As you may know, a motion to dismiss was filed by the trooper's attorney last month. The prosecution filed their response earlier this week. Here and here are articles about the responsive motion. The hearing to decide this motion is next Thursday, March 11.
It has been rumored that emergency personnel were already at the accident to which the trooper was responding before he hit Jessica and Kelli. It was said he knew he wasn't needed anywhere from 3-7 minutes prior to hitting them.
The Post-Dispatch reports it was 11:55am when the dispatcher reported the scene was secure.
Five minutes prior to killing them.
I'm trying to prepare for the hearing and the trial, trying to remember all the facts I've been told over the past 2 1/2 years, I look at the pictures, and wrap my mind around all this so I'm not surprised in court. I thought I was doing a damn fine job of keeping it together. Today when I read that article, and it sank in that it was true, that there were other first-responders on the scene, that it didn't have to happen... well, that pretty much showed me that I'm nowhere near ready.
Thankfully for a few minutes, the office was quiet and I had a chance to just sit at my desk and bury my face in my hands. This wave hit me so fast and hard I wouldn't have made it to the bathroom anyway. Better to just sit here and hope people think I'm just frustrated with Excel than to walk through the office bawling my eyes out.
I'm better now. Stronger. Feeling even more resolve to see proper justice done.
16 comments:
I'm awe of your incredible strength. I hope that justice is done and then some. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I have a history of quoting myself, so let me take this opportunity to pull from something I wrote to you back in July, typos corrected and a sentence or two removed:
You know, Kim, I don't know if the reason for their death will ever be revealed to you. Every day there are countless, senseless deaths and I don't believe there is a logical explanation or reasoning that can be provided for any one of them.
Humans are careless, selfish and often times not forward-thinking; this is tragic since our actions, good or bad, always impact the lives of others.
As a direct result of Matt Mitchell's extremely reckless, hasty, absent-minded and unconcerned actions, he caused the death of Jessica and Kelli. The reason(s) your daughters were killed - I'm not convinced there is a positive, universal, or holy greatness involved; it was a simple act of careless abandonment which resulted in a complicated and horrible tragedy.
And while much good has come as a result of their deaths, it's still a shameless act that was completely avoidable.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Kim. I can only hope the judge sees this motion as a waste of his and your time and the trail can take place. You, your family and the girls father and his family have waited long enough it is time for this trail to happen. Peace be with you today and everyday.
You ARE keeping it together remarkably well. You are one of the most remarkably resilient people I have met, actually.
Expressing sorrow and anger over a great injustice is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of humanity. Expressing grief over the loss of people you cared for is not a sign of self-indulgence. It's a sign of love.
You are their mother, forever. And you will love them, forever. And your love keeps their memory alive, and turns your grief into a tool of justice.
I have silently followed your blog for a while a now. I can't even remember how I found your blog. But, I just want you to know that your readers are sending good thoughts and prayers for strength your way. I have always struggled with the "Why do bad things happen to good people?" question. I have never found an answer that I liked. So, I don't have many words of comfort for you, but I do want you to know that you are in the hearts of many.
This is so infuriating and discouraging. I just read the first article and knowing how I feel I can't even imagine how it left you. I think a good cry at your desk was more than appropriate.
It's so horrible that this happened at all, and the fact that they're trying to get him off and that even now he's receiving a full salary without even having to work is just maddening.
When I see people driving recklessly it makes me crazy knowing that it would take an accident to get them thinking straight. The fact that he, and apparently the law, may not be learning from this at all is shameful.
Hang in there. You have been remarkable.
Sending love and hugs your way.
What Jaelithe said is so perfect that I couldn't say anything better.
I've often thought to myself that you are remarkably composed every time I've seen you. I have no doubt you'll be strong through this.
Even if there weren't other responders to the crash Mitchell was responding to, he was still reckless in that he was on the phone and emailing in his car at 126 mph.
I read a comment on the STL story today that hit me. Emergency responders need to use care and respect for the situations in which they find themselves speeding to help others. If they have any kind of accident, they are no longer able to help and they become part of another problem. Mitchell lost his respect for the serve and protect part of his job and your family has suffered his carelessness. You are right to feel the injustice of that.
Andrea (@shutterbitch)
Oh no. He didn't have to be there?
Go into court and rip him to shreds. (Pity you can't do it literally...)
Ugh. That's just horrible.
I know. I read it in the paper this morning, and it just brought it home (again) how senseless this was. I know you will be strong. You always have had grace under pressure. It won't be easy, but don't be afraid - the jury needs to feel your pain as you are feeling it. It is the only hope for justice.
If it makes you feel any better, I have definitely cried pretty heavily in my office over Excel. So, in my opinion, that is a totally believable situation. :)
But, on a more serious note, everyone here is right. You ARE strong, even if you DO cry. Sending my thoughts and prayers in your direction!
I read the BND article. It makes me ANGRY for you. What a pussy. He knows he's done something horribly wrong. He doesn't want to take responsibility. His lawyer is as big a piece of shit as he is.
Ok. Sorry. But I do second what Jae and Andrea have said. You are in my heart and on my mind alot this month.
Bless you, Kim, and your Maddy. May God hug, comfort, strengthen, and bring some closure for you. I cannot imagine such a heavy cross to carry. Such despair needs a close fellowship of Christians or a strong faith. I pray for that for both of you.
Once again, I find myself shaking my head and wondering what's wrong with this world....
Please know I am thinking about you, praying for your continued strength and wish only the best for you in light of what is the suckiest position a mother can ever find herself in...(hopefully, that made sense)
My son, Quinn, is willing to kick Matt in the shin for you...just say the word,
Hugs....
What ended up happening? I haven't seen anything in the BND.
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