Dateline - Susan Smith episode

[Moliphino]

I've only heard the name Gypsy Rose Blanchard and have never really paid attention to what exactly her story is, but I'm guessing she's probably not my cup of tea and won't get my sympathy.

She conspired with her then boyfriend to kill her horrifically abusive mother (munchausen by proxy). I do feel bad for her, though I think she should've laid low after getting out of prison rather than trying for publicity.

 

[brockash]

Yes, you're right. Now that I remember David's now wife did say she was gathering information for custody purposes. But still seems bizarre in general given their circumstances & very sad she was that close to unwittingly stopping their murder.

They all sound like a bunch of looney tunes. So horribly sad for those innocent boys.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Do you think she should get parole?

No - I hadn't realized she was up for parole, but remember the story from back then. I can't imagine forgiving yourself for something like that, let alone expecting others to.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've only heard the name Gypsy Rose Blanchard and have never really paid attention to what exactly her story is, but I'm guessing she's probably not my cup of tea and won't get my sympathy.

Not a lawyer, but I'm not grasping the contention that a non-unanimous jury verdict equates to denial of the Sixth Amendment right to trial. However, if there is legal precedence for the position it's probably highly likely a new trial would be granted. I am surprised to see that a non-unanimous verdict was enough to sustain a conviction. I didn't realize that was the case anywhere in the US.

Gypsy Rose definitely has my sympathy.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Gypsy Rose has my sympathy. All she ever knew was to grift, learned from her mom. And I don't know that she had much in the way of education or skills--her whole identity was scamming people by being sick. Not by her own choice, but that's all she's ever had/known.

 

[barkley]

of these publicized cases of mother against child murders the single mother I have substantial sympathy for is Andrea Yates. such a terrible tragic case and she never exercises her right to be considered for release from psychiatric hold-wiaving it every year since her first eligibility in 2008.

 

[mjkacmom]

Gypsy Rose has my sympathy. All she ever knew was to grift, learned from her mom. And I don't know that she had much in the way of education or skills--her whole identity was scamming people by being sick. Not by her own choice, but that's all she's ever had/known.

And she was scammed herself.

 

[cabanafrau]

of these publicized cases of mother against child murders the single mother I have substantial sympathy for is Andrea Yates. such a terrible tragic case and she never exercises her right to be considered for release from psychiatric hold-wiaving it every year since her first eligibility in 2008.

She came to mind reading this thread. I agree, I've always looked at her situation as being the result of deep psychosis. Honestly, I have a bit of side eye for the father in her situation for not taking action to help his wife or children as circumstances deteriorated. He may not have anticipated the snap, but shame on him for not reaching out to help at all with the struggle that was painfully obvious.

I don't feel she presents ongoing risk of harm to anyone, beyond perhaps herself.

 

[Moliphino]

She came to mind reading this thread. I agree, I've always looked at her situation as being the result of deep psychosis. Honestly, I have a bit of side eye for the father in her situation for not taking action to help his wife or children as circumstances deteriorated. He may not have anticipated the snap, but shame on him for not reaching out to help at all with the struggle that was painfully obvious.

I don't feel she presents ongoing risk of harm to anyone, beyond perhaps herself.

He also made her keep having more kids even after doctors advised against it due to her postpartum issues. And he left her alone with the kids even after doctors told him not to.

 

[cabanafrau]

He also made her keep having more kids even after doctors advised against it due to her postpartum issues. And he left her alone with the kids even after doctors told him not to.

It's been so long I had forgotten those details. Not surprising for one of his ilk.

 

[mylilnikita]

Rusty Yeats was just as culpable. He was told by doctors to not have anymore kids,but his religious beliefs gave it the ok.


Sometimes I’ll see a show about families living in a bus and I think of how cramped Andrea was with all she was going through before they moved into the house.

 

[barkley]

She came to mind reading this thread. I agree, I've always looked at her situation as being the result of deep psychosis. Honestly, I have a bit of side eye for the father in her situation for not taking action to help his wife or children as circumstances deteriorated. He may not have anticipated the snap, but shame on him for not reaching out to help at all with the struggle that was painfully obvious.

I don't feel she presents ongoing risk of harm to anyone, beyond perhaps herself.

He also made her keep having more kids even after doctors advised against it due to her postpartum issues. And he left her alone with the kids even after doctors told him not to.

Rusty Yeats was just as culpable. He was told by doctors to not have anymore kids,but his religious beliefs gave it the ok.


Sometimes I’ll see a show about families living in a bus and I think of how cramped Andrea was with all she was going through before they moved into the house.

I recently read that Rusty was still pushing Andrea for more kids AFTER the drownings/while she was on trial. he was convinced that she would get off on an insanity plea, go for some treatment, get released and they could start right back up. the doctors, lawyers and her family were horrified. he let up a bit on her having them but then started talking about either using a surrogate or adopting . to this day he focuses on the death of the children as being significant in that it was a 'betrayal of trust' against him.

 

[cabanafrau]

I recently read that Rusty was still pushing Andrea for more kids AFTER the drownings/while she was on trial. he was convinced that she would get off on an insanity plea, go for some treatment, get released and they could start right back up. the doctors, lawyers and her family were horrified. he let up a bit on her having them but then started talking about either using a surrogate or adopting . to this day he focuses on the death of the children as being significant in that it was a 'betrayal of trust' against him.

So the children had no right to their lives in and of themselves, only adjunct to him and his wants. His wife had no right to decide how she wanted to mother, or even if she wanted to mother.

But of course that's how the world should work, everyone is just a satellite to his beliefs and wants.

 

[focusondisney]

Aside from all the obvious reasons why she should not be let out, mostly parole should never have been an option to begin with ...

What will she do when she gets out? Who will rent to her? Who will want to let her live with them? Who with children will let her anywhere near them? Who will hire her? How will she support herself? And as far as interviews as a money potential I thought you couldn't make money on your crimes?

I agree she should have gotten life without parole. But Casey Anthony found some place to live, a way to pay her bills & support herself. She still denies she did it & blames her father. Someone would probably help this one out too.