Follow up on Jesse Marie Davis’ murder case

I am sorry to tell you this, but as of today there is little to follow up upon. I promised to write more about the case, but it seems like not much occurred since my last entry. The media is silent about any new developments. The coverage stops on the day Jesse Marie Davis’ body was discovered and charges were pressed against Bobby Cutts Jr. and his accomplice Myisha Ferrell. Very little is known about their court appearance. We will now however explore these tidbits of information which the media fail to provide us with anymore, as well as the reasons why Jesse Marie Davis’ murder is not sparking any interest.

So what did happen since the media became disinterested in the Ohio tragedy? Well, both Bobby Cutts Jr. and Myisha Ferrell were scheduled to appear in court for preliminary hearings on July 2, 2007. The purpose of preliminary hearings is to inform the accused of the reasons for arrest, decide what criminal charges will be heard by the court, and determine what evidence will be considered. Both accused arrived in court on the scheduled date, however they waived their rights to preliminary hearings. Asked for the reasons, Cutts’ lawyer stated that his client was concerned with the evidence becoming public before the trial. Bobby Cutts Jr. remains in custody on a $5,000,000 bond, while his former classmate and accomplice is held on a $ 500,000 bond. New developments have also been made in determining the extent of Ferrell’s involvement in the case. As mentioned in the previous article, Ferrell most likely helped clean up the murder scene. Now she is also accused of helping Bobby Cutts Jr. dispose Jesse Marie Davis’ body.

(information adopted from Court TV)

So why are the media not interested in the case anymore? If we go back in time and look at the Laci Peterson murder case, it has received much more coverage and attention than the Ohio murder. This however might be the very reason why Jesse Marie Davis’ case doesn’t spark that much interest. America thrives on sensationalism. Laci Peterson’s case was one of the first of its kind so nationally televised and followed by millions. It involved two physically attractive people, a love affair and a murder – a perfect combination of factors that grasp attention. Also the time of Laci’s disappearance was crucial. Having vanished a day before Christmas Eve, the pregnant woman and her unborn baby gained almost a religious meaning in some people’s eyes. Also, because of the proximity of holidays, which by many are associated with family and happiness, Laci’s disappearance was that much more shocking, and in result Scott Peterson’s actions were looked upon as that much more cruel and gruesome. Now, in comparison, we have the Jesse Marie Davis case. Sure, we have a very beautiful, captivating young woman involved, but where are the motives? There is neither an affair as in the Peterson case (or at least none that we know of right now) nor any other element that would make this case “extraordinary” or “spicy” or simply “worthy” of the attention of the American media. The time in which the murder was committed is also non-significant. And in the end we have to face the fact that we are dealing with a copy-cat. It has been done before, and as we all know, not many people enjoy reruns.

I am not trying to trivialize the murder of Jesse Marie Davis. I am simply trying to show, that the media have already done so. Jesse Marie Davis was important as long as she grabbed the attention of the average American. Now as the case is moving into a more complex and intellectual stage, there is no place for sensationalism and so the media are withdrawing, turning to stories that the average American finds attention-worthy as well as simply understandable. They will return to the case two or three more times, as the official trial begins, then when the verdict is announced, and maybe also on the anniversary of Davis’ death.

I am not however calling for 24/7 coverage of the case either. It is not the job of the media to cover every single detail of the case or trial – that is what the attorneys and anyone else involved directly in the case is responsible for. I am simply calling for an end to victimization. My point is, that yes, Jesse Marie Davis was a murder victim, but she was much more than that. Lets show that. Lets not stop on the sensational aspect of the case, but go further. There is a large portion of Americans that would like to hear how the case is being conducted, how justice is being served, and perhaps also what measures are being taken on the state or federal level to prevent such cases from happening again. This case can make a difference to other potential victims – any laws or even precautions that other women take, sparked by Jesse Marie Davis’ example make her a hero, not a victim. I am simply calling for equalization of sensationalism and intellectualism within the media. I think we owe this to Jesse Marie Davis. After using her murder as a ratings boosting factor, it is time to show how justice is being served in her name.

– Kat

The AMBER Alert

We have often heard the phrase “AMBER Alert” on television or through the radio, but many of us probably have not given much thought to it. The AMBER Alert, which stands for “America’s Missing: Broadcasting Emergency Response”, is a crucial medium of notifying society about confirmed abductions of children in the United States and Canada. Before we examine its significance, let us look at the history of the system.

 

The AMBER Alert was named after Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old from Arlington, Texas who was abducted and murdered in 1996. Soon after Amber’s death, local radio stations began an action whose purpose was to notify the public about abductions. Officials hoped that people’s involvement might help surface any important information or eyewitness accounts and potentially help find the missing children before it is too late. In the year 2000 the idea made its way to the United States House of Representatives which stressed the need to adopt a nationwide AMBER Plan. Finally in 2003, President George W. Bush made the AMBER Alert a national program. (adopted from wikipedia)

 

So what exactly is the AMBER Alert? It is an announcement sent to the public by mass media such as television, radio or the internet, informing about a confirmed child abduction. The missing person must be 17 years old or younger in order for the AMBER Alert to be issued. The purpose of the notification is to provide society with a thorough description of the missing child, circumstances of abduction, physical description of the abductor (if available) and any other information that might be helpful in locating the child and its abductor.

 

The AMBER Alert has been in place for over three years now. There are certainly some success stories, which prove that the plan is an important aspect of any search. However, there are many cases in which the AMBER Alert failed. Some might argue that the plan is still under development and that more time is needed for the success rate to rise. The problem is that abductors will not wait for that opportune time of near flawlessness. Children are abducted every day. In each case time is crucial and help is needed instantaneously. The government along with children’s rights activists should put forward an effort to improve the AMBER Alert system as soon as possible. The scope of public announcements is currently very acute. Local abductions will get a two minute slot on the local news. The more interesting abductions will appear slightly more often on many news stations, because they draw attention and boost the ratings. It is also interesting to notice that one very rarely hears about abductions of anyone besides little, white girls. There is obviously something wrong with this picture. In a situation such as an abduction, there should not be any special treatment, because in each and every one of these cases time is crucial and lives are at stake. Each one of these children needs our help and we should work on improving the system that could bring it to them.

 

The AMBER Alert is just one of many important programs aimed at protecting and helping children in the United States. We will soon explore some other crucial acts that shape the face of law aimed at protecting the youngest.

The aftermath of Jesse Marie Davis’ murder

Today the frantic search for Jesse Marie Davis, a pregnant Ohio woman missing for about a week has ended. The body of the victim was found some distance away from her house. This chapter of the tragedy might have ended, but a new one has just begun. Now the attention turns to the people involved in her murder, and those left behind to mourn her.

 

Bobby Cutts Jr., the father of Davis’ 2-year-old son as well as possibly the unborn child, is currently being held in custody as the primary suspect in the murder. There are several interesting factors that might arise if the investigators choose to press formal charges. The first pertains to the fact that Cutts is a police officer. The situation in this case is, as one might imagine, slightly delicate. The people in charge of the investigation will be accusing one of “their own”, which might influence the case in many ways, depending on whether they sympathize with the victim and her family, or feel alliance with the accused.

 

Another aspect that certainly should be considered is the nature of the charges that will be pressed. Depending on the evidence that can be collected from the victim or testimony that the prosecutors can obtain from the victim’s son Blake, a witness to his mother’s kidnapping, Cutts can be charged with either first degree murder, second degree murder or manslaughter. One cannot forget however that there wasn’t just one victim of the crime. Because Jesse Marie Davis was nine months pregnant when she was murdered, her unborn child is also considered a victim, as stated by the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004 also known as the “Laci and Conner’s Law”. One might actually notice a resemblance between this case and the murder of Laci Peterson and her unborn son Conner in California, in 2002. The victim’s husband and the father of the child, Scott Peterson has been convicted of the double murder and sentenced to death, and is currently residing on death row. Since Ohio allows capital punishment, depending on what the evidence unveils, a similar fate might await Bobby Cutts Jr. if he is convicted.

 

An instrumental aspect on this case will be the motive. In the murder of Laci Peterson, the motive was passion. Scott Peterson murdered his wife and unborn son in order to start a new life with his mistress, Amber Frey. In this case however Jesse Marie Davis was the mistress. Cutts also fathered the child of Nikki Giavasis, but was never formally married to her. The motive at this point seems unclear, especially if one takes into account Cutts’ accomplice Myisha Ferrell, an aquaintance whose level of involvement in the case is at this point still rather uncertain. So far she has been charged with obstruction of justice for providing false information about Davis when questioned. However as the investigation progresses more charges may be introduced, especially after suspiciously large quantities of bleach have been found at Ferrell’s house. Ferrell does not own a laundry machine. Bleach, as we may remind, was used to clean up the crime scene in Davis’ household, compromising any blood evidence. More details should unravel as investigators examine the new evidence uncovered today.

 

Although the confirmation of Jesse Marie Davis’ death was tragic, it did bring a sense of closure. Days of uncertainty have ended and although the outcome is not what anyone would hope for, it helps to move on. After the family mourns the loss of Jesse Davis, they can begin the process of healing, which will be crucial in the case of the victim’s son Blake who witnessed the assault on Davis at her house. Although perhaps the child might not yet be able to comprehend the full extent on his experience, it can certainly impact his development. The assault might not affect the child, but comprehending the fact that mommy is not coming home anymore might be difficult for a two-year-old. Also, the psychological state of the family members involved in his upbringing from now on can have a deep impact on his childhood. That is why the healing process is so crucial. After witnessing the kidnapping and possibly even murder of his mother, this child needs stability in order to have a normal childhood.

 

We will continue to look at this case in the future.

The New Ten Commandments

Two days ago media all over the world reported about a rather peculiar move on Vatican’s part. As its annual project the Vatican issued “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road” popularly known as the “Driver’s Ten Commandments”. This brought a mixture of praise, annoyance and subtle laughter to those even remotely interested in the issue. Why, out of all the issues which the world deals with everyday, is the Catholic Church undertaking something as trivial as ‘road rage’? Perhaps we can find the answer within the commandments (adopted from http://www.cnn.com) : 

1. You shall not kill
Thank you Catholic Church for stating the obvious.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
Yes, of course why didn’t I think of this before? I will share my emotions with my fellow passengers and fellow drivers, while being stuck in my metal can in the middle of rush hour traffic, between two trucks and five SUV’s. Because in moments like these, all I think of is communion and peace to all. 

 3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
This commandment can only help me get stress related psychological and medical disorders.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
Once again, thank you Captain Obvious.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
Let me restate that: no more SUV’s and luxury vehicles, no more street racing, passing other vehicles or demonstrating your car engine’s capabilities and absolutely no more sex in the car (not that it was permitted in the first place)!!!

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
Paris, Lindsay and Nicole – this one’s for you! Good thing Benedict XVI is in touch with pop culture…

7. Support the families of accident victims.
Nooooo, really???

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
Yes, we’ll see how that goes for someone who might never walk again, or who lost his/her entire family. I’m not quite sure it will be as “liberating” as you might think.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
The fourth unveiling of Captain Obvious…

10. Feel responsible toward others.

What do you even mean by this? Isn’t it covered already?

 

So as you can see, the commandments are as ridiculous as the idea itself. Some sources suggested to simply ask yourself WWJDIHDAC (What would Jesus do if he drove a car?) or pray while behind the wheel (although I personally think that praying should be up there alongside cell phones as ticket material). I suggest however that we stop and pray for Vatican’s enlightenment. If the people behind the document looked closely at the issues the Catholic Church currently faces and forgot for a second about the o so “pressing” issue of road rage, maybe they would have realized that there are more important aspects of catholic life they should be addressing (considering they possess some authority in the eyes of the majority of Catholics). They could start with educating people that the world is in fact more than 6,000 years old. Reconsidering issues such as contraception or abortion would also be on my personal Vatican “To Do” list. I have a feeling though that we will have to wait a while for matters to reach such subjects. I personally have very low expectations of people who waste time writing a document such as the “Driver’s Ten Commandments” or persecuting Harry Potter as the tool of the Devil for that matter (courtesy of the former Cardinal Ratzinger).