.
.
For two days this week, in District Judge Tom Gillert's court, they asked potential jurors question after question. This went on until both First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond and Chief Public Defender Pete Silva were satisfied that they’d seated twelve (plus the alternates) who could reach a just verdict without any prejudicial preconceived thoughts of the events they’d read or heard interfering. Wednesday when the trial began DA Drummond, in his OS, led them on a worded picturesque road of the events of that fateful morning Lori Moon Kastner lost her life.
Mr. Silva, of course, spoke of how of how John R. Kastner loved Lori. Mr. Silva apparently is arguing that the murder wasn’t at the devilish hands of his client but an intruder who came into the Kastner home, killed Lori, wounded John Kastner and stole a bag containing $5,000.00. (I truly wish him luck showing how the evidence fits that scenario.) Mr. Silva’s statement that some people are just numb and do not react is a truth but I ask, what was Mr. Kastner numb over? He purchased a gun, showed it to his adopted daughter and lied about why. Tests fired it and made sure she knew of that also.
Prosecutor Drummond is peeling away Mr. Kastner’s alleged plot one layer at a time. Law enforcement Officers David Moore, Mark Shelton, Detective Jeff Felton and Detective Kyle Ohrynowicz all have taken took the stand to tell the jurors what they saw and were told on that fateful morning of June 25, 2008. They testified how the scene was bloody and the family pet was on a pillow beside Lori’s head licking the blood from the bed. They spoke of how if an intruder entered the home he did not do so by forcible entry. They spoke as to how Mr. Kastner was lucid when they spoke with him. Kastner’s children spoke of how they were asleep when the murder happened and how their father told them he was an Israeli commando in the past. Mr. Silva’s statement that sometimes people are just numb and do not react is a truth but I ask, what was Mr. Kastner numb over? He purchased a gun, showed it to his adopted daughter and lied about why. Tests fired it and made sure she knew of that also.
( I personally am not surprised he expressed himself clearly that morning. He wanted to stress the intruder shooting him and Lori. He wanted to be a hero because he bravely fought a man with a gun. A man, in his story, who was asking about his adopted daughter’s whereabouts. I would've been yelling at the top of my lungs that police needed to go find the person who shot my spouse and myself. And also demand they go check on my daughter’s safety since the intruder was inquiring about her as he waved a gun at me.)
Although it may be a rather ominous forecast in Mr. Kastner’s defense and hopes of freedom, DA Drummond is using Kastner’s own words against in the trial. I think it’s significant that he is doing so. Mr. Kastner had written in his own words of how there was no next week. DA Drummond spoke of how Kastner wrote in his journal of how he puts things off and hoped things would cure themself. And how time does not slow or go backward.
DA Drummond has not only advised the jurors of Mr. Kastner’s lies to his friends, family and coworkers he had the foresight to have a man named Thomas Rowan of the Israeli consulate in Chicago testify that records do not show John Robert Kastner was an Israeli citizen nor that he was ever in their military.
( I wonder if J. R. Kastner could ‘go backward’ now if he’d still kill Lori or tell his students, coworkers and friends the Israeli commando story and that the ‘713 Corporation’ was nothing more that his fantasy, an entanglement of lies.)
Mr. Kastner lied to the police about the events that happened in the predawn hours before Lori was shot back on June 25, 2008. He lied about the race of the alleged intruder, and he lied about where he was in the home when that ‘intruder’ entered the home. He lied that the alleged intruder was searching for his adopted daughter. He lied to his adopted daughter about reasons on June 17, 2008 that he’d purchased a .22 caliber gun. And he lied as to why he tests fired the gun a couple days before the murder. He lied about the corporation he’d inherited from his father, and about the donations he was to make to the school. He lied about many things when he brought his fantasy world to life. And those lies came back to haunt him, and they are his demise. If indeed the jury decides he is the one who shot and killed Lori, he deserves all the sentencing punishment the Judge issues to him. Lying to family and friends is nothing more than a moral wrong. Lying to police to cover ones behind in a murder investigation is a legal crime. Police can lie to you but if you lie to them about facts involved in a crime, it hinders the investigation and, rightfully so, you pay the price.
I surmise that Mr. Kastner is still lying and wants to entangle jurors in his web, have them believe the lies just as he caught his friends, coworkers and family with his previous web. I think he has some serious mental issues with truth telling but he is not legally insane. (Although he isn’t contending that he is insane.)
One thing I am thankful for is that I have not read or heard any evidence coming forth that Lori fought for her life. So, she really was asleep as Mr. Kastner reportedly stated when she was twice shot. I am thankful she was unaware her husband ( I do still believe, due to all I have read and heard, that he killed her) and not an unknown intruder killed her. I am thankful their children were medicated and slept through the shooting. Lori by all I have read and heard was a beautiful soul and her children and family lost someone special. The Oklahoma Supreme Court Judges lost a good person too.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Death of Diane Ward
.
.
.
Last September I wrote of the death of Diane Ward, the wife of millionaire James Robert ‘Bob’ Ward of Isleworth, Orlando Florida. Diane Ward died of a facial gunshot wound beneath the eye. http://www.wftv.com/video/21765840/index.html All I could do is shake my head and pray for justice to prevail.
In the 911 call, of September 21, 2009, Bob Ward was said to have stated, ‘I shot my wife . . . she's dead .. She's on the floor of the master bedroom." When police arrived, they discovered Ward standing outside talking on his phone, he advised them Diane was in the master bedroom and the gun was on the bedside table. No other persons were at the home. They discovered broken glass and red stains on the patio and noticed red stains splattered on the back of Ward’s shirt. Upstairs near the north wall of the master bedroom, lying on her right side, was the dead body Diane Ward with a pool of blood around her head. The gun was found in a drawer of a bedside table.
Interestingly, (after they took him to the SO for an interview) when asked about the stains on back of his shirt, Bob asked if they were blood or wine. He also asked to speak to his attorney and that the number was in his cell phone. The lawyer Bob called was Liz Greene. (She’s not a criminal attorney but his bankruptcy attorney.) Bob also said he called his brother-in-law, Glenn Saare.
Since his arrest http://www.wesh.com/download/2009/0922/21061766.pdf Bob has laughed and showed off his jail uniform to his daughter and sister-in-law, made calls to his family to discuss family situations (monies) but never stated he missed his wife, shown he was grieving for her, or shown any remorse for what happened that fateful night. Mr. Ward is now out on $100,000. bond. (I don’t understand such a low bond. Perhaps it’s due to the second-degree murder charge and not first-degree. I think it should be first degree. ) During this past year Diane’s grown children, I personally believe, hasn’t shown any grief for the loss of their mother. (Again my beliefs are due to what I’ve read and the jail house phone calls and taped visits. Listen to the ones listed below - discussions about monies and properties ) I’ve wondered many times, did they truly love her at all? Or do they love the money and material things’ Dad can give them more? Where have the tears for mom been? Where has Diane’s sister’s grief been? She has not publicly shown any sorrow for her sister’s death either that I have seen. Did she love her sister? Does she want justice for Diane? Surely she can’t believe her sister’s death was truly accidental during attempted suicide; Diane’s DNA was found on Bob’s pants and shoes. His DNA was prominent on the gun grip and trigger, not Diane’s DNA. The entry wound location was not where it’d be easy for her to shoot herself. (ME testimony video listed below) Her alcohol level was over the legal limit. These things, to me, speak volumes of Diane being forgotten in that family and of Bob being the aggressor in the shooting that caused her death.
Mr. Ward and his wife Diane with their two daughters lived in a mansion ( since sold at an auction) in the exclusive Isleworth area which was home to such noteworthy and media known people as Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer. The home and Mr. Ward’s personal finances while his business, Land Resource LLC’s move to Florida from GA and went bankrupt, was a point of contention in an investigation and the federal-court suit of the now defunct company. http://www.ajc.com/ajccars/content/printedition/2008/11/15/cumberland.html Glenn Saare has been fired from the board of directors of Cumberland Harbour, as have all the members hired by Bob, and a new board has taken over. The bond companies contend that Mr. Ward continued to pour monies into luxury cars, trust funds for his children, and paying off personal debts. Mr. Ward and his lawyer claimed the housing crunch and credit card freeze for the company’s failure.
The reason I mention the failure of an alleged booming business is that Diane Elizabeth Ward was allegedly soon due to give a deposition.
What I personally believe happened that fateful night is that Bob and Diane had a heated argument while on the patio. (Perhaps over the bankruptcy investigations?) Diane had too much to drink; (the ME report proves that as fact) she threw her drink at Bob while his back was turned (hence, the red stains on the ‘back’ of his shirt) and he became enraged. (Bob has an alleged history of violence against women) Bob followed Diane upstairs and a physical fight ensued. He took the gun, from her (after she grabbed it for protection) from the night stand or he retrieved it himself. (Which is what I believe, due to his alleged violent past against women) Diane couldn’t appropriately defend herself in her inebriated state but tried to fight him and he shot her?
Bob’s trial is set for Valentine’s Day of 2011. I think that date rather ironic.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/75cb6858-1dcb-4f10-bbac-70fbe9484429/News/Dr-Garavaglia-Dr-G-shares-her-ezpertise-on-how-Diane-Ward-was-shot
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/26346238-7e70-461b-b617-2e901ee22be7/News/Robert-James-Ward-s-videotaped-jail-visit-with-his-daughter-and-sister-in-law
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/efa6990d-826c-4c8e-bcc0-6119f0396789/News/Mallory-Ward-amuses-father-during-jail-visit
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/45779c7b-88e7-4199-9727-684635d225de/News/2nd-video-Ward-s-videotaped-jail-visit-with-his-daughter-and-sister-in-law
http://tigresspenssurmisals.blogspot.com/2009/09/current-events-bobs-life-and-death-of.html
.
.
Last September I wrote of the death of Diane Ward, the wife of millionaire James Robert ‘Bob’ Ward of Isleworth, Orlando Florida. Diane Ward died of a facial gunshot wound beneath the eye. http://www.wftv.com/video/21765840/index.html All I could do is shake my head and pray for justice to prevail.
In the 911 call, of September 21, 2009, Bob Ward was said to have stated, ‘I shot my wife . . . she's dead .. She's on the floor of the master bedroom." When police arrived, they discovered Ward standing outside talking on his phone, he advised them Diane was in the master bedroom and the gun was on the bedside table. No other persons were at the home. They discovered broken glass and red stains on the patio and noticed red stains splattered on the back of Ward’s shirt. Upstairs near the north wall of the master bedroom, lying on her right side, was the dead body Diane Ward with a pool of blood around her head. The gun was found in a drawer of a bedside table.
Interestingly, (after they took him to the SO for an interview) when asked about the stains on back of his shirt, Bob asked if they were blood or wine. He also asked to speak to his attorney and that the number was in his cell phone. The lawyer Bob called was Liz Greene. (She’s not a criminal attorney but his bankruptcy attorney.) Bob also said he called his brother-in-law, Glenn Saare.
Since his arrest http://www.wesh.com/download/2009/0922/21061766.pdf Bob has laughed and showed off his jail uniform to his daughter and sister-in-law, made calls to his family to discuss family situations (monies) but never stated he missed his wife, shown he was grieving for her, or shown any remorse for what happened that fateful night. Mr. Ward is now out on $100,000. bond. (I don’t understand such a low bond. Perhaps it’s due to the second-degree murder charge and not first-degree. I think it should be first degree. ) During this past year Diane’s grown children, I personally believe, hasn’t shown any grief for the loss of their mother. (Again my beliefs are due to what I’ve read and the jail house phone calls and taped visits. Listen to the ones listed below - discussions about monies and properties ) I’ve wondered many times, did they truly love her at all? Or do they love the money and material things’ Dad can give them more? Where have the tears for mom been? Where has Diane’s sister’s grief been? She has not publicly shown any sorrow for her sister’s death either that I have seen. Did she love her sister? Does she want justice for Diane? Surely she can’t believe her sister’s death was truly accidental during attempted suicide; Diane’s DNA was found on Bob’s pants and shoes. His DNA was prominent on the gun grip and trigger, not Diane’s DNA. The entry wound location was not where it’d be easy for her to shoot herself. (ME testimony video listed below) Her alcohol level was over the legal limit. These things, to me, speak volumes of Diane being forgotten in that family and of Bob being the aggressor in the shooting that caused her death.
Mr. Ward and his wife Diane with their two daughters lived in a mansion ( since sold at an auction) in the exclusive Isleworth area which was home to such noteworthy and media known people as Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer. The home and Mr. Ward’s personal finances while his business, Land Resource LLC’s move to Florida from GA and went bankrupt, was a point of contention in an investigation and the federal-court suit of the now defunct company. http://www.ajc.com/ajccars/content/printedition/2008/11/15/cumberland.html Glenn Saare has been fired from the board of directors of Cumberland Harbour, as have all the members hired by Bob, and a new board has taken over. The bond companies contend that Mr. Ward continued to pour monies into luxury cars, trust funds for his children, and paying off personal debts. Mr. Ward and his lawyer claimed the housing crunch and credit card freeze for the company’s failure.
The reason I mention the failure of an alleged booming business is that Diane Elizabeth Ward was allegedly soon due to give a deposition.
What I personally believe happened that fateful night is that Bob and Diane had a heated argument while on the patio. (Perhaps over the bankruptcy investigations?) Diane had too much to drink; (the ME report proves that as fact) she threw her drink at Bob while his back was turned (hence, the red stains on the ‘back’ of his shirt) and he became enraged. (Bob has an alleged history of violence against women) Bob followed Diane upstairs and a physical fight ensued. He took the gun, from her (after she grabbed it for protection) from the night stand or he retrieved it himself. (Which is what I believe, due to his alleged violent past against women) Diane couldn’t appropriately defend herself in her inebriated state but tried to fight him and he shot her?
Bob’s trial is set for Valentine’s Day of 2011. I think that date rather ironic.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/75cb6858-1dcb-4f10-bbac-70fbe9484429/News/Dr-Garavaglia-Dr-G-shares-her-ezpertise-on-how-Diane-Ward-was-shot
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/26346238-7e70-461b-b617-2e901ee22be7/News/Robert-James-Ward-s-videotaped-jail-visit-with-his-daughter-and-sister-in-law
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/efa6990d-826c-4c8e-bcc0-6119f0396789/News/Mallory-Ward-amuses-father-during-jail-visit
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/45779c7b-88e7-4199-9727-684635d225de/News/2nd-video-Ward-s-videotaped-jail-visit-with-his-daughter-and-sister-in-law
http://tigresspenssurmisals.blogspot.com/2009/09/current-events-bobs-life-and-death-of.html
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Danielle T. Brown May Have Justice After All
.
.
Back on Feb 5 of 2010 Danielle Brown left her home on Springhill Road around 8:30 p.m. and that was, allegedly, the last known time anyone, other than her passenger, has seen her. Danielle’s passenger was Elijah James, III and she was headed to take him to his mother’s house on King’s Post Way. We know she was still with Elijah later the same night because around 11:35 p.m. she spoke with a friend on her cell phone and told the friend that she was going to Apalachee Parkway to meet a friend after she took Elijah to his mother’s house. According to reports Elijah and Danielle were in a heated argument during that call and Danielle’s phone went dead. Subsequent calls were unanswered.
The police discovered several items belonging to Danielle on the grounds of his mother’s house so can assume Elijah James was there that Friday night or early Saturday morning. Whether Danielle was with Elijah at the time the items came to be there is unknown. What we know is that Mr. James was seen in possession of Danielle’s Buick in Wacissa and Waukeenah of Jefferson Co. between 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. on February 6. Also around 5:30 a.m. that Saturday morning Elijah and another man were at a Circle K store and Elijah was driving Danielle’s car. She wasn’t seen by anyone and wasn’t seen on the security camera video inside the car or store. The men purchased a case of beer. (I so want to say something caustic here, but will refrain) Elijah also made a trip to his sister’s home the morning of Feb 6 around 8:45 a.m. and allegedly stayed there until 11:30 p.m.. He allegedly slept. (I guess his alleged actions of Feb 5 and the wee morning hours of Feb 6 was very tiring for him.)
On Feb 7, the day Danielle’s family reported her missing, Elijah spent several hours at another sister’s home in Pavo, GA. The second sister’s home, according to LE records, is the address on police files in reference to his criminal background. Also of importance is that Elijah was seen on Feb 7, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Monticello, and was later seen walking away from the city dump in Pavo, Thomas County, GA where Danielle’s car was discovered burned. They arrested Elijah for auto theft and later Thomas County GA police charged him with torching her car. He sits in the jail there awaiting the trial scheduled for September 27, 2010.
Leon County, Florida police and Sheriff Larry Campbell were determined in their efforts to find Danielle, and, with the help of other police departments, searched for her in Florida and Georgia for several weeks. However, sadly she wasn’t found. They later changed their investigative efforts from a search for a missing person to a homicide investigation. During the investigations her cell phone was found on the side of a road, as was two pieces of her driver’s license.
The good thing is due to the Leon County Florida police department, and Sheriff Larry Campbell plus the DA’s office dogged determination with their evidence gathering a grand jury was convened this month. The grand jury heard all the relevant evidence and testimony from numerous witnesses and brought back a true bill.
They charged Elijah James with robbery and first degree murder of Danielle T. Brown.
I am so thankful to Leon County Florida police, Thomas County, GA police and all the other police departments that assisted in the searches and investigation of Danielle’s case. Due to all their incredible efforts justice may happen for her.
To read more on Danielle’s case check out my other post and the files below.
http://tigresspenssurmisals.blogspot.com/2010/03/disappearance-of-danielle-t-brown.html
http://www.tallahassee.com/assets/pdf/CD151827212.PDF
http://www.leoncountyso.com/news.asp
.
Back on Feb 5 of 2010 Danielle Brown left her home on Springhill Road around 8:30 p.m. and that was, allegedly, the last known time anyone, other than her passenger, has seen her. Danielle’s passenger was Elijah James, III and she was headed to take him to his mother’s house on King’s Post Way. We know she was still with Elijah later the same night because around 11:35 p.m. she spoke with a friend on her cell phone and told the friend that she was going to Apalachee Parkway to meet a friend after she took Elijah to his mother’s house. According to reports Elijah and Danielle were in a heated argument during that call and Danielle’s phone went dead. Subsequent calls were unanswered.
The police discovered several items belonging to Danielle on the grounds of his mother’s house so can assume Elijah James was there that Friday night or early Saturday morning. Whether Danielle was with Elijah at the time the items came to be there is unknown. What we know is that Mr. James was seen in possession of Danielle’s Buick in Wacissa and Waukeenah of Jefferson Co. between 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. on February 6. Also around 5:30 a.m. that Saturday morning Elijah and another man were at a Circle K store and Elijah was driving Danielle’s car. She wasn’t seen by anyone and wasn’t seen on the security camera video inside the car or store. The men purchased a case of beer. (I so want to say something caustic here, but will refrain) Elijah also made a trip to his sister’s home the morning of Feb 6 around 8:45 a.m. and allegedly stayed there until 11:30 p.m.. He allegedly slept. (I guess his alleged actions of Feb 5 and the wee morning hours of Feb 6 was very tiring for him.)
On Feb 7, the day Danielle’s family reported her missing, Elijah spent several hours at another sister’s home in Pavo, GA. The second sister’s home, according to LE records, is the address on police files in reference to his criminal background. Also of importance is that Elijah was seen on Feb 7, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Monticello, and was later seen walking away from the city dump in Pavo, Thomas County, GA where Danielle’s car was discovered burned. They arrested Elijah for auto theft and later Thomas County GA police charged him with torching her car. He sits in the jail there awaiting the trial scheduled for September 27, 2010.
Leon County, Florida police and Sheriff Larry Campbell were determined in their efforts to find Danielle, and, with the help of other police departments, searched for her in Florida and Georgia for several weeks. However, sadly she wasn’t found. They later changed their investigative efforts from a search for a missing person to a homicide investigation. During the investigations her cell phone was found on the side of a road, as was two pieces of her driver’s license.
The good thing is due to the Leon County Florida police department, and Sheriff Larry Campbell plus the DA’s office dogged determination with their evidence gathering a grand jury was convened this month. The grand jury heard all the relevant evidence and testimony from numerous witnesses and brought back a true bill.
They charged Elijah James with robbery and first degree murder of Danielle T. Brown.
I am so thankful to Leon County Florida police, Thomas County, GA police and all the other police departments that assisted in the searches and investigation of Danielle’s case. Due to all their incredible efforts justice may happen for her.
To read more on Danielle’s case check out my other post and the files below.
http://tigresspenssurmisals.blogspot.com/2010/03/disappearance-of-danielle-t-brown.html
http://www.tallahassee.com/assets/pdf/CD151827212.PDF
http://www.leoncountyso.com/news.asp
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Mr. Kastner Is Delaying Justice . . . Again!
.
.
.
Jury selection was set to begin August 16, 2010 but John Robert Kastner is again attempting to delay his trial. Apparently, Kastner’s newest lawyer, Jill Webb of the County’s Public Defender Office, has filed a change of venue motion. Mr. Kastner seems to think he won’t receive a fair trial in Tulsa due to all the media interest in his case. Kastner also claims (if you can believe anything he says) that he never agreed to use an insanity plea or that he is suffering from schizophrenia.
Well, Duh! Guess what Mr. Kastner, had you not allegedly lied numerous times to not only your wife and children, but to your students, the principal and the district officials of the Webster High School, where you were a trusted coach and a teacher, maybe you wouldn’t have gained so much popularity in the media. And, more important, had your story that you had not shot and killed Lori Moon Kastner, an attorney who had worked for the Oklahoma Supreme Court, been found believable via evidence at the crime scene, perhaps the public interest in your alleged part in the murder would’ve waned. Perhaps if you hadn’t allegedly told law enforcement that the person who shot and killed your wife was looking for your 19-year-old adopted daughter and wanting money then this case wouldn’t have gained so much interest.
Heck, you allegedly couldn’t keep your stories straight with how the shooting happened. What we have known is factual throughout this whole ordeal is that Lori was shot twice in the head! And you allegedly told police different stories of how you woke and struggled with the assailant. From the time LE first arrived and spoke with you, and when you were at the hospital just a few hours later, the story allegedly changed. Does that not scream that the public would want to know all the facts of the alleged home invasion? Does it not scream the public would want answers to who killed Lori and shot a well-loved coach and English teacher in the hand?
I think perhaps it isn’t just the negative media attention concerning your alleged lies that bug you but the fact that you were a respected and trusted teacher and coach at the High School that is the problem. You have to know that you’ve likely lost all the accolades of that distinction and possibly now only seen as a con man (due to the alleged non existent 713 Corporation stuff), and an accused killer. I really don’t see the school rehiring you, should you be found not guilty. I do however feel the court can find 12 honest citizens to sit on the jury in your county who is willing to put aside anything they’ve seen or read of your case and impart a fair verdict. I’d even go so far as to say you likely ‘will’ find potential jurors who know nothing about all the publicity surrounding your past and who will also be willing to look at the evidence in a fair and impartial manner.
My personal thoughts, from all I’ve read and heard on this case, are that between the lawyer who allegedly gave that statement about the insanity plea and Mr. Kastner, I go with the lawyer. Considering all the other alleged lies of Mr. Kastner, and they are numerous, I believe, he could easily be lying that he never verbally told the lawyer, John Byrd, he’d agree to plead insanity. We’ll have to wait and see if Mr. Byrd confirms the verbal agreement to know for sure. But like Mr. Kastner’s alleged mountain of lies, and all the changing of attorneys, he changed his mind about that also. And just as he allegedly blamed a supposed acquaintance of his adopted daughter for the shooting of Lori Kastner and home invasion, he is blaming his ex attorney for an alleged plea he doesn’t want to use. And I think, due to all I have read and heard on this case, that he is using that as another ploy for delaying his criminal trial. I ask, why didn’t he file this motion sooner? For instance - back in Jan of this year when the judge agreed to remove Byrd as his attorney and ‘again’ agreed to the public defender’s office assigning one? Why the wait until a few days before jury selection was set to begin?
I have to admit, although I am of full awareness this ‘I didn’t agree to plea insanity’ claim is a serious matter - (it could damage a lawyer’s reputation with the bar association), that an accused liar is calling another person a liar is rather comical. If you look at it from a certain standpoint that is. The idiom - ‘the pot calling the kettle black’ comes to mind.
Yes, Mr. Kastner deserves a fair trial and one that makes sure no one violates his rights; I approve of that. However, justice for Lori is indeed slow.
.
.
Jury selection was set to begin August 16, 2010 but John Robert Kastner is again attempting to delay his trial. Apparently, Kastner’s newest lawyer, Jill Webb of the County’s Public Defender Office, has filed a change of venue motion. Mr. Kastner seems to think he won’t receive a fair trial in Tulsa due to all the media interest in his case. Kastner also claims (if you can believe anything he says) that he never agreed to use an insanity plea or that he is suffering from schizophrenia.
Well, Duh! Guess what Mr. Kastner, had you not allegedly lied numerous times to not only your wife and children, but to your students, the principal and the district officials of the Webster High School, where you were a trusted coach and a teacher, maybe you wouldn’t have gained so much popularity in the media. And, more important, had your story that you had not shot and killed Lori Moon Kastner, an attorney who had worked for the Oklahoma Supreme Court, been found believable via evidence at the crime scene, perhaps the public interest in your alleged part in the murder would’ve waned. Perhaps if you hadn’t allegedly told law enforcement that the person who shot and killed your wife was looking for your 19-year-old adopted daughter and wanting money then this case wouldn’t have gained so much interest.
Heck, you allegedly couldn’t keep your stories straight with how the shooting happened. What we have known is factual throughout this whole ordeal is that Lori was shot twice in the head! And you allegedly told police different stories of how you woke and struggled with the assailant. From the time LE first arrived and spoke with you, and when you were at the hospital just a few hours later, the story allegedly changed. Does that not scream that the public would want to know all the facts of the alleged home invasion? Does it not scream the public would want answers to who killed Lori and shot a well-loved coach and English teacher in the hand?
I think perhaps it isn’t just the negative media attention concerning your alleged lies that bug you but the fact that you were a respected and trusted teacher and coach at the High School that is the problem. You have to know that you’ve likely lost all the accolades of that distinction and possibly now only seen as a con man (due to the alleged non existent 713 Corporation stuff), and an accused killer. I really don’t see the school rehiring you, should you be found not guilty. I do however feel the court can find 12 honest citizens to sit on the jury in your county who is willing to put aside anything they’ve seen or read of your case and impart a fair verdict. I’d even go so far as to say you likely ‘will’ find potential jurors who know nothing about all the publicity surrounding your past and who will also be willing to look at the evidence in a fair and impartial manner.
My personal thoughts, from all I’ve read and heard on this case, are that between the lawyer who allegedly gave that statement about the insanity plea and Mr. Kastner, I go with the lawyer. Considering all the other alleged lies of Mr. Kastner, and they are numerous, I believe, he could easily be lying that he never verbally told the lawyer, John Byrd, he’d agree to plead insanity. We’ll have to wait and see if Mr. Byrd confirms the verbal agreement to know for sure. But like Mr. Kastner’s alleged mountain of lies, and all the changing of attorneys, he changed his mind about that also. And just as he allegedly blamed a supposed acquaintance of his adopted daughter for the shooting of Lori Kastner and home invasion, he is blaming his ex attorney for an alleged plea he doesn’t want to use. And I think, due to all I have read and heard on this case, that he is using that as another ploy for delaying his criminal trial. I ask, why didn’t he file this motion sooner? For instance - back in Jan of this year when the judge agreed to remove Byrd as his attorney and ‘again’ agreed to the public defender’s office assigning one? Why the wait until a few days before jury selection was set to begin?
I have to admit, although I am of full awareness this ‘I didn’t agree to plea insanity’ claim is a serious matter - (it could damage a lawyer’s reputation with the bar association), that an accused liar is calling another person a liar is rather comical. If you look at it from a certain standpoint that is. The idiom - ‘the pot calling the kettle black’ comes to mind.
Yes, Mr. Kastner deserves a fair trial and one that makes sure no one violates his rights; I approve of that. However, justice for Lori is indeed slow.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Death of Amanda Schafer
.
.
Scott Myers spent August 5, 2010 drinking and arguing with Amanda Schafer at the home of her dad in Oviedo, Florida. A friend who had spent time at the home between 11:00 A.M.and 4:00 P.M. allegedly told the police about the arguments.
Amanda’s father had called her around 4:50 P.M. and she advised him Scott had broken a door at the home. A few minutes later Mr. Schafer called Amanda again but Scott answered the phone and he told him that Amanda was in the bathroom cleaning up and couldn’t come to the phone. Mr. Schafer attempted calling his daughter several times after speaking with Scott but no one answered. Mr. Schafer went home. When arriving he found his daughter’s rental car missing and his stiff, unresponsive daughter on her bedroom floor lying in a pool of blood. He called 911and with a distraught and panic stricken voice asked for help, telling the operator that he believed Scott had killed his daughter.
Thanks to his mother, around 9:00 P.M. Scott turned himself in to police in Winter Springs and they transported him to the Oviedo police department. The police noticed Scott had a cut on the inside area of his right hand. Scott allegedly told them Amanda had committed suicide but later, after they told him she couldn’t stab herself numerous times; not in some areas where wounds were located, he allegedly admitted he’d stabbed her. Of course Scott also allegedly blamed the victim to, he is said to have stated that Amanda had assaulted him as he was washing dishes and he lost control and stabbed her with the knife then took her car and left.
They have Scott Allen Myers charged with Amanda’s murder and grand theft auto and he is in Oviedo, jailed without a bond. I look for a self defense plea and blame the victim when this case goes to trial.
According to some friends of Amanda’s the two having arguments was allegedly a common thing and they had encouraged her to get away from him. In one article I read, http://www.cfnews13.com a friend of Amanda’s, Andrew Frederick stated, ‘he had her locked in the head, to the point she couldn’t really do anything.’ Yes, unfortunately, it’s too late for Amanda to make use of ‘Time’s Up: A Guide How to Escape Abusive and Stalking Relationships now. However, it isn’t too late for other victims if this guide were available in police departments, libraries and churches everywhere!
Had 21-year-old Amanda Schafer known of this book perhaps her life could’ve been spared. That couldn’t really do anything feeling is a sad view many domestic violence victims have, but help can be found. This book by Susan Murphy Milano, a well-known advocate for victims of domestic violence, is the help needed. The answer to people’s question 'why didn’t she just leave?' - when they read of domestic violence murders, has an answer in the book. One answer is a common sense one for those who have been through abusive relationships, fear. But Susan Murphy Milano has given fear a new definition, - Facilitate Ending, Abusive, Relationships. This can be accomplished!
http://www.cfnews13.com/static/articles/images/documents/Meyrs_Arrest_Aff..pdf
.
Scott Myers spent August 5, 2010 drinking and arguing with Amanda Schafer at the home of her dad in Oviedo, Florida. A friend who had spent time at the home between 11:00 A.M.and 4:00 P.M. allegedly told the police about the arguments.
Amanda’s father had called her around 4:50 P.M. and she advised him Scott had broken a door at the home. A few minutes later Mr. Schafer called Amanda again but Scott answered the phone and he told him that Amanda was in the bathroom cleaning up and couldn’t come to the phone. Mr. Schafer attempted calling his daughter several times after speaking with Scott but no one answered. Mr. Schafer went home. When arriving he found his daughter’s rental car missing and his stiff, unresponsive daughter on her bedroom floor lying in a pool of blood. He called 911and with a distraught and panic stricken voice asked for help, telling the operator that he believed Scott had killed his daughter.
Thanks to his mother, around 9:00 P.M. Scott turned himself in to police in Winter Springs and they transported him to the Oviedo police department. The police noticed Scott had a cut on the inside area of his right hand. Scott allegedly told them Amanda had committed suicide but later, after they told him she couldn’t stab herself numerous times; not in some areas where wounds were located, he allegedly admitted he’d stabbed her. Of course Scott also allegedly blamed the victim to, he is said to have stated that Amanda had assaulted him as he was washing dishes and he lost control and stabbed her with the knife then took her car and left.
They have Scott Allen Myers charged with Amanda’s murder and grand theft auto and he is in Oviedo, jailed without a bond. I look for a self defense plea and blame the victim when this case goes to trial.
According to some friends of Amanda’s the two having arguments was allegedly a common thing and they had encouraged her to get away from him. In one article I read, http://www.cfnews13.com a friend of Amanda’s, Andrew Frederick stated, ‘he had her locked in the head, to the point she couldn’t really do anything.’ Yes, unfortunately, it’s too late for Amanda to make use of ‘Time’s Up: A Guide How to Escape Abusive and Stalking Relationships now. However, it isn’t too late for other victims if this guide were available in police departments, libraries and churches everywhere!
Had 21-year-old Amanda Schafer known of this book perhaps her life could’ve been spared. That couldn’t really do anything feeling is a sad view many domestic violence victims have, but help can be found. This book by Susan Murphy Milano, a well-known advocate for victims of domestic violence, is the help needed. The answer to people’s question 'why didn’t she just leave?' - when they read of domestic violence murders, has an answer in the book. One answer is a common sense one for those who have been through abusive relationships, fear. But Susan Murphy Milano has given fear a new definition, - Facilitate Ending, Abusive, Relationships. This can be accomplished!
http://www.cfnews13.com/static/articles/images/documents/Meyrs_Arrest_Aff..pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)