Brooke Bennett’s parents speak out

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Brooke Bennett’s parents have finally spoken to the media.

Brooke’s father and stepmother, Jim and Janet Bennett, basically want to see Michael Jacques burn in hell.

“I hope they put him away forever and he rots in hell,” says Janet Bennett, Brooke’s stepmother.

Brooke’s mother, Cassandra Gagnon, agrees…

“I hate that I’ve got so much anger in me, but I think the death penalty is what he deserves, but I think that is a sweet justice for him,” she says.

Now a lot of you have been questioning why Brooke’s mother would leave her alone around a known sex offender. She had this to say…

Gagnon says she never allowed her daughter to visit Jacques house if another adult wasn’t present.

“They have no idea. I could have been right next to her and someone could have grabbed her. I was at work and I knew where my children were. They always talk to me, so if people want to judge me, that’s their choice, but to hell with them.”

I’m sure you’ll have a lot to say about that.

Comments

203 responses to “Brooke Bennett’s parents speak out”

July 7, 2008

sam

i cant belive that a relitive would do that to his neace i hope he gets the death penaltie because that is just wrong how he raped brooke then just kill her then burried her in the gound and she was only 12 i fell really bad for her friends and her family and he then went a played around with her myspace that sick pig better die

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July 8, 2008

Tony

RE: Laurie

Tony – how did you gain access to the affidavit? And, there are interviews with the Mom? I have done some searches, but have come up empty.

Well… as far as the affidavits, after they’re “unsealed,” they are public… Incidentally, right after I found the Jacques affidavit regarding Brooke’s kidnapping, I actually found the same affidavit in a far less censored form (actually, it’s censored, too, but they only censor the word “dad” and Jacques’ email addresses (well, almost – they let it slip through at the beginning) – funny thing is that both copies of the affidavit censor entirely different things – what isn’t visible in one is visible in the other)… If you’d like, I will post a link to it, as well (assuming it’s still there)…

As far as the interview with Cassandra Gagnon (Brooke’s mother), the article above is basically a transcript of the interview…

LINK TO THE WCAX STORY TRANSCRIPT (WITH LINK TO VIDEO SEGMENT)

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July 8, 2008

SANDY

I believe the attacks on the Mother are because the average,normal Mother wouldn’t allow her child around a Convicted sex offender for any reason. Ever, It is hard for me to understand how this can happen..while I doubt she knew what was happening..there were signs..Ky Jelly, vibrators? the Aunt comes home to her nakes child wrapped only in a towel? 14 years old Please People who was protecting them then? My sympathy goes to her father who fought for all of Us in Iraq and came home to the horrrible death of his baby girl! time will tell the Mother and Aunts roles in this..if Iam wrong I will certainly say that Im sorry but something is rotten in denmark here,,the entire story reeks! The Mother and Aunt knew these men were sex offenders and allowed their daughter around these men.even with another family member there they weren’t protected? this breaks my heart for this child she didn’t stand a chance!

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July 9, 2008

SANDY

I don’t know that we are so much ” attacking the “as we are baffled by her choice to allow Brooke to associate with a KNOWN SEX OFFENDER…she knew what he is,, so did the sister and Brooke was not protected from them nor as her cousin..I watched Brook’s funeral today and I can tell you this child shouldn’t be in the ground tonigh..she should be alive and well and happy..I don’t care if these pedophiles were My father,,no way would My child be allowed around them..history speaks for itself in this case. that would have been enough warning for me to never let my child around them family or not..God only knows what this poor baby went thru before she was finally killed..for me there is no excuse for this baby girl to be dead NONE!

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July 9, 2008

SANDY

geez I hope evryone can read between the lines when Im mad and typing sorry guys

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July 9, 2008

Laurie

If you have a family member that is a brother in law, and this person comes to family gatherings, and he was convicted of sex crimes years ago, how does that make you responsible if that man taps into your daughters myspace account, and manipulates the situation, with help from a peer, to get your daughter to go to his house where he could victimize her?

Many parents are not computer savvy. Many parents do not grasp the brevity of a situation. I have not heard that the mom let Brooke meet strangers from online, or that Brooke was talking for a long time with this guy, long enough to cultivate a relationship. It was more of a plan between Jacques and the 14-year old, and other ‘members’ of the breckenridge club to get Brooke at his house.

Granted – the mom could have done things differently. As is with most cases of this type – we can always see our mistake afterward.

In my mind, the real blame should rest on the shoulders of the Corrections system. This guy should have never been let out of prison to begin with. If Brooke wasn’t his victim, another little girl would have been. Another little girl was (you know – the 14 year old – tell me this mom should not be held accountable, signs were right in front of her – talk about denial) and a young man was a victim. There are others, believe me. We just don’t know about them.

Unless Brooke’s mom had signs right in front of her face, why would she think her daughter was in danger? A family gathering? A lot of us have ‘unsavory’ relatives, by marriage. And, we stay away from them. But, how do you explain this to a kid. And besides, as I said before, she was manipulated by her 14-year old relative. Is mom supposed to warn her daughter about all her relatives – I am sure she never thought this other young girl was a danger to her daughter.

And, everyone harps on the sex offenders that we do know about, and should stay away from, but what about all the sex offenders that we do not know about????? How do we guard against them, and envision every possible scenario, every possible type of person as a possible offender – because they come in all shapes, sizes, careers, income level, etc etc.

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July 10, 2008

SeoulGirl

Does anyone personally know if Jacques was a Meth user? At the time of his arraignment he appears to be overly skinny and bony. I was wondering if he was a Meth user. Thanks for anyone’s insight.

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July 11, 2008

Tony

SoSad, I have a few things to say in response to the recent comments you (and others) have made regarding Jacques, et al… Unfortunately, I have to leave for work for the evening, but check back in the morning.

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July 11, 2008

Laurie

Not to go off in a different direction – but VT is looking at the fact that it does not have ‘Jessica’s law’ which would require any sex offender or pedophile who commits a sexual act against a child, to be sentenced for a minimum of 25 years, mandatory, and then they are monitored via GPS.

Here is the video:
http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/State-defe…

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July 11, 2008

SeoulGirl

I don’t believe Jacques was smart at all. Anyone who can deceive a 9yr. old has a pretty low standard of “smartness” in my book. I think he (like many other paedophiles)are master manipulators and liars. In my book that equates to deception/scheming and does not require one to be smart, BUT it does require the one dealing with a paedophile to be very very discerning.

Yes, incredibly he was able to pull it off for 5yrs, but I believe as Juvenile 1 got older she grew to protect Jacques(similar to the Hornbeck case where Shaun didn’t want to leave..Stockholm syndrome) and then being willing to help capture a 2nd victim: Ben Ownby which was Brooke in this case.

I believe the emails, the phone calls,etc.. did happen to make Juvenile 1 believe this was anonymous and that she was “chosen”. I am sure Gagnon was involved in this as well, why else so many trips to Vermont and he lived in Texas…what EX-stepfather travels to a place he left/divorced to see ex-brother in law?

Yes, I agree Pat that Jacques/Gagnon were possibly a distribution center producing their own porn. Remember that either Gagnon or Jacques had photos of Juvenile 1 having sex with her boyfriend….it is very possible he filmed her in many places having sex with other teens and only Juvenile 1 knew they were being filmed.
Remember in an email Jacques in encouraging to Juvenile 1 “tease” the boys in the woods so they will come back for more.

I think that Juvenile 1 really did believe that there was a Breckenridge. I don’t believe that she came up with this lie with him or had this lie memorized in her head in case they got caught. I believe at some point Juvenile 1 did start to figure some things out. After 5yrs of living through the abuse and it not stopping or being made to stop by adults “with knowledge” (i.e. if Pat was able to come up with Jacques impregnating his own sister THEN surely Denise has access to the same information!!)then eventually she grew to love her captor. Children have a way of accepting their fate when there is no other stream of encouragement or a way of escape, their lifestyle/home environment seems normal. If no one was intervening on Juvenile 1’s behalf and she had a Step-Father like Jacques to take her hand and lead her into the land of pornogrpahy she never had a chance either, like Brooke.

Pat, have you ever heard of any drug use on Jacques behalf? Tony, have you heard of the kind of drugs that were used on Juvenile 1 when she was in “training” that time she mentioned in an email?

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July 11, 2008

So Sad

I think there is alot of bullsh*t flying around in this town and from this family – even now. The FBI will sort this all out. They need to find that safe.

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July 11, 2008

Laurie

You bet the FBI is not going to let go of this one. Unfortunately, Brooke is paying the price for the fact that this man was set free in the community.

The bigger problem is the whole family situation. From what I read above, he was raised like this, to think this is normal. So, what do you do with someone who is like that? You have to lock them up. But, what happens when you lock up a bunch of sex offenders? It is pretty disgusting.

Ever see Clockwork Orange?

Think about what the women have been subjected to. I am sure Jacques was abused by his father as well. Can you imagine? A little boy. He turned around and repeated the behavior.

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July 11, 2008

arnie

seoulgirl, great point you made about stckholm syndrome. Does anyone know how long Denise and Jacques have been married? She should have questioned the things she discovered as “odd” and stepped in knowing his history. Also, how was he even allowed to live in that house if he wasn’t even suppoesed to be around childeren under 16!!! If they were married after ’93 it only makes Denise look even worst for putting her child in direct contact with this SICK man!!!! The poor girl was set up for disaster. As it has been said, She never had a chance!!! In the affidavit Jacques refers to Savanna as the “C word”. the name is reserved for someone you don’t care much for, so it makes me think she was on to him and wouldn’t allow Broofe alone with him. That would be why Jacques wanted Brooke taken care of when Savanna would be at work! that way she wouldn’t be around to catch them. He didn’t even seem to be worried about her parents or even his wife catching him as much as he was of Savanna!!!

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July 11, 2008

Trisha

@Pat:

Michael Jacques was charged in 1985 for lewd and lascivious acts on a minor. The minor in question was supposed to be 15 and she got pregnant from an alleged rape by Michael Jacques. Her family made her get an abortion and the charges were dropped because she refused to testify.

Supposedly the sexual assaults began when the girl was 8 and Michael was 11 and ended when he was 18 and charges were filed. The article I read did say the victim was a family member.

@Arnie:
I read an article quoting the grandmother (last name Milne) that Michael has been her son-in-law for 12 years.

If you do the math that puts Denise and Micheal’s marriage somewhere in the year of 1996 – the year after or of his release from prison. I wonder if they met on one of those prison pen pal websites.

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July 11, 2008

Laurie

Trisa – as SeoulGirl said above, the young girl he assaulted and impregnated was his sister.

As far as the current case, and the 14 year old – Unless the Mom had an inkling the ‘family’ was like this, she may not have known right away. And, he may have downplayed the charges in the past so maybe she thought he was ‘safe’ – especially since he completed the sex offender treatment. We often want to believe in someone so bad that we diminish bad things they do. If she did not have many resources available, she may not have been able to check the history of the crime, and if the family was close knit, this type of information is not divulged to the outside as a general rule.

When she came home and found KY jelly, and her daughter in a towel, you would think she would have thought something was up – and obviously that memory stuck with her. So, deep down inside she knew. She just didn’t want to face that reality – who wants to think something like that about people we know? People we are married to? It breaks families apart, and puts them in poverty, blows up their world, not to mention the sexual trauma, steady stream of the ‘system’ now in their lives. Not suggesting women or men should put up with a partner abusing their children – just saying that sometimes people get paralyzed and cannot make a move because this is so devastating and they cannot get beyond the idea that something is happening or has happened. Denial.

This type of sexual abuse, not the murder of Brooke – but the type of abuse, is more common than the strangers grabbing kids an sexually assaulting them.

And, then he sends the 14 year old out to recruit new victims. Making her an accomplice. When she never really had the choice….Talk about f’d up.

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July 11, 2008

So Sad

Two sisters marrying creeps who just happen to live in a small town “where everybody knows your name and everybody knows your game.” Brooke didn’t want to play that game. If I were her father I would have pulled that mofo aside at that very first family BBQ, squeezed his nutsack, and whispered sweet nothings into his ear. That would have been the last Brooke would have seen of Uncle Fester.

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July 11, 2008

arnie

If that is so, and they did met on a prison pen pal websits she is nieve or just plain stupid!! I knew a girl who was a pen pal with a guy in prison in florida for forgery and bad checks. He had family up here and when he got out he didn’t want anything to do with her when he figured he wasn’t going to get any money out of her. Jacques was probley just using her to help his image as a reformed man. he probley figured it would look better for him if he “settled down”, and became a “family man”. He saw Denise as nieve and her having a little girl as a “bonus”. He probley spent seven years planning what he would do with his new step daughter!! It makes you wounder about his relationship with gagnon and how they connected. What did they do, sit around one day discussing thier interest and decided to start a child pornograph ring! Then decided they could just use thier own step daughters! They probley didn’t count on Brooke not going along! I wounder what made juvenile 1 hate Brooke enough to want to see her hurt!!

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July 11, 2008

arnie

What a family legacy!! I couldn’t imagine having to live with knowing your father raped and munipulated your step-sister for years and murdered your cousin. So sad.

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July 11, 2008

So Sad

“I hope he didn&rsquot do anything to her. History says his target age is 8-9 years old.”

Maybe the FBI should ask mommy dearest that question.

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July 12, 2008

Tony

Good point, Laurie… I have kind of ignored the possible contents of “the safe.” Gagnon’s laptop/hard drives/etc. that were in the safe could very possibly contain a huge stockpile of child pornography, both collected and “original material” (that made me kind of queasy just typing it)… along with email addresses/mailing addresses/phone numbers/etc. of fellow pedophiles… receipts from transactions of said child pornography, both bought and sold…

Maybe there is more to “The Breckenridge Society” than these two… if so, I would think that at least Jacques is probably not the ringleader… His criminal past would make him too much of a target to head up something like this… He would probably just be a “player” in the big picture… a provider of content (again, a little “throw up junior” going on when I typed that). I don’t know about Gagnon, though… There’s not a whole lot of information about him, his education, etc. going around…

I may have to rethink things a bit.

It might be interesting (more likely not) to point out that I came across this case by pure chance. I used to live right by a ski resort town called Breckenridge and had been relating a story to some co-workers of how one recent Summer day it was 96 degrees and 48 hours later we had nearly five inches of snow and the Breckenridge resorts opened for the season that weekend. I came home and Googled “Breckenridge [XX]” to see what I could see about an old stomping ground of mine… and came across the article regarding Gagnon’s arrest at the top of the search in the “news” links, or whatever… go figure.

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July 12, 2008

So Sad

I heard the reports on the radio about the state of Vermont issuing it’s first Amber Alert. I wasn’t paying too much attention at first. But the news reports kept getting more ominous so I went online to see what it was all about. I’m sorry that I did now. It’s tragic beyond belief.

I started viewing the forum posts from articles posted on local newspaper sites. There were several postings from an individual that I assumed was a local resident of the town. What this person wrote was eventually taken down and in fact the entire reply section was disabled for that particular article. It was the right thing to do because it was an article about Brooke’s memorial service and out of respect for the family it was removed. I just can’t get over the fact that with all these people around Brooke not a single one had any common sense whatsoever. These are adults, not children that are easily manipulated. This town is loaded with dysfunctional people. Psychological abnormalities come into play for some of the family members but unless there is something in the water up there that affected all these people I can’t reconcile myself to all of this. Something just doesn’t seem right. That poor girl did not have a chance from day one. I think she was a brave little girl and I’m very sad to see that she is gone. I would like to see anyone who had anything to do with her death get the punishment they deserve. Maybe the authorities will get it right this time.

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July 12, 2008

SeoulGirl

Thanks Tony on the drugs comment. I would think something easy enough without a prescription. I ask the drugs question bc I was hoping to do a presentation on this case at school but it has to be drug related. Since my class is on drugs I would have to be able to easily present my proof. That’s why I was also asking if Jacques was a Meth user, his physical appearance looks skeletal (maybe stress or he is naturally pin thin and sunken in face appearance). Meth users have an extremely high sexual appetite though, just a guess…..

Yes, Gagnon’s safe and computer….my prayer has been that the safe is discovered(and contents) and hard drive readable when found.
I am wondering if Kevin Grosenheider was a closer friend to Gagnon than he is letting on? I am not so sure that Grosenheider threw the safe in a dumpster…..with all of it’s contents??????
Hmmm…….is it possible Grosenheimer knows there is porn in there and put the safe in a “safer” place??

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July 12, 2008

arnie

so sad- Your statement about the whole town bieng “dysfunctional” is taking quite a leap. The family maybe. I’m going to take a leap and asume you don’t live in a small town in a rural State. Thier isn’t much that happens around here. Some towns don’t even have law enforcement and the one’s that do are compared to Barnie Fif! In one town thier town cop has one eye and is called “patch”. The running joke with the kids is “stay to the left, he wont see you”. He also serves as “police chief”. He’s a “home grown” boy which is no doupt the only reason he has the job. He grew up with many of the people in this town and turns a “blind” eye to thier indescretions and also that of thier childeren. Life around here is pretty quiet. Things of this magnitude just don’t happen.

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July 12, 2008

Tony

So, Jacques was sentenced in 1993 to 6-20 years for the 1992 rape of the fast food employee… The best-substantiated reports I can find state that Jacques, counting the time he served between his arrest and trial, served a total of four years and two months. He was released from prison in August of 1996…

If the above information is accurate, it can be reasonably concluded that:
a.) Brooke’s grandmother is mistaken in Jacques being her son-in-law for twelve years,

b.) Jacques and Denise were married while Jacques was in prison, or

c.) Jacques and Denise met and almost immediately married after he was released from prison.

Jacques completed the “Sex Offender Treatment Program” sometime in 2000, and was released early from probation in December of 2006 (thanks to a possibly-erroneous/misinformed ruling made on his behalf in November of 2004) instead of 2012.

The more little snippets of info I run across, the more confounding this situation becomes. I think I need a drink.

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July 12, 2008

Trisha

@Tony:

Denise and Michael Jacques’ biological daughter, Courtney is currently 9 years old. That would make her dob either in 1999 or 2000.

It is reasonable to surmise that they would have had a two or three year respite before having a child.

It is also reasonable to accept Ms. Milne’s recollection of how long Michael has been her son-in-law. Mother-in-laws do not forget things like that. LOL

Oh, please don’t drink over this stuff. -)

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July 12, 2008

Tony

…well, if she’s nine, then I’d hope her birthday would be sometime in 1998 or 1999… otherwise, all those math classes I took in college were just wrong.
D

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July 12, 2008

Laurie

I live in Albany NY, and the Amber Alert was broadcast here since we are not that far from VT.

Tony – that is pretty wild, about the Breckenridge thing. There was a movie back in the 70’s called ‘Myra Breckenridge’ – it was about a man who wanted a sex change operation. Mae West, Rachel Welch, and Farrah Fawcett were some of the stars. I made the assumption that the ‘Breckenridge Club’ was related somehow to that movie, because of the sexual nature.

Anyway – Trisha and Tony, how do you know all these details about the children and mother-in-law?

Arnie – I agree with you. The whole town may not be dysfunctional, but sometimes a family is, even tho’ all members may not be participating in this type of perverted behavior. Sometimes family members may be so entrenched in denial, they do not realize what is going on, on a conscious level. Sometimes a whole town knows that a specific family has a problem, but what is to be done? Especially if there is no direct proof, and no one will talk – until something terrible happens. I am really glad they got the SOB and he is now behind bars – lets hope they get them all.

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July 12, 2008

Trisha

I stand corrected 🙂

I struggled with that darn college algebra…

Looks like I still struggle with basic math.

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July 12, 2008

Trisha

@Laurie,

Visit my blog by clicking on my name and you can read my entire post. At the end there are the sources for all of my information.

My information comes from several news sources.

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July 12, 2008

Tony

Well, I’m quite resourceful when I want to be, I guess… A problem I have seen with many news stories on this case is that they often contradict each other (ie, some stories say that Jacques only served three years in prison but documents show that is not the case) – a result usually of misinformation or moving too quickly to be the “first to publish…”

I have seen nothing regarding the grandmother speaking to the media (the only thing I’ve ever read about her is on this comment thread)… and frankly, that’s the least of my concerns, at this point… If she would come out with some big bombshell regarding her daughters’ abuse as children, or something like that, then maybe I would be a lot more interested in what she has to say. I’m not meaning to sound harsh about it, but she’s not necessarily a crucial link at the moment.

One thing that’s kinda grabbin’ me at the moment is the fact that there’s a whole lotta last names in this family of two sisters (whom I believe have two different maiden names, as well? I don’t really remember, offhand.).

I just read the Jacques “email” affidavit, again… every time I read it, I end up with more questions in my head, floating around in big, murky bowl of soup.

First… who are “Kevin” and “raker?” Who is “Sam?” How about “Corey?”

What is all this business they keep referring to each other about the “phones” and the “phone company” and “dad” getting “fucked over” and “keep me and my family safe” and whatnot?

If “juvenile 1” believes that Brooke has been chosen to participate in the “Breckenridge Society” (like she told investigators), why is Brooke referred to as “the problem” at one point? If “juvenile 1” believes that Brooke is to become a part of the “Breckenridge Society” like she is a part, why all the talk about everyone being so “worried” and “just wanting it to be over” and such?

The transcripts of the emails are just parts… not the complete emails… what they left out of the affidavit, who knows (they usually only show enough evidence sufficient to find “probable cause”)? This doesn’t really come across as Brooke’s “initiation gone wrong,” I’m afraid… it sounds a little more like it was a planned abduction, torture and elimination from the start… I don’t want to say out loud what I am thinking (even though it’s sort of already been said in a way, previously), because it’s far too heinous to even think, honestly.

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July 12, 2008

Tony

I just read my post back… er… my brother was always the Latin guy, not me. I saw it and I was like, “D’oh!”

I should have used “e.g.” instead of “i.e.”

*mumbles* “Hic, haec, hoc, huius, huius, huius, horum, harum, horum…”

I swear, I’m not stupid. I promise. 🙂

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July 12, 2008

Trisha

The testimony from the October 2004 hearing also details a seemingly remarkable rise for Jacques, whose life took off soon after he was released from prison in August 1996. In 1997, he began dating Denise, a Randolph native whom he knew but was not close to in high school. They married in June 1998 and soon had a child, Courtney, now 9. The couple left Denise’s mobile home and bought a fixer-upper in Randolph Center through a government auction. Jacques and his grandfather rebuilt the inside of the home. Jacques and Denise lived in it briefly, then built a new Colonial home with a garage a couple hundred yards away. Their former home became a rental property. Meanwhile, Jacques’ career blossomed. He testified that he had worked several jobs since his release and won a promotion to a position requiring him to handle $20 million in purchases every year and travel &ldquoall over the world&rdquo as a primary negotiator. Jacques did not name the company.

The above quote is from this link:
http://www.vnews.com/07122008/4948035.htm

A very interesting story which chronicles Michael Jacques’ life and his history. There is at least one other victim in the past.

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July 12, 2008

Trisha

notice in that story it also mentions Teledyne did not know Jacques was a convicted sex offender.

I read further and his job responsibilities certainly required some sort of background check. How could they miss him being a convicted felon? Amazing.

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July 12, 2008

Trisha

LOL@Tony

I had to read your post 3 times to figure out what you were feeling embarrassed about.

A correction to my post – Jacques worked for Thermadyne and not Teledyne

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July 12, 2008

Tony

I’ve read the probation officer’s comments elsewhere as well as this article, today… interesting, the 180 they had to take from their previous stance…

Also notice Jacques admitting a 1987 conviction for lewd and lascivious conduct with a thirteen year-old (he would have been 20-21)… and the “admission” that he was abused for roughly three years as a child.

This story just gets better by the minute… and by “better,” I mean “worse.”

What does the future hold for “juvenile 1?”

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July 15, 2008

SANDY

did I confuse sisters? and their kids?

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July 15, 2008

chance

Yes, you are correct that she seems peeved in the video. Maybe she knew the Uncle was “weird” and was only at the house because of J1. Maybe in the morning J1 &amp BB were leaving for the party when Uncle appears and offers to drive (maybe Brooke thought J2 was supposed to pick them up) and, she didn’t purchase anything in the store but he had to make her come in for something (he needed that on the surveilance camera).

It is also pretty stupid funny that after all his planning, he throws in there that he stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a new coffee. The first flag that went up, why lie about stopping at DD? But then again he thought they would just believe his story about dropping off his hard drive at Best Buy w/o checking. Oh, wait, I forget, he was the model prisioner / rehabilitated success story.

I think the landlord knows more too. How would you happen to guess that it was child porn in the safe? Why was Ray renting a place anyway when he owns a house in AL?

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July 15, 2008

SANDY

Hi Chance..Good Morning,,ya know this sob thought he had all his bases covered,,video, emails, backing of Denise and family, He thought he could murder Brooke and torture her with all his news toys and Ray Gagnon was his patsy and I think you are right about the landlord too,,what does he know? probably lots if the truth be told, why not report Ray to Le I think I would have,,its against the law and he knows this? Brooke looks highly pissed at MJ and she appears to purchase nothing so why go in with him? why because it was part of his cover and he told her to come in. otherwise the video would be of no used to him..Poor Brooke my God what did she go thru before being murdered,,,wouldn’t it be poetic justice if Mj never made it to court,,if he gets wacked in prison there won’t be a trial..there is honor amongst criminals..no one like a pedophile in jail..put hin in general population and let his fellow inmates do what they want to him…

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July 15, 2008

So Sad

When the case eventually goes to trial the lawyers for the defendants will surely have a psychiatrist testify that their condition is blah,blah,blah. The prosecution will have a whole bevy of expert witnesses psychiatrists,maybe even a neuroscientist? to say the opposite blah,blah,blah.
Now I put it to you.
Which ones are the quacks?
Psychiatry is not an exact science. Doping people up to the point of stasis requires no real skill whatsoever. Addicts self medicate all the time and get similar results. Any professional associated with Jacques early parole “NOT EVERY PROFESSIONAL” was/is and most likely forever will be an idiot. They are just as culpable as Brookes family is in her death. If there is any justice for Brooke the guilty will be punished severely and the incompetent “professionals” will be removed from their jobs.

I say Juv.1 is lying through her teeth about mostly everything. I’d go so far as to say she was there and had a hand in Brookes death.

We’ll see if anything happens in 2 days.

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July 15, 2008

chance

Hi Sandy, Good morning to you too. Oh yes, he thought he had it all covered, really believed he could get away with murder. Why ruin your perfect reputation for anything less?. He can’t deny anything now, the whole world knows what a scumbag he is. (and I think you meant to say postings instead of emails.) Those emails were never meant to be seen, he deleted them.

Also, talking about postings, I was wondering if he created Brookes myspace page, not just wrote the postings. I know that her Dad said that she had one which he pulled the plug on, (well he didn’t delete because it is still there) but there are two other MySpace accounts for Brooke &amp the one that MJ offered to the cops has (which I’m guessing) a school picture on it. Now, granted, I am not a teen but I don’t think a school photo is the picture you would choose for your account. She didn’t for the other two.

And if he created the account, he wouldn’t have to worry about Brooke “accidentally” discovering his plan. why would she log onto an account that she didn’t know existed?

Reply
July 15, 2008

SANDY

I agree J1 is lying to protect not only herself but she has a misguiled loyalty To Mj..as sad as it appears if she wanted Brooke to suffer like she has,,why wouldn’t she want to be there to watch her suffer..I will be glad when light is shed on this entire mess! hope it is on Court Tv!!!!

Reply
July 15, 2008

SANDY

yes I did mean postings LoL… Im getting nuts with typing so fast, no one would guess Im an educated woman by my posts! LOl my brain works faster than my fingers..I feel so bad for the innocents of this family Courtney and I pray Savannah..I would like to get into the minds of Denise and Cassandra and see how they feel? see what they know? wouldn’t you?

Reply
July 15, 2008

chance

I would like to get into their minds only to visit, Lord knows I wouldn’t want to live there, and I would probably not want to feel what they are feeling. Guilt. Its hard not to believe they didn’t know something. Wasn’t Denise quick to give up the info about what she seen in the past? I’m also thinking that maybe Uncle Fester did try something with Brooke, but maybe back in April, or, maybe he tried with Courtney &amp she told Brooke. Something happened early May that MJ found it necessarily to plant the seed about the divorce rumors. I was also wondering if it was AR’s Father that would be at the doorstep in five mins. Or &amp this is a fetch, maybe Cassie knew something was going on (he also mentioned that she would be at work that day &amp couldn’t come over. Would she come over because she had suspicions? Of course this theory has tons on holes since she wasn’t reported missing until hours later, unless they didn’t know she had been in MJ’s evil lair) and maybe Brooke was the pawn to hurt her. In the MySpace posting he wrote “OMG if only people knew me 4 real”. Was this because Brooke was good &amp MJ wanted to tarnish her reputation? Maybe MJ planted the seed that Brooke thinks she’s better than AR.
Whatever happened, I think that MJ decided to take full advantage of the situation, wasn’t there an early June date, but MJ didn’t order his new toys until the middle of June?

I hear you about being an educated woman, this is making me crazy too, but it is so hard not to think about it. I feel horrible for the innocents in this too, I have been praying nightly for them to find some peace.

Reply
July 15, 2008

SANDY

Chance have you ever heard or read that Jim and Janet took the Mom to family court and tried to get custody of brooke and were shot down?

Reply
July 15, 2008

chance

I had read somewhere about Jim not getting custody because of him being in the service (going on deployment to Iraq).

Reply
July 15, 2008

SANDY

Chance I wonder why he wanted custody of Brooke..did he suspect anything? or just wanted to have her,,now knowing all of this I wish to God he had been given custody of her,,Poor soul must be tormented in his heart for all that happened to Brooke,,maybe thats what we should do..let him have MJ and Gag me for a couple of hours..still poor guy here he serves his country and comes home and has to bury his daughter..just too darned sad!

Reply
July 15, 2008

chance

Not sure if he suspected anything, but even if he did get custody that doesn’t mean that Brooke would be safe right now. Would someone have warned her about J1?

Reply
July 15, 2008

SANDY

I only wish someone had warned all the girl in the 2 homes that there were dangers in both homes but on the other hand how or who would do the warning? obviously not the sisters..I do believe if Jim Bennettt knew of any risk that could come to Brookehe would have either threaten the Mom with taking Brooke away or called LE..he seems a very together man and responsible for his chidren..I sure wish the 2 Mom had used better judgement in who they alowed around their girls.they both have to live with it now that everything is out in the open ,The horse is out of the barn so to speak,

Reply
July 15, 2008

SANDY

Hi Emily Iam not good at posting links Im far from computer savvy,,however when Jacques was coming up for release Denise and Jacques Brother spoke in his defense and it states in the paperwork that his brother is an Attorney,,it also states he was ok’d release based on his PO’s advice after 4 1/2 yes rather than the 20 he was given there is some back peddling as to whom is responsible for the early release,,,if you google michael jacques you will find the article as I did.,Denise said and I quote “He is a good Father and a good Uncle and has made a good life for her and her children..yes at the Funeral Courtney did speak and they did sit on the other side of chairs..at least it appears that way..this is all I know of to help you..even tho I said I wouldn’t be going to VT any time soon it is not a reflection on all Vermonters and I was more joking than not,,sorry I don’t mean to say your state is a safe haven for freaks..sorry if you are offended,,,I live in a small town in Mt and when I say small Im talkng less than 150 population..we have our qo SO’s and freaks here too..I hope I helped. I wish I knew how to post a link darn it…

Reply
July 15, 2008

SANDY

Emily..It is correct that Brooke told her Mother she was being picked up at the convience store by a friend and then was going to see a friend in the hospital..

Reply
July 15, 2008

chance

Emily,

The below link mentions the brother &amp the income
http://www.vnews.com/07122008/4948035.htm

Reply
July 16, 2008

Emily

Can someone tell me if and where they found the details of the 1992/1993 rape conviction of Michael Jacques? I’m curious about the similarities between that case and the current case/abduction.

Reply
July 16, 2008

arnie

Everyone- We all have great points, observations ect, ect…..ALL the players in this mess need to be accountable there’s no denying that!! Im sure Sandy that when you wanted to go into medicine you didn’t plan on seeing the things you see. I have worked with “retired” nurses. “retired” because they couldn’t handle the horrors of their daily work. The saddest thing of all is we need you! It takes a very special person to do the work you do! Please, always remember the good you do. Your caring, compasionate and we need so many more like you!! What makes us tick isn’t the same that makes others tick! I have to remind myself every day, every hour and every minute that I can’t change the world but I can sure run my mouth!!! I call it a gift, some call it a big mouth, call it what you want, I don’t care. Like you I’m not much for politicly correctness either!! we can’t speak our mind at work or we’ll lose my jobs but, we can, and should here in our post without worrying about offending anyone. People are way to worried about political correctness to speak the truth. Sandy, you and your husband hold two of the most heart wrenching jobs out there. I only hope there is a rewarding side of it too!! Please tell me there is!!!

Reply
July 16, 2008

Emily

Here is a link (I hope) with a picture of Jacques brother the attorney.
http://www.sloanlawfirm.com/attbjacques.html

They don’t look anything alike. I wonder if the family isn’t a little more “twisted” than already believed.

Reply
July 16, 2008

Emily

Is “moderation” new?

I have never had a comment “awaiting moderation”.

Reply
July 16, 2008

Trench

Comments are pended for approval if they contain a link.

Reply
July 16, 2008

Emily

Thanks for clarifying.

Reply
July 16, 2008

SANDY

Thank You Arnie you can never work with the public and not see all that I desribe…there are many rwards of Nursing,,too many to count and I have loved every minute unfortunately Im not the naive nursing student I once was,,nor does My husband think he an change the world of crime,,I do rally for him when he gets someone like MJ and Gagnon convicted in court,,but as you have said it is hard and we do become jaded,,I admit Iam just that..I don’t beliebe in human nature anymore,,without my faith I would be comoletely a ruined woman from my career choice,I have to emind my husband all the time that not all humans are worthless and evil..he tends to size people up all the time and I correct him..you just aren’t the same as you once were before the constant exposure to bad and evil..thats my problem,,,thank you “Dude (Arnie) for trying to understand me..xoxoxxo

Reply
July 16, 2008

SANDY

and furthermore I should learn to type LOL@ ME!!

Reply
July 16, 2008

So Sad

I want to apologize to anyone that I may have offended by my posts. This is not the place to espouse my feelings about the law or the mental health profession. I also tend to throw alot of things on the table and pick the pieces out that I feel are important at the exclusion of others. I can’t say why I’m so drawn to this case other than that I can’t reconcile why this beautiful girl had to die so horribly and knowing that her family killed her makes it that much more gut wrenching. It helps to know that there are other people who want to get to the bottom of this it’s cathartic for me. I promise to post only ideas relating to the case and I do value all your insights. Here is the post for Emily:

michael on July 9th, 2008 7:28 pm
I live in Randolph =. Even though i didnt know brook it is such a small town that you deff see everybody at least 5 times while liveing here. I worked at the high school here in randolph and have had a few run ins with brooks sister Savanah. Just looking at the sister you would have no idea what kind of family setting she was around. Savanah is a very smart and energetic young lady, not to mention funny. I wouldnt have ever guesed the hurtful reality her family member(s) took part in. I do beleive he deserves to die and i think that Brookes father Jim should do the honors. I think he should be able to dispose of him in any way he wishes, even though we all know that it wont bring brool back it will deff give some closure do this horrific crime. I went to the Calling hours for Brooke last night and it was an open casket. For an7yone who has read up on the Brekenridge rules &ldquoif you fail you get your throat cut. And thats what he did. This man needs to get raped and tortured for the rest of his pathetic existance!!!

Randolpheon
1

Reply
July 16, 2008

Tony

From “Emily”

A friend of the family who attended the open casket calling hours last week has said that Brooke&rsquos throat had been cut. I can&rsquot find anything that would substantiate that anywhere. Anyone else?

Okay… so… if what you’re saying is true, in that there was an “open-casket” viewing (I’m going to get into something that is not gonna be very pretty in the way of imagery and I apologize, beforehand)…

After a person dies, unless steps are taken to preserve it, the body starts to “go south” pretty quickly… things decay, blood settles in strange places, things bloat and distort and… you know what I’m saying… and given the high temperatures in Vermont from the 26th of June until the 2nd of July were generally in the high 70s to lower-to-mid 80s (with an average humidity near 80%). If Brooke had been killed on the 25th… buried in warm, moist dirt… for seven days… could her body have remained in good enough condition to allow an open casket viewing? To knock this out of the water before someone says it, “Maybe the body was wrapped in something when it was buried.” Well, wrapping a body in anything (including, say, a cotton sheet) would actually help to “lock in” more heat, thus aiding in decomposition.

So, if there really was an open-casket viewing, could this suggest at least a possibility that Brooke may have lived past the 25th?

As far as the “her throat was cut” comment… mortician’s wax (and any mortician worth their salt) would make something like that totally unnoticeable, most likely… Maybe Brooke was buried in a pretty dress with one of those Gunne Sax-type high necklines (I know you know what I’m talking about) and someone saw it and decided that they were “hiding something,” and so the rumor begins… I’m not saying it didn’t happen, mind you (but I really hope it didn’t)… just offering alternatives.

Reply
July 16, 2008

So Sad

The only valid information available is through the news reports with family members,close friends, etc. and the affadavits.

Then there are the forum posts most of which can be discounted outright. But out of that there are posts that seem to originate from ppl. who now the parties involved either in passing or more intimately. There were a few posts that have since been deleated – for what reason I don’t know. They could have been inflammatory to the family or they divulged certain information that wasn’t supposed to be revealed. I believe they were in response to an article in a VT. paper about Brooke’s Funeral. I’ve looked at so much stuff online I can’t remember where I first saw it.

Tomorrow we’ll get more concrete information from the court.

Reply
July 16, 2008

Laurie

Thank you SeoulGirl.

I am curious, and confused, because in the recent article, it mentions that he was released from probation early – I have read that in other articles too. What the heck does that mean? He was in prison for 4.5 years for the ’93 conviction? And then on probation?

When did he go in?

Does anyone know what VT has in the way of ‘probation’ requirements?

Thanks for the update So Sad.

I also wonder, if the now 14 year old knew about the plan from the beginning, and if so, how would ‘they’ have kept it quiet for this long? In other words, when she was told the first one to participate got to live, and the second would die, was Brooke chosen at that time? She would have been 7 years old.

Or, was she just told this as a way to shut her up? Or have there been other victims? So many unanswered questions.

Reply
July 16, 2008

SANDY

Dear Laurie …how sweet and human of you to take the time to express yourself..I want to give you a big Hug,,I have to laugh at myself I read the beginning of your post and saw my mane and cringed..LOL..we are all human and for various reasons we express ourselves differently..but I so appreciate your explanation and Im soo sorry for the hurt you’ve been thru in life..I don’t think the sexual molestation I endured was as painful as maybe your or Trisha’s but I know it effected my life to the point where I was terrified to spend the night at a girlfriends house for fear there would be another occation of a man touching me and kissing me @ 11 yrs old you know it is wrong..I was always very protective of my Daughter and I will admit it did me no good because the perp was my father in law..I have a 8yr old Grandaughte rin California and I worry that something will happen everday of my life..Im terrified she will be snatched and murdered,,Her Father My Son and Daughter in law are very protective of her, Thank God..Laurie Im very touched by your post and again Im so very sorry for what happened to you and to Trisha..those horrid memories never go away..do they? no they never do ..so now I know where you are coming from..I understand and thanks once more..for sharing with me..and the others as well

Reply
July 16, 2008

arnie

I surly find NO humor in this case. Getting side tracked is a different story.
That’s what i find humorous.

I think the reason most of us are so into this case is because we have experiananced sexual abuse ourselves.
What makes the abused follow in their abusers foot steps while others don’t?

Is it the age, the length of time involved, or the psycy of the abused.

How could you grow to love your abuser? I myself, could not imagine that ever happening.

That’s where i stuggle to put myself in her shoes even though I do understand that every situation and every person is different, it’s still a struggle for me.

In answer to a question asked early on j1 was at the funeral. She sat with her mother and sister a distance away from the rest of the family with state police by their side. so sad I do have to say.

Reply
July 16, 2008

annette

I just found this…… Jacques, Gagnon Hearing Postponed . here is the web site where it is said http://www.wptz.com/news/16902732/detail.html
Thought ya’ll would want to know if you didnt know already.

Reply
July 16, 2008

Trisha

Gagnon was indicted in Texas today by the Grand Jury for transporting child pornography in April 2007 and possessing a computer containing child pornography on July 7th.

Gagnon and Brooke’s mother were married in 2000 and divorced later. I know darn well I read somewhere today the year of their divorce but I can’t remember now.

Reply
July 16, 2008

SeoulGirl

Trisha-
THey divorced in 2006, according to this article: http://www.vnews.com/07082008/4940999.htm

“Gagnon lived with Brooke and her mother, Cassandra Gagnon, for six years in Alabama, according to court documents. He and Gagnon divorced in 2006, and Cassandra Gagnon and Brooke moved back to Vermont”.

Reply
July 16, 2008

So Sad

Quote:In answer to a question asked early on j1 was at the funeral. She sat with her mother and sister a distance away from the rest of the family with state police by their side. so sad I do have to say. End Quote

I can’t understand this family at all.

That’s a good thing.

Arnie where was that reported?

Reply
July 16, 2008

So Sad

Cassandra uses the last name of Andress.

Does anyone know who Andress is?
Was she once married?

Reply
July 16, 2008

Trisha

Thank you SeoulGirl.

So Cassandra divorces him in 2006 while they were living in Alabama, I believe. In April 2007 it is alleged he transported child porn at least that is what is involved in the Texas indictment handed down today.

Savannah Andress and I believe she has a brother with the same last name were Brooke’s half brother and sister.

So that makes 3 marriages for Cassandra and the only marriage that did not produce any children was the marriage to Gagnon.

Reply
July 16, 2008

Trisha

The above comment is just my way of thinking out loud.

Reply
July 16, 2008

So Sad

No one mentions Mr. Andress at all.

Did anyone else hear that J1 had a job?

Reply
July 17, 2008

annette

There is a Ronald Andress listed in Randolph, VT, Braintree, VT and Bethel, VT. Don’t know if he is related in anyway to Cassandra but he is listed as living in all these Vt cities.

Reply
July 17, 2008

Tony

Actually, Cassandra’s Last name is currently Gagnon (unless she has recently filed a petition to change it)… but yes, (according to my research) I think the current belief that she had been married three times is correct.

Reply
July 17, 2008

Laurie

Does anyone know why a rapist would only serve 4 years in prison in the state of VT? And, then they would be released from ‘probation’?

What the heck does that mean? The guy was on probation? What does VT require for probation?

I hope anyone living in the state of VT is contacting their legislative representatives – I am stunned and can’t get over the idea that the rapist was set free, especially when he abused and impregnated his sister.

We need to wake up – yesterday.

It is so ironic that these things happen, yet, ultimately, we do nothing to stop it.

I guess we get what we deserve. Or, poor innocent children get what we adults deserve for not taking care of this problem.

Reply
July 17, 2008

Tony

Laurie:
(from an earlier posing of mine)

“Jacques was sentenced in 1993 to 6-20 years for the 1992 rape of the fast food employee&hellip The best-substantiated reports I can find state that Jacques, counting the time he served between his arrest and trial, served a total of four years and two months. He was released from prison in August of 1996&hellip

…

Jacques completed the &ldquoSex Offender Treatment Program&rdquo sometime in 2000, and was released early from probation in December of 2006 (thanks to a possibly-erroneous/misinformed ruling made on his behalf in November of 2004) instead of 2012.”

Jacques was released early from probation on the “recommendations” of his parole officer. I believe I read a couple days ago where the Governor of Vermont has stated that he will no longer allow a parole officer to recommend early release for anyone.

Ah, here is the quote from Jim Douglas:

“…I have ordered that under no circumstances will a probation or parole officer or any other individual, department or agency support the early release of any sex offender before they have served their maximum sentence…”

A little late, in this instance, but… yeah.

Reply
July 17, 2008

So Sad

Thanks Annette that’s prob. him.
This isn’t delicate…

Brookes’ body was found 1 week after her disappearance. That’s a long time to buried and be able to have an open casket wake for reasons that Tony mentioned.

The articles of clothing that Jacques was alleged to have planted may have been used to deliberately change the course of the investigation from one of a rescue to a recovery mode. This may have been done to distract the police – one final act of desperation to stear them in a different direction and buy some valuable time.

Reply
July 19, 2008

Laurie

Christine – I love you. Thank you so much for shedding light with your insights into your own victimization with such clarity. Your honesty and bravery inspire awe for me. I am always looking for ‘others’ to share my experience with, in the hope that someday we will make an impact. There is always hope.

I find it difficult at times to restrain myself, and fall into the trap of being angry at others who do not understand, but how could they?

Thank you for expressing what I was unable to in a way I would have liked.

Reply
July 30, 2008

Deb

Hi everyone,
I think personally anyone that is making 90k a year is competant to stand trial so I doubt that will fly as far as being insane.
Emily, I too remember reading that somewhere about making sure Savannah wasn’t around, as a matter of fact I think it said that she would be at work that day? How old is Savannah?
And does anyone know exactly how they found the grave? Was it search dogs?

Reply
July 30, 2008

So Sad

Hi Deb!

I think Savannah is 18yrs. old.

The statement by Col. Baker of the Vt. Police in effect: a search of the premises [Jacques’ Home] revealed evidence that led us in the direction of the grave site.

I thought that statement was interesting.

Reply
July 30, 2008

Laurie

Yeah – ya know – VT should just let him loose around a bunch of women like us….I don’t think he would survive long. Save the taxpayers and other future victims.

Reply
July 30, 2008

Laurie

So Sad – I think Brooke knew something was going to happen to her – especially if, as stated in the emails, J1 had text messages, that looked like they were from Sam for Brooke. Maybe it was a ‘surprise’ that Sam was really her uncle.

I do wonder how they got her back to the house – it does say in the emails that J1 and Jacques picked Brooke up, shortly after she was dropped off at Cumberland Farms. And, I thought I read somewhere that there wasn’t a witness who saw Brooke at the Laundromat….I am confused.

As she walked out of the door, and then looked back in the store, she may have been wishing that she could tell somebody something. She may have felt paralyzed inside. Her body language to me, tells the story.

Oh – I also discovered the part where it said Raeul was the same person as C.

And J1 said she never met Raeul – so she was being scammed by Jacques – when I read the content I just get so mad – he is telling her that her mom is a bitch for wanting to divorce him. Denise that is. He has manipulated this little girl – brainwashed her – I just wonder if it is beyond the realm of recovery. He keeps pointing out her Dad’s anger. And Denise might cheat….He has groomed her for years.

Is it possible to change the tape?

He basically told her to tease the ‘farmers’ kevin and raker – so no wonder she acts as she does. She thinks it is the right thing to do.

If all this is true….Maybe all the emails are ‘dreamed’ up, on both their parts. I don’t see a young girl creating such drama, but I guess they could – to have a sexual relationship with an uncle?

There could be potentially hundreds of emails. Especially if this had been going on for awhile.

Reply
August 1, 2008

Laurie

Eh Emily and So Sad – catch up time for me again.

So Sad – as you said above, the laws do not work because we do not distinguish between different types of sexual offenders, pedophiles and predators. There are also offenders that have boundary issues, impulse issues, etc.

Since the real sick ones lie like a rug, and humans are making the decisions, well..our system is definitely imperfect, as is predicting almost any type of human behavior.

It has only been within the last 30 – 40 years or so that we really started noted sexual offenses and offenders, sexual behaviors etc. Some scientific research has been completed, but not much. Remember Frued? It is hard to get people to talk about sex….honestly.

Anyway – there are miscarriages of justice everyday. We must be careful tho’ with labeling people and putting names on databases.

I know one thing for sure, a repeat offender should not be let out of jail. But, there are other types that should not be in jail that have committed an offense out of stupidity or not fully understanding, or immaturity.

Emily – the links about Breckenridge were in the urban dictionary. I was reading some message boards, and it was pointed out most words in the urban dictionary have to do with sex and drugs. But, look it up….I thought it was interesting. Just do a search on urban dictionary.

There is also a Breckenridge Farm in VT. It is a horse farm, not sure what if any relation or connection there is with Randolph.

The family was in counseling and it was a step in the right direction. Too bad it wasn’t soon enough. Obviously, we know there were big problems, so maybe Denise did try to do something. From the content of the emails, she was undermined terribly by Jacques. That situation is very difficult, and carries a ton of weight.

Tony – have a safe trip. I have some general questions on your take…seriously…on how we can tighten the laws on repeat offenders.

Sometimes the big blue elephant is noticed.

Reply
August 2, 2008

Laurie

As far as me personally, I am not really sure what I would have done. I know what it is like to not fully comprehend what you are seeing, and what the consequences will be for your behavior.

I probably would have asked him to leave…if it meant financial disaster, I am not sure.

Would she have been out on the streets? Lost her home? She had how many kids? Where would she go, what would she do? And, if your daughter is in serious denial, insisting that it is all you….I probably would have talked with a professional to get some type of affirmation to what I was seeing as wrong. It sounds like that is what was happening. If drugs and alcohol were also involved…well that is definitely an added stressor , another thing to confuse exactly what was going on and why.

And then what would happen? If the police are involved, would she lose her kids? I am sure she loves her children, just like you and I, if you have kids.

If she left or asked him to leave, what would happen to her kids? Especially if her oldest daughter is rebellious? Would she work two jobs to make ends meet? Who would be in charge then?

Again – I can’t really say what I would have done. I am not in that situation. Thankfully. It is very complicated.

Reply
August 2, 2008

arnie

Yes, their are so many things to consider. Even if she wouldn’t have lost her kids, two, I believe, and he suspected she knew, he could very well have made her BELIEVE she would lose them. Her mind must have been spinning in a thousand directions. I honestly couldn’t imagine the thought of those things happening to my daughter, much less think of what to do about it. If people would believe me, and, as you said, if j1 was in denial, how would I get her away from him? Would she hate me and run away? If i acussed him would she back me up? Would they arrest him, and, how long could they keep him if my daughter didn’t tell the truth? If he gets out would he come after us?

……….And the financial side. That house must cost a mint in mortgage payments and the heating bill, omg!! Two incomes manageable, one, not so sure. Then add car, (all) insurance, electric, food,phone, gas ect…..Wow. That’s…. WOW!! One would think that’s the least of her worries, considering the outcome, but with everything else she had on her plate she had to have some place to be to keep some sanity in her family after it came to a head. Just imagine having your family torn apart, with no place to call home any more,on top of it all. Hopefully she will have help from the state to fall back on. she’ll need it I’m sure!!

Reply
August 2, 2008

arnie

The affidavit doesn’t exactly say that Denise found the items or saw the things she saw on the same day or even the same month. If it was bam, bam, bam well then… if it’s here, there and their was always an explanation, a look of “wtf ,” ……there was probably a lot of mind games going on. Whose to say that after all the discoveries she made they didn’t “tone it down” till things smoothed over, which would make Diane believe she was worrying for nothing. Obviously, some thing was bothering her to the point that she started the ball rolling with counseling. Possibly, the fact that j1 was becoming difficult to manage. Hence the emails. those emails had to have caused j1 to have some outward rebellion toward her mother. Diane may have seen it as teenage rebellion, and tried to “nip it in the bud,” not realizing it was far more then that.

So sad- Life isn’t black and white. We have to look “outside the box”. We all wish we could look ahead and around the corner or even back behind the bend but we can’t, none of us can. I firmly believe that if it wasn’t Diane, it would have been some one else, some other trusting, unsuspecting women. He was on the prowl ( he had been in prison for four and a half yrs and unless bubba got to him he had to have been anxious to unload his baggage.) and Diane just happened to fall into his snare. Remember, so’s are a very cunning, manipulative group. She could possibly get the “stupidity award”, or the “most naive award” but, she’s not guilty of his crimes. He committed them, not her.

Reply
August 2, 2008

So Sad

I don’t like Denise or her psycho daughter.

I hope the authorities really investigate these two because they both are full of sh*t.

Reply
August 3, 2008

Deb

Laurie &amp Arnie,

You both state very good points no doubt. BUT, given the amount of time that this was going on I think you are giving Denise more credit than she deserves. She could not possibly have been that naive or stupid in all that time knowing that in fact she was married to a sicko. There were signs, I am sure many which was her reason for counseling.
Just the fact to me that she stated she did not know the extent of MJ’s crime as to why he was in prison is a crock and a BIG RED FLAG to me. She knew, and she knows all the locals know she knew.
I am sorry but I am trying to be open minded about her but I do not believe what she has said so far which has not been much.
And as I have said before both those kids should be put into immediate serious counseling, J1 should most likely be admitted to some sort of group home to get her into a different setting from where she is now which to me was a house of horror. And little Courtney I have no idea what that poor little thing has been exposed to.

Reply
August 3, 2008

Laurie

So Sad &amp Deb – again – we do not know all the details.

Deb – you talk about the length of time this was going on – well, if Jacques started sexually abusing J1 around the age of 9, it probably did not start with intercourse. It probably started with fondling, and worked its way, over a period of time (maybe years) to intercourse.

Usually the signs are very subtle. He had years to brainwash everyone.

If you choose to not empathize, that is up to you.

But, I am curious, what is it within yourself, that you can find no empathy?

Is it fear, that something like this could happen to you or your family, and it is very scary that you would not ‘notice’ ?

Did something happen that you are not willing to forgive yourself for, and therefore, cannot extend that to another person who may be in a worse situation?

It happens every day in this in country to families and people who would never think someone they care about, could do these things.
But they do.

Not to mention that we do not know what Denise knew or did not know. No matter what ‘he said she said’. Unless you are Denise, you do not know what she knew.

Have you never found yourself in a position where you have some of the details of something, make assumptions, and then find out your were totally off base?

We do not know what capabilities, mentally, that Denise has. Maybe she is not very intelligent.

If you cannot find it within yourself to understand, then to me, you are a good example of why things will never change because people do not fully understand how the process works. Judgment has been cast before we know what happened.

As a survivor, it hurts and angers me that people are so willing to judge without knowing. It is exhausting to try to explain, and leaves me wondering why you are so reluctant, and I realize it comes from something within you.

I hope you never find yourself in position where you will be judged so harshly by others, when they do not know, and it seems, they do not want to.

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August 3, 2008

Deb

No Laurie, I was never abused and neither was my daughter who is now 23 years old.
I never left my daughter in day care etc. for fear of such a thing. It was a struggle financially but a choice I made for peace of mind. I went back to work part time when she was three years old and took her with me. I was a very vigilant mother.
I know innocent until proven guilty and you are right. But this woman knew what she married so please, let’s be reasonable here. They both lived and grew up in the same small town.
Yes I am being pig-headed here, but I honestly believe what I am writing as my opinion. I am not going only on what I have seen written, as I have mentioned I have friends in the area of Randolph. Yes, it can be hear say,,,,but it is not.
Sorry if my writings offend you in any way because that is not my intention.
We here are not the judge and jury.
I really do not have the tiome to go back and read this whole colum but are you friends of the family by any chance? Do you know something that we don’t?

Reply
August 3, 2008

Laurie

Deb – no I am not a friend of the family. I live near Albany, NY and am interested in this case for a variety of reasons – location, the victim, the outcome, and being a survivor myself.

I can see why you don’t understand, if this has never happened to you. But a lot of what has happened in this case, except the murder, is typical in abuse cases, unfortunately. Much of this is universal.

You admit it is heresay, and then say it isn’t. Do you know someone in the family? I would never go by what someone who thinks they know says, because they live there, and they think they know. Looks can be deceiving.

If the man was convicted of raping an 18 year old, you may not believe that he would abuse your child, and I am sure he had some convincing lines for Denise. And, he and Denise produced a child, another ambiguous action, why would a predator have a baby with an adult woman? Doesn’t that prove he is cured?

(I can think of many reasons, being a survivor, but for the purpose of this example, will not go there for now)

I am being facetious – but, he could have used many things in his ‘defense’ in how he was cured.

I know it is frustrating and hard to understand, but please do not judge people until you know.

When one person does not understand, and passes this attitude to others, then many may not understand.

You say you don’t have time to read this whole blog, but then you have time to judge.

That speaks volumes…about how we as humans work.

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August 3, 2008

Laurie

Deb – I am also curious, you nor your daughter know anyone who has been sexually abused?

I bet you do, and just don’t realize it. If you have an opportunity to speak with a survivor who has received treatment, I would urge you to. It would be very educational and would help with understanding.

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August 3, 2008

Laurie

One last note for this morning…

Why do we keep creating sex offenders?

Are parents not talking to their kids?

Where are we teaching and/or learning about sexuality?

How do kids know what healthy sexuality is?

All of these crimes indicate a real problem with the way we view sex, sexuality, and deal with all the related issues. Maybe the problem is finally coming home to roost, and our great US of A is filled with ‘perverts’.

Reply
August 3, 2008

So Sad

Laurie:

You said apart from the murder all other aspects of this case is similar to a standard sexual abuse case. Well it’s not because the Feds are involved and they are going to hang whomever is responsible. Hopefully no “one” slithers away this time.

I have empathy alright.
I just don’t have an endless supply of it so I dole it out judiciously.

Reply
August 3, 2008

Laurie

The reason the feds are involved is because of the kidnap/murder, and the use of the internet.

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August 3, 2008

arnie

Laurie-

I know exactly what you mean about only knowing some details and assuming the rest to only find out you were way wrong! ( Remember learning in school what assuming means!?) There are people in jail as we speak for crimes they didn’t commit. They sit there for years only to find out they are Innocent years later. That is no doubt why j1 is not being charged at this time. You can’t convict some one in or out of the court room with out true facts. I have not even seen any where that say’s mj is even geing charged for her murder, only kidnapping. Have they not proved he killed Brooke? They can assume he did but, are waiting for the facts.
An analogy: A women walks to the store on a hot summer day, wearing a halter top and short shorts. A man pulls her into an alley and rapes her. Is the women guilty because of what she was wearing? Sad to say but, it happens every day. The women is raked through the coals because of what she was wearing. This is why these sob’s get away with these crimes. Women don’t want to come forward for fear of public scrutiny. There whole lives are picked over as if they are on trial when they are the victims.

Healthy sexuality hmmmm….. With parents like mj it’s no wounder kids have no clue what healthy sexuality is.

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August 3, 2008

Laurie

Thanks arnie.

Do we know what it is like to have cancer, or what we would do if we had cancer?

The only way we would know, is if we have had it. All the rest is assuming…

For people to judge us as to why we have cancer is unfair – especially if we smoke. Maybe we died of skin cancer, and our lungs are fine (unlikely…but for the point of this…lets say they are).

Some would say, oh, you got what you deserved and knew from the beginning.

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

Hello all. I’ve been reading your posts here for weeks, like you I’ve been following this case closely. I am local to the Upper Valley, I have friends and family that have worked with Mike Jacques, I have met him and his wife a couple times, and have even been to their house. Not everyone knew of his background. Had I known, there would have been NO way in hell I would have stepped near the guy. This secret was kept well from not only his employers, but from fellow employees as well which some happened to have lived in Randolph. I’m amazed because usually, no one can keep a secret in the area. I’m a bit taken back by some people’s comments about J1. She’s a child! I believe Jacques used these aliases to convince her that he was a victim to Breckenrige too. To make her think his life was being threatened with hers if they didn’t do what Breckeridge told them to do. This all started at age 9, the poor girl didnt have a chance… It’s very clear in one of the emails that she feared for her family’s lives. The majority of her life was spent in smoke and mirrors and she believed it was all real. How dare some of you blame her for Brookes death… Lay the blame where it belongs = MICHAEL JACQUES.

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August 3, 2008

arnie

Thank you kitty for putting so bluntly! lol. MJ is the one to blame, for all of it, no one else. It’s hard for some of us the imagine the extent of his victimization, and the duration, of his abuse, and no one knowing. Your first thought is anger at the adults and you wounder how could she (Dianne) let this go on. We can all act as judge and jury but the fact remains that everyone has been manipulated at some time. Think of how little Suzie manipulates you into bringing home fido!!

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August 3, 2008

Laurie

Thank you kitty! Please keep reading…we need your support.

My sympathies lie with the family. I can’t even being to imagine what it is to suffer such a tragedy. And from what you have said, it breaks my heart even more, even tho’ it gives affirmations to what some of my thoughts are. J1 never had a chance and was manipulated and used, just as everyone else was. Getting people to attack the victim is what this is all about – so then, we forget what Jacques did, and somehow people like him are free to do it again, and again, and again.

Oh – he is just a sex offender….WE are responsible for protecting everyone, even tho’ he has manipulated everyone, including the VT corrections system, which let him out.

We always seem to blame the victims.

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August 3, 2008

Laurie

I really wish someone would be willing to start a demonstration at local courthouses – a theme of justice for Brooke – demanding that repeat offenders are NEVER released from prison.

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

Thank you Arnie and Laurie. Yes, he’s a sex offender, and I’m all for harsher punnishment. However, where does the law draw the line? As of now, RSOs are all thrown into one bucket, is it truly safe to say that none of them can be rehabilitated? What about the sex offenders that are regsitered because a 17 year old’s parents found out their daughter has been sexually active with her 18 year old boyfriend? What about the ones that are registered because of a drunken one night stand? These guys are thrown into the same bucket as the pedophiles and serial rapists. What about the creep at the office using his level of athority to cop a feel with the secretary? I believe MJ was only convicted once IIRC and was never listed as a pedophile, there was no evidence of him being one. I guess, what I’m getting at is, is it common belief that ANY sex offender cannot be rehabilitated or just pedophiles? I get mixed signals on this one. I personally believe pedophiles can’t be rehabilitated, I’m not so sure about the rest. Forgive me if my spelling is sloppy and sentences are incomplete, I’m rushing with this, and cooking and early dinner at the same time.

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August 3, 2008

Laurie

Kitty – thank you – you are voicing the same exact concerns that I have.

There are different types of sex offenders – pedophiles, predators, and opportunistic sex offenders. There are also ‘normal’ young men and women, that do something stupid.

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

I worked at a company while ago, and there was a huge rumor flying around about that a co-worker was a sex offender. I looked online at The National Sex Offender Registry and there he was. He was a NH resident therefor he was listed there, if you look at the map for VT, there are no sex offenders listed. That was rather diturbing to me because the area I live in is on the border of VT. I think listing these POS on that registry would be a great start for VT. In NH I know where the sex offenders live, work, what they look like, their names, ages, and what sex offense they comitted. All parents should have the site bookmarked and use it frequently. I just don’t understand why VT doesn’t list them.

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August 3, 2008

arnie

I signed a petition today. It was for LT. gov. Dubie to enact the Jessica law with “previsions.” It is asking that along with a mandatory 25 yrs in jail that charges can be made even if the victim refuses to, as long as there is presumptive belief a crime was committed. It also calls for a mandatory life sentence for second offenses. There is more, this is just what I remember off the top of my head.

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

My apologies if I’m bringing things up that have been discussed earlier, I haven’t had a chance to read all 800+ posts! 🙂 So far I have found you all to be the best place for discussion on the Bennett case, the other forums seem to be a bit off the deep end with speculations. 🙂

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August 3, 2008

So Sad

VT. does have a sex offender registry. There are a few listed for Orange County now.

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August 3, 2008

So Sad

Arnie:

I would sign that petition if I were a resident of Vermont.

The privisos will help in assuring it’s passage.

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August 3, 2008

So Sad

Does anyone know if Jacques graduated from college?

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

Thank you So Sad 🙂 I’m curious about why he specified the dates, like the 7th or by the 16th at least for obvious reasons. I wonder what the obvious reasons are. And it seems to me that Corey is a real person that J1 actually knows, since “E” is asking her to pass a message to him. So, I’m wondering if Corey is J2?…Am I out of line here with saying that? I sincerely apologize if I am. I’m purely speculating here…. but I’m thinking that Corey knows the real identity of “E” and (shooting in the dark) that maybe MJ and hooked up Corey and J1. Is any of this babbling making sense?

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

I wish there was a link to all of the affidavits so I can open up a new window and hop back and forth, from here to there. *sigh*

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August 3, 2008

So Sad

Kitty:

Now you’re thinking. Please don’t apologize.
But “J2” isn’t supposed to have any knowledge of what was happening according to the authorities. It is stated in another email that “Corey has been bugging me about it too” meaning he would like to be there.

Besides “J2” name is redacted in the affidavit and it makes no sense to then mention the name of Corey in other parts of the affidavit.

So who really is Corey?

You can see how impressions and thoughts start to change when you really analize the emails.

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

Still thinking about those emails. J1 admitted in the first affidavit, IIRC, that she had intercourse with “C”, whom she seems to have a loving online affair with. She also stated that she was drugged when it happened so she could not identify him. She didn’t (that we know of) admit to having any kind of relations with Ray Gagnon, but he admitted that they had sexual relations in 2007. This is making me sick thinking about it…. Is it possible that Ray Gagnon posed as “C” that one time? Just throwing it out there. I think she would have known, even if she was drugged (depending on what it was), if it was Jacques. I guess anything is possible with this case, as demented it is.

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

Absolutely So Sad. I’ve been wondering the same thing about Corey. Why would they redicate J2 and not the name Corey if they were one in the same. Hmmmm…. Regardless of being 2 different people, I find it hard to imagine that J2 just pulled up into the drive way, picked up J1 without going into the house, and left, end of story. Something isn’t right there. You mentioned there’s a problem with J1’s testimony, maybe this is the problem with it?

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August 3, 2008

So Sad

Kitty:

Also “E” mentions Corey’s eye.
If “J1” never saw “E” and Corey is real than don’t you think “J1” would bug Corey to take her to see her “Throbbing Man”? or is she really that dense?

Reply
August 3, 2008

So Sad

Kitty:

Suposedly there are three men involved with Breckenridge.”E” is her older lover and “C” is Rauel Domingo.

Reply
August 3, 2008

Trench

And Rauel Domingo was an alias that Jacques used.

Reply
August 3, 2008

Kitty

So Sad,
Oooh, good point! Honestly, at 14 years old, with this whole multiple alias thing going on since she was 9, I seriously think she was naive.
It seems to me that “E” was making up all kinds of excuses of why he couldn’t see her. Oh boy, I need to look at these emails again, I’m confusing myself.

Reply
August 3, 2008

Kitty

Thank you for setting me straight Trench and So Sad, I was confusing “E” with “C”.

Reply
August 3, 2008

So Sad

Kitty:

It is very possible that Ray gagnon is “E” “J1” lover. He may have been corresponding with her as such and that’s on the laptop that Gagnon disposed of. Hmmm.

But there is no mention of those emails originating from any other source but Jacques’ laptop.

The authorities need to determine if Jacques’ laptop was in his possesion at the time of the email postings and from what location.

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August 3, 2008

So Sad

PAUL MELNUK – THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION
TWST: Would you give us a brief historical sketch of the company and the picture of the things you’re doing at the present time?
Mr. Jones: The company is a New York Stock Exchange traded publicly held company. It is a company that has three segments: a mountain segment, a lodging segment and a real estate segment. The mountain segment is where we operate our five mountain ski resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly, four of those resorts being in Colorado.

Hmmm.

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

I thought the authorities determined the IP addresses of the emails were only from Jacques house and his work place. I’m pretty sure an affidavit stated that. If that’s the case, then Gagnon couldn’t have been sending emails as “E”. I have a feeling Gagnon wasn’t tied up in this mess until he received the phone call from Jacques after the authorities showed up at his door. We have some huge pieces missing here. Also, we don’t know when she had an encounter with “E” while she was drugged, if it was July (?) of 2007, then it had to have been Ray Gagnon posing as “E”…. Maybe?

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August 3, 2008

So Sad

Kitty:

His workplace.
By Jacques himself or…

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August 3, 2008

So Sad

Kitty you’d make a good private investigator.

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

Trench,

Thank you for allowing us to congregate here and bounce theories off each other 🙂 *Big Hug*

Reply
August 3, 2008

Trench

No problem. As long as everyone keeps it civil. 🙂

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August 3, 2008

Kitty

Thanks for the compliment So Sad. I’m a bit confused by the Thermadyne company? I have worked there myself, they manufacture plasma cutters. Jacques worked at Thermadyne’s competitor before working for them. He was released from probation early (I can’t remember where I read this) because his job required travel outside of the country, one of the countries being Mexico. Though it makes sense to connect Thermadyne with Breckenridge, the Breckenridge Program was made before he worked at Thermadyne. Here’s the link, if I can post it??? http://www.thermadyne.com/

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August 3, 2008

So Sad

Kitty:

Did you read any article about Jacques donating four tickets to charity for the Yankees vs. Red Sox game last week? They were supposedly given to him at work as a perk two months ago. The family went to the game and the tickets were counterfeit. A call to the company was made and no such tickets were given to any employee.

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August 4, 2008

So Sad

Here is a link to an online article from the Burlington Free Press. It’s in regards to Jacques’ early parole release.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/…

Reply
August 7, 2008

Emily

Well, I agree Laurie, that until some new information comes ot light, there really isn’t much more theorizing we can do without making ourselves crazy.

Reply
August 7, 2008

Concerned Vermonter

I want to let you all know that I have an inside connection to the family, and I have it on good authority that mommy dearest “Cassandra” is very worried that something might come out concerning her when Raymond Gagnon goes on trial. Let me tell you, I’m just as much on the edge of my seat as the rest of you are now to find out just what that might be! I also know that mommy dearest DID NOT know where her children were at all times! And that her younger children were left home ALONE all the time! Mommy dearest knows more than she is letting people know. It’s just a matter of time before her and her sister are in jail beside their significant others.

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August 7, 2008

Concerned Vermonter

Oh, forgot something of great importance! The Bennett family has no conections to the Gagnon/Jacques family what so ever. Brooke’s parents were NEVER married. Brooke was the beautiful product of a one night stand.

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Yes that is quite true.
From what little information I could gather of her short life
Brooke was a beautiful child.
I would have been proud to have her as a daughter.

This information about her mother if true only makes me feel that much more sad about the whole mess.

Reply
August 7, 2008

“Kat”

what i meant yesturday, in my first post is that the pallbearers have a brother named Corey. And their father (pallbearers) is a scum bag

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

Concerned Vermonter – thank you so much for posting. I am so sorry that you have to bear this burden. Brooke, as So Sad said, was a beautiful child, and I too would have been proud to have her as my daughter. Her beautiful smile lit up the pictures I have seen.

I hope whoever had a hand in this pays dearly. Brooke paid her life.

Please know that there are many out there who support the truth and for all those that watched over and protected Brooke while she blessed the earth with her presence, our hearts go out to you. I know she will be missed for ever and a day.

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Kat
That could be the Corey that Jacques was refering to. Is he around the girl’s age?

Why is their father a scumbag?

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

Kat – just curious, how old is Corey?

Why is the father a scumbag?

Scumbags where I come from are used condoms….

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

Geez…So Sad – great minds think alike.

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Laurie it’s so important in cases like this that people come forth and tell the authorities about something they might have seen or heard.

Many crimes have been solved as a result of evidence that was taught to be trivial by itself but when added to the rest of the information already gathered provides the missing piece to the puzzle.

I too am most certain that Brooke was surrounded by people who genuinely loved and cared for her – how else could she have been so special otherwise. Cherish her memory and you will find Peace.

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

Sometimes So Sad, people are immobilized by fear and do not seem to have the strength to do something – but, over time, they become stronger and they can reach out, and know that there are people out there to help, people who do understand. We all have our crosses to bear. Sometimes they have seemed so heavy, I felt like I could not get up or move. But I did, and am very grateful to all the good people who have stood behind me, to support me, and in front of me, to guide my way.

I must admit, I thought it interesting that within a minute of each other, we posted almost the same exact questions….about Corey.

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Yeah Laurie it must be osmosis or sumtin:)

If the emails are to be believed then Corey at the very least wanted to be a part of the action – whatever he thought it would be.

Maybe Kat can shed some light on “that lil man about town” Corey?

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

After reading one of the other blogs on this site, I am now paranoid of trolls…damn it all.

I don’t trust anyone…

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August 7, 2008

arnie

It’s too bad the one’s that should have been watching out for her were not the one’s to feed her to the wolves!!! It is now of my understanding that Dianne AND Cassandra NEW EXACTLY what was going on!!!!! They are just as guilty of the out come as Jacques and Gagnon and should fry for it!
As far as the video of Jacques and Brooke at cumbie”s, there’s more to that video then the public was allowed to see. What happened outside was left out so Jacques wouldn’t know what evidence they had against him. There is a lot more to those emails, and I’m sure they could shed a lot more light on Cassie and Dianne’s involvement if we were only allowed to see them.

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Who’s the troll?

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Arnie was there a camera outside in the parking lot too?

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

I know who it is Laurie.

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August 7, 2008

arnie

So sad there certainly was!!!

Laurie some times even time doesn’t heal all wounds, and your immobilized by fear. You can let your guard down only so far and the fear stops you.

Yea, who’s the troll? Actually, what do you mean by troll? LOL

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

Sorry to shake everybody up….I just get paranoid with disclosing. And, on Trench’s site (this one) from another day 8/5 – Megan had it coming, there is an article about this psychopathic internet troll.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/arc…

I do not know if we have trolls here, but disclosing from a survivor’s perspective, leaves you feeling vulnerable anyway – and then if some sick-o like that guy is around…ewe….creepy.

arnie – how do you know this for a fact? That Denise and Cassandra knew?

I think Concerned said that Cassandra knew more than she was telling – especially about Gagnon, which doesn’t surprise me.

But, did you learn something new?

Or, is this all a big goof?

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

ya know – and every time I think I have talked enough on this site…well, I get ‘dragged’ back in.

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Arnie
If there was a camera outside then this whole thing about Jacques bringing Brooke inside the store to film was pointless.

Unless he wasn’t aware of the other camera!
Is the camera at another location in town?

I’ll check back here later when I get home from work.

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

So Sad – I would think he wasn’t aware of the camera outside, and he thought by making the statements he did inside the store, not to mention being seen on the store camera, his slimy ass was covered.

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August 7, 2008

arnie

Laurie-

I was told by a family friend that Cassandra and Denise knew what was going on, at what point I don’t know. How involved, I don’t know. Weather it was disclosed during counseling, possible. If so, does j1 continued involvement make her guilty or innocent? And Diane? Why didn’t she pack up and run? Why wouldn’t the counselor insist they get out? He/she has a duty to protect when there is actual or potential danger to a child. This makes me wounder if it really was disclosed in counseling. Did they actually go to counseling or was it just one of mjs ploys to make j1 THINK her mother was going to “drag her to counseling?”
Given we all know Jacques has a sister, how do we know the “Aunt” MJ was referring to, wasn’t HIS sister? Knowing what her dear old brother was, she could have been the threat to him!

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August 7, 2008

arnie

That’s right, he must not have known there was a camera outside. Cumbies is a new building, with added security, especially with gas drive offs, camera’s outside are a must. That’s how the LE were able to charge him with kidnapping, (And not yet murder) because they can prove that he did that part of it. They must have lead Brooke to believe the “party” was to be held some where other then Jacques or they wouldn’t have left the house. Then, when Jacques made the comment to the clerk Brooke became suspicious ( she was smarter then he thought) and tried to get away. Mj, not wanting to draw to much attention, told Brooke he just said that because “people wouldn’t understand” just to get her back in the car. ( I’m guessing what happened out side because, some how he was able to get her back in the car without causing a scene. my feeling is Brooke wasn’t comfortable with what was happening and eventually resisted.) That’s the difference between j1 and Brooke. Resistance, and now Brooke is dead. I guess you can say the same COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO J1 if she had resisted too!!!

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

arnie – you are so right, but when was J1 supposed to resist?

I really do not think she knew Brooke was going to be murdered.

I agree – the whole sexual abuse concept is pretty disgusting – to think she would have assisted. But, saying something and doing it are two different things. She may have said some of those things in the emails, (we can write whatever we want) just to get him off her back. We don’t know, do we?

We do not yet know what exactly J1 did, other than to assist with getting Brooke there.

I can hear Jacques chattering away at J1 as the tension rises, telling her she has to help him, she is now a part of it.

I don’t think anyone who has been abused since the age of 9, and has been manipulated as she was, has any resistance. Their judgement is clouded. Thoughts are skewed, especially if there is no one in her corner to tell her or guide her.

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August 7, 2008

Laurie

As far as Denise and Cassandra knowing what went on…well, again, until there is definitive proof, I am withholding judgement.

Sometimes families will try to deal with this kind of stuff within themselves. Think of how our reactions have been. Who would want to face this? Not to mention all the other consequences….because unfortunately, we don’t make it easy for people to get help for this.

If they were in counseling, and disclosed this, it should have been reported. At least, in NYS if you are a counselor you are a mandated reporter and must report any suspicion of abuse.

Is it the same in VT?

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August 7, 2008

Tony

Well, I was supposed to be heading back home, tomorrow… but after some meetings in Manhattan yesterday &amp today, a couple phone calls and some possibly-soon-to-be “breaking news” for you all (it honestly depends on two people, at this point), I have to stick around another couple days in New York and thereabouts and revisit a couple places and talk to some more people (funny, the “big” maple syrup over in Randolph, Vermont is one I can get from the local grocery where I’m from… I’m feeling kinda gypped by that one).

Coming back from Manhattan this afternoon, hit Albany and a pretty ominous wall of dark clouds (and a pretty decent chunk of “storm”)… It felt like an omen of the events that could transpire in the next several days.

Hold your breath, folks… it could get pretty freaky in the next little while… (then again, if a couple other people have their way, it could get even quieter).

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Arnie
Unless the other camera caught Brooke getting back in his truck the second time it really doesn’t mean much. I doubt they have another video because they would have been on to him that much sooner.

What evidence do they have beside the emails to charge Jacques with kidnapping?

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Hi Tony!
How’d you like the weather in NYC.
It’s been nice lately.

Psst. That maple syrup is watered down Aunt Jemima.

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August 7, 2008

So Sad

Sorry Arnie I’m a slow typer and didn’t see your post. Thanks for the info it makes alot of sense now and I agree.

I felt she wasn’t comfotable inside the store just by looking at the video. I got the feeling she was trying to reach out to someone but she was confused and frightened. I didn’t like the way she left the store and how she looked back inside once she left.

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August 8, 2008

Laurie

Aw Tony you are such a tease….

And the weather in NY, near Albany? Well, I know some have been considering building an ark.

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August 8, 2008

Deb

This is a test, I wrote last night and it did not send it. After writing all I did I gave up so now I just want to see if it will work today and go from there.

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August 8, 2008

Deb

Ok,,good morning all.
I would like to go back to the fact that people knew and explain what I mean by that. Yes it is quite obvious that MJ bamboozled his employer, employees and new people he met. But I am talking about locals, people who remember what he did involving his sister and his past conviction. We are talking a twisted individual here, people do not forget such things.
Now, given what the knew could they do anything about it? I highly doubt that as both sisters were married to perverts with children involved. What could they have done as he was supposedly reabilitated on being released from prison.
Yes, there is tons of gossip going around I am sure, but I will say yet again that people did know about him and his sick twisted mind, as did both Cassandra and Denise and I do not care what they say, they knew of his disgressions.
And it is so very sad that a sweet young girl had to pay for that.

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August 8, 2008

Deb

What really surprises me is Thermadyne. I would think a company that sends people on world travel would do extensive background and criminal checks especially since 9/11. Does anyone know if MJ as college educated? 90k is nothing to sneeze at.

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August 8, 2008

Kitty

I agree that there is a lot of gossip and rumors flying about in the area. I’m fortunate to be on holiday for a while 🙂 I can tell you most of the crap I’m hearing, is just that, crap. There’s only a couple of people I know that were friends with MJ, the rest are co-workers from Thermadyne and Hypertherm. Not that it’s right, but I’m guessing Thermadyne didn’t do the extensive background check because he was employed for the other company… Maybe they assumed he was thoroughly checked out by them? If Denise and Cassandra are hiding something, I hope they are exposed. And J1 knowing that “E” was MJ is possible, I guess anything is possible with this case. It just seems to me that she didn’t know…. Then again, she’s close to being as warped as MJ is mentally, as a result of him. Now I need to go back a re-read those emails again.

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August 8, 2008

So Sad

Tony:
“but, why in the name of anything remotely rational would he have picked her over someone (anyone!) else in the community (other than an obvious &ldquoeasy access&rdquo to her)?”

That’s the 65K question – why was it so easy?

I’m confident forensics will determine who the murderer/s were of Brooke. Is it normal for the authorities to wait this long to hand down an indictment?

I was thinking about “J1’s” real father. Nothing was ever mentioned about him. I think he might be the [ ] she refered to in the emails coming over in 5mins. Just a guess.

That “Uncle Steve” used to be a real popular electronics store ala “Crazy Eddie” fame. They both were shysters though. The sign is the only thing that remains of that clip joint.

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August 8, 2008

Laurie

Update from VT Argus.
http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A…

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August 8, 2008

Laurie

What is this guy going to be light when he gets out?

. .http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/NEWS01/808070375/

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August 8, 2008

Deb

That is definate Tony, none of this is easy on the stomach.
And yes I agree as I have said before, I think he might have tried something with her once they went upstairs, she fought him and he killed her that day because he knew there was no way he was getting out of that one and he WAS NOT going back to jail.
I really do not know if he planned on killing her but that is how it turned out. Was J1 present? Once Brooke got to that house I am not sure I believe that J1 left as told but I am leaning towards that she did. I do not know why but I am at the moment. That is if in fact if it is the way this all went down.
Why he picked Brooke and not an outsider is another mystery too. As Tony stated he had a chance of not stirring things up around him but people who knew his past would have ponted a finger at him because he is a sicko plain and simple. So I think no matter her or another he stood a good chance of being found out.
I have gone back and forth to the e-mails and everytime I read them I am more confused than the last. What a slimy mess.

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August 8, 2008

So Sad

I think they didn’t go back to the house and she wasn’t killed there.

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August 8, 2008

Laurie

I agree with you So Sad. I think there was another place that he had, and that is where he murdered her. Either that, or some secret room. If he built the house, he could have made a couple secret rooms.

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August 8, 2008

Laurie

There is a link awaiting moderation to a new article in the VT argus.

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August 8, 2008

Laurie

And, today in Hoosick Falls, a Bennington VT man was arrested for stalking young girls. Edward O’Dell.

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August 8, 2008

So Sad

Great things are too hot in Vermont right now so the whackos come to New York to fool around.

We don’t need no stinkin’ snappers here! – Spit

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August 9, 2008

Tony

Laurie, that link you posted was for an article way back in the beginning of July. Just a little old… )

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August 9, 2008

Tony

Laurie, Jim Bennett tried to get custody of Brooke, but due to his active duty status in the United States military, he couldn’t exactly be around to take care of her… you can’t fault the courts for that, really.

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August 9, 2008

Kitty

Laurie, you obviously are taking offense to what I have posted, and for that I sincerely apologize. However, my opinion is solid just as yours and will not change…. I certainly don’t expect you to change yours, or expect you to not express your opinions freely. But understand, that no one here is attacking you, we are merely expressing our opinions about the Bennett case, not yours. Again, I’m sorry if you take it personally.

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August 9, 2008

Tony

…and incidentally, the sixty day extension was requested for a few reasons… including both dealing with evidence regarding the initial kidnapping charge, as well as gathering, analyzing, weighing evidence regarding other potential charges… against both men.

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August 10, 2008

Laurie

Kitty- you are not the one who has been blaming Cassandra, calling the whole family evil, etc etc.
And I don’t believe I addressed any of my ‘rant’ to you – So Sad really has an issue, and has posted her story about her brother and how he smashed someone’s head in, and she still doesn’t know why.

You are correct – this is not my case – but it is reflective of our opinions on how this can happen to someone. If we can’t get it right, we never will be able to help anyone now or in the future.

Never said MJ was innocent, so don’t twist what is written. Go back and read the posts. And, I never said anyone was disgusting, just that gossip and our discussions are all in vain – cause we don’t have the facts.

And, now who is taking this personal?

Deb – I also think that Gagnon’s brother was arrested for child porn or something….

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August 10, 2008

Deb

This is what I have been saying ALLLLLLLLLL along! That these two woman knew. They knew his past as did others, it was not a secret to long time locals. Yes, new people, his fellow employees that moved in would not know granted. But they did, and I could be wrong but don’t tell me that Denise did not both see and hear things in that house because I just will not believe it. She knew what she married. And because of that I do hold both her and Cassandra responsible as she knew too!
It would be a cold day in hell that I would have ever put my daughter in that kind of situation.
So I must be crazy too.

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August 10, 2008

Laurie

Right on Happy. I agree – and since when does a state government, who receives their pay from the taxpayers, release a dangerous sex offender into the community?

Shouldn’t the schools have been warned about this creep? Shouldn’t the senior citizens be warned?

The article in the argus yesterday said that his probation officer dropped the ball.

From what I have read about in the news lately, I would be very concerned if I lived in Vermont. I would make sure I know every name on the registry, and find pictures of those men, and women. I would also make sure I check the newspaper everyday, and highlight the names of the offenders who are plead down. I would also go to the courts and follow all the trials and plea bargains.

So – lets determine what we do know…do we really know anything? Other than Jacques was a registered SO, and that everyone in the community knew, and no one did anything? Including the father? And that Brooke was murdered, with the help of another fiend? (J1)
And that we have cryptic emails and affidavits that reaffirm the sexual offenses and fantasies that Jacques was not held accountable for? And the mother is allowed to have her children through all of this? How can that be?

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August 10, 2008

Kitty

*scratches head with a perplexed look* Laurie, are you seriously agreeing with Happy or are you being sarcastic? Because it seems like you’re flip flopping.

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August 10, 2008

Kitty

Are we supposed to believe the mothers aren’t accountable at all because they still have their children? Good grief.

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August 10, 2008

Happy Happy Joy Joy

I think we all know that the justice system doesn’t always work. Sometimes killers walk free and innocent people are put behind bars. The fact that Jacques was on probation tells me that the justice system felt he was still a threat. Many people dropped the ball here as far as protecting the children and that includes the mothers of these girls.

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August 10, 2008

Deb

Depending on circumstances I would not say the mothers are always blamed. This is a different scenario. Both mothers were aware of their surroundings. And that is why I hold them both accountable for what happened. Yes, MJ was the perpertrator, but these children should have been more protected from their own mothers who I feel put them in harms way. Again—–BECAUSE THEY KNEW.
Forget the state because as of this happeneing now they are going to have to revamp what they have in place. At least I hope they do.

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August 10, 2008

Laurie

Oh and Kitty – if we all agree all the time, well then, there would be no variety, right? )

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August 10, 2008

Laurie

Deb – why are you so willing to let the state off the hook?

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August 10, 2008

Deb

By the way we do not even really know that J1 and Courtney have been taken away, do we?

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August 10, 2008

Laurie

The system failed me in many ways, and the system fails other people every day – that is the real key here. We need a better system, but instead we decide to blame one person, who cannot make it any better for anyone else and has no power to keep anyone else safe. I am looking at the bigger picture here.

Why do we only blame the moms? Why are we so reluctant to hold the gov’t accountable? We pay their freakin’ salaries!!!!

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August 10, 2008

Deb

Oh I am not letting the state off the hook at all and they will have some serious revamping to do and who knows they might even be some charges against individuals that dropped that ball.
What I am trying to say Laurie is Cassandra and Denise were there all the time where the state was not. As mothers, at least talking for myself I was a lioness and I do know not all are like that.
BUT AGAIN knowing what they knew of this scumbag don’t you think they would have been more vigilent? Never mind marry into a union with these creeps.

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August 10, 2008

Laurie

Deb – no, according to CV, they are all living in the same house now. Great. Who is watching over these kids? Or, are we not responsible as a society because we choose to lay it all on the moms, and when the next thing happens, oh well, its the moms fault. Even tho’ (society and the gov’t) we were warned.

So, in our justification that the moms are dirtbags, we allow another child to be sacrificed?

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August 10, 2008

Kitty

LOL, this is ridiculous. I have no problem with difference of opinions, I embrace it. I’m perplexed Laurie, because you seem to be playing both sides of the fence…. One minute you are upset because people are “blaming” the mothers, the next minute you’re agreeing the mothers are accountable.

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August 10, 2008

Laurie

Kitty – that is what happens when you are both a victim and have had a child who is a victim, and the system allows the offender to roam free. You see both sides.

I still hold to my original opinion, that until all the facts are out, I am reserving blame. I do not like to ‘blame’ people anyway – but, to me there is enough to go around.

I just don’t see where blaming the moms is productive. If it makes people feel better, well, have at it. But, it really doesn’t change anything.

Holding the gov’t accountable, well, that can change something – for us all.

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August 10, 2008

Kitty

What will it change to hold the government responsible?

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August 10, 2008

Kitty

I too will believe as I will. I’m ok with that. At the end of the day, I hold myself responsible for the safety of my child, not the neighbors, not the city, not the Government. If I open the door to a RSO knowingly, it’s not the government’s fault for what happens under my roof to my daughter, it would be my own. Period. If the government passing feel good laws makes you feel better, that’s great…. But it certainly wouldn’t allow me to put my guard down when it comes to the welfare of my child.

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August 10, 2008

Laurie

If we were to hold the gov’t responsible, and got our money’s worth, decisions on probation/parole would be well thought out, or hopefully, better than they are now. Follow up would never be totally out of the picture. IF there is ANY doubt, well then they don’t get released. Especially someone with history like Jacques.

We should also demand more and better treatment for victims, and better education programs for school age children and parents. (I am not talking about stranger danger, or programs like it) Town hall meetings on prevention education.

Education on bullying and self-respect.

More money for research.

Better tracking system for someone who is released. What if the whole family was brought in on discussions on how to keep everyone safe?

Not to mention revamping of the database. There are some that do not belong on it, and others that do – that are not listed.

These are just a few ideas….

What good does it do to focus on the Mom’s, or what change can be brought about by that?

I guess I just don’t understand why everyone feels the need to voice that opinion over and over again – seems futile. Spinning our wheels. But, you are right, this is a public blog. I prefer to have intelligent discussion to kick around real possibilities that could maybe shed some light on how to stop this epidemic.

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August 10, 2008

Deb

I do not feel that us few on this board are going to change things very much with the goverment.

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August 10, 2008

Caren

I haven’t posted for a couple of weeks since I receive ample good info from all of you. Now I am concerned about the new tone of things…..So Sad – It must have taken much for you to disclose your experiences. They should not be discounted, and I appreciate your sharing. Please continue to share. Laurie…You have been a wonderful contributor with a mission that I can see takes a personal toll on you- please accept others’ opinions as coming from their own perspective and don’t get offended. Most of us here have our own horror stories, which is why we are here, I suppose…those lucky folks without a past don’t have the need to be on sites like this. We’re the ones who need to vent and be affirmed – let’s all appreciate each other, if that’s OK – seeing someone offended here only brings back pain for all as we all empathize (vs. sympathize)-a positive by product of abuse!

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August 10, 2008

Kitty

I’m not being sarcastic when I say this Laurie, so please don’t take offense. Perhaps you should start another blog with a purpose to bring about change with the Government.

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August 15, 2008

Laurie

Good morning So Sad – I agree there was nothing in the emails about her being killed if she didn’t follow orders….

I don’t recall anything in emails about her precious way of life, and how much she loved it, or ‘loved’ her dear old dad. Just that she was afraid something would happen to him or her family. This happens with people who are being abused – they defend the abuser.

From my understanding of trauma, this is not unusual.

There must be hundreds of emails they haven’t released – content was used only to show cause for the current charges.

Does anyone know if the autopsy results will be kept private?

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August 15, 2008

Laurie

I think the emails also mentioned that there was concern she wasn’t in the right mindset…

Damn I wish we would hear something new, soon. I hope the good people of VT do not let this case go.

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August 15, 2008

Deb

Morning all!

J2 really could have not known much but kids J1’s age usually have big mouths? Then again J1 is not out “normal” 14 year old either. So he really could have been in the dark and as arnie stated she could have just made off she was cleaning up. But it went right into a plastic bag right away or did it and wouldn’t he have asked why?
Laurie even if they had cell phones with bad coverage which I doubt seeing as they live there and they would have had the company’s that worked in that area there is still land line phones.
Let’s figure Denise got home at regular work hours say 5pm? Brooke had slept over MJ’s the night before so most of the day they I am sure just assumed that she was there or was supposed to be?
The grandmother could have called the house to see when she was coming home and got no answer which she could have thought they were just outside, no big deal. BUT IF in fact Brooke did have a cell phone she was getting no answer. OR no one even called or checked throughout the day to see where she even was.
Randolph is really a pretty safe area, or was. Soooooo, that would mean that once Cassandra got home from work is when bells started going off.
Where is Brooke? Did Brooke call? Who was supposed to bring her home or was Cassandra supposed to pick her up? After all Brooke did not live in Randolph and could not have walked home!
Those are all things we don’t know as far as when who and when they started looking for her etc.

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August 15, 2008

Deb

I am sure there are a zillion e-mails that were not released and many pieces of the puzzle are in them. I am surprised they released what they did.
As far as the autopsy the toxicology is what takes the longest.
The only reason I would think they will not release it at this time is because of where the case stands right now?

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