Re: Dec. 14 Rich Tosches column.
Rich Tosches suggests rather callously that both the attorney and investigator in the James Holmes case were faking, using “(cough-cough) medical emergencies” as a tactical move to ask for another continuance in the trial.
I am the defense investigator whom Tosches chose to call out along with my colleague and team.
On Nov. 6, my wife and I celebrated the birth of our daughter, Camilah. Immediately she was the light of our lives, and we began to celebrate the joy of new life during a very difficult time in our lives. It was a happy day.
In the days after her birth, our daughter began to struggle with what the doctors called “failure to thrive.” On Dec. 3, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a rare and deadly genetic disease. The reality of our daughter’s diagnosis was devastating beyond words. If we do everything right, and Camilah responds positively to therapy, drugs and treatments, her life expectancy is still less than the amount of years I have already lived on this earth. It’s painful, and frightening, and yet we have hope, because we are choosing not to surrender to our sorrow, anger and fear.
I read Tosches’ column as my daughter lay in my arms. I held her tightly as I read his flip words and accusations. It now breaks my heart to leave Camilah’s side for any length of time, knowing that her days are literally numbered. To do my job and live out what I passionately believe, I will spend the greater part of the next year of Camilah’s life away from her, working on this case in court. My father taught me to “finish what you start,” and so I will not quit on my client or this case.
Tosches’ column reminds me that we all have a choice on how to respond to people who hurt us, whether it’s their intention or not. Tosches and others should know that we (the Holmes defense team) are not living in pretend or make-believe. This case, along with our own personal stories and struggles, is certainly not a game to any of us. Just as I refuse to let a disease defeat me or make me lose hope, I refuse to allow printed opinions, hurtful words, nasty signs, threats, or blog posts change how I feel about this case and this cause I am so very proud to be part of.
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