NV - Jessica Valenzuela, 32, dead, 36 injured, car plows into crowd, Las Vegas, 20 Dec 2015 *arrest*

[Bravo]

I was young and poor with children also and a non supportive family, no help from anyone, I also was molested as a child and beat. I didn't run down people with a car or kill anyone. I took things day by day trying to be a better person than from which I came, not letting my past define me and raising my kids differently than what I was raised.
I hate all the excuses also, I worked my way to anything I had...someone who was with the forestry dept I would think had gotten a break or two. I did eventually find my breaks but it was on my own.
No one has an excuse to kill a bunch of strangers unless it is to protect yourself IMO. How much adversity have you overcome in your life? Did you kill people because of it? Even the people that did horrible things to you? To which I would probably understand, but I will guess the answer to all of these questions is NO.

Kudos to you. You are an Inspiration.

 

[Bravo]

...most shall feel that way.....and what we have all experienced the last two years here shall continue ...that simple....as a society we need to try to find out why this place is so full of hate ....until that happens , well nothing will change...

IMO hate has never lead to a resolution or improvment in social ills , its not an opinion, it is a fact of life

hate em, lock em up , go on about living................until the next one , which should be soon, going by the last two years.......................

I hear you CARIIS. You provided Therapy for a very different Sector than I presently do on a part time basis. It is a different world but IMO there has to be something deep seeded for a woman especially to take things out on Society. There was a time women were more inclined to take things out on themselves. I do believe entitlement is a slippery slope. The sense of it that is. I never hate the person. I hate the crime.

 

[cuffem]

There was a case just like this one recently (it is here in this website) and quite a lot of people were really quick to give her the excuse of "mental illness." It JUST had to be!! I wonder what the difference is here?

I read the thread and did not get that impression.It seemed people thought it was drugs or anger.

 

[meanmaryjean]

Until toxicology comes back (assuming it was done) I am going to say sleep deprivation in the extreme. This is an area in which I do research and my doctoral work includes work on sleep loss and fatigue.

 

[kimi_SFC]

Until toxicology comes back (assuming it was done) I am going to say sleep deprivation in the extreme. This is an area in which I do research and my doctoral work includes work on sleep loss and fatigue.

Interesting post, meanmaryjean. I've worked in this area of research as well. Sleepy drivers have been shown in previous studies to be as impaired as drunk drivers (no link ATM so :moo: for now). So it will be interesting to see what the future holds. Proving sleep deprivation would be complex :twocents:


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[Bravo]

Until toxicology comes back (assuming it was done) I am going to say sleep deprivation in the extreme. This is an area in which I do research and my doctoral work includes work on sleep loss and fatigue.

Apparently there was a tox screen done as an Officer thought she was on something. While I respect your work I am a sleep deprived person who gets maybe 6 hrs a night on a good night. What is your hypothesis? Respectfully asking. Most interested.

 

[meanmaryjean]

'ICU psychosis' is the most studied clinical manifestation of severe, prolonged sleep deprivation. And it doesn't have to be continual wakefulness. Broken, inadequate sleep for the several months that she's been apparently living in her car could do it.

 

[meanmaryjean]

Apparently there was a tox screen done as an Officer thought she was on something. While I respect your work I am a sleep deprived person who gets maybe 6 hrs a night on a good night. What is your hypothesis? Respectfully asking. Most interested.

The psychotic episodes that meth addicts get is also an example. They can go days without sleep. I'm on the fence about her using drugs. I guess we'll see. Such a tragedy!

 

[Bravo]

The psychotic episodes that meth addicts get is also an example. They can go days without sleep. I'm on the fence about her using drugs. I guess we'll see. Such a tragedy!

Yes a terrible tragedy. I guess we will have to see when she spiraled and for how long. And if there was a substance abuse issue. It has been reported it was only a week in Vegas. Yet we dont know what transpired in the days, weeks, months before. Other than a break with baby daddy. Could it just be anger issues and poor impulse control? I dunno. Time and some facts will give us some insight. Sadly.

 

[bluesneakers]

There was a case just like this one recently (it is here in this website) and quite a lot of people were really quick to give her the excuse of "mental illness." It JUST had to be!! I wonder what the difference is here?

IMO facts around that case, if you're referring to the one I think you are, were different enough to more likely suggest mental illness and/or under the influence, not intentional violence to murder and assault others. At least to me. I wouldn't say neither possible here (I wouldn't be surprised, same with psychosis) but so far I only see difference between the two events. Just like other criminal acts and various causes and explanations.

I admit having her kid (along with many other factors) in the car makes me extra angry and less compassionate toward her. That could change.

JMO

 

[Bravo]

Regardless of the why. Yet I am interested as many of us are what may have led up to this. She did it. Caused heartbreaking harm to so many and death to a Mom of 3. Put her away so she can harm no other. I pray her Daughter will get a better chance in life. IMO. We always seek an answer or justification. Thru that process are we constantly justifying crime today as a society? Point to ponder.

 

[Bravo]

Now CNN is reporting she will be in Court tomorrow

 

[dotr]

Some people have been known to drive to places like LA or L.Vegas seeking fame and fortune and stay in their cars temporarily to save for, or till, they make some money. Brittany Murphy and singer Jewell ect. come to mind, iirc.

Speculating that since the suspect apparently had a gig in L.V. maybe it did not go well, maybe she was rejected in person, or she did not get paid, making getting home again very difficult. Did she create a drama and tragedy in one fell swoop just by putting a little pressure on the gas, turning of the wheel, back and forth in front of and into the easy, slow-moving crowd of targets?

If she is to be the poster child for mental illness, she is doing people with genuine conditions, and the ones who care for them, a disservice.
imo, speculation.

" Holloway's cousin, Lashay Hardaway, told The Oregonian newspaper that Holloway worked hard to provide for her daughter.

"She's just always thinking about her daughter or the next thing she needs to take care of," Hardaway said, adding that her cousin "makes good money."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/s...rsity-35901006
rbbm

 

[rob]

OK, a young mom comes to town with a 3 yr old. She's running out of money and got nowhere to stay. What are her options?
-In that weeks time, find DSS. Ask for help.
Or- find a homeless shelter. Tell them you need a place to stay and eat till you find a job. Ask them to help you find a job, that's what they do.
Or- go into a Casino/hotel at night. Go to that area between the casino and guest rooms where there are always sofas and chairs. Catch some sleep. Security comes, tell them that your husband is in the casino and will come and get you when he's done. I've never seen anyone run out.
Or- do like hundreds on the strip sidewalk. Sit down, with your child beside you, and make a cardboard sign, 'homeless, need money to feed child and get back home' I promise you, people drop money in the drunk men's boxes, they will drop in your box cause they feel for the child.
Or-find a church or one of the pastors who are out on the strip trying to help people.
Or-get in your car, drive down the strip and try to run over as many people as possible, cause you are in pain, and they appear to be having a good time.
Everyone has choices.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

'ICU psychosis' is the most studied clinical manifestation of severe, prolonged sleep deprivation. And it doesn't have to be continual wakefulness. Broken, inadequate sleep for the several months that she's been apparently living in her car could do it.

But she had the wherewithal to tell someone to call 911. And reportedly didn't even act upset.

Nope. I'm not buying the psychosis (of any kind) theory.

JMO and thoughts.

I think she was either on drugs or just didn't give a damn. Either way, she's to blame.

Not her childhood, not her finances, not lack of sleep, not her child's father, not her mother, not the system.

JMO

 

[dotr]

Apparently perp plans on pleading not guilty.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/suspect...with-murder-child-abuse-hit-and-run-1.2709810
rbbm

LAS VEGAS -- A woman accused of intentionally plowing a car carrying her young daughter through crowds of pedestrians on the Las Vegas Strip was charged Tuesday with murder, child abuse and hit-and-run.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said he expects to file additional charges against Lakeisha Nicole Holloway, 24, in coming days.

"This is an ongoing investigation with many items of video, physical evidence and many, many witnesses to be interviewed," Wolfson said. "I've personally seen the videos from a variety of angles, and I'm appalled at the callousness of this defendant's conduct and what appears to be an intentional act."

snip>

One of Holloway's public defence attorneys, Joseph Abood, said she plans to plead not guilty.

 

[bluesneakers]

Apparently perp plans on pleading not guilty.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/suspect...with-murder-child-abuse-hit-and-run-1.2709810
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snip>

Sitting on my ***** hands.


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[LietKynes]

Rest in eternal peace, Jessica. My condolences to your grieving loved ones.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the wounded in body and emotionally.

My opinion , there's NO excuse for this young woman's actions. None.

 

[flourish]

OK, a young mom comes to town with a 3 yr old. She's running out of money and got nowhere to stay. What are her options?
-In that weeks time, find DSS. Ask for help.
Or- find a homeless shelter. Tell them you need a place to stay and eat till you find a job. Ask them to help you find a job, that's what they do.
Or- go into a Casino/hotel at night. Go to that area between the casino and guest rooms where there are always sofas and chairs. Catch some sleep. Security comes, tell them that your husband is in the casino and will come and get you when he's done. I've never seen anyone run out.
Or- do like hundreds on the strip sidewalk. Sit down, with your child beside you, and make a cardboard sign, 'homeless, need money to feed child and get back home' I promise you, people drop money in the drunk men's boxes, they will drop in your box cause they feel for the child.
Or-find a church or one of the pastors who are out on the strip trying to help people.
Or-get in your car, drive down the strip and try to run over as many people as possible, cause you are in pain, and they appear to be having a good time.
Everyone has choices.

Sounds so easy...

--I wonder if they have emergency shelter housing for women with children. That's a population that has a very difficult time getting emergency housing in my area, because it's the most needed and they can't just put them all in a big dorm like they do with the guys at the mission. In my brief period of homelessness, we contacted every available local agency, both in a proactive and reactive fashion (as many won't help until it's basically too late) and I'm a social services worker, so I know them all, and were put on the waiting lists...the average wait time was two months for EMERGENCY SHELTER, and 18-36 months for more permanent. They did, however, give us a bag of peanuts, a loaf of bread, and a box of Twinkies.

--As an early education provider for low-income "at-risk" families, I used to encourage them to ask DHS for help, too. That was, until I saw the can of worms that opens. They go in saying, "I need help with my child while I get sober and housing." Months later, they're sober, they have housing, but now DHS has decided a myriad of other services they have to engage in, some not even remotely applicable...or have decided to take longer to reunite than the child was in care in the first place... Point being, it's really easy to say, "Yeah, go ask them for help that is what they do," but one might as well consider asking DHS for help as semi-voluntarily turning your child over to the state indefinitely. It would be lovely if there were agencies (or more agencies) that would allow you to put your child in short-term care during treatment, etc., without the legal battle to reunite. So, not as particularly viable an option as was presented. There are places that take women with young children in treatment, but not men with children, which doesn't matter in this case, but has mattered in several cases I've worked with.

--When I was there for Halloween, there were tons of people, and the tunnels between the casinos and hotels didn't have chairs, let alone couches. There were benches in lobbies, but anyone lingering there would be noticed. I didn't see one person crashed out on a bench near a casino/hotel. I even commented that the lack of seating areas seemed odd, as if one were having difficulties walking through all the tunnels, there's no where to sit. My experience isn't supposed to be representative of anything except my own recent experience at the Palms. But, I don't think security would look kindly upon people crashing out randomly. The baby, yes, mom, doubt it. IMO. In my brief but awful personal period of homelessness, I know that even though I managed to shower regularly and go to work every day, I looked pretty haggard and carried more bags than looked necessary. I felt like I had "homeless" written across my forehead, but maybe my shame and imagination were in play there.

--I didn't realize pan-handling was an allowed thing there. I didn't see one when I was there, but I did hang in the hotel most of the time. I live in an area where we have a huge transient population (cali to seattle and back is a thing apparently, and we're on that route), so yeah, I suppose that's a possibility. Some folks might feel they're "above it," or don't want their child exposed to that, or don't feel it's safe as it raises vulnerability and raises visibility as far as LE is concerned.

--I didn't realize there were churches on the strip helping people. Cool.

--there were probably local hotlines and mental health agencies, too. People in the throes of an episode, whether it be one of mental illness, drugs, or just evil, aren't always actually looking for help. If she was determined to do this, she's need the "world is against me" woefullness going on, and asking for and getting help doesn't fit the dramatic Parisian-style presentation she was after.

Yikes.

 

[katydid23]

Apparently perp plans on pleading not guilty.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/suspect...with-murder-child-abuse-hit-and-run-1.2709810
rbbm


snip>

I bet they are going to try for some kind of 'diminished capacity' due to mental health crisis or something like that.