My heart

I wish I understood...why my wrapped pink purple SUV, my travels, my daughter's story, my attempt to save other daughter's is turned away from by national news, even when it is stuck in front of their face. Again someone goes out of their way, selfless, with empassioned heart, amid their own story being told on an ID show, to try to get the producers to recognize our story... My heart fluttered that once agin, this time, direct contact might get our story told.. But so far, not even an intial co...ntact. My heart hurts. We hit the 10th anniversary of burying her on her 19th birthday on 10-4-04. Now after 7 years,( through the unbelievable gift of my wraps, from Fellers and Midwest Wraps), of criss-crossing the country across 48 states, pushing our story to at least 2-3 of each state passed through as part of the 100000 miles I have carved through on my CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER TOURs, almost always self funded in order to get 120 reporters to share her story in hopes of tips, warning communities about laws that put our women and children at risk.




But those cities do not match even 1/10000 of what national news would cover. I gladly put myself in debt each year but each year the story gets older, the car breaks down more and more. I've gladly spent the 60-80000 but in these later years, things like transmissions dying, house falling aprt, sale and buying of house troublesome it gets harder. I have no partner to assist, no funding from any source, so last summer on my 11th CARAVAN- $ 6000 to travel 13000 miles for only 6 stories for the 3 weeks of travel hurt me financially all right after my trans broke down. Earlier eyars I spent the same but got 10-16 stories.. And all these years, I have yet to hear of anyone else doing this for their murdered loved one....isn't that enough... Brittany needs her murder solved, people need to fully understand DNA

How.................................

Post by Brittany Phillips.

I AM SORRY BRITTY...I THOUGHT OF THOSE WHO KNEW AND LOVED YOU, THAT MORE WOULD HELP.............

Post by Brittany Phillips.

Driving forward with tears in eyes, exhausted, feeling a bit defeated. Please send fax, email, mail national news while I am on the road. Beg them to help share our story

My 1st story came quick in Neb Of course Car was in shop for half a day in Sioux Falls so not a lot of time to drive around! Been in Rapid City and went to Mt Rushmore. Reaction in City has been great but again no story. People have aasked me how I do my CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER torus. I thought I would post the process here. Each time I go out I usually work 8-10 hours a day on getting the story out. I usually get 13-16 stories a CARAVAN.


The day before I get to a city (usually my last day at the previous city) I developed a pattern of going to TV station, newspaper and radio websites, reading about the reporters, producers, specific reporters/ media who report on things like our story or something in bio gives me a hook to use-- that is usually 3+ hrs of writing. Like on my drive to Rapid City, I stopped at every rest stop and a number of small towns. After I arrive in a city, if no one has contacted me, I usually send out more to Editors Anchors News Directors ,etc. In every city, even before I get a story, sometimes if or as part of story,I go to the Police station, sherrifs, State police, sometimes the chamber, victim advocates, I drive around the city and park in public places--at least 4-5 hrs exposure. I was all over Sioux Falls and even went to Mt Rushmore. I get great responses along the highway, in town, at these sites. For two years having more than a year inbetween without Britty's story being out there, decreases the probability that it is heard by someone who knows something. I have been asking for help from facebook friends to at least send emails, fax to National news because if the CARAVAN dies all the years of getting her story out on my own will die also. I guess I am begging for help On the road, at hotels, even this time people say they have never seen something like my SUV before and they are surprised NAtional news has not picked it up. My CARAVANs get may 1/10000 of the people that national news does. AND if National even considers it, they will only do that if I am on the road. I will only be out for about 2 more weeks If you email me I can send you an email you can tweek. You can snail mail or fax. It won't cost you money, very little time. email me at therapoet@aol.com. Or you can post this to all your friends, get some of them. If not the email then even an onslaught of "why are you not doing a story on the CARAVAN" If not for me, then for Britty. I week and 1 story. I am feeling a bit discouraged. I guess I am packing the car and heading to Fargo..I don't mind this solitary journey....when it is working...................................

Trying to keep breathing---what will the verdict on car, 1000 miles from home, be????

Post by Brittany Phillips.

HASTINGS NEBRASKA ....YOU ARE GREAT

Hastings Nebraska has been so great. People have honked at car, come up when I stop somewhere. You have made me feel welcome and a great way to start the CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER tour. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS. DNA is not about already being convicted. DNA just like fingerprints only points to the guilty. If you don't have evidence other than DNA you can't convict someone. DNA is a forensic tool. PLEASE ASK YOUR LAWMAKERS WHAT THEY MEAN WHEN THEY SAY " WE DON'T TAKE DNA BECAUSE IN AMERICA YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY." THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. THE ONLY PEROSN WHO WILL END UP BEING GUILTY IS THE ONE WHO 1) DNA MATCHES THE DNA FOUND AT A CRIME SCENE AND ONLY IF THERE IS OTHER EVEIDENCE TO SUPPORT IT 2)DNA IS ONLY EVIDENCE THAT LEADS TO THE GUILTY. IT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER EVIDENCE FOUND AT CRIME SCENE. YOU CASNNOT CONVICT WITH JUST DNA. NO ONE THING CAN CONVICT A PERSON. IT IS THE TOTAL PICTURE. 3)PLUS POLICE ONLY USE 14 PIECES OF THE DNA OF WHICH WE HAVE THOUSANDS AND THOSE 14 DON'T HOLD YOUR GENETIC INFORMATION LIKE HAIR COLOR , ILLNESSES. DNA IS 99.9 % WILL MATCH TO ONLY ONE PERSON...FINGER PRINTS ARE OFTEN ONLY 86% CORRECT. PLEASE VISIT MITCH MORRISEY THE DENVER DA TO LEARN THE REAL FACTS

Crimewire Story...WHAT A GIFT!!

Kim is unbelievable. SHe just conducted an hour long interview on her talk radio show. She has such passion and dedication. She will forever have a place in my heart!!!!! Please let her know what you think and share this with everyone!!!

Listen to internet radio with Inside Lenz Network on BlogTalkRadio

LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER - YOUR LIFE IS NOT FORGOTTEN

 

I MISS YOU MY DANCING PONY PRINCESS......................

YOUR DARK EYES ALWAYS HELD THE DEPTH OF YOUR CARING FOR OTHERS. EYES FRAMED BY CURLS FALLING LIGHTLY BESIDE YOUR ANGEL SHAPED FACE.

YOU WERE AN ANGEL AMONG US, DESTINED TO GO SO FAR.......I WILL TAKE YOU AS FAR AS I CAN

NEEDING A GUARDIAN ANGEL TO HELP ME BREATHE THROUGH THIS

Survived this past Tuesday,in 100 degree heat, after car broke down on highway and I waited 2 hrs for towing---as all sped by at 80mph. Survived last 4 days stuck at house with 106 degree heat making it hard to walk anywhere, survived finding out my CVT Nissan Transmission is gone, must be replaced...total prob $3500+. I'll survive not getting a car rental for a week cause too damn expensive. I have accepted the path after Britty's murder is done w/o someone in my life and that I don't have nor can seem to raise money for a foundation in her name.

What is hardest to take is that what little I can afford to do for Britty, often right before I do it (like a fund raiser event, another CARAVAN) something big like having to replace a transmission on a relatively young car that has a CVT transmission which is just starting to show problems in cars that are older than 2-3 years, occurs and puts me so in debt that the one little thing I am able to do in honor of her, gets affected.

So it is hard to accept that the 11th (prob last) CARAVAN (using what little money I have) is now being impacted by the transmission expense and having not been done in over a year, now because of this cost, may not be able to do for another year.

CARAVANs are not just for Brittany. They are also for me. It is the one time a year I focus on Britty's murder mystery, share facts across US ; the only time it really gets national. I get so many emotional gifts from people while on the road, that it makes coming back to things like the job I have had since her murder easier. Things have been done at work that people say I should sue about but I can't waste energy on that. I have a new job that I will hopefully be going to yet vicious attacks made in secret by a few very sick people who work in the Mental health field have taken their toll as I clear my name each time they do these secret attempts.  I just need to be back on the road a bit to remind me of the general kindness of people.

 It hurts my heart each time I think of now having to wait another year--will make 2 years to do a CARAVAN...I am her voice...Those who know our history know how hard I fight and also how hard things seem to keep hitting... Don't know.. it makes it hard, for a bit, to breathe. ... Of course I will get past it...because I can't change what is. But I try so hard to pay it forward, to do things for others, to do this mostly on my own funding. And it seems (even though I know it is just bad timing) that each time I really need something like being able to do the CARAVAN, then I get hit with something so big like a transmission breakdown that I can do nothing but roll with the punches.  I am tired but I won't give up. I know I just have to accept this solitary road (having sat home 4 days and even after asking for help to get out a bit or to a store (in small country town not near transportation) , there has been little assistance. I am a kind person who rarely asks for help so not sure what keeps people away

TEARS ACROSS MILES

It has killed me to wait a full year to do another CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER tour. But I will be leaving in about 2 weeks if not sooner. What has made it finally happen is that SOME PEOPLE VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART (both genetically and emotionally!!! ), WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR WITH UNBELIEVABLE WORDS OF SUPPORT AND HOPE seemed to get it in their head they were not doing enough and sent a truly generous donation. I am not good at asking for help. So yes you Jane, family and friends, who sent This gift to fill the tank a number of times!!! remain close to my heart, even without the gift. I know you have always known this. I hope to be out at least 4 weeks and this makes it possible. As for the direction of the CARAVAN I asked people for ideas of where I should stop. I think there is an older post with all the cities we have had stories in (108 reporters across 46 states and about 86 cities. Please!!! Any feedback for where people want us to stop will be welcomed even if I have to zig and zag. You can email at therapoet@aol.com. I always have a semi plan but go where I am drawn. As noted I must visit Minnesota, N and S Dakota (only states with no stories,) Also I mentioned that I am going to try to do a travelogue/video of this CARAVAN. I fear this may be the last........

ASK YOUR LAWMAKERS--WHAT IF THIS WAS YOUR DAUGHTER! VOTING AGAINST DNA AT ARREST INCREASES CHANCES IT WILL BE

The Maryland v. King decision was released; the Supreme Court overturn the Mar Mariposayland Court of Appeals; ******holding that DNA collection from Arrestees WAS!!! IS!!! constitutional.****** THESE ARE THREE EXAMPLES EMAIL ME AT THERAPOET@AOL.COM FOR THE COMPLETE STUDIES FROM CHICAGO, MARYLAND, INDIANA AND DENVER
Requiring DNA for felony arrests (at arrest) does solve and prevent violent crimes. Waiting for conviction costs lives. Study by the City of Chicago, and presented to the State Legislature in 2005 ****************Chicago’s Study on Preventable Crimes******* This study show how !!!60 violent crimes could have been prevented, including 53 murders and rapes!!!! if these 8 men had had DNA taken at one of their arrests Most states require DNA collection upon felony conviction, but review of criminal records shows offenders often have**numerous felony arrests before conviction** CHICAGO IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE. I WILL SEND YOU MORE.
Chicago’s examination of criminal activities of*** eight individuals identified 60 violent crimes, that, if DNA had been taken at arrest--“the fingerprint of the 21st century” could have been prevented. In each case, the offender committed previously ***undetected violent crimes**** that ***would have been solved through a DNA match***. But DNA was not required at arrest. INSTEAD… • 22 murders – victims ranging from 24 to 44 years of age • 30 rapes – victims ranging from 15 to 65 years of age • Attempted rapes • Aggravated kidnapping
The 8 men with almost ALL FEMALE VICTIMS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE accumulated a total of 21 felony arrests before finally being identified. Only seven of the prior felony arrests were for violent crimes – the remaining two-thirds of arrests were for non-violent felonies. They were free to commit--60 violent crimes, including 53 murders and rapes, that could have been prevented.
Chicago Preventable Crimes. (BELOW ARE JUST TWO OF THE 8 EXAMPLES FROM CHICAGO STUDY. THERE ARE VIRGIANIA, INDIANA AND DENVER STUDIES Andre Crawford was charged with eleven murders and one attempted murder/aggravated sexual assault. If the state had required him to give a DNA sample during his felony arrest on March 6, 1993, a DNA match could have been obtained with the DNA evidence recovered from his first murder. Ten murders could have been prevented. If Crawford’s DNA had been taken on March 6, 1993 after he was arrested for attempted sexual abuse (felony),the subsequent 10 murders and one rape would not have happened.
03/1993 He was arrested for felony theft NO DNA taken
09/1993 1st murder, DNA evidence recovered from crime scene-no identification of perpetrator
12/1994 - 04/1995 2 women murdered
05/1995-- 07/1997 arrested for Felony attempted sexual abuse 1 victim// Women murdered// woman raped
1997-1999 7 women murdered
01/1998 Arrested for felony drug possession***** ____________________________
Brandon Harris was convicted of five aggravated criminal sexual assaults and one aggravated kidnapping/attempted rape.If the state had required him to give a DNA sample during his felony arrest on August 25, 2000, a DNA match could have been obtained with the DNA evidence recovered from his first rape. Four rapes and one attempted rape/armed robbery/aggravated kidnapping could have been prevented.
12/1999 1st rape, DNA evidence recovered
08/2000 - 10/2000 Arrest for sexual assault
11/2000 1 woman raped, 1 woman kidnapped
12/2000 Arrest for robbery, while home confined, another rape occurs
02/2001 1 women raped,1 girl raped
05/2001 Girl raped ____________________________________________
Geoffrey Griffin was charged with eight murders and one aggravated criminal sexual assault. If the state had required him to give a DNA sample during his felony arrest on August 26, 1995, a DNA match could have been obtained with the DNA evidence recovered from his first rape. Eight murders, one rape and one attempted rape could have been prevented. If Griffin’s DNA had been taken on August 26, 1995 after he was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (felony), the subsequent eight murders, one rape and one attempted rape would not have happened.
08/1995 Arrest for drug possession
07/1998 Woman raped & killed, DNA evidence recovered
07/1998 - 05/2000 4 women murdered, 1 woman raped
06/2000 Woman attacked
06/2000 4 women murdered
06/2000 Arrested & charged with 8 murders, 1 sexual assault ___________________________________ THESE ARE THREE EXAMPLES EMAIL ME AT THERAPOET@AOL.COM FOR THE COMPLETE STUDIES FROM CHICAGO, MARYLAND, INDIANA AND DENVER THIS IS NOT OKAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE SHARE
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-upholds-maryland-law-says-police-may-take-dna-samples-from-arrestees/2013/06/03/0b619ade-cc5a-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html

MILES OF MOTHERS' TEARS

I've posted this a few times, hoping another mother of loss & love will read. Now as day has met most, I again wish Happy Mother's Day to all mothers of murdered/abducted/missing children I've met on my CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER tours, to those not met. You firmly hug the esssence of your child, as you carry your loss & the loss of them never being mothers,fathers in this world. I send hugs, prayers to mothers of murdered, missing & abducted; MOMMA, with special care to those walking alone as they live in honor of their child. My love, prayers, offers of help go to all living with such losses with my hands reaching farther to single moms or those with partner who can’t fund a search for answers or who place their daily survival to make ends meet as monument to the memory..of course they are the greatest monument.. My love, hope, prayers, offers of help go to those often walk a solitary path but refuse to stop.We did not choose this path, this family built from losses, but we are a family stronger than most. On this mother’s day, I applaud each of you who have taken motherhood to its highest dimension….that of of continuing love....my love, admiration to you Maggie-mom of Brittany Phillips 10-4-85 to 10-4-04

VOICES ACROSS TEARS

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers I've met across the US, to those not yet met. You firmly hug the esssence of your murdered child, even as you feel the loss & the loss of them never being mothers,fathers in this world. I send hugs, prayers to all, especially in US cities, where they live in honor of their child but do so in isolation. My love, prayers,offers of help go to all. My hands reaches farther to those who may be a single mom or who, even with partner,can't fund searching for answers or paying homage, can only struggle to pay bills. My love, hope, prayers, offers of help go to those who walk a solitary path but refuse to stop. We did not choose this path or this family built from losses, but it is family strong as any. On this mother’s day, I applaud all of you who have taken motherhood to its highest dimension…that of continueing love-Maggie in honor of Brittany Phillips 10-4-85 to 10-4-04

BREATHE A LITTLE BREATH OF LIFE IN HONOR OF BRITTANY PHILLIPS...MY DANCING PONY PRINCESS

 

 

 

THE COMING OF A NEW YEAR 2013-TOUCH THE LIFE OF A SURVIVING FAMILY OF HOMICIDE!!

Between now and New Years, if you have read our story, feel our loss, want to do something to help, want to connect, whatever led you to us, whatever had an impact on you, we are glad you are here.

You can never imagine how much it means for surviving families of homicide to know their story touches people. 

If you are so moved, make a committment for 2013 to touch someone who may really need it. We will even give you some ideas. Even if you came here in your searches about the Sandy Hook disaster and families losing loved ones to murder, there are ways you can help them but even more so all the other thousands of survivng homicide families.

Brittany was buried on her 19th birthday 10/4/04 after being raped and suffocated in her 2nd story apartmen right next to the highschool she graduated from. This year she would have been 27.

Pledg to yourself  and to someone else to help make the world safer. There are so many small chnages that can have a great impact.... from getting your neighborhood to all turn on porchlites to writing a lawmaker about needed law change, check with your local police to learn about families of unsolved or solved homicides or abductions. Help them create an event to educate about the risk of others losing loved ones if there are weaknesses in laws for those caught for those crimes help us chnage the sexual assualt and DNA laws....

Impact the world as you step into 2013. Please remember there are many families that are still living the horror of losing a loved one to homicide, a singular one not a mass shooting. Both are such terrible losses but so mnay of these solitary homicides impact families in isolation. As I have travelled 67000 miles across the country on my CARAVAN TO CATCH A KILLER tours, I have met many of these families who live the path of loss in solitary echoes. Yet their horror needs the same supportas the Sandy Hook families do, but often do not get it because their losses are not as publicized (which draws attention to what has happened.

BRITTANY WAS TAKEN FROM US BUT WE CONTNUE TO BREATH FOR HER. WE CAN ALL BREATH THE WORLD INTO SAFER LIVING THROUGH EACH LITTLE STEP WE TAKE.  Touch someone in your community who has experienced such a loss, help us chnage the laws to DNA at Arrest, help us with the next CARAVAN TO CATHC A KILLER  tour. Breathe a little breath for Brittany!