I’m commenting from memory after watching the sentencing off & on throughout the day. Proud of everyone who spoke & cannot fathom their feelings or lives going forward. Their losses are immeasurable. Some stood out to me, but by no means lessens any words from anyone who spoke whether they are mentioned below or not.
The 2 surviving roommates were absolute soldiers for having the strength & courage to even be able to come forth with words to address,on,paper or in person, the monster who forever changed their lives. It’s done now. Please, live life, girls, as best you can. There’s an entire world out there & one of your fears will never see it again going forward.
All the parents, biological & blended, I’m sorry you have to speak of your children in the past tense. No parent should outlive their child. I didn’t know your kids personally but it seemed you did well as parents else they wouldn’t be in college if you hadn’t. Please don’t use this tragedy as a means to fall into your own darknesses, past or present. That lets the soulless one win.
Deetle Beetle, you did your Maddie proud, as any grandma would.
Ben, keep your head up & focus on living the life your daughter would want for you. Please don’t let other demons into your life, as hard as it may be. Happiness is there if you want to find it.
SG, specifically, you did me proud as a dad. You could have done your worst but instead did your best to make your baby girl proud. I can’t walk an inch in your shoes but would proudly walk miles after today. Thank you for sharing your thoughts throughout & giving everyone involved in bringing the admitted murderer to justice the credit they deserved. I know you wanted more, as did many, but in the end you did what was right.
Alivia, I don’t ever want to disagree with you. Hammer, meet nail. You said what most were feeling & it still most likely wasn’t enough.
Kim Kernodle, you possibly said the most in the fewest words possible. I applaud your willingness to forgive & listen. Likely the most admirable statement I heard today. I wish I had it in me to be like you.
Xana’s stepfather, Randy, he doesn’t deserve a second in the woods with you because you can’t teach a person how to care. He will be in hell, rest assured. I firmly believe that.
The creep just sat there, expressionless, as if this was all a bore to him, with his smirking attorney beside him. I’m sorry, but Elisa Massoth should never be allowed to sit in on another murder trial again. Whether intentional or not, I found her facial expressions to be more repulsive than that of her client throughout the entirety of the hearings, even before today. 100% unprofessional. It’s a murder trial for Christ’s sake - there’s no room for any smiles in the courtroom when any hearings are taking place, period. Such a disgrace to your profession, I am sorry. Shame on you.
AT & your team. Still convinced of his innocence? I didn’t think so. You knew all along. At least you had the courtesy & professionalism not to smirk, for all the good it did you in the end.
Lastly, thank you JH. Every trial judge could learn how it should be done from you. You were level headed & fair & absolutely said what needed to be said when it needed to be said. We asked for everything under the sun & you bore the weight of all the planets honorably.