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June 24, 2009 This morning the Whites were on the Rick Roberts Show at 7am. The link isnt up yet, but I will post it as soon as it is available. Frank and Jacquellyn were very eloquent in expressing their feelings about the incident and how it has changed their lives. After the broadcast, Frank expressed remorse that he "forgot" to thank more supporters on air. This brings up one of the subjects of today's post: The Media. It is unfortunate that when the verdict was read and court was dismissed, we couldnt take the time to thank everyone who had stood by us in the courtroom and in the hallway outside. After 15 1/2 months of slanderous reporting, Frank has a pretty healthy distrust of the media, and didnt want to give a public statement. Big surprise! The media frenzy started immediately, with another, bigger, gauntlet of cameras in the hall. When we got in the elevator, they kept pushing the buttons so the doors wouldn't close. When we finally got downstairs, a camerman started running backwards in front of the Whites and clocked himself on a lamppost at pretty good speed. Instant karma, huh? I hung back in the throng to make sure that a friend got safely to her car without being harrassed. One of the alternate jurors had parked next to her, and stopped me on my way by. He had tears rolling down his face and told me that he had prayed for justice everyday and every night and expressed remorse that he didn't get to be a part of deliberations. I hugged him and thanked him. Because of the media, my sister and her husband didn't get a chance to thank this man personally. Back on the homefront, the news trucks started rolling up, one at a time. Not being a local, but having watched enough of the news lately, I am pretty good at spotting those reporters who were present at our press conference last August, and those who had been in the courtroom. We turned each one away with a polite, "No comment." It began to be humerous when the reporters all called me Jacquellyn. "Oh, I'm sorry, you look just like your sister." Hilarious. She's tall-I'm not. She's thin-I'm not. She was the one hugging Frank-not me....what a joke. One reporter, who shall remain nameless because I don't feel the need to waste my time looking up her station affiliation, tried to play the emotion card with me. After hearing "No comment", she mustered up all the phony concern she could and said, "Can I just say one thing? I mean, he was just declared innocent. You guys should be shouting it from the rooftops." She lowered her eyelids and heaved a big sigh, like I don't know that she practices that artificial empathetic body language in the mirror everyday. I wanted to tell her, "we'll leave it to you to shout it from the rooftops in your twisted and deceitful way. Just like you've been reporting this story for the past year and a half!" But I didn't, I just shut the door. Later an older gentleman came to the door, again calling me Jacquellyn. When I refused to give him a statement, he handed over his card, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Sorry." I waited for the rest of his apology, staring him down like only a mother can. All I heard was "Sorry for everything." Then he scurried away. Like a cockroach when the lights come on. That said, I would like to express our thanks to everyone. So many people came to court everyday. Some we knew, many we didn't. There is no way for me to mention you all, but I'll try. To Kim's Mission Cleaners, Oceanside, a HUGE thanks to Mom, Dad, and Sean for taking such good care of us this past year and a half. Our family could not have looked so good in court without you guys. We love you! To Laurie, Rozell, Mary Elizabeth and Rita, we couldn't have made it through those final days without your hugs and words of encouragement. You ladies are fabulous! To Jeanne-what a silent, strong woman you are! It was comforting to us that you were right behind us every, single day, I only wish I could have called you when the verdict came in so you could have shared the joy. To Theresa, we love the beautiful bracelets you made for us girls; we will treasure them always! Many thanks go out to Gordon, Kari, Mike W., Mike S., Darbie, Loren B, Brian M., Jade, Dave C., Dave P., Bob G., Pat P., Mickey W., Pete P., Steve S., Patti P., Tina, and Andy. Thank you all for taking the time to support us, coming in on your days off and updating those who couldn't attend. To the dudes in the back row (you know who you are) once I figured out you were cops, I felt much better  thank you for the show of support! A big thank you to Gary for taking up the last minute security detail! To all Sheriff's Deputies, Carlsbad Police Department, and San Diego Police Department personnel - thank you, thank you, thank you!! To the San Diego Police Officer's Association, without your support this trial would have bankrupted our entire family. Thank You. To the Oceanside Police Department, for all your hard work and scrupulous attention to detail regarding this investigation, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Special thanks to Dan Vega for shutting down the Prosecution's case! Game Ovah! To Chuck, you were always thinking on your feet! I know you had some good saves. BTW, your filing skills were quite impressive as well. Thank you! To Brad, thank you for your hard work outside of the courtroom, wish I could have thanked you in person. To Retired Officer Dan, my local hero, thank you so much for coming! I know how difficult it is for you to travel-you don't know what your presence meant to our family! To Miss T, our lucky charm, thank you for sitting on the hard bench with me! For your first and hopefully last courtroom experience, you were awesome! And you look SMOKIN HOT in the newspapers and on TV! To the DOC (aka Wonder Woman), you are the glue that held us together through the worst crisis our family has ever faced. The drug store runs, the lunches you made, the countless cough drops! You thought of EVERYTHING! You and your amazing bag of tricks! My family owes you a huge debt. Because of you, I have a new appreciation for law enforcement. (you know what I mean). Thank you! If I left anyone out, I apologize, I may not remember your name, but your faces are etched in our minds forever! And finally, to Rick Pinckard. YOU DA MAN! Nuff said. --Shanon Buckingham |
), this was the best Monday ever! I have posted some links below that our supporters will find interesting. Remember to keep checking back. Thanks! 