It's been a minute since Brooke Skylar
Richardson's trial for the death of Annabel Richardson, and while I
am disappointed, I am not in the least surprised.
People do not understand how a trial
works actually, and so many people jumped in to comment. First, this
is not white privilege, it's classism at it's finest. She didn't walk
because she's white, she walked because her parents put every penny
they could get their hands on (and likely borrowed from family) for
her defense. Simply put, rich people never face the same penalty or
verdicts that the poor do. If you are reliant on a public defender,
which poor people are, the best they can hope for is a plea deal
where at least they may see the light of day as a free person again.
Not convinced? Look at OJ Simpson, the Mendez brothers (who should
have gotten death), and AJ Armstrong who killed his parents and his
trial resulted in a hung jury. If you are rich, you don't face the
same consequences. Recently, a rich (though very delusional and
confused) man went on the the Dr. Phil show to declare rich people
get away with murder. (I don't think he actually killed his
girlfriend, but his statement isn't wrong.)
The problem with the evidence is that
the baby was not found until it was fully skeletonized. There were no
lungs to examine to see if the baby had taken a breath. The judge,
for reasons I can not fathom, dismissed tampering with evidence
charges, despite that being fully proven with actual evidence. She
admitted to burying the baby (resulting in decay), cleaning the crime
scene and disposing off all the blood covered items.
The problem is she said the baby was
born dead. There wasn't evidence the baby was dead OR alive. The
defense could not prove it was dead and the state could not prove it
was alive. This should have resulted in involuntary manslaughter
because her own expert said on the stand that had she delivered in a
hospital, the baby would have been born alive. This is NOT failure to
seek prenatal care, this was knowing beyond a reasonable doubt you
were pregnant and making zero arrangements to give birth in a way
that was safe and she stood the best chances. In my opinion, based
on the evidence, that was proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Another issues I the definition of
reasonable doubt. It is not NO doubt, it is defined as what would a
reasonable adult think when considering the totality of the evidence
alone. A reasonable adult would believe that Brooke could not have a
baby. She stated this repeatedly throughout the trial to many
witnesses and told the original OB/GYN who was alarmed enough to give
her resources regarding hurting herself and/or her baby. It's clear
based on her actions, lack of actions and her attitude after the
birth she never intended for that baby to live.
She became of the patron saint of
modern feminism. She was a victim of the patriarchy. Sigh. Nope, she
was a manipulative woman in the classic sense. She might as well have
said, but look, I'm white, I'm a cheerleader and an honor student.
When confronted, she exclusively used a “baby voice”, but in
court she spoke perfectly normal. She was capable enough, despite
being allegedly sexually abused to enroll and plan to attend college
upon graduation. She also planned to marry her boyfriend. Horribly
victimized people are not capable of making and keeping plans about
the future.
At the end of the day, she is the only
one who has ever gazed upon Annabel Richardson. The only one, and I
would imagine there were no kisses or cuddles, just simply hurry up
and die already. At the so called sentencing Trey's mother spoke and
made a victim impact statement where she informed Brooke she could
have had the baby, never told her parents and they would have raised
it no questions asked. Brooke had options, but did what she thought
would work the best for her.
Her supporters are legitimately insane
in their fervor. They call her a victim and make zero references to
the baby that is dead. They scream that she's innocent. It's actually
quite sickening. She may have had only 11 days to plan, but that's
enough. Most horribly abused children who grow up to be adults would
never in their wildest dreams imagine so much as hurting a baby, let
alone killing it or letting it die. Not this young woman who seemed
to have so much, including loving supportive parents.
If you watch the interrogation tapes,
you will see these are parents who are literally overwhelmed and
exhausted by having dealt with her lies and anti-social behavior.
They are neither monsters nor parents of the year. They are tired. If
you have not raised a child like this, you won't understand how much
works to keep a teen on a life path where they will not self destruct
or hurt anyone. I don't gamble, however, I would bet money on this.
Her “lack of intelligence” and naivety is all an act she uses to
get what she wants.
Trey may very well have been a normal
hormone driven boy. If it was so bad with him, why did she go back
for a second time? I think this was further justification for what
she did to the baby, what she told herself to make it okay. Poor Trey
will likely never trust a woman again, and who would blame him? If
someone raped me once, it's unlikely I would ever be alone with them
again. She so desperately needs attention and approval she absolutely
would use sex to get it.
At the end of the day, this trial had a
tragic outcome. Annabel never got a chance to live which both
families now have to live with forever. Annabel will get a legitimate
grave instead of the back yard. Brooke is not gong to skip off into
the sunset. Her boyfriend and her are no more. I seriously doubt UC
will accept her but if they do, who will even talk to her? Teens are
especially cruel. Her dream was to work in developmental psychology
with children. No one will ever hire her to work with children ever
again. While I have zero ill will towards any of the parties, I will
be surprised if her parents do not divorce. The father attended court
daily while the mother only attended the sentencing. A public rift
despite her trial is a telling sign.
