Debate with Pearl in The Christian Post
Back in March of 2012, Jan Heimlich debated Michael Pearl in a video which was featured in The Christian Post. Although, I did mention the debate at the time as well as Samuel Martin’s Rebuttal to one of his statements, I never gave my own rebuttal. I would like to respond to some of Mr.…
Read MoreGetting Rid Of Weeds
Dara Stoltzfus compares bad behavior in our children to Weeds in a Garden and comes up with some interesting allegories. This is a little off topic, but I just came across a news story about a family who noticed their very gentle dog acting aggressively towards the baby sitter. They left a device under the…
Read MoreA Survivor Speaks
M. Dolon Hickmon shares about the abuse he endured while growing up and how being spanked “The Right Way” almost destroyed him in this (*triggering*) letter he wrote to Michael Pearl. This post serves to introduce his Opus (a work of fiction) which apparently needs backers. However, it does seem like it could be of interest to…
Read MoreThe Williams Trial – Next Up: Sentencing
Maureen tells us that sentencing will be Oct 8. She got that information from the Skagit Valley Herald.
Read MoreConsidering Adoption Reform
Whatcom Mom had an interesting comment which I would like to highlight. I’m hoping the readers here will have some ideas about improving adoption home study practice, based on what we have learned from the deaths of Hana Williams and Lydia Schatz and injuries to their siblings. So you know where I’m coming from. I’m…
Read MoreReflections on the Williams Trial
As I reflect with sorrow and horror at the tragedy which was the Williams Trial, I find myself trying to make sense of what happened and why. What I see as the root problem is pride. The Bible says that God hates pride. We know that “pride goeth before a fall and a haughty spirit…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 29: The Verdict
Monday, September 9, 2013 the jury returned the verdict. Carri Williams was found guilty of homicide by abuse and first-degree assault of a child. Larry Williams was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault of a child. There was no verdict on homicide by abuse charge for Larry. The jury was unable to agree…
Read MoreThe Wartburg Watch Revisits The Pearls’ Teachings
The Wartburg Watch, takes another look at the Pearls’ teachings and The Senseless Death of Hana Williams. They link to all their previous posts and explain their problems with the teachings. Also, Maureen has a post about Hana’s Legacy.
Read MoreThe Williams Trial – Day 28: Jury Deliberation Issues
I totally did not expect any more drama in this trial until the verdict was reached but I was wrong. One of the jurors disclosed that his wife works for the Prosecutor’s office during Jury Selection and both attorneys were fine with it then and accepted him. Today, he was asked to be Presiding Juror…
Read MoreThe Williams Trial – Day 27: Closing Arguments End, Jury Deliberation Starts
Thursday, September 5, 2013, saw Carri Williams defense team giving closing arguments and the Prosecution’s rebuttal. Then the jury was sent out for deliberation and the No Contact Order for Larry, Carri and their 2 adult sons was lifted. According to a tweet by Gina Cole, Dependency court will decide on dissolution of or limits on no-contact…
Read MoreThe Williams Trial – Day 26: Closing Arguments Start
Today, Wednesday, Sept 4, 2013 the Prosecutor and Defense for Larry Williams gave their closing arguments. As always, anything to do with this trial has a serious *trigger warning* and the closing arguments are no exception. In fact, I can’t stress enough how disturbing this whole thing is. I am having a hard time figuring out…
Read MoreSome Looks At The Williams
Cindy Kunsman, from Under Much Grace, looks at the Williams Trial and compares the Williams family with the Schatz family in Awaiting the Verdicts in the Williams Trial: Another Michael Pearl/To Train Up A Child Associated Death. She also gives a brief outline of Pearl and his teachings and a lamentation for the devastation they…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 25: Testimony of Carri Williams (3rd Day)
Friday, August 30, 2013 was disturbing for me. *Those easily triggered should stop reading now*. Carri’s testimony was about Hana’s last night alive. Carri Williams actually said that she believes that Hana unintentionally killed herself. I know that I am not the only one who is disturbed by this. Here is the story in the…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 24: Testimony of Carri Williams (2nd Day)
Thursday August 30, 2013 saw yet another expert witness testifying that Hana had to be at around 15. This time it was a radiologist who analyzed xrays of Hana’s bones, according to this article from King 5. Then Carri Williams returned to the stand to be cross examined. She testified that Larry never ordered her to…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 23: Testimony of Carri Williams (1st Day)
On Wednesday, August 28, 2013, finished his testimony in which he said that his wife came up with many of the ideas for the children’s punishments and he did not remember about the rest. He also testified that they did not spank Immanuel until they thought that he could understand the rules. Then Larry stepped…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 22: Testimonies of Joshua and Larry Williams
Tuesday August 27, 2013 saw both Joshua and Larry Williams take the stand. Maureen covers both stories in great detail in 2 separate posts. Here is Maureen’s post about Joshua who is the Williams oldest child. He is 19 or 20 and is in the Army, serving in Korea. His testimony was focused on if…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 21: Cousin’s Testimony Stricken
In case anyone has noticed the change in my numbering, I thought I should explain. I started off numbering the first day of Jury Selection as Day 1 but since noticed that all the media was referring to the day of Opening Statements as Day 1. This causes confusion and I decided to change to…
Read MoreSteph Needs Input From Parents
Steph is a graduate student working on her Master’s thesis on the topic of corporal punishment. If you are a parent, please consider helping her by taking this survey. By taking this survey, I hereby give my consent to participate in the following research study conducted by Steph. I understand that my participation in this…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 20: Testimony of Williams Family Friend
Friday, August 23, 2013 the Defense started calling their witnesses. In the morning was testimony from a Forensic Anthropologist who estimated Hana’s age to be 15 but could be between 13-17 according to Gina Cole. In the afternoon were character witnesses. Interestingly, a family friend claimed that she made unannounced visits to the Williams home. Since…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 19: More Forensic Dentistry
Thursday, August 22, 2013 was devoted to trying to figure out Hana’s age. If the jury believes her to be 16, they cannot charge Larry and Carri Williams with Homocide by Abuse, a charge which only applies to children under the age of 16. Earlier the Prosecution called a Forensic Dentist who could not…
Read MoreWilliams -Trial Day 18: Testimony of Immanuel’s Foster Mother
Wed, August 21,2013 saw Immanuel’s foster mother on the stand. KiroTV has that story (not for the sensitive.) Interestingly, Defense brought up that Imanuel had been abusive towards the foster mother’s daughter. I guess they are trying to prove that he is just a bad child, but what they really proved is that he was…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 17: Carri’s Interview With The Sheriff
As usual the testimony for Tuesday, Aug 20, 2013 is not for the sensitive. The sheriff who interviewed Carri just hours after Hana’s death took the stand and played a recording of the interview. Carri was not emotional and the big headline of the day is that she blamed Hana for her own death. She…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 16: Last Day of Immanuel’s Testimony
Monday, August 19, 2013, was the last day of Immanuel William’s testimony. He did such a great job in a very difficult situation and those of us watching are very proud of him. The defense attorneys clarified with him that he sometimes had warm showers inside and did not take ALL his meals outside. Wow,…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 15: Testimony of Joseph Williams
Today, August 16, 2013, Joseph Williams (16) took the stand. He had a really hard time remembering things and got very emotional. Testifying against their parents is so very hard for these children. This is where I see a big difference between the Williams parents and the Schatz parents. The Schatz parents accepted a…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 14: Testimony of Jacob Williams
Early this morning the Skagit Valley Herald posted a new and very informative article about yesterday’s testimony which I added to yesterday’s post. Today, August 15, 2013, saw one of the 2 eldest sons of the Williams on the stand. Kiro TV has the story. Jacob Williams (18) might have given the most condemning testimony…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 13: A Juror Is Dismissed and Torture Expert
This morning (Wed Aug 14, 2013) the witness was Dr. Katherine Porterfield, a New York City-based doctor who works with torture and trauma victims. They sent the jury out after one hour as explained in this article in the Skagit Valley Herald. For more about today, please check out Gina Cole’s Twitter Feed. Edited to…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 12: Immanuel Testifies for the 5th Time
Today, Tuesday, Aug 13, 2013, Immanuel was back in court after a 3 day break. There was no court session on Monday, in case anyone was wondering. The defense attorneys continue to play hard ball with poor Immanuel, which is very upsetting. Here is the story on Kiro TV. Also, Maureen has a post about…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 11: Testimony from Hana’s Biological Cousin
Today I would like to reflect on why we are following this trial. It is because the Williams were Pearl Followers. Their 7 biological children were all raised by the Pearl method and Carri was very happy and confident in this method being the best for everyone. I know this from reading on the Remembrance…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 10: Immanuel Testifies for the 4th time (and more links)
The 2 eldest Williams boys will not face charges and will therefore be able to testify, according to an article in today’s Skagit Valley Herald. In another article, the Skagit Valley Herald reports that Immanuel testified today that Carri and the biological children seemed to be laughing at Hana as she stumbled around outside. This…
Read MoreWilliams Trial – Day 9: Testimony of Williams Son
The Skagit Valley Herald reports on the court session of Aug 7, 2013. It is pretty much more of the same. The only new info seems to be that Carri would play the audio Bible for Hana while she was locked in the closet in an effort to change her thinking. I don’t even know…
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