2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

None of the family members of the murdered boys wanted to help with Max’s investigation, including Adam Porter who was in prison for his son’s murder. Did that surprise you or was their reaction completely expected?

It did surprise me except for Adam Porter. He was punishing himself. He believes that his adultery is the reason his son is dead. He is willing to take the punishment for the crime because so many people hate him, and he hates himself.

After seeing how the Kincaids reacted I wasn't that surprised the other families were reluctant to reopen old wounds. I can't understand it, but I can see their point.

Frankly, it surprised me. But, it got me thinking that the murder of a child has a different impact. The pain must be excruciating, something they didn’t get past but just buried. The memories of that time are harder to bear than the idea of solving who killed them. That’s just got to be immeasurable. For all of them to feel this way? It must be their normal.

Adam Porter is in his own private hell. Do you think being absolved of the murder will help him at all?

I don't think Adam Porter will ever forgive himself, but hopefully his family will.

That might help.

I didn't understand it, but I think you make a good point Jonetta. The memories of their child's death is harder to bear than the idea of solving the murder.

Does a parent ever put a child's death behind them? I don't think so. I believe the pain of that death is carried with them forever, and they relive the way the child died in their nightmares. If a child dies violently, most parents I've seen (on TV) keep looking for justice.

They want the murderer to pay in some way. They get angry at the police for not solving the murder. They don't get angry when someone is trying to find justice.

Sharon, the one big difference here is that in each case, members of the family were the prime suspects and most of law enforcement associated with the cases continued to think so. That might be why they don’t want it re-examined again.

Just trying to imagine their mindset.

You have a point. If it were one family maybe it wouldn't bother me as much, but the family and close friends are always the first suspects.

I guess I was surprised by their common reactions. I didn't expect that.

I expected that at least one of the families would want to know what really happened and help Lucy. I guess the Kincaids did after Nelia was contacted and gave her blessing to Lucy.

I was truly surprised, but I agree with you all. It would be very painful to reopen the cases.

I was watching Cold Case the other night. Every family, even where a family member was seriously considered a suspect, wanted closure. They wanted to know how and why. I sill have a hard time with the family's reaction.