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Bustamante may move to State Hospital

Above is a photo of Alyssa Bustamante, the suspect in the homicide of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten, taken from one of Alyssa's Web pages.

Published: Friday, November 20, 2009 1:43 PM CST
Update/Correction by (AP) - JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) The attorney for a teenager accused of killing a 9-year-old Missouri girl says his client should be sent to a psychiatric hospital.

A judge had not approved the move as of noon Friday, though a draft order had been submitted by the public defender Thursday as part of the case file.

Fifteen-year-old Alyssa Bustamante has been held at the Morgan County jail after being indicted Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Oct. 21 death of Elizabeth Olten.

Authorities say Bustamante strangled, stabbed and cut the throat of Elizabeth because she wanted to know what it felt like to kill. They say Bustamante led them to Elizabeth's body two days later in a wooded area near their homes in St. Martins, just west of Jefferson City.

Previously posted: at 9:34 am 11.20.2009



JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) A teenager accused of killing a 9-year-old neighbor was sent to a mental hospital after her attorney said she showed signs of severe depression and anxiety.

A judge ordered 15-year-old Alyssa Bustamante to be taken to the Fulton State Hospital for up to 96 hours, but it was unclear exactly when that clock started. The order by Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce is dated Thursday but did not have a time stamp; it was released Friday.

Bustamante had been held at the Morgan County jail since being indicted Wednesday as an adult on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action for the Oct. 21 death of Elizabeth Olten.

Authorities say Bustamante strangled, stabbed and cut Elizbeth's throat because she wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. They say Bustamante confessed and led them to Elizabeth’s body two days later in a wooded area near their homes in St. Martins, just west of Jefferson City.

During a court hearing Wednesday, a juvenile justice officer testified that Bustamante had attempted suicide two years ago and had received both inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment for depression and cutting herself. Her juvenile defense attorney said Bustamante also had attempted to cut herself with her own fingernails while being held in juvenile custody after Elizabeth's death.

Public defender Jan King cited the previous suicide attempt in a court document Thursday while stating that Bustamante was "demonstrating signs of severe depression and anxiety" and had been under a suicide watch at the jail.

Bustamante needs "immediate psychological treatment" to "assess her current mental state and to prevent the possibility that she may harm herself",” King said in the motion requesting her transfer.

A not guilty plea was entered by a judge on Bustamantee's behalf during her initial appearance Wednesday in adult court. If Bustamante is convicted of first-degree murder, she would face a sentence of life in prison without parole.



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Thanks.

soncerea wrote on Dec 1, 2009 12:35 AM:

" I am confident she will go to Prison.justice will prevail in this case, at least we can hope so. "

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thundercloud wrote on Nov 28, 2009 6:28 PM:

" She will learn how to play crazy by watching her fellow patients at Fulton. She will learn from them that a few years in a mental institution is far easier than life in prison. It's like staying in a fancy hotel as opposed to a no-tell motel. A psychiatrist will believe that she is truly mentally ill and fight to get her committed to Fulton.

She WILL NOT be committed there for life as the media will lead you to believe. She can be released and BACK IN THE COMMUNITY after a years time.

I know this because I worked for many years at Fulton. The situation I mentioned above used to happen only rarely. Happens all the time now. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 24, 2009 3:20 PM:

" maiximista wrote "Elizabeth was killed for the sake of entertainment. There is just no way to find reason for that, and that is why people are short on sympathy for the accused. People want accountability. "

I totally agree and you have hit the nail on the head!!!

From KRCG website:
"She never missed class, was an A and B student and friends say she was talkative, social and liked to meet new people.

Online, though, she rebelled. On Twitter, she said she hated authority and wrote: "Bad decisions make great stories." On YouTube, she listed her hobbies as "killing people" and "cutting." "

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maiximista wrote on Nov 24, 2009 3:14 PM:

" I think I could muster up some shred of sympathy if this had been a situation where two kids had an on-going fued (I remember how vicious the girls were in Jr. High) and things got out of hand and someone ended up dead. It would still be terrible, and someone would still need to be held accountable, but at least there could be some bit of understanding how it came to be, but from everything that has been released, this was not a crime of passion. Elizabeth was killed for the sake of entertainment. There is just no way to find reason for that, and that is why people are short on sympathy for the accused. People want accountability. "

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maiximista wrote on Nov 24, 2009 3:09 PM:

" Can't help but wonder what Dr. Phil would think about this whole situation... "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 24, 2009 2:44 PM:

" boscoe wrote on Nov 24, 2009 2:24 PM:

Her age must be taken into consideration.

There are people out here in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, with the mentality of a 15 year old. Does that mean a 15 year old cannot have a mentality of the older? While 15 may be too young for making legal decisions, they are perfectly capable of thinking for themselves and making good decisions. I have a 15 year old, if he was to steal a car, come home high etc, I will not excuse him because he is only 15. He is old enough to know right from wrong and I expect him to do the right thing. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 24, 2009 2:33 PM:

" boscoe wrote "She's just a child. She's not old enough to make decisons for herself. Not old enough to enter into contracts. Not old enough to fight in the army. Not old enough to vote. Not old enough to get married. Not old enough to buy a drink."

While she may be 15, that doesn't mean she is stupid...that was proven by testimony of her teachers, pricipal and friends....and while she may not be old enough to do some of the things you mentioned, she was old enough to know right from wrong and made the decision to murder a child. And per the judge, she is an adult, she made adult decisions and needs to face adult consequences for her actions. "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 24, 2009 2:24 PM:

" She's just a child. She's not old enough to make decisons for herself. Not old enough to enter into contracts. Not old enough to fight in the army. Not old enough to vote. Not old enough to get married. Not old enough to buy a drink.

Her age must be taken into consideration.

Plus, all the facts are not in and she has not been convicted, so innocent until proven guilty.

May God give her comfort and support- to both Alyssa, her family, and Elizabeth's family.

May the haters also feel God's love and change their ways. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 24, 2009 1:41 PM:

" Rayder, learn how the forum works....when you see a name and quotation marks, we are directing to that person.....after the quotations, at the bottom, is MY (or our) responses to what someone else said....lol, funny that you are arguing w me when we are on the same page and even my post shows that!! ;0)

soncerea....I think people feel guilt about a 15 year old being sentenced to life, I think that's why there are so many "let's find out why she's this way" people....and I agree with you too, whether she had a bad childhood or not, doesn't change the fact she murdered a 9 year old AND took them to the body. She deserves to be incarcerated for life. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 24, 2009 1:31 PM:

" RAYDER.....read my post before you try to comment about what I said, I QUOTED someone else!! Good grief!! "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 24, 2009 12:32 PM:

" gofish wrote "Would all of you vigilantees still feel good about yourselves if Alyssa were put to death and then 5 years later find out that the person that actually committed the act of murder had been roaming around your community free as a bird."

I agree with plpofjc.. no one would feel good about that.. but that is not going to be the outcome.
She did it, face it. Whether she had help or not, she still did it. "

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rayder wrote on Nov 24, 2009 10:39 AM:

" hey plpofjc THis 15 admitted she killed Elizabeth, she took law enforcement to where she buried her. Why are you even discussing whatifs, when they don't apply. This 15 needs to be locked up with the big girls or better yet, put her in a jail cell with Elizabeths Dad. Problem Solved. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:55 AM:

" Sorry! My first one did not post....
gofish wrote "Would all of you vigilantees still feel good about yourselves if Alyssa were put to death and then 5 years later find out that the person that actually committed the act of murder had been roaming around your community free as a bird."

No one would feel "good" about that....but even if she were sentenced to death, she would not be put to death, there are a multitude of inmates who have been on deathrow for decades who will never be put to death. I'm sure whatever sentence she gets, it will be appealed anyways, so that is not even a factor. She would be at the bottom of a VERY long waitinglist. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:49 AM:

" on death row that have been there since the 70's and will stay there without being executed.... "

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lumpsinthesandbox wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:34 AM:

" boscoe - they were just wondering IF:

"GRACE: ... had been in treatment so long, that she had tried to commit suicide at an early age of 13. It screams out to me that at some point she has been molested. I don`t know the answer to that yet. But believe me, we`ll know at the time in trial. Because if she has been, the defense will parade it front and center in their defense, as they should."

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0911/19/joy.01.html "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:56 AM:

" lumpsinthesandbox wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:21 AM: " boscoe - I skimmed the Nancy Grace transcripts but didn't see that? "



She was a guest speaker on the new chick's show the other night. "

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lumpsinthesandbox wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:21 AM:

" boscoe - I skimmed the Nancy Grace transcripts but didn't see that? "

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bluenurse wrote on Nov 24, 2009 12:04 AM:

" Any drug can have serious side effects. When Prozac works, it works wonders; when it doesn't work, it can be devastating. Same is true for most types of antidepressants, as I understand it. Problem is, the patient is already depressed & may not realize the medication isn't working. If you look on the official web sites for any drugs for depression, they will state clearly that the pt. needs frequent monitoring by a healhcare professional to identify serious changes in their mental status or mood.


Personally, I would have to agree with the posters who say Alyssa may have been misdiagnosed in the first place. "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 23, 2009 8:46 PM:

" Nancy Grace says she was sexually abused- that's why she is messed up.

Sick Sick Sick. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 23, 2009 6:04 PM:

" KRCG has a new story up titled.. Bustamante on 24 hour suicide watch..

This is in the article

"Before being arrested for murder, Bustamante was undergoing intense treatment for suicidal tendencies, but today, one of her friends told national media that Bustamante talked about killing others as well."

There we have it folks.... "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 23, 2009 6:01 PM:

" I wonder if anyone would be interested in knowing the root of Alyssa's anger and depression problem if it was their child that she brutally murdered?

Good Question I would have to say No..
first things first. Alyssa needs to be brought to justice before that will happen. "

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cj650 wrote on Nov 23, 2009 6:00 PM:

" leeannet & plpofjc - I do believe it's important for the mental health professionals and LE to learn all they can from ALL the teens that commit these horrific crimes. If society's answer is to just lock them away and not try to discover the causes of the evil acts, nothing is learned that may help other troubled teens and prevent more of these tragic incidents.

Alyssa must pay the consequenses for her actions and should spend the rest of her life in prison. However, learning everything possible about what led to her decisions may aid professions when treating another teen with similar problems and that may save the live of another child like Elizabeth. "

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leeannet wrote on Nov 23, 2009 5:30 PM:

" If thats the case with PROZAC why is it prescribed? hmmm someone needs to look at suing the manufacturer of that drug then "

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misshoneybee wrote on Nov 23, 2009 4:14 PM:

" And by 'cutting up', I mean acting up. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 23, 2009 2:48 PM:

" cj650 wrote "No one is forgetting Elizabeth or making excuses for Allysa. Some of us are just trying to understand the root of this evil act."

I wonder if anyone would be interested in knowing the root of Alyssa's anger and depression problem if it was their child that she brutally murdered?

Bad childhood or not, there are PLENTY of people that grow up in a less than favorable environment and don't grow up to be criminals...some people chose to rise to the top despite hardships, and others sink to the bottom with the muck. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 23, 2009 12:46 PM:

" Actually our juvenile justice system, and the MO Division of Youth Services (DYS) programs in particular, are considered by many to be one of the best in the country. DYS is just not equipped to handle girls accused of serious crimes. They don't get very many, if any at all. "

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Byron W. wrote on Nov 23, 2009 12:19 PM:

" boscoe wrote "Just yet another example of how our state is so far behind the times and is racing to the bottom to become a third-world country."

Our state is better off than the nation as a whole. At least this state still has some common sense even though the left is attempting to eradicate it. "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 23, 2009 12:05 PM:

" The reason they certified her as an adult had nothing to do with her. Rather, it had everything to do with the fact the government/system was not prepared to accomodate a juvenile offender of this type.

Just yet another example of how our state is so far behind the times and is racing to the bottom to become a third-world country. "

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Rockyv wrote on Nov 23, 2009 11:32 AM:

" Also for those of you who say what would it look like if a 15 year old committed suicide in county jail. It would look like every other suicide that occurs by "adults" in county jail. She is no longer considered a 15 year old that is why she is in county jail. She is one step closer to being a full blown monster! "

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Rockyv wrote on Nov 23, 2009 11:30 AM:

" For all of those saying she is not a monster she is a child, you have already lost that battle. She has been deemed an adult, next step is to convict her as a monster. She will go to prison and make a fine girlfriend for another convict. That will be the culmination of her life. It doesn't matter where her change of venue is to. No matter where you go they will call a monster a monster and send her up river. Good riddens you piece of trash! "

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concernedparentof3 wrote on Nov 22, 2009 10:44 AM:

" There is always a reason, what happened to change a child to do something like this? This we might never know. Unfortunatly there are more troubled pre-teen & teens in this world that is not reported. L & C middle school here in JC called all the students into the principals office on Friday that do "cutting". There were about 10 to 20 of them. Some of them were friends of my oldest. "

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cj650 wrote on Nov 22, 2009 9:42 AM:

" travelin_rose - You should go to the FDA website and do a little research on the adverse reactions Prozac can (and has) caused in some teens (and some adults). It's almost textbook for what we know about this case so far. It's frightening.

"WHAT IF" a prescribed drug that's supposed to help people with problems is actually the catalyst that pushes them over the edge????

No one is forgetting Elizabeth or making excuses for Allysa. Some of us are just trying to understand the root of this evil act. "

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cj650 wrote on Nov 22, 2009 9:30 AM:

" hmarie775 - Beautifully said! Finally .... the voice of common sense. I totally agree that there is no excuse but there is always a reason and it needs to be uncovered in order to learn anything from this horrific event that could help someone else. It's too late for Allysa but maybe some other troubled teen can be helped.

leeannet - HOW do you KNOW "she walked in her home with blood all over her"???? All the speculation and assumptions are nothing more than gossip. No positive results are derived from gossip. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 22, 2009 8:46 AM:

" I respect this newspaper and find several of the reporters quite good. They know their stuff.

Online Ed brings up that the AP errer on the above article. That points out a trend I've noticed on this story: several media sources are reporting errors. I know media people are human and make mistakes. And I've seen plenty. But I'm noticing so many mistakes on this story (the murder not just this particular story about Alyssa being hospitalized). And they have terrible results.

I think KRCG reported the grandparents took Alyssa to a St. Louis childrens psychiatric hospital the day after the murder. Actuality it was law enforcement that took her the day after her arrest. That mistake cast suspicioun on the grandparents. "

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online_editor wrote on Nov 22, 2009 7:22 AM:

" Finally, the lack of reporting early. We heard many suspected things but had nothing confirmed to report. No official documents were available because it was a juvenile case. No official would talk because they are bound by law not to. Unlike blogging/forum/gossip sites that mentioned Alyssa (although I saw some that did not or used only initials, and one "sleuthing" site that removed it and admonished anyone who tried), we didn't speculate from interpretations of circumstantial evidence. Apparently the other local media did not either. So it wasn't some agreed conspiracy to wait; it's quite possible no one was secure enough with the unconfirmed information they heard to risk the chance that it was wrong. (Think of Richard Jewell and the Atlanta bombing case.) "

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online_editor wrote on Nov 22, 2009 7:07 AM:

" As far as the fundraising event, I don't want to open debate about that topic in this file because of the slippery slope it started to head down on its own page. But quickly, I don't know that we reported anything wrong, so much as there was a post with additional details and then opinions that, depending on interpretation, started bordering on accusations of wrongdoing, which we discourage because it's a place for general opinions on issues. "

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online_editor wrote on Nov 22, 2009 6:39 AM:

" Reference the correction... It's important that everyone note the correction if you happened to overlook it. The AP reporter saw the draft order and mistakenly thought it had been approved since it was part of the file, but in fact, it hadn't been signed by the judge. Lawyers routinely submit certain proposed orders for consideration, as opposed to the judge writing them. They're worded like they're done deals, but they are merely pending requests until signed. AP issued the correction after the misunderstanding came to light. It's an unfortunate, embarassing mistake but one that's readily acknowledged and won't be slipping into obscurity anytime soon because there's general discussion keeping this page active. It wasn't repeated in the newspaper because of the timing. "

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leeannet wrote on Nov 22, 2009 6:34 AM:

" cc5150
I agree let her see what its like to be a BIG BAD TOUGH girl who hates authority HA she will find out the EVIL DEMON No excuses for her she admitted to it and yes there is a 9 yr old gone now for NO REASON lets think how Elizabeth felt while this horrible act was going on.... ANXIOUS SCARED PAIN and people are worried about that ANIMAL and her pain HA she needs to GO AWAY far AWAY FOREVER she is sick "

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leeannet wrote on Nov 22, 2009 6:29 AM:

" wow yea lets defend this 15 yr old while an innocent 9 yr old lays in the ground someone of u people LIKE BOSCOE really sticking up for that ANIMAL what if it had been a child of yours? wouldnt be such a pretty picture then....... she did the crime now do the time or even better she's a FREAK........ LOCK HER UP "

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leeannet wrote on Nov 22, 2009 6:24 AM:

" did she do it? she admitted to it and she walked in her home with blood all over her OMG you people there is no mercy for this...


mrh wrote on Nov 21, 2009 2:17 PM:

" I find myself disappointed with most of the responses from my fellow JCians. y, claiming to have committed the act; The 15-year old is reported to have attempted suicide and have a history of mental problems. Sorry everyone but I believe that there is a lot more of this story to see light. Did she actually do this or does she only believe she did? "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 22, 2009 1:57 AM:

" Kristy, read the top of the article that we are posting on. It says "Update/Correction by AP." Under that article the original article is posted. The original article says the teen was sent to the mental hospital. The corrected version says that the teen's attorney says she should be in a psychiatric hospital. She was not sent yet. That's a huge mistake. People are all up in arms on this case, and they all see a huge difference between she should be in a psychiatric hospital and she is in a psyciatric hospital. The original error was made by the AP. The News Tribune is the local paper and should have checked on this story and every story about this case for accuracy. "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 22, 2009 1:41 AM:

" concernedparentof3, I don't know what gave you the idea I meant you would be a family member or friend, I didn't mention anyone specifically.
Although I am sure some are.
It would be nice if they reported and told everything but because of the investigation they can't.
What news report gave incorrect information and then retracted it the next day? "

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concernedparentof3 wrote on Nov 22, 2009 12:00 AM:

" There are too many holes in this case, and until everything is reported correctly no one will know. I was not putting the blame on what was done on the Prozac in any form, just stating a fact. Prozac in itself has side effects that are violent. A 15 year old child should not have been given it.

Kristy, I am neither a family member or a friend of either one of the families. I would just like to see the whole truth come out. Not incorrect information that is retracted the next day. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 21, 2009 11:57 PM:

" Good points hmarie. "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 21, 2009 11:32 PM:

" meant Forensic Psychologist "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 21, 2009 11:31 PM:

" " Soncera wrote don't get why some of you are seriously willing to allow this as an excuse or reason.... "
Soncera, you have to remember that there are family or friends of alyssa's no doubt on here also and that could be some of the reasons for some of the 'excuses' or 'reasons'.
Fox news had a Forensic Psychology on a video about this, its still on there as of tonight, and sick or mental doesn't obviously mean 'criminally insane' remember "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 21, 2009 11:28 PM:

" I continue to pray for Alyssa and both of the families. "

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hmarie775 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 10:52 PM:

" Soncera wrote don't get why some of you are seriously willing to allow this as an excuse or reason.... "

There is no excuse for crimes such as these, but there is always a reason. Getting to the root of the reason is what helps prevent future crimes like these. Figuring out what went wrong and why helps to identify patterns in behavior that can be identified and intervened before a child snaps and goes to these levels. cj650 I would like to add one more question to your list..was Alyssa ever the victim of abuse as a child? If she had been tortured, shaken, severely neglected or hurt these things can become internalized in even an young infant-and-can-change-brain-function-forever. "

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cj650 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 10:31 PM:

" I wonder about Alyssa.....
.....if her mother used drugs and/or alcohol when she was pregnant.
.....what was she like as a little girl. Was she happy and playful?
.....what horrible thing happened to make a 13 year old child want to die?
.....what caused her to be so depressed at such a young age?
.....what were the results of her most recent drug test? Is she an addict?
.....what was the written evidence and who gave it to the sheriff?
.....just what more could her grandparents have done. They were seeking help for her at Pathways and under a doctor's care who prescribed medication for her.
.....what would any of you have done if you'd been in their place? Seriously. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 9:49 PM:

" I think her post on twitter said alot..

"Bad decisions make great stories." Only problem with that is her bad decision is not a good story, only a sad and tragic one. "

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travelin_rose wrote on Nov 21, 2009 9:30 PM:

" Oh, boy. Here we go again, the "Let's blame Prozac" is looking for something to blame other than Alyssa. Either way, Elizabeth Olten is 6 ft. under tonight. Hopefully, the judge will not allow her to go to Fulton. She needs to go to trial. There is a little girl dead because of her. She has already admitted it. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:52 PM:

" Also confusing was the benefit for the Elizabeth Olten fund. The paper said it was an educational fund for the brother. Then people on the forum and said the money was going to go to Elizabeth's mother. The paper never did correct that story.

I like the News Tribune and depend on it for local news. But I'm not satisfied with the reporting on this story. If two out of three stories about a major crime in central Missouri have errors that I know about, how many other errors are there that no one has caught.

The fact that a 15 yr old is accused of this horrible murder makes me sick. But the reporting on the story makes me wonder. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:14 PM:

" "What stories the local media does, has major errors. "

I don't see many stories with errors, and the ones I do see are corrected very quickly. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:09 PM:

" Concernedparentof3,I'd like to see all the facts come to light. And that brings up a major problem I have with this case: the reporting by the media. I read that after they found Elizabeth's body and took Alyssa into custody, the local media agreed not to do stories on this crime until the hearing to determine if she shoud be certified as an adult. Then, finally after that hearing, the local media started reporting on this crime and consistently got things incorrect. The story above is a great example. First they said Alyssa was transfered to a hospital, then they corrected the story and said she may be transfered to a hospital.

What stories the local media does, has major errors. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:01 PM:

" concernedparentof3 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 7:49 PM:
either way you look at it, they all lost a child. This is a child who, according to all reports has had problems in the past with mental illness & depression. "

I do feel for the family of Alyssa, but not for Alyssa herself. I just can't...She did it, whether she did it alone or not. Her online writings just screams evil and loves hurt and pain. and for her to say " I wanted to know what if felt like".. I am sorry but I just can't muster a bit of softness in the least for this girl.. She brutalized a little girl for fun. "

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concernedparentof3 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 7:52 PM:

" cont...
If she was Bipolar & was misdiagnosed & given Prozac to combat the depression, the side effects of the Prozac would of been magnified considerably.

Before people in the community start going on a "witch hunt" All the facts need to come to light. "

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concernedparentof3 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 7:49 PM:

" soncerea I didn't mean that Elizabeth should not be able to go home. I do not think that Alyssa acted alone. There are too many holes in the case & not all the facts have been released to the public. As a parent my heart goes out to Elizabeth's family & at the same time as a mother who has lost a child due to still birth, I have some sense of how both sides feel, either way you look at it, they all lost a child. This is a child who, according to all reports has had problems in the past with mental illness & depression. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 7:45 PM:

" boscoe wrote on Nov 21, 2009 5:18 PM:
" Yep. What are you crucifiers gonna do when they find out someone had helped her, or better yet- if someone had set her up? "

If found that she had help, I will be ready to crucify them as well as Alyssa, having said that we only know for sure of her, so......
Set her up? you are delusional if you honestly think that is even a possibility. Not a chance in hell that is the case here. "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 21, 2009 5:18 PM:

" Yep. What are you crucifiers gonna do when they find out someone had helped her, or better yet- if someone had set her up? "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 21, 2009 5:14 PM:

" I don't excuse Alyssa. I think she killed Elizabeth. I don't think she planned it, did it and covered it up alone.

I've dug up flower beds. Digging is hard work. She is supposed to have dug 2 graves, not one, 2. Even if she had a week to do it, I don't believe she dug them alone. A grave, even a badly dug grave, close to the surface, is going to take a lot of digging.

Based on what I've read, I believe she needs to be either in prison or institutionalized. I'll let a jury, judge or mental health experts figure out which and how long.

I'd like to see more info about further investigations into an accomplice. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 3:51 PM:

" Do you people not realize what facts have been brought out that she had this killing planned!
It wasn't something she did at last minute due to some instant psychotic side effect to medication.. graves being dug 2 weeks prior, along with all the hobby posted by Alyssa herself stating her hobbies were killing people, not counting the numerous other networking sites that had her dark and evil antics written all over them for the whole world to see.
I don't get why some of you are seriously willing to allow this as an excuse or reason.... "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 21, 2009 3:38 PM:

" mrh I agree with your comments.

I don't excuse Alyssa, but I don't believe this case is completely solved. I cannot believe she did this all alone. As Dr. Spock on Star Trek used to say, it just isn't logical. "

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fishing01 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 3:15 PM:

" Kip Kinkel (Columbine shooter) was on Prozac and ritilin at the time he killed. "

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mrh wrote on Nov 21, 2009 2:17 PM:

" I find myself disappointed with most of the responses from my fellow JCians. Facts: A 9-year old girl is dead; a 15-year old girl confessed and lead authorities to her body, claiming to have committed the act; The 15-year old is reported to have attempted suicide and have a history of mental problems. Sorry everyone but I believe that there is a lot more of this story to see light. Did she actually do this or does she only believe she did? Did she act alone or was she influenced to act? Where was her support for the last few years? A terrible deed was done and I want all involved to be punished, not just the little girl that is blamed! "

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lynnette wrote on Nov 21, 2009 2:10 PM:

" Prozac...cont.
In the Drs. office...she lived and after testings and research...the findings were....Bad reaction to Prozac...these are dangerous drugs and what's evan scarier is that now all these drugs are coming in from India and they are not of full potency and people are having bad reactions to that..all due to the $4.00 prescriptions.....you didn't really think this was something for nothing...to good to be true....please be careful w/any script...ask for american made pills!!!!!!!THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR MURDER BUT HOPE HER ATTORNEY LOOKS INTO THIS.... "

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lynnette wrote on Nov 21, 2009 2:04 PM:

" PROZAC......she was on PROZAC...Let everyone comment on how many people they know took antidepressants in the 90's and had a very bad experience.....Children under 21 should not be taking them...listen to the idiotic tv ads that state the side effects... suicidal thoughts...rage...anger.. I know quite a few that had big time problems,vicious acts of violence,blackouts,attempted suicide...some do fine on them but some don't....I know a great lady who was tops in her community. You couldn't ask to be around a sweeter person all her life till she had a hystorectomy and for anxiety they gave her Prozac and she kept telling her Dr. she doesn't feel right so he adjusted it and the next week she killed her husband and tried herself iin "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:10 PM:

" Boscoe
No one needs to be an expert to know what needs to be done which is making sure this "mentally ill" person is not able to harm another innocent child.
Prison, mental facility, either one would be fine as long as she is there for good.
As far as helping her..I believe there is nothing that can help the mind of a killer.
10 years from now if she was to get out of wherever she ends up, I would not want her in my community.
But we can see what can be done about others that are out here and not getting the help if there is any before it happens again. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:01 PM:

" concernedparentof3 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:15 PM:
Elizabeth won't be able to come home, but I don't see AB going home to her family either. "

Before I start attempting to understand Alyssa's problems, I would rather take care of the issue at hand, which is making sure she is not able to harm another child. After that is taken care of then maybe I can try to get into all of the why theories.

You are right Alyssa hopefully will not be going home to her family. She doesn't deserve to.
Elizabeth on the other hand "should" be able to. "

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concernedparentof3 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:01 PM:

" Thank you Bosco, I agree completely "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:49 PM:

" We are dealing with likely a mentally-ill child here. She probably has not been diagnosed, for sure has not been convicted. It is funny how all the "experts" here know all the facts and details and are ready for the lethal injection. "

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concernedparentof3 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:15 PM:

" What a lot of people seem to be forgetting is there wasn't just 1 child lost, 1 set of parents didn't lose their child, but 2. Yes, what AB did was very sick and demented and she should of had more help before this happened that what she was given. At 15, she knew right from wrong, the grandparents should of seen the signs and gotten her more help that what they did. If any of you have ever lost a child, weather it be stillborn, miscarriage, luekemia or whatever reason, you have some sense of what both sides are going through. No, Elizabeth won't be able to come home, but I don't see AB going home to her family either. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 10:50 AM:

" Kristy wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:10 AM:
" soncerea,I agree. There is no way she doesn't know death is final at what, almost 16? Maybe an adolescent at 12 or 13, but not at almost 16. If she didn't know that and didn't know right from wrong, she wouldn't have concealed what was done. "

Exactly. according to what I have read and been told by some so called friends of hers, she is a very smart and capable person. In the top 30% of her class. She knew what she was doing and how to get it done. Damn shame it she succeeded. Now it is time for her to face the music. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 10:47 AM:

" bluenurse wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:59 AM:
He survived, but ended up with permanent injuries - paralyzed from mid-chest down. Several times, he said to me "I don't want to live like this" & "I never imagined I'd survive"

That to me suggests he was fully aware that what he was about to do would end his life, it just so happened it didn't work out that way. "

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joytotheworld wrote on Nov 21, 2009 9:18 AM:

" We need to put her where she is most comfortable after all ya know..... "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:10 AM:

" soncerea,I agree. There is no way she doesn't know death is final at what, almost 16? Maybe an adolescent at 12 or 13, but not at almost 16. If she didn't know that and didn't know right from wrong, she wouldn't have concealed what was done. "

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bluenurse wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:05 AM:

" He comes back to see us once a year or so - eventually his depression started to lift, he saw a future, albeit in a wheelchair, went back to college & finished his degree. One thing he has said is he wonders how many people attempt suicide with the realization that they may not succeed & have to live with the consequences. He also said what he did was "really stupid" & "no person is worth having to spend the rest of your life as a quadraplegic", I think it's obvious that once he got a little older he thought of everything quite differently.

I'm signing off - work tomorrow. You have a good weekend. "

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limerick54 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:02 AM:

" I'm sorry, but this is probably a ploy arranged by her defense attorney to start the workings for an insanity plea. If any of you think this wouldn't happen, you need to grow up and understand what evil, conniving people defense attorneys can be. (until we need one, then he or she is the best thing since sliced bread, I know. . I know). Trust me, this is all an act as carefully planned as the murder she committed. "

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bluenurse wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:59 AM:

" soncerea: Here's one example. I had a young male patient a few years back who attempted suicide by jumping out a third story dormitory window. He survived, but ended up with permanent injuries - paralyzed from mid-chest down. Several times, he said to me "I don't want to live like this" & "I never imagined I'd survive". He eventually admitted to two other nurses that he jumped because he was upset about his girlfriend & wanted to "get back at her" - his words. I do know after discharged from our facility, he was treated for depression for over a year. (cont) "

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limerick54 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:58 AM:

" Waaaa waaaaa. . why do we care what a killer does to him or herself? Sheesh. . what a waste of resources. "

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bluenurse wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:48 AM:

" Whether a person subscribes to that theory or not is their own decision. I do think there's some vailidity there when you also consider the fact that the adolescent is known to not think/reason the same as an older person; their brain/cognition is thought to be not fully developed until they reach their 20's, and they do not have the life experiences of an older person to base their decisions on.

I think we can all agree that Alyssa did not think/act like a "normal" teen, e.g. her preoccupation with death. I was just throwing out the idea that, based on the above, she may not have realized the long-term consequences of her actions. "

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bluenurse wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:44 AM:

" soncerea: It's not what I am saying, it was the content of the lecture. It ties in with adolescent thinking & how it differs from adult thinking. Adolescents are not perceived as being capable of thinking in the long term, or of consequences for their actions, which is why adolescents tend to make impulsive decisions without thinking about what the long term effects may be. Based on that, an adolescent may attempt suicide without realizing that if they are successful in their attempt, that's it - it's over. This is one opinion, but I've seen this same thing show up in nursing journals, Paychology Today, etc. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:21 AM:

" bluenurse wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:16 AM:
" I attended a seminar on adolescent depression a few years back - a good many of my present patients are adolescents (but not in a mental health setting). One thing I clearly remember is that people that age do not perceive death as permanent .

Are you saying you do not believe that at age 15 one doesn't know that death is permanent?
I don't mean to sound overly critical, but I find that totally unrealistic if that in fact is what you are saying. "

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bluenurse wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:16 AM:

" I attended a seminar on adolescent depression a few years back - a good many of my present patients are adolescents (but not in a mental health setting). One thing I clearly remember is that people that age do not perceive death as permanent - kids who survive suicide attempts quite frequently said they didn't realize dying was forever.

Clearly, Alyssa had some very sinister obsession with death that does not seem normal or healthy. I do have to wonder, assuming she is guilty as charged, if she realized the consequences of her action would be permanent. Or did her preoccupation with death involve delusional thinking as well? "

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bluenurse wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:09 AM:

" Please understand, I don't mean to suggest that Alyssa's case is similar to the psychotic who killed his parents. I was just using that example to illustrate my point.

Another thought I had, not to sound judgmental, but we don't know the details surrounding Alyssa's suicide attempt. It could have been more of a suicide gesture. In either case, the person is hospitalized for observation. Sometimes the gesture is to alert people, sometimes it is more a gesture for attention.

Again, not trying to diagnose or judge, just raising a point for discussion. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:07 AM:

" I do not want my partial understanding of the mentally ill, to be in any way confused with sympathy for Alyssa. I do not believe the degree of her supposed illness is or was severe enough to not have control over her actions due to what her intelligence level is. "

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bluenurse wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:05 AM:

" I can't speak to Alyssa's specific circumstances, but I do know that mental health care is ridiculously underfunded & unavailable. Even the better health insurance companies allow for little in the way of inpatient care for mental health. I can think of at least two cases here in STL in the past few years where very dangerously psychotic patients had to be released because they were (1) uninsured or underinsured; and (2) didn't present as being enough of a threat to hold them against their will. In one of those cases, the patient ended up killing his parents due to his psychotic delisions. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 20, 2009 11:29 PM:

" Have you ever had a song in your head? I've had a poem in my head by John Donne: "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee..."

Alyssa is a reflection of problems that exist here. We better figure out what those problems are. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 20, 2009 11:18 PM:

" Soncerea asking questions about whether mental health patients are getting the help they need is absolutely on mark. I don't know anything about the help Alyssa got at Pathways, but I did read she tried to commit suicide in 2007, which I think was when she was 13. She definitely had a serious problem. I've read she was in treatment, I think for 10 days. I've read that she received counseling and her family was supportive and attended counseling, and that she was on medication. It sounds like she had help. So what went wrong?

If she has a serious psychiatric problem, why wasn't she in residential care? Was the help she received sufficient considering the emotional problems she had? "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 10:53 PM:

" Someone mentioned Pathways being a joke..This was where she reportedly went for treatment. So maybe they are right.. Why are they letting these so called mental people like this out to mingle? Are they so convincing that they are just fine they are just sent home after a weekly meeting? Then what led the person there for treatment in the first place. There had be something important to seek treatment for. Is it possible that the so called treatments and therapy as well as medications need to be examined better?
I do see the mental side, however I will not let that be an excuse for what was done. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 10:35 PM:

" pioneers wrote on Nov 20, 2009 9:28 PM:
Someone else mentioned "going through the motions.

What I meant was that I have no problem with a fair trial, I am sure she will get just that,
with everything that has been brought to light so far, I have no doubt at all she will get a guilty verdict, it is just a matter of "going through the motions" to get there.

Mental Illness or whatever people want to call it, some of you seem all too eager to "accept" that as an excuse. There is no excuse that I am willing to gamble my childrens lives with if this psycho was to be set free in our society. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 20, 2009 9:39 PM:

" What Alyssa is accused of doing is absolutely horrible. But if all we do is scream about what an evil monster she is, and we don't try to figure out what led to this crime, then we're just behaving like a mob, and we deserve what we get.

This is not the only case in this area in which a young woman is accused or convicted of a horrible deed. We had the case where the young woman burned her child in his crib. We had the case where an infant's body was found in the trunk of a car.

So let's all scream about how evil these monsters are, and let's not try to figure out where they come from. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 20, 2009 9:28 PM:

" railroad 1 said: I'm appalled someone is so belligerent to even throw the "innocent until proven" card out here. get a life. "

To me that says forget the trial.

Someone else mentioned "going through the motions." I think they were calling the trial going through the motions. I have more respect for the freedoms we enjoy in this country than to call a trial "going through the motions."

Even Timothy McVey got a trial.

If I'm reading something into these statements, my bad. "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 7:21 PM:

" pioneer, save it for someone else, I have read every posting and NO ONE has said they want the trial skipped.
Life in prison for the murderer? AMEN to that!
And, I will live where ever I choose. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 7:12 PM:

" Kristy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 7:07 PM:
" jc in jc, your comments are absolutely deplorable, about how sad you think the concerned community is, Elizabeth's family, let alone try to prejudge what she may or may have done when she got older. Something no one will ever know because the little girl was brutally murdered, incase you haven't grasped that fact.
talk about a degenerate "

You Go Girl! "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 7:07 PM:

" jc in jc, your comments are absolutely deplorable, about how sad you think the concerned community is, Elizabeth's family, let alone try to prejudge what she may or may have done when she got older. Something no one will ever know because the little girl was brutally murdered, incase you haven't grasped that fact.
talk about a degenerate "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 6:48 PM:

" jc... what Elizabeth "may" have become is irrelevant.. she will never have that chance.
Alyssa had that chance and she chose the wrong road. For all we know? Is what we are reading from the Sheriff, courts, media, which has led the discussion that she is guilty beyond a doubt. I have not read anywhere that said Elizabeth was a saint.. but she is now;-)
Where does that leave us feeling about Alyssa? You are witnessing that. I could never hold someone that killed in the manner Alyssa did at the same level of their victim. I don't care how hold he/she is.
I don't understand how anyone can put this girl in a light and not see what the obvious is. "

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jc.in.jc wrote on Nov 20, 2009 6:38 PM:

" It makes me sad to see the way this "fine" community is speaking of this young 15 year old. Please recall that although you seem to have risen Miss Olten to a level of sainthood she also came from a very low class family....a degenerate, law-breaking father with obviously poor genetics as evidenced in her brother, also a degenerate. They are both now "being housed by the state". For all we know, Miss Olten could have followed in their footsteps, just as Miss Bustamonte was possibly infuenced by her background. "

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carl wrote on Nov 20, 2009 6:10 PM:

" Byron W. wrote: "Well if the facts are as they seem to be she is a monster. " Do not be so quick to slap a label on this child. As the rest of us are, she is neither completely evil, nor (obviously) completely good. Humans are complex.Teenagers are a mixture of hormones, impulses, mood swings, and immaturity. I'd be willing to bet she may be beginning to realize the severity of her actions, and that is why she is exhibiting severe depression and anxiety. I know that she is now going the adult route through the legal system--mainly because the juvenile system does not have the resources to handle this type of crime--but she is still a child. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:38 PM:

" Kristy, what I do get is that in this country, before we sentence someone, we have a trial. Based on many comments I'm seeing on this forum it appears people want to skip the trial part. If the accused wants to do that, and agree to a plea offered by the prosecutor, that's her option. But we the people don't get to demand that we skip the trial, lock her up and throw away the key. If you want a system that does that, move to Iran.

As for attorneys, there are good attorneys, there are bad attorneys. There are attorneys who represent their client's best interest. That's what they do. That's their job. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:13 PM:

" gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:10 PM:
Sorry, but I've got to see the evidence first before I judge.

Everything that is out now for facts/evidence says she is guilty.. She even says she is guilty.
Her premeditation is all over the web for crying out loud.
I have no problem with her having a fair trial, as I am sure she will indeed get that.
I am certain that the trial will end with the same result as is said now.. GUILTY
no matter what the excuses will be of her doing it she will get a guilty verdict. "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:07 PM:

" pioneer, you sure seem to be putting words in some people's mouths.
If you can't understand that first degree murder should get a life sentence and that there aren't some crooked attorneys in this world, then thats not our problem, its yours. "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:05 PM:

" gofish, you pride yourself on wisdom and perspective and respect tor due process of law but you laugh at the FBI who represents those same laws...
Or accuse people of judging before the facts come out.
Some of these facts have just been released but many knew them before they were released.
Why would anyone doubt the other facts that haven't come out yet to also not be as true as the ones just released?
She won't can't get the death sentence because of her age, so you don't have a point there.
If she is covering for another person then its too bad our death sentence laws are what they are and she couldn't be sentenced to it. "

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Byron W. wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:00 PM:

" gofish wrote "Remember a girl named Patty Hearst? If not google it and learn."

What about Patty? She joined the SLA and paid the price. "

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Byron W. wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:52 PM:

" Carl wrote "She is not a monster."

Well if the facts are as they seem to be she is a monster. "

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Byron W. wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:48 PM:

" A pysch evaluation is to be expected. Based on what we know I doubt if it goes anywhere. "

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pioneers wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:31 PM:

" Looks like some of you folks should re-locate to...Iran!. That way as soon as someone is accused of a crime you can be part of the mob that gets to stone them to death. No waiting for a trial, where some lawyer will pull tricks, just accuse, go outside, and throw your stones. Too bad you all live in the U.S. where, as a couple of other posters have pointed out, we have this thing, innocent until proven guilty. We don't "go through the motions" of a trial, we do the real thing.

So if you guys want this 15 year old to rot in jail, no treatment for illness, no evalution, just bars and mush, leave or change the constitution. "

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imme612 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:23 PM:

" Well I say put her away for life! I wonder if she can now tell everyone what it feels like to kill someone, since she has since do so. Look where that got her, exactly where she belongs and belongs there for the rest of her LIFE! "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:23 PM:

" Kristy wrote "boscoe and gofish seem to have sympathy for the murderer, probably relatated to her."

Aren't we all brothers and sisters?

It's not sympathy for the ACCUSED murderer per se. It's actually a respect for due process and the law. That pesky thing that founded our judcial system gets in the way some times and therefore gets perverted. It's helpful if "a few good (wo)men" try to focus on the whole truth and not just the part that makes us feel good for the moment. It's this thing called wisdom and perspective. "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:18 PM:

" And THAT is why they call it REASONABLE DOUBT! "

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fishing01 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:17 PM:

" You know what I find interesting. In looking at this girls myspace, I also looked at one of her friend's. The friend had a little story a year ago that followed the same lines of this horrible ordeal. Only Alyssa's name was used. Something along the lines of Alyssa was in the woods and someone was following her (sorry I can't remember exactly what was typed). Kind of strange. "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:17 PM:

" If nothing else, consider this. Would all of you vigilantees still feel good about yourselves if Alyssa were put to death and then 5 years later find out that the person that actually committed the act of murder had been roaming around your community free as a bird. Unfortuanately for you, because the crime and the evidence were not fully vetted by the law, the person that concealed the crime and could have revealed the truth is dead and the true murderer goes away scott free.

I don't know one shread of information about the evidence other than what has been on the net. But I am smart enough to wait for the WHOLE truth. "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:16 PM:

" The FBI protect a witness??? Are you KIDDING me??? That is laughable.

No, really. "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:10 PM:

" soncerea wrote "Get real.... "

So far today, Boscoe and I are the only ones that are real. Really willing to look at the whole picture and not just the emotionally charged one immediately before us.

Remember a girl named Patty Hearst? If not google it and learn.

I'm just not in favor of rushing to burn the witch without a trial that looks at the whole picture and not just the part that gives you satisfaction by revenge.

Criminal acts are to be punished. The practice of barbary, torture, and "an eye for an eye" were abondoned a very long time ago. Sorry, but I've got to see the evidence first before I judge. "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 4:09 PM:

" kymissou1, what we realize is she is charged with taking a life of a little girl and there needs to be Justice, murder is murder, period.
boscoe and gofish seem to have sympathy for the murderer, probably relatated to her.
We are to feel sorry for her now because she cried her eyes out and they were all puffy? More than likely because she didn't like the jail cell.
Then try to turn it on the volunteers as to why they didn't find her, thats pretty low.
gofish, if that were the case and she can't tell the truth even to the FBI who would protect her as a witness, then she still made that choice to protect some other murderer didn't she? "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:58 PM:

" gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:10 PM:
" Would you change your vigilante tune if you were to find out that Alyssa is a victim as well?
No

" Maybe she was threatened. Maybe she is taking the blame to save her own life? Maybe the second grave was for her, but not because she planned on suicide. Maybe she is alive because she agreed not to tell in exchange for her life?"

So I guess all of her morbid writings were done by a hacker too?
Get real.... "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:57 PM:

" soncerea wrote I am fairly certain Jesus wasn't admitting to murder and showing them where a body was. "

No it was worse, he was accused of Blasphemy for presenting Himself as the Son of God.

Depending upon the venue the penalty as we saw was the death penalty. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:38 PM:

" " boscoe wrote How can searchers not see a freshly-dug grave and a freshly-buried grave?

There hasnt been a day gone by that myself and others I was with have not wondered the same thing. We were out there in the rain and the terrain was more than rough. Though many trees were down, and leaves and brush, etc.. It is really hard to think about us maybe have walked right upon her and didn't find her. Everyone was pulling branches off the ground and moving the brush, all I can say is what Sheriff White said. "She was concealed very well."
This "girl" had the intelligence to hide her from 300+ searchers.. That alone is scary to know.
Nothing mental about it! "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:29 PM:

" gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:08 PM:


I'm pretty sure I can count on Byron to back me up on this, but isn't that basically what the Roman's said to Jesus right before they nailed him to the cross? "

I am fairly certain Jesus wasn't admitting to murder and showing them where a body was. "

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kymizzou1 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:25 PM:

" Those of you who seem to want to burn her at the stake fail to understand that she is a child as well. What she did was horrible!! We all can agree on that, but the fact remains this girl is severely emotionally disturbed and needs help. If nothing else I hope people begin to realize just how serious mental illness is and that it is a real disease. It cannot be shoved under a rug and ignored by our society. People act as if mental illness is not real. It is as real as heart disease, cancer, H!N1, AIDS, you name it. People who are mentally ill don't think and act like normal people because they are sick. "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:18 PM:

" boscoe wrote How can searchers not see a freshly-dug grave and a freshly-buried grave?

Leaves in the forest... "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:16 PM:

" The majority of murders are a single event. "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:13 PM:

" The jail pics clearly indicate puffy eyes of her crying and bawling for days. "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:13 PM:

" I find it very fishy that they can search an area just a few hundred yards from the house multiple times and walk right over two fresh graves and not see them.

There is something to be considered with this. How can searchers not see a freshly-dug grave and a freshly-buried grave?

Speculate on that one. "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:12 PM:

" railroad1 wrote " Maybe Boscoe wants Alyssa to come over and play with her kids."

Can't speak for Boscoe but I wouldn't be afraid... "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:12 PM:

" 'fishing01', what exactly does your last comment have to do with this subject? No one said anything about their halo being perfect or their kids. Amazing what you think you can tell about someone you see in a store though. But I could guarentee you that 99.9% of the people saying these things are more perfect than the one who murdered this little girl. Don't you know murder is one of the worse crimes a person can commit?
Boscoe, we aren't 'bashing' as you put it, and I have done, as I am sure many, many others here have also, prayed more prayers for Elizabeth's family that they may somehow get through this. "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:11 PM:

" wow, boscoe and I had the same great thought at the same time, 3:10pm "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:10 PM:

" Consider this. Some of you speculate on the second grave, some of you speculate on the possibility of a second or more suspect. Would you change your vigilante tune if you were to find out that Alyssa is a victim as well? Maybe she witnessed something horrible. Maybe she was threatened. Maybe she is taking the blame to save her own life? Maybe the second grave was for her, but not because she planned on suicide. Maybe she is alive because she agreed not to tell in exchange for her life? Maybe you all shouldn't be so ready to burn the "monster, witch, evil, etc" without a trial. Maybe we don't live in Salem? "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:10 PM:

" Yep, a bunch of angry townspeople with rakes and pitchforks demanding the which be burned immedately. "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:09 PM:

" I would imagine that most of the "hang her" posters are probably parents who are fine with sending their babies to the sitter all day so they can affort the 2nd home or big 4x4 in the garage. They have no problem with letting the TV provide the parenting after school, evenings, and all weekend. "

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gofish wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:08 PM:

" soncerea wrote " boscoe, sorry but I guess you are going to stay appalled. There is no room for not guilty on this one it's only a matter of going through the motions. "

I'm pretty sure I can count on Byron to back me up on this, but isn't that basically what the Roman's said to Jesus right before they nailed him to the cross? "

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Mac1974 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 3:03 PM:

" Carl said, "Nothing is more important in this society than raising children properly."


That is our lesson. That is what we will have ultimately learned from this in the end. "

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railroad1 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:58 PM:

" Maybe Boscoe wants Alyssa to come over and play with her kids. This girl admitted to strangling, slicing and stabbing a 9 year old. I'm appalled someone is so belligerent to even throw the "innocent until proven" card out here. get a life. "

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Carl wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:58 PM:

" She is not a monster. She is a child who has done the most horrible act imaginable, which is likely for her the epitome of the thrill-seeking behavior she has demonstrated up to now. Who is to blame? She has not had an optimal home environment, with her father in prison for violence against others, and her mother obviously grossly incapable of doing her job. My point is that couldn't this have been prevented by parents and school officials who could have taken their responsibilities more seriously? Nothing is more important in this society than raising children properly. NOTHING. "

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ndnlvngcherokee wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:52 PM:

" boscoe when you talk about all of these laws as an adult who has been abused or a child of abuse if these laws are there to protect them or the person bringing them harm. The really sad thing is she could very easily get off on the crazy plea so we should all be worried. She showed them where the body was how much more do you need to show you who did it? "

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fishing01 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:50 PM:

" My mantra has always been "never say never" when raising my son. For those of you that believe you know your kids so well, you never know what they might do in the future. And for someone in here that thinks they are so perfect. I know who you are, I see you in the store and trust me, your halo isn't on as straight as you think it is. "

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ndnlvngcherokee wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:50 PM:

" boscoe first off most of those laws are jokes to begin with and only protect the ones doing harm to others. they go into a phyc ward for 72 hours upto a week get released saying all the right things. The doctors say they are ok and wont hurt themselves or others. She was already in a mental state with doctors who were aware. She took the life of another and that life can never be brough back. And before you tell me I have no clue youre very wrong there...had a gun pointed my way he said the right things walks around free as can be and still makes threats but the laws are there to make sure hes protected "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:34 PM:

" boscoe, sorry but I guess you are going to stay appalled. There is no room for not guilty on this one it's only a matter of going through the motions. "

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boscoe wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:31 PM:

" I am appalled that posters to this forum call this little girl a "monster". According to law, she is innocent until proven guilty. Also, according to law, she has due process rights and rights to an attorney to represent her and look out for her rights of due process. As for her attorney pulling "tricks", our laws are not based on "tricks", so that will not happen.

If you were on the other side of the table, or were falsely accused of something, you all would be very appreciative of these laws and the rights that they protect.

How about praying for this child and for both families instead of bashing and ruminating? "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:56 PM:

" Thank you Plpofjc.
Even if it was own child that had committed this act, I would have to say I would rather them end their own life before taking the life of someone for a thrill. "

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NT webmaster wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:48 PM:

" My apologies to all. I am working on the cache issue. This story only partially updated at first.
The headline should read "Bustamante may move to State Hospital".

She was originally reported as having been moved. The fact is that she has not been moved, but the request has been made. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:45 PM:

" soncerea I think anyone who would be offended by that comment should think of how they would feel if Elizabeth was their child....with that being said, maybe it does sound harsh to some, but for many it's what they are thinking and are too affraid to say it. "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:38 PM:

" according to the news update she has not been approved by the judge to be sent there yet, and if she is approved it states for UP to 96 hours. Do they really think 4 days will make her feel better? I for one could care less if she feels depressed or suicidal. Too bad she didnt succeed the first attempt. That is really hard saying that about a kid, but it just seems to come out that way so I apologize if that offends anyone but I cannot apologize for feeling that way. "

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happy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:32 PM:

" And if Pathways is the place she went before then it obviously didn't do her any good, I am just cuirous how long she is going to stay in Fulton. "

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happy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:31 PM:

" Pathways is a joke, I have known kids who have been sent to that place, they tell the counselors what they want to hear and they are released and they are not any better than they were when they went in. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:26 PM:

" harmorgan1979 I couldn't agree more....I don't care where she is as long as she is gone....and even if she got a change of venue to another state, she wouldn't be safe anywhere.... "

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soncerea wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:26 PM:

" What is it exactly that they think Fulton can do for this Psycho that Pathways/psychologists and medications didn't? What else is there? This kind of being cannot be rehabilitated. "

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harmorgan1979 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:16 PM:

" I think we all need to remember these attorneys that are representing this monster have no choice but to represent her. They are appointed, it is their job, not their choice and we are paying them to do so. I think that all the those that keep blogging that we need to remember that she is a child are the ones that would cause an uproar if something happened to her. I personally could careless what happens to her as long as she is gone. Also, I am prettty sure she will get a change of venue and if she gets a slap on the wrist for being crazy I think that she should be relocated to that community, to live with their children. "

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Kristy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:04 PM:

" oriely, everyone I know thinks, I mean 'wonders' the same thing...and you're right, too bad she wasn't suicidal when she became homicidal. I would say the thought of the rest of her life behind bars has made her probably more than 'depressed'.
Has that effect on many criminals when that reality hits them.
harmorgan1979, so you are saying Cole Country will let the lawyer play the 'crazy card' where a child's life has been taken to avoid a possible law suit?
That girl gets in that hospital and decides she liked the feeling of killing someone and kills or mangles someone in there, that would be a lawsuit also don't forget, especially being a state hospital "

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oriley wrote on Nov 20, 2009 12:47 PM:

" Is reality setting in for this disgusting person? To bad she wasn't sucidal when she became homicidal. Had she killed herself, Elizabeth would be here and this wack job would be in hell where she belongs. Who just takes a life because they can? She just didn't kill Elizabeth and was done with it, she "cut" her and strangled her as it was reported. She went beyond just killing, she mutilated someone who couldn't fight back. Did this girl act alone? I wonder.... "

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rayder wrote on Nov 20, 2009 12:29 PM:

" Who cares if she is depressed and anxious? I don't! She took a 9 years olds life. I wonder if Elizabeth was anxious when she realized what was happening to her? Bustamante is a sick but I say leave her butt in the cell with the big girls. "

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harmorgan1979 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 12:25 PM:

" I agree that she was big enough to kill someone she should be big enough to take care of herself in jail. I think her being moved to the state hospital will be used in her defense but I am also looking at it as Cole County is covering their @ss from lawsuits. Can you imagine what would happen if this 15 year old committed suicide while under the county's supervision. "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 20, 2009 12:11 PM:

" AMEN to both!!! "

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cc5150 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 12:09 PM:

" I really don't care if she is depressed! I say put that monster away in the jail where she belongs, to wait for her day in court. If she is a big enough girl to take anothers life then she is a big enough girl to take care of herself in jail. "

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crissyanthemum wrote on Nov 20, 2009 11:59 AM:

" She's depressed and anxious becaue she got caught and is in jail facing a life sentence....DUH! "

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plpofjc wrote on Nov 20, 2009 11:54 AM:

" I'd say that it sounds to me like this atty is going to use this to plead insanity.
You know what.... AB should be depressed and having anxiety attacks....how does she think Elizabeth's family feels without their beautiful little girl!? I don't feel one bit sad for AB, she deserves whatever she is putting herself through, it's called a conscience....she should've gotten one before murdering an innocent child. Good riddance to this monster! "

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