heather wrote:I don't know that I can say that I have ever taken pleasure in being "the better person." But after watching how everyone behaved throughout this whole fucking nightmare I can truly say that I am happy that I get to wake up and me, with all of the people who have become my chosen family....

Don't get me wrong, I am angry and sad beyond description, but Michael, John & Doug... what great guys. And if you knew them or felt their immense impact what a better life you have because of them.

You all have been these better people, taking care of each other and the rest of us.

Thank you.

Although I did not know these three gentlemen, I have followed this thread and the story through the local newspapers.
I realize that this is long overdue from me, but I am so sorry for the loss that all of you who DID know them are experiencing.
I have never lost anyone who I was extremely close with, but I cannot imagine how difficult it is, especially through a tragic situation like this, where it is written about in papers and shown on the news.
For those of you who have been closely involved in the court case, I'm awed by your courage. I don't think I could ever do something like that, it would be too difficult to keep being reminded of the pain (although I guess it does remain with you every day after something like this). Even though I may not know you personally, I admire each of you.
I am not going to go on a rant about the messed-up judicial system we have (I'm not really good at arguments), but it's just not fair. I mean, you're talking about a girl who didn't even want to live anymore who took the lives of three guys who loved life and had tons of people who cared about them. And she was only mildly injured in the wreck. How can her sentence be fair? I know a lot of you are asking that same question.
Just wanted to get my thoughts and feelings out in writing.

stackmatic wrote:I wasn't in the courtroom, but I can't imagine how hearing Tim, Becky and Scott speak could have been irrelevant for anyone that was there. Hopefully, especially, for Sliwinski. Regardless of the sentencing.

No, of course it wasn't irrelevant to those in the room, the families and friend. The statements were beautiful and marvelous and I was struck by how each man was mentioned as a favorite uncle, and I ached especially at the thought of that loss for those kids.

However, it was clear that as far as the judge's ruling went, the arguments didn't matter. The legal arguments were made, but the judge knew what he was going to rule. Tim et al gave beautiful statements, and told of the hardships that were inflicted, but the judge knew what he was going to rule. It was frustrating to see this charade, to see both the ASA and the defense lawyer give these arguments, and to see the judge sit waiting for them to shut up so he could explain how it was going to be. ASA: "Here's why they should be consecutive sentences...." Judge: "Yeah, yeah, blah blah. No." Maybe I'm just not jaded enough.

Tim: Is there any chance you could post your statement here? And the other two?

Andy wrote:

stackmatic wrote:I wasn't in the courtroom, but I can't imagine how hearing Tim, Becky and Scott speak could have been irrelevant for anyone that was there. Hopefully, especially, for Sliwinski. Regardless of the sentencing.

No, of course it wasn't irrelevant to those in the room, the families and friend. The statements were beautiful and marvelous and I was struck by how each man was mentioned as a favorite uncle, and I ached especially at the thought of that loss for those kids.

However, it was clear that as far as the judge's ruling went, the arguments didn't matter. The legal arguments were made, but the judge knew what he was going to rule. Tim et al gave beautiful statements, and told of the hardships that were inflicted, but the judge knew what he was going to rule. It was frustrating to see this charade, to see both the ASA and the defense lawyer give these arguments, and to see the judge sit waiting for them to shut up so he could explain how it was going to be. ASA: "Here's why they should be consecutive sentences...." Judge: "Yeah, yeah, blah blah. No." Maybe I'm just not jaded enough.

Easy, there.


After witnessing Judge Howard's methods over the course of the whole of this trial, I believe your characterization of his actions to be at best flawed.

I would not want to be in his place to have to make the decisions associated in accordance with such a system.

He has been well measured along the way. I can say this and still feel that there is absolutely something incorrect about the resolution.

Andy wrote:Tim: Is there any chance you could post your statement here? And the other two?

Personally, I feel that this request is inappropriate at this juncture. One man's opinion.


Thanks,

JM

Andy wrote:

stackmatic wrote:I wasn't in the courtroom, but I can't imagine how hearing Tim, Becky and Scott speak could have been irrelevant for anyone that was there. Hopefully, especially, for Sliwinski. Regardless of the sentencing.

No, of course it wasn't irrelevant to those in the room, the families and friend. The statements were beautiful and marvelous and I was struck by how each man was mentioned as a favorite uncle, and I ached especially at the thought of that loss for those kids.

However, it was clear that as far as the judge's ruling went, the arguments didn't matter. The legal arguments were made, but the judge knew what he was going to rule. Tim et al gave beautiful statements, and told of the hardships that were inflicted, but the judge knew what he was going to rule. It was frustrating to see this charade, to see both the ASA and the defense lawyer give these arguments, and to see the judge sit waiting for them to shut up so he could explain how it was going to be. ASA: "Here's why they should be consecutive sentences...." Judge: "Yeah, yeah, blah blah. No." Maybe I'm just not jaded enough.

I think there's a point to the whole thing beyond any impact it might have on the sentence.

Most of the trial--certainly the defense phase--is about the defendant.

At the end--in recognition of this fact, almost--there is a little window of opportunity for the aggrieved to put the spotlight back on whomever the defendant has wronged.

The defendant has to sit there and listen to it.

I'm not going to bother trying to get in Sliwinski's head, but she did have to sit there and watch people struggle to express their loss, break down on the stand, get angry with her and all of that. I think that is an instructive exercise in many ways--maybe for her, certainly for those of us who got up there, for the press, etc.

The judge, he's a judge. He's not going to change his ruling b/c someone got up on the stand and cried. He has pretty clear guidelines to follow, and as you say he's got it pretty well sussed out in advance.

Tim: Is there any chance you could post your statement here? And the other two?

I don't mind you asking, Andy, but I don't think so. I don't feel the need to belabor my grief in private, so I am not going to foist it on anyone who doesn't have an express need to know about it (i.e. the court).

Becky and Scott, I don't know what they'll do. That's up to them.

However, it was clear that as far as the judge's ruling went, the arguments didn't matter. The legal arguments were made, but the judge knew what he was going to rule.

After years it was an emotional relief to have the truth in regards to these guys characters be told by people who knew what to say. It was equally important to relay how it has affected everyone that loved them.

I understand why that should not play into the sentencing of an individual. If a victim had no family or close friends that could take that Irish punch and get up on that stand, they deserve no less "justice." After biting my tongue forEVER - in that courtroom - it did "just feel nice" as difficult as it was to hear from people you either have loved in for many years or people your heart has taken in.

He did have sentencing guidelines and goddammit if Michelle Gempski didn't try to give him room to change his decision!

Imagine how many selfish crazy liars could get up on that stand and affect a judge's ruling. The ruling of reckless homicide was a terrible decision. Completely ridiculous. It was a case of clear first degree murder. Selfish. Intentional. More than without regard as she chose to step on the gas pedal. She is simply a bad person.

tmidgett wrote:I don't feel the need to belabor my grief in private, so I am not going to foist it on anyone who doesn't have an express need to know about it (i.e. the court).

I didn't see what you said as being about grief so much as the love, hence my request. That's what's always struck me about all of this, is the love that so many of you had. I guess they're too closely tied here. I apologize if my outsiderness has stepped on any toes or feelings.

I'll stay back and be differently frustrated and saddened, and marvel at the shambling beautiful mess in the back of so many skwm songs and enjoy what I still have.

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magaz ... i=0#artanc

I did not see this elsewhere. An article about what happened, that also appears in the August issue of Chicago magazine.

Once upon a time July 14th 2005,
Once upon a time July 14th 2105,
Once upon a time July 14th 2205
Once upon a time July 14th 2305
Once upon a time ...in the Future.

It was 6.30 am in Siena-Italia ,
A bunch of people were sleeping
on the floor of a Cultural Centre,
I was waiting for someone who,the night before
had decided to spend his time with a phisically highly gifted
and super talented african woman.
We agreed to meet everybody at 8.00 am.

At 7.30 am I was sitting on the doorstair outside the Cultural Centre
smoking a cigarette,and a cigarette.
At 7.55 am a familiar shape appears at the beginning of the street;
holding a white daisy in his mouth,Michael,was walking back;
sitting next to me,with his pure smile,he started talking with me,
telling how he spent his night,not sleeping at all,listening the woman
narrating the most sad,intricate,desperade story of her Life.
Michael.enormously touched by the african woman's story,
gifted her some money.

I feel him,everywhere around me.

He/they will never die.

Michael,Doug,John:
you are a billions and trillions of white daisy.

Salut a tutt

Agostino

Incredibly beautiful, Agostino.