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Uncensored Justice System Discussion
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Nicks momom
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 39
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:33 am Post subject: Raye Dawns Letter |
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My name is Raye Dawn Smith and my daughter was Kelsey Shelton Smith-Briggs, the beautiful two year old little girl that was killed by her step-father on October 11, 2005 in Meeker, Oklahoma. I have been wrongfully convicted of enabling child abuse, because the District Attorney Richard Smothermon has made the statement that I should have known. Not hat I knew anything, but I should have known. So many things went wrong in my case and they continue to go wrong to this day. I am trying to reach out to anyone who will listen to me and read the information available on my web-site www.freekelseysmom.com.
So many lies, stories, and half truths have been told, but very little has been told about what kind of a child Kelsey was and no one has ever heard of the wonderful relationship Kelsey and myself had. Just because Richard Smothermon, Patty High (special prosecutor), Kathie Briggs (Kelseys paternal grandmother), Mike Porter (step-father), and/or the media say something doesnt make it true. This is who Kelsey and I were
Kelsey was born December 28, 2002 at 10:00p.m., nineteen inches long, seven pounds, with a head full of black hair, and olive skin. She was always a happy baby and we were together all the time. She sucked her thumb until one day she broke herself when she decided she didnt need that comfort anymore. She did everything early, from sleeping all through the night, to crawling, to walking, to talking. She was a very busy baby, but a very good baby. Did I mention well mannered and very independent? She would tell you God bless you if you sneezed. If she was trying to get past someone and it was a tight squeeze she would say, Cuse (Excuse) me and if anyone tried to help her do something she would say, No, I do it. Everything Kelsey did was an event to me. I would call my mom and my grandma almost everyday at their places of work just to tell them something Kelsey did or said throughout the day. We would watch movies together, dance together, go shopping together, sleep together, and some days until noon, put puzzles together, color together, and we even made a cake together. In 2005 we made a strawberry shortcake together with strawberry icing and sprinkles. I helped her with the icing, but she had a big time shaking the sprinkles all over the cake. I can still see the look on her face smiling from ear to ear, clapping her hands when I clapped with her and told her, Good job! October 10, 2005, the day before my entire life turned upside down, Kelsey and I were sitting in the truck waiting on our new furniture at Mathis Brothers. Kelsey was in the back set in her car seat and she began counting 1, 2, 3,and when she go to ten she kept going 11, 12, 13, 14, and then stopped. I had never heard her count that high before, and when I turned around and looked at her in amazement, she just smiled as big as ever with a look on her face as if thinking, You didnt know I could do that, did you? She could always make me smile and made me proud everyday.
When my mom had Kelsey in her care all of May and part of June, 2005, she made a statement my mom says she will never forget. My mom and Kelsey were taking the trash down through the pasture to the dump when Kelsey reached down to the radio knob, turned it on, and said, I haffa (have to) hear good music. Laughing, my mom asked her, What do you know about good music? Youre momma has spoiled you rotten. Kelsey just smiled at her, knowing she had made a funny. Although Kelsey was only two and a half years old, I think back on her short life, and we did a lot together. From hanging out watching movies, her favorite being Shrek, to going through a cave in Branson, Missouri, to going down the water slides together at White Water, and eating crawfish and crablegs. The memories make me smile and laugh everyday, but some days are a lot harder than others. Even though the memories are great, we were ripped of many years to come. I think about the things we were able to do, but not without thinking about the things we will never be able to do. I will never see her tie her own shoe; ride a bicycle with or without training wheels; go to her first day of kindergarten; graduate from the eighth grade; go on her first date. I will never get to teach her to drive a car, teach her to put makeup on, take her shopping for her prom dress and her wedding dressI will never see my baby grow up.
April 11, 2008 my son turned two and my daughter has now been gone for two years and six months, and to this day there is not a day that goes by that I dont talk about her or think about her. It will be this way for the rest of my life. I watch mothers here at the prison on visitation day play and laugh with their daughters, and hug and kiss them hello and goodbye, and I think of how I would give up anything this world has to offer to do all of those things with Kelsey one more time. I pray to God all of those mothers know how lucky they are and that they never take one day for granted. In court and out of court lies have been twisted and stories have been stretched, but one thing they cant twist or take away are the memories, because those are mine and they cant take away the truth of who we were.
I was silent for almost two years, because I was advised by my attorney not to make any statement, and besides that, a gag order was in place. Trying to follow the rules and the law, it doesnt take a genius to see where it got me. Kathie Briggs, Kelseys paternal grandmother, had a website up with in about a week of Kelseys death, stating that it was Kelseys purpose to be abused and murdered to bring awareness about child abuse in the state of Oklahoma. She passed out stickers with www.kelseyspurpose.org slapped across them, a bash board in my name was put on the web. Harassing phone calls with a baby crying in the background were made to my grandma, Mildred Fowler. A harassing phone call was made to the church DURING Kelseys funeral at the Meeker Assembly of God Church. A friend of my mom received phone calls threatening to ruin his real estate business, and his entire neighborhood in Northwest Oklahoma City received a horrible letter in their mailboxes stating that a child abuser, child molester, and a child murderer was living in the neighborhood. Kelseys Purpose Signs were put at the entry of our neighborhood with Channel Fours, Cherokee Ballard there, as it was aired on the evening news. All of this was handed over to the District Attorney, Richard Smothermon, but not one thing was ever done about it. Protests took place in front of the District Attorneys office with signs stating, No Deals for Raye Dawn. A petition was even done in order to keep my son away from me when he was born. My son is absolutely no business of Kathie Briggs. There was even a petition to bring charges against me, even though I was working with the District Attorneys office to the fullest extent. There were no protests or petitions about Mike Porter receiving a deal, or about keeping my son away from him the person whom murdered and sexually assaulted her granddaughter on October 11, 2005. In fact the Briggs family agreed to the plea bargain of murder and sexual assault being dropped, and to him pleading to Enabling Child Abuse. District Attorney, Richard Smothermom, exhumed my babys body to look for sexual assault, and then he turned around and dropped it! Do you have any idea what I went through when I was told they were going to do that? Let me tell you, it almost killed me knowing they were going to disturb my daughters resting place, and it will bother me for the rest of my life, even more because now I know they did it for NO reason.
A person may wonder why the Briggs family would be so easy on this sick and twisted person, and never speak a negative word about him. I wondered too, but since my trial I have learned the reason why. Seventy nine days after Kelseys death, Kathie Briggs and her daughters, Shirica Howard and Jeanna Fowler, began corresponding with Mike Porter through e-mails, discussing the entire case and conspiring together as to how they could get me put into prison. Of course this was a violation of Mike Porters bond, and from the information we were given in court, Richard Smothermon knew of this and also about the Briggs and Porter meeting. Why was Porter not rearrested for his violation? Not only did Kathie Briggs talk to Mike Porter, but she talked to a few witnesses, as is evident in the e-mails between the two and that was a violation of the gag order that was in place. Now I know where some of the lies that were told in court came from.
I testified at Porters preliminary hearing, not wanting a plea deal in return, because thats not what it was about. That morning before I took the stand, with my attorney by my side, I told Richard Smothermon, I want you to know that Im not doing this for you. Im not doing this for me. Im doing this for Kelsey. He nodded and said, I know, or we wouldnt be talking. I said, Well, I just wanted to make sure you knew that. Everything Ive done in this case from January 2005, up until now has been for Kelsey. I just wanted to do what I knew was right. I have even been told that the reason Im in prison is because I did do the right things. That just doesnt make sense to me, I was raised to tell the truth, and if you didnt do anything wrong, you dont claim that you did. I was offered five years incarceration and five yers probation and of course, I refused, but then the day before my trial was over, I was offered a blind plea of spanking Kelsey on the diaper with a hairbrush. I stated, No, I didnt do it. I wont take it. I never hurt my baby and I didnt sit back and allow someone else to hurt her. How is the district attorney, Richard Smothermon, going to tell me that I should have known? They wanted to drop the entire case on September 8, 2005. The district attorneys office, Department of Human Services (DHS), Community Home Based Services (CHBS), and C.A.S.A. were all there throughout the entire process, and they didnt know anything either.
During those last nine and a half to ten-months of Kelseys life, I did everything that was asked of me and more. If my attorney told me to do something, I did it. If DHS told me to do something, I would. If the judge told me to do something, I did. If anyone of them told me to do something, I would and I did. When I asked DHS to tell me what all I needed to do to have my daughter returned to me by June, they told me that I wouldnt be able to get it done by then. As much as that upset me, I didnt focus on that, and told them to just tell me what I needed to do and let me worry about that. I just knew I wanted my daughter back, as soon as possible. And to everyones amazement, I accomplished every little thing within about four months. I took a parenting class, a six-week domestic violence class, an anger management class, a domestic violence inventory (D.V.I.) test, and when I completed all of that, they had me take several more evaluations. They were all normal or above. I received certificates for all of this and a letter of recommendation from my counselors, stating I had completed all my classes and there was no need to be further counseled.
During all of this my daughter, Kelsey, was being shifted here, there, and everywhere. It was extremely hard on her and I could see that. One nigh in March, 2005, after she got out of her bath, I noticed her hair had fallen out in the back. Being upset, as any mother would be, I rushed her across the street to my grandma, Mildred Fowler, had her look at Kelsey and take a picture of the bald spot and was asking her what would cause this. Of course she didnt know, but the next morning I called DHS, my attorneys office, and got her an appointment with Dr. Kelli Koons. They did tests on her, but I have yet to know exactly what caused that, other than probably stress. The doctor told me that Kelseys hair had indeed fallen out, because the hair follicles were not raised, as they would be if she had pulled her hair out. A few days later I mentioned this to Kathie Briggs, and she told me Kelsey was pulling her hair out, and I knew that was not the case, because not only had the doctor told me that, but I had NEVER seen Kelsey pull out anyones hair, let alone her own. At one visit, Mrs. Briggs sent a cabbage patch doll with Kelsey and said she got the doll for her so she could pull the dolls hair out instead of her own. Flabbergasted, I told her that whether she was pulling her hair out or it was just falling out, there was a problem somewhere and we werent going to just cover it up. Neither DHS nor the district attorneys office ever acted as if her hair failing out was a big deal. Why?
On April 14, 2005 Kelsey sprained her ankle while on a trip to the zoo with her aunt and cousins. They came and picked me up and we took Kelsey to the doctor where she/he told us it was indeed sprained. The doctor told us to have her to continue to walk on it as tolerated and then rest it. That Monday I married Mike Porter, and I have a picture proving she was standing and walking that day. She was limping, but she was walking. That day at five oclock, my older sister and I took Kelsey to meet Mrs. Briggs, and four days later when I picked Kelsey up, she was NOT walking at all, she was crawling. When I asked what was wrong with my babywhy she was crawling, Kathie Briggs told me that earlier that week she took four steps and fell and didnt want to walk anymore. Why didnt she take her to the doctor??? She took Kelsey when she thought her nose was broken, which it was not, but she didnt take her because she QUIT WALKING??? I didnt take her to the doctor, because I had already taken her. Since I was told that Kathie Briggs made the statement that she didnt care what the doctor said, she was NOT going to make Kelsey walk on her foot, so I thought her foot had gotten stiff and sore from not walking on it. Never in my wildest nightmares did I ever think that my baby had two broken legs. But come Monday I took her to DHS and then to the doctor and thats when I found out my baby had not one, but two broken legs. I remember crying and screaming out to my mom, Mom, whats going on?! So you see it is a fact that Kelsey was NOT with me when her legs were broken, but I should have known? I was only doing what everyone was telling me to do. In May, 2005, I accompanied my mom and Kelsey, me being in a separate car, to Childrens Hospital to have Kelsey tested for Brittle Bone Disease. Worried something was medically wrong with her, this was just one more step I wanted to take to see what was going on with my daughter. Later that summer, DHS and I were informed that the results came back inconclusive. I wanted to have her tested further, but DHS said they would not be paying for a second test, because the insurance wouldnt pay for it, so my family and I was going to pay for it ourselves. I was informed that the Briggs family was extremely upset about having her further tested, and they were NOT going to help with the funds. Why would they be upset about having her further tested to make sure she didnt have a serious disease? That didnt, and still doesnt, make any sense to me. So you see, I still dont know if she even had Brittle Bone Disease, because the test didnt rule it out. I was going above and beyond even what the state was willing to do. But I should have known?
On one instance Kelsey had a bruise on her nose and I showed it to Kathie Briggs, telling her and her daughter (Robynn) what had happened. They told me that they didnt even see it, because they were sick of all of this and they were sure I was too. Not believing my ears I called my mom to tell her what they had just told me. Later I learned that Kathie Briggs immediately ran home and called DHS. It is impossible to work with a liar!
The days Kelsey and I would meet at the DHS office she would sometimes ask me very difficult questions. On one occasion when I was leaving she asked me, Mommy, I go with you? I would tell her through tears, No, baby you cant go with me. Looking so sad and confused she asked, Mommy, what happened? How do you tell a two-year old what happened when you as an adult dont even know? In June after court, the day she came home, I was holding her as we walked up to the door and she said something I will NEVER forget. She hugged my neck and said, Mommy, I so proud you, were home. Do you have any idea how that made me feel? Out of all the people involved, Kelsey, my two-year old, told me she was proud of her mommy. I pray and hope every night that Kelsey knows how much I fought for her, day in and day out, and that Im still fighting for her.
That summer I enrolled Kelsey into a play therapy group for her to receive counseling, because like I told DHS, if someone hurt her, I wanted to know what they did, who it was, and then that person and me were going to have a talk. I received her acceptance papers in the mail the day she died when I was on my round trip to pick up her stepsister. The most Kelsey ever went without seeing or talking to a DHS worker, CHBS worker, CASA worker, and/or a doctor was seven days, and they were in and out of our home day in and day out from June to October 11, 2005. Out of one hundred and twenty two days, they were in our home thirty-five of those. I would let Kelsey talk to them when they would call, because who better for them to talk to other than Kelsey herself? At one point and time I asked DHS for a round table discussion with everyone involved, and I have yet to see that happen. Why? DHS has done it with my son. Why wasnt I allowed that for Kelseys well being? During the summer of 2005, Kathie Briggs refused to go to the DHS office to visit with her granddaughter, because she didnt want any more bad things said about her. Im sorry, but that is just ridiculous. I have been called everything under the sun, but if I could see my daughter again, I really dont care and still dont. From January, 2005, to September 8, 2005, we had what felt like a million court dates, and on September 8 NO ONE from the paternal side, not even their attorney, even bothered to show up to fight for their visitation rights, but guess what, Kelseys mommy was still there fighting for her baby. The district attorneys office and Kelseys attorney were asking the judge for the entire case to be dropped, because everything was going so good, but because of the Ryan Luke Law they couldnt do that. Kelsey was there that too and they all saw her, so if anything with her was out of the ordinary, Im sure they wouldve taken action. Obviously, she was doing great. I still remember what I dressed her in that day.
To this day I have never claimed I was a perfect person or a perfect mother, but I NEVER hurt Kelsey or allowed anyone to hurt my baby. Kelsey was my pride and joy, and to me the world revolved around her and still does. It hurts so bad to see on the television and/or in the newspaper that anytime there is a story done about DHS my babys name is right in the middle of it. She was a human, a child, a grandchild, a cousin, a niece, a soon to be big sister, NOT a poster child for DHS. I think back and read about all the things I did to get her back, and it kills me that I lost her anyway. I could sit here all day and tell you what I did for her when in all actuality no one seems to care. Kelsey lost her life for NO reason, I lost my daughter for NO reason, and even though I worked with the state before her death, day in and day out, I still not only lost her, but for the time being Ive lost my son. And for what, because I should have known?
Ive been asked a million tiles if Kelsey could talk ad the answer is, Yes, she could talk up a storm as if she was half grown. Then Ive been asked, Did she ever say anything? Yes, she said some things, such as: I dont like Ashley! (Kelseys step-mom), and, I dont want go see Kafie (Kathie)!and talking one day about Mike Porter, she said, Daddy not mean to me. I have witnesses to these statements, CHBS worker being one. Believe me, I realize what Mike Porter did to my precious baby on October 11, 2005, but those are the kind of things she told me, so how was I supposed to know? I agree people are allowed their own opinion, but sent to prison on an opinion? Thats absurd! The district attorney, Richard Smothermon, stated publicly that I should have know, but he told former Judge Craig Key in private that he KNEW I was INNOCENT, but because of the other family he had to charge me with something. My son is growing up without me because Richard Smothermon didnt have guts enough to stand up and be an authority figure over the Briggs family.
Now this man, Richard Smothermon, is wanting out of office to become a workmans compensation judge. He still has two years to serve in office. How loyal is he to the community and district he has promised to serve? Plus, he doesnt even live in the district where he serves as district attorney. He lives in Edmond. State officials have been informed of this on several occasions, but nothing has been done. Why? A lady running a tag office had to shut her place of business down, because she didnt lice in the same county as her tag office, but there is nothing done about a district attorney doing the exact same thing? Richard Smothermon has made the statement that the Kelsey Case has done him in. If he had done the right thing in the first place, what he KNEW was the right thing, he wouldnt be in this predicament. Richard Smothermon told my attorney, Steve Huddleston, that H Didnt have a problem with my mom having my son and me being supervised by my mom, but of course DHS didnt allow it, because they were already getting call-ins on my son, and I didnt even have him. Now does that sound like a district attorney who really, truly believes a mother enabled child abuse?
Speaking of my mom. To this day she has yet to be questioned by the OSBI and/or the district attorneys office. Why? She was the first one on the scene on October 11, 2005 and she had interaction with Kelsey and myself almost everyday for the two and a half years of Kelseys life. Ive wondered if it was because not questioning my mom made it easier for Richard Smothermon to prosecute me if he never heard the truth.
I am pleading with you to do the right thing and support me in this case. My daughters memory and my sons life, as well as my own, is counting on it. I want the DHS files and the OSBI interviews made public; the Ryan Luke Law demands it. I have written to a couple of representatives and senators to ask for this, but as of this moment, I have received no response. Whats the point of putting a law into effect if no one is going to use it for what it was put into law to do? So many wrongs need to be made right and it is long over do. Ive always felt this way and I always will. I am asking you to please check more into the facts of this case and help my family and me. My family as well as myself, would be more than happy to speak with you. Please, I am asking you and your colleagues to please find it in your hearts to fix the part of the tragedy that can still be fixed. I pray this letter finds you well, and I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out. The truth is out there, someone just has to take the time to listen to it, read about it, and then act upon it. Please do the RIGHT THING.
Sincerely,
Raye Dawn Smith
For more information go to www.freekelseysmom.com
www.freekelseysmom.com
www.thetruthaboutkelsey.com
www.usobserverok.com _________________ I expect to pass through this world but once.
Any good, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.
Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
- Stephen Krebbet, 1793-1855 |
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JUSTICE1st

Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 715 Location: USA
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:55 am Post subject: |
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This is an OUTSTANDING letter, in my opinion. This whole "should have known" nonsense is insane, and shouldn't even be considered as any kind of criminal charge. That this so-called "District Attorney" could consider it such says to me that he's not even fit to hold the office of D.A. to begin with, and should resign immediately.
The RIGHT person, the man who killed Kelsey Smith-Briggs, Michael Porter, is in prison, although IMO his sentence is much shorter than it should have been. If the D.A. won't fix this appalling travesty, then those in a higher office, such as Attorney General or even Governor, should show political courage and do it for him. It happened in the Duke Lacrosse case in Durham, NC, the same should happen in this one.
J  _________________ "We must remember, always, that accusation is not proof, and conviction depends on evidence and due process of law."
EDWARD R. MURROW, 1954 |
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SaberGal

Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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I completely agree - what an excellent letter! Thanks for posting. I apologize to all for not being around the last few weeks. I've been swamped with some things and hope to get back into the swing of things soon.
I really wish I could make it to the rally.  _________________ "Evil triumphs when good men do nothing."
- E. Burke
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That's OK. I wasn't using my civil liberties anyway. (Insert rolly eye emoticon here) |
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JUSTICE1st

Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 715 Location: USA
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Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 3:37 am Post subject: |
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| SaberGal wrote: | I completely agree - what an excellent letter! Thanks for posting. I apologize to all for not being around the last few weeks. I've been swamped with some things and hope to get back into the swing of things soon.
I really wish I could make it to the rally.  |
Me too! Unfortunately, I just can't; it's too far a distance for me to travel, and I just don't have the funds. I hope this rally will be hugely successful in raising much-needed funds for Raye Dawn's defense.
J  _________________ "We must remember, always, that accusation is not proof, and conviction depends on evidence and due process of law."
EDWARD R. MURROW, 1954 |
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SaberGal

Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 4:44 am Post subject: |
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| JUSTICE1st wrote: | | SaberGal wrote: | I completely agree - what an excellent letter! Thanks for posting. I apologize to all for not being around the last few weeks. I've been swamped with some things and hope to get back into the swing of things soon.
I really wish I could make it to the rally.  |
Me too! Unfortunately, I just can't; it's too far a distance for me to travel, and I just don't have the funds. I hope this rally will be hugely successful in raising much-needed funds for Raye Dawn's defense.
J  |
Ditto.
You guys have done such an excellent job of putting this together and have put together quite an impressive list of speakers....Dennis Fritz is one of my favorites and even if I knew nothing about RDS, I'd go just to see him if I could. I am so glad the benefits are going to such a worthy cause. _________________ "Evil triumphs when good men do nothing."
- E. Burke
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That's OK. I wasn't using my civil liberties anyway. (Insert rolly eye emoticon here) |
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Nicks momom
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 39
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Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 10:25 am Post subject: |
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Sabergal,
I wish I could take the credit for the rally but, I believe it all goes to Hods.
I also love RDs letter. It is causing quite a stir though. I knew KB would have to respond and she did. She made the issue about her and its not. It was simply RDs story.
I have never seen anything like this witch hunt and hatred for her family. |
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JUSTICE1st

Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 715 Location: USA
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Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Nicks momom wrote: | Sabergal,
I wish I could take the credit for the rally but, I believe it all goes to Hods.
I also love RDs letter. It is causing quite a stir though. I knew KB would have to respond and she did. She made the issue about her and its not. It was simply RDs story. I have never seen anything like this witch hunt and hatred for her family. |
I haven't either, and in my opinion (for the benefit of the KB crowd), her hatred of RD is personally vindictive and even irrational. Which is why I will continue to criticize Mr. Smothermon's handling of the entire case, whether KB likes it or not. WHY did he ever listen to her at all? Grieving grandmother notwithstanding, she had no legal right to dictate the proceedings to such an extreme degree. And an honest, ethical and wise prosecutor would NEVER have allowed her to do so.
It is also my opinion that Mr. Smothermon is allowing his fear of Kathie Briggs to cloud HIS prosecutorial judgment. Come ON! What reasonable person allows an innocent person (he stated he knew RD was INNOCENT to a judge, didn't he?) to receive a 27-year prison sentence when this person harmed, injured or killed NO ONE? (And RD didn't deliberately allow abuse to occur, which Mr. Smothermon also knows very well.)
The answer is simple; NO reasonable person would allow it, certainly not a prosecutor who valued his reputation as an honest, ethical DA concerned only with seeking justice. Sadly, Mr. Smothermon's actions have shown he is NOT concerned with seeking justice, either for RD or anyone else. Which should make anyone think VERY seriously before voting for him, to any political office.
J  _________________ "We must remember, always, that accusation is not proof, and conviction depends on evidence and due process of law."
EDWARD R. MURROW, 1954 |
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Cujo
Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 13
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 5:48 am Post subject: |
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My honest opinion of what happened is this, KB / KP went after and still does I will assume, (I don't go to their forum, but did back then to read) anyone that had anything to do with this case, and then some. They did it in such a way, with the media's help and one sided story, that the general public listened and thought they were telling the truth.
They even went after people that posted one sided sob stories and believed them all without looking into the facts in the cases.
This entire case / the Witch Hunt for all Judges, DA's, DHS Workers, and of course "abusers" has become nothing short of a Run Away Train. Everyone that wants a "name for themselves" have jumped on board the train to further their personal agenda's. Representatives seem to have joined the attacks and will only listen to those that are in the "popular section of the train". Attacking DHS, Judges and "abusers" have become a popular subject and almost a fad due to this case. ANYONE that is NOT going after who "they feel" needs to be attacked, is at risk of losing their jobs, name and reputations.
If you will remember history, in the Salem Witch Trials the "witches" were not the only ones that were burned at the stake! They went after everyone in the mass hysteria of "saving the innocents". I feel this is exactly what has happened in Okla.
A precious child was murdered, the accused murderer was NOT brought to trial so vital information was lost or tucked away. The public needed and wanted "someone to convict", the only one left was the mother. Although I do not understand why the DA agreed to a plea deal for Porter, I feel that at that point he either had to go after the mother or face the ones that were running the witch hunt, complete with pitch forks and burning torches, yelling "save the children and justice for Kelsey".
Although I agree with you 100% J1, I also feel that this is what happened. Sadly, the public was glad that Raye was charged and convicted. Not because they knew the facts or even thought much about the case, but because they listened to the news and the news didn't say much about Porter. They did however, cover all the rallies and anything that the KP / KB was supporting. It was and is the most insane thing I have ever seen! _________________ This is my opinion. Have a great day. |
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Nicks momom
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 39
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: |
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Cujo,
Well said, I read some of the Salem witch hunt and had to stop when I got to the part where they jailed the four year old. After months of crying she went crazy "confirming" she was in fact a witch!!
Rd has been repeatedly criticised for leaving Kelsey with MP when she was vomiting from the separation. After further research, it turns out that Kelsey started having separation anxiety BEFORE she met MP. Ms Julie, Kelsey daycare provider, is a witness and can testify that it started during the custody battle with KB. The agencies and case workers over seeing Kelsey RECOMMENDED Kelsey be left for short periods of time so she would learn to trust that RD was coming back! This is another reason RD wants Kelseys records released! Once again RD was doing EXACTLY what she was told to do by the "professional" agencies. |
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JUSTICE1st

Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 715 Location: USA
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Cujo wrote: | | Although I agree with you 100% J1, I also feel that this is what happened. Sadly, the public was glad that Raye was charged and convicted. Not because they knew the facts or even thought much about the case, but because they listened to the news and the news didn't say much about Porter. They did however, cover all the rallies and anything that the KP / KB was supporting. It was and is the most insane thing I have ever seen! |
Cujo, I agree 100% with your assessment! I just refuse to leave things the way they are, without speaking or, in this case, writing out against what I know to be wrong.
Whether the public wants Raye Dawn Smith to remain in prison for the "crime" of "should have known" is irrelevant to me. I don't CARE what they want, in this case. For Raye Dawn to remain in prison on such trumped-up charges to appease Kathie Briggs and her mob (that's what they behave like, so that is what I will call it) is an outrage, a travesty and a gross INjustice.
To simply accept such gross INJUSTICES as "the way of things" or "what the public wants" is both intolerable and unacceptable. I will NOT accept it, as I believe such injustices such as an innocent person remaining in prison to satisfy a hate-filled mob are a clear and present danger to all innocent citizens in the future.
If we fail to speak out, or write out against the injustices we see or read about, then we as a nation will have what the banana "republics" of Cuba and China have; justice for NONE, and terror/tyranny for all.
We're more than halfway there already, especially in small towns where the police and prosecutors can target anyone they personally dislike. What if YOU were next, or someone in YOUR family? They did it to Cynthia Sommer, they're doing it to Raye Dawn Smith and to Steve Gilmore and many others now. How many more will this kind of travesty happen to? The time to speak and write is NOW, not later. For "later" may be too late.
J  _________________ "We must remember, always, that accusation is not proof, and conviction depends on evidence and due process of law."
EDWARD R. MURROW, 1954
Last edited by JUSTICE1st on Sat May 31, 2008 3:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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JUSTICE1st

Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 715 Location: USA
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Cujo wrote: |
A precious child was murdered, the accused murderer was NOT brought to trial so vital information was lost or tucked away. The public needed and wanted "someone to convict", the only one left was the mother. Although I do not understand why the DA agreed to a plea deal for Porter, I feel that at that point he either had to go after the mother or face the ones that were running the witch hunt, complete with pitch forks and burning torches, yelling "save the children and justice for Kelsey".
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The way I see it, the DA should NEVER have agreed to a plea deal for Porter, as Porter was the person who undoubtedly killed little Kelsey. Or if he did, the charges should have been either 2nd Degree Murder or 1st Degree Manslaughter, and a life sentence in prison. If Porter refused to plead to those charges only, the DA should have put Porter on trial, and let the jury impose the verdict.
Raye Dawn Smith shouldn't have been charged AT ALL, and the fact that the DA went after her alone, to satisfy Kathie Briggs and her mob of hate-mongers against RDS tells me (again, my opinion of course) that Mr. Smothermon was only interested in appeasing Kathie Briggs, NOT seeking justice.
In my opinion, that is NOT the course of action for an honest and ethical prosecutor whose only interest is seeking justice for all concerned. It is the act of a DIShonest and UNethical District Attorney, in the same mold as Mike Nifong, another dishonest and unethical DA, who has now been, thankfully, DISBARRED and disgraced. Sadly, Mr. Smothermon has shown himself as someone only interested in furthering his own career, and definitely NOT someone I would trust with the considerable power that the District Attorney's position has. And such a prosecutor is one I would vote OUT of office at the next election if I lived in that town. Thank goodness I don't!
J  _________________ "We must remember, always, that accusation is not proof, and conviction depends on evidence and due process of law."
EDWARD R. MURROW, 1954 |
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Cujo
Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 13
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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AMEN to that J1!!!! Both posts! I agree 100%!!!!
One of many things that bothers me right now is that the Witch Hunt is alive and residing in Okla., and many other states. The people in the power seats that could put an end to this, to right the wrongs that have been done, refuse to do it. They contribute and condone for their personal gains or out of fear for their jobs. One might wonder why the Reps and DA's would fear for their jobs, one would think that they have the educations to obtain new jobs if the position they are in were to crumble for standing for what is right! I for one would have more respect for them if they would.
Porter should have NEVER been offered a plea deal, NEVER! He should have gone to trial. Why would a DA offer a plea to the one that he accused of murdering a little girl, and yet "go after" the mother that he accused of "should have known"? I don't get it, I never will. To me, by doing this, he has sent a message out to the people that murder of a child is more acceptable than to "should have known" mothers! What the hell is that all about? Why would anyone accept that, for that matter? It angers me that a little girl was murdered and the murderer was, in my opinion, slapped on the hand. It angers me that this young lady is in prison for losing her child to a monster. It makes me ill that the "mob" would rather see this mother in prison than the monster! This entire case is insane.
I can assure you, I will NEVER stop yelling about the injustice of false accusations and the accuser not being punished and I will NEVER stop yelling about the innocent being destroyed due to personal agenda's! _________________ This is my opinion. Have a great day. |
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Nicks momom
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 39
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Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Cujo wrote;
One of many things that bothers me right now is that the Witch Hunt is alive and residing in Okla., and many other states. The people in the power seats that could put an end to this, to right the wrongs that have been done, refuse to do it. They contribute and condone for their personal gains or out of fear for their jobs. One might wonder why the Reps and DA's would fear for their jobs, one would think that they have the educations to obtain new jobs if the position they are in were to crumble for standing for what is right! I for one would have more respect for them if they would.
I could not have said this better, the bashboard RD is referring to went on for a long time and helped to create the hatred for RD and the Smith family, ie the witch hunt.Even with it closed the hatred and attacks continue. Truth Seeker was the first to stand publicly (that I know of) in support of RD and look for the evidence. Shes been attacked, threatened, bribed, etc.. Ive only seen a small part of the hatemail she has recieved.
RDs letter says exactly that that the DA and the lawmakers can make this right. She doesnt understand how or why they dont. The DA should have squashed the media,public frenzy and stood by his original decision not to press charges against her at all!
Surely the same frenzy should have brought MP to trial for murder and sexual assault. Im not a lawyer but from what I see the case against him could have been proven. Richard Smotherman even says during RDs trial that he believes MP killed Kelsey, admitting he thinks MP is a liar, so WHY is he brought in to testify against RD? |
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JUSTICE1st

Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 715 Location: USA
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Nicks momom wrote: | Cujo wrote;
One of many things that bothers me right now is that the Witch Hunt is alive and residing in Okla., and many other states. The people in the power seats that could put an end to this, to right the wrongs that have been done, refuse to do it. They contribute and condone for their personal gains or out of fear for their jobs. One might wonder why the Reps and DA's would fear for their jobs, one would think that they have the educations to obtain new jobs if the position they are in were to crumble for standing for what is right! I for one would have more respect for them if they would.
I could not have said this better, the bashboard RD is referring to went on for a long time and helped to create the hatred for RD and the Smith family, ie the witch hunt.Even with it closed the hatred and attacks continue. Truth Seeker was the first to stand publicly (that I know of) in support of RD and look for the evidence. Shes been attacked, threatened, bribed, etc.. Ive only seen a small part of the hatemail she has recieved.
RDs letter says exactly that that the DA and the lawmakers can make this right. She doesnt understand how or why they dont. The DA should have squashed the media,public frenzy and stood by his original decision not to press charges against her at all!
Surely the same frenzy should have brought MP to trial for murder and sexual assault. Im not a lawyer but from what I see the case against him could have been proven. Richard Smotherman even says during RDs trial that he believes MP killed Kelsey, admitting he thinks MP is a liar, so WHY is he brought in to testify against RD? |
From what I am reading about why Smothermon went after RD on this whole "should have known" insanity, I have to conclude that his one and only reason for doing so was appeasing Kathie Briggs. In my view, that says this DA is not competent to be in this office, and should resign.
Since WHEN does ONE person dictate how an entire District Attorney's office "should" be doing their jobs? If a District Attorney is doing his or her job properly, I think the answer is NEVER. An honest, responsible and ethical DA decides what is the best course of action to take in the interest of seeking justice for the victim, when there is one.
The facts as I see them are that little Kelsey Smith-Briggs was murdered by MIKE PORTER, who should have been allowed to plead to nothing less than 1st Degree Manslaughter or 2nd Degree Murder. If he refused, he should have had to face trial on both counts.
Instead, this D.A. allows Porter to be plead on much lesser charges to avoid trial. WHY? He has the person who is "accountable," the actual murderer. Why does he allow the murderer to plead on much lesser charges and then go after the mother for this "should have known" nonsense? As I see it, there is only one answer; to appease Kathie Briggs and her mob. He shouldn't be worrying about "what Kathie Briggs wants." It isn't HER decision to make, and never was.
This DA, in my opinion, isn't looking out for the interests of the people he took an oath to serve, he is only looking to serve himself, by satisfying Kathie Briggs' hatred for an ex daughter-in-law and imposing an unjust and unreasonable sentence of 27 years for a totally vague charge. And disagreeing with Kathie Briggs is NOT "disrespecting Kelsey," although it is obvious to me she can't tell the difference.
J  _________________ "We must remember, always, that accusation is not proof, and conviction depends on evidence and due process of law."
EDWARD R. MURROW, 1954 |
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