For those of you that knew.. (2 Viewers)

[usskyblue]

I know that some former GMKers and a few SBT members knew about the murder of my brother in the US in 2001. If I knew exactly who you all were I’d PM you but as I don’t I figured I’d post it.

I just wanted to let you all know that after a very difficult trial this week, containing jarring and graphic testimony, pictures and videos.. the accused was found guilty of murder in the first degree last night and sentenced to 25 years in prison with no chance of parole.

While it’s not really a time to ‘celebrate’ it is a huge weight that’s been lifted from our family after 21 years of seeking some kind of closure.

For anyone that knew and offered to help, or just gave their condolences.. thank you.

 

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[Evo1883]

I know that some former GMKers and a few SBT members knew about the murder of my brother in the US in 2001. If I knew exactly who you all were I’d PM you but as I don’t I figured I’d post it.

I just wanted to let you all know that after a very difficult trial this week, containing jarring and graphic testimony, pictures and videos..

.. the accused was found guilty of murder in the first degree last night and sentenced to 25 years in prison with no chance of parole.

While it’s not really a time to ‘celebrate’ it is a huge weight that’s been lifted from our family after 21 years of seeking some kind of closure.

For anyone that knew and offered to help, or just gave their condolences.. thank you.

Sorry for your loss mate

 

[shmmeee]

Didn’t know, sorry for your loss.

I know nothing will compensate, but hopefully you get some closure as you Yanks say.

 

[wingy]

I know that some former GMKers and a few SBT members knew about the murder of my brother in the US in 2001. If I knew exactly who you all were I’d PM you but as I don’t I figured I’d post it.

I just wanted to let you all know that after a very difficult trial this week, containing jarring and graphic testimony, pictures and videos..

.. the accused was found guilty of murder in the first degree last night and sentenced to 25 years in prison with no chance of parole.

While it’s not really a time to ‘celebrate’ it is a huge weight that’s been lifted from our family after 21 years of seeking some kind of closure.

For anyone that knew and offered to help, or just gave their condolences.. thank you.

Glad you've got some closure USS.

 

[clint van damme]

I know that some former GMKers and a few SBT members knew about the murder of my brother in the US in 2001. If I knew exactly who you all were I’d PM you but as I don’t I figured I’d post it.

I just wanted to let you all know that after a very difficult trial this week, containing jarring and graphic testimony, pictures and videos..

.. the accused was found guilty of murder in the first degree last night and sentenced to 25 years in prison with no chance of parole.

While it’s not really a time to ‘celebrate’ it is a huge weight that’s been lifted from our family after 21 years of seeking some kind of closure.

For anyone that knew and offered to help, or just gave their condolences.. thank you.

Must have been horrendous. Glad it's given you and your family a little bit of comfort.

Puts the CBS shenanigans into perspective.

 

[Nick]

That's good news and some closure for your family.

It has taken a while to find, convict and sentence them but got there in the end and they are going to be locked up for life.

Is it not in a state with death sentence?

 

[usskyblue]

That's good news and some closure for your family.

It has taken a while to find, convict and sentence them but got there in the end and they are going to be locked up for life.

Is it not in a state with death sentence?

Yes, Florida has the option. The State Attorney (in this case) decided not to pursue the death sentence. As I’ve come to understand, in some cases (that aren’t clear slam dunks, like this one) they waive death as it might sway a juror that’s undecided one way or another.

Edit to add: We’ve known all along we had the right guy but this took place 21 years ago and in that time one of our key witnesses died and their testimony lost. We had to use what we had with our remaining witnesses along with fact that the accused fluffed his own alibi.

It’s a very long story.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Yes, Florida has the option. The State Attorney (in this case) decided not to pursue the death sentence. As I’ve come to understand, in some cases (that aren’t clear slam dunks, like this one) they waive death as it might sway a juror that’s undecided one way or another.

Edit to add: We’ve known all along we had the right guy but this took place 21 years ago and in that time one of our key witnesses died and their testimony lost. We had to use what we had with our remaining witnesses along with fact that the accused fluffed his own alibi.

It’s a very long story.

Out of interest, what took so long to get it to trial?

Not quite sure what my right reaction should be tbh. You're right, not celebrate, but maybe satisfaction that somebody does get their dues in the end I guess.

 

[usskyblue]

Out of interest, what took so long to get it to trial?

Not quite sure what my right reaction should be tbh. You're right, not celebrate, but maybe satisfaction that somebody does get their dues in the end I guess.

A year after it happened the (then) State Attorney refused to take the case.. for reasons relating to his win percentage and not wanting to risk a loss. The case was actively worked until 2004 and went cold. In 2016 a new police department chief came in and cold cases were reviewed and my brother’s case was chosen and reassigned to a new detective. He reworked the case and re-interviewed everyone available. They took the evidence (both old and new) to a.Grand Jury in 2017 and they unanimously agreed it should go to trial. At the time the accused was just finishing a 5 year sentence in Federal prison (for an unrelated crime). The day of his release he was re-arrested and charged with murder. I’ve been going to pre-trial hearings for the last four and a half years. Over that time the defense has stalled attempts at a trial and submitted numerous motions to dismiss and even to recuse the judge. Then covid happened which actually meant the trial was cancelled. Over the last two years more pre-trials and motions (including a plea deal for him to plead guilty to Manslaughter, which we refused to accept). Eventually the defense dried up and we finally went to trial (not before a last minute (second) motion to dismiss was denied.

 

[Frostie]

So sorry to hear about this mate but pleased you have finally got some form of justice for him.

 

[Nick]

A year after it happened the (then) State Attorney refused to take the case.. for reasons relating to his win percentage and not wanting to risk a loss. The case was actively worked until 2004 and went cold. In 2016 a new police department chief came in and cold cases were reviewed and my brother’s case was chosen and reassigned to a new detective. He reworked the case and re-interviewed everyone available. They took the evidence (both old and new) to a.Grand Jury in 2017 and they unanimously agreed it should go to trial. At the time the accused was just finishing a 5 year sentence in Federal prison (for an unrelated crime). The day of his release he was re-arrested and charged with murder. I’ve been going to pre-trial hearings for the last four and a half years. Over that time the defense has stalled attempts at a trial and submitted numerous motions to dismiss and even to recuse the judge. Then covid happened which actually meant the trial was cancelled. Over the last two years more pre-trials and motions (including a plea deal for him to plead guilty to Manslaughter, which we refused to accept). Eventually the defense dried up and we finally went to trial (not before a last minute (second) motion to dismiss was denied.

Fucking hell, it sounds like it has been a way of life for you as well with all the hearings / lawyers etc.

Will be refreshing being able to do "you" a bit more.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

You've done ever so well @usskyblue - as Nick says, it has been almost a way of life for all of that period.

I'm sure it'll take some time to sink in, but hopefully now you can move forward in a positive way.

Best of luck!

 

[usskyblue]

Fucking hell, it sounds like it has been a way of life for you as well with all the hearings / lawyers etc.

Will be refreshing being able to do "you" a bit more.

I know I’m relieved and a huge weight has been lifted. I’m still feeling the inertia at the moment. I’ve tried hard to be strong for so long and all this week. To be someone the family could look to for positivity and strength. Yesterday was particularly tough as the jury went to deliberate. I had to find ways to leave the family that made the trip for the trial and find space to unravel before composing myself and returning.

There’s also a bizarre feeling that, although I hated that town, hated driving there over the years and hated that courthouse and courtroom 3A. There are people I will actually miss. The court bailiff, a big brute of a bloke that said goodbye to me with a tear in his eye.. and even the Judge, who I spoke to once in all those years (but obviously saw every time I went). She was visibly moved at my brothers youngest son’s impact statement after the verdict.

 

[Otis]

I know that some former GMKers and a few SBT members knew about the murder of my brother in the US in 2001. If I knew exactly who you all were I’d PM you but as I don’t I figured I’d post it.

I just wanted to let you all know that after a very difficult trial this week, containing jarring and graphic testimony, pictures and videos.. the accused was found guilty of murder in the first degree last night and sentenced to 25 years in prison with no chance of parole.

While it’s not really a time to ‘celebrate’ it is a huge weight that’s been lifted from our family after 21 years of seeking some kind of closure.

For anyone that knew and offered to help, or just gave their condolences.. thank you.

Oh, so sorry, US. I didn't know anything about it. Such a long time to get any sort of justice.

So sorry, but hope you can find some solace at last..

 

[AOM]

Really sorry to hear what happened mate. Glad you got the right result and hopefully you and your family can have some closure

 

[olderskyblue]

I know that some former GMKers and a few SBT members knew about the murder of my brother in the US in 2001. If I knew exactly who you all were I’d PM you but as I don’t I figured I’d post it.

I just wanted to let you all know that after a very difficult trial this week, containing jarring and graphic testimony, pictures and videos.. the accused was found guilty of murder in the first degree last night and sentenced to 25 years in prison with no chance of parole.

While it’s not really a time to ‘celebrate’ it is a huge weight that’s been lifted from our family after 21 years of seeking some kind of closure.

For anyone that knew and offered to help, or just gave their condolences.. thank you.

Im another who didn’t know

A long road of pain, but the right result in the end. Hopefully you can grieve without that hanging over you now.

 

[covcity4life]

Had no idea mate such a shame it took so long but amazing strength shown by you and your family.

Hope you all can move on and find peace now till you meet your brother again

 

[stupot07]

I was on GMK but must have missed that, I had no idea what you've been going through.

Like you said, I'm not sure how you're supposed to feel but at least now justice has been served, you have some answers and the man responsible is being punished for what he was done.

At least the weight has been lifted and you and the family can have some sort of closure.

I'm really sorry to hear what you've been going through.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[chiefdave]

Fucking hell, I can't even imagine living with something like that hanging over you. Hopefully now you can move on and get some closure (hate that word but you know what I mean).

 

[RegTheDonk]

Had no idea mate, sounds horrendus. Not just the obvious of losing your brother in such a way, but the years of uncertainty and mucking around of the justice system (sounds a lot worse than ours). Must have been quite numbing for all your family. As you say, at least you can now draw some line under it, knowing that the bloke is finally paying for his crime. Doesn't bring him back, but he can probably rest a bit easier.

 

[CJ_covblaze]

I didn’t know this had happened. It’s awful that you and your family have had to go through it all for so long. As others have said hopefully you can now have some closure. Thoughts are with you USSB

 

[pipkin73]

Don't really know what to say that the others have not already said.
Bought a tear to my eye when I read that. Just glad that all the legal stuff is over for you and your family now and you can sort of draw a line under it and get some form of closure. Hope he rots in jail.

 

[Covkid1968#]

Awful…. For the family to be dragged through that and for so long. Hope this brings as much closure as it can for something like this. And hopefully your brother can finally RIP knowing justice was served.