GUILTY MI - Charlie Bothuell, 12, Detroit, 16 June 2014

[BetteDavisEyes]

Lots of confusing questions for me. Dillard asks about her knowledge of English.

The Judge has told Mr. Dillard to stop this line of questioning. While this is not the trial, Mr. Dillard seems he!!-bent on pointing out repeatedly that Dr. Nezer's primary language isn't English because she was born and educated in Jordan. He's attempting to drive home the notion that the expert witness doesn't know/understand English well enough to judge how American families raise their children. If the case goes to trial, Mr. Dillard will continue to push the envelope on what he perceives as a language barrier that inhibits Dr. Nazer's ability to offer reliable testimony. :moo:

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Boy in basement had no clear sign of abuse, doctor says

Oralandar Brand-Williams, The Detroit News 11:50 p.m. EDT April 14, 2015

Detroit — Emergency room doctors and a nurse who examined a young boy whose father and stepmother are charged with torture and child abuse in a high profile case that made national headlines reported the boy did not complain of pain or show any physical injuries after police found him in the basement of his family's home last summer.

Charlie Bothuell V, 12, was allegedly abused and forced to stay in the basement of his family's home on Nicolet Place in Lafayette Park while he was reported missing to police June 14. He was found in the basement June 25...

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2015/04/14/detroit-boy-basement/25754075/

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

WDIV live stream of hearing in progress: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/watch-live-hearing-for-charlie-bothuells-parents/32357570

 

[Martha Morris]

Ms. Goldbar?

Charlie's physical appearance was consistent with what he had stated to the doctors, etc.

He sneaked up the stairs for food. He said Monique put him down there because he didn't do his work-out.

Charlie said he stayed in the basement because he was afraid of the adults.

LOL! I'm about 12 minutes behind!

Looking at the lovely Monique .. she could do with a few workouts herself ...

:thinking:

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

^ Ya think? She hasn't missed too many meals, has she? :angel:

Defense counsel had the audacity to ask Dr. Nezer if she had ever had hallucinations! :stormingmad:

 

[CarolinaMoon]

What time do the proceedings begin today?

What I don't find okay is that there has been no clear testimony to Charlie's being underweight. I've never heard of an approximately 10-year old who has lost 25 pounds and not gained any weight by the age of 12.

 

[CarolinaMoon]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/watch-live-hearing-for-charlie-bothuells-parents/32357570

I'm late this morning! The hearing is underway. The doctor is still testifying. They are discussing how Charlie managed to move boxes, etc. in the basement.

These hearings are a true battle. There are tons of objections here. The dialogue is so confusing to follow. The judge is valiantly trying to keep things on track!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I think it started @9:30AM.

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Smith is questioning Dr. Nazer as to how Charlie knew of events during his time in the basement. (Objection, overruled)

Did Charlie Bothuell make up the information that got his dad and step-mom charged with felonies?

http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/det...ot-his-dad-and-step-mom-charged-with-felonies

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Dr. Nazer stated she would take each case as a separate event.

When Nazer spoke of the psychological assessment done and there is no mention of ODD or ADD.

 

[CarolinaMoon]

We take a break while another case is heard.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I was not aware that there were custody issues at the time that Charlie was "missing". I thought the custody issues came up following the incident where Charlie alleges that he was banished to the basement of his father's condominium. Charlie's two younger half-siblings were subsequently removed from the parents' home. The parents have since separated. Custody of the younger children is a separate matter from the criminal case.
.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Smith is questioning Dr. Nazer as to how Charlie knew of events during his time in the basement. (Objection, overruled)

Did Charlie Bothuell make up the information that got his dad and step-mom charged with felonies?

http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/det...ot-his-dad-and-step-mom-charged-with-felonies

IIRC, Charlie had a laptop.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy does not rush into determining whether or not there is sufficient evidence to successfully prosecute a case. She took a long while before filing charges in this case and taking the parents into custody. I believe that there is evidence that Charlie is telling the truth. If Mr. Bothuell isn't responsible for the crime with which he's been charged, why did he relinquish his parental rights to his son and namesake? That, in itself, will probably raise concerns for jurors if this case goes to trial. I think the strategic move to try and escape a trial and possible conviction will backfire. Perhaps Mr. Bothuell should have waited until after the trial to terminate his parental relationship with young Charlie. :moo:

 

[CarolinaMoon]

I was not aware that there were custody issues at the time that Charlie was "missing". I thought the custody issues came up following the incident where Charlie alleges that he was banished to the basement of his father's condominium. Charlie's two younger half-siblings were subsequently removed from the parents' home. The parents have since separated. Custody of the younger children is a separate matter from the criminal case.
.

Did this come up earlier? I know Mom turned Charlie over to Dad at about 10 yrs. due to problems she was having. Did she want him back?

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Dr. Nazer reviewed a psychological consultation from earlier, but didn't use it for her report. Smith wants to question her on them. Here is voir dire to the matter.

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Nazer did a full medical history on Charlie. But she included only the reports she mentioned yesterday. Judge Holmes will allow testimony in about the psychological reports.

Making copies of the reports.

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Charlie suffered from headaches. Consulted a neurologist. Nothing wrong.

Then, they called the psychologist.

Headaches could have been organic.

Smith asked if Charlie was living in a fantasy world. (Objection, overruled)

1/2013 - Faulty mental status mentioned by doctors.

Back to hallucinations about man with white hair. Goldfarb objects. Main concern was because of his feeling of ???. Defense keeps going after the hallucination issue.

Smith states he thinks Nazer has difficulty with how she handled this case. (Betty, you may be right.)

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Mosby recommended psychiatric care for possible ODD. (oppositional defiant disorder)

Mosby asked father to fill out Vanderbuilt form. Also asked for mother to fill it out. She didn't see mom's form, only dad's and no psychological testing.

No teacher form since he was home-schooled. Charlie had all F's.

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Testing was done in 2011, when Charlie was 11, NOT when he was a teenager as stated by Smith.

Was Charlie being homeschooled then?

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Did this come up earlier? I know Mom turned Charlie over to Dad at about 10 yrs. due to problems she was having. Did she want him back?

I think the defense attorney is trying to bring the current custody issue into this hearing, and it is not relevant because that case is ongoing and unrelated to the criminal proceedings. Of course, the outcome of this trial, assuming there is a trial, will likely determine whether or not the two young children are ever allowed to live with Mr. and/or Mrs. Bothuell in the future. Both parents' rights to the two young children are at stake in the custody case.