?

MOO

Thank for that explanation! I shall stop posting the trial stuff - until some new in the news comes out. And then I will update my notes. Thanks again!

 

[Niner]

Any updates on this custody? All I could find that was current was an article dated 9/21/22....

Help! TIA! if you can!

 

[Niner]

Finally an article on the custody.

Caretaker for Heather Mack’s daughter says she signed deal for her life story, tried to take it back

Mack’s daughter is at the center of an ongoing bench trial. A bitter custody dispute has swirled around the girl ever since she arrived here with her mother last fall.

chicago.suntimes.com

Oct. 3, 2022

The woman who cared for Heather Mack’s daughter overseas testified Tuesday she signed part of her life story over to a TV production company in the United States for $2,800 last year but then tried to take it back, claiming she signed the deal under duress.

Oshar Suartama also acknowledged that she let P&L Media film Mack’s daughter, Estelle Schaefer, at her home in Indonesia shortly before Mack, now 26, returned to Chicago in November 2021. The girl would have been 6 years old at the time.

Now, Mack’s daughter is at the center of an ongoing bench trial before Cook County Judge Stephanie Miller. It is meant to resolve the bitter custody dispute that has swirled around the girl ever since she arrived here with her mother last fall.
[.....]
Miller earlier this year temporarily placed Mack’s daughter, known as Stella and now 7, with Suartama, who came to Illinois to continue caring for the girl as she did when Mack was locked up in Indonesia. Suartama is now among four people vying for custody of Stella.

Also seeking custody are Kia Walker, the girl’s paternal grandmother; Lisa Hellmann, a cousin of Mack’s from Colorado; and Diana Roque Ellis, a California woman and onetime friend of von Wiese-Mack’s.

Hellmann’s attorney, Clarke Mac Gillespie, told the judge last month she’d hear evidence that Suartama and Ellis struck deals that would lead to Stella’s exploitation. He first asked Suartama on Tuesday about her deal with P&L Media. Also at issue in the case is her relationship with an overseas journalist who has promised to write a book about the case.

Suartama testified that she met Mack in 2014. She said the pair developed a “very close” relationship and referred to each other as sisters. Suartama said she helped P&L Media producer Lisa Lew funnel money to Mack. Then, in July 2021, Suartama said she asked Lew for a $2,100 loan to help with housing expenses.

 

[Niner]

Catching up...

Wednesday, October 5th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 23) (custody) (@ am CT) –IL - Sheila von Wiese-Mack (62) (killed in Bali on 8/12/14 by daughter & her bf Tommy Schaefer at the St. Regis Bali Resort Hotel in Bali, Indonesia) - *Heather Mack (19 @ time of crime/26) Federal indictment (2017), charged & arrested (11/3/21) & arraigned (11/3/21) with conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to commit foreign murder of a U.S. national & obstruction of justice. Plead not guilty (11/3/21). Held without bond.
Bench trial began on 9/6/22 for custody of Stella.
Federal Trial set to begin on 7/31/23. (3 week trial)
Info on Mack’s previous crime & case info from 11/12/21 thru 6/29/22 & Bench Trial Day 1-13 (9/6/22 to 9/22/22) reference post #539 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-aug-2014-fnd-guilty-in-bali-6.593581/page-27
9/8/22 Update: Mack has pleaded not guilty to the charges & U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle on Thursday scheduled Mack's trial to begin on 7/31/23. Federal prosecutors have said they expect the trial "will last no longer than three weeks."
9/23/22 Friday, Trial Day 14: No idea what is going on. Trial (I guess) continues on Monday, 9/26/22.
9/26/22 Monday, Trial Day 15 : No info available. Trial continues on 9/27/22.
9/27/22 Tuesday to 9/30/22 Friday, Days 16 to 20: No info available. Trial continues on 10/3/22.
10/3/22 Monday, Trial Day 21: No info available. Trial continues on 10/4/22.
10/4/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 22: Witness: Oshar Suartama. No other info available.
for more info see post #546 (above).
Trial continues on 10/5/22.

 

[whatthewhaat]

Caretaker for Heather Mack’s daughter says she signed deal for her life story, tried to take it back

Mack’s daughter is at the center of an ongoing bench trial. A bitter custody dispute has swirled around the girl ever since she arrived here with her mother last fall.

chicago.suntimes.com

"Suartama testified that she met Mack in 2014. She said the pair developed a “very close” relationship and referred to each other as sisters. Suartama said she helped P&L Media producer Lisa Lew funnel money to Mack. Then, in July 2021, Suartama said she asked Lew for a $2,100 loan to help with housing expenses.



Early in August 2021, Suartama said she signed a deal with P&L Media concerning the rights to her “life story” including her “story surrounding the Bali Suitcase Murder and relationship to Heather Mack.” In exchange, Suartama said she was paid $2,800.

Neither Lew nor representatives of P&L Media could immediately be reached for comment following Suartama’s testimony Tuesday.

Later during Suartama’s testimony, the judge was shown a draft of a “letter to rescind” from Suartama to P&L Media. The letter acknowledged the August 2021 contract “allowing P&L Media to buy the rights to my life story, as it pertains to Heather Mack.” It also noted that the contract followed her request for a $2,100 loan from Lew.

“Lisa Lew agreed to make the loan only if I signed the contract and thus exerted undue influence,” the letter said."


Wow, I used to be all for Oshar getting Stella, but now I hope this takes her out of the running. I thought she came from money & could support her easily... the fact that she approached a TV producer when she was strapped for cash shows that she will exploit Stella forever. Smh

 

[whatthewhaat]

Caretaker for Heather Mack’s daughter says she signed deal for her life story, tried to take it back

Mack’s daughter is at the center of an ongoing bench trial. A bitter custody dispute has swirled around the girl ever since she arrived here with her mother last fall.

chicago.suntimes.com

"Suartama testified that she met Mack in 2014. She said the pair developed a “very close” relationship and referred to each other as sisters. Suartama said she helped P&L Media producer Lisa Lew funnel money to Mack. Then, in July 2021, Suartama said she asked Lew for a $2,100 loan to help with housing expenses.



Early in August 2021, Suartama said she signed a deal with P&L Media concerning the rights to her “life story” including her “story surrounding the Bali Suitcase Murder and relationship to Heather Mack.” In exchange, Suartama said she was paid $2,800.

Neither Lew nor representatives of P&L Media could immediately be reached for comment following Suartama’s testimony Tuesday.

Later during Suartama’s testimony, the judge was shown a draft of a “letter to rescind” from Suartama to P&L Media. The letter acknowledged the August 2021 contract “allowing P&L Media to buy the rights to my life story, as it pertains to Heather Mack.” It also noted that the contract followed her request for a $2,100 loan from Lew.

“Lisa Lew agreed to make the loan only if I signed the contract and thus exerted undue influence,” the letter said."


Wow, I used to be all for Oshar getting Stella, but now I hope this takes her out of the running. I thought she came from money & could support her easily... the fact that she approached a TV producer when she was strapped for cash shows that she will exploit Stella forever. Smh

 

[LinasK]

Finally an article on the custody.

Caretaker for Heather Mack’s daughter says she signed deal for her life story, tried to take it back

Mack’s daughter is at the center of an ongoing bench trial. A bitter custody dispute has swirled around the girl ever since she arrived here with her mother last fall.

chicago.suntimes.com

Oct. 3, 2022

The woman who cared for Heather Mack’s daughter overseas testified Tuesday she signed part of her life story over to a TV production company in the United States for $2,800 last year but then tried to take it back, claiming she signed the deal under duress.

Oshar Suartama also acknowledged that she let P&L Media film Mack’s daughter, Estelle Schaefer, at her home in Indonesia shortly before Mack, now 26, returned to Chicago in November 2021. The girl would have been 6 years old at the time.

Now, Mack’s daughter is at the center of an ongoing bench trial before Cook County Judge Stephanie Miller. It is meant to resolve the bitter custody dispute that has swirled around the girl ever since she arrived here with her mother last fall.
[.....]
Miller earlier this year temporarily placed Mack’s daughter, known as Stella and now 7, with Suartama, who came to Illinois to continue caring for the girl as she did when Mack was locked up in Indonesia. Suartama is now among four people vying for custody of Stella.

Also seeking custody are Kia Walker, the girl’s paternal grandmother; Lisa Hellmann, a cousin of Mack’s from Colorado; and Diana Roque Ellis, a California woman and onetime friend of von Wiese-Mack’s.

Hellmann’s attorney, Clarke Mac Gillespie, told the judge last month she’d hear evidence that Suartama and Ellis struck deals that would lead to Stella’s exploitation. He first asked Suartama on Tuesday about her deal with P&L Media. Also at issue in the case is her relationship with an overseas journalist who has promised to write a book about the case.

Suartama testified that she met Mack in 2014. She said the pair developed a “very close” relationship and referred to each other as sisters. Suartama said she helped P&L Media producer Lisa Lew funnel money to Mack. Then, in July 2021, Suartama said she asked Lew for a $2,100 loan to help with housing expenses.

The fact that she funneled money to Heather should negate her getting custody!

 

[Niner]

Don't really know IF this is going every single day - until I hear any further - I guess I shall keep posting this...

Thursday, October 6th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 24) (custody) (@ am CT) –IL - Sheila von Wiese-Mack (62) (killed in Bali on 8/12/14 by daughter & her bf Tommy Schaefer at the St. Regis Bali Resort Hotel in Bali, Indonesia) - *Heather Mack (19 @ time of crime/26) Federal indictment (2017), charged & arrested (11/3/21) & arraigned (11/3/21) with conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to commit foreign murder of a U.S. national & obstruction of justice. Plead not guilty (11/3/21). Held without bond.
Bench trial began on 9/6/22 for custody of Stella.
Federal Trial set to begin on 7/31/23. (3 week trial)
Info on Mack’s previous crime & case info from 11/12/21 thru 6/29/22 & Bench Trial Day 1-22 (9/6/22 to 10/4/22) reference post #547 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-aug-2014-fnd-guilty-in-bali-6.593581/page-28
9/8/22 Update: Mack has pleaded not guilty to the charges & U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle on Thursday scheduled Mack's trial to begin on 7/31/23. Federal prosecutors have said they expect the trial "will last no longer than three weeks."
10/5/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 23: Witness: No other info available. Trial continues on 10/6/22.

 

[Kamille]

Finally an article on the custody.

Caretaker for Heather Mack’s daughter says she signed deal for her life story, tried to take it back

Mack’s daughter is at the center of an ongoing bench trial. A bitter custody dispute has swirled around the girl ever since she arrived here with her mother last fall.

chicago.suntimes.com

Oct. 3, 2022

The woman who cared for Heather Mack’s daughter overseas testified Tuesday she signed part of her life story over to a TV production company in the United States for $2,800 last year but then tried to take it back, claiming she signed the deal under duress.

Oshar Suartama also acknowledged that she let P&L Media film Mack’s daughter, Estelle Schaefer, at her home in Indonesia shortly before Mack, now 26, returned to Chicago in November 2021. The girl would have been 6 years old at the time.

Now, Mack’s daughter is at the center of an ongoing bench trial before Cook County Judge Stephanie Miller. It is meant to resolve the bitter custody dispute that has swirled around the girl ever since she arrived here with her mother last fall.
[.....]
Miller earlier this year temporarily placed Mack’s daughter, known as Stella and now 7, with Suartama, who came to Illinois to continue caring for the girl as she did when Mack was locked up in Indonesia. Suartama is now among four people vying for custody of Stella.

Also seeking custody are Kia Walker, the girl’s paternal grandmother; Lisa Hellmann, a cousin of Mack’s from Colorado; and Diana Roque Ellis, a California woman and onetime friend of von Wiese-Mack’s.

Hellmann’s attorney, Clarke Mac Gillespie, told the judge last month she’d hear evidence that Suartama and Ellis struck deals that would lead to Stella’s exploitation. He first asked Suartama on Tuesday about her deal with P&L Media. Also at issue in the case is her relationship with an overseas journalist who has promised to write a book about the case.

Suartama testified that she met Mack in 2014. She said the pair developed a “very close” relationship and referred to each other as sisters. Suartama said she helped P&L Media producer Lisa Lew funnel money to Mack. Then, in July 2021, Suartama said she asked Lew for a $2,100 loan to help with housing expenses.

Interesting that the custody trial is bringing out some of the seedy and nefarious monetary deals that have been swirling around HM and OS over in Bali since the beginning of all this. I hope Sheila’s family is aware of all of them. I recall a televised or online interview with OS as well that I’m sure she was paid for. I can’t recall at the moment who conducted that interview. I also hope all the stories of money being funneled to both of them come to light, including whatever “Aunt Diana” was doing. I’m very discouraged that the option of Stella being raised by a completely neutral set of parents is not on the table. I hope the judge sees Sheila’s niece as the best option at this point.

MOO

 

[Kamille]

The current presiding judge over HM’s criminal trial, U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle, is retiring. Hopefully that doesn’t set the trial back.

Chicago judge named counselor to Chief Justice Roberts, creating new uncertainty in Burke case

New duties at high court for U.S. District Judge Robert Dow Jr. could further delay racketeering case of Ald. Edward M. Burke, which Dow has presided over since 2019.

chicago.suntimes.com

 

[Niner]

Any thing new on the custody case? As usual only getting very old articles...

 

[Niner]

Bumping up..... ?? just wondering what is going on with the custody trial.

 

[Niner]

Well - I am still not coming up anything after Sept. 21st. I can not believe this bench trial is STILL going on - but not finding anything about the Judge's decision. Maybe cause I am in Europe & the current articles are not appearing for me.

Anyone?? Any news? TIA! :0

 

[Kakidoll]

Well - I am still not coming up anything after Sept. 21st. I can not believe this bench trial is STILL going on - but not finding anything about the Judge's decision. Maybe cause I am in Europe & the current articles are not appearing for me.

Anyone?? Any news? TIA! :0

Just the October 5th Article, posted above. I've been searching too.

 

[Niner]

Just the October 5th Article, posted above. I've been searching too.

Okay - thanks!

 

[Kamille]

Well - I am still not coming up anything after Sept. 21st. I can not believe this bench trial is STILL going on - but not finding anything about the Judge's decision. Maybe cause I am in Europe & the current articles are not appearing for me.

Anyone?? Any news? TIA! :0

Considering how long it took to sort out Sheila’s estate, it’s not surprising at all that it’s taking this long to determine custody of Stella. Especially if HM has any actual say in the matter.

 

[Niner]

Finally a decision!

Heather Mack’s cousin gets temporary custody of Mack’s daughter

Lisa Hellmann will become the third person to care for Estelle Schaefer, known as Stella, since the child’s November 2021 arrival in the United States with her mother from Indonesia.

chicago.suntimes.com

Nov. 18, 2022

A Cook County judge ordered Heather Mack’s 7-year-old daughter into the temporary care of a maternal cousin of Mack’s from Colorado at the end of a contentious, hourslong hearing Thursday — despite Mack asking the judge from jail to choose the girl’s grandmother instead.

Lisa Hellmann will become the third person to care for Estelle Schaefer, known as Stella, since the child’s November 2021 arrival in the United States with her mother from Indonesia. Mack was immediately arrested at O’Hare Airport and has been in U.S. custody ever since, under indictment for conspiring to kill her own mother, Sheila von Wiese-Mack, in 2014.
[.....]
Miller said Stella’s placement with Hellmann was “not the most ideal situation.” The pair have had just a handful of virtual visits as part of the ongoing custody dispute. However, the judge also complained that Stella’s first caretaker in the United States, attorney Vanessa Favia, relinquished custody of Stella after seven months. The woman who previously cared for Stella in Indonesia, Oshar Suartama, came to Illinois in June to take custody of the girl.

Now Suartama’s attorney says her client must leave the United States by Friday.
[.....]
Mack told the judge that Hellmann “hasn’t said one word to any of us for years.” Later, after the judge ordered Stella into Hellmann’s care effective Friday, Mack asked for an additional order that she be allowed to visit virtually with her daughter.

“I’m sure that I would be denied access from Ms. Hellmann,” Mack said.

Hellmann’s attorney, Clarke Mac Gillespie, said his client would “absolutely” facilitate those visits if approved by Stella’s therapist. The therapist did not object, so Miller also ordered weekly visits between Mack and Stella.