Thank you Lilibet for your kind words and big heart! also thank you Masyann, Midwest Mamma, La Louve, Caffeinejean, Desdemona, Starry1, Lordeebee and everyone else for your great posts and big hearts, too!
I would have to say that yesterday was pretty much summed up by the media. Like La Louve stated, Oregon City was busy and the courthouse had lines out the door. I had to park about 4 blocks away, and it took a few times circling to find a parking spot. Once I made it up to the courthouse, it was the usual ritual of dropping of keys, wallet and belt into the plastic bin, and then walking through the metal detector. I was hoping to arrive an hour before the hearing, but the busy traffic and lines made me arrive at the court room, one half hour before the hearing started.
The media pretty much summed up what went on at the hearing. Jonathan Holt went into the courtroom first, then Whitney's and Clint's families and friends followed a few minutes later. There were only a few reporters in the courtroom. The Oregonian, KGW-TV and KPTV. The rest of the broadcast media waited outside for the family's statement, after the hearing had ended.
Jonathan Holt pretty much kept his head down and answered in a very soft voice. He had a lawyer on each side of him, usually keeping a hand on his back throughout the hearing. He had longer hair and a beard. None of his family members attended that I could see. Most of the seats were filled up with Whitney's family and friends. Both Steve Mygrant, Deputy Clackamas County DA and Don Rees the prosecuting attorney/Senior Deputy DA from Multnomah County, were both representing Whitney's behalf.
The statements from Whitney's and Clint's family were touching. Clint's silent stare at JH was piercing just before his statement, and Jonathan Holt just put his head down even more. The family told JH what they thought of him. There were many heart-wrenching moments.
During the Plea, Jonathan Holt answered yes to taking WH into the Woods with the intention to kill her (Woods was most likely defined as driving WH to Roslyn Lake, but wasn't stated) and using a gun to take her life. Judge Herndon made sure that JH understood the Plea Deal that he signed on June 28th, 2013, and JH said Yes with his head slightly lowered. Judge Herndon mentioned the sentence as Life in Prison, with no chance of parole. He said that with the way Oregon's Death Penalty System is, that Life without Parole was probably the harshest penalty that could be given at this time and the judge then accepted the Plea Deal. Judge Herndon went on to say that out of all of his years as a judge, that JH was probably the most remorseful defendant accused of murder. This was a shock to hear, because I was expecting him to tell JH something along the same lines as he had told Ward Weaver, when he sentenced him to Life without Parole. Judge Herndon told Ward Weaver, "I hope there is a special place in hell for people like you". Ward Weaver had sexually assaulted and murdered two young girls and buried one of their bodies under a concrete slab. Ward Weaver took almost two years to reach a plea settlement. So it was obvious that Judge Herndon saw a difference in dealings with the two convicted murderers. Judge Herndon went on to talk about the formalities, such as the 3 aggravated murder charges will be combined and that the Multnomah County charges will be dropped. This Plea Hearing, pretty much put an end to JH's trial and further hearings. He will live and die in prison, with no chance for parole.
I had a chance to be with Whitney's and Clint's family members and friends throughout the whole ordeal. Never have I seen such a wonderful, caring and thoughtful group of people. They were all very thankful for the garden and what it represents! They were also very thankful for all of the support that I had provided.
It has been a lot to take in these past few days, but I do feel that Justice was served for Whitney, the best that it can be at this time. I am also glad that the family is now spared from having to go through a trial, like they had wished. The family stated that one of their clear intentions was to make sure that JH will not harm another person.
I would like to give a Big Thank You to everyone who sleuthed this case, and spent many hours working on finding answers. You all have a Big Heart!
Also a Big Thank You to Caffeinejean, Desdemona, La Louve, Kimster, Tennlyn, Kodi, Lordeebee, Neverletgo and many others who helped sleuth and keep in touch with many PM's. Thanks to La Louve for helping me create and maintain the wonderful garden that helped a family be able to go out to Roslyn Lake and feel that there is light and beauty, where there once was so much darkness. I can not count the amount of hugs and thanks that I have received over these past few days. I have felt so honored to act as a Witness, Advocate and part time gardener in Whitney's Memory! Every hug represented not only a thanks to me, but a thanks to the many people who spent countless hours helping find clues and keep Whitney's memory alive! I feel honored to be able to add my support to the family and friends of Whitney and Clint!
Sleep peacefully Whitney! There will be a day when your family and friends will hold you in their arms again! Your light does still shine on all of us, and your sweet personality and smile will always be remembered!
Media coverage of yesterday's Plea/Sentencing Hearing (some may be repeat links)
The Gresham Outlook
http://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/156191-whitney-heichels-killer-to-spend-life-in-prison
KATU-TV
http://www.katu.com/news/local/Guilty-plea-expected-Monday-in-murder-of-21-year-old-Heichel-214606561.html
KOIN-TV
http://www.koin.com/2013/07/08/jonathan-holt-whitney-heichel-murder-plea/
KGW-TV
http://www.kgw.com/news/Accused-Heichel-killer-pleads-guilty-gets-life-in-prison-214660201.html
KPTV-TV
http://www.kptv.com/story/22785819/guilty-man-charged-with-whitney-heichels-murder-changes-plea
The Oregonian
http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2013/07/whitney_heichels_family_confro.html
