JusticeInWaco
New Member
Speaking of Texas Monthly, I thought I'd share my interview with the internet reporter that appeared on their website the month that issue was published. Here's the link to what actually got published:
"Internet Sleuth" http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-03-01/webextra2.php
Shannon discusses her blog, “Don’t Even Get Me Started,” which tracks the latest developments in the Matt Baker case.
Here are my long answers. I know they have to shorten it up, but too often they take the special out of them. So that's why I'm sharing my long answers so you can more thorough answers.
1. How did you get involved in the Matt Baker case? Did you know him beforehand? I read on your blog that your son was a student of Kari’s.
You're right. My son was in Kari's 3rd grade class at Spring Valley. I did not know Matt at all. I knew of him. But if I ever ran into him that year, I didn't know it was him. The first time I put a face with the name was just a few days after Kari's death and we both happened to be in the school office at the same time. I didn't know who this man standing next to me was until I heard the school secretary call the girls' teachers to tell them their Daddy was there to pick them up a little early. I froze. A chill went through my entire body. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I felt nauseous. Seriously at the time, I thought it was just a gush of grief and empathy that a man whose wife (which happened to be my son's teacher) just committed suicide was standing right next to me....most likely completely broken-hearted and in grief and turmoil but having to suck it in while he picked up his girls from school and faced people that worked with and knew and loved his wife. I couldn't speak to him. I didn't know why but I couldn't. Now, I know what that nauseating, hair-raising chill was.
(Sidenote: You might think, "Well, if you cared so much about Kari, didn't you go to her funeral and surely see her husband there and know who this man standing next to you was?" I was out of town late Friday night through Monday early afternoon. He didn't give people notice and time to get there for a funeral. I was driving as fast as I could and ordering flowers on my cell phone to hopefully get there in time because I couldn't.)
2. Were you connected to Kari’s family in any way before she died? Has Kari’s family been cooperative in your efforts?
I also had never met any of Kari's family before. I only knew Kari and the girls. It wasn't until after I had started my personal blog that I had contact with any of Kari's family. Within a week or so, I got a handful of comments left on the blog asking who I was, who is this person collecting information and memories about Kari. I responded by email to the email addresses left for me. "Pleasantly surprised" might be a good way to describe how they felt. They were glad that someone was speaking out and their hearts were touched by the personal memories and stories of Kari. I will share with you that Kari's Mom emailed me and said she read and re-read and re-read the story of Kari skipping across the room to share the awesome TAKS news with me. She said she could absolutely visualize Kari doing just that. She cried and re-cried and re-cried....happy tears, good tears, sweet tears. Some of her words were: "I read your blog and just bawled like a baby. I am so touched at the love you have shown my daughter. God has blessed me today through you. She comes back to me so sweetly when you share your memories." For a Mother that has lost her child to tell me that my words bring her child to life if even for a moment, makes every second of every little bit of this worth it.
3. You must be pretty emotionally invested in this case. Do you find it taking a toll on you or your family?
I am emotionally invested. I feel that Kari's life was taken from her by someone else.....and then that person erroneously branded Kari with the stamp and stigma of suicide. Insult to injury times a thousand. I don't know how anyone can feel that way and sit by and do nothing. We all know what flourishes when good men and women stand by and do nothing. And we all have different ways of doing something. This is mine.
This tragedy has gripped me from the very beginning. This is the woman that spent as much or maybe even more waking hours a day with my son...5 days a week for about 8 months...than I did. She was his teacher, his protector, his go-to person during those hours. She not only taught him, but trained him, guided him, disciplined him, laughed with him....and loved him.
It would be a far harder emotional toll on me to do nothing.
4. When did you first start having doubts that Kari Baker committed suicide?
It never did sit right with me. But that's what I was told. I tried to work it through my head. I spent hours trying to look back for signs. What did I miss? How could this person I saw every day after school and worked so closely with in regards to my son be hurting THAT bad and I never knew it...never felt it. But I had no answers. None of it fit. Then as the "story" began to unfold, yellow flags or red flags or whatever you want to call it started flying. And flying. And flying. It was just a matter of a week or two before I knew in my heart why what I had been told earlier didn't fit. It wasn't true.
5. Why launch a Web site? Has this become a resource for the community? Are there any Web sites that defend Matt?
Why? Good question. When the inquest came about and the judge changed his ruling from suicide to undetermined....and then a couple days later the arrest was made, I was hit with a wall of relief that finally this case was getting more scrutiny and lights were being shined on everything. As the news reports started flying, I started getting calls from some family members and friends that knew about my connection to Kari and that I had been, as you stated, so emotionally involved with her death. I had spent a few minutes each day looking at the newspaper articles, the television news websites and videos, and googling to find what information was out there. I had done a few blogs before and it's a very easy, quick and free way to share information with the others that were asking me for updates. So I just collected them all on the blog for my benefit to keep things straight and to be able to easily update my family and friends and those that asked me about it. I remembered writing my thoughts and memories down in notes and/or emails to a friend around the time of Kari's death and then again here and there when a tough moment would arise or a new event in the case happened. So I looked on my old computer and there they were. For cathartic reasons, I put some of those on the blog.
There was so much news and so many emotions for the first 2-3 months, that there was a flurry of activity on the blog. I was completely shocked with the number of people reading and also with the amount of comments being left. I eventually had to start moderating the comments because there were things being written by some Kerrville folks about Kari that were distasteful to me. I also have strong reasons to believe that some of the tackier comments were from Pastor Baker himself. There were even some heavy comments left against Matt that I didn't feel comfortable letting stay. It has just grown into something I never, ever expected or intended. But this blog was and is looking for and in support of justice for Kari. And it will stay that way.
Even though I knew it was a public blog, I thought it'd be lost in the huge world wide web and basically only those that I linked to it would even notice it. Has it become a resource for the community? I know that people in 20+ states and a few other countries frequent the blog. I guess it has become a source of updates and support if nothing else. But as the poll on the blog shows, the VAST majority come to the blog in support of Kari and in pursuit of justice for her. This site is for Kari. If Matt has any such site or blog, I am not aware of it.
I was recently asked why I titled it, "Don't Even Get Me Started." I had to have something in the title box. And as passionately as I felt about this wrong that had been done to Kari, I mean, if you don't have the time to sit and hear me out, don't ask.....and don't even get me started.
6. You have the audio of Matt’s 911 call on your site, as well as a copy of his arrest warrant. Did you have to go digging for any of this, or was it readily available?
Those things were posted in the newspaper and on the 3 local network news websites as well as a few other places on the Internet. They are hard to find now as I think those websites only hold a story online for a set amount of days. Several of the links that originally worked when I posted them on the blog no longer work. But that information was readily available at the time.
7. Have you received any negative comments or feedback since launching the site?
I have from some people that support Matt. And God bless them. I know no one would fight for someone that they thought was guilty of this horrible crime. As things come to light, I know their hearts will break. Prayers for them. But about 95% of the comments I receive on the blog and 100% of the feedback I get in person is positive and extremely encouraging.
8. What does justice mean to you? What would you consider justice in this case?
Truth and the consequences of that truth (PRISON)...and what little bit of peace that can afford for Kari's family and friends....and for that matter, other victims' families. This story will soon be huge and nation-wide. What message are Texans wanting to send?
Finally, before anything else I am a Mom. And I want to see Kari's daughters grow into whole, healthy young women. That is my prayer.
Thank you again, Eileen and Texas Monthly, for your attention to this case.
"The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them." ~LM Bujold
Shannon
"Internet Sleuth" http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-03-01/webextra2.php
Shannon discusses her blog, “Don’t Even Get Me Started,” which tracks the latest developments in the Matt Baker case.
Here are my long answers. I know they have to shorten it up, but too often they take the special out of them. So that's why I'm sharing my long answers so you can more thorough answers.
1. How did you get involved in the Matt Baker case? Did you know him beforehand? I read on your blog that your son was a student of Kari’s.
You're right. My son was in Kari's 3rd grade class at Spring Valley. I did not know Matt at all. I knew of him. But if I ever ran into him that year, I didn't know it was him. The first time I put a face with the name was just a few days after Kari's death and we both happened to be in the school office at the same time. I didn't know who this man standing next to me was until I heard the school secretary call the girls' teachers to tell them their Daddy was there to pick them up a little early. I froze. A chill went through my entire body. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I felt nauseous. Seriously at the time, I thought it was just a gush of grief and empathy that a man whose wife (which happened to be my son's teacher) just committed suicide was standing right next to me....most likely completely broken-hearted and in grief and turmoil but having to suck it in while he picked up his girls from school and faced people that worked with and knew and loved his wife. I couldn't speak to him. I didn't know why but I couldn't. Now, I know what that nauseating, hair-raising chill was.
(Sidenote: You might think, "Well, if you cared so much about Kari, didn't you go to her funeral and surely see her husband there and know who this man standing next to you was?" I was out of town late Friday night through Monday early afternoon. He didn't give people notice and time to get there for a funeral. I was driving as fast as I could and ordering flowers on my cell phone to hopefully get there in time because I couldn't.)
2. Were you connected to Kari’s family in any way before she died? Has Kari’s family been cooperative in your efforts?
I also had never met any of Kari's family before. I only knew Kari and the girls. It wasn't until after I had started my personal blog that I had contact with any of Kari's family. Within a week or so, I got a handful of comments left on the blog asking who I was, who is this person collecting information and memories about Kari. I responded by email to the email addresses left for me. "Pleasantly surprised" might be a good way to describe how they felt. They were glad that someone was speaking out and their hearts were touched by the personal memories and stories of Kari. I will share with you that Kari's Mom emailed me and said she read and re-read and re-read the story of Kari skipping across the room to share the awesome TAKS news with me. She said she could absolutely visualize Kari doing just that. She cried and re-cried and re-cried....happy tears, good tears, sweet tears. Some of her words were: "I read your blog and just bawled like a baby. I am so touched at the love you have shown my daughter. God has blessed me today through you. She comes back to me so sweetly when you share your memories." For a Mother that has lost her child to tell me that my words bring her child to life if even for a moment, makes every second of every little bit of this worth it.
3. You must be pretty emotionally invested in this case. Do you find it taking a toll on you or your family?
I am emotionally invested. I feel that Kari's life was taken from her by someone else.....and then that person erroneously branded Kari with the stamp and stigma of suicide. Insult to injury times a thousand. I don't know how anyone can feel that way and sit by and do nothing. We all know what flourishes when good men and women stand by and do nothing. And we all have different ways of doing something. This is mine.
This tragedy has gripped me from the very beginning. This is the woman that spent as much or maybe even more waking hours a day with my son...5 days a week for about 8 months...than I did. She was his teacher, his protector, his go-to person during those hours. She not only taught him, but trained him, guided him, disciplined him, laughed with him....and loved him.
It would be a far harder emotional toll on me to do nothing.
4. When did you first start having doubts that Kari Baker committed suicide?
It never did sit right with me. But that's what I was told. I tried to work it through my head. I spent hours trying to look back for signs. What did I miss? How could this person I saw every day after school and worked so closely with in regards to my son be hurting THAT bad and I never knew it...never felt it. But I had no answers. None of it fit. Then as the "story" began to unfold, yellow flags or red flags or whatever you want to call it started flying. And flying. And flying. It was just a matter of a week or two before I knew in my heart why what I had been told earlier didn't fit. It wasn't true.
5. Why launch a Web site? Has this become a resource for the community? Are there any Web sites that defend Matt?
Why? Good question. When the inquest came about and the judge changed his ruling from suicide to undetermined....and then a couple days later the arrest was made, I was hit with a wall of relief that finally this case was getting more scrutiny and lights were being shined on everything. As the news reports started flying, I started getting calls from some family members and friends that knew about my connection to Kari and that I had been, as you stated, so emotionally involved with her death. I had spent a few minutes each day looking at the newspaper articles, the television news websites and videos, and googling to find what information was out there. I had done a few blogs before and it's a very easy, quick and free way to share information with the others that were asking me for updates. So I just collected them all on the blog for my benefit to keep things straight and to be able to easily update my family and friends and those that asked me about it. I remembered writing my thoughts and memories down in notes and/or emails to a friend around the time of Kari's death and then again here and there when a tough moment would arise or a new event in the case happened. So I looked on my old computer and there they were. For cathartic reasons, I put some of those on the blog.
There was so much news and so many emotions for the first 2-3 months, that there was a flurry of activity on the blog. I was completely shocked with the number of people reading and also with the amount of comments being left. I eventually had to start moderating the comments because there were things being written by some Kerrville folks about Kari that were distasteful to me. I also have strong reasons to believe that some of the tackier comments were from Pastor Baker himself. There were even some heavy comments left against Matt that I didn't feel comfortable letting stay. It has just grown into something I never, ever expected or intended. But this blog was and is looking for and in support of justice for Kari. And it will stay that way.
Even though I knew it was a public blog, I thought it'd be lost in the huge world wide web and basically only those that I linked to it would even notice it. Has it become a resource for the community? I know that people in 20+ states and a few other countries frequent the blog. I guess it has become a source of updates and support if nothing else. But as the poll on the blog shows, the VAST majority come to the blog in support of Kari and in pursuit of justice for her. This site is for Kari. If Matt has any such site or blog, I am not aware of it.
I was recently asked why I titled it, "Don't Even Get Me Started." I had to have something in the title box. And as passionately as I felt about this wrong that had been done to Kari, I mean, if you don't have the time to sit and hear me out, don't ask.....and don't even get me started.
6. You have the audio of Matt’s 911 call on your site, as well as a copy of his arrest warrant. Did you have to go digging for any of this, or was it readily available?
Those things were posted in the newspaper and on the 3 local network news websites as well as a few other places on the Internet. They are hard to find now as I think those websites only hold a story online for a set amount of days. Several of the links that originally worked when I posted them on the blog no longer work. But that information was readily available at the time.
7. Have you received any negative comments or feedback since launching the site?
I have from some people that support Matt. And God bless them. I know no one would fight for someone that they thought was guilty of this horrible crime. As things come to light, I know their hearts will break. Prayers for them. But about 95% of the comments I receive on the blog and 100% of the feedback I get in person is positive and extremely encouraging.
8. What does justice mean to you? What would you consider justice in this case?
Truth and the consequences of that truth (PRISON)...and what little bit of peace that can afford for Kari's family and friends....and for that matter, other victims' families. This story will soon be huge and nation-wide. What message are Texans wanting to send?
Finally, before anything else I am a Mom. And I want to see Kari's daughters grow into whole, healthy young women. That is my prayer.
Thank you again, Eileen and Texas Monthly, for your attention to this case.
"The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them." ~LM Bujold
Shannon
