MA - Bella Bond, 2, found dead, Deer Island, Boston Harbor, June 2015 - #6

[Steleheart]

I don't see too many reasons to question his paternity, and I'm not entirely sure why it matters in his case. He believes he's the father, and although he might not have been living in the same house or up to the sort of standards as a father that we 'expect' a man to be, he seems to have felt some kind of connection to the child. Whether he donated the sperm or not, he's the closest thing to father she had....none of the men RB was involved with tried to take on the role of a proper dad to her.

Sometimes the genetic connection isn't the main thing, it's whether or not a parent cares and is there for a child.

What does his being the 'dad' mean, now that Bella's dead? I don't mean that just in a rhetorical sense, but what does it mean? Why is it important? Does it mean there's a father crying in the gallery as the evidence is read out? Even that will do something for Bella. The jury will (I presume) need to see people in the gallery who care and are affected by the loss of the dear child. Whether or not that assists in justice, I don't know.

She is a prostitute. Anyone can be the father. The closest thing to a father that she had? He is no where CLOSE to being a father, IMO.
What does his being the "dad" mean now that she is dead? Hundreds of people - thousands - have cared more for this little girl than he or she ever did.
And he gets to arrive here after her death and all that effort and still not contact police and THEN make decisions as to her final rest?

Ridiculous!

And they got her name wrong on the memorial.
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/10/08/second-autopsy-postpones-baby-bella-bonds-funeral/

MOO

 

[Bootsctr]

I see your point, and the DA is under tremendous pressure.

If they have no evidence and could get RB to sign a stiff plea deal (with enough prison time to save the DA's face) I could see that happening. Even without new evidence I think they might have enough to get RB convicted of manslaughter.

I would take manslaughter over nothing. I don't think this will be a repeat of the CA trial. People seem to be fed up with losing kids to drug addict mothers and boyfriends. A good jury with a good judge who can instruct properly and I have faith there will be a good outcome and Justice for Bella! Hoping for RB's charges to stack up a mile high.

 

[Amonet]

She is a prostitute. Anyone can be the father. The closest thing to a father that she had? He is no where CLOSE to being a father, IMO.
What does his being the "dad" mean now that she is dead? Hundreds of people - thousands - have cared more for this little girl than he or she ever did.
And he gets to arrive here after her death and all that effort and still not contact police and THEN make decisions as to her final rest?

Ridiculous!

And they got her name wrong on the memorial.
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/10/08/second-autopsy-postpones-baby-bella-bonds-funeral/

MOO

We don't know if she was prostituting at the time, and she might not have been offering services that could result in a pregnancy.

If JA isn't the biological father, then the real biological father has done even less than JA...Maybe that would be because he didn't know he was the daddy, but maybe it would only be because even RB sensed that JA was a better potential dad for her baby than the 'real' one?

From what you've said in the quote, JA's being the biological father or not, it doesn't make any difference at all any more. And that was really my point. He's someone to do some media interviews and increase the publicity for her case. He could go to the trial and sit in the gallery crying. Other than that it doesn't make much difference at all, except perhaps to him.

 

[BUF]

JA could be a potential witness & not even allowed in the courtroom.

 

[human]

She was committing fraud. She was approved two bedroom for her and Bella. People with prior drug arrests aren't even allowed HUD housing voucher. How she got approved I have no idea. People do slip through the cracks, It's a federal program. She was committing fraud on all levels. I hope they add fraud charges to pay them back like they did octomom but hers was welfare fraud.

I was wondering how that works as they do background checks, Where I lived, the landlords had better background checks than LE.

At least that is what LE told me when I was working with a homeless family to find out why they were denied.

So big mystery to me,

 

[human]

I don't see too many reasons to question his paternity, and I'm not entirely sure why it matters in his case. He believes he's the father, and although he might not have been living in the same house or up to the sort of standards as a father that we 'expect' a man to be, he seems to have felt some kind of connection to the child. Whether he donated the sperm or not, he's the closest thing to father she had....none of the men RB was involved with tried to take on the role of a proper dad to her.

Sometimes the genetic connection isn't the main thing, it's whether or not a parent cares and is there for a child.

What does his being the 'dad' mean, now that Bella's dead? I don't mean that just in a rhetorical sense, but what does it mean? Why is it important? Does it mean there's a father crying in the gallery as the evidence is read out? Even that will do something for Bella. The jury will (I presume) need to see people in the gallery who care and are affected by the loss of the dear child. Whether or not that assists in justice, I don't know.

We saw he was going for a . Sorry, not impressed

 

[Steleheart]

We don't know if she was prostituting at the time, and she might not have been offering services that could result in a pregnancy.

If JA isn't the biological father, then the real biological father has done even less than JA...Maybe that would be because he didn't know he was the daddy, but maybe it would only be because even RB sensed that JA was a better potential dad for her baby than the 'real' one?

From what you've said in the quote, JA's being the biological father or not, it doesn't make any difference at all any more. And that was really my point. He's someone to do some media interviews and increase the publicity for her case. He could go to the trial and sit in the gallery crying. Other than that it doesn't make much difference at all, except perhaps to him.

He left her because of her prostitution. It was well publicized.;
"Amoroso said he was also trying to get away from Bond, who he “judged harshly” for her history of arrests for drugs and prostitution, according to the Globe. In Florida, he “grew up and got married to someone else.”
http://www.nhregister.com/general-n...o-found-out-bostons-baby-doe-was-his-daughter

~ "RB sensed that JA was a better potential dad for her baby than the 'real' one"

In what way may I ask? Especially since she tossed him over money;
"But Bond cut off contact, Amoroso told the Globe, after the pair argued over money."
http://www.nhregister.com/general-n...o-found-out-bostons-baby-doe-was-his-daughter

 

[Amonet]

He left her because of her prostitution. It was well publicized.;
"Amoroso said he was also trying to get away from Bond, who he “judged harshly” for her history of arrests for drugs and prostitution, according to the Globe. In Florida, he “grew up and got married to someone else.”
http://www.nhregister.com/general-n...o-found-out-bostons-baby-doe-was-his-daughter

~ "RB sensed that JA was a better potential dad for her baby than the 'real' one"

In what way may I ask? Especially since she tossed him over money;
"But Bond cut off contact, Amoroso told the Globe, after the pair argued over money."
http://www.nhregister.com/general-n...o-found-out-bostons-baby-doe-was-his-daughter

We've also heard that despite any prostitution services she may have been offering at the time RB was sure in her own mind who the bio father was. We only heard about one type of service that she offered, and though that might not have been the only one, it wasn't one which was going to result in a baby, but maybe that has something to do with why she was so sure JA was the father?

So she thought he was the father, he thought he was the father.

How might RB think JA could be better than the 'real' bio father? My point is really the other way around...how much worse could the 'real' father have been? It could have been a heroin addict, someone who hasn't tried to turn his life around in the past 3 years, maybe he OD'd in the meantime. It could have been a John who would never acknowledge Bella as his daughter, let alone send RB some cash in return for an occasional 'chat' on the phone to his daughter. JA had a mother who wanted a little bit of contact with Bella, maybe send a birthday or Christmas present 'from nanna'. Even these small things, RB would have thought were better than the 'real' dad could offer...well he must have been bad news (if there even was another possible dad).

JA is the only thing remotely like a father that Bella had in life, even if it wasn't what we would wish for a father to be. JA was the one who sometimes sent money, JA was the one who smiled at the photos of her and told his friends, "this is my beautiful baby" ... no other man even went that far, and if another guy donated the sperm, we've no evidence to suggest they would do any better than JA did, and maybe they'd be even worse/less than he was as a 'father'.

We have no evidence that JA is not the bio father. If he's not, what does that get us? It won't change anything for Bella.

 

[heartgoesout]

I would take manslaughter over nothing. I don't think this will be a repeat of the CA trial. People seem to be fed up with losing kids to drug addict mothers and boyfriends. A good jury with a good judge who can instruct properly and I have faith there will be a good outcome and Justice for Bella! Hoping for RB's charges to stack up a mile high.

The problem is the jury is instructed with strict conditions that a guilty verdict comes with beyond a reasonable doubt. Right now I have reasonable doubt that MM may not have killed her. Also, the law, as written, protects the accused more than the victim. The prosecution carries the burden, within the terms of the law, to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that MM murdered Bella. Laws and loopholes and evidence allowed results in the Casey Anthony verdict. Scary.

 

[heartgoesout]

JA moving back to Boston may have been Bella's only chance.

 

[eileenhawkeye]

The problem is the jury is instructed with strict conditions that a guilty verdict comes with beyond a reasonable doubt. Right now I have reasonable doubt that MM may not have killed her. Also, the law, as written, protects the accused more than the victim. The prosecution carries the burden, within the terms of the law, to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that MM murdered Bella. Laws and loopholes and evidence allowed results in the Casey Anthony verdict. Scary.

There are significantly more people who are in prison for murder who are innocent, than there are guilty people being acquitted of murder. You could apply "Maybe he/she didn't do it" in any case that doesn't have a video of it if you allow your mind to think that way. In the Etan Patz case, they only had one juror who voted "Not Guilty" and the evidence in that case was extremely shaky and they went from screaming one guy did it for 35 years to suddenly picking a new random person to pin it on. I don't even think they had physical evidence in a case as old as that one. In a case like this, the average juror is not going to be looking for any little excuse to let a child murderer off the hook.

 

[wondering25]

There are significantly more people who are in prison for murder who are innocent, than there are guilty people being acquitted of murder. You could apply "Maybe he/she didn't do it" in any case that doesn't have a video of it if you allow your mind to think that way. In the Etan Patz case, they only had one juror who voted "Not Guilty" and the evidence in that case was extremely shaky and they went from screaming one guy did it for 35 years to suddenly picking a new random person to pin it on. I don't even think they had physical evidence in a case as old as that one. In a case like this, the average juror is not going to be looking for any little excuse to let a child murderer off the hook.

I dont know what they can present to a jury that would convince them that MM killed Bella . RB's word? Does anyone think a jury is going to take her word alone? These are 2 unstable people, imo. The prosecution may be able to prove Bella was in a refrigerator.. they wont be able to prove when she died.. how she died... or who killed her. They may not be able to prove when MM was living there and when he wasnt.. I know we all want a conviction in this case.. I want the right person convicted.. There is reasonable doubt smeared all over this case.. There isnt even a time line.. there is a guesstimate as to what RB said "around May 29".. but many ( who also are addled brained) say they didnt remember seeing Bella after March or April and MM himself said Easter time which was April 5 in 2015.

This is an uphill battle, IMO. This cant be based on "there is a dead baby and someone has to pay for this". DCF will be crucified and MM will walk and so will RB. RB might be convicted of improper disposal of a corpse, but she cant be an accessory after the fact if they dont have a murder conviction for MM..right? Maybe they need to charge RB with murder too.. Juries don't like moms who murder their children. MOO

Anything I write is JMO

 

[justwannahelp]

I dont know what they can present to a jury that would convince them that MM killed Bella . RB's word? Does anyone think a jury is going to take her word alone? These are 2 unstable people, imo. The prosecution may be able to prove Bella was in a refrigerator.. they wont be able to prove when she died.. how she died... or who killed her. They may not be able to prove when MM was living there and when he wasnt.. I know we all want a conviction in this case.. I want the right person convicted.. There is reasonable doubt smeared all over this case.. There isnt even a time line.. there is a guesstimate as to what RB said "around May 29".. but many ( who also are addled brained) say they didnt remember seeing Bella after March or April and MM himself said Easter time which was April 5 in 2015.

This is an uphill battle, IMO. This cant be based on "there is a dead baby and someone has to pay for this". DCF will be crucified and MM will walk and so will RB. RB might be convicted of improper disposal of a corpse, but she cant be an accessory after the fact if they dont have a murder conviction for MM..right? Maybe they need to charge RB with murder too.. Juries don't like moms who murder their children. MOO

Anything I write is JMO

I agree with you....at the moment.....considering what we currently know.

SO, I'm hanging hope on RB and MM not being the most careful murderers. Hopefully the prosecution will impress the jurors with some concrete evidence that we don't know about yet. Hopefully they found SOMETHING on the body and or in the apartment that proves beyond a reasonable doubt. Maybe cameras from the seaport of them putting her body in the water or cameras near the apartment?? That still may not prove murder, but at least it would be something that along with other evidence found could persuade the jurors. Maybe?? I'm just hoping they know a lot more than we do.

 

[eileenhawkeye]

I dont know what they can present to a jury that would convince them that MM killed Bella . RB's word? Does anyone think a jury is going to take her word alone? These are 2 unstable people, imo. The prosecution may be able to prove Bella was in a refrigerator.. they wont be able to prove when she died.. how she died... or who killed her. They may not be able to prove when MM was living there and when he wasnt.. I know we all want a conviction in this case.. I want the right person convicted.. There is reasonable doubt smeared all over this case.. There isnt even a time line.. there is a guesstimate as to what RB said "around May 29".. but many ( who also are addled brained) say they didnt remember seeing Bella after March or April and MM himself said Easter time which was April 5 in 2015.

This is an uphill battle, IMO. This cant be based on "there is a dead baby and someone has to pay for this". DCF will be crucified and MM will walk and so will RB. RB might be convicted of improper disposal of a corpse, but she cant be an accessory after the fact if they dont have a murder conviction for MM..right? Maybe they need to charge RB with murder too.. Juries don't like moms who murder their children. MOO

Anything I write is JMO

I agre with you that the prosecution doesn't have much of a case (from what we know of the evidence released publicly). It bothers me that they arrested RB and MM as soon as they identified Bella. It goes from "We have no idea who this little girl is and do not even know the COD" to "We can prosecute both!" I really think they are just praying that they find enough evidence before the trial (and even before that---they have to send it to the defense and present in front of the judges months earlier). This is such a high-profile case in Massachusetts that if they don't find enough evidence, will they drop the case? A new article says they are doing another autopsy....they are desperate to find evidence on Bella before she is put into the ground. I have absolutely no idea how they will prove MM murdered Bella, not RB, or both together.

My post was replying to this sentiment that I sometimes see around WS where people will say that the prosecution's case is a slamdunk, yet the defense can bring up any crazy theory with nothing to back it up, and the jury will be running to vote "Not guilty". I don't think OP meant that in their post, I just used their post as a jumping off post to post something that frusturates me.

 

[MsFacetious]

I am going to ask a question here. You suspect there is something "not right" going on next door.. down the street or maybe in your own family. Things dont add up.. or you know one of the parents is a druggie or whatever.. HONESTLY, what would YOU do? Child looks sad and dirty and ..you fill in the blanks.

Would you call the police? Dcys? You really cant remain anonymous when you call the police..they tape the calls..can see your phone # etc. DCYS isnt very responsive..

Who among us would really call? That is a question we need to honestly think about. We can all wax poetic about the poor abused children, the rotten people in Bella's life who never did anything about the abuse.. but what would WE do? i am a mandatory reporter in my professional capacity.. not sure if being a neighbor, for example, i have to call it in, though. Would you risk a rock through your window, a bullet?

If you see something, say something.. but would you?

Anything i write is just my opinion

YES.
I did call more than once.
Others did as well.

It didn't do any good.
The family took the little girl and moved out of state.
Then she was dead and became just another story on Websleuths. :twocents:

 

[Sonya610]

It goes from "We have no idea who this little girl is and do not even know the COD" to "We can prosecute both!" I really think they are just praying that they find enough evidence before the trial

I really think LEO and the DA expected this to be a lot easier.

I think after talking to RB they came to the conclusion that it was murder, and more importantly they realized RB was not the smartest nor most stable of junkies. I think they assumed that MM was just as bad or WORSE!

90% of the time when murders involve 2+ low life individuals they turn on each other once the police pressure them. I believe MM's decision to stay silent was unexpected and will be a huge hurdle to overcome.

 

[Bootsctr]

MM saying RB was a good mother and the DCF took Bella around Easter was a game changer. Add to that when LE pressed MM, he asked for a lawyer was a game changer. LE shouldn't have taken RB's word as gospel (nor JA saying he BELIEVED RB). They should have and interviewed both MM and RB, had a consultation amongst themselves and then decided upon a game plan. It doesn't make MM the good guy in any way, but it certainly proves he is smarter and wilier than RB. In fact, she should have lawyered up first before contacting anyone and telling them Bella was Baby Doe if her story was going to be MM killed Bella.

Oh my! I hate to say this, but is Justice for Bella going to go down the drain? :notgood:

 

[BUF]

LE maybe thought that they would turn on each other. MM lawyering up right away did change that. But I don't believe that they bought RB's tale. It was evident at the arraignment that the prosecutor attributed things from what RB reported. I suspect they just charged them with RB's statement only to get them into custody. Bella's unidentified body was found months before, finally she was identified, and they needed to take people in custody. There was a lot of media attention.

Eight more days...Oct 20th...waiting for some NEW information.

Everyone in Bella's short life failed her. Hoping that the justice system doesn't.

 

[heartgoesout]

Wonder what has transpired behind bars on MM's side? What more has he said?

 

[Bootsctr]

I wonder if Shapiro is working on a timeline for McCarthy that will possibly say he wasn't even at the apartment at the time Bella disappeared. Then again, if his fingerprints are on the refrigerator, how is that going to work? He can't say he never looked in the fridge. I doubt they were able to recover fingerprints from the garbage bags?? And if they did, I suspect they were Rachelle's prints.

McCarthy does have a home address. Will his family member alibi him during the timeframe that Rachelle says Bella was murdered?

Will McCarthy implicate another person? Doubtful. I think he's going to stick with story.

Will Rachelle implicate another person? Meh! Maybe. I don't think she's capable of telling the same story twice in a row. I think she underestimated McCarthy... He said he thought Rachelle was a good mother. How is she going to argue that little nugget?