◼ "I'm here to talk about the impact on our lives by the senseless slaughter of two innocent people by a man, and I'm hesitant to use the word, man." - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 10, 2014
◼ "Little did we know that this nightmare would never end" - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 10, 2014
◼ Jurors, family, community members pack courtroom for Bodhi Tree sentencing - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 10, 2014
...7 jurors took the time out of their schedules, community members that attended the trial, and the families of all victims have been waiting...
◼ link - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 10, 2014
...He has to serve consecutive sentences... but the basic gist is he has to serve 75 years and even then with minimum parole times on other terms, it is another 25 so it would be 100 years before he is eligible for parole.
Tree sat with with an attitude, no remorse and after sentence looked at bailiffs and said "Allright, ready."
◼ We plead with the court to never release this animal to society" - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 10, 2014
Some of the jurors were wiping tears as did Sean Butler-Smith's sister Breanne and community members. Even the court staff who were stoic and professional were shaken by the emotional testimony of the families. While Rhett August's mother attended, she chose not to speak.
Victim witness representative Marybeth read a letter from Nancy Jo Marcet, Sunshine's mother, Michael Tostado, Christina's uncle read his own statement, that of his wife, and Christina's aunt and the last one to read was Tina Schwarz, Christina's mother.
Mrs. Marcet started her letter by referring t the loss of her son, "who was taken from us so violently trying to protect Christina." The last words Alan "Sunshine" Marcet etxted to his mother on May 17, was "I love you so very much." And on May 18, she found out he was dead. This loss just on the heels of Sunshine's father being killed.
"He should not be allowed to do this anyone again," Mrs. Marcet's sentiment was reiterated by all speakers, Ms. Firpo and Judge Dale Reinholtsen.
They were very grateful to DDA Elan Firpo and the jurors who they thanked. Mrs. Schwarz even thanked the public defenders and addressed Bodhi Tree. At one point, she asked him to look at her, he didn't. She said, "May God have mercy on your soul."
Thank you, John Chiv, for covering this case in its entirety.
◼ Tree gets life in prison - Paul Mann/Mad River Union
A full report will appear in the Oct. 15 edition of the Mad River Union.Thank you, Paul Mann.
◼ Bodhi Tree Sentenced to Life in Prison - Andrew Goff/Lost Coast Outpost
AFTERMATH:
◼ Key witness in Tree trial assualted the second time in jail - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 11, 2014
◼ Even with the trial over, Sean is not safe; his sister's account - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 11, 2014
◼ DDA Elan Firpo gives notice, joins well-known local firm - John Chiv/Words Worth Oct 10, 2014
Thank you Rose for the links and acknowledging the complete coverage.
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