Go to Earth Magic
- Add a comment
- Go to Silent Witness
Avant-Garde, What could anyone have done to this guy to prevent this?
Even seeing and knowing the signs, you can't lock someone up for what they might do, pre-emptively. The other alternative to prevent it,doesn't bear thinking on, because then someone else, possibly you, has blood on their hands (and conscience), and I don't believe that is the way to go, either.
posted by
Blanche.
on October 4, 2006 at 11:58 AM
| link to this | reply
Wiley
Unfortunately, we tend to find out about people's true character during strife and discord. I do believe you were manipulated and maybe even 'stalked'. I'm glad you didn't let your guilt rule your heart.
posted by
avant-garde
on October 4, 2006 at 2:27 AM
| link to this | reply
Justi
This was a living nightmare for everyone associated with it. I was only tangentially involved, and it affected me deeply.
posted by
avant-garde
on October 4, 2006 at 2:26 AM
| link to this | reply
Blanche
I think Michelle thought that she was handling it. But, she didn't realize that Bossier City is still a small town, and a good ol' boy system goverened it. I worked in Shreveport, just over the Red River. It was a big enough city that affairs of this nature were taken seriously.
Michelle and Charles only dated for about a year. They were both divorced and had kids of their own. They never had kids between them, although I imagine that Michelle was close to his daughter. She was only four.
Michelles' oldest daughter did not like Charles- so much so that she moved out and went to live with her dad in another state.
posted by
avant-garde
on October 4, 2006 at 2:25 AM
| link to this | reply
avant-garde
Yes that has to be addressed, good job my friend.
I felt that in my last relationship, that anger and hate when I ended it.
Then she tried to get it cranked open again until I told her calmly that was called stalking and I would handle that.
So it happens to both sexes, or all sexes I'd better say today, but it is an ugly, ugly business when one person tries to control another.
posted by
WileyJohn
on October 3, 2006 at 8:43 PM
| link to this | reply
Avant Gard
I hope you will have the okay to go ahead with this book people need to stop sticking their heads in the sand about evil. Domestic violence is demonic, evil and I must not comment more I am angry about yesterday (the little girls) and this poor woman too. I will only say stupid things.
posted by
Justi
on October 3, 2006 at 6:32 PM
| link to this | reply
I'm waxing philosophical for a second, Avant, because, to me, it's
unbearable to think of these things, which I can only think of as "evil", can happen without a reason. If there is a reason or something to be gained from this horrible tragedy it may be knowledge, that it can happen to anyone, even in supposedly "good families" and upstanding members of society.
I hear and read of police brutalizing their wives all the time. Strangely, it makes the papers once and never again. I think Internal Affairs is a laughable joke. She was someone you cared for, were close to, then if her death matters, then maybe using it as a goad to keep it from happening to others, by writing about it, to warn others may make it more bearable. I feel for you Avant, I really do. This is a terrible burden to bear.
posted by
Blanche.
on October 3, 2006 at 5:34 PM
| link to this | reply
Avant, she probably didn't want to admit it to herself, that someone she'd
had a child with could be that cold. That's too much to bear, I think, that's why no one wants to believe it can happen. I'm speculating, on why she may not have told you. Maybe on some level, she might have known there would be violence, and she didn't want to provoke it.
Some women will provoke violence, to see if they can, and others will do anything they can to prevent it. Myself, I've seen the former and they disgust me beyond measure. The latter is tragic. The system failed her, not you. There was no one else to go to, I'm guessing, no family?
posted by
Blanche.
on October 3, 2006 at 5:27 PM
| link to this | reply
Blanche
I worked with her. She and I spent a summer together. We made love. We talked and laughed. We cried on each others' shoulder. We shared dreams and fears.
Her father was a retired police officer in Florida. He didn't want her to live in such a crime-ridden city. I'm sure they were relieved to hear of her engaging herself to a paramedic. Little did they know of his monstrous background.
posted by
avant-garde
on October 3, 2006 at 5:26 PM
| link to this | reply
Blanche
I wish to God I'd have known about this. I kept asking myself, "Why didn't she come to
me about it?" I'd have surely killed him. I think now that it was something unpreventable. Everything that was supposed to give these victims protection fell through, as if on cue. It was chilling.
posted by
avant-garde
on October 3, 2006 at 5:24 PM
| link to this | reply
That's even worse that you knew her personally, Avant. That's terrible.
posted by
Blanche.
on October 3, 2006 at 5:23 PM
| link to this | reply
Sadly, it's all too common, Avant, when will people learn not to write
things off as a "family matter" and close their eyes. My cousin told me a story that enraged me, about a co-worker who was stalked and terrorized by her husband, and their child. He shrugged it off, until I couldn't help but let him know that these are the kinds of things we read about in the newspaper. It's why I don't think I'm just being nosy when I hear yelling going on next door. I want to know if someone is being hurt.
posted by
Blanche.
on October 3, 2006 at 5:22 PM
| link to this | reply
Blanche
This was a domestic violence nightmare. It is very hard for me to recount, much less write about objectively.
I contacted many people who were close to Michelle after the matter had settled somewhat. What they told me enraged me all over again.
This was a cover up and complete travesty of justice.
posted by
avant-garde
on October 3, 2006 at 5:17 PM
| link to this | reply
Justi
I am thinking of writing a book on this matter. But, of course, it will have to be okayed by Michelle's parents first. I was very close to her before she got involved with this guy. It was a complete tragedy.
posted by
avant-garde
on October 3, 2006 at 5:16 PM
| link to this | reply
Uh oh, Avant, I don't have a good feeling about where this is going.
Still, it gives me chills. Not that that's a bad thing in storytelling. It's a feat.
posted by
Blanche.
on October 3, 2006 at 4:54 PM
| link to this | reply
Avant Gard
What a Cliff Hanger?????
posted by
Justi
on October 3, 2006 at 4:51 PM
| link to this | reply