Why Cynthia Sommer is guilty in my opinion

[kellabeck]

Her defense was that she loved Todd, her knight in shining armor, the love of her life! She would never have killed him! She was so grief-stricken when he died that she could barely get out of bed. She had a tattoo put on her arm in his honor. She would call his cell phone obsessively just to hear the sound of his voice in his outgoing message.

That was the picture the defense wanted the jury to believe. But it was not reality.

Todd a healthy young man became violently ill, syptomatic of arsenic poisoning, just days after his trust fund ran out. Cyndy oddly phoned Todd's mother to tell her about his illness, imo, to set up his death, something only she knew was coming.

And that day despite their financial picture, Cynthia went to see a cosmetic surgeon about unneccessary cosmetic surgery that they could not afford. And later lied to LE about it.

The early morning that Todd died, Cynthia pretended to do CPR on him. That's what the tape of her sounded like to me and is corroborated by the position of his body when EMTs arrived and the testimony that she was not giving CPR when they entered the room. In addition, she told the 911 operator that she knew how to do CPR and yet on the stand she said she didn't really. So why tell the operator she could? The operator could have instructed her. The tape of her phony CPR is the single most damning piece of evidence to me. And for which there is no innocent explanation.

In addition the ER doctor said Todd's body was cool and his skin was mottled and she believed he had been dead longer than he was claimed to be by Cyndy. I believe she waited till he was good and dead before calling for help.

Her demeanor:
all about the money--comment about $ to the EMTs, her concern with money while still in the hospital, her questions about $ to his family within hours of his death
stopping for cigarettes on the way to hospital
telling Susan Beach that morning she was over it already
celebratory partying
telling her MIL to "MYOB!"
Her reading on the stand Todd's valentine, his last to her, within days of his death and she read it like it was a grocery list.

the tattoo --- in which "Semper Fi" was the dominant motif and two other guys got equal billing with Todd showed how meaningless he was to her

Her emails to Ross, which she tried to deny on the stand, in which she tells him she couldn't see herself 5 years with Todd belies her bogus defense.

Her LIE on the stand about Todd's cell phone. She gave it to her daughter and they were phoning each other. Cyndy was NOT calling to listen to T's voice.

Her computer when she was arrested she claimed was the one she had when Todd was alive. Only it was manufactured after he died. So she LIED about that computer, a computer that hadn't been paid for yet. Why lie? Why trash a computer unless the hard drive is full of incriminating searches. Where's the computer, Cyndy? Why did you lie about it?

Todd's liver and kidney had levels of arsenic consistent with poisoning. Only one person had the motive and opportunity and arsenic is common enough to acquire so the means were available.

So in my opinion she is guilty and I hope a second jury will agree with me as the first one did.

She had her opportunity to tell her story on the stand. I did not find her in the least credible. She's a narcissistic, sociopathic cold blooded killer in my opinion.

Had Todd's death been regarded as suspicious from the start as it should have been and investigated, there would have been even more evidence.

[johnielee333]

cynthia is innocent IMO

[RayStar]

cynthia is innocent IMO:mornincoffee:YES

:basic45::basic45:FREE CYNDI NOW:basic45::basic45:

[kellabeck]

And in my opinion, based on the evidence, she is guilty.

Her behavior is inconsistent with innocence. I don't know how you can just dismiss her lies, her incredibility on the stand or her bogus CPR.

[RayStar]

Really so good we can type our opinions, however the one that ""SPEAKS"" the loudest and clearest is ''THE JUDGE''.

:attention:FREE CYNTHIA SOMMER:attention:

[kellabeck]

The jury agreed with me.

[sanneke]

The jury agreed with me.



I agree with you also.

[RayStar]

I agree with you also.
Read up. :basic44: HERE COMES THE JUDGE :basic44: LOL

[Topaz]

I really think that trial in Calif was very very biased.

I was horrified when Cynthia was convicted. It looked like a nightmare to
me. And her defense attorney gave me the willies. I think he is past his prime and needs to retire now. At least he came back and acknowledged that
he did not try at all.

The fact that Todd was at a toxic waste dump just before he became sick, and the total lack of evidence (viable evidence) just floored me.

I am glad she was given another chance and trial. As that unfolds I will watch
carefully and remain open. But so far she seemed to be Not Guilty to me.
And this remains the only NG for me on any trial in the past 3 yrs. Most of them ended up Guilty for me by the end. But not this one!

[kellabeck]

Topaz, keep in mind that neither of the other marines at the base became ill, and that his symptoms were of ACUTE ARSENIC POISONING not CHRONIC which would be from attenuated exposure to a tainted location.

He exhibited signs of acute arsenic poisoning and 10 days later he died with arsenic in his liver and kidneys.

I thought Udell was horrible but I also thought he had a loser of a case. The "knight in shining armor" defense? Putting his client on the stand and NEVER asking her if she killed her husband??

She's guilty. And I note that no one has taken on Cyndy's lies and given an innocent explanation for things for which there is no innocent explanation.

[Topaz]

Topaz, keep in mind that neither of the other marines at the base became ill, and that his symptoms were of ACUTE ARSENIC POISONING not CHRONIC which would be from attenuated exposure to a tainted location.

He exhibited signs of acute arsenic poisoning and 10 days later he died with arsenic in his liver and kidneys.

I thought Udell was horrible but I also thought he had a loser of a case. The "knight in shining armor" defense? Putting his client on the stand and NEVER asking her if she killed her husband??

She's guilty. And I note that no one has taken on Cyndy's lies and given an innocent explanation for things for which there is no innocent explanation.

I don't think the science concerning arsenic is really good. At the time of this trial, a local woman was poisoned by arsenic just playing softball on a contaminated public park near me. (other people were not)... it was all over our news and I posted the links at CTV boards then.
Mrs Pignataro was poisoned by her husband (Ann Rule's book Last Dance Last Chance), and after several attempts he gave her a massive dose (thousands of times above the understood fatal amount --he was a doctor himself )--- and she survived. Her heart did not stop, but she did have peripheral nerve damage which she has to this day.
No one knows why she survived. So some people can tolerate enormous doses of arsenic and others can't.
So the science here is not stable concerning arsenic.
I hope in this retrial, we get better testimony and some reliable EVIDENCE...

I don't particularly LIKE Cindy Somer either, or her lifestyle. But when there is a trial, one has to have real evidence to grab onto.

[kellabeck]

Let me just say that my belief in Cynthia Sommer's guilt is based on evidence not on dislike for her or her lifestyle.

But thanks for the reply. In the meantime I am reading a magazine article on the arsenic poisoning of Nancy Dillard Lyon who survived a while in hospital. There is no doubt that poisonings vary on the amount, the number of doses and the condition of the victim. It is very hard for scientists to quantify.

I hope that Todd's cremains are tested.

[Topaz]

Let me just say that my belief in Cynthia Sommer's guilt is based on evidence not on dislike for her or her lifestyle.

But thanks for the reply. In the meantime I am reading a magazine article on the arsenic poisoning of Nancy Dillard Lyon who survived a while in hospital. There is no doubt that poisonings vary on the amount, the number of doses and the condition of the victim. It is very hard for scientists to quantify.

I hope that Todd's cremains are tested.

Testing the cremains... that is a very good idea. This case needs good evidence IMO. So far I don't feel satisfied with what was presented as "evidence" in this case.

[FLYSODA]

I've known 2 women in my life who's husbands died under suspecious circumstances. Both of them were alone with their husbands when one was shot in the head. and the other was beaten to death with a fireplace poker till he died. and nothing happened to these women or questioned. the one who's husband was beaten with a poker was with another man not more than a month after her husbands death. I mean living together. and the other one, was sitting in a cafe I was working at and she and a friend were the only ones in there when the phone rang and some guy asked for chris roberts and I said I don't think there is a chris roberts in here, there's a chris meader in here, and he goes, that's her. so she had already met a guy and was using his last name already. and her husband hadn't been dead 2 weeks. women do stupid stuff after their husbands die. Mostly the young ones. they hook up too soon after a death and it's not excepted. Partying is not excepted. short grieving periods aren't expected. the 2 men who died were my husband's best friends. and we wondered about those women. both were in small countys. no investigation. in fact, we get xmas cards from them every year. I don't know why. I don't know if this woman is guilty or not. I just know at a young age, women (widowed) get up and start looking right away. as for a older woman, she will stay single for a long time. if not the rest of her of life.

[RayStar]

FLYSODA Thank you. I think sometimes as we age we forget what it is like to be young. I hope at the re-trial (if there is one):girl_haha: Cynthia goes free from a lack of evidence by the state! :)

[RayStar]

Testing the cremains... that is a very good idea. This case needs good evidence IMO. So far I don't feel satisfied with what was presented as "evidence" in this case.
I don't know for sure if the cremains are available. Do you for sure? I don't recall hearing where they were from the trial. Who knows maybe, if located they can settle this debate.

[kellabeck]

IIRC Todd was cremated and the cremains were buried in Florida where he was from.

Since arsenic is an element it may be possible to test his ashes for the presence of arsenic. This was done, as I said, in Texas in the case of two sisters whose deaths on the same day were suspicious and who had been befriended by a man who was charged in the arsenic death and the poisoning of two other elderly people he was preying upon. Arsenic was found in the ashes of one of the sisters. The other was diabetic and it is thought that he messed with her insulin.

The sister who was poisoned had become violently ill and was hospitalized. The perp pleaded guilty.

here's a TEXAS MONTHLY article including Tim Scoggin, the perp.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/2002-07-01/crime2.php

[Shotzie]

And in my opinion, based on the evidence, she is guilty.

Her behavior is inconsistent with innocence. I don't know how you can just dismiss her lies, her incredibility on the stand or her bogus CPR.

I watched that whole trial an I too believe she is soo guilty, THe NG's wonder why they rechecked and brought her to trial. what if you were a mom and your YOUNG son all of a sudden dropped dead..wouldn't you wonder and scream like Hell,,"Something is wrong here."
If she gets off that will be a sad day and watch out men she could do it again...
'FOR THE MONEY' :0012:

[kellabeck]

Schotzie, for me it was the 911 call. I found it very fake sounding. I didn't believe she sounded like she was doing CPR or even that she could do it while on the phone like that.

There is no way that her faking doing CPR could possibly be consistent with innocence.

What was the fact/evidence/moment for you which made you think she was guilty?

[september]

Her defense was that she loved Todd, her knight in shining armor, the love of her life! She would never have killed him! She was so grief-stricken when he died that she could barely get out of bed. She had a tattoo put on her arm in his honor. She would call his cell phone obsessively just to hear the sound of his voice in his outgoing message.

That was the picture the defense wanted the jury to believe. But it was not reality.

Todd a healthy young man became violently ill, syptomatic of arsenic poisoning, just days after his trust fund ran out. Cyndy oddly phoned Todd's mother to tell her about his illness, imo, to set up his death, something only she knew was coming.

And that day despite their financial picture, Cynthia went to see a cosmetic surgeon about unneccessary cosmetic surgery that they could not afford. And later lied to LE about it.

The early morning that Todd died, Cynthia pretended to do CPR on him. That's what the tape of her sounded like to me and is corroborated by the position of his body when EMTs arrived and the testimony that she was not giving CPR when they entered the room. In addition, she told the 911 operator that she knew how to do CPR and yet on the stand she said she didn't really. So why tell the operator she could? The operator could have instructed her. The tape of her phony CPR is the single most damning piece of evidence to me. And for which there is no innocent explanation.

In addition the ER doctor said Todd's body was cool and his skin was mottled and she believed he had been dead longer than he was claimed to be by Cyndy. I believe she waited till he was good and dead before calling for help.

Her demeanor:
all about the money--comment about $ to the EMTs, her concern with money while still in the hospital, her questions about $ to his family within hours of his death
stopping for cigarettes on the way to hospital
telling Susan Beach that morning she was over it already
celebratory partying
telling her MIL to "MYOB!"
Her reading on the stand Todd's valentine, his last to her, within days of his death and she read it like it was a grocery list.

the tattoo --- in which "Semper Fi" was the dominant motif and two other guys got equal billing with Todd showed how meaningless he was to her

Her emails to Ross, which she tried to deny on the stand, in which she tells him she couldn't see herself 5 years with Todd belies her bogus defense.

Her LIE on the stand about Todd's cell phone. She gave it to her daughter and they were phoning each other. Cyndy was NOT calling to listen to T's voice.

Her computer when she was arrested she claimed was the one she had when Todd was alive. Only it was manufactured after he died. So she LIED about that computer, a computer that hadn't been paid for yet. Why lie? Why trash a computer unless the hard drive is full of incriminating searches. Where's the computer, Cyndy? Why did you lie about it?

Todd's liver and kidney had levels of arsenic consistent with poisoning. Only one person had the motive and opportunity and arsenic is common enough to acquire so the means were available.

So in my opinion she is guilty and I hope a second jury will agree with me as the first one did.

She had her opportunity to tell her story on the stand. I did not find her in the least credible. She's a narcissistic, sociopathic cold blooded killer in my opinion.

Had Todd's death been regarded as suspicious from the start as it should have been and investigated, there would have been even more evidence.



Kellabeck, Great post. I think the most telling evidence is the computer. It's interesting how recently we have seen computers disapearing as in this case or in the Jensen case his work computer is fried. I am certain she killed him. But I am very concerned that the next jury will let her go free.

September

[kellabeck]

Oh, I just remembered!! There were traces of arsenic found on the vacuum cleaner booklet (wasn't it?) in the bedroom.
I am sure I am forgetting other things. Please feel free to join in.

[Topaz]

that arsenic can be found in printing inks.

It has been found in dog toys imported from China,
many children's things from China:
http://blog.syracuse.com/family/2007/12/its_not_just_lead_study_finds.html

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071205/NEWS05/712050414

Other dangerous substances found last week included arsenic in a food supplement made by a domestic manufacturer in Belgium.
from http://www.foodqualitynews.com/news/ng.asp?n=67155-alerts-sudan-itx

Todd was a supplement user, and tainted supplements are common coming from China and elsewhere these days.
Arsenic found in kelp supplements:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070406140955.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/258180.stm

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000358.htm

For me there are too many variables with this case, and little concrete PROOF.

[RayStar]

Thank you Topaz for your well written post. The computer is gone, Todd's ashes were buried in TN or FL, and the DA did not find any searches for poison through her internet provider. This woman was convicted because someone did not like her lifestyle. What about the Stallings children? All of this garbage we are importing now who knows what Todd may or may not have come into contact with. Aren't a lot of our meds being made over there now? Care should be taken when ingesting supplements.

I don't like it that this young woman with four children to raise is rotting away in prison. If they have solid evidence of guilt, then bring it on!

:attention:FREE CYNTHIA SOMMER NOW:attention::grin:

[CopperDog]

This was one of the first trials that I have watched that I could not decide, between G/NG. Had I been on the jury I would have voted NG, I felt the prosecution did not prove the case.
I am looking forward to the new trial, will watch with an open mind.

[kellabeck]

Circumstantial evidence is solid evidence. Granted there wasn't as much as there was in the Jensen case, but then Jensen was investigated right away and Sommer was not.

[Try2Win]

This was one of the first trials that I have watched that I could not decide, between G/NG. Had I been on the jury I would have voted NG, I felt the prosecution did not prove the case.
I am looking forward to the new trial, will watch with an open mind.

I too am looking forward to Cynthia's new trial.

[DeeJay]

I say she's guilty. No matter how many trials she gets,
she's guilty.

Udell carping on there's arsenic everywhere. Everyone has
arsenic in their bodies, yada, yada, yada. :rolleye0001:

Then how come ppl aren't dropping like flies from the
aresenic in their bodies? :francis:

I agree with all Kellabeck said about the reasons CS is
guilty. That missing computer that hadn't been paid
for, is a huge red flag in itself.

Who knows where she got the arsenic? She had more
than ample opportunity to dispose of it. She didn't need
to have a jar of arsenic in the kitchen cabinets.

We don't always know "HOW" a murder gets their weapon
of choice. Nor do we always know "HOW" they killed their
prey.

A healty young man (like Todd) just doesn't drop dead
from a normal flu or stomach ailment. :eyebrow1qb:

[DeeJay]

And something else, anyone with a scintillia of
RESPECT and DIGNITY, would NOT
tell their mother in law, (who's just lost her son), to
"Mind your own business!" When
the m-i-l is doing YOU a favor by sitting
YOUR kids.

CS has no respect, dignity or class. Not from what I heard
in the trial.

[RayStar]

And something else, anyone with a scintillia of
RESPECT and DIGNITY, would NOT
tell their mother in law, (who's just lost her son), to
"Mind your own business!" When
the m-i-l is doing YOU a favor by sitting
YOUR kids.

CS has no respect, dignity or class. Not from what I heard
in the trial.
She showed the old bitty respect using those words. IMO:grin:

Only they know what their relationship was really like. I really don't care much for MILs even though I am one. My first MIL was/is a bitty. I always say I have the best DIL in the world. I truly love her and my four grandkids. There was probably no love lost from the very beginning since CS had children and was several years older than Todd.:(

[DeeJay]

She showed the old bitty respect using those words. IMO:grin:

Only they know what their relationship was really like. I really don't care much for MILs even though I am one. My first MIL was/is a bitty. I always say I have the best DIL in the world. I truly love her and my four grandkids. There was probably no love lost from the very beginning since CS had children and was several years older than Todd.:(

Apparently, Todds' mother was not intrusive. She did & does live
in FL & works full-time. How intrusive could she have been
in T & C's marriage. I'd say, none at all.

Even if she was, so soon after Todd's death, only an evil
person would be able to make a remark like that to the
deceased's mother. I'd sooner cut my tongue out.

Todd's parents were doing CS a favor in sitting the kids,
whilst CS was out partying it up in the very late night
hours. The parents wanted to go back to the hotel &
get some sleep.

I'm a mother in law to 3. I love all 3 dearly. They care
very much about me as well. As they show it all the time.
Not one of them would take advantage of my generosity.
Nor would any one of them say anything cruel or rude to
me. They are mature adults with mature mentalities.

I think CS & Shawna Nelson are cut from the same cloth.
Married with children but haven't grown up mentally. Both
had very loving husbands. SN does for now, I pray :innocent0001:
Ken will get some common sense and dump Shawna.

[Topaz]

Arsenic is still used in medicine as a treatment:

http://medicinewatch.blogspot.com/2007/06/can-arsenic-treatment-help-leukemia.html
Results of a large three year study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology showed that 31 percent of patients in the arsenic group were free of disease after three years compared to 26 percent who received the standard treatment.

The arsenic trioxide treatment zeros in on disease - causing cells which makes it effective and much less toxic than chemotherapy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/208024.stm

[Harmony]

I watched only bits and pieces of the first trial. I plan on keeping more informed on the details in her second trial. Were medications or supplements in the household tested for arsenic? Were any traces of arsenic found in their home other than the vacuum?

[kellabeck]

Why would there be any arsenic at all??

You must remember that the crime scene was not treated as such and that the poisoning was only discovered many many months later.

Cynthia had had a lot of time between the first dose and his death to dispose of evidence. And then she had a very long time thereafter to get rid of incriminating things, such as the computer.

[kellabeck]

Today I happened to be watching THE INVESTIGATORS on the case of Greg DeVillier's "suicide" which was actually a homicide by his wife of 2 years, Kristin Rossom.

She told the investigator that she noticed Greg was "cold" and "not breathing" in bed. She called 911 on a cordless phone and told them he was "not breathing: and the EMTs arrived in 3 minutes.

She's supposed to be doing CPR and that's what you hear on the tape, says the investigator.

ANNCR: But when paramedics arrived they found Greg alone in the bedroom.

INV: She standing in another room, a good 20 feet away from the body.

AUTHOR: She's not breathing heavy. If you listen to the phone call, she never did CPR on him

DA: "Her breathing seemed throughout that phone call like it would if somebody was right on the phone. Not as if somebody was on the phone then trying to give CPR uh to her husband and then coming back onto the phone."

Kristin's CPR technique is just like Cynthia's!!!!

[Harmony]

Why would there be any arsenic at all??



Continued exposure to arsenic builds up in the system and there is an accumulated effect. The more you are exposed the more serious are the consequences.

Arsenic is a very toxic substance that is found in food, water and household items. Tobacco smoke, laundry detergent, bone meal, sea food, beer and even drinking water are a few of the items arsenic can be consumed from.


Arsenic is found in many different places. Arsenic is used to poison pests such as rats and mice, and can be used to kill any living thing. Arsenic is found in tiny amounts in many things that we consume. Some food items that may contain arsenic are seafood, water, bone meal, dolomite, kelp, table salt, and beer.


http://www.essortment.com/all/arsenicpoisonin_rljn.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic42.htm

The possibility of heavy metal contamination of herbal preparations and so-called nutritional supplements must also be considered.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kella: I have not made my mind up since I do not know enough information about the case to reach a conclusion or opinion. I was just asking questions.

[DeeJay]

Arsenic in small amounts, in food, etc., are safe. Otherwise, ppl would be dropping like flies by
the time we're what, 25-ish?

Radiation is safe when administered in proper amounts, as in treating cancer patients.
[Some patients can tolerate multi treatments and recover from cancer, others cannot & don't recover.]

When Arsenic & Radiation are not used in proper amounts, results are deadly.

[Topaz]

watching the C.Sommer trial, my first thought was that this was a massive
government coverup...to conceal toxic substances at the bases.

Then the poor chain of evidence of the samples themselves, got me to thinking that the testing was wonky. Or the arsenic was planted. Anything to divert attention away from the possibility that the base was contaminated!

But it is a truth that military bases are notorious for being polluted and toxic.
We don't even know what Todd did in the Marines?

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/05/12/military/brac/51205122014.txt
This is just an example.

And we do know that Todd was assigned to a toxic waste place just before his
illness to do some job there.. Perhaps he handled something and then ate food, without washing his hands. The others in his party did not claim illness...but were they tested?
I don't think so. Time passed long after his death, and tests then probably would not show much.

There are just so many things in this situation that point away from Cynthia.

[kellabeck]

watching the C.Sommer trial, my first thought was that this was a massive
government coverup...to conceal toxic substances at the bases.

SNIP


Let me see if I can wrap my brain around this Marines-In-Massive-Government-Coverup theory.

So long after Todd Sommer's death and funerals, long after Cynthia has glommed onto a new Marine with a trust fund, what exactly required a coverup?

There was no public outcry or media attention. No reporters sniffed around. In fact, there was NOTHING. Nothing at all.

And despite this utter quiet, never mind this absolute and total absence of interest in Todd's death by anyone except his genuinely grieving parents, in spite of this enormous void the Marines decided TO CALL ATTENTION TO HIS DEATH!!!

Yes! To cover up this quiet death that no one was talking about they blew it all up into the national spotlight!!

That is brilliant! What a cover up!!

In reality, all the Marines had to do was NOTHING. Todd was dead. There was no suspicion. And yet they did the test that produced the fact that he had been poisoned.

If they had really wanted to cover up his death, which you seem to believe they KNEW was an arsenic death before the testing, all they had to do was NOTHING.

This theory makes no sense.

[DeeJay]

Let me see if I can wrap my brain around this Marines-In-Massive-Government-Coverup theory.

So long after Todd Sommer's death and funerals, long after Cynthia has glommed onto a new Marine with a trust fund, what exactly required a coverup?

There was no public outcry or media attention. No reporters sniffed around. In fact, there was NOTHING. Nothing at all.

And despite this utter quiet, never mind this absolute and total absence of interest in Todd's death by anyone except his genuinely grieving parents, in spite of this enormous void the Marines decided TO CALL ATTENTION TO HIS DEATH!!!

Yes! To cover up this queit death that no one was talking about they blew it all up into the national spotlight!!

That is brilliant! What a cover up!!

In reality, all the Marines had to do was NOTHING. Todd was dead. There was no suspicion. And yet they did the test that produced the fact that he had been poisoned.

If they had really wanted to cover up his death, which you seem to believe they KNEW was an arsenic death before the testing, all they had to do was NOTHING.

This theory makes no sense.


:hifive: Excellet, Kella!!

IIRC, Todd had a desk job...he never went near
chemicals. Nothing close to that was even
mentioned in trial.

And if there is so much toxic around military bases,
men & women would be dying right & left...Todd is
the only healthy military man to have died with the
"flu like" symptoms.

[TigressPen]

I think the arsenic evidence in this case was very iffy... and had my doubts about her guilt. As for her calling Todd's mom, I'd have done so too, did in fact anytime he was ill. Still would if she were living.

I don't think her actions after his death should have been used as a factor in deciding guilt. Nobody grieves the same. Cynthia spent money and partied, and that is in fact a form of grief. The shutting out of pain. My own life experieces have shown me that. As a matter of fact, the partying would not have come in had her attorney not asked her mother how Cynthia was when she saw her ... and mom answerd that she was curled up in bed crying and upset. That opened the door in the Judge's eyes because the DA argued better that it did so. To me, it was too prejudicial. Her lawyer did nothing to fight for her really. IMO he was a whimpy lawyer. And I am glad he admitted that he didn't do a thorough job defending her.

I hope she has a much better lawyer this time. And I pray the jury has no preconcieved prejudices because she was found guilty the first time. I prefer a fair and just trial.

[Topaz]

Agent Purple... an arsenic compound:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2005/06/13/agent-orange050613.html

The truth of the matter, is that military bases, are dangerous places to live.
When the military decided to go after Cynthia, it is reasonable to me at least,
that they would deflect attention from their own culpability to anyone else than themselves to avoid paying out damages. Better that she be blamed, and the real cause remain buried (literally in fact--since much of the toxins ARE underground now). And we will never know if some other toxin was involved as well.. and never tested for. I'd say Todd had a very risky job, visiting toxic waste dumps as part of his deployment!

There are pages and pages on the internet about polluted military bases here and abroad.

To me there is more than reasonable doubt about Cynthia's involvement at all.

[RayStar]

CS did not have to like TS's mom.:grin: Our government is so concerned with our safety that we just had the LARGEST meat recall 2 years after the questoinable point involving sick cattle. :s1gyahoo: I am still trying to ""double"" wrap my head around these two thoughts!:francis:

:attention: FREE CYNDI NOW:attention:

[RayStar]

SNIPPED
To me there is more than reasonable doubt about Cynthia's involvement at all.[/QUOTE]

:zm10:Thanks

[kellabeck]

So Tigress Pen, when Mark Jensen is acting like Julie's wake is a cocktail party, that's legitimate evidence and incriminating, but when Cynthia celebrates she's just "grieving differently"?

I don't understand the double standard.

[TigressPen]

So Tigress Pen, when Mark Jensen is acting like Julie's wake is a cocktail party, that's legitimate evidence and incriminating, but when Cynthia celebrates she's just "grieving differently"?

I don't understand the double standard.



Double standard? I don't think so.

Cynthia did not laugh and flirt at Todd's funeral. Cynthia did not pile all his clothing by the road or move her boyfriend in a few days after the funeral. She did not ask if it would be okay to take a boyfriend to a funeral. Cynthia did not drag on a cigarette and say he's dead to a neighbor with a nonchalant attitude. Yes, she stopped for cigs, but I would have also since I am a smoker and anxiety causes me to smoke more than norm.

[DeeJay]

So Tigress Pen, when Mark Jensen is acting like Julie's wake is a cocktail party, that's legitimate evidence and incriminating, but when Cynthia celebrates she's just "grieving differently"?

I don't understand the double standard.

MJ was grieving when he wanted Kelly to move in
his house right away.

MJ was grieving when he & Kelly planned a cruise less
than a month after Julie died.

I guess we pegged MJ's grieving all wrong! He must
be an innocent man, too. Wrongly convicted!

Lest we forget, CS went to a T-shirt contest in Mexico
right after Todd's funeral. CS didn't just talk about a
trip to Mexico......she went!

:0doh:CS went to a friends apt. with her toddler
son and had sex with her friend's hubby in the
bedroom whilst the little toddler slept on the sofa.

It is still a mystery as to the whereabouts of CS's
old computer that was never paid for. It just
mysteriously vanished into thin air shortly after
Todd died.

Just as MJ's work computer fried soon as Nehring
said "It's a good thing LE didn't take your work
computer."

[kellabeck]

Double standard? I don't think so.

Cynthia did not laugh and flirt at Todd's funeral. Cynthia did not pile all his clothing by the road or move her boyfriend in a few days after the funeral. She did not ask if it would be okay to take a boyfriend to a funeral. Cynthia did not drag on a cigarette and say he's dead to a neighbor with a nonchalant attitude. Yes, she stopped for cigs, but I would have also since I am a smoker and anxiety causes me to smoke more than norm.


Yes, double standard!! Absolutely!!

Jensen yucked it up at Julie's wake. Disposed of JJ's things, moved his GF in right away.

*Cynthia was partying into the wee hours within DAYS of Todd's death.
*She had sex with multiple partners within a couple of WEEKS of his death.
*She ran to get the boob job that she couldn't previously afford and which Todd had said they could not get as it was frivolous and unnecessary. But now she had what she wanted!
*She was entering wet T-shirt contests and thong contests and whooping it up --- celebrating her freedom --- in Mexican bars.
*She met Ross and was deeply involved in a romantic relationship with him within WEEKS of Todd's death and expressing her undyring love for him and comparing her feelings for Todd negatively--- i.e. She could not see herself with Todd 5 years down the road, but saw forever with Ross, another Marine with a trust fund.
*She told Susan Beach that very morning of Todd's death how she was fine with it, or over it, or accepted it--- I have forgotten the exact wording but within HOURS of his death she has already moved on.
*She wrote on the message board for afficiados of was it Mustangs or whatever vehicle -- of Todd's death and was oddly detached for a young widow.

These FACTS are in contradiction to the defense that she was broken hearted at the loss of her knight in shining armor, the love of her life.

She clearly was not.

And yes, you have a double standard. Mark's behavior is incriminating but Cyndy only "grieves differently."

The truth is that Mark and Cynthia CELEBRATED differently. Neither one grieved. Both are GUILTY!!!!

[DeeJay]

New boyfriend, Ross, made a fast exit soon as
the "guilty" verdict came in.... "buh-bye,
Cyn, I'm outta here!"

CS's kids loved Todd, they were the only ones
grieving.....yet mom took off leaving them b/c
she had to get to dive bars in Mexico for the
wet t-shirt contests to show her new boobie
job.

CS cheated on her first hubby & father of her
2 children whilst CS drove across states in
persuit of Todd or whomever would have her.

It's my understanding there are 5 steps to the
grieving process, (I just learned this recently),
MJ & CS went right to #5, skipping the first 4.

[kellabeck]

Yes!! The perpetrators skip over the steps that non-perps experience and go straight to ACCEPTANCE!!

We have seen it over and over. And the defense bar repeats the mantra that "everyone grieves differently."

No. Normal people, innocent people GRIEVE. Killers, sociopaths DO NOT GRIEVE. They celebrate.

Hence we have the odd behavior of Mark Jensen, Cynthia Sommer, Melanie McGuire, Scott Peterson and on and on.

The defense attorneys want us to think they are just expressing their grief differently. But that's P I F F L E!!

Cynthia's first concern was $$$$$$$$. We saw it before his body was in the ambulance. We saw it in the hospital before it was cold. We saw it in the hours before noon in her questions to his family. MONEY MONEY MONEY.

And CYNTHIA CYNTHIA CYNTHIA. That's all she was ever concerned with.

[DeeJay]

:doh: That's right, Kellabeck, CS asked about the life
insurance BEFORE Todd was pronounced dead!

I've known a lot of ppl in my life that have had loved
ones in hospital (but not dead) and not one of them
inquired about life insurance. Nor did they even think
about $$$ for a very long time & not all were ppl of means.
And yes, some had young children, mortgages to pay,
along with all the other debts in life.

CS had 6 months to continue living in base housing
after Todd died. CS wasn't going to be kicked to the
curb right after the funeral. Besides, she did have a
job. She wasn't penniless.

[DeeJay]

And CYNTHIA CYNTHIA CYNTHIA. That's all she was ever concerned with.


She didn't take the kids to Disneyland or Knottsberry
Farm or anyplace like that. I could understand if she'd
done things like that with & for the kids.

She did for herself! Boobies and left the kids with
someone & runs off to dive bars for the wet t-shirt contests.

I should think a mother would want to be with her kids
and not a bunch of swingers in Mexico.

Where is that old computer? How strange it is these
computers just have things happen to them or vanish
into thin air whenever there's a homicide investigation?
:a1chic:

[TigressPen]

Yes, double standard!! Absolutely!!




Kellabeck, I do not appreciate being called a liar. You commented to a single post I made -- just because that post doesn't conform to your beliefs of how trial 1 was handled doesn't give you the right to attack me for my opinion. I afforded you your opinion and I'd appreciate the same respect. And not, being yelled at with capital letters and exclamation points. And I'd appreciate not having my moral and ethical standards attacked ... In doing that you are attacking the way my parents raised me. That brings out my ire.


I did not say Cynthia was not guilty. I said it wasn't proven to me that she was guilty. I had doubts. And I will say now that if in the second trial, the state doesn't cause my doubts to dissipate then I will continue to say, I have doubts. If they do show me that Cynthia and only Cynthia had cause and oppportunity, and did in fact give Todd arsenic then I will say she is guilty.


I have never nor will I go into a trial thinking the defendant is guilty. I wait until the prosecution erases all my doubts. And my doubts are reasonable.

If you do not like my opinions, ignore my comments. But do not attack my moral and ethical upbringing or call me a liar.

[kellabeck]

I did not call you a liar. I said you were applying a double standard and I stand by that.

[hisgirl_2455]

I am copying and pasting my post on the CS thread on that is on In Session boards. Here is my story about my mom.

On the grieving thing...my sister died when she was six of reye syndrome caused by aspirin in children. My mother was always devoted to her church and a good solid woman with a good solid reputation. When my sister died, my mother started going out to the local bars (really small town), getting wasted and even stripped on the bar one time. She was bringing home all sorts of men and eventually gained a lot of weight. It took almost a year for her to get back to her normal self. Did she kill my sister? NO. The entire county was very understanding for the first few months of my mother's illicit (sp) behavior, eventually they all became judgemental. When she sobered up and returned to her church, the community seemed to forget what she had been doing and chalked it up to the grieving that comes with losing a child. Grieving mother, yes. Murderer, no.

Take this how you will, but it is the truth. This is part of the reason I have such a problem with all this "appropriate grieving" stuff.

[DeeJay]

I am copying and pasting my post on the CS thread on that is on In Session boards. Here is my story about my mom.

On the grieving thing...my sister died when she was six of reye syndrome caused by aspirin in children. My mother was always devoted to her church and a good solid woman with a good solid reputation. When my sister died, my mother started going out to the local bars (really small town), getting wasted and even stripped on the bar one time. She was bringing home all sorts of men and eventually gained a lot of weight. It took almost a year for her to get back to her normal self. Did she kill my sister? NO. The entire county was very understanding for the first few months of my mother's illicit (sp) behavior, eventually they all became judgemental. When she sobered up and returned to her church, the community seemed to forget what she had been doing and chalked it up to the grieving that comes with losing a child. Grieving mother, yes. Murderer, no.

Take this how you will, but it is the truth. This is part of the reason I have such a problem with all this "appropriate grieving" stuff.


But that wasn't your mother's lifestyle prior to the death
of your sister. Your mother got whatever it was out of her system and went back to church.

CS went on with her regular lifestyle. Bars, stripping, men.
She'd been living like that all during the marriage with Todd.
He stayed home and babysat the kids,
CS went out to the bars. Todd wanted to be a homebody, CS did not.

CS never got it out of her system, she continued for a year and a half until she was arrested and put in the slammer.

eta....CS went on with business as usual.

[RayStar]

Kellabeck, I do not appreciate being called a liar. You commented to a single post I made -- just because that post doesn't conform to your beliefs of how trial 1 was handled doesn't give you the right to attack me for my opinion. I afforded you your opinion and I'd appreciate the same respect. And not, being yelled at with capital letters and exclamation points. And I'd appreciate not having my moral and ethical standards attacked ... In doing that you are attacking the way my parents raised me. That brings out my ire.


I did not say Cynthia was not guilty. I said it wasn't proven to me that she was guilty. I had doubts. And I will say now that if in the second trial, the state doesn't cause my doubts to dissipate then I will continue to say, I have doubts. If they do show me that Cynthia and only Cynthia had cause and oppportunity, and did in fact give Todd arsenic then I will say she is guilty.


I have never nor will I go into a trial thinking the defendant is guilty. I wait until the prosecution erases all my doubts. And my doubts are reasonable.

If you do not like my opinions, ignore my comments. But do not attack my moral and ethical upbringing or call me a liar.THANK YOU, TIGRESS PEN. I have felt like my posts were attacked also. I don't think the state has proved it's case. We don't put people in prison for doing legal acts. Thank you again for the wonderful post. I found it to very plain and simple. Also, very easy to understand. :)

[RayStar]

I guess CS should have just stopped breathing. Wow, maybe that would be considered proper grieving! You only live ONCE! Let's wait for Trial 2.

[Topaz]

THANK YOU, TIGRESS PEN. I have felt like my posts were attacked also. I don't think the state has proved it's case. We don't put people in prison for doing legal acts. Thank you again for the wonderful post. I found it to very plain and simple. Also, very easy to understand. :)

I agree. I would like to see some EVIDENCE of the crime. It can be CE too.
But life style, sexual preferences/frequency do not move me in this case. There was no evidence of extramarital affairs, planning, fights, acrimony, nothing. And I think her behavior right after the death was consistent with shock and grieving.

I think that the way this trial went, was pretty scary... if people can be convicted of something with no or poor evidence, we all need to be aware and active that the system does not run away with itself!

[hisgirl_2455]

Okay, so all you G's are convinced, what's the problem with having another trial? If so many believe NG, wouldn't you say "better safe than sorry"? We are talking about a persons life here. LWOP, what does it hurt to make sure? Look at it this way, if she is again found guilty, you can say I told you so. Either way it is a win, win situation, either you get to gloat to the NG's or a innocent woman does not spend the rest of her life in prison.

[RayStar]

Topaz and hisgirl 2455 thank you both. hisgirl I had read your post over there.

[kellabeck]

Okay, so all you G's are convinced, what's the problem with having another trial? If so many believe NG, wouldn't you say "better safe than sorry"? We are talking about a persons life here. LWOP, what does it hurt to make sure? Look at it this way, if she is again found guilty, you can say I told you so. Either way it is a win, win situation, either you get to gloat to the NG's or a innocent woman does not spend the rest of her life in prison.

I felt that she had a fair trial and I would have preferred that Deddeh let the conviction stand and let her appeal.

However, having been granted a new trial, I have no trouble with another new one. I have confidence that another jury will convict this cold-blooded killer.

[DeeJay]

It appears some folks have had a memory lapse in a few details. Or do they blow them off?

“Cindy’s excuse for the lifestyle she started living after (her husband) died was that he was very strict, he didn’t like for her to go out partying, staying out with friends,” said former Marine Brent Applebee, who told military investigators the widow showed him her still-taped up breasts.

“Todd also didn’t want her to get her breasts enlarged, so I think that she was living out the fantasy life she really wanted.”

Two weeks before her husband’s death, Cynthia Sommer paid $16.95 for an Internet dating service, authorities say.

During an 2001 investigation of child neglect-abuse, she allegedly told a North Carolina caseworker, “I have four kids. It isn’t like I could leave them and go anywhere. No one wants to baby-sit four kids.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10479896/

[kellabeck]

And as far as Cynthia's not high-fiving someone and not putting Todd's belongings out with the trash, by the same token, Cynthia didn't order porn and trade in Todd's Land Rover.

We recognize other defendant's non-grieving behavior as incriminating, why is Cynthia Sommer given a pass?

I don't get it.

[DeeJay]

Another excerpt from the article:

It was a $5,400 surgery that her household income would not allow, according to Terwilliger’s statement.
A credit check showed she had more than $23,000 in debt, Navy investigators found.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10479896/

[Bernie]

Okay, so all you G's are convinced, what's the problem with having another trial? If so many believe NG, wouldn't you say "better safe than sorry"? We are talking about a persons life here. LWOP, what does it hurt to make sure? Look at it this way, if she is again found guilty, you can say I told you so. Either way it is a win, win situation, either you get to gloat to the NG's or a innocent woman does not spend the rest of her life in prison.

Well said!.......:howdy:

[kellabeck]

SNAPPED featured Sheree Miller recently and she reminds me of Cynthia.

Sheree, too, had an interesting grieving style.

Two days after her husband Bruce's shotgun murder in 1999, Sheree was dancing in an Otisville, Mich. bar and "committing sex acts on the floor."

Within a few weeks she had a live-in boyfriend.

Sheree Miller was convicted of murder despite a solid alibi. Jerry Cassaday, her lover whom she had manipulated into murdering her inconvenient husband, had left behind a briefcase of incrimination after committing suicide.

The only difference between these two husband killers, imo, is that Cynthia did it herself and Sheree got a stooge to do her evil bidding.

Anyone think that Sheree's behavior doesn't go along with her guilt?

[Try2Win]

THANK YOU, TIGRESS PEN. I have felt like my posts were attacked also. I don't think the state has proved it's case. We don't put people in prison for doing legal acts. Thank you again for the wonderful post. I found it to very plain and simple. Also, very easy to understand. :)

I don't really keep track of who agrees with me or not in whatever case we are discussing or other past trials, but I did appreciate reading Tigress' reply to being attacked for ones opinions. ITA

[johnielee333]

Cynthia Is Not Guilty !!!

[annalyzer]

Okay, so all you G's are convinced, what's the problem with having another trial? If so many believe NG, wouldn't you say "better safe than sorry"? We are talking about a persons life here. LWOP, what does it hurt to make sure? Look at it this way, if she is again found guilty, you can say I told you so. Either way it is a win, win situation, either you get to gloat to the NG's or a innocent woman does not spend the rest of her life in prison.


I have no problem with it. Is there going to be a new trial and do you know when?

[hisgirl_2455]

I have no problem with it. Is there going to be a new trial and do you know when?

Yes, on May 14th

[moda]

I will never believe Todd Sommer was poisoned.

If I did, I wouldn't have any problem joining in with those of you who insist Cindy did it based on whatever hunch you have. But that would just be my hunch, too...

However, if I was sitting on the jury the first time around, I'd never be able to vote "G" - because the state didn't show anything that connected Cynthia Sommer to arsenic.

The data proves Todd wasn't poisoned. The death certificate shouldn't have been changed - that was not a scientific decision. It disgusts me that charges were ever filed.

I hope justice is finally served in this case.


read and learn
http://www.freecynthia.com

[kellabeck]

I do not believe Cynthia is guilty on a "hunch." And if the prosecution has Todd's cremains tested for arsenic and they come back positive will the doubters change their minds?

[Bayou Lass]

I will never believe Todd Sommer was poisoned.

If I did, I wouldn't have any problem joining in with those of you who insist Cindy did it based on whatever hunch you have. But that would just be my hunch, too...

However, if I was sitting on the jury the first time around, I'd never be able to vote "G" - because the state didn't show anything that connected Cynthia Sommer to arsenic.

The data proves Todd wasn't poisoned. The death certificate shouldn't have been changed - that was not a scientific decision. It disgusts me that charges were ever filed.

I hope justice is finally served in this case.


read and learn
http://www.freecynthia.com

I totally agree with your post. I think that CS was convicted for her lifestyle and partying after Todd's death and for no other reason. I also do not think that the state proved their case and if I were on the jury I could not have voted G. I am anxious for this new trial and will try to follow it closely. As you said - I hope justice is finally served in this case.

[Try2Win]

I totally agree with your post. I think that CS was convicted for her lifestyle and partying after Todd's death and for no other reason. I also do not think that the state proved their case and if I were on the jury I could not have voted G. I am anxious for this new trial and will try to follow it closely. As you said - I hope justice is finally served in this case.

ITA

[kanzz]

I do not believe Cynthia is guilty on a "hunch." And if the prosecution has Todd's cremains tested for arsenic and they come back positive will the doubters change their minds?

That's an interesting question. At one point in time, I was hoping they would test the cremains, but then it hit me - there's been no chain of custody for them, so I wouldn't think either side would want to fool around with that notion.

[kanzz]

I totally agree with your post. I think that CS was convicted for her lifestyle and partying after Todd's death and for no other reason. I also do not think that the state proved their case and if I were on the jury I could not have voted G. I am anxious for this new trial and will try to follow it closely. As you said - I hope justice is finally served in this case.

ITA

[Pia]

That's an interesting question. At one point in time, I was hoping they would test the cremains, but then it hit me - there's been no chain of custody for them, so I wouldn't think either side would want to fool around with that notion.


Yes, but the other 16 breaks in the tissues samples didn't seem to matter much... ;-)

Kellabeck to answer your question...if they could prove without a doubt that there was arsenic in Todd's body when he died, yes, many of us will change our minds.

Now to you, if they prove that it is impossible for these tests to be the way the state said, are you going to change yours?

The things that many of us have been saying all along was that we didn't like some of the things Cindy did either but none of that added up to murder without arsenic to begin with.

Until Dr. Poklis testified, I figured it probably was there. I thought the defense was going to go with someone else doing it or it being an accident.
I still didn't like that there was nothing linking her to it and I did believe the 911 call was real...
But when Dr's Poklis, Labay and Bakowska testified, after hearing Centeno say that he originally thought it was contamination because of how high the levels were in the liver and kidney and normal in the rest that is when I came to the conclusion that it was not murder at all.

Maybe if they had done a more thorough job with his autopsy, maybe they could have found an exact cause of death. We will probably never know what that was. That is truly sad because I doubt regardless of what happens in the new trial that Todd's family will ever be without complete doubt that Cindy did it. That is what they have been told for about 5 years now by people that we are all suppose to trust and believe....how can they ever really think that she didn't?

[kellabeck]

There was a case in Texas in which arsenic poisoning was discovered in an elderly couple. The young man who had attached himself to them and was "caring for them" was suspected of poisoning them, as he then was suspected in the sudden deaths of two elderly sisters he was also attending. They had died within hours of each other. He had seen to their being quickly cremated.
Their cremains were tested for arsenic since arsenic, being an element can be determined regardless of cremation.
Arsenic WAS found in one of the sister's cremains, the one who exhibited symptoms of poisoning and who had been hospitalized. The other sister was diabetic and so it was thought that he had jiggered with her insulin.
There was no "chain of custody" issue with the cremains. They were identified with DNA and one contained arsenic.

He pleaded guilty, btw.

[kellabeck]

And I just wanted to reiterate: I didn't even know about the thong contest or any of the other non-grieving behavior of Cynthia Sommer's when I came to this trial.

It was NOT a hunch which convinced me that she is guilty. It was her own 911 call. When I listened to it I was absolutely certain SHE WAS NOT DOING CPR!!! It sounded fake, fake, fake. There is no innocent explanation for that.

She lied about it on the stand. She told the operator she knew how to do CPR and yet on the stand she said she didn't.

If she didn't and truly wanted to save her husband then she would have let the operator help her. Since she didn't and only said she did, clearly she was pretending to save him.

There was physical evidence --- from the ER doctor's testimony --- that Todd was well dead and that supports my belief that she was not doing CPR because she had waited to make sure he was dead and yet she had to pretend to do it to cover her guilty butt.

Add to that her guilty behavior: not grieving, rather celebrating, asking about money right away, telling Susan Beach she fine with his death within hours, dumping a computer not even paid for, lying about it, giving Todd's cell phone to her daughter and lying about it....on and on.

She's guilty, guilty, guilty.

[Pia]

You keep saying all of these things were lies. Maybe they were but there is no proof that she lied about any of it. Maybe if they had followed up with that questioning, maybe they could have proved it but they didn’t. Your opinion is that she was lying as mine is that she wasn’t. Every thing that people say was a lie can be explained by several different things.

The cell phone given to Jenna….can you admit that with the records that it is possible that she was calling it to listen to the voice mail? She never once said that she didn’t give Jenna that phone. She never denied that. There were several one minute calls after Todd’s death. No one asked her what day she gave the phone to Jenna. No one asked her if the ONLY calls she made were to hear his voice.. Why not? If they were so sure that she was lying, why not try to catch her in the lie?

When I heard the 911 call as many others, I KNEW she was not faking it. I still get chills when I hear it. It was as real as real can be.

You say she lied about knowing how to do CPR. Just because she told the 911 operator that she did know, does not mean that she didn’t think she knew at the time. Maybe since Todd didn’t survive she has come to realize that she didn’t know. There have been many things in my life that I thought I knew how to do but found out that I didn’t.
You say she should have allowed the operator to help her. He never even tried. Not once did he give any kind of guidance to her. Why didn’t he ask her what she was doing, how she was doing it? That was his job. When he heard that nothing positive was happening he should have stepped in and tried to help her.

The ER doc. How come you believe her over the first responders? They saw Todd about an hour before she did. They said he was warm to the touch, had a slight heartbeat and agonal breathing. As I asked you before, why didn’t she bring up the fact that he was dead for much longer if she really thought so at the time? If it is in the records, why didn’t the ME question that at autopsy?

She also never told Susan Beach that she “was fine with it”. Susan Beach said that Cindy told her that she had come to terms with it. That was what Susan Beach remembered several years later. Just like she remembered being there before the first responders. We all know that is not the case. Maybe she misunderstood something like “I have to come to terms with it”, “I don’t know how I can come to terms with it”…
Susan Beach also does not remember calling Cindy back that night, but we know from the phone records that there was a call from Mrs. Beach’s phone to Cindy’s after Cindy called her. Now I could say that Mrs. Beach and/or the first responders were lying or I can say that someone made a mistake. I choose to think that Mrs. Beach made a mistake. Knowing some of the things that the investigators said to her, I can see how it happened. She said herself that they tried to “fill her head with things”.

Because I didn’t remember Cindy saying on the stand that she did not know how to do CPR, I went on a little treasure hunt this afternoon.
Without typing verbatim (not sure of copyright issue on transcripts) I will tell you exactly what was asked of her and how she answered regarding CPR.

She was asked by Laura Gunn "at the time of the 911 call, did you know how to do CPR”.
Cindy answered that it was when she was in middle school that it wasn’t something that she took classes in.

Laura Gunn then asked her if she tried doing CPR at any time before making the 911 call.
Cindy answered, “No”.
Laura Gunn then asked her if she was doing CPR while she was on the 911 phone call.
Cindy answered yes.

Nothing more is mentioned about Cindy knowing CPR.

[kellabeck]

She was asked by the operator if she knew how to do CPR and she said yes.

On the stand she was asked if she knew CPR and she said something like "not really" that she had taken some instruction years ago but that she didn't really know it.

That was in the testimony.

[Pia]

I posted what she said (from the transcripts) and she never said "not really". She never said she didn't really know.

[kanzz]

I posted what she said (from the transcripts) and she never said "not really". She never said she didn't really know.

Exactly.

Cindy told that dispatcher her husband had collapsed -
and he didn't offer any kind of instruction.

She told him Todd was unconscious -
and all he said was that the paramedics were on their way.

She said "What do I do? Can I …" -
and he interrupted her to say “Just, just stand by right now. OK, ma’am?”

Finally, when Cindy said "Can I…can I give him can I…can I do CPR?” -
he says “OK, do you…are you doing CPR?”

Cynthia Sommer - “Can I?”

911 Dispatcher - “Do you know how?”

Cynthia Sommer - (grunting, labored breathing)

911 Dispatcher - “Are you doing CPR right now ma’am?”

Cynthia Sommer - “Yes!”

911 Dispatcher - “You are?”

Cynthia Sommer - “Yes.”

911 Dispatcher - “Do you know how?”

Cynthia Sommer - “Yes.”

911 Dispatcher - “OK.”


I think she was doing the best she could. She sure wasn't getting any help from the dispatcher.

[sanneke]

And I just wanted to reiterate: I didn't even know about the thong contest or any of the other non-grieving behavior of Cynthia Sommer's when I came to this trial.

It was NOT a hunch which convinced me that she is guilty. It was her own 911 call. When I listened to it I was absolutely certain SHE WAS NOT DOING CPR!!! It sounded fake, fake, fake. There is no innocent explanation for that.

She lied about it on the stand. She told the operator she knew how to do CPR and yet on the stand she said she didn't.

If she didn't and truly wanted to save her husband then she would have let the operator help her. Since she didn't and only said she did, clearly she was pretending to save him.

There was physical evidence --- from the ER doctor's testimony --- that Todd was well dead and that supports my belief that she was not doing CPR because she had waited to make sure he was dead and yet she had to pretend to do it to cover her guilty butt.

Add to that her guilty behavior: not grieving, rather celebrating, asking about money right away, telling Susan Beach she fine with his death within hours, dumping a computer not even paid for, lying about it, giving Todd's cell phone to her daughter and lying about it....on and on.

She's guilty, guilty, guilty.



I agree 100% with you, she's so guilty.

What really got to me was during that 911 call she said to Todd: "What am I going to do without you"

Who would ever say that, she did not even know if he was dead or not.

My husband had a hart attack a couple of years ago, and I had to call 911, never ever would it have entered my mind to say: E..... what am I going to do without you.
All I cared about was help coming..............

[moda]

I agree 100% with you, she's so guilty.

What really got to me was during that 911 call she said to Todd: "What am I going to do without you"

Who would ever say that, she did not even know if he was dead or not.

My husband had a hart attack a couple of years ago, and I had to call 911, never ever would it have entered my mind to say: E..... what am I going to do without you.
All I cared about was help coming..............

I'm sorry about your dh's heart attack. I hope he's doing well now.

Did he stop breathing? Was he unconscious? When you checked his pulse, were you unable to find it?

[Pia]

I have mentioned this before but when my husband was injured several years ago, all I knew was that he was unconscious and in route to the hospital...when my friend was taking me to the hospital I turned to her and I said, "What will I do without him?"…. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I didn’t have anything to do with his injury, I just didn’t know if he would be okay or not. He is my life; yes I was worried half to death.
How many times have we all heard people say things like, “I don’t know what I will do if I lose him/her”, while waiting in an ER with a friend whose spouse, parent, child is sick or injured? I have heard it and I have said it. It doesn’t strike me in the least bit odd.

[RayStar]

Pia thanks for your wonderful posts. You have truly done an excellent job in explaining your thoughts about Cyndi's innocence. For some it may take Todd to speak from the ashes. I also think the state did not prove it's case against Cyndi and truly hope she will be coming home to be re-united with her children real soon here in MI.
FREE CYNDI NOW!

[Pia]

Thanks RayStar. I just think if people would seriously take a hard look at those tests results, they would see things in a different light.

[RayStar]

Thanks RayStar. I just think if people would seriously take a hard look at those tests results, they would see things in a different light.

FREE FREE FREE YES YES:basic44::basic44:
Time for celebrating! Come home Cyndi. MI wants you back!

Thanks Pia

[SaberGal]

FREE FREE FREE YES YES:basic44::basic44:
Time for celebrating! Come home Cyndi. MI wants you back!

Thanks Pia

:s1gyahoo::hifive::grin:

Whatever she does, she should get out of CA ASAP, IMO. Prosecutors hate to have egg on their face and LG is covered head to toe right now. They will want to nail her for something so she should leave....tonight if possible. Not that she'd wanna stay anyway but I'm just sayin'.....

Man, I don't normally drink during the week but this news just calls for celebration!!! :zm10:

[kanzz]

:s1gyahoo::hifive::grin:

Whatever she does, she should get out of CA ASAP, IMO. Prosecutors hate to have egg on their face and LG is covered head to toe right now. They will want to nail her for something so she should leave....tonight if possible. Not that she'd wanna stay anyway but I'm just sayin'.....

Man, I don't normally drink during the week but this news just calls for celebration!!! :zm10:


LG sure isn't the only one with Egg All Over Her Face right now, huh?

I'm just soooo Happy Happy Happy !!!


:girl_haha:

[SaberGal]

LG sure isn't the only one with Egg All Over Her Face right now, huh?

I'm just soooo Happy Happy Happy !!!


:girl_haha:

Nope, LG certainly isn't the only one....:girl_haha:

I am Happy Happy Happy right along with you!

Does anyone know how long the Prosecution has had the test results and how long they waited to tell the Defense they had "found" the samples and were testing them? I would be very interested in knowing the answer to those questions....

[RayStar]

Hugs for the JUDGE. He paved the way to right a wrong!

[Pia]

Nope, LG certainly isn't the only one....:girl_haha:

I am Happy Happy Happy right along with you!

Does anyone know how long the Prosecution has had the test results and how long they waited to tell the Defense they had "found" the samples and were testing them? I would be very interested in knowing the answer to those questions....

Allen Bloom said they have known since either yesterday or this morning. He was angry that they waited so late in the day just so that there wouldn't be much media coverage...That okay. They'll be out there tomorrow.

Anyone want to take bets on LG taking an early weekend???

:D