The Case of the Boy Who Killed His Little Sister [RFM 380]

[@BlueLemons_96]

I find it extremely disrespectful of Kwaku to drag the victim of that crime into a debate to smear RFM. Just disgusting behaviour.

[@thelastgoonie6555]

Under Mormonism, that's justified. Similar to Scientology's "Fair Game" Doctrine, if it helps or defends the mormon "church" there is nothing that cannot be justified. This is why the prophet Nephi can behead an unconscious man right from the start of the Book of Mormon. Insanity.

[@gxgx1190]

The fact that Kwaku spent time researching your legal history to find ways to attack you rather than arguments on the debate topic is extremely telling

[@TrevorLarsen-o3t]

Whoever suggested you talk about your law career was a genius. This was very interesting and would love to see more of it. That said it does hurt that the immense trust I put onto the strength of Kwaku Els character was misplaced.

[@lcwalker2920]

A defense attorney does what a defense attorney does: insure the constitutional rights of everyone, regardless of the accusation.

[@KolobChoirQueen]

The raw humanity of this episode is palpable. I believe you did a noble thing in representing this mother and her son. I hope they both have been able to move forward.

[@rcummings6502]

Years ago, I was a Stake Missionary. I was working with a woman that needed a lot of help. She worked with the Stake President on repentance. It was hard on her, but she did it. However, the ward members could not let it go. I asked the Stake President, why repent. He just shrugged and felt empathy for her. Mormons are the most judgmental people I know. I have since left the church, life is more forgiving with Christians. My heart is with this Mother.

[@jeannycastro2379]

My only concern comes from one of the news clips disclosed where it was briefly mentioned that the 13 year old said that the voices in his head made him do it. I am not sure I heard correctly and I’m also not sure how that connect to the legal part of the case not sure if the reason why the boy committed this crime was important or discussed at all during this trial. I am not sure if the reason for this minor to commit such a crime would influence the outcome of the case. It does not sound like it would have, but if he had any kind of mental illness then it would matter for me to know if he received the right treatment as a part of his rehabilitation process. Other than that and from the legal explanation. RFM shared, sounds like this boy’s life got turned around and he had worked really hard to be a part of society and a healthy contributor as well. I think he deserved and earned the chance.

[@Fatfinger4378]

@@jeannycastro2379 Excellent point. If he heard voices telling him to do horrific things when he was 14 could it happen again at 34, or whenever? Presumably yes, but hopefully if it did happen, he would have the maturity to fight off the inner demon and get help, rather than act out again. So far as the Kwaku part goes, this is nothing but Mormon apologetics 101. Mormon apologetics has always functioned on this level because ad homonym is all they have. From Nibley to FAIRMORMON to any of the current crowd, there are no valid answers, so since they can't successfully attack the issue, they instead attack the person bringing it up. That approach is woefully mistaken in most instances, but in this case the attackers depend on the friendly audience of faithful sheep to allow them to get away with the behavior.

[@grandlarseny60]

I can relate to his mother in some small way since I had a drug addicted teenager who was in and out of juvenile and adult prison. It was soul crushing, but I had a husband and a younger daughter who needed me. People wondered how long you keep supporting that child. I always said, “forever.” She’s now married with a daughter of her own, and kicking life’s ass. People need an opportunity to make it work.

[@hedgehogsinspace]

Wow, Kwaku really needs to spend some time reviewing Christ's teaching. He was constantly preaching about protecting and caring for the worst off members of society, which is half of the point of defense attorneys (the other half being protecting us all from the government going rogue). Thanks for sharing this recollection, RFM. Too many people jump to snap emotions that prevent them from fully thinking through a situation. I agree with you and this poor kid's mom - he should be able to start over and not have this publicly blasted.

[@vegadog3053]

I am a fan of all defense lawyers. They keep law enforcement honest.

[@personofinterest8731]

Despicable. I hope he knows better now.

[@MomtoAutism]

Thank you for this clarification and honesty. I appreciate your advocacy and legal representation. This is a tough one. I have mentally ill adopted children. I don't know what I would do. But I can say this, treatment works, and it's a disease. Just like diabetes or cancer. Adults who have experiences like this are not given a 2nd chance. We are forever followed by our history to be a click bait anytime someone digs it up. Thank you RFM.

[@IamMrKatz]

Kwaku bringing up this case was slimy. I agree that Mr Rickards should be allowed grace and a second chance. And I don’t know how many parents of 8 year old girls will let them meet alone with any health care professional. Even a doctor. I was always present in the room with my kids for any appointment they had.

[@darlenelane9010]

Good discription of kwaku....slimy fits perfectly.

[@KendraAndTheLaw]

Everyone @ Mental Ward Radio are the bunch of jack azzes.

[@agentcallisto]

Yeah, I don’t care what kind of doctor it is, I’m in the room with my children for all their appointments. This isn’t rocket science.

[@finrodson1288]

Even if you HAD been the defense attorney during the actual murder trial, how the hell would that mean anything? How stupid and uneducated do you have to be to NOT want council, and the best representation possible for EVERY single accused person. Does kwaku want mob justice? What a moron.

[@sum1speshul]

Tbh, Kwaku IS mob justice. He’s so busy weaponizing his faith against his perceived enemies that he cannot see how much harm he is causing to innocent bystanders.

[@TwoTreesVisuals]

Was always curious about this since the debate. Also everyone deserves a good defense, even the bad guys so it was never an issue for me. Thanks RFM you’re my favorite.

[@techwithbec]

I feel for the mom. This just goes to show there is always more to the story.

[@franklinanderson9687]

Good work RFM. If the victim in the case are ok with it and the law allows it, well not much else to say.

[@janp263]

Very well explained RFM. You did your work well for that young man. My heart goes out to that mother, I am glad her son is now able to continue on with his life.

[@roberthasse7862]

When the law is unambiguous, that ends the discussion!

[@shessassy]

This case certainly highlights the outsized impact of a criminal record on future employment. How this is relevant to a license to work in a hearing aide business is a mystery.

[@benjamingardea4511]

I’m sure as a defense lawyer there are things that challenge one’s conscience, but they are absolutely a necessary part of a fair judicial system. While I agree that a murder conviction should show up on a background check for life, it seems clear the prosecutor crossed a line.

[@debbiedonovan8362]

Always a great story teller... Seriously RFM you have a gift! Some of this reminds me of the Idaho 4 murders -- my father ( a lawyer fell down that rabbit hole )... But honestly good lawyers keep people honest, bad lawyers can ruin any type of justice or truth.

[@bmbm2901]

The people you work with as participants in discussions RFM, I have my doubts, but your reflection of forgiveness by Jesus Christ was very warm and encouraging

[@jillpeters540]

Dang. I feel this mother loving her child through everything, the unimaginable, is a sermon that could be preached on any given Sunday. The grief and pain she must have endured....it's a profound depth of love that we all want in life.

[@mxsx2524]

This is really moving RFM u r a champ

[@sprucelane1271]

@at 37:00 - she says what mother would leave a child in a room with a stranger? I hope none. 38:00 - she says you can raising your voice, as hers increases.

[@sharadeewright4063]

Thank you for your calm explanation of the law. As an exmo, I appreciate hearing both sides fairly and being able to come to my own conclusion. If I find myself angry about an issue, I am learning to seek deeper understanding first, which often tempers my original emotional response. Thank you again for presenting the controversy step by step and in a fair manner.

[@louiselucilla2163]

One of the reports said that the boy wanted to kill himself. Nothing more was said about that. Also. I think that the support of his mother must have been crucial to him during his time in prison. Had she not supported him, his life could have gone down a very different road. It is a dilemma for a mother to have to choose to continue to be concerned for and support the one child who killed her other child. It's because she loves them both. Kwaku was clutching at straws and rather than gain support for his argument, he lost credibility.

[@gladtobefreeagain7375]

RFM, thanks for taking us through this thought provoking case. Methinks this case is too subtle for the apologist mind of Kwaku. Saw a news story today that some newspapers like The Oregonian are deindexing & removing stories about past nonviolent arrests & convictions. Mature societies see the harm in perpetual punishment. The internet is unlikely to forget unless it depends on the newspaper index.

[@techwithbec]

Wow what an incredibly complicated situation.

[@kelleyturner6584]

What a ridiculous "argument" he made. Our Stake president was a Defense attorney! What a joke Those men are.

[@lydiavui1029]

He was a juvenile, the frontal lobe of the brain responsible for understanding action/consequence does not fully develop until the mid to late twenties and so it is understandable that he had a lack of understanding of the crime at the time of offence. He repented and served his time under the law and what he asked for was legal. The rest of society should now leave him alone. Your work is commendable RFM. That member criticizing you is falsely denigrating you and is simply creating mischief.

[@landon4278]

I liked RFM’s explanation at the beginning. The law is the law. If Rickards checked all the boxes he should get what the law requires. I can’t imagine when the law was crafted that there wasn’t a conversation about exceptions to the rule, specifically because they made a carve out for sexual assault and not murder. RFM, you never said whether or not you filed an ethics complaint against the prosecutor. I wish you had, because in effect he was subverting the law by intentionally making a new public record that persists on the internet. In a way it reminds me of your analysis of Jenn Kamp to a degree where the judge determined that Dehlin wasn’t going to be able to recover damages even though he was legally in the right and Kamp was abusing the bankruptcy laws. Maybe the prosecutor will be representing Kamp in the future, they seem to be on the same page of undermining the spirit of the law.

[@TEAM__POSEID0N]

From the comments made at around the 33:22 point, I got the impression that a complaint was filed, but not by RFM (and, apparently, nothing happened to the prosecutor).

[@LoraleeArmstrongNunley]

Thank you for sharing this. Truly this mother is a loving forging individual. I got tears too

[@BaconCruiser]

Wow, there needs to be a movie about Diane.

[@ElbertFish-dj9bz]

RFM I'm so happy to find you on the Team after I found out the truth💪😎

[@DeanneSanchez]

Great reporting RFM as always 😊

[@Jsppydays]

Kwaku better not quit his day job, making a fool of himself. It is obvious He knows nothing about the legal juvenile system or the laws of this land. But it really takes an idiot to look up the case and not understand what he's reading. You did an amazing thing radio free, I support what you did 100%. I would have done the same thing. I love your videos keep up the great work.

[@motordudeable]

I remember that debate we’re still picking up the pieces he was broken into. Even if he wasn’t prudent enough to know it, it was ridiculous. I was open minded toward both parties until I heard those arguments.

[@sleepycalico]

Welp, the prosecutor failed to choose a case that would support his desire to change the law. This case shows exactly why society wants youth to have a second chance, even in terribly sad cases. And the woman who went for emotional scare tactics, suggesting he can never be trusted was disgraceful. The law already provides quite a long period of time for a released adult to demonstrate his/her character before becoming eligible to apply for the clean slate. (Eight years before applying? I forget.) Leave the law alone. P.S. I didn't hear any voice raised inappropriately in the *debate.* Her claim, as if her interrupty self had been ill-treated, just disgusted me.

[@JuBeeJuBeeJu]

He was a CHILD. The prosecutor, Kwaku and the woman attorney are wrong, imo. Nothing can bring back the girl, he served his time and has never been violent again. Jeez. People blow my mind.

[@BigChris3931]

That prosecutor probably just wanted the publicity so he could run for office as a NO NONSENSE WATCHDOG 😎

[@dallenford9592]

I love that you called out Kwaku's hypocrisy here. I remember as a kid (in seminary maybe?) watching a Mormon video about a guy whose family was killed by a drunk driver, and how wonderful and Christlike it was that he forgave the driver and did not push for harsh punishments in court. Yet here, when this is exactly what this mother did, she gets condemned for it? Make it make sense.

[@poorwayfaringwoman]

If the prosecutor’s office didn’t want him to avail himself of the benefits of being tried as a juvenile, they should have attempted to try him as an adult. They can’t have it both ways. Great podcast, RFM, and great work!

[@jcrook5904]

Thanks for telling us about this. I skipped out on the debate early. That prosecutor had a strangely holier than thou attitude that supported his unethical actions.

[@amandawillis3573]

Wonder if he was mormon?...

[@bonmamartine5178]

I loved being in that audience! Met great people!

[@chrissjones1607]

I'm personally partially with the prosecutor on this. Murder and violent crimes against children should never be vacated. The law needs to be changed. Sealed yes, but vacated, no.

[@penguinmama7516]

Tickled my true crime button...

[@cohort29]

I like more context.

[@Fellowtraveler111]

Regardless of how I feel about this gentleman getting his conviction vacated Kwaku was dishonest. kwaku made it seem as though RFM was the attorney for the original trial as opposed to a clerical hearing. Tisk tisk Kwaku

[@finrodson1288]

Kwaku being dishonest?!?! *Shocked face*

[@bflying]

Great story teller. Love your work.

[@debbieshrubb1222]

In both the UK and US justice system we seem to find it hard for restorative justice to take place and for people to heal and move on.

[@kelleyturner6584]

The female attorney on the Crime Watch clip, Lonnie Coombs is LDS.

[@MillaJ100]

I guess I’d like to understand more about his psychotic break and if it’s tied to a larger diagnosis. That being said, RFM you did your job and the law was followed. The prosecutor was a slime ball to call the media.

[@SneakyM68]

Are they wearing Kevlar vests? Or are those some fancy Molly Mormon jumpers so they could be matchy matchy? I'm not the biggest fan of defense lawyers but that was just low. Yes, I'm a crime junkie and I've seen you on TV. That being said, I'm a huge fan! You are just the right amount of intelligence and sarcasm with a dash of dry humor. Keep doing you, we're here for it.

[@tawnyachristensen7310]

Such a sad case.

[@erpthompsonqueen9130]

Thank you. Watching from Alaska. 🤔

[@DeanneSanchez]

I think it would be hard to know what to do I would think because showed good behavior that needs to be taken into consideration , the hard part is what if there’s that possibility that he could reaffend? And do it again there are no garantees , thank goodness for his mothers love ❤️

[@OOSPassie]

I always get a bit nauseous when people have opinions about hearsay stuff... People seem to know soooo well how other people should behave... Experts on everything

[@fungrammacat]

Love the new intro, RFM!

[@RangeMcrangeface]

Kwaku is an embarrassment to his church.

[@n.ludwig1236]

I feel like I am in the middle on this one. Although I do not think that his history should be vacated in this type of case, I do think he should be allowed to ask since it was the law at the time. There isn’t anything inherently wrong about representing somebody as their attorney like RFM did. I hope for the best for the young man and his family. Thanks for sharing RFM!

[@Moksha-Raver]

Imagine Mormons chastising anyone about ethics!!! Kwaku El displayed the Mormon tendency to make personal attacks to defend his church.

[@katefriend4085]

There's something gob-smacking to me about the ignorance of Kweku about the rights of his fellow citizens with regard to legal defense in a trial or when dealing with the court system. I really hope Kweku never needs a defense attorney for so much as a traffic violation, because while I assume he'd be able to afford a defense attorney, the ignorance of others' comprehension of his legal rights will result in all kinds of distrust and cruelty from the public, and damage to his reputation far worse than even his repeated ad hominem attacks on YT have presumably caused.

[@alyssa2796]

Wtf this happened in my town what I’ve never heard of this

[@barbiechopshop9538]

I ♥ RFM

[@amy4770]

Hey RFM! This isn't Mormon related but listening to this episode made me want to get your opinion on a recent case that's been in the news. Have you heard anything on the Delphi case against Richard Allen? I was hoping to get your opinion about the circumstances of the trial.

[@lcutie36]

I guess good Mormons can’t practice as defense attorneys.

[@msmdare]

Letter of the law prevails Sensationalism can damage a persons ability to move on and have a good life. WWJD?

[@TiffaneyEdwards-k1z]

He was a child!

[@jaynine]

Very few events in life are completely black and white. Thanks for some important nuance I would have had trouble believing until I watched this.

[@warlok1965]

Funny / odd tangent... but Loni Coombs (from your Crime Watch Daily) ... is (or maybe _was_)... a Mormon. I attended church with her family in Westlake Village CA in the 80s.... no idea if she is still active :)

[@caz2870]

She may have Christlike love for her son, but what of her daughter who cries from the dust over her death?

[@teacup.demitasse]

It was petty to hold something against you that you did as part of your job. The mom was able to exploit a loophole in the law. However, I also believe it is part of a District Attorney's job to bring something to the public's attention. When this kid had a psychotic break he didn't just streak out of his house bum nekkid screaming up and down the street throwing feces at passersby. He stabbed his much younger helpless sister repeatedly because he was feeling suicidal but couldn't bring himself to do the deed so instead he chopped up his little sister and put her in the freezer. And now that's just supposed to be swept under the rug under the assurances of his mother he will never do something like that again? I hold sympathy as a mother myself for her plight but her son has done enough in this lifetime to warrant some caution and god--or gaia or the universe--help her if he has another "break" that takes the life of some other mother's child. This is simply my opinion on the case itself but regardless RFM, you did your job under the law and I presume acted in good faith within the tenets of your profession. Kwaku El's argument does not hold water.

[@tamyramcgough6862]

The Right seems to be pretty judgemental and cruel to me. I prefer your way of thinking

[@chasewilkinson1977]

First time seeing that clip of kwaku and damn if it didn't lower my opinion of him

[@KinderKim-b3x]

I just lost the live discussion….😢

[@paysonstudios]

Wasn't Nephi 14 when he murdered Laban?

[@TEAM__POSEID0N]

I can't recall if the exact age was mentioned. But the story sounds like a story about a "psychotic break". Nephi heard voices in his head...and Laban ended up dead. Fast forward and all of Nephi's descendants were m u r d e r ed by the descendants of his brothers because "god" had cursed one side with darker skin, so that the two branches of the family would be forever divided and fighting each other. The Book of Mormon is basically a story about 1,000 years of psychotic breaks (including the psychotic break that Jesus had when he visited the Americas), with some 19th century sermons and KJV passages tossed in to make it sound vaguely biblical. It's the product of the same mind that believed in magic peep-stones, teleporting angels and ghosts who guarded buried treasures, which would elusively slip deeper into the ground when they were found, never to be found again.

[@KendraAndTheLaw]

😆

[@KendraAndTheLaw]

@@bmylesk 😆

[@CandlewickLibrary]

I think it was irrelevant for kwaku to bring it up. I agree that was an attack that has nothing to do with your integrity personally. As for the crime itself, I would tend to be on the side of the female reporter. Whenever someone commits a violent crime or abuse and you find out that they had a history of that and no one knew, that is infuriating. It’s sad if he truly is never going to be violent again that he has to carry that, but that is the nature of consequences. We do use that as an argument against sexual abuse in the lds church when leaders know someone’s past but don’t tell people and I think it’s the same thing.

[@deborahharding1248]

Hello friends

[@UmWhaaat]

39:01 does this lady do background checks on everybody she meets?

[@gmbai]

Kwaku is a slime for such a lazy and stupid attack. @kwaku is it really worth trying to defend the LDS church with such terrible tactics?

[@marquitaarmstrong399]

Well guess fun was wrong choice of words. Thought u were reviewing the debate. Apologies.

[@lcwalker2920]

Kwaku went KooKoo

[@DeanneSanchez]

We always have to have the haters completely causing havic on line they have nothing better to do with thier time I guess . Such a terrible tragedy I didn’t even hear about this , so many stories like this happening more and more 😂

[@paysonstudios]

Are there similarities with the Ramsey case?

[@jennedge123]

For sure, Kwaku was out of line and shouldn’t have judged a situation he was obviously very ignorant about. Let’s go back to the case a little and what should have happened. 13 year old Steven should have been tried as an adult for that crime. No question. The other thing that I found a little off, was your (RFM) judgement of the mother. I found her to be hard and somewhat strange in the way she talked about the case and her son. Maybe you know her better (obviously), but maybe that son was given or taught that he was better than others and allowed to do whatever he thought necessary. Was this really a psychotic break? At 13? And if it was, the ideas of the crime committed in a perpetrator’s mind would be there for a reason. Yes, a psychotic break is a break from reality, but the basis of action is something that STARTED in thought while in reality. What I’m saying is, how well do we even truth that mother? I sure as hell don’t. RFM may have seen some amazing love and genuine care for her lost daughter, but all I saw was a very strong and hard woman who seemed ok with how things turned out. A woman who doesn’t really care if her son may have a break again(again, who knows if it was a break). Yes - RFM you were treated unfairly by Kwaku. Doing your job. I wouldn’t have taken the case, but you did and that’s your choice. This kid should have been tried as an adult. Period. His record should be public and never allowed to be vacated. My 2 cents

[@shessassy]

A thirteen year old is not an adult, and nothing on the facts of the case, his upbringing, or your personal opinion, changes that.

[@darlenelane9010]

Matthew 7:1-5 Judge not forbids pronouncing another person guilty before God. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged. Undue harshness and a judgmental attitude toward others will result in being treated in much the same way by God

[@Lomochenko]

@@shessassy He shouldn’t be tried as an adult but his records should remain public and shouldn’t be vacated. People should be aware of his violent crime.

[@agentcallisto]

Perhaps the mother’s “hardness” is a reaction to the outlandish behavior of the prosecutor, not to mention sixteen years of dealing with an agonizing situation. I wouldn’t blame anyone for putting up walls when under that kind of pressure.

[@ElbertFish-dj9bz]

I severely do not like Cucu fumanchu or what ever the hell his name is that said this about you