MO - Six Mohler family members for child sex crimes, Bates City 2009 #3

[Texas Mist]

"A cousin to the Mohlers said that 101 family members met on Thanksgiving and all stand behind the men."

http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-mohlers-burrel-rohland-in-court-121509,0,2996420.story


Forgive me but I can't help but notice that the family members only seem to feel comfortable standing behind the men. They obviously want to keep their eyes on them. And not one family member has stepped up to help the brothers who are still unrepresented? This doesn't make sense.

MissIzzy - it sounds like the had a family conference @ Thanksgiving & decided to "stand behind the men"-- although this statement "Family support is to be here and help them through whatever situation they're in" makes it sound to me as tho they are gonna not talk bad about the Gang of Six, or accuse the vics of making up stories....they'll go to their hearings & the trial & "be there for them"....But it doesn't sound as tho they 'passed the plate' to raise enough $$ to get them out.

And more 'woe is me' whining -- guess Roland doesn't want his collect telephone calls home recorded:

Roland said he's been denied pen and paper and forms that he's requested. He added that it's been made difficult for him to make contact with his wife. :boohoo:

I don't think Casey Anthony gets pen & paper....I think she has some kind of pencils & has to buy her own writing pads.

I'll see if I can find SOP for Lafayette & Jackson County jails regarding correspondence.

 

[Missizzy]

Texas Mist--I was just going to add that too. We have a son who did a short stint in the county jail. Most people don't realize that your friends and family have to put money into an "account" for you. Then, you can draw from that account to buy paper, pencils, and stamps. I find it kind of telling that the guys didn't even get that kind of assistance from family. All it takes is a money order for $10 or $20.

I found it kind of surprising that the judge granted Roland and his wife "2 hours in the courtroom" to discuss the selling of property. I hope they were supervised as that wouldn't be appropriate IMO for them to have privacy at this time.

And concerning the "disabled daughter"--maybe the daughter is an adult, not a child. I think the reporting is confusing. They talk about a "disabled daughter" and then say that another neighbor never saw children. I was making the assumption that the daughter would be an adult given that Burrell Sr. is in his 70s but I guess nothing would surprise me in this story.

FWIW, WS has taught me not to put too much stock in what the neighbors say anyway!! Sometimes, I don't think neighbors would know if you were raising elephants in the dining room. They would, however, have something to say about how you hang your Christmas lights or how long you let your car warm up.

 

[Missizzy]

From the Jackson County, MO jail site.

http://www.jacksongov.org/content/3277/3310/3328/3457/default.aspx#mailing

"All incoming and/or outgoing inmate mail correspondence (family/friends) must be on a standard-sized postcard. Inmates will purchase all mail supplies from commissary such as writing paper, envelopes, postcards, postage stamps and pre-stamped envelopes or postcards."

 

[Texas Mist]

Texas Mist--I was just going to add that too. We had a son who did a short stint in the county jail. Most people don't realize that your friends and family have to put money into an "account" for you. Then, you can draw from that account to buy paper, pencils, and stamps. I find it kind of telling that the guys didn't even get that kind of assistance from family. All it takes is a money order for $10 or $20.

I found it kind of surprising that the judge granted Roland and his wife "2 hours in the courtroom" to discuss the selling of property. I hope they were supervised as that wouldn't be appropriate IMO for them to have privacy at this time.

And concerning the "disabled daughter"--maybe the daughter is an adult, not a child. I think the reporting is confusing. They talk about a "disabled daughter" and then say that another neighbor never saw children. I was making the assumption that the daughter would be an adult given that Burrell Sr. is in his 70s but I guess nothing would surprise me in this story.

FWIW, WS has taught me not to put too much stock in what the neighbors say anyway!! Sometimes, I don't think neighbors would know if you were raising elephants in the dining room. They would, however, have something to say about how you hang your Christmas lights or how long you let your car warm up.

MissIzzy - I spewed my Coke on my laptop reading about the elephants in the dining room! LOL

And yeah - between what the neighbors & "friends" say, and the way the articles are written, I think the details often get convoluted.

You'd think as long as the Gang of Six has been in jail, they'd have learned some of the ropes now -- like how ya have to *buy* writing paper from the commissary....for the jail/detention sites that list such details, they are all pretty standard, like this from Jackson County where sleep-deprived Roland is now hunkered down:

No Envelopes containing: writing paper, envelopes, postcards, postage stamps, and pre-stamped envelopes or postcards will be accepted. All such incoming mail will be "returned to sender." Inmates will purchase all needed supplies from commissary.

Not to mention, the judge already told David when he whined about wanting a razor, writing pad & pencil he wasn't going to get it because then he'd have to allow *all* the inmates the same privilege.

Why do they think the county should just give them things that clearly they can purchase?

Is noone putting funds in their commissary accounts? I wish we had a weekly commissary report like we were getting for Casey Anthony.

I think that would be very telling about support from friends, family & sympathetic strangers.

 

[Missizzy]

I love the thought of the spewed Coke. I enjoy knowing that I can bring some "spark" to someone's afternoon. It's true, though, isn't it? I read in our local paper last week that the neighbors didn't know about someone growing over 3000 pot plants in a small rental house. Huh. Sometimes, I just have to shake my head. Do people not ever look out their windows? I notice things like elephant dung and prunings set out in the trash.

I agree about the "accounts". If these guys are so up-standing in their churches, how hard could it be to donate a money order for 10 bucks? I even see that as a kind of benign gift. If you're not certain as to whether they did something or not, there's no harm in giving a guy some funds for paper and stamps. What kind of support were the 101 family members referring to? Personally, I'd rather drop off a money order than be photographed in court. I know they're "standing behind their men" but can't they spring for some stamps?

 

[Sheromom]

I don't think Sr's wife is gonna sell their house to get him out.

LOL; I hope not!

 

[ohiogirl]

I think it is very telling that the family says they will stand behind them, but no one seems to be offering any monetary support or helping them get lawyers. Maybe they are afraid of what will happen if these guys get out? The support seems to be ony on the surface. Time will tell.

 

[IWannaKnow]

http://www.examiner.net/news/x1145288455/Two-Mohler-brothers-still-looking-for-attorneys

Two Mohler brothers still looking for attorneys

Mohler Jr. and Roland Mohler are caught in the middle of having too little money to hire a private attorney and too many assets that disqualifies them for a public defender.
Lafayette County judge John E. Frerking set Dec. 22 for a “indigency hearing” for the brothers.
Indigency hearings usually consist of the defendants testifying about their current financial situation and what led to their inability to afford an attorney. Court-appointed attorneys could be provided to the men after the hearing.

Meanwhile, Richie said on Tuesday her office does not have any plans to file any new charges “in the immediate future” against the Mohlers, though the investigation by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office is continuing.
“Nothing additional has been submitted to me,” Richie said.

 

[IWannaKnow]

Not for Missouri specifically but interesting I thought:

http://research.lawyers.com/ask-a-l...Affidavit-and-or-Indigency-Hearings-7033.html

as well as this:
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...&gl=us&sig=AHIEtbTPvbevOa0By8aUjn19rt2n8djo3A
****************************************************************
Also, the video in this article states that BMjr gets $1300 per month in retirement income and $1000 of that goes to child support payments and he cannot get an attorney because his wife has $20,000 in a retirement savings....

http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-mohlers-burrel-rohland-in-court-121509,0,1610963.story

 

[Texas Mist]

You know, I'm still kinda blown away that there's no "high profile" attorney ready to step up to the plate in this "high profile" case.

I mean, you know, with the perceived 'lynch mob' mentality and all.....where's the attorneys who believe the 'wrongs' need to be 'righted' here to ensure the Mohlers get a fair trial?

Are there not attorneys affiliated with Comm.of Christ or LDS who want to help? No attorneys that might trade their services for a piece of land?

What's the dill, pickle? :waitasec:


ETA: I chuckled a little when I read the judge suggested they contact the Missouri attorney referral service.

 

[IWannaKnow]

I agree Texas Mist. This should be a gold mine for some enterprising defense attorney. Pedophiles are their stock in trade. What's wrong with the Mohlers?????

ETA: How has BMjr been getting by on $300 a month?

 

[Missizzy]

IWannaKnow--Is this a test? I don't know what's wrong with the Mohlers. Does anybody?

I just can't accept the fact that this exact same scenario doesn't play out day after day across the US. Very few people have ready cash to pay a retainer but many people own property or other items of value. Don't defense attorneys take things in collateral or banks make loans for times like this?

I HATE to even bring up this horrible organization as they have brought our family so much grief but there's always the National Center for Reason and Justice. They sponsor cases of those who are "wrongly accused". You know, like our rapist. Maybe they'd take on the Mohlers.

Warning: Don't go check out this site if you have triggers or are easily upset by the "stories" of the wrongly accused and/or convicted (we are talking blaming the victims and discounting evidence and appropriate convictions until the cows come home, here). Have a cold cloth and a bottle of wine at the ready. Do NOT smash your computer screen. You've been warned.

 

[IWannaKnow]

What are the valid reasons why an attorney would turn down a client? Other than lack of funds. Can they simply refuse on moral principle? And why? They scrape the bottom of the barrel everyday...

No Missizzy - its not a test. I just like to ask rhetorical questions I guess.

 

[Texas Mist]

Not for Missouri specifically but interesting I thought:

http://research.lawyers.com/ask-a-l...Affidavit-and-or-Indigency-Hearings-7033.html

as well as this:
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...&gl=us&sig=AHIEtbTPvbevOa0By8aUjn19rt2n8djo3A
****************************************************************
Also, the video in this article states that BMjr gets $1300 per month in retirement income and $1000 of that goes to child support payments and he cannot get an attorney because his wife has $20,000 in a retirement savings....

http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-mohlers-burrel-rohland-in-court-121509,0,1610963.story

BBM

hmmm- that's not near enough for his cash bond, and can't see how it's enough for a criminal defense trial such as one that lies ahead -- probably wouldn't even be enough for a retainer.

But hey, it would buy a few writing pads & pencils.

 

[Texas Mist]

What are the valid reasons why an attorney would turn down a client? Other than lack of funds. Can they simply refuse on moral principle? And why? They scrape the bottom of the barrel everyday...

No Missizzy - its not a test. I just like to ask rhetorical questions I guess.

A month or so ago I ran across a blog written by a female criminal & family law attorney in Missouri...she said she would *not* under any circumstance take on defending anyone charged with child abuse crimes....she said she couldn't do it because she didn't believe she could do her best defending those crimes (my paraphrase but you get the gist of it).

I was very surprised to read that an attorney would draw the line -- at least she is honest.

I wish I could remember her name....she's a mom & said that she always felt for her clients dealing w/ divorce & other family court issues...then *she* started going thru a divorce & altho she *thought* she knew what it felt like, she realized then *exactly* what it felt like....sounded like a really nice lady, IMO.

 

[mysteriew]

What are the valid reasons why an attorney would turn down a client? Other than lack of funds. Can they simply refuse on moral principle? And why? They scrape the bottom of the barrel everyday...

No Missizzy - its not a test. I just like to ask rhetorical questions I guess.

A private attorney can pick and choose their own cases, just like any other businessman. But I do think it is interesting that no local attorney is stepping forward and volunteering to discount their fees so that the Mohlers can have an attorney. Many times that will happen. But especially in this case where the suspects are such "fine, upstanding, Christian people".

Knowing how gossip travels in small towns I am wondering if if perhaps there may be a lot more info known or rumored than what is printed in the media. And if it isn't being considered more heinous than what we even believe it to be. So much so that most defense attorneys do not want to touch it. Either that or there is some type of political issues going on. Perhaps a struggle between the Mormon churches and the other part of the community and the way they intersect in the political and justice arenas.

Usually if there is a Mormon attorney in the area, they will step forward to represent the Mormon people in whatever crime. Maybe there isn't a Mormon attorney in the area?

 

[Missizzy]

The guy who raped our children had no problem finding a whole bunch of attorneys to represent him. He started out with two very respected local attorneys and moved on to an attorney from Portland who specializes in sex abuse cases. That woman was very professional and cool but respectful. I have no idea where all the money came from. His family is comfortable but not wealthy by any means.

When the NCRJ sponsored his case, he moved onto the national stage and garnered the services of an extremely well known attorney dealing with "hysterical" cases like ours. Once he moved to the Post Conviction Relief Trial, he retained another well respected local attorney. This woman is also a mother and actually represented the rapist while pregnant with her second child. Upon viewing the Children's Advocacy Center, where depositions were to be taken from our children (9 years after the trial!!!), this woman/mother/attorney stated that, "The Center is so lovely, the stuffed animals so sweet, I'll have to bring my little boy to see it." We were all dumbstruck....as if anyone wants their child to EVER step inside a Children's Advocacy Center. I was left shaking my head. The CAC staff couldn't believe it either.

I remember watching the attorney while she deposed my now teen kids about their abuse. The depositions were Christmas week and lasted around 8 hours. It was one child after another for the entire day. I knew she had a little boy who was about their age when the abuse occurred. I just could not wrap my mind around whatever moved her to take this job. The eldest of my children (he would have been around 19) who was a survivor, broke down crying at one point and said he needed a hug from his Mom. The attorney asked him, "Are you referring to S?" He glared back at her and said "Yeah, my Mom, you know the lady who adopted me when I was six. She's my Mom." I just couldn't get over how cruel she seemed. It was as if she was getting some sort of joy out of hurting the children.

An hour later, she commented to my teen-aged daughter and said, "This is kind of hard for you, isn't it?" I'll never forget it as my daughter was extremely traumatized by the questioning and only has an IQ of 63. She was just barely hanging on. She had been answering questions as she looked at the ceiling with tears running down her face. She kind of swung around and leaned forward and stared hard at the attorney and said, "Ya think!!!???" I was so proud of her in that moment.

So, I will agree that some attorneys can represent anyone and somehow compartmentalize their work. Others (and I would fall into that group) just have a line they can't cross. Can you imagine seeing trauma and pain cross a child's face as you questioned them about rape and the loss of their innocence? I can't.

 

[IWannaKnow]

Thanks for all the attempts to explain this perplexing behavior. I find it interesting that BMjr is one of the ones who can't get an attorney...

 

[Missizzy]

I found an interesting article...albeit long, and a bit rambling. Make sure you read the story of the Mormon girls, Jessica and Ashley, and their talk with the Bishop. I'm reminded time and again that, while the Catholic Church has been winning the prize for worst press concerning child abuse, the LDS Church has been mighty busy doing damage control. I find it perplexing that more of these cases are not found newsworthy. Are we just thought to be suffering from compassion fatigue? I, for one, want to bear witness to these horrific cases. If one child is known to be abused within the confines of a particular insular institution, we must recognize the fact that there are most likely other victims.

http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-0...nter-with-sexual-abuse-in-the-mormon-church/1

"The Mormon church hasn't received the flogging that Roman Catholics have over the abuse of children. That could be because of the church's efforts to identify and quash predators in its ranks. In 1989, the church created an educational program about child abuse for its elders. It also established a 1-800 "abuse help line" in 1995 that connected Mormon congregation leaders with professional therapists and lawyers."

From Page 4:

"Sisters Jessica and Ashley "C" [last name removed by me] won a $4.2 million award from the church in 2005 for abuse inflicted by their Mormon stepfather in the early '90s in Federal Way. Theirs is a case example of why we haven't heard much about pedophilia in the church: The amount of hurdles the girls had to clear to get their voices heard is staggering."

Worth reading, folks.

 

[Missizzy]

More info about Jessica and Ashley. This might explain why the two churches are backing away so quickly.

Note: These young women's full names are included in these articles. I'm just posting their first names, however. I admire their courage to go public with their case. They are strong survivors.

http://www.rickross.com/reference/mormon/mormon274.html

"Jessica said she decided to pursue a lawsuit after realizing her sister, now 19, had been abused and after noticing a "scary trend" in how the church handles sexual abuse cases.

The litigation, she said, was never about money.

"The church has made extremely horrific decisions in my situation and in other situations, and until they start making the right decisions, they are going to be held accountable."

and

http://www.rickross.com/groups/mormon.html#Sex_Abuse

This is a listing of approximately 75 sexual crimes connected to the Mormon church. You'll need to scroll down to find the "Sex Abuse Claims" section.