GUILTY TX - Emma Thompson, 4, dies with STD, skull fracture, Spring, 27 June 2009

[LCoastMom]

~Respectfully snipped~

My DH and I were just talking about this. I too would have lost it. I would have stood up and unleashed my fury on the - from the bottom on my toes to the top of my head - that courtroom would have rocked with the noise I would have made. I feel it inside me just reading about the .

I never want to sit on a jury for a case such as this - I just don't think I could handle it. The anger is intense and it is fueled by the sadness of knowing that no matter what we do, we can't bring these little ones back and make it right.

Okay - I think I need a break. I was going to go read at RC and catch up, but maybe not now.........

Salem

Unfortunately the trials did not diminish the absolute rage we are all feeling over what was done to this precious little girl. There is no just punishment for animals such as these. We must settle for what we can get. As much rage as we are all feeling, it can't begin to touch that which Emma's family feels. My heart breaks for them and all they have suffered.

I so agree with both of you.

The Thompson Family Is truly a class act. I cried so hard all over again listening to their statements... Had I seen Coe wink I would have gone over the edge instead Emma's Gma went Mama Bear - so much stronger than I - something I will try to remember.

Belinda you have hit so many touchy spots for me. I am so angry

I had to go out last night and the whole time I could only think of how I was not done with what I had started - listening to the tapes and trying to transcribe them.

I bought a car, I waited until after the hearing to leave I'll have to go out and look in the garage to know what color it is :waitasec: I swear I didn't care - whatever I needed to get home... (I'm sure it's a fine color) well it better be any way cuz I'll be paying for it for a long time... :crazy:

 

[LCoastMom]

I was reading Brooke Bennett's forum, and saw an article which explains some of what we discussed a few pages ago, specifically my ranting over not allowing LC's previous crimes to be introduced as evidence. This article spells out that it is allowed in the sentencing, but not the actual trial:

http://www.timesargus.com/article/20100820/NEWS02/708209947/1003/NEWS02

"The law school’s Campbell said it’s actually very common to introduce evidence of past crimes during sentencing even though that evidence is often barred during the actual trial.

“It’s certainly not uncommon to have evidence of prior crimes admitted to show the defendant can’t be rehabilitated,” Campbell said in a telephone interview yesterday. “It goes to the issue of the defendant’s likelihood of rehabilitation.” "
*************************************************************

I would like to paste more, but cannot, but this was a very good explanation IMO.

That is an interesting post. We have seen a record of Coe's very bad behavior - starting at age 19. (Isn't the drinking age in TX 21?) I do not believe he suddenly "went bad" at 19!

He has had 10 years to become a decent human being, since then - it isn't going to happen.

He was jobless and homeless - he has a little piggy face - WIH did ay see in him anyway? He was nothing and he will always be nothing. At least now this - nothing - will not have access to anymore children to torture. And in all honesty, I admit, I hope some very big man, with a very large broom stick - who has nothing to lose in prison - shows him the same kind of love he gave Emma, his daughter and C.

Thank GOD "C" the little boy, survived - I hope speaking about what he went through helped him, facing his torturer and walking away to live a good life, knowing Coe's is over. (I personally don't see letting my child do this - but if it helps him recover - OK)

At ay's trial (I looked back just a little) her atty made it sound like she got a phone call, ran home - grabbed her baby from Coe's arms, ran to the car and stopped when Emma suddenly stopped breathing.

We heard the cell phone testimony - and know this is not the way it happened - How is it her atty was able to stand there and lie about the events? I know they can't let a witness get on the stand and knowingly lie - How does this work? Witnesses can't lie, but defense atty's can?

If I had been on ay's jury, I would be so ticked off to hear these pieces of information. What we were able to dig up was the reason I have not understood the events of her trial - as a nurse - I know ay had a better understanding of what was happening to Emma, than your average suburban, soccer mom - but the state painted a very different picture for her jury, than what we know happened in Coe's trial - the defense apparently just tried to make her clueless. I still want to read those transcripts.

There is one thing that bugs me about our system (today) - with regards to appeals - ay had a choice of pleading guilty - a jury trial or trial by Judge - she took her chances with a jury and IMO - she won! - she didn't get life w/o parole.

Now she gets an appeal, where she can have the sentence cut - but the appeal board can't say - Your jury made a mistake, you now get life. That seems wrong to me. You want a do over? Fine, then you are at risk of getting more, as well as the opportunity to get less.... am I understanding this correctly? Or does the appeal board decide if she deserves a new trial and she gets what she gets?

 

[2goldfish]

I so agree with both of you.

The Thompson Family Is truly a class act. I cried so hard all over again listening to their statements... Had I seen Coe wink I would have gone over the edge instead Emma's Gma went Mama Bear - so much stronger than I - something I will try to remember.

Belinda you have hit so many touchy spots for me. I am so angry

I had to go out last night and the whole time I could only think of how I was not done with what I had started - listening to the tapes and trying to transcribe them.

I bought a car, I waited until after the hearing to leave I'll have to go out and look in the garage to know what color it is :waitasec: I swear I didn't care - whatever I needed to get home... (I'm sure it's a fine color) well it better be any way cuz I'll be paying for it for a long time... :crazy:

:grouphug:

ITA about mrs thompson, I didnt see their statements for the but I saw them for AY and I am sure they're just as heartwrenching. mrs thompson is amazing, I wish I were more like her.

I lol'd about your car colour, it made me feel better too that I havent been the only one unrelated to emma who was sunk down into despair this week thinking of nothing but emma :blowkiss: there are plenty of us here and that makes me feel better in the world.

 

[Belinda]

That is an interesting post. We have seen a record of Coe's very bad behavior - starting at age 19. (Isn't the drinking age in TX 21?) I do not believe he suddenly "went bad" at 19!

He has had 10 years to become a decent human being, since then - it isn't going to happen.

He was jobless and homeless - he has a little piggy face - WIH did ay see in him anyway? He was nothing and he will always be nothing. At least now this - nothing - will not have access to anymore children to torture. And in all honesty, I admit, I hope some very big man, with a very large broom stick - who has nothing to lose in prison - shows him the same kind of love he gave Emma, his daughter and C.

Thank GOD "C" the little boy, survived - I hope speaking about what he went through helped him, facing his torturer and walking away to live a good life, knowing Coe's is over. (I personally don't see letting my child do this - but if it helps him recover - OK)

At ay's trial (I looked back just a little) her atty made it sound like she got a phone call, ran home - grabbed her baby from Coe's arms, ran to the car and stopped when Emma suddenly stopped breathing.

We heard the cell phone testimony - and know this is not the way it happened - How is it her atty was able to stand there and lie about the events? I know they can't let a witness get on the stand and knowingly lie - How does this work? Witnesses can't lie, but defense atty's can?

If I had been on ay's jury, I would be so ticked off to hear these pieces of information. What we were able to dig up was the reason I have not understood the events of her trial - as a nurse - I know ay had a better understanding of what was happening to Emma, than your average suburban, soccer mom - but the state painted a very different picture for her jury, than what we know happened in Coe's trial - the defense apparently just tried to make her clueless. I still want to read those transcripts.

There is one thing that bugs me about our system (today) - with regards to appeals - ay had a choice of pleading guilty - a jury trial or trial by Judge - she took her chances with a jury and IMO - she won! - she didn't get life w/o parole.

Now she gets an appeal, where she can have the sentence cut - but the appeal board can't say - Your jury made a mistake, you now get life. That seems wrong to me. You want a do over? Fine, then you are at risk of getting more, as well as the opportunity to get less.... am I understanding this correctly? Or does the appeal board decide if she deserves a new trial and she gets what she gets?

The appeal judge must order a new trial. That wouldn't be a bad idea in this case because there was a lot of important facts that didn't make it into the trial. She can ask for post-conviction relief to get her sentence reduced. I don't know how often that is successful.

 

[Belinda]

I wish so much that they had done as good a job on AY's case as they did on Coe's. I don't like the blanket idea that woman are charged less seriously. I don't know if that was in play here, but clearly a lot more evidence could have been presented at her trial.

 

[LCoastMom]

From Tx - Ann

While in Brenham, I went to Emma's grave. The tombstone is plain and simple. In my opinion, it is not age appropriate. To me it seems like it is for a very elderly lady.

If I did not know about Emma, I would think her last name is Grace. The back of the tombstone has Thompson on it.

All tombstones I have ever seen, and I do spend a lot of time at 2 cemeteries in my area, have the last name on the front of the tombstone and some also have it on the back.

The tombstone is a dark gray (not polished) and the names are placed like this:

Emma
Catherine
Grace

3-29-05
6-27-09

~~~~~~~~
That's it. No design; nothing.

http://www.realitychatter.com/missing-murdered-f30/emma-thompson-deceased-6-27-09-lucas-coe-found-guilty-t2705-420.htm


I know grave stones are very expensive, but if you're not going to do it right, why do it at all?

If this was my child I would have it removed. How sad...

 

[believe09]

Well we can lay the tombstone at the door of the DA if they paid for it...wonder who ordered it? It might have been Ben so I suppose we can just be grateful one is there.

 

[Belinda]

POSTED: Friday, September 24, 2010
UPDATED: 6:25 pm CDT September 24, 2010

snip

More than a year after his daughter's death, Ben Thompson said his pain is unbearable. A park holds some of Thompson's last memories of his precious Emma.

"She loved feeding the ducks. She loved being on the swings," he said.

He brought Emma and her sisters to the park one month before she died. He said his memories keep him going.

"Grief is a funny thing. It comes in waves. I could be fine one minute and then something happens that reminds me of her. She had a thing for yellow butterflies. It's like a punch in the gut," Thompson said.

Thompson said he waited a long time to confront Coe.

Much more and a link to many beautiful pictures of Emma at link:
http://www.click2houston.com/news/25151466/detail.html

 

[believe09]

I dont feel closure and I do not know her. Yes LWOP is a terrible sentence and this crime absolutely deserved it. The Jury did a fantastic job with the tools that were given.

However, I cannot swallow the tools they were given. I get that the DA played it safe. It was a good call in the end.

But is it justice?

 

[sindydee]

I'm just glad that this is going away till he dies and he isnt able to hurt any more children.

The prosecution did an excellent job. Just wish the ***** of a mother could have got the same outcome in her trial.

 

[fhc]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7217205.html

Coe's life sentence justifies prosecution's choice
Rape of little girl carried a stiffer term than a murder verdict
By BRIAN ROGERS
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Sept. 25, 2010, 8:00AM

The charge was part of a package of legislation dealing with child sexual assaults, generally known as "Jessica's Law" in memory of Jessica Lunsford, a 9-year-old girl abducted, sexually assaulted and killed in Florida.

"I wanted to send a loud clear message to any pedophile who would ever think about harming a child here in Texas that they would have the most severe penalty to pay," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball.

The bill also created a charge called "continual sexual abuse of a child or children," which allows prosecutors to seek harsher penalties for suspects accused of committing at least two sexual assaults over a period of 31 days or more.


Does every (YOUR) state now have this option?

 

[SunnieRN]

Please do not misunderstand my statement, as I think anyone that rapes a child deserves the maximum sentence allowed by law, but how can rape carry a LONGER sentence than murder. Personally, I feel they should be the same!

 

[believe09]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7217205.html

Coe's life sentence justifies prosecution's choice
Rape of little girl carried a stiffer term than a murder verdict
By BRIAN ROGERS
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Sept. 25, 2010, 8:00AM

The charge was part of a package of legislation dealing with child sexual assaults, generally known as "Jessica's Law" in memory of Jessica Lunsford, a 9-year-old girl abducted, sexually assaulted and killed in Florida.

"I wanted to send a loud clear message to any pedophile who would ever think about harming a child here in Texas that they would have the most severe penalty to pay," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball.

The bill also created a charge called "continual sexual abuse of a child or children," which allows prosecutors to seek harsher penalties for suspects accused of committing at least two sexual assaults over a period of 31 days or more.


Does every (YOUR) state now have this option?

Please do not misunderstand my statement, as I think anyone that rapes a child deserves the maximum sentence allowed by law, but how can rape carry a LONGER sentence than murder. Personally, I feel they should be the same!

I think this is * backwards for what it is worth, but I suppose it is hard not to be grateful. Let's see the ultimate crime against a truly defenseless child (murder) wont get you what repeated rape of a child will get you.

I wonder if this is a backlash to the SJC ruling last year (IIRC) against adding child rape to a list of special circumstances for the dp? The knee jerk (IMO) reaction to the child rape issue was that it would cause perps to kill their victims. In this case, it likely caused Coe to kill his victim because she could tell now-and he had done so much damage to her. I bet a visitation was coming up.

Fortunately there was a law on the books in TX that makes you eligible for LWOP if you are convicted of super aggravated rape-but he could have received that for murder. He could have received death for first degree murder. Or LWOP for second degree, right?

The weakness in their case was Abby's plea deal-I have been giving this a lot of thought. She was just as culpable, so it would have caused problems for Coe's trial. The defense would have had a perfect patsy in her. It seemed to be clear she did not rape Emma, so that was a slam dunk for this charge.

So I am having a hard time giving up the influence peddling thing...it all flowed down hill from her plea deal.

 

[LCoastMom]

Nancy Harris speaks to the press about the night Emma died... (watch at your own risk of tears)

"I have shed a lot of tears. I've had many sleepless nights. I still see her eyes when I gave her CPR. I just won't forget those lifeless eyes," said Harris.

Harris was on her way home one night in June 2009 when she turned on West Rayford Road in Northwest Harris County and saw several cars on the side of the road. Harris is a physical therapist and has worked in the medical field for more than 20 years. She knew she had to stop.

"There was a small child in only her panties on the back of the trunk, and she wasn't moving. I asked if they needed help and they said she wasn't breathing," said Harris.

Harris said she got out of her car and started CPR on the toddler.

"It was dark. I couldn't clearly see her body, her skin. But I started compressions and mouth to mouth. She wasn't breathing," Harris said.

The ambulance arrived and Harris stayed to be interviewed by police. She said she noticed Emma's mother, Abigail Young, acting strangely.

"(A paramedic) used her stethoscope and checked Emma's heart and said, 'no heartbeat,' just like that," said Harris. "The paramedics were coding her in the back of the ambulance. Abby got out and started talking on the cell phone, going back and forth on the median, talking on the phone, while they were coding her own daughter."

"I was praying so hard that night that she would come back. I think for right now she is in a far better place than she was on this Earth," said Harris.

http://www.click2houston.com/video/25216763/index.html

Her testimony brought tears to my eyes as she was questioned and she described, in detail, what she saw on arrival, her attempt to save a child (Emma), what Abigail Young was doing and how eventually Young got her stethoscope from her car.

Young knelt on the other side of Emma, checked Emma's heart and told Harris, "She's dead. Quit doing CPR." Harris said Young showed no emotion and said the statement in a flat tone. Harris ignored Young and continued CPR until EMS got to the scene.

Young's car was facing in the direction of her home - not facing in the direction if she was going to take Emma to the hospital ER. At some point, Young obviously turned around and apparently was headed home!

It is believed that Emma was already dead when Young carried Emma to her car from her home. Emma's eyes were already rolled back in her head.

Per testimony by Young's oldest daughter, Young did not carry Emma in her arms (she described and demonstrated it). Young carried Emma in a position against her shoulder.

http://www.realitychatter.com/missing-murdered-f30/emma-thompson-deceased-6-27-09-lucas-coe-found-guilty-t2705-500.htm#70655

Damn that Casey and her contagious Ugly Copying...

Yup so glad JUSTICE has been served and broken hearted AY will again be free to walk among the rest of the humans on this planet....

Originally Posted by believe09

respectfully snipped

The weakness in their case was Abby's plea deal-I have been giving this a lot of thought. She was just as culpable, so it would have caused problems for Coe's trial. The defense would have had a perfect patsy in her. It seemed to be clear she did not rape Emma, so that was a slam dunk for this charge.

So I am having a hard time giving up the influence peddling thing...it all flowed down hill from her plea deal.

Me too my friend, me too...

It is so obvious AY is just devastated by the loss of her youngest daughter and broken up over the effect on her whole family.

Makes me weep just thinking about it.... Only difference is my tears are spontaneous, not squeezed out of a dried up wasted tear duct.

If they went for Murder 1 or 2 - it would have to be used on both and as AY said; "Jail? I don't belong there." She's right, she belongs in H*ll.

Complete strangers, people on the street who never met Emma or her family, are more upset by her torture and death than the POC who gave birth to her.

 

[2goldfish]

you know...I just dont understand. I grant you I am an unusually emotional person, I am like as not to be sobbing for being happy as for being upset. but it is SO FAR beyond my understanding how AY could be so nasty. I dont see how she could just not care. I dont see how she could find that not caring so normal as to not even TRY to act normal.

how did she carry a baby for 9 months, how did she give birth to that baby, watch that baby sleep, watch that beautiful girl learn to walk and talk, and then not CARE as that beautiful girl was molested, raped, and killed by her [censored] of a bf?

how did she take her beautiful, precious daughter's dead body and lay it on the hood of a car and WALK AWAY to talk on the phone?

I mean aside from all the other details, how could she do any of these things? how can she live with herself knowing she's done them?

see like right at this moment for example I have most likely shed more tears writing this one post than AY managed to shed til she was arrested. I certainly never heard of any.

and add up all the tears we in this thread, alone, have cried for emma and it just doesnt seem right at all, does it?

 

[believe09]

No it doesnt seem right. I am certain there will be appeals and claims that the jury was swayed by the photos of the aftermath.

Coe should thank his lucky stars that he is going to live vs a verdict of death. Unlike many other states, TX takes a dp conviction seriously and you will be executed for the most part.

But even that is not justice. I hope Ben and the girls find a way to live a peaceful happy life once the pain has subsided some. That will truly be a measure of justice as far as I am concerned.

 

[believe09]

http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=13329623

"EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - An arrest in a disturbing case of child molestation. Authorities say the investigation began after a seven-year-old girl was diagnosed with genital herpes.
52-year-year-old Timothy Montgomery of Evansville faces two molestation charges, and although he's never been charged in the past police say it's not the first time he's been suspected of child abuse.
Detective Brian Turpin says the parents of the seven-year-old brought her to Holly's House after she was diagnosed with genital herpes"

Huh. Her parents voluntarily brought her to a group that specializes in child molestation cases. Because she was diagnosed with genital herpes at 7. What a concept. And on top of that, the dude was charged.

A little more about our perp-his wife's daycare was shut down in the 90's because her husband was a suspect in multiple molestations there. Never charged, but a suspect.

So-Timothy Montgomery is a repeat offender. Against children. And he was actually stopped before he killed any of them...wonder if that will change once he has been charged and has pled it down to a misdemeanor....

I know, so cynical...

 

[MsFacetious]

8/1/2009 - Two more children who had contact with Lucas Coe were taken into protective custody after Texas Child Protective Services confirmed the 4-year-old girl, had been sexually abused. According to an affidavit filed with a Montgomery County court. The Montgomery County tot told medical staff she had been touched inappropriately, an exam confirmed she had been sexually abused.

November 5, 2009 - Sheriff's detectives say they are looking into every child the couple has come into contact with, including Coe's own 4-year-old daughter.

http://www.khou.com/news/crime/DA-Suspect-in-4-year-olds-death-also-raped-her-69303842.html

This has been bugging me. Was he ever charged for this?

I know he was charged for the other girlfriend's son... but what about the other 4 year old? (His daughter possibly but could be anyone.)

Not enough evidence? Didn't charge him to spare the victim? Saving it for later?

Or did I just miss the article about it because I can only stomach this case every once in a while.

(I don't forget and with Emma's picture in IWannaKnow's signature I don't think anyone else does either.)

 

[SunnieRN]

This case haunts me. I think of little Emma often. I still can't believe that a 'mother' could allow a man to do any of these things to her child, let alone try to cover them up.

I think what makes it 1000 times worse, in my mind, is the fact that this is a nurse. How can she in good conscious care for people and yet KNOW that her own child is being tortured?

I hope that Emmas sisters and father have good emotional support and are able to cope with the anger they must feel. I am just grateful that Coe will not get a chance to hurt other children. I hope he has experiences some jail house justice!

 

[LCoastMom]

REALLY GREAT NEWS!!

Harris County's 14th Court of Appeals denied AY's appeal today!

http://www.search.txcourts.gov/Case.aspx?cn=14-10-00646-CR

AY comes up for parole on 10/29 of THIS YEAR!! I'll try to get the address / information for anyone who wants to share their thoughts on this with the parole board.