DISQUS

john · 3 years ago

Oh John, Now that this case is almost over what will you and Sonya DeWitt do to keep busy?
Mia will answer to leaving the crash site, that is all she is charged with, not causing the crash.something that would be hard to face just turning 19yrs old.From hearing what Ms DeWitt had to say on tv last night, it sounds like she wants the sentince to be 100 yrs. who is this woman? She has lost a grip on reality.The law is the law.Ms. Gribble has receved sick threating letters and had there house spray painted "Mia is a murder" on the garage doors. These are sick people. You mentioned that you have a daughter about Mia's age, put your self that situation. I'm sure you would have a different view. Thanks

A Reader · 3 years ago

Tolerance, understanding, prayer and support for the families, friends and those involved. The system will take care of the rest and the public ought to focus on the above - not their painting skills. Vengence in the memory of a friend will not serve any purpose. People need to let go of their anger, help with the healing and work to help the next kid from making the same mistake. This would be a far better legacy for the victim than the hate and venom you describe.

What would we have lost if John Walsh had focused his attention on Adam's attacker instead of making something good come from such a terrible situation?

I challenge the cyclists and friends of the victim to take a more constructive path - make something good come from this rather than focusing on the sentence to be imposed on Ms. Gribble. Make a difference in her name - create something positive for her memory. Help educate - make a difference.

Family member · 3 years ago

I have to agree with the comment made by the reader above. Vengeance in the memory of a friend will not serve any purpose. When my family was in the courtroom on behalf of Mia, Ms. DeWitt made it apparent that she was angry by turning her head around and giving everyone of my family members a dirty look and did it more then once. I am sorry that she has lost a loved one and the she is in pain. But her anger towards our family and Mia is not going to bring Ms.Muelher-Roosevelt back. I heard Ms. DeWitt make the comment on the news that Mia has showed no remorse. I feel that was unfair for her to make that comment especially because she is not around Mia day in and day out to make that judgment. It was a tragic accident and Mia will have to live the rest of her life knowing she left the scene of the accident.
I too challenge the cyclists and friends of the victim to take a more constructive path -make something good come from this. From reading what friends said about Ms. Muelher-Roosevelt, my guess is she would like to see a constructive path from her family and loved ones. I pray for everyone affected by this.

Dianne · 3 years ago

I believe that by simply saying, "Poor Mia! She will have to live with this for the rest of her life." is ridiculous. Most of the comments I read are so unevenly sympathetic towards Mia, that I have to ask myself why. Is it that she's a teenager, and we're protective of our children? Is it because she's a female??? I put this to you: If a 40 year old man ran from the scene of a fatality and hid in his house from the police for three hours AND tests showed traces of drugs in his system, he'd be jailed for sure. This isn't about vengeance, so-called dirty looks from Ms. DeWitt, or helping make "something constructive" come from this tragedy. Its about equal justice in the eyes of the law.

Jim · 3 years ago

John Walsh did indeed focus his attentions to good use. Finding attackers and seeing that they are put into the criminal justice system. This included those who commit crimes like those that took his sons life.
He has little forgiveness or sympathy for those who are caught and convicted. No less should be given to Mia. But, now that our courts have taken the issue, our focus should be redirected at others like Mia.
A good constructive direction would be to work towards harsher sentences toward those who leave the scene of an accident where the other party is injured; regardless of their riding a motorcycle, being a pedestrian, or driving a car. Leaving a person to die, is wrong in any measurement.
Those who are friends, and those sympathetic of her, should agree. No more excuses.
My question is whether she pled guilty to avoid a much harsher punishment, or because it was the right thing to do? Only she knows.

Jeff Siwek · 3 years ago

Boy oh boy. What sort of place do I live in? After reading some of the comments regarding tis case and the fact that this girl is only being charged with the hit and run and not causing the accident.
I just can't even come to understand how the people in this state and county think. Do they not know that by failing to charge this girl in the causing of the accident, the County prosecutor's office is saying that she didn't cause the end of someone's life? I may sound crude and nasty but but I have to think that the general public here is about as stupid as a group of people can get. Where is the "understanding" for the family of the deceased? How could anyone be ok with a simple slap on the wrist, when you take a persons life. This is not the only case of this nature here in Snohomish county. The county prosecutor and her staff are a poor excuse for county officers. Janice Ellis and her joke of a staff, including the self proclaimed guru of the law, Paul Stern. Need a reality check. and actuall;y follow the damn law as it is written.They will not ever take on any case that would require their office to actually work.
And for the public to be so accepting of a death and pity the "poor person" responsible is just sickening. My family and I will soon be gone from this land of ignorant morons and thankfully so. You , the people, of snohomish county get what you deserve. Poor public officials and the treatment you get at their hands. Treatment that would shame even a damn terrorist. There is absolutely no one to blame for this pitiful excuse for a county except yourselves. I prey for the deceased and her family. I additionally prey for those that have suffered at the hands of this system. To the rest of you.............. J. Siwek

John · 3 years ago

Boy oh boy is right. But you are wrong.If the prosecutors office thought they could get a slam dunk on other charges they would of went forward. But the facts are this was a bad accident. Not someone taking a life. I feel sorry for you people that have so much HATE in soul.

Elizabeth · 3 years ago

John, I have to respond to your claim that this is about hate. It's not. It's about love. Love and loss, for a good friend who will be missed by many. It's about frustration, and a strong need to follow through for our friend. I am the mother of young adults, not much older than Mia, and when I first heard about this, I assumed she was out and about for positive reasons, much like my kids, who were active, busy, and responsible at her age. But as I learned about Mia's subsequent behavior, and read her blogs over the next several months(she had another party 12 days after the accident - her parents were AGAIN absent) I despaired about her character, and her ability to really process what she had done. We as parents are responsible to give our young moral guidance as well as to clothe and feed them. It appears to me that Mia has been given much in terms of material goods, including the best attorney money can buy, but very little in the realm of right and wrong. I would dearly, dearly love to be wrong about this. I want nothing more to know than that she does have remorse. From the family member who talked about the courtroom scene, as a friend of Gabi's who was there, every time I turned around I was met with glares from Mia's family and friends. Hey folks - why are you glaring at us? Why are you showing us such hatred? We lost a good friend - forever. Why not turn towards yourselves and really look at the patterns here? The young people in your life need to really, really talk honestly about what led up to this accident. For me, the best thing would be to know that Mia makes a conscious decision to become someone who gives to humanity. She took the life of someone who gave tremendously to humanity. She can start by going to high schools and middle schools and telling her story. She can admit her drug and alcohol use, and its role in this "accident". I don't believe prison provides a moral conscience. I do believe, that until she faces up to what she did and the pattern of behavior behind it, she does continue to be a danger to society. And I believe she presents a very, very bad role model to other teens. In my life I strive to see the good in all people. It would help if her family and friends showed some compassion to those of us who lost someone we loved. Don't glare at us in the courtroom. I really hope Mia makes a statement that takes responsibility. That would help us move on with our grieving process and lay this situation to rest. You know, when all is said and done, Gabi would have been the one we'd turn to for help in moving through a grief process. That was her shining gift. That is the light that has gone out, for me and for so many others whose lives she touched deeply.

Sonya DeWitt · 3 years ago

Well, clearly the representations of some of the comments made by people listed above indicate a clear void of knowledge as to the facts in this case. The police report is over 200 pages long and shows a clear case of Mia being under the influence of not one, but two chemicals that affected her ability to drive with responsiblity. My voice of frustration that the TV sound bite of a mere 10 seconds was with how someone who forges a check will serve more time than someone who knowingly consumes mind altering chemicals, drives and then kills someone and runs from the scene avoiding giving aid or taking responsibility for ending their life which in this case was a very productive, responsible person who served many communities as a compassionate counselor to grieving parents and to victims of domestic violence.

Notwithstanding her passion for the sport of motorcycling. The NW motorcyclists have lost an advocate for both motorcycles and women who are now leaning towards experiencing the freedom that comes from that sport.

I am not interested in Mia serving 100 years in prison. That type of exaggeration is part of my frustration with many of the people who continue to support Mia. In fact, how can you support her behavior? It is unconscionable. She had prior speeding tickets and showed a clear pattern of irresponsibility while driving.

My focus has always been to clarify what the facts of the case were, what the loss of Gabriella was to many communities and how we as a society are not holding our children or adults more responsible for their actions.

Any misconstruction of my behavior is clearly a projection of someone elses personal emotions and beliefs. My intent and actions have been with a clear mind and heart without vengence or hatred. Those states of mind belong in others not me. I am grieving the loss of an amazing woman who gave enormous energy to those who were in need as well as someone who was a close friend.

The statements made by #4, #5 and #6 above more clearly express my intent and focus. All other statements and behaviors including the hate mail, the house paint or any other acts that are attributed to me or any of the close friends of Gabrielle are completely false. None of Gabriella's friends would stoop that low to my knowledge. Most of us are professionals with careers that would ever engage in hate mail nor in destruction of property. That is very juvenile behavior and Gabriella's social group are mature individuals with children and responsiblities. Frankly, we work too long and hard to do such stupid things. Those acts are petty and are not the focus of our concerns. So to project that WE are engaged in that is simply ridiculous and indicative of a presumptive projection without facts.

The facts are Mia shouldn't have driven as she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. She killed someone by knowingly doing so and attempted to avoid responsiblity for that choice. When she choose to drive she committed a crime. When she fled the scene despite seeing my friend's body splayed out in the middle of the road and her motorcycle exploded across four lanes of traffic she also committed a crime. Do not insult us all by stating it was an "ACCIDENT". There were two aspects of the three that were CRIMES not an accident. We are believing that Mia did not drive with the intent to harm. The accident itself was unintentional. The outcome however horrific.

Mia is going to be sentenced to 41 months in prison and will only do 20 months with good behavior. That is offensive considering the loss she created. That is what I'm frustrated about. The laws are weak in this area and do not serve to instruct or rehabilitate. My worry is that Mia will go to prison feeling victimized, come out feeling angry and not having learned a thing. Return home, have another party, get drunk, do drugs and drive another friend home putting yet more of us at risk on the road yet again. THAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE. I do not perceive this as hate. I perceive this as a lost opportunity to teach someone who has not had appropriate parenting and guidance to take responsibility for one's choices and actions.

Finally, and most irritatingly is how her family and friends continue to protect her,accuse me and Gabriella's friends of hate and harassment, mislead the public by making statements that "Mia was going to return to the scene of the accident" and continue to obfuscate the truth.

Since Mia was hiding in her house despite being surrounded by law enforcement and a K-9 unit for three hours, when was she specifically planning to return to the scene of the accident? Her family and friends would do well to focus on how they can show responsiblity, accountability and sensitivity to Gabriella's friends and family who now have to live our lives without her laughter, knowledge, inspiration, passion and caring. THAT is the loss, not in the mere 20 months that Mia will do if she stays out of trouble in prison.

In case people are not clear in what I am saying. I do not hate Mia nor her family or friends. I feel that they are terribly misguided and are not taking advantage of a learning opportunity to teach this irresponsible adult how to grow up and make better choices. Mia would do well to go to the Peace Corps and serve in places where there is true suffering and get the attention off of her own life and circumstances. Perhaps then she will develop some empathy and remorse instead of complaining on her blogs about how bored she is and that she learned to break dance only two weeks after she killed a vital member of several communities.

I concur that after the sentencing, my focus will be on increasing the sentences for people who knowingling engage in reckless behavior that results in the death of an innocent person and a great soul who tried to make this world a better place.

Sincerely,
Sonya DeWitt

John · 3 years ago

I know Ms Gribble and her family. comments 8 and 9 have things that are wrong and made up. 1)The Gribble family have known the attorney who is representing her for over 24 years. 2)Mia did not have a "party 12 days after the accident. 3)Mia's parents have not"been absent" they have not left town. 4)from knowing Mia, I know you hacked the wrong blog.My daughter is friends with Mia ,and has been for years. Im not sure what remorse you need to see.I know that from day one she has been very remorsful. How can anybody say that she showes no remorse, are they around her 24/7, no. All people don't show it in the same way, but its there. Also I know that the family and friends have no hate for the friends of Ms Muelher. Court situations are very stressful for all involved.I have talked to Mia's family and that is not how they feel towards all of Ms muelher's friends and loved ones.However the negitive comments made about what kind of a person Mia is ,are all so far from the truth. She is just 19yrs old,she has never been in any type of trouble. Other than a few speeding tickets, which alot of teens receve. She should be going to collage not jail. But she has learned how fast things can go wrong. And one more time witness statements stated that they were going the speed limit and Ms Muelher passed them blocks before the accident.Not to say that she was in the wrong, but it was and still is a sad accident.

Ray · 2 years ago

The last comment needs to be re examined.
"Mia has never been in any type of trouble"? Are you serious? Believe me, you are FOOLING YOURSELF if you think this "accident" was the first time she has drank and used ectasy. It just happens to be the only time she was forced to be held accountable for that useage...because she killed someone.

I too am a parent who personally knows Mia. She has her good qualities. But the facts are clear - she was an underage drinker, using ectasy, responsible for killing the motorcyclist and choosing to run and not call for help. Please stop making excuses for her.

Perhaps if those in her influence circle would have held her accountable earlier she would have made a better decision.

It's terribly sad that she is 19 and going to jail. It's definately not the path she should have chosen, but she did choose this path.

"John" and the rest of Mia's supporters - do what is best for the rest of Mia's life... stop defending and supporting her poor decisions.

close family friend · 2 years ago

Woa, you guys need to move on. It is clearly obvious that things will never be what they once were for either side, but there is nothing anyone can do to change the unfortunate events of that sad morning. I pray that Gabrielle's family will somehow overcome their horrible loss and that Mia finds herself and realizes the magnitude of her choices over the next couple year(s) ahead. I'm so sorry for the pain in the families and friends and wish you all the very best, as well as to stop griping and stop the negativity which we all know only brings out the worst in us. God Bless

Perry · 2 years ago

I don´t think Gabrielle would wan´t to read all this if she could.

Why don´t you do something constructive. Gaby can´t come back. She will always be with us in our hearts and memories.

Mia has to live with what she did for the rest of her life. She is still very young and thats a long time.

She can use some of her energy to help these kind of situations not happening anymore. Maybe she can write a book and dedicate the proceedings to a charity.

Gabrielle would have liked that.

A Friend of Mia · 2 years ago

Not a day goes by that I don't think of Gabriella's family and friends. Everytime I see a friendly group of bikers I wonder if their friends of Gabriella's? Your friend was an amazing human that did so much for many people. I now that there is nothing that I can say that will give you any comfort, but I want to say that I know that my friend has remorse for her actions. Sometimes people need time to absorb all of what they have endured to fully understand that magnitude. I just want her family and friends to know that she is coming to terms with what has happened, and though this process isn't at the rate of speed that you may have needed or appreciated; I believe that this young person will make a difference and grow from this and utilize this experience to make a difference in a positive manner that your friend Gabriella would appreciate and respect. You're all in my prayers, and hopefully you are all doing better day by day. I am not interested in dishing rights and wrongs, my ONLY reason for writing this is because I want her family and friends to know that Gabriella is remembered daily and my friend will make a difference in honor of her memory, in time...God Bless.