More info on DE courthouse shooting

[redheadbaker]

Shooter was Thomas Matusiewicz, 68 years old. He was accompanying his adult son, David Matusiewicz, to a child support hearing. 

The victims were 39-year-old Christine Belford (David Matusiewicz's ex-wife) and 47-year-old Laura Mulford (Belford's neighbor, there for support). 

In August 2007, Belford granted permission for her ex-husband to take their three daughters on a 2-week trip to Disney. Instead, he fled the country with them to Nicaragua. They were missing for 19 months. Story here

Matusiewicz was sentenced to 48 months in prison. The shooter's wife was also charged in the abduction and sentenced to 18 months. 

The son (David) was released from federal prison in September of last year, and was at the Delaware courthouse for a child support hearing. 

www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/Shooting-Inside-Wilmington-Courthouse-190666741.html

[ttt]

That is so horrible. Those poor children 

[thejackpot]

WOW the whole family was nutso. And to loose your life supporting your neighbor is just unthinkable.

[Velar Fricative]

Holy shit. That is awful.

[ttt]

I truly hope those children don't end up back with their father

I also can't believe he got such a light sentence for what he did (and his mother too).

[ringstrue]

He must be from Bear.

[OscarQ]

Feb 12, 2013 13:09:54 GMT -5 ringstrue said:

He must be from Bear.

Ha!

No seriously though. I'm home on maternity leave and the sirens woke me up yesterday. Daughter of the slain woman is in the same class as my BFF's son. Their school was on lockdown yesterday (understandably). One of the cops shot is the BIL of a friend. It's so sad. Seems like the ex-H and his whole family were nutso. Those poor girls though. First being kidnapped, then having their mom killed.

And the cops here on on edge. There was another cop shot eight days before this shooting. IME cops getting shot leads to itchy trigger fingers. I really hope things quiet down soon.

[laurenpetro]

So the dad did it so his son could keep the kids? I hope they both go to jail.

[OscarQ]

No, the dad's parental rights were already terminated after he abducted them for 18 months to Central America. The crazy runs deep in this family.

[OscarQ]

FIL who did the shooting is dead. Only the dad and his mom are still alive (the two who abducted the girls). Dad is back in custody and I'm guessing he and his mom won't ever have contact with the kids again. The MIL apparently wrote a blog defending her decision to abduct the girls. I'm googling it once I out my boys in bed.

[ttt]

Feb 12, 2013 18:41:47 GMT -5 OscarQ said:

FIL who did the shooting is dead. Only the dad and his mom are still alive (the two who abducted the girls). Dad is back in custody and I'm guessing he and his mom won't ever have contact with the kids again. The MIL apparently wrote a blog defending her decision to abduct the girls. I'm googling it once I out my boys in bed.

It is as nutso as you would imagine.

[summer]

Those poor kids! How are they supposed to cope. They lost their mommy and have no one left.

I hope they are placed together wherever they go.