Kazmierczak’s girlfriend speaks out

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5 responses to “Kazmierczak’s girlfriend speaks out”

1. 

   February 18, 2008

   Merlyn

   I wonder if she’s in denial or doesn’t want to face that she could have been with someone capable of this.

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2. 

   February 18, 2008

   Concerned Father of NIU student

   Anyone else think it’s odd that the card that the girlfriend supposedly received from the killer was printed on a computer, and was signed “Love, Steven Kazmierczak”. Why would he need to add his last name to the card? Wouldn’t she know who it is from if they were living together for a year? I would expect it to just say “Love, Steve”. Something is not right about this, and something is not right about her. Also odd that he would send her bullets and a holster and a cell phone. I think more investigation is in order on her story.

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3. 

   February 19, 2008

   Zach

   This one is tough for me. I have a family member who has a form of mental illiness an don his meds, he is the sweetest most caring person you could meet. Off his meds he could end up like several of the mass shooters here have, as when his diagnosis came he thought our mall was spying on him and that all the workers and customers worked for the CIA. We have to make sure he takes his meds as they do make him more tired and as many people with an illiness, mental or otherwise, will stop taking them when he feels better. On one hand I feel for the victims in this tradegy. On the other hand, I don’t think this shooter is in the same league as Eric Harris and Mitchell Johnson but rather that of a person with a disease. A disease that sadly would affect other people.

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4. 

   February 22, 2008

   sad by the whole thing

   The card if you look closely is an Amazon gift card that was included with the school books so likely he bought them on line and sent the card with them. That explains the printed part – Why include the last name? Who know’s…. he obviously wasn’t well.

   How can you make the statement “something is not right about her”? – do you know her?

   For many of us, it is difficult when things happen that we did not foresee. I think it is part of human nature to want to know the “why” of something. Sometimes we can have that answer, and other times we can not. I think this is the most difficult part.

   Without a clear “why”, some people will try to demonize the shooter, maybe it makes it easier for them to sort it out in their minds. Maybe if they can compartmentalize him as evil or bad then they can move on and start to heal. They may say horrible cruel things out of ignorance and pain. It does not reflect on her no matter what they say. I hope she can forgive them, if not now then someday. While she was close to him, she is in no way no responsible for his individual actions. I hope she can forgive your friend as well. I think most people underestimate the impact of their actions on others, and I doubt he could have foreseen the ripple effect of his actions.

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5. 

   March 16, 2008

   Agree with “NIU Father”

   To the contrary, I think most people who have looked at this case closely would agree with “NIU Father” that something was and still is not right about Jessica Baty.

   Let me explain:

   First, most NIU parents, especially parents of the victims, were shocked at how favorably and lovingly Baty described Kazmierczak in the days after the massacre. For example, Baty told CNN: “He was probably the nicest, most caring person ever.” This must have been extremely offensive to the families of the victims considering what occurred. She also said “He was normal.” and “He was not a monster.” and “He was not erratic.” According the NIU police, the last statement contradicted what Baty told NIU police investigators since she had told them that he was quick to loose his temper in the weeks before the massacre and was obviously hiding things from her and openly refusing to take his medications.

   Second, most people can not understand why Baty did not communicate with anyone about large number of warning signs. For example, it didn’t make sense for a person with mental health issues to be collecting guns. Baty admitted that she knew about several of the guns, yet did nothing about this. Also, Kazmierczak’s fascination with the morbid movies, violent video games, and gory tattoos were dangerous for someone with his mental health issues. Baty should have notified doctors about these problems, yet it appears she notified no one. Also, Baty seemed to do nothing (if not encourage) Kazmierczak to stop taking drugs that were prescribed to help Kazmierczak with his mental health issues.

   All these odd and dangerous choices are good reason to make people to conclude that something was/is not right about Jessica Baty.

   The saddest part to me is that Baty bizarre behavior after the massacre seems designed to make people think that the police theory about the case, namely that Kazmierczak was motivated by the failure of his relationship with Baty, was wrong. I know that Kazmierczak also tried to hide this motive, but this does not mean that the NIU police had it wrong. Instead, I expect that the NIU police were correct about this, and I expect the NIU police will strengthen the argument for this theory when they conclude their investigation.

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