Dec 1, 2008 | 9:43 PM
Category:
Sports
As many of you have probably heard, the New England Patriots are going to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium on October 25, 2009. This will be the 3rd NFL game to be played in London. The first two were huge successes, with the Dolphins/Giants in '07 & Saints/Chargers this year, selling out the 90,000+ stadium.
OK, enough stats and facts. As a Patriots fan I am ECSTATIC that they're going to London. Seriously. I absolutely adore London, and there is no greater team in Boston (in *my* opinion) than the Patriots, so this will bring 2 things that I love together. Now, I understand that for season ticket holders, this means you'll lose a "home" game next year. However, according to NFLUK.com, our Patriots are the most popular NFL team among registered users, so maybe all won't be lost. =)
For any of you interested in finding out how to go to the game, or to just read about the NFL UK, here's the link:
NFLUK.COMWhat do you guys think? Are you as excited as I am about this? Or do you think it's a big waste?
Jun 26, 2008 | 10:56 PM
Category:
News
Neil Entwistle's trial ended with emotional impact statements and a harsh sentence handed down for the murders of Rachel & baby Lillian. I sat in the courtroom for the last time today as Rachel's family spoke in front of the judge & the man they thought they knew.
Before the proceedings started, the room was pretty relaxed. People were talking & laughing. The Entwistles walked in first. The room got really quiet. I don't know about anyone else there, but my gaze immediately went to Yvonne. She had her down slightly. I have to admit I felt bad for the woman. Even after her statements yesterday. They filed into the bench in front of me & sat down. Stephanie Page walked over and talked with them. When Clifford left for a few moments, she sat next to Yvonne & seemed to be trying to reassure her. To me, she seems to be a source of comfort for the family. I noticed it on Monday too. She would always pat Neil's back reassuringly throughout the day.
Rachel's family walked in a few minutes later. Some were carrying white roses. One had an orange lily. If that doesn't put a tear in your eye, I don't know what will. Priscilla & Joe spoke first. I don't know how they were able to get through their statements without breaking down. They are such a picture of strength & grace, it's inspiring. Rachel's brother spoke next. He went up with several cousins & other family members surrounding him. He talked about being Rachel's big brother & worrying about her as a child when she wasn't on the school bus one day. Then he make a little joke about discovering the other side of being the big brother as they got older, which she wasn't a fan of. I have a little brother, so I know all about the joys of being the older sibling. His speech really stuck with me when he talked about his little sister and how his other nieces and nephews will never know their aunt, and their cousin Lillian. He, too, was a picture of strength & grace.
During all their statements, Neil would glance back at his mom. I was sitting behind her, so every time he looked at her it felt like I was caught in the middle of that gaze. Not a comforting feeling.
Then the judge asked the defense if their client wished to speak. No. More silence from Neil. So the only verbal statements we'll ever hear from him, are stammering phone recordings with a Massachusetts State Trooper. I wanted to hear him say something, anything. But no.
He was sentenced & immediately escorted out by court officers. He looked back at his family one last time & was gone. His mom sobbed. His brother helped hold her up, along with his dad. So much pain, for something that I still can't wrap my head around. I hope both families are able to find some sense of peace now.
This quiet, seemingly unassuming British man who came from a good family is spending the rest of his life in a tiny jail cell, because for some reason he took a gun & killed his "Orange Rose" & "Lilly." This person who would pause to push in Stephanie Page's chair every time she sat down, is going to prison because for some reason he took a gun & killed his "Orange Rose" & "Lilly." This man, who is described by friends as a good person, fun person, is going to prison because for some reason he took a gun & killed his "Orange Rose" & "Lilly."
For some reason ...
Jun 25, 2008 | 8:02 PM
Category:
News
Guilty as charged. I can't say I was surprised to hear the jury ultimately decided Neil Entwistle was guilty of 1st degree murder for the deaths of Rachel & baby Lillian. I really wasn't all that surprised at his reaction either -- closing his eyes, mouthing something, and shaking his head. His family sat stoically behind him. My immediate thoughts went to Rachel's family & friends. They've suffered so much through this whole ordeal. But my heart also went out to Neil's parents, Clifford & Yvonne, & his brother, Russell. I've often wondered what his brother has been thinking this entire time. Not an easy day for either side.
Then the Entwistle family made their statement outside the courthouse. At first blush, it sounded like any parent defending their child. And then it happened. Yvonne Entwistle blamed Rachel. She said, "We know that our son Neil is innocent and we are devastated to learn that the evidence points to Rachel murdering our grandchild and then committing suicide......I knew Rachel was depressed."
I gasped. My jaw dropped. I don't think I could breathe for a few seconds. I could NOT believe she said that. I'm not a parent, so I don't know what the proper etiquette is for moms & dads who've just watched their child get convicted for a double homicide. But, Yvonne, you knew Rachel was depressed? Then why didn't you say something 2 years ago. I could feel her anger coming through the TV. It made me uncomfortable. It also made me feel even worse for Rachel's family. Those words alienated a family that's been grieving for years.
The Entwistles are hurting. That's very obvious. But so are the Matterazzos. Both families lost a grandchild. One family lost a daughter, the other a son.
Nobody truly knows what happened inside that Hopkinton house in January 2006. Nobody that is, except for Neil & Rachel. And Rachel isn't here to tell anyone that she was depressed. Or that she wasn't depressed. Only Neil knows what happened. And he's not talking. He's just grinning at his family as he walks into a courtroom.
Jun 23, 2008 | 8:29 PM
Category:
News
2 years and 5 months after news first broke that a young mom & her baby daughter were found shot to death, I found myself sitting at the murder trial for Neil Entwistle. I'd been writing about Rachel, Lillian & Neil Entwistle for work since January 2006. And I won't lie, I've been extremely curious to see how this would all play out in court. I tuned in to watch the trial everyday, but my curiosity finally got the best of me.
So today, I went to see for myself. I got seated on my little bench and waited for the families & lawyers to enter. Rachel's family & friends came in first. They filled up 2 rows behind the prosecution. Neil's family walked in a short time later. They sat 2 rows in front of me, behind the defense. It was just his mom, dad & brother.
The prosecutors & defense attorneys all milled about until it was time for Neil to come in. The 1st thing that struck me about him was the fact that he immediately smiled at his parents. He was also much taller than I thought he'd be. Rachel was only 5'2", so he's at least a foot taller than she was. It's hard to describe what it feels like to see an accused murderer just feet away from you. Unsettling at best.
Then the jury came in. I was surprised to see many of the jurors were young. Either my age, or younger. There was a mixture of men & women. None of them looked at Entwistle as they walked to their seats.
The 1st hour consisted of testimony from a state trooper. The last part of a taped phone conversation was played. After that finished, the prosecution rested. So did the defense. Really? The defense rested without calling one witness? Wow. I was shocked. Especially since the defense team vowed to 'vigorously & successfully' defend Neil Entwistle.
Closing arguments were set to begin. Defense Attorney Elliot Weinstein was first. He immediately launched into "things aren't always what they appear to be." He proceeded to drive home the fact that nobody -- not investigators, medical examiners, police -- nobody ever thought to consider the possibility that Rachel could have killed Lillian & then killed herself. At first I was appalled that he would even suggest that. It made *me* uncomfortable to think about it. I couldn't imagine what Rachel's family was thinking. I glanced over & only saw her mom resting her head on her husband's shoulder. But the more I listened to his closing argument, the more I found myself open to the possibility that suicide was an option. She *did* have gun residue on her hands. It may seem far-fetched, but remember, things aren't always what they appear to be. And if he could get just one juror to think that way, maybe they wouldn't convict Neil. I'm so glad I'm not on that jury. Weinstein then talked about where Neil was on the day of Rachel & Lillian's funeral. He went to the spot where he proposed to her in England. At that moment, Neil's father made a choking sound, as though he were crying. He slumped down a bit & removed his glasses. And yes, he was crying. I felt like such an outsider sitting there, as these 2 families grieved.
Prosecutor Michael Fabrii delivered his closing arguments next. His was very factual, based on the evidence, the timeline of events, the actions of Neil Entwistle. For a long part of his closing statement, Fabrii held the gun that was used to shoot Rachel & Lillian. And anytime he referred to the Defendant, he turned and pointed at Neil Entwistle. The evidence is damning. The internet searches, the alleged dissatisfaction with his marriage, the inability to find a job, the debt. But does that translate into murder? According to the prosecution, Neil wrote in a notebook that he would shop his story to the highest bidder. Like I said, the evidence is damning. Then, to drive his point home, Fabrii said the only person who could have possibly pulled the trigger on the gun, was Neil Entwistle. And he pointed at him. Neil shook his head 'no.' His father shook his head 'no.'
The silence in that courtroom was heavy. It hung from every corner like a thick blanket. And then it was over. The jury filed out. Only one of them looked directly at Neil. Two families walked out, rubbing their tear-stained eyes. It's all come down to this. 2 years, 5 months. And now 12 people have to decide if, by all accounts, a young, loving father had the ability to kill his family & fly home to England. Or did Rachel pull the trigger?
I don't envy that jury one bit.
