GUILTY OR - Whitney Heichel, 21, Gresham, 16 Oct 2012 #5

[Sasquatch]

Thank you again La Louve! Thank you GregJRichards!

I had to take a drive out there today, and see those new flowers for myself. It was raining most of the way, but there were a few sun breaks. Those are beautiful flowers La Louve! Thanks again for taking the time to do this! I am glad that my photos were an inspiration! Thank you also for lending your gardening skills. Planting roses is a new thing for me, and it makes me feel better that you had a chance to add your professional touch. When I placed the miniature roses in November, I just placed them down on the grass in the original pot and decorative wrapping. I honestly didn't think that they would last past a month. I was amazed that they kept on blooming into December. I am happy with how everything looks. I can not wait until we get more blooms and watch Whitney's Memorial Garden grow!

 

[La Louve]

Thank you again La Louve! Thank you GregJRichards!

I had to take a drive out there today, and see those new flowers for myself. It was raining most of the way, but there were a few sun breaks. Those are beautiful flowers La Louve! Thanks again for taking the time to do this! I am glad that my photos were an inspiration! Thank you also for lending your gardening skills. Planting roses is a new thing for me, and it makes me feel better that you had a chance to add your professional touch. When I placed the miniature roses in November, I just placed them down on the grass in the original pot and decorative wrapping. I honestly didn't think that they would last past a month. I was amazed that they kept on blooming into December. I am happy with how everything looks. I can not wait until we get more blooms and watch Whitney's Memorial Garden grow!

Thank you for the new photos and I'm so glad you approve, Sasquatch. I tried to be mindful of the lovely work you did planting the roses and not disturb that too much. I was a bit surprised that the miniature was blooming into winter as well. But that just shows you how hardy roses are.

The new plantings look like they are holding their own. This is when I really appreciate our wet spring weather, as it gives plants time to settle in to their new homes with less stress.

 

[Sasquatch]

It appears that today's hearing, was the recording of the trial and jury orientation dates. The Clackamas County charges appear to still be the same. IMO, if a Plea Deal is made, then the earliest that it will be presented, will be on May 13th at the "Hearing Status Check". Today, the local media reported the same trial date, that was already reported back in November of 2012. The trial date is still set for April 1, 2014. We will probably have to wait until next month, to see what will happen next!



Next court dates, that are still on record:

Oregon State Of/Holt Jonathan Daniel CLA 5/13/13 8:30A COURTROOM 5 CR1201726 Hearing Status Check

Oregon State Of/Holt Jonathan Daniel MCR 5/16/13 9:15A N208 NON-CUSTODY 121235546 Hearing Further
Proceedings


"The wheels of justice grind slow, but grind fine.” Sun Tzu - Art of War

 

[Sasquatch]

The Oregonian reported today:
"The Gresham man accused of kidnapping and killing a young woman last October will have a trial next spring, a judge decided Friday....The trial is set for April 1, 2014."
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-city/index.ssf/2013/04/accused_killer_jonathan_holt_t.html

This is the same trial date that was reported back in November 2012, by the Portland Tribune:
"The trial of Jonathan Daniel Holt, who is accused of killing a 21-year-old Gresham woman, is scheduled to begin April 1, 2014, in Clackamas County Circuit Court before Judge Ron Herndon"
http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/123173-jonathan-holt-trial-set-for-2014

 

[Sasquatch]

Today marks 6 months since Whitney was taken from us! I have been thinking about Whitney, Clint, her family and loved ones today!

 

[Glow]

Hard to believe its been 6 months already.

That is a beautiful picture Sasquatch. Do you (or anyone who lives there) have any idea how the family is doing?

I would imagine that anniversary "dates" like it being 6 months and then a year and so on are very hard on them as is the setting of court dates and so on.

Its too bad that part of it is going to drag out another year.

 

[Sasquatch]

Hard to believe its been 6 months already.

That is a beautiful picture Sasquatch. Do you (or anyone who lives there) have any idea how the family is doing?

I would imagine that anniversary "dates" like it being 6 months and then a year and so on are very hard on them as is the setting of court dates and so on.

Its too bad that part of it is going to drag out another year.

Thank you Glow! I have always liked this photo of Whitney and Clint! It seems to capture a genuine warmth about her!

I spoke with a couple of Whitney's family members last month. They are staying strong and doing better than might be expected, under the circumstances. They are finding strength in their family, friends and faith. I would assume that the court dates and the anniversary dates would be difficult on all of Whitney's family members and friends.

A year does seem like a long time until we see a trial. It would be hard to start finding closure, with a trial date set so many months away. I do hope that the family can continue to find strength and comfort each day, while the process of justice is being served.

 

[gregjrichards]

Today marks 6 months since Whitney was taken from us! I have been thinking about Whitney, Clint, her family and loved ones today!

This is another lovely picture they were a beautiful couple it's so sad. How is Clint doing? I hope he is doing as well as can be expected.

I know the trial seems a long while away but time will fly in and we will all be here for it and praying for the deserved outcome.

 

[Sasquatch]

This is another lovely picture they were a beautiful couple it's so sad. How is Clint doing? I hope he is doing as well as can be expected.

I know the trial seems a long while away but time will fly in and we will all be here for it and praying for the deserved outcome.

Thank you GregJRichards! Yes, it is very sad. From what I have gathered, I believe that Clint is doing better than might be expected as well. He has a lot of support from Whitney's family, his family, friends and a lot of strength in his faith. I would assume, as Glow had mentioned, that anniversary dates are difficult for him, too. I too, can not believe that six months have already passed. It was back on October 17th, that I started driving the back roads looking for clues of Whitney's whereabouts. Still to this day, I find myself looking at the side of the road for any missed clues, as I drive out to Roslyn Lake.

As the wheels of justice are churning, we all should be proud that we have contributed to this process. Out of the 24 pages of documents that I sent into the District Attorney, there were definitely many pages that included ideas from our brainstorming here on WS, WH thread. We all should be proud that each one of us has contributed to this process, of bringing justice for Whitney! Now everyone faces the new task of waiting. This is definitely a skill that I am having to relearn, after being on the go for the past six months. This case feels like it has been a full time job for me. Even when I am not actually sleuthing, I am still thinking about it. Every time I felt that I had come up against a wall, I kept remembering Whitney's kindness and her smile from last October, at the SB Drive-Thru. I talked to her a few weeks before she was taken from us. This memory definitely kept me moving forward, to keep looking for new clues and information.

So no matter what the outcome is, we all can say that we have done our best and have made a contribution. If this case turns out to be a Plea Deal, or turns into a Full Trial, either way we all can be proud that we have put our hearts and souls into it. All of us have leaned into it! We have no control of what JH's sentence will be, but we still keep doing whatever we can for Whitney! Everyone who has put their thoughts and time into this, has shown a kindness that goes well beyond words. No matter what the outcome, I am very proud to be a part of such a caring team!


"Lean into it. The outcome doesn’t matter. What matters is that you were there for it, whatever ‘it’ is - good or bad." - People Like Us

 

[Sasquatch]

There is a new Settlement Conference Hearing scheduled for this Monday 4/22/13

Oregon State Of/Holt Jonathan Daniel CLA 4/22/13 9:00A COURTROOM 5 CR1201726 Hearing Settlement Conference

Oregon State Of/Holt Jonathan Daniel CLA 5/13/13 8:30A COURTROOM 5 CR1201726 Hearing Status Check

Oregon State Of/Holt Jonathan Daniel MCR 5/16/13 9:15A N208 NON-CUSTODY 121235546 Hearing Further Proceedings

Sometimes Plea Deals can be reached after Settlement Conferences. On January 4th of this year, Bary J. Franklin reached a Plea Deal, in Multnomah County, after two Settlement Conferences. Bary J. Franklin punched and killed Steven Young, back at the end of Summer of 2012, at a SE Portland Bar. A Multnomah County grand jury indicted Franklin on one count of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and second degree assault. With this Plea Deal, he was only sentenced to three and a half years, and the charges were reduced to only Attempted Second Degree Assault.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/01/portland_man_will_serve_35_yea.html

State of Oregon Laws regarding a Settlement Conference:

http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/147.512

Wiki Definition of a Settlement Conference:

"A settlement conference is a meeting between opposing sides of a lawsuit at which the parties attempt to reach a mutually agreeable resolution of their dispute without having to proceed to a trial. Such a conference may be initiated through either party, usually by the conveyance of a settlement offer; or it may be ordered by the court as a precedent (preliminary step) to holding a trial. Each party, the plaintiff and the defendant, is usually represented at the settlement conference by their own Counsel or attorney. Conferences are frequently conducted by a judge or other neutral party, in the form of a mediation."

Settlement conference - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Glow]

Thank you GregJRichards! Yes, it is very sad. From what I have gathered, I believe that Clint is doing better than might be expected as well. He has a lot of support from Whitney's family, his family, friends and a lot of strength in his faith. I would assume, as Glow had mentioned, that anniversary dates are difficult for him, too. I too, can not believe that six months have already passed. It was back on October 17th, that I started driving the back roads looking for clues of Whitney's whereabouts. Still to this day, I find myself looking at the side of the road for any missed clues, as I drive out to Roslyn Lake.

As the wheels of justice are churning, we all should be proud that we have contributed to this process. Out of the 24 pages of documents that I sent into the District Attorney, there were definitely many pages that included ideas from our brainstorming here on WS, WH thread. We all should be proud that each one of us has contributed to this process, of bringing justice for Whitney! Now everyone faces the new task of waiting. This is definitely a skill that I am having to relearn, after being on the go for the past six months. This case feels like it has been a full time job for me. Even when I am not actually sleuthing, I am still thinking about it. Every time I felt that I had come up against a wall, I kept remembering Whitney's kindness and her smile from last October, at the SB Drive-Thru. I talked to her a few weeks before she was taken from us. This memory definitely kept me moving forward, to keep looking for new clues and information.

So no matter what the outcome is, we all can say that we have done our best and have made a contribution. If this case turns out to be a Plea Deal, or turns into a Full Trial, either way we all can be proud that we have put our hearts and souls into it. All of us have leaned into it! We have no control of what JH's sentence will be, but we still keep doing whatever we can for Whitney! Everyone who has put their thoughts and time into this, has shown a kindness that goes well beyond words. No matter what the outcome, I am very proud to be a part of such a caring team!


"Lean into it. The outcome doesn’t matter. What matters is that you were there for it, whatever ‘it’ is - good or bad." - People Like Us

This post embodies everything I admire about you Sasquatch. You are gracious and caring and full of energy in seeking justice.

I wish every victim had such a peerless advocate as Whitney has had in you.

 

[Glow]

Sometimes Plea Deals can be reached after Settlement Conferences. On January 4th of this year, Bary J. Franklin reached a Plea Deal, in Multnomah County, after two Settlement Conferences. Bary J. Franklin punched and killed Steven Young, back at the end of Summer of 2012, at a SE Portland Bar. A Multnomah County grand jury indicted Franklin on one count of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and second degree assault. With this Plea Deal, he was only sentenced to three and a half years, and the charges were reduced to only Attempted Second Degree Assault.

This just makes me sick to think about. Especially when I think of it in Whitneys case. I want them to bury him under the jail :banghead:

or just bury him period :twocents:

sorry. bad glow :blushing:

 

[Sasquatch]

This post embodies everything I admire about you Sasquatch. You are gracious and caring and full of energy in seeking justice.

I wish every victim had such a peerless advocate as Whitney has had in you.

Thank you very much Glow, for all of your kind words! Thank you also Glow, for all of your wonderful input and time that you put into this case and many others!

This just makes me sick to think about. Especially when I think of it in Whitneys case. I want them to bury him under the jail :banghead:

or just bury him period :twocents:

sorry. bad glow :blushing:

It makes me sick too! JH can not get a punishment that would even come close to making up for the pain and suffering that he caused! I do have faith in the Clackamas County District Attorney, John Foote. Back in 2004, he was able to make a Plea Deal with Ward Weaver for 2 life sentences without parole. I do hope that if there is a Plea Deal on this case, that JH does get life without parole.

 

[caffeinejean]

This post embodies everything I admire about you Sasquatch. You are gracious and caring and full of energy in seeking justice.

I wish every victim had such a peerless advocate as Whitney has had in you.

Thank you Glow, your post perfectly states my feelings about our Big Hearted friend Sasquatch.

This just makes me sick to think about. Especially when I think of it in Whitneys case. I want them to bury him under the jail :banghead:

or just bury him period :twocents:

sorry. bad glow :blushing:

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto. So call me bad too!

It makes me sick too! JH can not get a punishment that would even come close to making up for the pain and suffering that he caused! I do have faith in the Clackamas County District Attorney, John Foote. Back in 2004, he was able to make a Plea Deal with Ward Weaver for 2 life sentences without parole. I do hope that if there is a Plea Deal on this case, that JH does get life without parole.

Thanks SAS, I'm in total agreement on your sentiments here too.
Also thanks for the info on the DA in Clackamas County, that gives me some hope for the maximum sentence that Oregon will allow.
And now we wait for the hearing tomorrow on 4/22 and probably more changes to the schedule. My prayers and thoughts on Whitney's behalf.

 

[Sasquatch]

Thank you Glow, your post perfectly states my feelings about our Big Hearted friend Sasquatch.


Ditto, Ditto, Ditto. So call me bad too!


Thanks SAS, I'm in total agreement on your sentiments here too.
Also thanks for the info on the DA in Clackamas County, that gives me some hope for the maximum sentence that Oregon will allow.
And now we wait for the hearing tomorrow on 4/22 and probably more changes to the schedule. My prayers and thoughts on Whitney's behalf.

Thank you Caffeinejean, for your kind words! You have a Big Heart too!
I forgot to add that Judge Robert D. Herndon, who sentenced Ward Weaver, is also the same judge for JH's trial on April 1, 2014. I am assuming that he will be the same judge overseeing the Settlement Conference tomorrow. Judge Robert D. Herndon is also the presiding judge who manages the Clackamas County Circuit Court. When Judge Herndon sentenced Ward Weaver to two consecutive life terms without parole, Judge Herndon stated the following to Mr. Weaver:

"You will leave here with your life today, such as it may be," Judge Robert Herndon told Weaver at the sentencing, adding, "I see nothing but evil. I hope there is a special place in hell for people like you."

http://www.crimezzz.net/serialkillers/W/WEAVER_ward.php

I am sending my good thoughts and prayers as well!
Thinking of Whitney and her loved ones on this evening! :candle:

 

[Sasquatch]

Today's Settlement Conference, which is taking place in Clackamas County, is being overseen by Judge Bergstrom. Judge Eric Bergstrom is a Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge. Maybe, because both Multnomah County and Clackamas County have an interest in this case, the Settlement Conference will be negotiated by a Multnomah County Judge, and if a Plea Deal is reached, JH will be sentenced by a Clackamas County Judge. The Prosecutor listed on this docket is Donald Rees, from the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office.



Info on Judge Bergstrom:

http://www.mbabar.org/Resources/EricBergstrom.html

A case in January where Judge Bergstrom reached a Plea Deal:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/01/portland_judge_lets_loose_with.html

 

[Sasquatch]

IMO, now that they have had their Settlement Conference, negotiating the Multnomah County details, I believe the next step might be a possible Plea Deal on the May 13th "Hearing Status Check"' in Clackamas County. We will have to wait three weeks and see if anything is presented at that hearing. If nothing is presented, then we will probably be in a long waiting period until the next court date. In the meantime, here are some more photos of the flowers at Whitney's Garden and the surrounding area. I did notice some more growth on the Purple Rose's second branch! Across from the power pole in the forest grove, there are some natural wild purple bell flowers scattered throughout the area. The bells appear more pink in my photos. Thanks again La Louve, for adding some more flowers a few weeks ago! They look beautiful!

 

[Sasquatch]

Here are some photos showing some of the new flowers that I placed out at Roslyn Lake on Saturday. I added some Enduring Blue Brachyscome, Opal Innocence Nemesia and Sky Blue Nemesia to Whitney's Garden! I also added some more cedar mulch. It was a beautiful and peaceful day out there!









Link to the album:
http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/Sasquatch60/library/April%2027th%202013%20Whitney%20Heichel%20Garden%20Roslyn%20Lake

 

[La Louve]

posted too soon, please delete.

 

[La Louve]

Hi All

Just a little update on Whitney's Garden. I went out last Saturday morning and replaced the mini-rose with one from my garden that already has two buds on it. I believe they are pink roses, if I remember right. It will do well if it makes it through this warm dry spell we are having at the moment.

Fortunately Sasquatch has provided lots of lovely cedar mulch which helps keep things moist. While I was pulling a few weeds, I found under the mulch another little violet that I had brought from my garden last time. It had bloomed and was quite happy so I put some rocks around it to identify it. The flowers are so cute - pale lavender with darker purple splotches. Whitney would've loved them. The larger bare root rose that Sasquatch planted a while back is doing very well, has lots of growing canes on it. I'm looking forward to seeing it bloom later this summer. The newer smaller flowers look so pretty. It really is starting to look like a small formal garden.

Actually, Whitney's spirit was especially present while I was there - maybe because it was so windy. While I worked I sang a little chant about the Buddhist goddess Tara, who is the Mother of Compassion in one of her major incarnations. I felt incredible compassion for not just Whitney, but her family and friends, and for Mr. Holt and his former wife and all their families and friends. In the larger scheme of things, this event was such a tragedy for so many lives. But it also was a community-bringer-together-er, which I think is one of the "gifts", if you will.

I watered everything (two gallons), dug up dandelions, picked up cans and broken glass. Took photos, but maybe Sasquatch can post his first, since he's better at it than I am, and he was out there later on Saturday too!


will add more later, gotta get back to work.

La Louve