Those of you who know me will not be suprised to learn I sent Joe Deter’s office a letter today. I needed to get the words swimming in my head out. I needed to give Esme’s mother a voice. I needed to let someone know how ticked off I really am.
Let me publicily say I like Joe Deters. I met him years ago when he spoke at a Chamber of Commerce event in Middletown and I feel he is a class act. He’s not judge and jury, he doesn’t have all the answers, he is human. I had read over and over the last few days Joe Deters should have done this or should have done this, when as a society are we going to quit armchair quarterbacking and get involved? I am working on a letter to Ted Strickland, I’ll be sending him an email tonight and I encourage anyone reading my blog who doesn’t want another Esme to leave this world way too soon to get to writing.
3/10/2009
Ms. Chasteen,
Thank you for your email. There are no good answers to your questions. There are evil people in this world who do evil things. The only solution is to lock these people up and keep them off the streets for as long as possible. As you know, there is a shortage of jail (local) and prison (state) space in Ohio. Mr. Deters spearheaded a drive for a new jail in 2006, but received little help from city leaders. The levy failed, as did a subsequent levy, by an even wider margin. The result is that it is difficult to use incarceration as a deterrent or a punishment.
The blog entry you refer to in your email is ill-informed. Not every murder is death eligible. In Kirkland’s 1987 case, he strangled his girlfriend during an argument. That is not a death penalty case. He was appropriately convicted of voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 7 to 25 years incarceration. That was the maximum sentence.
Secondly, Mr. Deters was not the prosecutor in 1987. In 1997, when Kirkland came up for parole, Mr. Deters did oppose his release and he was, in fact, not released. Mr. Deters was not the prosecutor in 2003 when Kirkland was granted parole after having served 16 years.
Third, since Kirkland’s release he has gone to trial on all of his felony indictments. He was acquitted once, and convicted in bench trials twice. The judges impose sentences, not the prosecutor. None of these convictions gave the judges the power to “eliminate Kirkland from existence” as the anonymous blogger demands.
A civilized society does in fact have problems dealing with evil people. More jail and prison space would help. The Governor of Ohio is now pushing to further reduce Ohio’s already weak sentencing provisions. What impact do you think this will have on people like Mr. Kirkland?
Sincerely,
William E. Breyer
Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office Bill.Breyer@hcpros.org
This post has the potential to get ugly, I was struggling with my feelings all day yesterday and then I read Lori’s blog this morning and knew I had to get these thoughts out of my head so I can have a decent day.
I drove around yesterday and listened to Joyce Meyer because I just couldn’t handle the news. I couldn’t get my head &/or heart around the death of a sweet, innocent, talented little girl that by all accounts loved life and lived it fully. She went out for a jog for goodness sakes.
Relatives said Esme was a talented musician who played guitar and pursued with a passion anything that interested her. They said she wanted to learn as much as she could about the world around her.
“Esme had an enthusiasm for everything she did in life,” her brother, Brian, said. “Her personality was giving, kind and open-hearted. Her enthusiasm was infectious.”
As friends and family mourned Esme’s loss, some also expressed anger and frustration over Kirkland’s suspected involvement.
“Parents are outraged,” Leuna Kelly, of Northside, said as she picked up her child and friends Monday at SCPA. “His criminal record is unbelievable. He was building up to this. He took a light and put it out.”
Esme’s cousin, Brad Kenney, said the family would not comment on the investigation, but he said the tragedy is another reminder that the justice system needs to do a better job identifying the criminals who can be rehabilitated and those who cannot.
“There are some criminals that are absolutely beyond rehabilitation and need to be kept permanently locked up,” he said.
Yesterday I found myself obsessing on the monster who killed her. I found myself angry (I was angry enough that I sent an email blasting the lawmakers in Hamilton County, I’ll probably get a speeding ticket today), scared for my child, disgusted that this monster was out walking the streets, confused how a repeat offender can be kicked out of a halfway house but not arrested. Who is looking out for the children of this country? Seriously enough is enough.
Police knew that Anthony Kirkland was dangerous long before they found him sleeping Saturday night in the woods of Winton Hills near the body of Esme Kenney. Rest of story here.
The above is the facts. Anthony Kirkland was dangerous, he was a monster.
I’m disgusted today, but more then anything I’m sad. I want to hug Esme’s mother. I want to picket the courthouse and let lawmakers know enough is enough. I hate the thought that my friend Gina may have to sit in a courthouse and hear what this monster did, she may have to see the crime scene photos, why? Anthony Kirkland belonged in jail.
I hope my friend Nancy Grace hears about this case. I hope someone out there looks out for Esme and all the Esme’s yet to come.
I’m going to be listening to a lot of Joyce today. I listened to her on You Tube today while I got ready and I found the clip below. I’m slamming the door on Satan today.
How do I do a post about jail? I thought of lots of angles I could take with this post and I’ve decided to just admit I’m addicted to Fox News and “crime stories”. Yes, I said addicted.
I decided to ask Mr. Wonderful what news stories I have obsessed over, to which he replied, “Are you seriously asking me that?” Oh he is so funny!
It started with Laci Peterson, ok it really didn’t start with Laci but it got out of hand with Laci. I wanted to go to CA and meet Sharon Rocha, I have even sent Sharon cards in the past. I wanted to smack Scott Peterson in the face and kick him in body parts that I can’t mention on my G rated blog. I even got in trouble for this obsession on a yahoo board I belonged to. (Jill quit rolling your eyes, you were guilty!) I read For Laci, and loved it. I read Amber Frey’s book, Witness. I read Blood Brother, hats off to the sister. I’m thankful we have jails for monsters who kill their wives and unborn child.
Since I have post on this blog about Casey Anthony that have over 1,000 comments I wouldn’t want to leave The Mother of the Year off my “jail list”. In case anyone doubts my feelings I hope that cold blooded murderer rots in jails. I DO NOT want her to get the death penalty, I want her to be in jail where women will remind her daily she is a baby killer. I want her to get mail (I wrote her) reminding her that other people are living their lives, celebrating holidays, loving their children, drinking good wine, going to work, taking vacations and she is rotting away in a nasty, cold, dirty, hopefully rat infested prison. I hope she sees that sweet little girls face when she closes her eyes at bedtime every night. More importantly I hope all of this happens until her heart is broken and she begs God for forgiveness. Yes, I want her to be forgiven.
I’m sure I’ve missed some and I’m sure there are more to come.
I also love reading the blog A Dusty Frame, I’m amazed at Lizzie’s heart and how loving she is of her husband. I’d be so ticked off, and I respect her and how God continues to show through regardless of how hurt and discouraged I’m sure she gets at times.
I’m not sure how I feel about jail for “petty crimes” and “white collar” crimes. I think we have so many “jobs” that could be done by these folks who screwed up. Does putting them in jail really solve the problem? There is a lot of trash that needs to picked up on the side of the road, snow that needs to be shoveled, kids that need to be “shown” what crime does to people (especially where drugs and alcohol are concerned). What do you think about jail?
The text message read, “They found the little girl in Florida.” I couldn’t believe it. As I was celebrating Christmas with the residents at work, my heart felt so heavy. I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that she was dead, but this meant it was real. Caylee Marie was dead and her mother had dumped her in a garbage bag. What has this world come to?
I will update tomorrow with some Christmas funnies, some journal pages and hopefully some Gingerbread masterpieces, but today is about Caylee.
RIP you sweet little angel. I am praying for your grandparents tonight, I can’t imagine their heartache.
Well I admit it, for the first time ever I voted for the loser. I’ve been surprised a few times over the last few days when people tell me how they voted. The vote just doesn’t match the person in my mind sometimes.
I have been reminded again thru this election how different my kids are. Let’s see Alyssa got up and went with me to vote, she wanted to know what it was like. She ask a lot of questions, especially about those strangers on the presidential side.
Shane well he slept in that day. He didn’t want to vote for either he said. I wonder sometimes what I taught this kid. I feel like I failed in a lot of areas with Shane and I add this to the list…ha!
Then there is Lena, she drove 30 miles before she went to work because she had to vote. She was excited about Obama and I’m glad for that. I remember that feeling when I voted for GWB. I just knew he was going “to fix” this messed up country. Well we all know how that turned out and I sure hope this turns out better for all concerned. I am proud that Lena went against all of us and voted for who she believed in.
Watching T.V. tonight I heard the race being discussed on T.V. and here is what I heard-
If we removed all the votes for people under 30 Obama would still be president.
Multiple reporters talking about how much money Sarah spent on clothes, are you kidding me?
Bowling alley being removed, basketball court being added.
Discussion after discussion about Michelle’s dress for the big night.
Sarah was a diva.
The first family is getting a dog, the Kennedys had lots of animals.
Oprah hopes Obama’s email address doesn’t change.
I wonder why women of this country aren’t throwing a fit about the sexism that still exist today. I am as bothered today by Oprah’s behavior as I was a few months ago, Oprah who makes millions off of women viewers continues to rah rah having a black man as a president, what about the women that were involved in this race? Oprah who used her stardom to influence the race, ok nevermind I’m getting off of the topic of Oprah because I’m getting nasty.
I’ll say on my blog today and I hope I’m wrong, CHANGE might happen. I’m just not sure it’s the CHANGE we were all promised. If in four years we all have great health insurance, the men and women are home safely from Iraq, taxes are lowered, gas is less then $2.00 a gallon and some idiot hasn’t tried to kill Obama I will eat crow, but I just don’t think it will happen.
I think of Obama as more then a president, I think of him as a person, a father, a husband, a friend, and I just hope this crazy world we live in is ready for this man to be in office. I see how much he loves his wife and children and I’m sure he has great intentions, but I just don’t know how much he can get accomplished when the entire system is a train wreck.
Jesse Grund who by all accounts has been a good friend to Casey and a role model to Caylee has now been thrown into this three ring circus. At another site I frequent it has been said Jesse thought he was Caylee’s father until a paternity test showed 0% of this being true. It’s being reported that he was fired from his job as a police officer due to Psych Issues. You can view the video here. I have to wonder if that was told by Ms. Party Girl herself who is presneting as less then sane herself. The firing of an officer would not be public information. I have to wonder if this is another example of good guys finishing last.
Has anyone heard cough cough The Mother of the Year ask anyone if they have found her daughter? How about any concern for anyone but herself.
I have said all along the brother Lee is the only one with any compassion for Caylee. What is he up to?
As we all shake our heads at Casey and what a horrible mother she is. Let’s thank God for moms who love and protect their childre. Let’s lift this mom up in our prayers.
Talking to people at work today I was amazed people don’t know about this little girl. I’m consumed so I want everyone consumed I guess.
I have had over 10,000 hits on my blog about this story so I thought I would try to answer some of the questions that have been left in my comment section.
I would like to do a survey-how many believe Caylee is still alive. I don’t…I hope but in my heart I think she is gone. Leave a comment do you believe she is alive or not.
I only have ONE question, why does the authorities not have a copy of the Cindy Anthony’s My Space blog????
I am sure they have access to this, Cindy has deleted it from her My Space. In my opinion the Anthony’s have been pretending for so long that in Cindy’s mind if it’s not on her My Space no one can find it. WRONG!
I just read that on 6-24-08, George Anthony filed a police report stating that someone had broken into the shed and stole the two gas cans that were filled with gas. That seems strange to me, someone randomly knows to steal gas from a shed…..how did they know there were full gas cans in there?! Sounds like broke Casey needed alot of gas for the car that was found out of gas! What did she do with the gas if it was her (who else would it be?!!)
My theory is she wanted gas for a trip, but didn’t want cameras to see her at gas stations.
If she was dating this guy why wouldn’t she have his number?
I defend her on this, I use a cell phone 90% of the time. I don’t know numbers like I use to because they are programmed in my phone.
Could it be an accidental killing?
I believe it was an accident, and she isn’t willing to admit it even to herself. This is where I have a little sympathy for her. Caylee is most likely gone and I think this “sick” girl really did love this little girl and she can’t come to terms with what she has done. If she denies it then it isn’t true in her mind. I hope I’m wrong, I’ve decided if I’m wrong I’m going to be thrilled “eating crow”.
I have questions about the bio-father too. They say he was killed in an automobile accident. Yet, he has family that should be speaking out for Caylee on his behalf. Where are the paternal grandparents?
My gut tells me Casey was dating Jesse cheated on him with “some guy” at a bar and doesn’t know who he is. One night stand kind of thing.
The new header on my blog is a picture taken by Alyssa. I still remember the day just a few months ago when Alyssa ran in the house and said, “Mom, I need your camera you won’t believe how beautiful the sunset is.” I have this pic framed in my office with a few I took as the sun continued to set. These pictures are in my office to remind me of what really matters. My daughter, her childhood, and our relationship. What makes mothers forget this simple fact?
I am sad. I was thinking today of all the women that would give anything to have this beautiful little girl in their home, and instead she had this “thing” for a mother and the other “thing” for a grandmother. I don’t know how much longer I can watch this.
Lee Anthony says to Casey (Thing 1) today, “Remember the truth don’t hurt.” I think it’s 20 years to late to try to teach this “thing” about the truth.
Cindy Anthony (Thing 2) on Greta tonight just made a complete idiot out of herself.
Edited-this post gets so many views I just wanted to ask for prayers for this little baby and his mama who loves him and would protect him at all cost…
“Not a bit of useful information has been provided by Ms. Anthony as to the whereabouts of her daughter, and I would add that the truth and Ms. Anthony are strangers.” ~Judge Stan Strickland~
Lies:
LIE: According to the Orange County Sheriffs charging affidavit, friends of Casey Anthony said in a sworn statement she is a habitual liar who once stole $700 and checks from a friend. They state she told them on different occasions that Caylee was with a nanny.
LIE: In early June, Casey Anthony told her mother she was being sent to Tampa for work and would be back in a few days.
LIE: Later, Casey said she was going on a “mini-vacation” with friends (friend = Jeff Hopkins?) and taking Caylee with her.
LIE: Casey also told a former boyfriend (Jessie Grund?) on June 25 that she would be free to get together because her daughter was “with the nanny and that they had gone to the beach for the weekend.” A friend of the mother contacted authorities and told them he spent the weekend with Casey Anthony in late June, and at that time, according to the friend and the arrest report, the child was with a nanny.
LIE: Casey’s mother said she had been asking to speak with her granddaughter but that Casey made excuses that she could not talk to Caylee because “she’s with someone else or she’s swimming or napping.”
LIE: Casey’s parents became concerned after they received notice that her car was towed from a check-cashing business where it had been parked for days and it was no where near where she told her parents she was staying.
LIE: According to Casey, she had dropped Caylee off at her babysitter’s July 9th between 9:00 and 1:00 —- but was not reported missing until five weeks later when her grandmother reported the information to police.
LIE: Casey said she was doing her own investigation into her daughter’s disappearance over the past five weeks instead of calling 911. Casey said that she saw movies and reports that if people in similar situations went to police, they had gotten hurt. Casey also she did not report her daughter missing because she wanted to find the child herself to spare her parents the sadness of their grandchild being missing. Two of Anthony’s boyfriends told detectives she never acted upset or mentioned her daughter’s disappearance.
LIE: Casey Anthony says Caylee’s baby-sitter was Zenaida Gonzalez, at the Sawgrass Apartments off Conway Road. A woman named Zanie Gonzalez never even lived here. (In addition, the apartment Casey pointed out to detectives proved to have been vacant for 5 months since Feb 29)
LIE: Casey said that — while doing her “own” investigation — she also went to clubs that the baby sitter, a woman she identified as Zenaida Gonzalez, is known to frequent.
LIE: Caylee’s baby-sitter, Zenaida Gonzalez, had been a family friend for four years and cared for Caylee for 18 months. Contacted by detectives, a woman named Zenaida Gonzalez told them she never met Anthony or her missing child. She did not recognize the mother or daughter from pictures.
LIE: Casey also directed deputies to a complex on North Hillside Drive, which turned out to be a senior facility.
LIE: Casey said Zanie’s mother lived in The Crossings at Conway. After knocking on several doors, no one knew of Zanie or her mom.
LIE: Casey had told her parents she worked as an event planner at an area theme park. Investigators say Anthony was unemployed
LIE: Casey said both she and the alleged babysitter Zanie worked at Universal Studios, and that Casey’a job there was the reason she needed a babysitter. But after entering a building and pretending she knew where she was going,she admitted she wasn’t an employee there. (She was fired from there in 2006.)
LIE: Casey claimed she had been so concerned that she told two co-workers at Universal Studios her child had disappeared. Neither person she named works at Universal.
I copied the above lies from a website I have been reading about this crazy case.
I have a 21 year old daughter and I’m here to tell you that I would love her regardless of what she did, but I would have beat the information about my grandchild out of her. I am afraid this little girl is dead, I pray not, but I fear it’s true.
I have thought that the whole world must know about this little girl, but today two different people called me and asked me about this case after seeing it on my blog.
I continue to pray for this family, I think there is a lot of history and secrets. We found out in my family this year that keeping secrets can have an awful outcome, I hope this family realizes this and starts telling the truth. I think the best chance of that is with the grandpa or the uncle. The mother and daughter..well..apple..tree..
