GUILTY TX - Kala Golden-Schuchardt, 28, Spring, 17 April 2012

[Crosby87]

The judge agreed with District Attorney Brett Ligon that there was enough evidence for a capital murder case and, if the DA chooses, a chance at the death penalty.

Verna’s Defense Attorney indicated that they will challenge the admissibility of McClain’s confession and will have experts evaluate McClain’s mental state. Defense attorneys noted that, so far, police have no witnesses who actually saw McClain in the getaway car.

But Judge Fred Edwards sided with the DA, saying there was enough evidence to hold McClain without bail for what he described as a cold, calculated, premeditated murder. She was sent back to the Montgomery County Jail, where she remained under 24-hour suicide watch.

Since McClain is charged with capital murder, technically, she could be eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

But her defense attorneys believe, despite her alleged confession to the crime, she is not a woman who deserves to die.

"As far as actually seeking the death penalty, it is our opinion that it is not an appropriate case to seek the death penalty," defense attorney E. Tay Bond said.

In order for a jury to sentence a convicted killer to death, they have to believe that the killer committed the act deliberately, that there were no mitigating circumstances – like mental illness, and that the person would be a future danger to society.

Bond said future dangerousness can be difficult to prove.

On top of that, there is also the possibility of an insanity defense.

http://www.khou.com/home/Could-Vern...icted-in-the-Kala-Golden-case--148335595.html

http://www.khou.com/news/local/Verna-McClain-back-in-court-for-bond-hearing-148508655.html

 

[Crosby87]

So very sad, especially for the children.

IA, How do you explain to a 2- & 4 year-old that their mother isn’t coming home? I don't know how I would handle this. Kala and her husband Keith were very happy. This case is so heartbreaking.

It helps to know Kala's family is receiving support from various charities, members of the community, and from people all over the world.

<snipped>

Hands Across Texas, a local group dedicated to helping people in the Greater Houston area through unforeseen life changes, has set up a fund for baby Keegan Schuchardt’s future needs and for Golden’s funeral expenses.

There is also a fund set up at the Spirit of Texas Bank off Highway 105 West in Conroe. Donations should be payable to the Schuchardt Family Benefit.

In addition to the barbecue which was held to help raise money for Golden’s family on Saturday, April 21, 2012, Hands Across Texas is also hosting a charity barbecue and benefit concert to raise money for Golden’s family at Papa’s Ice House on Pruitt Road in Spring. That event will take place on Sunday, June 10, 2012, starting at 12 p.m.

“I appreciate it. I want to thank everyone that’s here in support of me and for the kids,” said Keith Schuchardt.

The tragedy touched people from as far away as Australia.

“We’ve been getting calls from people all over the place, people calling in donations,” said Joe MckPie, an organizer.

Volunteers sold food, shirts and held silent auctions all in support of the family.

All the money raised will go to the Schuchardt family.

http://www.khou.com/home/Hundreds-a...amily-of-slain-mom-Kala-Golden-148396335.html

http://www.khou.com/community/Benefits-scheduled-for-family-of-Kala-Golden-148330165.html

 

[LaceSprocket]

This is an outrage.

http://www.khou.com/home/Mentally-I...f-shooting-woman-stealing-baby-149437115.html

From the article, McClain said " "Don’t sit and look at me as if I’m some sort of monster. I’m not. Until you know the facts, don’t sit and judge."

How. dare. she. Really?????

We know the facts!! She killed a mother and stole her baby. How dare she say don't judge her????

No accountability? No remorse? Wah, wah, wah, don't judge me?

She is a monster. And she just keeps proving it.

 

[southern_comfort]

This is an outrage.

http://www.khou.com/home/Mentally-I...f-shooting-woman-stealing-baby-149437115.html

From the article, McClain said " "Don’t sit and look at me as if I’m some sort of monster. I’m not. Until you know the facts, don’t sit and judge."

How. dare. she. Really?????

We know the facts!! She killed a mother and stole her baby. How dare she say don't judge her????

No accountability? No remorse? Wah, wah, wah, don't judge me?

She is a monster. And she just keeps proving it.

Why is she meeting with a Black Panther activist? :waitasec:

I don't even want to think about where this is heading. It depresses me to think about what a cesspool our country is becoming.

 

[Crosby87]

This is an outrage.

http://www.khou.com/home/Mentally-I...f-shooting-woman-stealing-baby-149437115.html

From the article, McClain said " "Don’t sit and look at me as if I’m some sort of monster. I’m not. Until you know the facts, don’t sit and judge."

How. dare. she. Really?????

We know the facts!! She killed a mother and stole her baby. How dare she say don't judge her????

No accountability? No remorse? Wah, wah, wah, don't judge me?

She is a monster. And she just keeps proving it.

Verna McClain ignored the court’s authority when she made these comments to the Judge. The Judge could have declared her in contempt of court.

Verna is hoping that by refusing to accept responsibility for what she did she will get away with murder imo.

<snipped>

Definition of Contempt Of Court - Civil Or Criminal

A judge who feels someone is improperly challenging or ignoring the court's authority has the power to declare the defiant person (called the contemnor) in contempt of court. There are two types of contempt, criminal and civil. Criminal contempt occurs when the contemnor actually interferes with the ability of the court to function properly - for example, by yelling at the judge. This is also called direct contempt because it occurs directly in front of the judge. A criminal contemnor may be fined, jailed or both as punishment for his act. http://www.lectlaw.com/def/c118.htm

 

[Crosby87]

Why is she meeting with a Black Panther activist? :waitasec:

I don't even want to think about where this is heading. It depresses me to think about what a cesspool our country is becoming.

Because this case involves a black and white woman although this is irrelevant imo.

I was expecting a visit to occur soon so it didn't surprise me.

Maybe the BP activist is obligated to pay Verna a visit.

Verna is in denial and is avoiding accepting responsibility for her actions.

 

[JoeFromLB]

This is an outrage.

http://www.khou.com/home/Mentally-I...f-shooting-woman-stealing-baby-149437115.html

From the article, McClain said " "Don’t sit and look at me as if I’m some sort of monster. I’m not. Until you know the facts, don’t sit and judge."

How. dare. she. Really?????

We know the facts!! She killed a mother and stole her baby. How dare she say don't judge her????

No accountability? No remorse? Wah, wah, wah, don't judge me?

She is a monster. And she just keeps proving it.

Malignant narcissism, borderline personalty, or just plain evil. Take your pick.

She's probably going to blame the victim for not giving her the baby right away and "forcing" her to shoot her. "Until you know the facts", give me a break!
The facts are that she shot a young mother seven times, ran her over with her car, and took her baby. Those are the facts!

 

[Thinker Belle]

This is an outrage.

http://www.khou.com/home/Mentally-I...f-shooting-woman-stealing-baby-149437115.html

From the article, McClain said " "Don’t sit and look at me as if I’m some sort of monster. I’m not. Until you know the facts, don’t sit and judge."

How. dare. she. Really?????

We know the facts!! She killed a mother and stole her baby. How dare she say don't judge her????

No accountability? No remorse? Wah, wah, wah, don't judge me?

She is a monster. And she just keeps proving it.

WOW. The nerve of her. Outrage is right..

 

[KellyConQueso]

Why is she meeting with a Black Panther activist? :waitasec:

Quanell X just likes attention.

That's the most positive thing I have to say about him.

 

[SurfieTX]

Quanell X just likes attention.

That's the most positive thing I have to say about him.

Uh-huh. For those not local to us, this is Quanell's MO. He goes to visit every notorious black criminal, and does it in a very grandiose and public way.

 

[TexasLil]

Why is she meeting with a Black Panther activist? :waitasec:

I don't even want to think about where this is heading. It depresses me to think about what a cesspool our country is becoming.

Maybe he'll drop in on Mona Nelson again while he's there. His energy could be much better spent trying to help someone before they become a murderer.

:banghead:

 

[MsFacetious]

Keith HAS the two younger boys back.
The older boy is apparently going to live with his "father" who he does not appear to know. :banghead:

Here is a blog post, consider it rumor... (though backed up by MSM below) but Keith left a note on the first blog entry.

http://niecey456.com/2012/04/22/kei...h-baby-keegan-and-his-two-brothers-very-soon/

http://niecey456.com/2012/05/04/keith-schuchardts-children-have-been-returned-to-him/



May 28, 2012

The Davises would later tell Branson that they agreed to allow CPS take their 18-month-old daughter, A*****, to foster care under a "voluntary safety plan."

At a time of deep grief, they were desperately afraid they would lose her forever.



On April 17, Kala Schuchardt was gunned down as she took her 3-day-old son to a Spring pediatrician; her killer snatched the baby.

Law enforcement officials arrested her killer within hours, but when her husband, Keith, went to retrieve the infant, he faced questioning about a seven-year-old drug charge.

He submitted to a drug test that showed marijuana and a painkiller in his system.
Like the Davises, he was asked to agree to "voluntary" placement giving his two sons and stepson temporarily to his brother-in-law.

Both Schuchardt and the Davises contacted lawyers and subsequently retrieved their children.

----------------------

Branson says his clients, the Davises, have returned to their home state of Virginia.
"He walked away from his new job," he says. "My suspicion is they've had it with Texas."

http://www.chron.com/news/kilday-hart/article/Hart-Voluntary-CPS-plan-has-some-parents-3587923.php



The Davis family had to "abduct" their daughter back. Literally. Despite doing everything asked. More on them in Devon's thread.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167395&page=12



A caseworker from Child Protective Services noticed that his name was not on the birth certificate.
It was a clerical error that could be resolved easily with the Schuchardt's marriage certificate. Then she started asking questions.

Did Schuchardt have a criminal history? Did he abuse illegal substances?
The 38-year-old air conditioning worker owned up to a seven-year-old drug conviction.
He also answered honestly that a drug test would likely find marijuana in his system.

That's when Schuchardt, who only hours before learned his wife had been murdered in a senseless act of violence, received the second devastating blow: CPS would require him to allow a brother-in-law to take temporary custody of Keegan, as well as his 2-year-old son, K****, and Kala's 4-year-old son from a previous relationship, K****.

"They told me I couldn't get my kids," Schuchardt recalls. He asked if he could call a lawyer.
"She said if you get a lawyer, they will stay in CPS custody. I didn't want to do that.
I just found out my three-day-old baby is safe. I want to sit there and hold my three-day-old baby."

----------------------------------------

Ketterman says she would have advised Schuchardt that he didn't have to answer questions.
Today, she says she will inform CPS that her client plans to reclaim his children, and revoke the "voluntary" placement plan signed under duress.

----------------------------

I asked Schuchardt what Kala would do in his situation.
He teared up, but said the feisty mother of three boys would fight until the children were returned.

http://www.chron.com/news/kilday-ha...s-husband-s-grief-over-slain-wife-3530280.php


May 24, 2012

Prosecutors, defense attornies look at Verna McClain's past for answers

The woman accused of shooting a mother outside a pediatric center and stealing her baby son was back in court Thursday morning.

http://www.kvue.com/news/state/153734485.html

 

[Crosby87]

Keith HAS the two younger boys back.
The older boy is apparently going to live with his "father" who he does not appear to know. :banghead:

Here is a blog post, consider it rumor... (though backed up by MSM below) but Keith left a note on the first blog entry.

http://niecey456.com/2012/04/22/kei...h-baby-keegan-and-his-two-brothers-very-soon/

http://niecey456.com/2012/05/04/keith-schuchardts-children-have-been-returned-to-him/



May 28, 2012

The Davises would later tell Branson that they agreed to allow CPS take their 18-month-old daughter, A*****, to foster care under a "voluntary safety plan."

At a time of deep grief, they were desperately afraid they would lose her forever.



On April 17, Kala Schuchardt was gunned down as she took her 3-day-old son to a Spring pediatrician; her killer snatched the baby.

Law enforcement officials arrested her killer within hours, but when her husband, Keith, went to retrieve the infant, he faced questioning about a seven-year-old drug charge.

He submitted to a drug test that showed marijuana and a painkiller in his system.
Like the Davises, he was asked to agree to "voluntary" placement giving his two sons and stepson temporarily to his brother-in-law.

Both Schuchardt and the Davises contacted lawyers and subsequently retrieved their children.

----------------------

Branson says his clients, the Davises, have returned to their home state of Virginia.
"He walked away from his new job," he says. "My suspicion is they've had it with Texas."

http://www.chron.com/news/kilday-hart/article/Hart-Voluntary-CPS-plan-has-some-parents-3587923.php



The Davis family had to "abduct" their daughter back. Literally. Despite doing everything asked. More on them in Devon's thread.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167395&page=12



A caseworker from Child Protective Services noticed that his name was not on the birth certificate.
It was a clerical error that could be resolved easily with the Schuchardt's marriage certificate. Then she started asking questions.

Did Schuchardt have a criminal history? Did he abuse illegal substances?
The 38-year-old air conditioning worker owned up to a seven-year-old drug conviction.
He also answered honestly that a drug test would likely find marijuana in his system.

That's when Schuchardt, who only hours before learned his wife had been murdered in a senseless act of violence, received the second devastating blow: CPS would require him to allow a brother-in-law to take temporary custody of Keegan, as well as his 2-year-old son, K****, and Kala's 4-year-old son from a previous relationship, K****.

"They told me I couldn't get my kids," Schuchardt recalls. He asked if he could call a lawyer.
"She said if you get a lawyer, they will stay in CPS custody. I didn't want to do that.
I just found out my three-day-old baby is safe. I want to sit there and hold my three-day-old baby."

----------------------------------------

Ketterman says she would have advised Schuchardt that he didn't have to answer questions.
Today, she says she will inform CPS that her client plans to reclaim his children, and revoke the "voluntary" placement plan signed under duress.

----------------------------

I asked Schuchardt what Kala would do in his situation.
He teared up, but said the feisty mother of three boys would fight until the children were returned.

http://www.chron.com/news/kilday-ha...s-husband-s-grief-over-slain-wife-3530280.php


May 24, 2012

Prosecutors, defense attornies look at Verna McClain's past for answers

The woman accused of shooting a mother outside a pediatric center and stealing her baby son was back in court Thursday morning.

http://www.kvue.com/news/state/153734485.html

Kala’s 4 ½ y.o. son from a previous relationship was living with Kala and Keith when Kala died so this could explain why the boy’s biological father regained custody of their son.

Re: May 24, 2012, Verna McClain’s Court Appearance

-Verna McClain is charged with capital murder. McClain pleaded not guilty last month and remains jailed without bond.

-The defense argues McClain should not get the death penalty because she is a mother of three who may have suffered a mental breakdown on the day of the killing.

-Today the DA filed a motion with the Judge asking the Defense to provide them with information on Verna’s past medical and family history so they can decide whether to seek the death penalty. "Back to her grandparents, investigate their lives. Was drug use involved? Mental health issues," said Defense Attorney Steve Jackson.

-Defense experts are interviewing Verna McClain’s family members to learn more about what could have led to the shooting. The Defense has until July 1 to gather this information which is top secret.

-Mother and grandmother attended Court appearance and sat right behind Verna who again rocked during the hearing. Harold Scott, McClain’s nephew who attended her court appearance could be the male who was sitting next to McClain’s grandmother.

-Montgomery County investigators said that McClain had been pregnant with her fiancé’s child and the couple was planning to marry in May. But after she suffered a miscarriage, investigators said McClain decided to find another child and convince her fiancé it was his.

-Verna McClain is not been permitted to see her 3 children.

-Last month, KHOU 11 News reporter Rucks Russell witnessed a jailhouse visit between McClain and her fiancé Kevin Carter. The suspect sobbed uncontrollably throughout much of the visit.

-"I’m nothing like what these people are making me out to be. I’m the same person everybody knows and loves," said McClain. "Don’t sit and look at me as if I’m some sort of monster. I’m not. Until you know the facts, don’t sit and judge."

http://www.kvue.com/news/state/153734485.html

 

[jjenny]

I don't have a problem if the older child went to live with the bio-father.
Doesn't sound like he was legally adopted by Keith, and Keith is going to have his hands full with two children and no wife to help raising them.

 

[MsFacetious]

I have a big problem with the older child going to live with his biological father.

Kala's family has even said that this guy had NOTHING to do with the child.

So they took this 4 year old away from the family and father he knew, his two brothers and gave him to a man he has nothing to do with?

It's a recipe for disaster. Ethan Stacy anyone? Shaniya Davis anyone?

You also have the added fact that this 4 year old just lost his mother. So let's completely uproot him from everything else he knows?

That 4 year old likely won't see any of his maternal family or siblings, because the biological father isn't legally required to let him.

That's wrong. It should be arranged as what is best for the CHILD... not "oh, I gave the sperm, so I get him now that another man has him."

Maybe Kala's family is wrong. Maybe he had regular visitation. Maybe there was a custody battle.

But if this man had nothing to do with this child for 4 years, it isn't fair to hand the child to a virtual stranger.
Biological means nothing to this 4 year old child right now, who just lost his mother and now the rest of his family. :twocents:

 

[claudicici]

This is horrible...I can't believe the state is turning an unimaginable tragedy into even more of a tragedy

 

[MsFacetious]

After being scrutinized by protective services, Keith Schuchardt now has sole custody of the two boys he shared with Kayla.

http://www.khou.com/news/local/Fath...ragic-shooting-of-young-mother-161625795.html


Indictment:

A woman accused of shooting a mother outside a pediatric center and stealing her baby has been indicted on a capital murder charge

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/160567035.html


Trial set for October 8: (right, maybe October 2013...)

An Oct. 8 trial date has been set for a nurse accused of killing a Spring woman and kidnapping the victim&#8217;s baby in April.

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/06/oct-8-trial-set-in-slaying-child-abduction/

 

[Shelby2]

I am so glad he has both boys back!

 

[Crosby87]

Verna McClain, Nurse, Indicted for Capital Murder of Texas Mom Kayla Golden-Schuchardt

Contains 8 photos from the Kayla Golden-Schuchardt Tragedy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/verna-mcclain-nurse-indicted-capital-murder_n_1630535.html

 

[Crosby87]

http://www.khou.com/news/Prosecutor-will-seek-death-penalty-for-Verna-McClain-174791021.html

>snipped>

SPRING, Texas&#8212; The Montgomery County District Attorney will ask for the death penalty for Verna McClain.

McClain's mother said recently she doesn't believe her daughter will get a fair trial.

"I don&#8217;t believe Verna&#8217;s guilty. There&#8217;s laws that constitute people like Verna not being guilty,&#8221; Jeannette Jackson said.

The victim&#8217;s husband, Keith Schuchardt, reacted strongly to Jackson&#8217;s remarks.

&#8220;With what McClain did, my wife didn&#8217;t have a fair trial either,&#8221; he said. &#8220;She didn&#8217;t even have a chance.&#8221;

McClain's trial date has not been set.