Member Since: February 13, 2007 Last Signed In: September 27, 2007 Profile Views: 4650 Blog Views: 86105 Brothers' attorneys face contempt hearing Judge: Brothers deserves to die Jury recommends Brothers should receive the death penalty VERDICT IN DEATH PENALTY No Verdict This Week Jury begins deliberations in Brothers penalty phase Defense attorney finishes closing argument Defense continues closing argument Defense attorney begins his closing argument Prosecutor finishes closing argument February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 
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Jury recommends Brothers should receive the death penalty
A jury decided Tuesday that Vincent Brothers should receive the death penalty for killing his three children, his wife and his mother in law.
The jury deliberated for 6 hours over three days. They deliberated for about 30 minutes this morning. The judge will have to confirm the sentence. Brothers was found guilty of the five murders on May 15. The judge will review the jury's recommendation on Sept. 27. 283 comments from 54 users
posted by
LadySandee
on May 30, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Very well put anon---------
posted by
jfrancais
on May 30, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Point well taken. That is a different perspective that I must admit I did not totally take into account. It's also true that the courts have made a decision and as citizens we must honor it. I have the impression that the family of the victims are not really in favor of this whole Death penalty thing, however.
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 12:12 PM
In Kern for a Black man Reasonable doubt = Kill the black b.......!
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 12:39 PM
jfrancais,
When you say the family of the victims are not really in favor of this whole death penalty thing, are you referring to Joanie's friend, Michele's comments yesterday on the news, or did you hear from Eddie Harper? I'm just asking out of curiosity, because I saw her (Michele's) comments stating that she was hoping for life without parole, etc., but so far, I haven't seen Eddie Harper speak against the death penalty sentencing unless I missed something, which could be the case. (This is Anon. from 12:02pm.) When I figure out a decent screen name, I'll make myself "official". Until then, it's "Anon. ____pm. or ___am." It's the best I can do at this point. posted by
countyork
on May 30, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Why is the NAACP taking the side of Brothers? One would expect the NAACP to share outrage that the lives of three innocent children have been snuffed out. Rather than condemning the system and rallying to support a child-killer they should be standing side by side with the Harper family. I guess it's more conducive to profits to paint Brothers as the victim of a racist prosecutor and jury when it's completely belied by the facts. A racist prosecutor does not work so passionately hard to secure justice for a murdered black family, and a racist jury doesn't sentence someone to death for killing black people. Those so quick to paint the Kern system as racist do damage to their cause when they somehow ignore that the victims were black. I'm not saying that anyone pro-Brothers condones the murders but in their quest to make a martyr of Brothers they have shown a complete and total disregard for the real victims in this case, the Harper family. The people blindly supporting Brothers and so casually dismissing the real pain of Eddie Harper and so forth by insisting that the guilty verdicts should be overturned, well, I find that incomprehensible.
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 12:44 PM
"Why is the NAACP taking the side of Brothers? " just to balance the case, or should the KKK have all the say. After all they had 12 reps on the jury.
posted by
jfrancais
on May 30, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Anon, I was saying that in response to the idea that the death penalty gives the family some type of vindication. I was also refering to the few snippets of Michelle Baptiste and the other friend. I didn't hear or read anything from Eddie Harper favoring (or not favoring) the death penalty. The impression I get is that they (Harpers) are grounded in their faith and are praying for Brothers to get his soul right and repent for his wrongdoings. posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Anon. 12:12pm.,
Are you the guy who was walking with Vincent Brothers' mother and family on the news yesterday? You know, the one shooting his mouth off and making a fool of himself? If not, are you related? Your comments rival the idiocies of his. Grow up and start making some sense.. please. Stop with all the, "this is Kern.. kill the black... " I grew up in Kern, dated a black person, had black friends and I'm not black. I'm what you'd consider to be the enemy, yet I don't have a problem with people of other colors. I see the beauty in diversity. Apparently, you don't. You're too blinded by your own bigotry. posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 12:52 PM
anonymous on May 30, 2007 at 12:47 PM, I am sorry if the truth hurts, but live with it!
Oh and thanks for sharing the personal history, it clear up the perspective....just an honest Bakersfield good ole boy!! posted by
countyork
on May 30, 2007 at 12:53 PM
If the jurors are racist, what does that make Eddie Harper for believing Brothers guilty? posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 12:55 PM
anon 12:12, Get over it the jury determined there was no reasonable doubt. That is why they convicted him. Now that he has been convicted thay are saying kill the killer. And Rie or Marie or whoever it really does not matter. I know you think you know this man. But I have to ask. How well did you really know him? Did you know about all his personal problems? Did you know about his past indiscretions? How familiar were you with his children? Did you know that his wife was afraid of him? The list goes on and on. I know it has been said here before but how well do any of us really know someone. We only know what they show us. No one wants to show the world their ugly side. Things happen that can trigger a person to do things that no one ever thought they would do. People snap every day and sometimes they do things that are totally out character and irrational. I also read your gang killing theory. I am certain that theory was considered and looked into during the initial investigation. This killing just does seem to be gang style. posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 12:57 PM
jfracais,
Yes, I, too, heard Michele (sp?) Baptiste speaking. I have also heard Eddie Harper and one of Joanie's sisters speaking out about hoping that Vincent would repent. I haven't heard anything else about the Harpers being against the death penalty for him, however. I'm sure they honestly do want him to come to repentance, as any true believer in Christ would. I think it's an amazing testimony to what the power of God can do in one's heart when it's totally surrendered to Him. Put in their shoes, I don't know that I'd be able to do it. It reminds me of the Amish community that reached out to the family of the man who shot several of the school children in their community that one terrible day in the school house. Remember that? Those Amish people, no matter what anyone might think of them, showed an amazing amount of grace toward that man's family and especially toward his wife after he'd committed such atrocities to their children. Grant it, she had NOTHING to do with her husband's crime, but it must've been exceedingly difficult for the families to face their children's killer's wife and look into her children's faces, knowing their father took the lives of their children and/or mamed them. To me, Eddie Harper and his family are doing the same thing to Vincent Brothers. It's a beautiful picture of the grace and mercy of God at work in people's lives. I only pray that Vincent takes a hold of the life preserver that the Harpers have tossed out to him. It truly is his last hope: Jesus. Anon. but not for long... posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 01:02 PM
I am over it, but you keep bringing up! Kern justice has been done, the judge has assured a conviction by doing his part and the Klan is celebrating, so what is the problem? You are satisfied, the Klan is satisfied, the D.A. keeps their record of never letting a Black man get justice, you should be elated, not complaining.
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 01:06 PM
Eddie Harper, what does it make him? Irrelevant, of course. At some point he might want to return to Bakersfield, he is just buying insurance, wouldn't you?
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 01:15 PM
Anon. 1:02pm.
We're only complaining about bigots like you, not the outcome of the trial. Do you need reading glasses? Or is it just the giant chip on your shoulder getting in the way of your view? Why don't you take a Valium and go have a nap?... We could all use a break from shoveling all the crap you're dishing out. posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Anon 1:02 I'm black and I'm celebrating that justice was done for the Harper family. I know you just say things to make people angry- that's your thing- probably gets you the only "ATTENTION" you're getting now that Brothers is locked away. (and I know you know what I mean). posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Anon. 1:31pm.,
AMEN and amen.. posted by
johnulman3
on May 30, 2007 at 01:43 PM
I believe Kern County has convicted another innocent man following a well established pattern that is recognized throughout the state. From the newspaper accounts, it appears that all the D.A. may have done is prove that is was possible for Mr. Brothers to be in Bakersfield on the day of the murders- this is a far cry from proving beyond a reasonable doubt that he committed the murders. Having driven from Ohio to California and back on a couple of occasions, I don't believe it is physically possible to make that round-trip drive in a little over 3 days and, oh yeah, fit a mass murder of your family in the middle of the trip. But even if you assume that it is, this doesn't prove Mr. Brothers committed the murders. What I believe happened is that the D.A., following its usual pattern, developed a theory and then found facts to attempt to prove it, rather than the other way around and to the exclusion of any other possibilities. There was simply no substantial evidence to prove that Mr. Brothers committed the crimes. Although he may have lied about things that happened in Ohio, the D.A.'s argument that an innocent man would not lie doesn't hold water. I would venture to say that most innocent men would lie if they felt they were going to be convicted of a crime they did not commit. What happened is that the jury required Mr. Brothers to prove his innocence and when they did not believe his alibi, they convicted him. The evidence to establish his guilt of the crime was simply not there. However, once they convicted him, the D.A.'s argument in support of the Death Penalty was very strong unless you consider a lingering doubt which most juries who have convicted a defendant are not willing to do and assuming you are willing to impose the death penalty. I predict that this conviction will someday be overturned assuming Mr. Brothers lives long enough but the real killer(s) will never be brought to justice. Happy everybody? posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 01:51 PM
Wow Johnulman, you are smart. I closely followed the entire trial, but your silly little post convinced me I was wrong. I bet if the 12 jurors who convicted him read your post, they will want to change their decision...
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 01:56 PM
johnulman3,
"Happy everybody?" Hardly. Take a look around you. There's more to this case than JUST "poor, innocent Vincent Brothers". Let's not forget Ernestine, Joanie, Lindsay, Marques and Marshall... I, for one, don't agree with your theory. However right or wrong you or I may be, the man's been convicted and we've been over that on this (and other) blog (s) for days now. Where've you been? Your venturing to say that "most innocent men would lie if they felt they were going to be convicted of a crime they did not commit" is simply theory and I'd venture to say a faulty one at that. But then again, I could be wrong. Call me crazy, but I think if one didn't do the crime, one shouldn't have to do the time and there wouldn't be a mountain of evidence, be it circumstantial or otherwise in opposition to one either-which was the case against Mr. Brothers. Like I said, we've been over this.. It's so old it's starting to stink. Let's move on. He's been convicted. We're discussing his sentencing now. All you well wishers hoping he'll miraculously be freed can keep hoping, but spare us the ridiculous theories, please. It's highly unlikely that the "real killers" are out there somewhere. It's more likely than not that the real killer is sitting in Lerdo right now trying to score some more paper clips or ink pens to wriggle his way out of his shackles to go meet up with his brother, Troy. Let's keep it real, shall we? posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Johnulman Let's see. If you are right and Brothers came back to california but did not murder his family- just what did he come to California for. Let's see he left his credit card in Ohio and told his brother to use it- maybe to set up an alibi. Come on- we've all gone through the facts of the case. There was an extra 5000 miles on the car and witnesses saw Brothers outside the Harper's home. Add that to the fact that he has no alibi and lied about an accident and what do you have. I guess you need a picture of Brothers standing over the dead bodies. Mr. Brothers can answer any lingring questions you have. posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 03:29 PM
I've been thinking about this bigot who keeps screetching about the "clan." I don't think this person is black at all. I think it's some horrible person who happens to have a different amount melanin in his skin--who just wants to make black people look stupid. posted by
Cubby1
on May 30, 2007 at 04:30 PM
I am so sick of hearing that Brothers was convicted because he was black and the Klan did it etc etc etc. I am not thinking of the fact that either the victims or the guilty were black. What I see is that a MAN was convicted of killing his family. Skin color has nothing to do with the killing. I see 3 children cheated out of their lives. I see a mother and grandmother cheated out of watching these children grow up an graduate school, get a job, get married and have children. I see a man that will spend what is left of his life going over and over the facts of why he did it and hopefully regretting it and asking the family for forgiveness and making peace with whoever he believes as his supreme being. Why can't all you people that are screaming racist BS think about these things instead of just repeating the same old bull over and over again and not even bothering to use different words. These people are all humans not poor blacks and racist klan whites. And yes I am glad he got the death penalty as a mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother I am afraid of what i would do to a person that killed my family and got away with it. And no I do not ask what Jesus thinks of me as I am not Christian. I am of one of the many many other religions that makes up this world. And by the way I will use my own name. Hi my name is Dee posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 04:45 PM
I agree, Brothers is not Black, he is faking it just to get convicted, he has a death wish. Yeah, race had nothing to do with the conviction, Judge Bush had an option on a conviction insurance and he exercised his option just like Kern has always done, he is a hero.
And not these are not all poor Blacks and Klan whites, just some of them are so why condemn them all? I am sick of hearing all those who say he did not get a fair trail, who are they God? He did get a fair trail or as fair as it gets for Blacks in Kern so stop whining. And by the way I will use my real name. Hi, my name is Saddam Hussein posted by
Cubby1
on May 30, 2007 at 05:13 PM
anon 4:45 you are so funny that the government is looking for you. ooops i made a mistake that is 3B not the government. posted by
OldBlue56
on May 30, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Anon @ 4:45, we know your real name. Why don't you use your RedKernHero name much anymore? You are getting senile old man.
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 05:33 PM
Anon. 4:45pm.,
I see the Valium's worn off..dang it! I was hoping it'd last longer. The village called... it wants its resident idiot back. (That'd be you.) 3B's on line 2.. And Saddam's been dead for a little while now, STUPID! Get a clue, really. posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 05:39 PM
Hey, go easy on Panfilio Fuentes. He is just a tired old Caltrans worker, who can't get his letters to the editor published anymore, because he is such a bigot, and just rambles.
posted by
OKIEDOKIESTROKIE
on May 30, 2007 at 06:39 PM
hello people he will die in prison of old age before he dies of the death penalty! black or white! whats color got to do with it?? WHEATHER YOUR BLACK , WHITE, MEXICAN, INDIAN, you do the crime you deserve the time wheather it be death or time. he deserves death! what he did was very brutal. imagine him killing his baby?? omg he deserves what he gets. and i believe he deserves death! and eye for an eye? right? color has nothing to do with it!!
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 08:18 PM
Brothers took 3 trips to Ohio; April 1003, July 2003 and September 2003. Heading: posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 09:20 a.m., Prosecutror has concerns about a witness, Madera Dowell's Mother, Fredericka. Madera Dowell said she witnessed a crash with Vincent Brothers in Ohio around the time of the killings The defense believes Adkins will be able to establish when the crash happened. The Prosecutor said she has never received discovery about the date of the crash and the date is in great dispute. The judge said Gardina cannot ask the mother what date the incident happened because it was turned over to the prosecutor late. Gardina said he wants the case dismissed because he believed the prosecutor has been able to find the ambulance the defense believes responded to the crash & has not turned it over. The Prosecutor said this is completely untrue. The boy who Brothers got into a crash with was never located or identified and no ambulance records corroborate this. There is no paper trail from this supposed accident, the prosecutor said.
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 08:37 PM
anon 8:18, Do you have a point?
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 09:03 PM
/" I'm black and I'm celebrating that justice was done for the Harper family" we are all Black here,in fact we whatever color we want to be.
If you be Black, let me gear you rap, or dance all Blacks do that right? That is what I hear about them in Bakersfield, and it helps if you Hoop. I don't get it, the guy is totally framed and gift wrapped, Kern mean justice has been served, the Judge has cashed in his go to throw out the Black got jail policy, and you are still complaining. You should be celebration and burning crosses in your best white, but instead you are wasting your time complaining that not all agree with you, geez, get a life. Of course this Brothers will get death by one hand or another, but the judge and jury have already put out the contract,and the only question is who will get awarded the contract. If there is any justice the contract will go to a skin head, maybe one of your relatives, but no matter mean justice has been done and another brother bites the dust courtesy of you outstanding Kern Kl...people, rejoice Christian God is on your side. Saddam Hussein is dead? cool! posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 09:31 PM
This guy Panfilo must be one hell of a man, his has received credit on four different blog posts this week, he must really have something to say and people willing to listen.
posted by
NancyII
on May 30, 2007 at 09:38 PM
Off the main topic but on the secondary topic which is... As clever as pan/red/neo thinks he is, I honestly believe at least half the anny posts are his. I also believe he posts, then refutes or insults his own posts just to stir the pot. Pay attention to the pattern. The man is nuttier than a fruitcake. posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 09:43 PM
Thank you lady Nancy, I assume you found your shopping cart! Alls well that ends well. But don't you think you give your admirer too much credit?
posted by
NancyII
on May 30, 2007 at 09:47 PM
Again..you make no sense. But I'm sorta getting used to it.
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 09:59 PM
One has to be overwhelmed with your kindness, and your confused mind, But I forgive you for being Reaganesque.
posted by
OldBlue56
on May 30, 2007 at 10:03 PM
Anon at 9:03.... That is classic Panfoolio.
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 10:10 PM
You should print it and sell it on Ebay along with your soul......wait...you sold that already.
posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 10:29 PM
Anon. 9:03pm.,
Stop smokin', Man.... I think your brain's on fire! (And don't try to make up some crap about the "Klan" on this one. If you're burning, it's your own fault for tokin' it up!) Take another Valium and don't call us in the morning, please. Seriously, what school did you go to? I don't think a single word of yours made any kind of sense. What happened to good ol' punctuation put in its proper place? One more thing, we're not complaining about the verdict or the decision regarding the death penalty, but about idiots like you who keep trying to bring up racial "arguments" that don't even make sense. Get the clue, Blue! posted by
anonymous
on May 30, 2007 at 10:59 PM
I'm out man, but if I can get some of your Oxycontin, it is cool, you can get more from your connection Rush. Oh and I went to the same school you did, remember, you left is the sixth grade to escape the draft.
And No you are not complaining, you are whining,there is difference, well maybe not in Bakersfield. You know I should listen to genius know it all's like you I suppose. You say there was no racial component to this trail ans I suspect that as you guys must have trouble seeing the facts through those little hole in your hoods. Ah but the light from those crosses probably helps. Blue? Is that the color of your heroes uniform? That is cool, So be cool fool. posted by
wordpeeps
on May 31, 2007 at 01:16 AM
anon 10:59 If being crazy was crime, you'd be on death row. posted by
anonymous
on May 31, 2007 at 08:03 AM
Anon. 10:59pm.,
"Rev." Crawford, is that you? No, wait... Jesse? Oh, yeah, I forgot. You're Vince and I'm Lisa. Now I remember. You're such an idiot. When you get a realistic opinion on things, do let us know. Until then, keep your "Klan" and "hood" crap to yourself. I didn't see anyone with hoods on in the courtroom (or anywhere else for that matter) and so far no burning crosses; just 5 dead, beautiful, black people at the hands of Vincent Brothers, who happens to be a black man. Let's keep it real. posted by
countyork
on May 31, 2007 at 08:28 AM
Amazing insight anon about Eddie Harper. Harper believes Brothers is innocent but rather than scream and shout about wanting real justice for his family he chooses to go along with the masses because he wants to return to Bakersfield. Absolute rubbish. Eddie Harper is clearly an educated man with deep religious beliefs who also happens to be a black man who like other people believes justice was served. That sir negates your belief that only whities believe Brothers is guilty.
posted by
anonymous
on May 31, 2007 at 10:36 AM
No, I am Lisa Greener in drag. Does it bother that those holes on your hood are too small, do they color your vision? Smart people these jurors, hide your hoods in your bag, they cant be detected by medal detectors, No burning crosses, I guess the party in your back yard was private, hmmmmm. You are such a genius, I would never call you and idiot, I never overrate the opposition. See how easy focus is lost on the actions of the judge jury, prosecutor and the judge, but I guess name calling makes you feel superior and justifies your prejudices, I fully understand, Bunky
"That sir negates your belief that only whities believe Brothers is guilty. " none dare call that denial, Oh well. Dream on McDuff Like the Judge, Eddie values insurance, and some day he may want to exercises his option, coming back to Bakersfield, you can never be too careful. I sure don't blame him do you? posted by
anonymous
on May 31, 2007 at 10:42 AM
Would someone PLEASE interpret what Anon at 10:36 just tried to say?
posted by
steveeswenson
on May 31, 2007 at 11:01 AM
johnulman3,You are indeed a passionate advocate for the defense bar and I respect you for that. But you know as well as I do that guilt or innocence is based on the entire record in a trial. And in this trial Brothers helped seal his own fate not only by his lies, but by not acting as any other person in the world. When you visit your relatives in Ohio and you go to Chicago or Indianna, you mention that to them. Just like you would mention that "I'm going to the store or out to play golf." He didn't tell anyone in his family where he was going except Troy, who, of course, skipped on his subpoena. That kind of common sense evidence can be considered along with the ability to make the 4,600-mile round trip in the time alloted. It can be done at 65 mph. I personally have made such a trip at that speed and I didn't have the adrenalin boost of killing my family to help keep me going. The bug evidence and the people who saw him in Bakersfield at the time of the murders adds to the compelling evidence. He couldn't prove he was anywhere else. He's checking out a school in Illinois but doesn't talk to anyone. That just doesn't make sense. And I'm thinking the jury deduced from his sex life that he was a little wrapped up in himself. It's all about Vincent, and it makes such an unconscionable crime plausible. I have faith that jurors conscientiously weighed the evidence in this case. I believe it is insulting to 12 citizens to accuse them of finding an innocent man guilty. They all seemed like responsible citizens who tried to do their job to the best they could. Beyond a reasonable doubt is a difficult standard. It was certainly met in this case. P.S. If my family was killed, the first call I would make is to the Bakersfield Police Department. He never made that call. posted by
anonymous
on May 31, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Anon. 10:42am.,
I wish I could, but I don't speak jacka**. Perhaps we could contact the "Rev." Crawford and he could do the job for us. (Unless it IS the "Rev." making these posts.) posted by
anonymous
on May 31, 2007 at 03:41 PM
I understand your anger Lisa, but calling names and makinkg false accusation are for the court room.And you don't give yourself enough credit , you are very fluent in Jacka**, is that your native language? English only please!
Ed posted by
anonymous
on May 31, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Okay, even though I'm recently retired, I'm gonna see if I can get a part time job at the Californian. I won't ask for any pay, just the privilege of being the "blog police", so I can delete the stupid comments, like anon at 3:41. Whata you say Steve, can you hook me up?
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