"The sight of her young son being led into court in shackles on Monday was especially upsetting, (his mother) said. His hands were bound to a security belt that had to be looped around his waist three times because of his small frame. The judge ordered the restraints removed. “I blew some kisses at him and told him to put some in his pocket for later,” the mother said.
“Later he told me he needed more kisses to put in his pocket.”
(resource: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/us/13child.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&)
"He had no record of any kind, not even a disciplinary record at school," he said. "He has never been in trouble before."
"He's scared," he said. "He's trying to be tough, but he's scared."
(See right column for resource.)
"Where...do universal human rights begin? In small places,close to home--so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world.Such are the places where every man,woman,and child seeks equal justice,equal opportunity,equal dignity without discrimination.Unless these rights have meaning there,they have little meaning anywhere."
Eleanor Roosevelt
DID YOU KNOW?! Info from the DPS & Police reports:
THE FOLLOWING IS REPORTED AND DOCUMENTED INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE PUBLIC DPS AND POLICE REPORTS:
The victim found with the most shots to him had a reputation with law enforcement as being a mid level drug dealer with several street level dealers beneath him.
An acquaintance of this victim (reportedly, his own street level dealer) told police that he had called her one week prior to his own murder stating someone wanted to kill him.
It was reported this victim was having TWO extra marital affairs with two bar maids who worked at the SAME bar.
Reportedly, HE PROPOSED MARRIAGE to one of these women the night prior to his murder.
His wife stated to police she knew nothing about a pending divorce. She lived separately from her husband nearly 3 hours away.
The father (victim) and the stepmother (referred to as "mom" in the interrogation video) were married in September of 2008 just two months before the murders.
The father had custody of the boy.
The household tenant (victim) had moved into the house with the newlyweds just a few weeks after the marriage.
The tenant was from the San Carlos Indian Reservation area of Arizona about 3 hours and 161 miles away from St. Johns, AZ which borders the New Mexico/northern AZ line. His mother lived on the Reservation. His wife lived about another hour away off the Reservation.
He was hired as a foreman at the local power plant working an average of Monday through Wednesday each week. He would travel the 3 hour distance most weeks after work back to his home place near San Carlos.
St. Johns is a small secluded town in Apache County, about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the closest Walmart in Show Low, AZ.
Web searches state Apache County as being the second largest Meth capitol in the state of Arizona. The Apache County Prosecutor ran his campaign including this information as part of his campaign promises to clean up the County.
The tragedy (crime) occurred on November 5th, 2008 at approximately 4:55p.m. after the men had left work at the local power plant. The men stopped by the Romero household for a quick stop while on their way to side construction job. It is undetermined in the public reports whether anyone, including the boy, knew whether or not these men were scheduled to make the stop at the home before going to their next job.
The economy in the U.S. was in turmoil during November of 2008. The Romero house was a newly built home, YET, reportedly, the two victims had discussed quitting their jobs at the power plant.
According to Detective Neckel’s testimony at the November 25th hearing, the stepmother had made a trip to the grocery store, prior to the murders, once to purchase donuts for her workplace, a Physical Therapist's Office then returned later to the store for supplies to make a spaghetti dinner. The stepmother produced two separate store receipts for the food. Detective Neckel confirmed the first trip to the store via the store’s surveillance video. The surveillance video was no longer available for the last trip to the store. It had been erased or altered. There is a possible time lapse of approximately 20 minutes surrounding the murders which may possibly be unaccounted for by the store receipts.
The boy claimed, consistently from the night of the crime through the following day during the interrogation, he saw a small white car “driving really fast” & “driving pretty fast” away from the Romero house as he was walking towards the house. He told them REPEATEDLY about this car and included details about the rims of the car. He told them he had never seen this person neither this car before.
A neighbor reported to police that after rescue vehicles started arriving at the scene, she saw a man wearing black baggy pants and a blue and black plaid shirt walking down a nearby street and she saw a “light gray primered” car drive up, the man got into the car and the car “drove away at a high rate of speed”. She claimed she had never seen this man neither this vehicle before.
The boy told police during the interrogation he saw “someone” from the car go into his house. Commander Avila NOR Detective Neckel asked the boy ANY questions whatsoever about that person. They do NOT ask the color of the person’s skin, what clothes he/she was wearing, whether the person was male or female, not the height, nothing!
The boy made statements to the police re: “the bad guys”. He may have reasoned since he saw one person going into the house and knowing one person was driving the vehicle away from the house that there were more than one person involved in this crime.
The police originally claimed they wanted to interview the child because they thought he witnessed the crime and knew the assailant(s). However, during the interview they failed to ask basic follow-up questions and instead used highly suggestive techniques. They both later ADMITTED in court hearings they BOTH had repeatedly LIED to the boy during his interrogation to include someone has saw him, one of the victim’s had stated it was him, and someone had heard him commit crime, all the bullets came from the same gun, etc. These were all lies offered by the two police interrogators to the child during the nearly hour and a half interrogation.
The biological mother resided in Mississippi with her second family. She had just been to St. Johns a few days prior to the murder to visit with her son. After the murders, she returned to St. Johns filed for and later received custody of her son.
DPS told SJPD on the evening of the crime, Nov. 5th, they would send an investigator around 9 a.m. the following morning.
Chief Roy Melnick ordered the victims bodies removed that evening/prior to DPS arrival.
The crime scene was turned over to the widow (who would normally be one of investigator's prime suspect) the following day, Nov. 6th, 2008, after the boy's so-called "confession".
Weeks later they retaped crime scene tape around the house for further investigation AFTER the widow and family friends had removed items and cleaned the premises.
By last accounts no other assailant, other than the boy, was being investigated.
RESOURCES:
DPS REPORTS
DPS 99 page report/ includes Apache County Police Reports
PDF of Commander Avilla's interview with defense atty
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Avilla.pdf
PDF of Det. Neckles interview with defense atty
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Neckel.pdf
APACHE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT /
HIGH PROFILE CASES WEBSITE:
http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/docs/
AUTOPSY REPORTS:
Transcripts of Sgt. Guinn who photographed and noted autopsy
http://www.november2008stjohnsdouble...load/Guinn.pdf
LATEST CASE UPDATES
Judge Roca has been recused!
http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=11533369
Judge OKs request for new judge in AZ boy's case
Associated Press - November 18, 2009 7:54 PM ET
ALL HELL IS BREAKING LOOSE IN APACHE COUNTY!
Defense motions court to recuse Judge Michael Roca for cause citing secret discussions out of court, bias against the Juvenile & more! The Prosecutor agrees with the motion to recuse the Judge citing conflicting reports of financial ablility to adhere to psyc evaluator's recommendations.
SEE...
APACHE SUPERIOR COURT HIGH PROFILE CASE DOCUMENT SITE:
http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/docs/default.aspx
REQUEST FOR THE COURT TO INFORM PARTIES.pdf
RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF CHANGE OF JUDGE.pdf
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE 11092009.pdf
MOTION TO INTERVENE 11092009.pdf
Motion For Change of Judge.pdf
Affidavit in Support.pdf
Order Assigning nov042009.pdf
Order oct282009.pdf
Transcript dispo hrng 10222009.pdf
2nd request for Transcript 11062009.pdf
Motion to Enforce 11062009.pdf
Motion to Appoint 10-9-2009.pdf
ORDER 10082009.pdf
Oct 22nd Sentencing Postponed
NOV 10, 2009--next Status Hearing Scheduled
NEW GUARDIAN AD LITEM, Marsha Gregory!
WHERE'S BEN BREWER?
%
Small Child's HOPE and VOICE's Details
Status:
Single
Zodiac Sign:
Scorpio
Small Child's HOPE and VOICE awaiting truth Posted at 12:33 AM Feb 10, 2009 view more
About me:
YES! THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
From a supporter:
"I am deeply concerned with many of the recent events in CR's case. Those of us who care, should be concerned as well. There is much at play here, and much of it never reaches the public. They are only releasing what they want you to hear, just like Djinn's case, where the local newspapers released there version of things, and not presenting the whole truth. That destroyed Djinn's childhood, also his mother's. Hopefully, many more individuals will read ChildVoice's information on this page, and her entire site, and I'm certain you will come to a much different conclusion, then you have now.
The time has come for action! Or do we continue to sit on our thumbs and watch another young child's hope, dreams and vision of the future be destroyed by apathy. Don't let what is happening here, visit your doorstep. Get involved and help to change CR's life. The next child this happens to could be your own, what would you do then?
Get Informed! Get Involved!"
--by Steven S. / moderator of Djinn's
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/191601327) &
Website (http://www.justicefordjinn.org )
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.We are the ones we've been waiting for.We are the change that we seek."
--Barack Obama
"There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe,popular or political but because it is right."
--Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.
________________________________________
This page was created to give this little 8 year old child a voice, to tell his version of what happened on November 5th, 2008 and to offer the victim's families inspiration and support during this difficult time. It is the belief of this moderator that what is needed for these families to heal is to know the truth about what happened that day, to find forgiveness for all who may need it, and to inspire others to seek harmony with each other. May each person, affected by this tragedy, not let it turn their hearts cold but rather let them embrace a forgiving spirit so they can prosper. My heart goes out to the victims' families and for this child. I offer my condolences to each and every member of both families.
HISTORY OF THE CASE IS LISTED BELOW. KEEP SCROLLING.
COME JOIN THE SUPPORT TEAM message board!
Your ideas & helpful hints needed!
http://childhopenvoice.50.forumer.com/
*See this sites blog for all the details!*
APACHE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT /
HIGH PROFILE CASES WEBSITE:
http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/docs/
This is the site that has all the updated court documents and information.
CB notes one of the witness's original written statement to police did NOT contain any mention he saw the child 'playing with the dog and then walking away'. That witness said the boy was just standing there about two minutes AFTER he heard the popping sounds. However there is an altered version of this statement in later versions of the police/DPS reports.
em)
"Thorns and stings
And those such things
Just make stronger
Our angel wings."
~Emme Woodhull-Bäche
HISTORY OF THE CASE:
"I was thinking, 'What the heck is going on?'" the boy said in the video released to The Associated Press and other media. "'Who did this? Why would anyone do this?'" the little 8 year old boy told police."
________________________________________
On the evening of Nov. 5th, a little 8 year old boy told police that after getting off the school bus, he walked around his neighborhood & later came home to find his father and his father's co-worker/household tenant/friend, both, shot to death.
Later publicly released police & DPS reports document both men had been shot in the front, in or from the back, AND on one side, each. The boy's father was found inside the house, on the second floor staircase with four gunshot wounds. The household tenant was found outside, on the front porch with six gunshot wounds.
Police claim the boy shot both men, one inside & upstairs, one outside and downstairs, with a SINGLE SHOT BOLT ACTION RIFLE. That would mean an 8 yr old boy would need to manually load and unload a child's size rifle at least 11 times (10 shots to the men and one empty shell casing reportedly found in the rifle) while accurately shooting two moving targets. None of the shots were documented as having an upward angle in public autopsy or police reports, even though the child was only 4' tall and the men were 5'9" and 5'11". Two shots to one of the victims' chest were so close together they "made semingly one wound". Some suggest it is impossible for a single shot gun to make such wounds as the victim's body would have moved and repossisioned after the first shot making it impossible for a person to unload and reload in time to make the second shot so close in proximity.}
..
Family members plus a family friend asked police for the child to have legal representation, representation from Social Services and/or by any other child advocate but they were DENIED by the St.Johns Police Department and Apache County Sheriff's Office. They, openly, admit in public police records that they did NOT mirandize this child and refused any parent, legal guardian or representation to be present during what ended up being an interrogation. Both officers were fully dressed in uniform and were wearing their weapons, visible to the child. They admitted using various interrogation tactics on this child.
After an over HOUR long INTERROGATION with NO ATTORNEY, NO PARENT, NO LEGAL GUARDIAN,& NO MIRANDA RIGHTS the authorities claimed they received what they call a "confession" even though experts agree coercion and suggestive questioning was used. They suggest the boy's version of events match the crime scene evidence even though the expert RECONSTRUCTIONIST and other expert testimony has been SEALED and the crime scene was turned over to the widow just hours after the boy's so called 'confession' thus contaminating the crime scene for any future investigation and hendering the expert's ability to properly reconstruct the crime scene and prior to any lab results or autopsy reports being released.
Partial transcripts of the interview between Ben Brewer and Detective Debbie Neckel from the Nov. 25th, 2008 hearing. (She admits she & Avila LIED to this little 8 year old boy during his interrogation!:
BB: Um, when, um, when yer, questioning him, are you trained as a law enforcement officer to, in certain circumstances, or any circumstances, be allowed ta lie to the individual you’re talking to? In order to, get sumpum out of im.
DN: Um, yes.
BB: And, and is that a tool that was used, in this interview?
DN: Yes.
BB: And which, area, was that used? Which, which, specific, time did you, or whoever, lie, to *****?
DN: Um, we didn’t know if the bullets were all the same bullets, um, I didn’t, know, um, well, I guess, the bullets…
BB: And, and what, what about, there was a comment by, um, uh, Commander Avilla that, that she, said she had, someone had seen him, do it. Do you recall that?
DN: I, I do recall that, and I remember thinking at the time she stated that that she got it wrong, cuz we knew someone had heard, um, and I don’t think, and I, and I remember thinking, and I, corrected, on that, I told *****, I believe, right after she said that well, ***** why would someone hear you call Tim’s name? And I, thought she had just re-worded that wrong.
BB: Okay. But, it’s clear that no one say (saw) him.
DN: No one saw him, no.
See "When police lie" blog above.
See entire this interview at:
Resource:
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Neckel.pdf
News Article:
Gag Order Issued In 8-Year-Old's Murder Trial
Boy Charged With Killing Father, Friend
POSTED: 9:27 am EST November 10, 2008
UPDATED: 4:38 pm EST November 10, 2008
ST. JOHNS, Ariz. -- A defense attorney said a judge has issued a gag order in the case of an 8-year-old boy accused of killing his father and another man, KPHO-TV in Phoenix reported.
As a result, a planned police news briefing may not happen; however, the court hearing is still scheduled for 3 p.m.
Defense attorney Ron Wood said the order prevents police and attorneys from speaking publicly about the case.
St. Johns resident Vincent Romero and 39-year-old Tim Romans, who was renting a room at the house, were found dead Wednesday afternoon in Romero's home.
Less than 24 hours later, police announced they had solved the case, saying Romero's 8-year-old son confessed to shooting and killing the two men with a .22-caliber gun.
"We solved the crime," St. Johns Police Chief Roy Melnick said. "Now we have to solve the mystery of why."
On NBC's "Today" show Monday morning, Melnick said, "There's no record of any problems in school, no reported abuse."
Wood echoed Melnick's assertion that the boy does not appear to have been abused.
"At this point in time, we haven't seen anything indicating abuse," Wood said. "We haven't heard of anything; we're not aware of anything."
Brewer, who is the boy's other defense attorney, said the case will not be a slam-dunk for the prosecution.
"Their evidence is very minimal," Brewer said. "There was overreaching with police with regard to their contact with him ... I think there's a very good likelihood that there could have been improper interview techniques done."
Brewer also said the prosecution is "just guessing at this time" with regards to any physical evidence.
The boy will appear in court Monday, and his public defenders said they plan to file a motion to request experts to help with the investigation.
They said they will also ask for crime scene access.
Wood said the attorneys are treating the boy's case "like any other first-degree murder case."
"Our position is that our responsibility -- our duty -- is to take care of (him), whatever the allegations," Wood said. "He is an 8-year-old boy; he is a third-grader ... He's frightened."
Brewer agreed.
"It's evident that he's shaken up, and he's scared," he said. "He played football … he liked soccer. He was yanked out of the comfortable situation, a situation he knew about, and put into a situation that he has no knowledge about. He's hurting.
"He's a scared little kid."
Additionally, the attorneys said nobody has stepped forward to take custody of the boy.
"We've got an 8 year-old client who is sitting in a detention facility who needs someone to take him home, and we haven't found that person," Wood said. "The stepmother didn't want to take custody of him. His mother hasn't taken custody of him.
"At this point in time, no one has come forward and indicated they're willing to take (him)."
Also on Monday, more than 600 mourners gathered at funeral services to remember Romero.
According to people at the funeral, which lasted about an hour and a half, community members remembered how much Romero loved his son.
Attendees said very little about the boy, except that the whole situation was "shocking."
Funeral services for Romans, who is from San Carlos, Ariz., are scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. in San Carlos. A wake will be held Friday at 3 p.m.
http://www.wesh.com/news/17945933/detail.html
After word from the Prosecutor's Office, police escorted this 8 year old to the Apache County Juvenile Detention Center where they processed this child. According to public intake forms, this 8 year old child (a 3rd grader) SIGNED, (in manuscript style handwriting because he had not yet learned to write in cursive), various Juvenile Detention Intake Forms. This detention center houses upwards to 17 year old juvenile deliquents.
After some time, this child was removed from the other detainees and put into ISOLATION so that the older teens would not influence him, negatively.
"Brewer said the boy 'seems to be in good spirits'.
'He's scared,' he said. 'He's trying to be tough, but he's scared.'
Resource: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/08/national/main4586103.shtml
This child was held for MONTHS in ISOLATION at the Juvenile Detention Center where he visited his mother through a glass partition during half hour visits, wearing the traditional jail clothes. He was allowed two physical (hour long) visits with his mother per week. By her accounts, he sat on her lap and held onto her, nearly the entire time.
"The 8-year-old, whom ABC is not naming because of his age, is being held in Arizona's Apache County Juvenile Detention Center in a private cell. Bloomfield, who has moved to Arizona since the shootings, said she visits her son every day.
Bloomfield is allowed to visit him for a half-hour each day and two days a week they are allowed physical visits.
'We sit in a room and he will come and sit on my lap pretty much the whole time, just hold on to me in that half-hour I get,' Bloomfield said. During the other visits, she speaks to her son through a pane of glass.
Resource: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=6320539&page=1
He was granted furloughs during the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks and once again while awaiting his sentencing.
During his incarceration in ISOLATION, he was not allowed to discuss his nightmares with any staff nor his own mother! He had trouble going to sleep after being locked in his cell.
For months this small child was NOT allowed a therapist to deal with the trauma of Nov 5th and for what he was going through at the hands of the state! The Defense Attorney's requested repeatedly for the child to have access to a therapist to deal with the grieving process, yet the court repeatedly denied the requests.
This little boy was NOT allowed to attend his father's funeral.
The Chief of Police, Roy Melnick, pushed for the little boy to be prosecuted as an ADULT!
The COMPETENCY HEARING was VACATED meaning the court never held a hearing to determine whether or not the child was competent to stand trial.
News Article:
http://www.kpho.com/news/20974164/detail.html#
The police escorted this little 8 year old boy to court in HANDCUFFS AND SHACKLES in which the chains were wrapped around his waist three times because he was so small!
"The sight of her young son being led into court in shackles on Monday was especially upsetting, (...) said. His hands were bound to a security belt that had to be looped around his waist three times because of his small frame. The judge ordered the restraints removed. “I blew some kisses at him and told him to put some in his pocket for later,” the mother said. “Later he told me he needed more kisses to put in his pocket.”
(resource: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/us/13child.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&)
During the Nov 7th Detention Hearing and during NUMEROUS status hearings afterwards, the boy was subjected to several hours of sessions where he was sat present in the courtroom while grave and grotesque DETAILS OF THE CASE AND CRIME SCENE were discussed in front of him!
See the transcripts of the detention hearing at:
http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/docs/Cases/JV2008065/TRANSCRIPT%20OF%20DETAINED%20ADVISORY%20HEARING%20NOV%202%202008_VOL2%20PARTB.pdf
The Prosecutors threatened to hold one count of premeditated murder against the child until he turned 15 yrs old, whereas he could be prosecuted as an adult and if found guilty at that time could have spent the rest of his life in prison.
After months, the Prosecution and Court released to the public many police and DPS records which included the gun powder residue results on the boy's clothing, the fingerprint analysis on the suspect murder weapon/Chipmunk rifle, the results of bullet testing, the autopsy reports of both men, police/witness interview records and statements, the CAD report and more. (See above blog for details.)
The Prosecution offered the state appointed public defender a plea deal reducing both charges down to one count of "neglegent homicide" (i.e. accidental death) for the death of the family friend. In the plea deal, the one count against the boy's father was held to be refiled only if the boy were to violate his probation or other court orders during the next 9 years.
The public defender has stated that even though the child is only 9 years old (turned 9 in Dec. '08) that he has the legal obligation of offer the plea deal to the child and that it is the child's decision whether or not to accept it.
The Judge, Prosecutor, and Defense went into CLOSED CHAMBERS with the 9 year old child and without the child's Guadian Ad Litem and without his mother.
His biological mother (custodial parent) refused to sign the plea deal claiming she did not believe the child is competent to sign a plea deal.
Related News Article:
http://www.kpho.com/news/20974164/detail.html#
Wood spoke exclusively with ABC15 about the plea and said his client understood what he was agreeing to because he read the agreement to him three times.
"Because I went over it with him and over it with him, because despite what the popular myth might be, I don't have any desire to plead an incompetent 9-year-old to anything. He understood that he didn't want to go to prison, he understood that he didn't want to be prosecuted as an adult, he understood that he just wanted to get his life back in order and be with his mom."
Resource: http://www.abc15.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=19706@knxv.dayport.com
The boy received court ordered psychological evaluations which took months to be turned over to the courts.
Even though legal advocates have agreed the state of AZ is legally required to supply an education for this child, and even though the Defense has made motion to the court to supply that education, the boy spent 4 months without a formal education. His mother was providing his education to him by making due with the supplies given to her from the school system and an on-line Support Team which included individuals across the United States and other countries. It is questionable whether the classwork the mother provided for this child will be accepted as legitamate by the school system.
The boy has been ordered to attend school at the juvenile detention center. For some time the boy was NOT receiveing CREDIT for his classwork/schoolwork at the Detention Center.
UPDATE!:Motion to Allow Juvenile to Attend School Full-Time in Detention
"...so he may begin to receive credit for his education and move ahead to the appropriate grade level when it comes time to do so."
http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/docs/Cases/JV2008065/Motion%20to%20Allow%20Juvenile%20to%20Attend%20School%20in%20Detention.pdf
The Prosecutor tried to terminate the child's furlough while the child awaited the sentencing date to be set. Prosecutor Whiting included several "unsubstantiated claims" in his official motion to terminate the child's furlough.
"Request to revoke furlough for child murder suspect withdrawn
05:33 PM Mountain Standard Time on Tuesday,
June 16, 2009
Mike Watkiss and Catherine Holland / azfamily.com
UPDATE: The state prosecutor's motion to revoke the St. John' boy's furlogh has been withdrawn...."
resource: http://www.azfamily.com/news/homepagetopstory/stories/st-johns-news-061609-child-murder-suspect-custody.870630d7.html
The sentencing date was finally set at the July 16th status hearing. The psyc evaluations were received by the court therefore, "Tuesday, Sept. 22, has been set aside for the juvenile's disposition hearing."
(RESOURCE/NEWS ARTICLE: http://www.wmicentral.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20347793&BRD=2264&PAG=461&dept_id=505965&rfi=6)
The Sentencing Date has been rescheduled for Oct 22, 2009! (no big surprise there taking into account the ridiculously numerous times various hearings in this case has been repeatedly postponed and rescheduled or vacated all together.
News Article:
http://www.kpho.com/news/20974164/detail.html
________________________________________
LATEST CASE UPDATES
NEW GUARDIAN AD LITEM, Marsha Gregory!
WHERE'S BEN BREWER?
MOTION TO POSTPONE
(AGAIN THE ALREADY ONCE POSTPONED)
SENTENCING DATE
OF OCT 22ND TO ANOTHER DATE:
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TO WATCH MOM'S INTERVIEW:
Mom Defends Son Accused of Murder
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6320566
.
WHAT KIND OF CHILD IS HE?
EVEN THE NEIGHBORS, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS OF THE LITTLE BOY SAY 'HE WAS A GOOD KID'. THEY ARE CONFUSED HOW HE COULD BE ACCUSED OF THIS CRIME. (SEE VIDEOS BELOW.)
"Two of the boy’s friends, Lucas Graf, 12, and Jude Chavez, 11, said they, too, were baffled as to how someone with whom they wrestled and swam in the scorching summer just past could have committed such a brutal act.
“He’s a nice kid,” Lucas said. 'He’s normal.'"
(resource: The New York Times By SOLOMON MOORE
Published: November 12, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/us/13child.html?pagewanted=2&fta=y )
"He had a very good relationship with his father," the boy's mother, Eryn Thomas, told ABC's "Good Morning America." "... is a "good little boy" who loved his dad, his mother said Monday. "He did a lot with him. They did everything together. He loved his dad."During the interview, she listened to the boy's taped confession and said she heard a "scared little boy. That's what I hear. Someone who's very afraid of what's going on." Thomas said she's visited her son in the juvenile detention center, where on some visits they are separated by glass.""He's in there by himself, definitely scared," she said, describing the boy as a "very small child" who is being housed separately from the older children."She described the boy as an average 8-year-old. "He's very outgoing, he loves animals, he loves to ride his dirt bike, skateboarding, that sort of thing," she said.
("http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fplugin%252Esmileycentral%252Ecom%252Fassetserver%252Fcursor%252Ejhtml%253Fcur%253D1%2526i%253D108a/image.gif"), auto !important;}
"For legal reasons, Bloomfield -- who is identified in court papers as Eryn Thomas -- could not discuss details of the case. She said she is not even allowed to discuss the case with her son." Trying to hold back tears, Bloomfield told ABC that her son is scared and living alone at a juvenile detention center. The other children were removed so that older juveniles could not influence him "in the wrong way," she said. Bloomfield described heart-wrenching visits -- 30 minutes each day -- when she can speak to her son through a glass partition.
"I get two visits with him that are physical visits -- to where we sit in a room and he will come and sit in my lap pretty much the whole time and hold onto me," she added.
"So he's in there by himself, in his cell by himself," she said". "She will be allowed 48 hours with him at home over the Thanksgiving holiday, she said. Officials from the juvenile detention center and a court-appointed guardian will be present during the visit, Smith said."
"I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing." ~Agatha Christie
________________________________________
"ST. JOHNS, Ariz. — A week after the police charged an 8-year-old boy in the premeditated shooting deaths of his father and another man, the boy’s mother, teachers and others who know him say they are no closer to understanding the roots of such a heinous crime.
“I don’t believe he did this,” said the mother, Eryn Bloomfield, 26, who has shared custody of her son with his father, Vincent Romero, 29, since the couple divorced six years ago. She said she talked to the boy every week and visited an average of once a month, driving the 20 hours to St. Johns from her home in Mississippi.
Ms. Bloomfield had just returned from her latest visit when she got a call about the shooting and immediately returned to St. Johns...""Ms. Bloomfield described her son as a “normal boy” who played video games nonstop and doted on his new dog, a boxer."
"The boy “took his religious faith very seriously,” said Sister Angelina Chavez, who has known him since he was a baby and taught his religious class every Monday at St. Johns Catholic Church."
"Ms. Bloomfield expressed disgust at rumors sweeping the town, among them that her son killed his father because he had not been allowed to go trick-or-treating on Halloween. “This town is too small,” she said. “Everybody thinks they know what happened. They’re saying all kinds of things about my son. They have smashed him down to nothing.'"
________________________________________
ONE LEGAL EXPERT'S POINT OF VIEW:
"Ms. Klausner said she was appalled that the authorities were considering such an option. “There’s no way on God’s green earth that an 8-year-old should be subject to the adult system,” she said.""Prosecutors also have what Ms. Klausner called the unlikely option of deciding that the boy is incompetent to stand trial, detaining him in a psychiatric facility until he is deemed competent, and then trying him as an adult."
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."-Jesus
________________________________________
According to "Kathleen M. Heide, a criminology professor at the University of South Florida, said the odds of such killings “are so infinitesimal, it’s really hard to even comprehend.”
(Resource: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/us/11child.html?_r=1&fta=y)
________________________________________
ABC News: Mom Says 8-Year-Old Charged With Murder 'Loved His Dad'
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=6320539
Who I'd like to meet:
________________________________________
"Father forgive them; for they know not what they do." -Jesus..
________________________________________
In the police interrogation video, here are some excerpts most of the media does not cover:
Armed Police Officer states to boy:
"If you shot a gun, yesterday, LIKE YOU DID, and maybe you're afraid to tell someone because you hurt your dad or something, IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT THAT YOU TOLD US THAT YOU SHOT THE GUN, because we're going to find out." stated the interrogating armed police officer to the 8 year old child who had be explained he was there to help find his father's killer(s).
________________________________________
Police officer to boy after he explained how he found the men after coming home from school: "Umm. You're sure that you weren't home?"
Boy replies: "Yeah. Yeah."
Police officer: "You're Sure?" Boy replies: "Uh. Hum!" Police officer states to boy:"Because I heard something that somebody said that, uh, somebody was calling your name and you were(n't) answering at the house." the police officer told the boy.
The boy, curiously, asked "Who was calling my name?"
Police officer: "Somebody told me that..."
Police officer asks: "Nobody was calling your name?"
Boy states with certainty: "No."
Poice officer: ""In the house?"
"Boy replies, again: "No."
________________________________________
II Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
________________________________________
An Expert's view regarding INTENT from a child:
http://www.kpho.com/video/18014765/index.html
br>
"We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't." ~Frank A. Clark
________________________________________
IF the child was the shooter then why would he desribe finding his father with "...a lot of blood, like a puddle of blood..."? Wouldn't his father have needed to lay there for some time period to have formed a puddle? How would an 8 yr old child be able to accurately describe such a detail had he been the initial shooter?
Today the sentencing may or may not be held, according to the motions and orders filed on the Apache County High Profile Case website. Prosecutor Whiting says he's still not ready for the sentencing even though this has been going on nearly a year. What turmoil to put this little child through! Yet, as citizens we are looking for these people to decide what is best for this little child?! They can't even get their own act together. Does anyone really think that this little fella does not feel the effects of this constant upheaval?
May God protect & bless this little child, guide the authorities in power who decide his fate, encourage his family to remain strong and focused and for all to keep the faith. May God intervene for what is best for all who has been affected by this tragedy!
To my little friend and his family,
Good Luck in whatever happens in court today. You are always in our thoughts, hearts and prayers. This may seem a minimal thing to say but know that you are loved and cared about. Let us know what we can do to help in whatever is needed. May something we, the Support Team, say or do...bring joy to your hearts and a more peaceful day knowing we are standing with you. Keep the faith.
Know that we are all still supporting you in our own unique ways. We hope that we have helped reduce the sting of this terrible injustice done to your family and everything you have had to endure this past year. We are sooo sorry for the behavior of OUR GOVERNMENT and it's treatment of you both. It is shameful this is being allowed to happen. However, we hope you have felt our love and prayers and support. We will continue to support you for as long as you will allow. Know that you will always and forever be in our thoughts, our hearts and our prayers. Let us know what we can do to help. Always keep your chin up and keep up the good fight. We believe in you little CR that you will grow and flourish. We are proud to be part of your life and are sooo grateful God has given us the chance to get to know you. You're a wonderful little guy! Know you are loved!
Thanks for the Advocacy links. There are some I wasn't aware of and will try to join. Wouldn't have known about them if you wouldn't have taken the time to share this information. Thanks! Karen.
We know you are having it rough right now but keep the strength. God would want you to always keep your eyes on him for courage and strength. Sometimes when the road seems the toughest is when it hits a crossroads and things change for the better.
Some wonderful things are coming your way. Keep the faith.
Just a friendly reminder...Please, keep comments limited to generic encouragement for Eryn, CR, and the victim's families. Please, do not share information about the whereabouts or specific activities of anyone involved in these families' lives. This is a public website viewed by many, even those who do not share our good intentions.
Good Luck on Tuesday! Also, I hear CR has some wonderful things happening this week. May this time be an enjoyable memory that he can keep forever! Good luck in all endeavors this week! We're with you girl!
Thank You for your request. I am sickened by all this youngster has been through and the way he has been treated by authorities. I am with you! Stephen Sydebotham www.justicefordjinn.org
I just wanted to let you know that we are all here behind you and praying everything turns out OK. I am sickened by the behavior of the leadership and citizens of St. John's.
We are still here for you. We are willing to step forward and do our part in making sure CR has options other than being locked in the detention center. We are scrambling to find you options.
Dear Eryn, I am sorry for the latest developments for you and C. Now we know how serious some people are about wanting more punishment.They are waching!!! Please be careful and thoughtful for your and his future. Remember, no mountains, just one careful step at a time! Love, J's Gramma
There's still thoughts and prayers and support for you all from Oklahoma. Also, want to say again I appreciate the work and support that has beed done here on this myspace account in behalf of this young boy. I continuously join you in support for him and his family.
Good Luck with your upcoming court dates. We are still here for you. Let us know what we can do to help. If you want us to go together and pay for a homeschool tuition and books let us know and it will be done.
Dear Eryn, I know you are having difficult days right now. I think the new song on American Idol was written and sung tonight just for you, dear. Adam sang the beautiful "There Are No Boundries" written by the new judge. It is beautiful and inspiring and I hope you can hear it and believe in the words for your life right now. Something on the order of... there are no mountains, just one step at a time". We are all praying for you and your little son and daughter, Eryn. Karen has some good things for you, too, from some of us! Blessings to you and your family, Linda, J's Gramma
Eryn, I wish you many blessings on this extraordinarily meaningful Mother's Day. Bless you and you and your children.You are on our minds and in our hearts. Love,Linda, J's Gramma
