Assignment: Challenges Associated with Reentry

Interactive Community – Week 4

Interactive Community – Week 4 Program Transcript

Adult Detention Facility

Read about Bill Brown’s role in the murder.

[Bill Brown’s Police Report]

Police Report #123_a – Classified

Bill Brown, an 18-year-old white male, is presently detained in the Middletown Adult Detention facility on a charge of murder. He and a 17-year-old male, James Xavier, are accused of luring a young man, Andy Simpson, into an isolated parking lot with the intent of robbing him of money. Prior to committing the crime, Bill and the accomplice used alcohol, PCP, and marijuana. At some point during the robbery, Andy was fatally shot in the neck. Bill and James attempted to cover up the crime by siphoning gasoline from a car’s gas tank, placing Andy on the hood, and lighting the car on fire. Bill and James were apprehended after a Fred’s Mart employee called the police and fire departments while he was outside smoking a cigarette. Bill and James both reported that Bill provided the weapon, but each alleged the other with shooting Andy Simpson. James Xavier, in part due to his status as a minor, was released from jail on bail and into the custody of his parents. However, he attempted to leave the jurisdiction via a stolen car and was killed in a subsequent shoot-out with police.

Suburban Church

Read about Tanya Smith’s reaction to the recent events.

[Tanya Smith’s Reaction]

Tanya Smith, a parishioner at the church, has known Bill Brown and Andy Simpson since they were children. She was dismayed at the murder. Ms. Smith says she saw Bill withdraw from her and other neighbors after his grandmother’s death. She has trouble reconciling her image of Bill as a child with that of Bill as a murderer, but does believe he is guilty. She has been in touch with the Simpson family and says she has the utmost sympathy for them.

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. 1

Interactive Community – Week 4

Community Center

Read about Joe Johnson’s reaction to the recent events.

[Joe Johnson’s Reaction]

Joe Johnson, Bill Brown’s former football coach, was shocked and saddened that Bill is accused of such a heinous crime. He can’t believe that it’s true. Coach Johnson is holding out hope that it is a case of mistaken identity and that Bill will be acquitted.

High Rise Condominium

Read about Seth Taylor’s reaction to the recent events.

[Seth Taylor’s Reaction]

Seth Taylor was saddened by the crime but was more concerned about what it suggests about rising crime rates. He hadn’t heard about the crime until some co-workers at his downtown investment firm told him about it.

Andy Simpson's Parents' Home

Read about Andy Simpson.

[Andy Simpson]

Police Report #123_c – Classified

Murder victim: Andy, the youngest of four children, had a mild developmental disability from Down's Syndrome. He was murdered by Bill Brown and James Xavier. Andy’s parents are Joan and Stan Simpson. Joan is a teacher at the local school and Stan is an administrator at the suburban hospital. Andy's brother and two sisters are attending college out of state. Andy and Bill were friends and attended school together.

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. 2

Interactive Community – Week 4

Bill Brown’s Home

Read about Bill Brown.

[Bill Brown’s Police Report]

Police Report #123_b – Classified

Bill is an only child born to a 15-year-old mother, Susan, in a rural section of the country. Bill does not have any knowledge of his biological father. Susan did not receive any prenatal care, and the pregnancy went to full-term. Bill was delivered without complications. Bill was raised primarily by his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Brown. When Bill was two years old, his mother left town, and never returned. Bill’s grandmother reported that Susan was likely addicted to drugs and that she refused to seek treatment despite the grandmother’s urgings. Once or twice a month, Susan would call the house. But when Bill was in first grade, she stopped calling and the family has not heard from her since.

Bill was placed in special education classes, and was described by teachers as a “hard worker but slow.” By sixth grade, he had an established group of friends and was participating in a local football game weekly at the community center. During his 10th grade year, Bill’s grandmother suffered a stroke and became paralyzed on the right side of her body. She was hospitalized for several months. During this time, Bill was “very independent,” according to neighbors. He stayed at home alone with weekly visits from neighbors to check in or bring him groceries. When his grandmother returned to the house, he took on various care- taking tasks for her, such as driving her to physical therapy appointments. Bill dropped out of his after school community activities. He often appeared tired or disheveled at school, although he continued to have good attendance and average grades.

At the end of the 11th grade, Bill’s grandmother died subsequent to a second stroke. He received a sizable amount of money from her insurance policy. Neighbors originally thought, “He’d be O.K.” However, Bill did not attend school after her death, and neighbors, who stopped by to check in, said he appeared depressed and wearing the same clothes. He would refuse to talk to neighbors about how he was doing. After about a month, the few neighbors who persisted in stopping by, found him often at home with a group of young men, including James, known to be involved in drug distribution and drug use. Neighbors said that after this point, they stopped going over for fear that they would get hurt, as James, on more than one occasion waved a gun and told them to leave the house. Bill rarely was seen outside of the house for the next several months. It was 10 months after the death of his grandmother that the crime was committed.

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. 3

Interactive Community – Week 4

Police Station

Read about Officer Derek Washington’s reaction to the recent events.

[Officer Washington’s Reaction]

Officer Derek Washington was the first officer to arrive at the crime scene. The horrific nature of the scene was startling at first. But, he was not completely shocked. Crime rates have been rising and offenses like this are becoming more common.

Church

Read about Pastor Sam’s reaction to the recent events.

[Pastor Sam’s Reaction]

Pastor Sam provided some grief counseling to the Xavier family after James was killed in the shoot-out with police. Some parishioners were displeased that the Xavier family was receiving attention from the church.

TV Station

Watch an update from Action News 7 on the murder that took place at Fred’s Mart.

[Fred’s Mart Murder Update Video 2]

[Newscast featuring a update about a murder at Fred’s Mart]

MILES JOHNSON (TELEVISION REPORTER): This afternoon, Bill Brown pled not guilty to charges of murder of Andy Simpson. Andy Simpson was found shot and partially burned atop the hood of a car in the parking lot of Fred’s Mart.

City prosecutors stated that it was too early to consider the death penalty. The family of Andy Simpson attended today’s hearing and briefly commented on the proceedings.

JOAN AND STAN SIMPSON: Andy was such a sweet boy and we’ll miss him very much. And we just want to see to it that whoever’s responsible for his death receives the strictest penalty that the law allows.

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. 4

Interactive Community – Week 4

MILES JOHNSON: James Xavier, the alleged accomplice in this murder was himself shot and killed while trying to flee this jurisdiction in a stolen car. The Xavier family maintains that James was not involved in the murder and is seeking a wrongful death suit against Bill Brown. Reporting outside the Middletown courthouse, Miles Johnson for Action News 7.

[Fred’s Mart Murder 1]

[Newscast featuring a update about a murder at Fred’s Mart]

MILES JOHNSON (TELEVISION REPORTER): Police report that a local man was gunned down in the parking lot of Fred’s Mart in the 7,500 block of North Ridge Road. An employee reportedly found the man’s body on fire on the hood of the car.

DAN MILLER (WITNESS): I came outside during my break, and I noticed immediately the smell of something burning. So I kind of turned the corner, and when I did I noticed that there was a body on the hood of a car, and it was on fire.

There were two gentlemen next to the car. As soon as they saw me the one dropped a gas can and then kicked it across the parking lot, and then they took off. I knew who they were. I had gone to high school with these guys, so I recognized them immediately. So I called the cops, and I gave them a description.

MILES JOHNSON: After a brief chase two suspects, Bill Brown (18) and James Xavier (17), were arrested and brought to the Middletown Police Station.

CAPTAIN RUBY SIMMS: We have identified two suspects and transported them to the Middletown Police Station. The victim’s family has been identified and his identity will be released to the public later this afternoon.

MILES JOHNSON: James Xavier, who is 17 and considered a minor, was released on bail under his parents’ supervision. Bill Brown, who is 18 will remain in custody and be tried as an adult. The arraignment for both suspects has yet to be scheduled. Reporting outside the Middletown Police Station, Miles Johnson for Action News 7.

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. 5

Interactive Community – Week 4

Office Buildings

Read about Marsha Andrews’ reaction to the recent events.

[Marsha Andrews’ Reaction]

Marsha Andrews was shocked by the violent nature of the crime. She wants the prosecuting attorney to go after Bill Brown to the fullest extent of the law. Ms. Andrews has no personal connection to Bill Brown and does not care about his reasons for committing the crime.

Public High School

Read about Rebecca Samson’s reaction to the recent events.

[Rebecca Samson’s Reaction]

Rebecca Samson is a school guidance counselor at the high school. Ms. Sampson knew Bill Brown, Andy Simpson, and James Xavier. She was not surprised to hear of James Xavier’s involvement in the murder. Ms. Sampson was disappointed to hear that Bill Brown participated. She had attempted to contact Bill several times since the death of his grandmother, but was unsuccessful. Ms. Samson plans to visit Bill at the Adult Correctional Facility, and to see if she can assist in his legal defense.

Bars, Pool Halls, Gambling Establishments

Read about Josh Laibovitz’s reaction to the recent events.

[Josh Laibovitz’s Reaction]

Josh Laibovitz is a frequent patron at this bar. He knew James. But, he did not know Bill or Andy. Josh says that he has no trouble believing that this crime occurred and is sure that the police have the right people in custody. He also believes that they are both guilty and should be punished harshly.

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. 6

Interactive Community – Week 4

James Xavier’s Parents’ Home

Read about Josh Laibovitz’s reaction to the recent events.

[James Xavier’s Police Report]

James Xavier is the oldest of three boys born to Brenda and John Xavier. He was known by neighbors to have participated in drug use. James was previously arrested for truancy, assault, and theft. He was briefly held in custody at the Juvenile Detention Facility. Following the murder of Andy Simpson, James Xavier was released on bail and into the custody of his parents. He soon stole a car and was killed in a shoot-out with police. James Xavier’s father, John, is an auto mechanic at a downtown garage. James’ mother, Brenda, is on the cleaning staff at a downtown office building. Both are recovering alcoholics and sometimes drug abusers. James dropped out of high school at 16 in order to get a job to help support the family. His two younger brothers are 10 and 8 years of age. Both are still in school. The Xavier family received some grief counseling from Pastor Sam.

Interactive Community – Week 4 Additional Content Attribution

Creative Support Services Los Angeles, CA

Dimension Sound Effects Library Newnan, GA

Narrator Tracks Music Library Stevens Point, WI

Signature Music, Inc. Chesterton, IN

Studio Cutz Music Library Carrollton, TX

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. 7