Posted by smithjc on July 25, 2007 at 5:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hmmmm, "not guilty". so much for "taking responsibility" for his actions.

Posted by Faithman54 on July 25, 2007 at 5:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I guess you are innocent until proven guilty. Let's see now, runs red light, hits poor Beth, takes off through Gov't Center, turns self in. Well, I am no judge, but......

Posted by AnaCapa on July 25, 2007 at 6:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He pleads not guilty so us tax payers have to pay for a trial. He can't just be a man and fess up to his crime.

Posted by mschillsca on July 25, 2007 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

not guilty?? NOT guilty?? you left a woman dying on the street and you think you are NOT GUILTY??? (shaking head)
lets see...run a red light. run a woman down. leave that woman there in the street and take off. wait 2 DAYS to turn yourself in (so checking for drugs and alcohol is useless, after 2 days).
and now you plead not GUILTY?? yea..haven't done enuf to the Dunn family, now you want to drag them thru a trial too? wonderful.

Posted by Just_A_Voice on July 25, 2007 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Surely Mr. Painter is trying to get away from punishment. I truly beleived that after he turned himself that he was ready to take responsability. Taking ones loved one hurts( not that it has happen to me) but, from a soon to get married person I think lossing a loved one is trulu PAINFUL. My prayers and blessing go to Beth's Family.

May God give you strengh and courage to get trough this time on pain and sorrow.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 25, 2007 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Most attorney will advise thier clients to plead not-guilty. Then later in the trial change it. Yes it does add extra cost to the tax payers. But they feel the guy will get less time by doing so. That is what Im thinking........
My prayers to the Dunn family whom are laying thier beloved Beth to rest today.God be with them all.............

Posted by angrygirl8284 on July 25, 2007 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope that the court sees how much this case means to the public and to those that knew Beth, and does NOT reduce his bail. He needs to sit in his jail cell and stew over the horrible thing he did and what he is doing to her family by pleading not guilty to a crime it is beyond obvious he committed.

Posted by sawyer619 on July 25, 2007 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pconcery99, i agree. anyone would plead not guilty to lower their punishment. there is a way to plead not guilty that says "yes, i hit her, but i am not entirely responsible because...". i doubt he is trying to say that he didnt hit her.

Posted by FedUp on July 25, 2007 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

he needs to man up, and confess to what he did. pleading not guilty just adds to the pain and suffering that her family is dealing with. what a sackless human being he is...

Posted by surfmedic91 on July 25, 2007 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think this he is pleading not guilty to the charges because of his lawyer's recommendations and they will plead guilty to other charges. He may have been under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and knew a little time would take that out of the equation.

If you turn yourself in that's as good as guilty to me.

Posted by TimeToThink on July 25, 2007 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He's just following the advice of his lawyer. It's just the way the system works.

Posted by TimeToThink on July 25, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

angrygirl8284-- I don't mean to sound mean or disrespectful, but why should this case be treated any differently from other cases just like it? I think it would be wrong of the justice system to try this case any differently from ones just like it because of who the victim is. Crimes should be tried unbiased based soley on the offense and not those involved...
...just like celebrity offenders shouldn't be treated any better than others.

Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on July 25, 2007 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My wife just returned from the Memorial Mass for Beth which was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Ventura. This is where we've known her and Cathy since they were children. The church was filled to overflowing. These wonderful sisters are truly innocents who give unconditional love to all whom they known. Now, time to pray for Cathy. The pain and sorrow she must be feeling is beyond comprehension.

The only winners in this situation, as per norm, are lawyers, be they judicial, prosecution or defense. By pushing not guilty pleas, they perpetuate their own existance while burdening we who pay the bills for all three entities. The only ones who don't always win, are the contingency fee lawyers ... but they are looking for a lottery jackpot, such as Edwards got through tobacco settlements.

Yes ... I am disgusted that Painter didn't tell the lawyer that he was guilty and would so plead. Being entitled to a defense should not mean making up legal "theories."

Posted by angrygirl8284 on July 25, 2007 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TimeToThink: I never said to treat it differently. I was saying that when a crime has a large impact on a community, as this one did - not just to people that knew her, the judge should take that into consideration. I unfortunately knew someone that was killed by a drunk driver several years ago. The man that killed my friend had also requested a hearing to lower his bail. The DA advised the family and friends of my friend to show up at the bail hearing so the judge could see the impact this man's actions had on the community. We also showed up to trial (as much as I could) and to the sentencing hearing. So, I guess I am just basing it on my own experience with the legal system. I hope I explained myself right...

Posted by baylee1027 on July 25, 2007 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pconvery99,Why should the star shut down this message board? I don't understand how this has anything to do with the court case. People are allowed to express how the feel. No one is saying that he doesn't deserve a trial or take it away.

Posted by starlightnights on July 25, 2007 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Randall was scared when he hit Beth. He didnt know that he killed her until Sunday. Hes not a serial killer where he is going around killing people. He made a mistake.

Posted by Faithman54 on July 25, 2007 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I,m sure he was scared when he hit her. He should have stopped to see if he could at least help. Taking off made matters much worse for him. So this happened Friday and he did not find out anything until Sunday? When? When it was in the newspaper? You have to understand why so many are outraged about this. First of all, she was a sweet person with a great personality. I only knew her from going into Ralphs. She was friendly and helpful. And secondly, to hit her and then just take off. Yes he made a mistake. He should have stopped.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 25, 2007 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

baylee1027 , I agree ! Why are we not allowed to comment on the case? Why are we not allowed to send condolences to the family along with prayers. If you cant stand reading it anymore then dont.
But we want to air our opinions...........Thankyou!

Posted by starlightnights on July 25, 2007 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys are making it like hes a serail killer and hes not that. This was a first for him. He doesnt have a criminal background. Yes Beth was a nice lady but what difference if it was her or someone else?

Posted by TimeToThink on July 25, 2007 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Angrygirl- Stating that he should not have the same consideration for bail as someone who was not as widely know or for a case that is not as highly covered is saying he should be treated differently. His bail consideration should be based on what he did, and what kind of person HE is. Not the kind of person Ms Dunn or her family/friends is. Bail is set in a trail to ensure the suspect in custody won't flee the district or country or whatever, it's to ensure that the suspect if he/she is a high flight risk cannot get out on bail easily, and if so getting out and fleeing will cost them a very pretty penny. By turning himself in Mr. Painter has already shown that he intends to take responsibility, for those who have problems connecting the dots that means he won't flee.

AnnaWhaat- Not everyone reads the paper, especially the younger generation. Also not everyone knew Ms Dunn, so it's not unlikely that a 20 year old wouldn't have heard anything about this right away.

Posted by TimeToThink on July 25, 2007 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sorry AnnaWhaat-- that last part should have been directed to the poster above you:

Faithman54

Posted by charlie5bravo on July 25, 2007 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's all very easy for any one of us to say how we *think* we would have reacted, if we were the one responsible for this tragedy. No, I don't think anyone could ever know just how they would react until faced with similar circumstance. I am, however, glad to see that Mr. Painter is showing that he accepts responsibility for this accident, by virtue of turning himself into the authorities. Whatever the outcome of his day in court, he'll never forget what happened.

My heart goes out to the families of both Beth Dunn and Randall Painter. How painful it is to lose a loved one in such a senseless manner; how sad to see another man's fall apart around him just as he, himself, was beginning to live.

Posted by nancy_4ever on July 25, 2007 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He is 20, graduated in 2003, must have graduated early,at 16, smart, maybe c---y... I just hope he wasn't so c---y he thought he was above hitting someone on his F150. I hope it really is his first crime, and not just the first time he got caught...

Posted by MaxHubris on July 25, 2007 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

20 year old kids can do some pretty stupid things. (I ran from the police twice when I was in my early twenties--for no other reason than the fact that I was scared.) Kids' brains just don't function with a great deal of wisdom or logic sometimes. We really don't know what was (or is now) going through Mr. Painter's mind.

As for pleading not guilty, on it's face, that's insulting to the grieving family, yes, but his attorney has given him good advice. Look at the Duke rape case. Prosecutors don't always play fair. Any prosecutor would be licking his chops at the prospect of throwing the book at this kid and adding a notch to his belt, so Painter would be foolish to just plead guilty and let the system mete out the justice.

Rest assured, this kid is going to do some time and be punished severely for his stupidity.

Posted by midar on July 25, 2007 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a pastor at a local church and on Sunday I spoke to two parishioners who knew and love Ms. Dunn and requested prayer for her. Then on Sunday evening I was told that Randall Painter had turned himself in to police in connection with this terrible tragedy. I have known Randall since he was in elementary school as he also attended our congregation for many years. So over this past week I have been in the unique position to speak to and pray for both friends of Beth Dunn and the family of Randall Painter. This was a terrible tragedy and terrible loss to Ms. Dunn's family and our community. I know that her death has affected many people who are now upset and mourning her passing. I also know that both Randall's family and Randall himself are also deeply and genuinely sorrowful over her death.

My heart, prayers and concern go out to both families. I pray that God will comfort the grieving family. I also pray that one terrible event will not completely destroy two lives.

It is my hope that people will not respond to this tragic situation simply out of emotion or speculation but rather allow cooler heads to prevail, to get all the facts and to allow the legal system on both sides to operate in way that will be fair and just.

Posted by starlightnights on July 25, 2007 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Midar I thank you for your kind words. I do pray for both families. I was at the services today and I must say that I was no pleased with all of you guys who were whispering under your breath when they quoted Cathy when she said she was glad she was not there when the accident happened. Please get your facts straight before ripping Randall into pieces.

Posted by TimeToThink on July 25, 2007 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nancy_4ever--"I hope it really is his first crime, and not just the first time he got caught..."
You forget... he wasn't caught, he turned himself in.

Also funny you assume he's c---y when most kids who work hard to graduate early are in the catagory of good and hard working, and any kinds of other positive titles that come to mind.

If that's true about the whispering under their breath at the funneral-- how rude! You're there to remember the life and celebrate the passing to heaven of the victim of an accedent and all you can do is clowud the air with such negative words and thoughts. That to me seems the most disrepectful thing to happen yet towards Ms Dunn (aside from the horrible comment that was thankfully removed by the staff).

Posted by smithjc on July 25, 2007 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i don't think that "we would all plead not guilty". first, i take the responsibility for the things that i do, good or bad. secondly, i wouldn't have (allegedly) run the red light. and lastly (since i wouldn't have run the red light it wouldn't have happened, but let's say it did anyway just for the sake of arguement), if i had struck a person, i would have both summoned and rendered aid and not run away. both the law and common decency require you to stay. what's that? it might cost you money if you stay? well, that's what (required) insurance is for.

Posted by palmart on July 25, 2007 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Starlightnights- I do not know which event you participated or commenting about (I persume the funeral on Wednesday) but I attended both the Rosary Tuesday evening and the Mass on Wednesday morning. I've only seen the church overflowing with so many people a few times the 35 plus years (It reminded me of Midnight Mass during Christmas.) During the two day events, I've heard wonderful stories about Beth and people commenting about her amazing spirit. I think your comment about whispering in church is in poor taste and negative. Beth's celeberations were respectful and spiritual. Anyone who was there would agree.

Posted by starlightnights on July 25, 2007 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I didnt say anything bad about the services. It was a nice service but when they were quoting the family memebers I heard whispering coming from the church which I thought was wrong

Posted by RAINMAN on July 26, 2007 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think its wrong to leave someone to die even if you are scared.no one deserves to be left like that and what people fail to realize is that randall will never have the chance to make things right with beth and responsibilty should be taken for a crime and especially one where the driver becomes selfish and decides that his life is of more value then the person he struck.its true that this kind of event can happen to anyone but dont leave them to die and think youll get off easy because you turned yourself in.

Posted by TimeToThink on July 26, 2007 at 6:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

People don't seem to pay attention to things a few of us are bringing up-- the part where you can say you'd stay put in the same situation all you want but you never know for sure how you would really react in such an intense situation. The human psyche is set up for self preservation, and in a situation like that all that gets through to the most basic and instictual parts of the mind is the fact that something bad just happened, which makes the scene unsafe and thusly self preservation kicks in and drives the body to react. People often forget that as human beings we are still a breed of animals, we still have these insticts and primal reactions; but as human beings we also are intellectually driven to try and rise above these.

Also, for those who try to coldly put that Mr Painter had left her to die, you pass over the fact that he never meant to-- because if he meant to he would have purposely run someone over and that's not the case here.

I'm curious about the running a red light thing, if he had ran the red light he would have completely ran over Ms Dunn. And from what I've read that's not the case. I've also seen the skid marks on the road and its obvious to me that his tires had locked up long before the crosswalk (from slamming on the breaks hard) and I would have to assume he was already slowing before that, just not enough to lock the breaks as we hardly ever lock breaks up while breaking. All this leads me to believe he had no intention of running a red light. Plus I've heard many dissenting voices about what color exactly the light was, I've heard all three... this is something I would assume would be sorted out through the legal process.

Posted by Ventuckey on July 26, 2007 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So much for everybody defending him for taking responsibility for his actions. Now this d-bag is going to cost us all money and drag it out through the courts. I hope he gets a stiffer sentence after he's found guilty then he would have if he just pled guilty. What a great system we have!

Posted by starlightnights on July 26, 2007 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You all are making it sound like hes did it on purpose. Thats not the case here. He was scared and he left. He made a mistake! Everyone makes mistakes but at least Randall admitted that he did something wrong and he did something about it. There are alot of people out there that doesnt even admit to there mistakes and they kepp fleeing. Even the serial killers out there. They just flee and keep killing....

Posted by angrygirl8284 on July 26, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The defense of "He's just a scared kid" in my opinion is B.S. I myself am 23 years old. When I was 20, I got married, bought a home with my husband, graduated from Ventura College, and worked a 40+ hour work week. Scared or not, he should know better then to leave the scene of an accident.

Posted by MasBB on July 26, 2007 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

First of all, i'd have to say that the article written above seems a bit biased. Theres quite a bit of extranneous information slipped in there just to put Mr. Painter in a bad light. Theres no reason to add that he was in a holding cell during trial, as far as I know most arrested felons are treated the same way. Further, Mr. Hernandez truly pushes the limits with his incriminating diction, exaggerating this fact by saying Mr. Painter was placed in a 'cage'. Not a holding cell, where people go, but a 'cage'. What do we put in cages? Animals. This is ridiculous. Also, regarding the initial comments of SmithJc and Anacapa,you are making undue assumptions regarding the meaning of a "not guilty" plea; but this mistake cannot be made as a fault of your own. If you read the first paragraph of this article, its clear Mr. Hernandez makes it seem that Mr. Painter is simply denying his criminal action entirely. He does not explain the charges brought against him, but only states what occured and gives an incriminating summary, implying that he simply denies the charges. This is an inconsiderate and misleading presentation of the information. As its not my place to say whether Mr. Hernandez intended to misconstrue the meaning therein, I will simply attempt to explain what it means, legally, to plead not guilty. When one pleads not guilty (and granted, to plead 'not guilty' is perhaps a misnomer..) they do not plead not guilty to the crime itself, though, at times, this may be the case. But in Mr. Painter's case, it is the most realistic definition; he is pleading not guilty to the charges brought against him for the crime, indicating that they are either too harsh or too numerous. You cannot say he is not taking responsability. He is in the courtroom, in his holding cell, having turned himself in voluntarily. Realistically speaking, few Hit and Run drivers are ever found. This one clearly had a conscience. I'm also a bit surprised by another bit of extranneous information in the article, some rather relevant to the topic to which i've diverted. Mr. Hernandez makes mention of the dubious assumptions of local Police Officers, who debase Mr. Painter's responsible choice to turn himself in by saying he did so to cover himself. Correct me if im wrong, but if people are going to worry about tax money being spent on a trial, they should also worry about the tax money being spent on their Police force. We don't pay Law enforcement to make incriminating assumptions. We pay them to keep a neutral stance and uphold the law.

Posted by MasBB on July 26, 2007 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They have absolutely no right to say such things; and further, the fact that such unneeded information was placed so snugly within the article raises further doubts about Mr. Hernandez and his bias on the subject. As for Pconvery99, I'd like to thank you for taking a counter-stance on the subject and allowign us to continue with a bit more of a neutral perspective; letting our emotions get the best of us can be the greatest error in cases where the law and matters of justice are so intricately entangled. What it comes down to, as far as im concerned is as follows: Beth Dunn was killed through the negligance and stupidity of a mistake. Not a crime, not an intent to kill, not a spurt of malice or ill will toward others. A simple and costly mistake, not intended to happen. There should be a cost, and there should be a punishment, but far too many people are antagonizing the man responsible, and it seems to me this is little more than the angry response of a self-centered mind to an oversimplified situation. There is no "bad guy" here, but there is a man, a complete human being, like the rest of us, who happened to make an extremely horrible mistake, doubtlessly due to his own negligance. He should be punished, of course, but not as a criminal or a felon. Try to escape your own emotional mindtrap and see through the eyes of another. Theres alot to be learned here.

Posted by smithjc on July 26, 2007 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

methinks massbb is a defense attorney. sure sounds like one. the charges against him a neither too numerous, nor too harsh. let's take the vehicular manslaughter charge. it means killing someone with your vehicle with gross negligence. it does not require malice aforethought, it only requires an act or ommission that is unsafe (such as running a red light or speeding). it really doesn't even require intent to commit a crime.

felony hit and run. this one is simply. if you are involved in a collision, someone is injured or killed, and you don't do what is required in the vehicle code (render aid, give your information, etc), it is a felony. i don't see where either of these charges is too harsh for the actions, or that there are any extraneous charges.

someone brought up the skids left in the street. perhaps the light was red and painter was planning to go through and saw ms dunn at the last second and attempted to miss her. that means that he was going at a speed unsafe for road and traffic conditions (red light and peds/bicycles in the roadway).

as for the "assumptions" made by vpd, i think that any reasonable person would believe the same thing, that he turned himself in before they had to track him down like an animal.

Posted by angrygirl8284 on July 26, 2007 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

smithjc, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Posted by TimeToThink on July 26, 2007 at 4:09 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by RAINMAN on July 26, 2007 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

all i know is that it is real convenient to let a day and a half go by before turning yourself in.and as far as the punishment goes , why not jail time? if supposedly he was scared then why not raise the fact that he wasnt scared to leave the scene of the dying woman he had just hit. this whole case would not have been a huge deal if he woudlve stayed with her.

Posted by starlightnights on July 26, 2007 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

no it wouldnt be a big deal if it was Ms Dunn either...

Posted by olreliable on July 26, 2007 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you MasBB for clarifying the situation objectively, I needed a clear head to explain some of the details of the laws and such. It looks like the whole community is grieving in some way. The video of the service was heartwrenching. I know it is a senseless sudden loss, but as soon as we all work past the sadness, we will have left a young man that will be scarred for the rest of his life and a family and community that lost a loving giving lady.

Posted by TBSBooBoo on July 27, 2007 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I grew up with Randy, and I can honestly say that he is one of the sweetest guys i have ever known. Other friends have said that he wouldn't hurt a fly. While i do feel bad for the family in this tragic accident, and do not make any excuses for what happened, i think it is rude and harsh to judge someones Character by what the papers report. Do any of you know him personally as i do? Then do not judge on what you do not know. It is unfair and cruel. He did not go out that night and think, hey i will go end someones life. Thats why they call these things accidents, because they happen unintentionally. Randy is a great guy, and this could have happened to any of you, although you might not have fled the scene as he did. I feel very sorry for Beth's family. But I also feel bad for Randy.

Posted by NothingButTheTruth on July 28, 2007 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As sweet as Randy may be, ANY person who hits a human and leaves them to die in the street (yes, you, ME or any such person) brings on OURSELF public scourging. I doubt seriously he sat alone for one and a half days before deciding to turn himself in to police. So why didn't his family/friends IMMEDIATELY call police... instead of... one and one-half days of waiting? Why doesn't Painter's family/friends address his destruction of evidence? Blood-alcohol evidence that is... And AFTER turning himself in we now have the blame it on the cell phone and deflect it from me syndrome. No guilty? Painter still has NOT accepted responsibility... rather he is grabbing for sympathy and excuses. When any of us do what he did (hit-run, KILL) we should expect people to be angry. At least he will get everything a defense can offer... which is far more than he gave Beth Dunn.