I didn't believe it, at first. I don't even remember how I first heard; if Chandra heard at school and told me, or what, but I know I didn't believe it. There had to be some sort of mistake.
Kelly Elaine Brumbelow was not a close friend of Chandra's, but Chandra knew her at school. They were both 7th Graders, so probably had some classes together. Kelly was one of those kids who always did everything right...cheerleader, gymnast, honour student...all that. Cute as anything, too.
Terrance Daron Sampson was also a 7th grader at the same school. He was younger than Kelly, but not by much. He was also her next door neighbour.
I knew exactly where they lived...just a few blocks from where we moved several months later.
Her mother got home from work, and Kelly wasn't there. She alerted the neighbours, and everyone began to look for her, including Terrance. Terrance called several times during the evening. His mom got home, too, and noticed that there was a mess in the house. A mess that looked as if someone not used to cleaning had tried to clean it up. Blood and bleach were smeared everywhere. I don't remember who found her, stashed under the woodpile, with 97 stab wounds. It seems that Terrance had asked her to go out with him, and she turned him down.
Her death was a horrible shock to this town, which had under 20,000 people in 1989. There had been very few murders here, and none that I knew of committed by a 12-year-old boy.
I was so torn. Her funeral was at First Baptist, about a block from C D Fulkes Middle School, and a lot of Kelly's (and Terrance's) classmates were going. The friend who eventually became Chandra's step-sister was an 8th grader there, and both were attending the funeral. I knew I should have been there, but that afternoon was the final dress rehearsal for the Christmas show at Berkman Elementary (right next door to the middle school). Vanessa was a 3rd grader there, and I was the narrator for the show, scheduled to take place that evening. I so wanted to be with Chandra at such a horrible event as the funeral for her murdered classmate. However, Final Dress is Final Dress, and Vanessa, at eight and in the choir, needed me to be there. Charyl, who later became step-mom to Chandra and Vanessa, went with the girls. I had told Chandra what to expect, except for one thing.
It never occurred to me that they would have an open casket.
ETA: I have just been informed that the casket was not open, so my CRS must have kicked in. I am sorry to have published something that was untrue. I could have sworn that Chandra told me at the time it was open, but now she doesn't remember so I shall defer to someone who does.
I remember when Terrance's trial was held, neither of his parents was there. They had moved away. People said horrible things about them.
They started a little "memorial garden" at the school, which has been added to, over the years, with trees planted in memory of kids killed in accidents. I think...I hope...that, to this day, no other students have been murdered. The garden is tended by honour students at C D Fulkes, and Brendan had his turn. None of the kids were told what had happened to any of the students memorialized there.
This was the murder that got me to thinking...WHY?? What is it that prevents the conscience from kicking in? Why do some people grow up with no consideration for others? Or even some sort of self-interest?
These cases still boggle my mind, and I am no closer to knowing what happens than I was back then in 1989. Coming up on twenty years now.
I will never forget Kelly Brumbelow.
Here is a link to some information about the case, and a letter that can be sent to the Parole Board, to let them know that Terrance Daron Sampson is where he belongs
Texans for Equal Justice
Ronni. You know I love you.
ReplyDeleteBUT... Do you really think a 7th grader is an adult?
I did not mean to imply that he was. However, he was transferred to an adult facility when he hit 18, so I suspect he may have been tried as an adult...can't remember.
ReplyDeleteHe stabbed her 97 times.
I have no doubt he was tried as an adult since he was sent to an adult facility.
ReplyDeleteI have HUGE problems with children being tried as adults. Especially 12 year olds.
Kids brains are not fully formed until about 21. I know 12 year olds who still believe in Santa. I dont know about the case, but am positive he had no idea of the enormity of what he did.
If he didn't, he should have. She had 97 stab wounds, some of them defensive. IMO, he could have stopped. I remember an incident when I was about that age, and got angry enough at a playmate to attack her. I stopped BECAUSE I realized the enormity of what I was doing.
ReplyDeleteKids know.
If he had stopped before the attack became fatal, I would agree with you, wholeheartedly.
Younger kids, such as the 8-year-old who shot his family members, I agree with you.
This one, not so much.
That is what I am saying. He SHOULD have. But he was a child.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I think he is probably more dangerous now since he was put in the system and not rehabilative system.
Something happened to that child for him to be that angry and violent.
IMO, his parents failed to instill a conscience. He was not necessarily misused and abused. He could have been...I don't know. But some kids just don't "get it" that they don't have the right to visit their rage on anyone who crosses them.
ReplyDeleteAdolescents have rage. I had rage, and was never abused. I THOUGHT I was abused, as my parents were extremely strict, but my home, though cold-ish was pretty much safe, and yet, there was that rage. I suspect hormones.
It's up to parents to teach their kids that, no matter how angry they feel, they still don't have the right to attack over it.
I was disturbed to hear that his parents hit the road, and weren't in court with him.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, I have no problem in cases of lesser crimes, with kids being charged as kids, but to have kept this one locked up in juvie and released him at 18...no.
I wondered about that as well, when I met his dad I learned the reason why they didn't go to the trial. They didn't go because they didn't want to have to testify against their son.
DeleteI THINK they release them at 21. But in Juvie, it should be all about rehabilation, not punishment. Because obviously something went WAY wrong with the parenting with a kid that young.
ReplyDeleteDont get me wrong, if he were 17 or even 16 I would be all about LWOP. This kid wasnt even a teenager yet.
I agree that it's a grey area at that age, but every single student at the middle school was affected by Kelly's murder...for some of them, there were long term or permanent consequences. Of course, we didn't know that, at the time, but looking back, I can see it.
ReplyDeleteI think it might have been much worse for all of them if he had been on the street again in 6 years. My daughter still talks about it, in fact, it was a comment from her on another entry that prompted me to write about it.
The entire community will be affected by Elizabeth's horrific death, in ways not immediately apparent.
I have no sympathy for the killers in either case.
I dont know what else to say.
ReplyDeleteI dont think children should be tried as adults.
It may be dangerous in the long run, dont get me wrong. They may be so messed up that there is no going back. But kids are not adults. No matter how scary they are.
I just don't know. I might agree with you if I hadn't been so close to this one.
ReplyDeleteHe took a life, horrifically, and also took the innocence of my daughter and hundreds of other children. I want him gone out of our lives forever.
I don't remember if he was tried as an adult either. I know he went to juvie with possible parole when he came of age. I've seen it on the news when he comes up for parole. He was well known as a bad seed, I only had study hall with him, but he was an ass. He was in the dumb kid classes and was often sent to d-hall or sac.
ReplyDeleteChandra, as Melissa said, he would not be incarcerated in an adult facility if he had not been tried as such. If tried as a juvenile, he would have been released on reaching his majority.
ReplyDeleteWhile a person's "school intelligence" is not a measure of their worth (we all know people for whom organized education just doesn't work), I trust your ability to recognize a dumb-ass when you see one. I thought he played football or something...I guess not, unless that was before "no pass, no play."
Thanks for your insight. I remember seeing Kelly at school events, but don't remember Terrance at all.
His threats against Kelly's mother might have been enough to keep him locked up, rather than paroled at 18 or 21 or whatever...
ReplyDeleteI think he was in athletics, he may have been in resource so he could pass and play. There was a study done to prove jocks are assholes. And everyone knows small town football players are entitled to do whatever the hell they want, though I suppose that applies more to high school. Now a days he'd probably be on Focusin or something. He was an ass and bullied some kids (though not me) I was suprized he killed. Of course I was 12 too, and the whole situation was pretty suprizing, I had never realized your neighbor could kill you.
ReplyDeleteChandra, that's what I mean about losing your innocence. You, and Rachel, and all the other kids...it gave you an awareness of evil and how it can hit anyone, having nothing to do with being good, or "deserving it," or anything. It was horrible, and I can't forgive that, any more than I can forgive his killing Kelly.
ReplyDeleteWow, I came across this after doing a search for Terrence Sampson, wondering if he was ever paroled. II went to CD Fulkes also, and Robertson Elem, but I was 2 years younger than Kelly, a 5th grader. I knew her sister, Diana.
ReplyDeleteIf you went to Robertson, you lived over in their neighbourhood. You might have known my younger daughter, who was in 4th and 5th grades at Roberson, starting the year after Kelly was killed.
ReplyDeleteThe link at the bottom of my post contains a letter you can send to voice your opinion if you think he should not be granted parole.
IF he is ever paroled, he probably won't come back here, as his family left, but IF he did, I would be very uneasy.
There was NOT an open casket. I was there. Why would you say there was?
ReplyDeleteI thought I remembered my daughter (who was there, also) telling me that. However, I just called her to ask, and she says she doesn't remember any more. So, probably my aging memory is at fault.
ReplyDeleteHe could not be certified to stand trial as an adult because of his age, however he was eligible for "determinant sentcing" of up to 40 years. He would have to have been 14 at the time to be tried as an adult. He was found guilty and was transferred to adult prison when he was 18.
ReplyDeleteIt was his father who found Kelly's body.
Thanks for the update. I see now, how that worked. So he will be out on the street at some point. Like, maybe 20 years from now!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think he will be out someday but Kelly's mother is at every parole hearing and has made it her lifes work to see that he doesn't get out any time soon.
ReplyDeleteI was involved in this case and it was truely horrific. What a trajedy.
Hi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI don't know you and neither do you me, but I wanted to take the time and say I appreciate you honest opinion concerning my Husband Terrence Sampson despite all the negative publicity. My heart goes out to the Brumbelow family and in no way is Terrence a victim. However the fact does still remain that he was a 12 year old little boy at the time his crime was committed. He is now a 33 year old man and is far from the troubled little boy he was and I wish more people would judge him for the man he has become and not the little boy he was. He wishes that he could take it back unfortunatly he can not and this is something that he faces on a day to day basis despit all of the negativity my Husband has remained positive and devotes his life to helping others. He has never so much as received a disciplinary for fighting in the 21 years he has been incarcerated so to say that he is a violent monster is Ludacris. I know Terrence for who he is today and he is the true definition of what change is. Thanks again. Mrs. Sampson
If by any chance any of the Brumbelow family reads this I want to say I am sorry for your loss. Terrence is remorseful and wishes he could take back what happen take it from someone that knows him possibly better than he knows himself. I have known Terrence for nine years now and I see the remorse in his eyes and in his heart. I know you may never be able to forgive Terrence, but I will continue to pray for your family. God Bless.
You do realize that lifers are very good at "finding Jesus" and conning sympathetic women into marrying them, right?
ReplyDeleteAnd don't EVEN try to characterize Terrence as a "little boy." At 12, he was a football player! He looked like a refrigerator!
ReplyDeleteIt's his morals that were undersized.
Roni, I wasn't speaking to you I clearly addressed Melissa, but you are obviously seeking some type of response so I will give you one. I don't know where you received a degree from, but at the age of 12 you are considered a child, little boy, young man which ever way you would like to word it. I didn't post a comment to have a debate with anyone about the man I know today. You know nothing of him, but who he was 21 years ago if you knew him then. Terrence is far from a lifer he will be home at worst 9 years from now and despite your negativity and many others he remains positive and will continue to not only throughout his incarceration, but for the remainder of his life. When you speak of "finding Jesus" know that I will be praying for you because if you have jesus in your life you know that he is a forgiving God. God bless you. Mrs. Sampson
ReplyDeleteThis is my blog, and any comments left here are my ultimate responsibility. So, you are addressing me. I am your hostess, thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteHe was 12 and legally a child, but he was BIG! Under no circumstances can he be considered a "little boy." You are minimizing him.
Think about Kelly for a bit, and her family, and all the kids at C D Fulkes Middle School who he damaged forever.
I am not about to give him a pass just because he has been a good boy since his arrest! Bully for him. Too bad he couldn't have been a good boy before he stabbed Kelly Brumbelow multiple times (she had 97 wounds) and stashed her in a wood pile. He tried to clean up, which tells me he knew damn well what he had done.
If you read what I said correctly one of my first sentences was IN NO WAY IS TERRENCE A VICTIM. I know more about the case than you do which is obvious, because you are not clear on any of the facts. You have been corrected on more than one occasion on your blog so I need no information from you at all. I know what exactly was done and the issue here is not Terrence, but how juveniles are treated as a whole when it comes to crimes they committ. There are children in TDCJ that receives more time for similar crimes than adults do. You can not possibly tell me that you believe a 12,13,or 14 year old thinks on the same level as he or she would at 22,23,or 24.When you think in terms of a child making a mistake you are pushed into a different realm of thinking and just as society rears us to believe many things, society rears us to think that children should be given a wider margin for error than a regular adult should, so with that in mind no child should be punished on the same level as an adult. At the age of 12, our brains have not completely developed and we are nowhere near the type of man or woman that we will become in the next 12 years. If a child commits a horrible act, I am not saying that child should not be punished but I am saying that there should be a different course of action when handling that child’s punishment. Society has failed Terrence and many children like Terrence, He and children like him that commit these types of crimes don't wake up one day and just take someones life. You or no one else knows what type of childhoods these children have and you don't care and that's fine to, but we all see your character as an adult it shines so brightly through the way you speak on things you know nothing about. I will say it again in no way is Terrence a victim. My heart goes out to the Brumbelow Family. You have your self a nice day Roni.
ReplyDeleteI agree that society failed Terrence. He probably got away with a lot...His parents sure as hell failed him! One of the first responsibilities of parents is to socialize their children, and he must have got away with a lot of smaller wrongdoings before he ever reached the point of killing Kelly. On that we can certainly agree. I also agree that the mind of a 12-year-old is not the same as that of an adult. We agree on that, too.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I remember being 12 and being so angry at a person that I wanted to kill them. You know what intervened? My conscience. My parents taught me to have a conscience by telling me, EVERY TIME I did something hurtful, for as long as I can remember, "How would you feel if somebody did that to you?"
As soon as he raised the knife and saw the fear in her eyes, his conscience should have kicked in.
What is it that makes a boy feel he has the right to take a life because a girl doesn't want to go out with him? How does a boy get to that place?
I don't know the answer to that, and neither do you. Until Terrence knows the answer to that, he is a danger to anyone and everyone who crosses him.
If you can't see that, I feel sorry for you, and worry that you will eventually end up dead at his hands.
Think about that while you are passing judgment on somebody who has lived with what he did, in the form of the negative effect it had on her daughter and her entire community.
You may think you know him. I hope you do, for your own safety.
I in no way intended on you feeling that I was passing judgment on you. You are correct I can not even imagine what you and your community has had to face because of Terrence's actions. I just believe that we forget that Terrence Sampson was only 12 years old when he committed the act that he did and without watering down the violence it portrayed or the horror and pain it caused, I can’t help but to point out that he was a troubled child that probably had severe issues that needed attention and society failed him in aiding him to recover in order to grow into a successful man on the right path to recovery, yet he has still remained positive in one of the worst places in the world. You even stated yourself that "I might agree with you if this one wasn't so close to me" the sad reality is that we will never be able to bring Kelly back and Terrence is responsible for that, but I feel in my heart even if I wasn't his wife that it would be ashame if he done his whole sentence and was thru on the streets with absolutley no supervision and the reality is that he will be able to come home one day he has been incarcerated since he was 12 years old and many things have changed and I believe upon his release he should be aided into reintergrading back into society and that not only goes for him, but other offenders that has went into the system as children.In no way am I passing judgment on you Ronni I was just speaking on how I felt. I appreciate your concerns, but in no way form or fashion am I afraid of Terrence Sampson. I don't know if you are into statistics or not, but less than 2% of child offenders commit violent crimes again and I do not believe that Terrence is in that 2% if you are a violent person than you are just that, but Terrence has not committed a violent act in over 20 years and considering where he is thats why I don't believe he is a threat to me or anyone else. I will continue to pray for you and the many others lives Terrence has affected with his actions.
ReplyDeleteHello Mrs. Sampson
ReplyDeleteRonni told me that you were posting to me and since this post is so old I didnt know.
I still stand my stance that he should have been treated as a juvie, since he WAS only 12. I know Ronni disagrees, for the most part because it effected her children. My heart goes out to the Brumbelow family as well. But I dont think you are going to get anywhere with this obviously. He has to serve his 30 years. And I really do feel sorry for him since his own family didnt even try to get him help.
I am however intrigued as to how you became his wife. How did you come to know him? No judging, just curious. He is in prison after all.
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI befriended Terrence 9 years ago through a Uncle that was incarcerated where he was at the time, and the relationship grew. His parents are very active in his life they visit him at least once a month and has done this throughout his incarceration. It really upsets me when people speak on issues they know nothing about. Once he was transferred to the adult prison there was nothing more that could be done they did however attend family counseling as a family when he was in TYC. Unfortunately, there is not much offered in rehabilitating offenders oce they are incarcerated. Thats a sad reality a lot of families have to face. Many people seem to believe that his parents abandoned him and that is totally fabricated. They are very much involved in his life and have grown a lot in the last 21 years.
I wonder why you keep on blessing his mother? You keep saying that society failed him, but keep blessing his mother that failed him.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, it's never a good idea to have (or publicly express) negative feelings towards one's mother-in-law, no matter the circumstances. I would say that Terrence and his wife have many hurdles to face in their relationship, and it would be awful to put Terrence in the middle of a conflict between his wife and his mother.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that his parents are in his life. As far as any of us knew, they didn't attend the original trial. Perhaps that was another bit of misinformation.
You are right. I don't know enough about it to judge.
ReplyDeleteHey...we comment...we can't help judging. I'm sure Mrs Marshall will help us gain an understanding.
ReplyDeleteFirst off i would like to say to Mrs.Sampson what kind of woman would marrie a man that has been Incarcerated sence he was 12 yrs old.You must be very weak minded or was very lonely.How can a woman fall in love with a man that was convicted of murder.Do you really under stand the nature of this crime? And who is to say that when he get out he won't kill again.I feel like he should spend the rest of his life behind bars because he did know right from wrong. And if he didn't how did he know to hide the body? Mrs.Sampson Do you really know this man to know that he will not harm you when he do get out? And if you have children can you allow your kids to be around this man. What if it was your child stabbed 97 times by an oversized 12 year old.This little girl did not stand a chance trying to fight off this big boy.
ReplyDeleteIM sure you don't even know this man.I do know people who know people and i will fight for this little girl until he spend the rest of his life locked up.I do feel sorry for you thoe.Who married a man that has been caged sence he was 12 and has only gotten bigger im sure and stronger.Who killed another child because she turned him down.What do you think he would do to you if he do get released from prison and you decided that you were gonna leave him.Well i would think that the crime would be just as bad as the first.If you know what i mean..And if it was to happen the it won't hurt him a bit because he would just go back home..yes home because he spent most if his life in prison and that is where he is use to being.And besides im sure you know that all to well.And i know you know what i mean by that also.
ReplyDeleteOn December 12, 1989, 13 year old Kelly Elaine Brumbelow, a competitive gymnast, cheerleader, and honors student at C.D. Fulkes Middle School in Round Rock, TX, was murdered by her 12 year old neighbor and fellow 7th grade classmate, Terrance Daron Sampson. Sampson had stabbed Kelly 97 times in the face and head, then hid her body under a stack of firewood. While Kelly's Mother was searching for her daughter Sampson called her twice on the phone and even went to the Brumbelow house to offer support.
ReplyDeleteIn October of 1990, Sampson was convicted of murder and given 30 years, the maximum number of years allowed by juvenile law. Sampson was detained in the Texas Youth Commission, Giddings State School, then transferred to Texas Department of Criminal Justice when he turned 18 in 1995. He has since been reviewed for parole twice, and is now in the review process for the third time. He has never shown any remorse for this horribly brutal crime. He later wrote that he had been mad at his parents that night, and planned to shoot them, but could not find a gun. He took it out on Kelly instead. He has even made a verbal threat to shoot Kelly's mom and several others, while he was detained at Giddings State School.
Kelly's parents and friends were sentenced to a life time of grief and sorrow. Justice demands that Sampson be made to serve his complete sentence.
Amen, Mrs Lynn!
ReplyDeleteMs. Ronni,
ReplyDeleteI would like to begin this letter by telling you that I am sorry for the pain and grief I have caused you, your family, and the community that I once lived in.
I have never had the opportunity to speak directly to someone who knew me from my life in. Round Rock. I feel awkward because my guilt and shame are at the forefront of my mind as I write this, because I know I had a direct impact in a negative way on your life.
I deeply regret the actions of my childhood, and I’ll never fully forgive myself for my actions. I committed a violent and heinous act against Kelly, and I take full responsibility for my actions and offer no excuses or justifications for what I’ve done. My biggest regret in life is that I can’t take it back.
As I read your comments in your blog, I was forced to accept the reality that most people will always look at me and judge me for the 12 year old boy I had been and not the man I have become. I believe this will be the case because no one knows anything about the man that I have become. People see me in the media as only the child I had been, there has been a lot of growth and development over the last 20 ½ years , while I’ve grown from a boy to man in the system, and with that growth has come maturity and an understanding of the power of choice, as it relates to living a responsible and productive life. Absolutely nothing is the same about the man that I am as compared to the child that I had been.
People have the right o their opinion about me, but you made a strong comment about my wife ending up dead at my hands, and I couldn’t help but to wonder if that opinion came as a result of your thoughts of the mentality that I have now as a 33 year old educated and mature man, or if that opinion came as a result of your thoughts of the mentality I had as a 12 year old boy? Either way, you have a right to your opinion. People usually try to see the worst in me, but those who know me see the best in me.
Isaac Asimov once said that, “Violence is the last Refuge of the incompetent”, and during my years of childhood I didn’t know how to express my anger and frustration at my life and what was going on in my household. I made choices based on the irrationality of a 12 year old mentality, and I deeply regret those choices. However, I no longer make choices based on a 12 year old mentality. I think, act, and live like the enlightened man I have grown into being.
It is my prayer that this letter is received with the sincerity of my intentions. I deeply regret the harm that I’ve done to your life from an emotional standpoint. I can never take back what I’ve done, and I’m sorry for that. I can only live my life with a sense of purpose, and my purpose is to try to have a positive impact on as many people as I can in life. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to do that in more than a couple of ways, and certain positive aspects of my life will never be seen in the media, but I wanted you to know that I put forth a effort every day of my life to try to use my experiences to bring some good out of a terrible situation.
May God bless you with peace and prosperity, Terrence Sampson
Notice there's always that condescending "I'll pray for you" dig. Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteYes, because I'm so...you know...angry, misguided, bitter...and godless.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Whatever would we do without those pious, selfless saints to tell us how unworthy we are?
ReplyDeleteWow! I have perused all of the blogs...amazing! Now, Terrance's family failed him, the school system failed him, the Juvenile system failed him, and every adult that knew him as a child at that time failed him!!!! Why? because this was surely a child at that time screaming in obvious ways to be helped...but nobody paid attention...everyone was oblivious to his psychological needs because they were walking around "blinded" in their own lives, in their own problems. I truly believe that he has mentally and psychologically ameliorated self in every facet that a human being can muster. But I also believe that Terrence has nightmares about what he did that will haunt him until he dies. He not only understand but "overstand" the consequences that he has faced and will face for the rest of his life and on the day of judgement.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in divine judgment. And I don't think nightmares are a punishment for anything, as even those who are guilty of nothing so heinous suffer from them.
ReplyDeleteI believe that I am on the right post.I have been greiving and morning Kelly Brumbelow for 8 years now.I often think about her from time to time. She will always be in my heart always. But I don't have any hatred in my body for Terrence or anyone else, what he did was wrong. His childhood wasn't like mine. I don't know what he went through to cause him to do what he did.But I know he went through something. I don't sympathize with his actions. I sympathize with his soul. I forgive him. I can understand your frustration for Terrence, but you said that you don't believe in God, that I don't understand. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. God is the ruler of all. He see's and knows things before they even happen. For you to say that you don't believe in the man that gave you life is really harsh to say Roni. You talk about Terrence, but look at you, you might have not killed anyone but you spirit is evil and with that you can destroy alot of people by your words. Pure shame!!!! Da First Lady
ReplyDeleteHave you ever asked God for forgiveness?
Wow, I have read over everyones thoughts and I just want to say that in the bible, in the beginning when Adam and Eve was in the garden of Eden and God instructed them to not eat of the fruit of good and evil. They disobeyed. Adam heard Gods voice and hid himself. God asked why are you hiding Adam and Adam replied, "Because im ashamed and naked". God asked how he knew he was naked, did he eat of the fruit? Immediatly Adam said, "That woman that u gave to me, she gave me the fruit and I did eat. So then he askes Eve,"is what hes saying true" Eve replied that there was a serpant and he tempted me and yes I did eat". My point is that, its a natural response and always has been to put the blame on someone else. Originally Terrence planned to kill his parents is what he said to Kellys mother instead of apologizing. Just with that being said alone, I would not have married him. If you cant respect your own parents that birthed and raised you, how can you respect another woman thats of no relation to you. YOU CANT. I wouldnt have gone to his trial either if I were his parents after telling everybody it was them he wanted dead! Right now Terrance is in jail and he has nothing but time to sit and write. He has time to think of ways to put words together so that he can sound intelligent enough to convince someone like you Mrs Sampson that he is perfectly sane! The man is institutionalized. Hes never held down a job, hes never paid a bill, hes never had his own place. You say you know him but how well can you know a person that you have never had a single date with? Spent one single night? Spend one entire day with? You dont know Terrance, all you know is what he tells you. He could tell you anything like he told Kellys mother anything while she was searching for her daughters body. You have a better chance listening to me and Ronni and the other ppl on here who haven't killed anybody. I have a daughter thats 8 and a son thats 10 and they both are younger than Terrance was when he commited that horrible murder. They both understand perfectly well what it is to hurt someone! If you have older kids than my kids and they dont understand then you may need to get them evaluated because something is definately wrong mentally. Im not judging u Mrs Sampson, my heart goes out to you. If you were my daughter I would feel the need to tell you this. This man can offer you nothing behind bars, u are so not seeing the big picture, people murder all the time and its not always what you do but how you do what you do. This kid at 12 years old could stab his friend in the face and head 97 times. His hands surely had to be tired but he kept going. Thats enough never crossed his mind. Her blood had to be everywhere and it didnt bother this kid because he didnt stop. He said he had problems at home but I dont fully buy it because He was in football at scholl which means he had to at least keep up a good enough average to pass in order to play. Both his parents worked and made sure he had a okay living. His parents were coming from church when the body was found, and you said yourself that they have been going to see him every month for the last 21 years which is loyal especially after he wanted to kill them both! People tend to want to put the blame on others but when it comes down to it, Terrance did what he did to Kelly, not his parents! I pray for Kellys soul and also for her family. I also have will say a prayer for everyone of u, Ronni, Melissa, Rose, MrsLynn, but especially for MrsSampsons future. Goodbye
ReplyDeleteHe has not ever referred to his crime specifically, in the communication I have had with him. I think He needs to, in order for me to believe that he is sincere in his rehabilitation. Thank you for your insight, anonymous.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree MrsRonni. Also he needs to apologize and explain to Kellys mother, Why! Why her daughter is no longer here. The real, honest truth. I wonder if he told his wife??? If so MrsSampson, why dont you let us all in on the truth since your husband has changed so much, I know he wont mind. It would be out of the horses mouth.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Dawn- I am Kellys older sister- I have a son who is 13 at this time. He plays football and is not a small person. From looking at him and knowing his mentality he is in no way a child, physically or mentally. I can totally understand Terrance being charged as an adult. I also do not feel that he has served enough time to make ammends if thats what some would call it. How much time should be served for taking a life when the person behind bars still gets to experience life.
ReplyDeleteDawn, this is Tonya (Taylor) from Odessa. I have been searching for you for so many years. Robin, my sister, sent me the article about your little sister. My heart breaks for you. Please contact me at tonya_r_o@yahoo.com
DeleteThis is Kellys sister here is my thought on what Mrs.Sampson had to say regardless of weather Terrances is 12 or 33 years old HE IS A MURDERER AND ALWAYS WILL BE IN MY EYES AND IN THE EYES OF THE LORD AND PROTECT YOUR SELF. I HATE HIM FOR WHAT HES DONE TO KELLY AND our FRIENDS AND FAMILY he should rot in hell
ReplyDeleteIf Hell exists, it is for precisely that. The taking of an innocent life. I have learned that some pain never goes away. Read the above comment, and understand that.
ReplyDeleteIt's very easy for people to say, "Get rid of your anger and forgive," but nobody seems to know just how to do that. If somebody knows, please tell me, and tell Kelly's sister, too.
I have forgiven him as a person but he can still burn in hell. To me he should be stabbed 97 times just like he did Kelly. Im speaking on my opinion only and feelings. I am by the way Kellys sister but not Dawn.
ReplyDeleteRonni, I just want to tell you thank you for writing this. If he is infact married then his wife should be warned about the type of cold blooded killer he is. God will for give people of their sins if they are compleatly and truly sorry for what they have done. He still has the chance to ENJOY life and kelly doesnt. He has the chance to Have children. He gets the chance for happieness and KELLY DOESNT. We dont get to have birthdays with her any more that ended when he stole her life away. I dont care who you are or what you have accomplished in life. you deserve to suffer just like kelly did. She doesnt even get a chance to sleep in a bed or breath air. BUT THE MURDERER does. I dont understand how some one could condone a MURDERER to get married what judge in their right mind would marry a murderer. Well ive said my peice thanks
ReplyDeleteHe has not actually admitted the murder. He refers to his crime in very general terms, without ever saying "I am sorry that I stabbed Kelly Brumbelow to death." He says he is sorry, but does not use the words "kill" or "murder" or "stab."
ReplyDeleteThat, to me, says his remorse is superficial.
I, too worry for his wife. He will be getting out in a few years, and then what?
only thing i have to say about that is horsesh** no one that stabbs someone 97 times is sorry or wants to be forgiven and i know personally GOD is a forgiving and Loving God and for Terrances sake he better hope GOD forgives him. I have to forgive him to live my life or i will be living in fear the rest of my life and i refuse to live in fear. Well all i can say is every one deserves to be happy but MY SISTER CANT BE SO WHY THE HELL SHOULD TERRANCE GET TO no matter if hes been in Jail for 21 years hes still a MURDERER, KILLER, PSYCHOPATHIC HOMISIDAL MANIAC. I WANT TO KNOW WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY!!!!! WHAT DID SHE DO TO HIM THAT MADE HIM TAKE IT OUT ON HER WHY MY SISTER SHE HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL LIFE AND HE TOOK IT AWAY WHY?IM Sorry for going off like that but thats why tramma does to you!
ReplyDeleteI think it must be very hard to forgive someone who kills a loved one. My husband killed himself, and I can't forgive him. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if there was a separate killer...
ReplyDeleteI cant even fantham the thought of him getting out of prison. He seems to think that sence hes spent the last 20 years in prison he will be able to face reality in the "REAL WORLD" give me one reason why I should forgive him. Yes, god says to forgive those who do you wrong but IMO i feel that 21 years in prison is not enough time for the loss of my sister. I can never have her back there for I think and feel that if i was on the jury i would have sentenced him to death or life in prison with out parole regardless or REHABILITATION or Gods forgivness, if you do a crime you should do the f****** time that you deserve and to me 30 years is not Justice. He deserves to stay in prision for LIFE cause he took hers. I DONT CARE IF HES MARRIED he doesnt deserve to be happy.
ReplyDeleteIm sorry if any thing that i have said on her offended any one but im not sorry because it is my opinion,
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly not offended. And I'm the one who counts, as it's my blog. It would take a bigger person than I to forgive Terrence. Is it Terrence or Terrance? I've seen both spellings...
ReplyDeleteTerrance that is how it is in the year book at cd fulks middle school and on the police records.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to know if infact this so called "wife" of his is an actual person why did she stop talking to you on here or commenting on here. I think it is very funny. As soon as my sister and i started to comment she disappeared. Well thanks again for placing this blog on here i have less stress now knowing that there were more people than just me taht want to keep this bastard in prison i actually want something else to happen but im not a judge and im not the jury and he should be thankful for that cus if i was on the jury i would have had him put him to death.
ReplyDeleteI had suggested that she facilitate a visit by me to Terrance, but maybe she was unable to do so. Perhaps she found me less than sympathetic.
ReplyDeleteLook Im sorry about my post on your other blog but i found it very scary that you would want to go and talk with him, You sit there and sympathise with every one on Kellys behalf but then you are willing to give him the oportunity to explaine why he took my sister away from me and my family. I have spent the last 21 years of my life in a deep and dark depression, scared for my life and my families life thinking this sick bastard is going to come after me when he gets out so take it as you will i will keep on doing what i have to do to keep his ass locked up in prision so that I dont have to live in fear. I hate that no matter what i cant sleep at night because of nightmares of wishing it was me. Kelly had so much going for her, i just want to know why, and if you think going to see him is something you need to do to find closure in your life about this whole situation then who am i to stop you. I hope you find the answers you are looking for but i will keep doing what i have to do to keep him in prison untill his full sentance is carried out which i still do not think is enough time. I personally think they should have put him in there for 1 year for every stab wound found on her body. That would have been justice for me then i could rest easier at night. God Bless you Kellys baby sister
ReplyDeleteWell, heaven knows, I'm not the best judge of people. I just want to know WHY! Maybe if I saw him, I could figure out WHY. Don't you want to know WHY?
ReplyDeleteFrom all I know about that sort of killer, it would be very unlikely that he would come after you. It sounds to me as if he, as they say, "lost it," and Kelly's brutal murder was the result. I am no psychologist, however. I just want to see, face to face, what he will say about the crime.
You say you want to know why. That's what I want to know, too, and you will never get him to try and explain unless you listen to him. the thing that disturbs me the most about his letter is that he does not mention the specifics of the crime. I don't expect to get any sort of answer that makes sense to me, but it would be enlightening to know what makes sense to him.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you about the sentence. A year for every wound sounds reasonable to me.
You are entitled to your bitterness...I think that, if it had been my sister, I would feel the same way.
He is a piece of shit that should burn in hell, thats where he is going when he dies, I think he should already be there. Im tired of my tax money keeping him alive, a place to live and food 3 times a day
ReplyDeleteI would like to start off saying how sorry I am to his wife. She must have an awful life to have to marry a MURDER, a person who she know that took a childs life. Someone who will never be accepted in the outside world for what he did, someone who will never be able to get a job because of his past. Someone who can not even amit to himself of what he did. The only person she could find was a man who is living behind bars. I so tired of reading her post of how he was a "little boy" 12 or 33, he didn't know what he was doing.Instead of defending him why dont you step into everyone else shoes. The Brumbelow family can speak for them self, im speaking for all the 7th grader who went to school with them. We not only lost Kelly that day we also lost Terrance. We as 12 and 13 yr old had to learn real quick what death was and try to understand how one friend could do that to another. He knew what he was doing that day, he was the last one to see her alive, hear her voice and listen to her beg for her life. He didn't have to go to school and see her empty chair, before all the basketball games put a black stripe on our uniform with her name on it. Listen to all the bullshit we got from the other school for what he had done. He took our childhood away, made us grow up fast and try to understand what happened. We lived with the "why" and "how", how did we let this happen to her? 21 yrs later we are still affected by what happened. I dont think he should get out or gotten a lesser sentence for bring a juv when it happened, I believe she should have gotten sent to life or the death pent. He is not sorry for what he has done and I dont believe anything he has written in his letter. Why should he get a second chance, Kelly doesn't. Kelly missed out on everything in life, the only thing she got to enjoy was what we did for her in her memory, we never forgot her
ReplyDeleteYou made me cry.
ReplyDeleteway to gooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well said WOOOOWHOOOO i couldnt have said it better my self THANK YOU SO MUCH TO WHOM EVER SAID THAT I LOVE YOU FOR THAT GOD BLESS YOU dianna michelle brumbelow Kelly Brumbelows little sister im not scared any more bring it ON
ReplyDeleteHi there my name is renee I knew Kelly and was best friends with one of her best friends that live just a few house down from her . I remember the morning I found out what happened and I called my best friend to talk to her and her mom said she is to dist-rote to talk my parents asked me if I wanted to stay home from school and I said no I need to go for all my friends and be there for them and them for me too. That is definitely the saddest day of my life and as this other person said before it mad all of us to grow up really fast. I remember going to the funeral and going up by the casket to sing something in her honor I had to hold up my best friend cause she was crying so hard that she couldn't stand that was the second worst day of my life . I don't feel hatred for Terrence any more but I do still fear him . As far as i am concerned he can stay in prison for the rest of his life and I think he should . I have posted something else on here in another spot and it says everything else that i have been feeling for 21 years so please every one go there and read it . I also want to thank Ronni who ever u are for starting this page for us all to share on here cause I beleive that the heeling process always starts with talking even if nothing is ever solved talking always tends to make u feel a little better so thank u .
ReplyDeleteHello again Roni,Renee
ReplyDeleteI hope you are well. For all the bloggers on this post there is more than one blog on Ronni's blogspot account about Terrence Sampson, so if you are interested you may do your research and some of your questions will most likely be answered. I only speak to respectful bloggers, because I have been nothing more then respectful the time I have been communicating with Ms. Ronni.
Renee, Terrence did respond to your letter to him and for you I will repost on this blog, although it was posted on the other blog here you originally wrote your letter. Renee,
I pray that all is well upon you receiving this response to your blog post.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to be able to speak directly to someone who I affected in such a terrible way because of my actions, and although I don’t remember you specifically, you were affected by my actions, so that makes you my victim as well. Everyone who was affected by my actions are extended victims.
For many years I ran from the guilt and shame that I felt inside for what I did to Kelly. Five years ago I would have never wrote this letter because I thought the best course of action was to just disappear and be long gone away from Texas and my past mistakes. It was only after I nearly lost my life here in prison that I began to look at things differently. I have a debt that can never be repaid, but there are moments like now in which I can do what I can, in hopes that my sincerity is seen for what it is.
In 1989, no one really knew Terrence or the inner problems that I had a result of personal experiences during my childhood. I offer you no justifications or excuses, but I was sick mentally Renee. I was sick and I needed help to understand why I was treated the way I was treated. The anger that I had inside of me wasn’t because of anything that Kelly had done to me, no, I had anger inside of me for the things that were done to me in my household. There are things about me that you don’t know, and although it doesn’t matter what happened to me. I have no justification for what I did. I can only say that my anger came from my experiences in my early childhood, all the way up to when I took Kelly’s life.
I was a coward Renee, and I deeply regret what I’ve done, and while I’m thankful that you found it in your heart to forgive me, I haven’t fully forgiven myself, and I probably never will. I live with what I’ve done EVERYDAY of my life. I see my actions of December 2, 1989 everyday of my life. Everyday. That will be my punishment for the rest of my life, as it should be. The greatest regret that I have in life is that I can’t take it back. No matter what, I can’t take it back, and that eats away at me to the core of my soul.
I don’t blame people for wishing the worst for me. I prayed for death many years because I wanted to escape this guilt and shame I feel on the inside, but that was still me being a coward. Real men face up to their mistakes and take responsibility for what they’ve done. So today I tell you that I take full responsibility for the pain that I have caused in your life, and I am sorry for the negative impact that I have had in your life. I’m truly sorry Renee.
There is one thing that will always be a constant in life, and that’s CHANGE. People only remember me as the 12 year old boy that I had been, but I’ll be 34 next month, and a lot has changed about me over the last 21 years. I don’t think that any adult sees life through the same eyes they did as children. I know that it might be east to see the worst in me, but I’m simply not the same 12 year old lost little boy that I was over 20 years ago. You or no one else has anything to fear from me. I’m now a simple man that tries to do some good in life, and my actions show that I try to do some good in life. My pain fuels my ambition because I have to do something o bring some good from this situation. That’s the only way that my life will have any meaning. I respect the fact that you don’t want my life to have meaning, but if I allow that to be the case, then everything would be in vain. I made a terrible mistake, but I want to die knowing that my punishment made me a man that aspired to try to do good, because that’s all I can do to honor Kelly’s memory in anyway.
ReplyDeleteThroughout my experiences in prison, I’ve seen many men like your ex boyfriend, and I consider it sad that you had to go through what you went through with him, but he only represents a certain type of man in prison if he was in and out for three years, then he came here and did nothing to better himself, and that was probably because he had no direction in life. However, we all walk a unique path and change comes to us all. Change will come to him as well, because the fact of the matter is that life will break us before we break life. I’ve been broken and rebuilt, so I know.
Renee I’m sorry that you ever got to know the childhood version of me, and I’m sorry that you’ll always remember what I did to Kelly. You are right, I don’t deserve anything in life, but I’m thankful for my blessings, and I do my best to try to be a blessing to others. Hopefully, in some way I have touched your life in a positive way with the words in this letter. That is my sincere intention.
I wish you Peace and Blessings,
Terrence
Ms. Ronni,
ReplyDeleteI emailed you the information on how you can contact,or visit Terrence. He mentioned to you before that he couldn't change his list until now, and if you are still interested you have the information on what you will need to do. When you meet him I have no doubt in my mind you will leave with a different impression. Terrence as an adult is nothing like Terrence the child. Everyone has the right to their own opinion I am no one to judge. My heart goes out to the Brumbelow family, and although I know you are angry as you should be. Terrence is truly remorseful for what he done to Kelly. She didn't deserve it. It was nothing she did. You may never be able to understand his actions, but you have never walked in his shoes. No child wakes up one day and decides they are going to take another life. You have to be brought to that point. It's clear that he was a disturbed child and experienced things he shouldnt have growing up, but there is still no excuse for what he done. I hope his letter give you some sort of understanding for something he done that was so terrible.
Mrs. Sampson I am the victims sister and He is the same killer now as he was then He doesnt deserve to get out for what he has done. He should stay in there. I feel for him and you especially if you are that lonely that you cant find love in the real world and have to find a killer to fall in love with then Thats on you you have no remorse Put your self in my shoes what if it would have been your sister it happened too. YOU HAVE NO HEART!
ReplyDeletemrs sampson also just to let you know i have had nightmares of him comming after me and my family and i dont want to live that nighmare so im hoping you keep him far from us.
ReplyDeleteMrs Sampson, I have responded to your email. I know this is just semantics, but the only "blogger" here is me. This is what's known as a Web Log, or "blog." You and the rest of the people who have left comments here are commenters. Anyone who wants to be a blogger needs to start a blog. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I will in no way ever know how you feel, or what you are going through. As a matter of fact I couldn't even imagine, but for you to say I am not remorseful or I have no heart is totally out of line. If it makes you feel good to bash Terrence Sampson's wife then go right ahead. I have done nothing wrong to you are your family. The only thing in your eyes I did wrong was marry Terrence and you have no right to judge me on that alone, but hey thats you and how you feel, but I will say I do have a heart and my Husband has one too. There is nothing that he will ever be able to say or do to make you and your family realize that. Terrence is remorseful. He is in prison and he is paying his debt to society. He will be out one day and you are your family have nothing to be afraid of. He will not come anywhere around you. Why would he? I hope one day you find peace. Despite what you may think Terrence has changed his actions speak for him he really doesn't have to say anything. I'm sorry Kelly is gone and she cant come back. I am sorry that my Husband is the reason she isn't coming back, and I'm sorry you are still afraid although you have nothing to be afraid of, and finally I'm sorry that after 21 years you are still holding on to the anger of the actions of a 12 year old boy that was deeply disturbed. God bless both of Kellys sisters.
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected, you act like you know every thing and i was not judging you i was just mearly stating what i see. I honestly dont see how some one that has been in prison for murder can be different, but imo i dont think he should get out i feel he is a murderer and i will do what it takes to see that he stays IN FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHe will be released at some point.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry if I sound pedantic, but I love the English language and have a hard time not being the self-appointed spelling and grammar police.
I only have one thing to say to that WHO CARES!!!! I just want to tell you that I ran across this blog by accident but I'm sure glad I did because as far as I'm conserned if it has to do with my SISTER I have every freaking right to comment any way I feel I need to, GOD gave me freedom of speach and Im a female he gave me the right to speak my mind. I dont care about your religion that is between you and who ever it is you believe in Ronni. I feel for you I hope you will go to Heaven when you die cause I know I will and I know Kelly will be waiting to meet me there. Thank you for posting this blog but as far as my grammer or puncuation who gives a S***. Thank you. nobody is perfect
ReplyDeleteI have not attacked you in any way, as far as I can tell. I pointed out to Mrs Sampson that the author and owner of a blog is a blogger. those who leave comments are not bloggers, they are commenters.
ReplyDeleteThe fact remains that you are more easily understood if you try to use language to your best advantage. I am an old woman. I know this.
well i appoligize I didnt graduate from High School due to my sisters death its had a pretty tramatic time on my life. Believe it or not weather it was 1 year or 21 years i still hurt and grieve for her and my family does too. I have never once seen terance say to the Brumbelow family that he is sorry for what hes done NOT once. Thats all i want to hear then i may or may not change my opinion on his behavior as a killer. In my eyes and in the eyes of my LORD and Savior he is a killer unless he asks for forgiveness and if he does then he will be forgiven cause my God is a forgiving god regardless of how i feel about him IM not the one that can judge him but hes already broken Gods Commandment Thou shalt not commit murder, Sorry if im preaching but like i said my grammer and puncuation shouldnt have anything to do with what i post. My grandmother was an english teacher and I know all about grammer and puncuation and spelling. I just choose not to use it when its on a blog. Thank you
ReplyDeleteDiana,
ReplyDeleteIn no way am I attacking you either, how could I? You feel like you do, because of my Husbands actions. Terrence in no way is a victim. He committed a horrible crime. I never said I knew everything, but the truth is I know more than you about his actions. I’ve know Terrence the last 9 years of his life, and I’ve see the remorse in eyes. I’ve seen him cry, because he can’t take it back. Yes, he has a heart in no form, or fashion is Terrence heartless. You stated that he has never apologized to you are your family. Ask yourself this? Has he had a chance to speak to any of you directly? The last time he was able to go through mediation was over 15 years ago and that was with your Mother. He deeply regrets not taking that opportunity, (but not making excuses) during that time he had just transferred from the Texas Youth Commission to The Adult Penal Institution, and Terrence was just trying to survive as a Young man in one of the worst places in the world. He was 17 at that time. What I am saying is that how can you say that he is not apologetic when hasn’t had an opportunity to apologize? I will say this though 4 years ago he wrote a letter to your mother I know this to be a fact. The Williamson County District attorney’s office has a copy of the letter. I mailed it for him, so I would most definitely know. He was attempting to open a line of communication then with your family at that point. He wanted to answer any questions you may have had for him. He apologized in that letter, he even told her what happened that day when he took Kelly’s life, but I guess she never received it or didn’t want to receive it I don’t know, but I still have the letter and the email from back then when the detective told me any correspondence to Judy Brumbelow had to go through that office. I have no reason to be dishonest. He was able to obtain that letter although I sent it certified because I didn’t know how to contact you mother, but sent the letter to a Judy Dutcher in Hutto. The detective said that he would forward the letter to her, I don’t know if he did or not, but we never received a response. I’m saying this to say that he has tried to apologize. He is very remorseful for what he has done Diana, but you just don’t know it. How could you? I still have that letter and although it was intended for your mother I will forward it to you, so that you may have a better understanding. I would have to speak to him first, but I don’t believe it will be a problem. I will not post it on this blog, because I don’t feel it would be appropriate. That letter was hard for Terrence to write because he had to relive that day, and although no one will ever understand his actions. He suffers everyday for what he has done he has to live with it every day of his life and its not easy for him, but he understands that’s part of his punishment. Again, Im sorry for all the pain that you have had to experience because of Terrence’s actions.
Mrs Sampson, I see in the latest letter from Terrance you have posted here, he does acknowledge taking Kelly's life. Before that, the letters said he regretted "what he did to Kelly," without ever naming the act. He still has not said the words I want to hear, which is a direct admission that he KILLED, STABBED or MURDERED her. "Took Kelly's life" is still a lot cleaner than what he actually did.
ReplyDeleteKelly's family is, in some ways, frozen in time. They have not progressed past Kelly's death. How can they? It's like being hit with something that stunts your growth. Do you see where Dianne says she didn't finish high school? Terrance has a degree by now...but Kelly's sister was so crippled that she dropped out of school.
ReplyDeleteI will not ask you to tell me what Terrance said in his letter to Kelly's mother, but that is exactly what I want to know. Perhaps he will tell me, one day.
I'm sure he will be more than happy to answer you questions, but I don't know to what extent, because I am not him. I believe that just because you want to hear him say what he did to her doesn't mean he has too.He knows what he done and I believe it may be easier for him to use the words that he uses. You may feel he needs to say exactly what he did, but why does he have to? Everyone knows, honestly it would be hard for me to say I stabbed someone as well. The words are harsh even though thats what he did.
ReplyDeleteI think that we all have a choice in life. We either make a choice to be successful, or we let life get the best of us. Everyone is different, but I lost a very close person to me when I was younger. I was 8 and she was murdered. I could have chosen to not go to school. I could have stayed frozen in time, but is that what my loved one would have wanted for me? I understand how difficult it is to move forward with your life, but Ronni it simply has to be done we will never forget the tramatic events that happen to us in life, but its a must that we learn to cope, because if we don't we become miserable. (I am in no way judging anyone just stating how I feel and what I've been through)
I feel that trauma counselling was not available to Kelly's family in 1989. I hope they have received counselling since.
ReplyDeleteI want to hear T say the words because I want to know that he looks at the crime full on, and doesn't pussyfoot around it. I honestly don't think healing can happen unless he can say the words.
My husband committed suicide. He walked out the front door with a gun in his hand, and shot himself in the head in the front yard. People ask me how he died, and I tell them. I can't say "I don't want to talk about it," or some euphemism like "He took his own life." I say "He put a bullet in his head." I've been told that's harsh, but it's the only way I know how to do it.
Well thank you ronni for commenting on my defence but as far as my mother is conserned who gives a S*** if she wants to know or not what he said i will give you a email and you can email me the letter of what he said so that I will know for my self. I will not disclose my address because of personal resons. I am an adult and I have the right to know what is being said my monster has kept this part of my life blocked on purpose cause she didnt want to deal with it.I do feel that he is remorseful but because she was my sister I need justice and I dont think 30 years was enough Im sorry. Regardless of how remorsful he is. As far as my education I chose not to go through highschool because the kids made fun of me when i had to be absent from school for two weeks for kellys funeral. I got all the way to 10th grade when i dropped out but my life is nothing compared to yours, mrs sampson your the one that married a murderer. Ive known terrance for 25 years how ever long my mom and family lived next to him on wroxton in round rock so dont pretend to think that just because you are married to him and have known him for the past 9 years that you know him better than me I wasnt there when he took her life but if i would have been then my sister would still be here cause she wouldnt have been stupid enough to go to his house ALONE!! i just want to know WHY HE DID IT WHY why kelly she had so much going for her WHY HER can you at least ask him that but do not disclose my name please. Thank you and im sorry if i upset any one as far as ronni, Im sorry about your husband.It will get better in time My life has gotten better the more i talk about it the easier it is.
ReplyDeleteDianne, if Terrance could not deliver the letter to yhur mother, perhaps he would send one to you instead. By email, or whatever method. Mrs Sampson, can you see if he would do that? this woman obviously needs to hear what he was trying to tell her mother. Please. Anything that can facilitate healing can only be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI will give my email but I am not disclosing my address for any reason. Thank you
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ReplyDeleteDianna, I have saved your email and removed it from here. If you like, I can forward it to Mrs Sampson.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'll speak with him tomorrow and see if he would be willing to do that. I'm sure he will, and hopefully this will help you in some way.
ReplyDeletePlease do what you have to do Im looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteRonni,
ReplyDeletePlease let mrs sampson know that i would like to read that letter that her husband had written to my mother. I would like to know for my self if he is truly sorry more than likely it wont change my mind but its worth a shot. I will not allow the devil to get ahold of me but i am a forgiving person and i have forgave him for his actions so that i could move on with my life. please email me at the email address that i gave you thank you so much
Diana, Terrence has been informed that it is inappropriate and against the rules to initiate direct contact with any member of Kelly's family. While he would still write you, any communication would have to go through the Williamson county DA's office or through the victim/offender mediation dialogue that you can initiate through the victim services division of TDCJ. Please inform me how you want to proceed with any form of communication with Terrence. Do you want him to send a letter to the DA's office? Or do you want to communicate with him through victims services? I will await your response. Sincerely, Mrs. Sampson
ReplyDeleteNo, I dont wish to have contact with him thank you for your help best of luck to both of you!God Bless Ronni for having this blog and thanks for helping me get the answers that i need.
ReplyDeleteI hope I can get the answers we both want.
ReplyDeleteRonni, There are a few mistakes in your opening statement at the top of the page. Kelly was already at home and so was her mother she was in the shower getting ready for a date. Terrance called Kelly over to his house to play a video game with him and that is when he killed her. His father and mother were at a meeting and his father found her in the back yard the next morning. Her mom didnt even notice that kelly was gone till around 8 pm when her boyfriend showed up at the door ready to go out on their date. Thats when she started to call all the neighbors. Terrances father found Kellys lifeless body underneath the wood pile. All because he was mad at his parents he took it out on a poor defenceless girl as good as kelly.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for my many errors. I am relying on memory.
ReplyDeleteThis was all a very tragic situation one of which affected a lot of people. I was really good Friends with Terrance in school and we had several classes together. Not once was he an "angry" person. At that age we did not have without or frustrations. Who will ever really know what came over him that night, what possessed him to do what he did. I believe he probably has changed to a degree. He was 12 rather or not you consider him a child at 12 or an adult the years that have past he has grown up, mentally and physically. I for one believe he has served his punishment he has had several years to think about what he did and try to come to terms with it himself as to what he did. To say this 12 year old kid is and was a monster is ridicules. How many parents out there allowed their children to play with him. He had several friends. Obviously something snapped with him that day but that does mean he is still that same child or adult. What was done cannot be undone. Kelly was a wonderful girl and no doubt where she is now she is still that same person and will be reunited with her family again when that time brings them together. For now everyone who wishes to keep him in jail is only delaying the inevitable.
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ReplyDeleteTo ronni, why did you remove my comments? They were the truth! Terrance's parents where not in court. Kelly's casket was closed If it had been Chandra in that casket with stab wounds ALL over her body, would you be so quick to delete my post? I was in juvenile hall with that monster and he was so proud of his actions. Do you feel that women who seek out men in prisons are of sound mind? My comments were made at 3:00 - 3:45 a.m. look them over again and please reconsider. Mrs. Sampson's uncle introduced Terrance to her and that meams he must have been on same unit. Protective custody!! So her uncle must be A. CHILD MOLESTER, B. A CHILD KILLER C. A SNITCH. He introduced his niece to a convicted murderer!! I would lean towards her uncle being a child molester!!!!!!! You seem educated, so I hope you do not think this is an attack at you.
ReplyDeleteThere is no need to be abusive toward Terrance's wife. I am not in a position to determine who is of a sound mind and who isn't, but I do not allow abusive comments. You cannot accuse someone of being a child molester just because you feel like it. That could well be libel, and I want no part of it.
ReplyDeleteMy deletion of your post had nothing to do with who was in the coffin, but I don't appreciate the image of my daughter in that coffin. I corrected the original post and apologized for the error of memory. If you are going to keep beating that dead horse, I will ban your ass. Got it?
ReplyDeleteWell you should nam me cause it is not beating a fead horse when there is still possibility that horse will get up. She is no longer here to say how she feels and to think that you would filter anyone's feelings is just as bad as not saying I should be put to rest. So if the very thought of Chandra being in that coffin upsets you think how the family feels when the see mrs Sampson on here saying we don't know hiw he is because believe me we do. So delete my ass if you wish but its you who are wrong.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind being wrong. It's being sued for libel that bothers me. You are responsible for your own comments, but they would come after me first.
ReplyDeleteHow about this: I'm going to disable anonymous comments. If you want to spew hate, feel free, but put your name on it.
I appreciate the person that. Commented as annonimous last for supporting kelly. I still feel terrance is a MONSTER and deseves to rot. That is merely my opinion.
ReplyDeleteKelly was my best friend throughout 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade. I lived directly across from Terrence and was with Kelly's mother the morning her body was found. I answered the door when Terrence's dad came over screaming that he found her. Terrence never came outside to play with all the other kids on our street and I CONSTANTLY heard his parents yelling at him. I think that's where his anger came from. But to take it out on Kelly was horrible. I've lived with this tragedy for 22 years and still have nightmares. I think Terrence is right where he belongs. I understand he's grown and I don't necessarily doubt that a person can change, however I saw Kelly's body in that wood pile and it has scarred me for life. Kelly didn't deserve that and Mrs. Sampson, you are right - there are a lot of people that will NEVER forgive him for his actions. I say let him rot in hell.
ReplyDeleteI am going to visit Terrance. I am hoping that, seeing him face to face, I will see what Mrs Sampson can see, or at least a hint of it. I don't know what it is that I want to hear him say, but I do have some questions, and I'm pretty sure that if I hear the right answers, I will know it.
ReplyDeleteWhen you do see him, please ask him WHY??? I think I know the answer but no one will ever truly know. Kelly and I had gone into his house twice to play Nintendo and he did try to grope us so we would leave, but we didn't even think, being 12 year olds, that it was something important enough to tell anyone. During the trial I had to testify and told the court that. I think he invited her over, she went and he forced himself upon her. She refused and he got violent because of the rage already in him because of his parents and/or emotional state. He obviously knew it was wrong because he tried to cover it up. While I do believe people can change, I feel like someone reacting to anger in that way at 12 will never change. He's stated plenty of times in his letters that he's sorry for the families and the community that he's affected, but he's never explained WHY! I think he was on the verge of snapping already and Kelly got the result of that. But whether it was caused by his already warped emotional state, I saw what he did to my best friend and I want to know why. If he truly has a heart and feels remorseful, then he needs to give those closest to Kelly some answers because we all still wonder why we lost such a beautiful person. I'm sitting here now right next to Kelly's little sister (whom I haven't seen in 20 years) and it brings back so many memories. Though Kelly will never be with us here on earth, we still want peace.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, that is a beautifully written statement that I completely understand. Thank you. The "Why" is my main focus in all of this. I want to know, not only the "why" that Terrence knows, but also the "why" that comes from psychologists. There is something that happens to some people that either inhibits the growth of conscience or allows them to shut off that little voice that says, "WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!" As a society, we need to know what that thing is. There are too many people out there who think they have the right to take life.
ReplyDeleteWell with all Do respect ronni i would like to say something to mrs. sampson. Please do not take it the wrong way. IMO i feel that you can do alot better than being with a murderer such as terrance, yes he may be changed but do i believe he is NO. I have been through nearly 23 years with out my big sister. Who cares if he makes you happy GIRL HES A MURDERER what if it was your sister put your self in my shoes. I hope and Pray that you will open your eyes and realize you can do a hell of alot better cus some people never change and if it wasnt for MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER being in that bastards house at the wrong time id still be with her today. I have for gave him for him as a person so i could move on with my life but his actions are whats gonna cause him to go to hell and I hope im in heaven already b4 he dies so that when he is rejected I can laugh my ass off and say i hope your not to hot.....you may think im cold hearted for saying this but again look at what ive spent the last 23 years of my life dealing with. I have to live in fear because of him how would you like some one to do that to your family. Im just sayin. any way i hope and pray in your life GOD WILL PROTECT YOU FROM THE MONSTER HE IS, and another word of advice get a gun. JUST SAYIN......:-)
ReplyDeletehave a nice day.
Butterfly, I wish you would not mention the letter in a public comment.
ReplyDeleteThe letter is addressed to my family why cant I this whole BLOG IS A CROCK OF SHIT IF YOU ASK ME. WHY even post it if Kellys fmly cant even speak their minds in it. Im not affraid to anouce that he has a letter that he has written to MY MOTHER and the jury has not been able to read cus hes to much a p**** to give it to them to read. This could help him or hurt him but why tell me not to MENTION A LETTER no one knows what im talking about. Where in my statement did i mention a letter any way
ReplyDeleteand another thing IM allowed to defend my sister and any member of my family as long as Im alive so help me GOD i will live my rights to the fullest he shouldnt be alowed to get a degree he shouldnt even bealowed to breath. IMO i think he should be groaped by BUBBA and stabbed just like he did my sister but thats mearly an opinion
ReplyDeleteIf this blog is such a crock of shit, why are you posting here at all. The letter was written for Kelly's mother, but was not allowed to be delivered because of the no-contact order. It was for her, not for you. Even if I am allowed to see it, I may not be allowed to pass on the information in it.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, you have probably just scotched any opportunity for me to see the letter.
If you are going to come here just to curse at me, I will have to ban you, and don't think I won't do it.
By now, we all know how you feel about Terrance, and we understand why you feel that way.
The man that the boy who killed your sister has become will be released from prison at some point. Your job is to realize that the world is a big enough place for both of you to exist without ever coming into contact with one another. I suggest you work on that.
Listen here I haven not mentioned any thing about a damn letter and You your self suggested that I ask mrs sampson if she could send it to me, but because i am the victims sister he cant or she cant. I fully understand that But where was the letter mentioned in my comment?I read over it 3 times and didnt not see where i had mentioned it at all. Please let me know where i mentioned this letter so that i dont make that mistake again. If you feel you should ban me then by all means be my guest, but dont say i didnt warn you about the cold blooded killer he is.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to check back. It was Mrs Sampson who mentioned the letter, and we both picked up on it. I can understand your need to have your questions answered. I put up with more attitude from you than I ever have from anyone in five years of blogging.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get to the truth here, too. The difference is that you have a very personal dog in this fight, and I don't.
Please be nice.
first of all you asked me not to mention the letter in a public comment, what gives you the right to tell me not to mention a letter that was written for my mother from the MURDERER that killed my INNOSENT sister. You dont have a clue what im going through, you dont have any Idea how i feel Why dont you go and read my blog and comment on there Feel free i dont descriminate against people that cant type right or forget things once in a while and You also RONNI have no right to write a book about my sisters life or any thing that has happened to her. If i find out that you have a book published I will SUE you. THIS IS A PROMISE and from this I say I AM BEING AS NICE AS IM GONNA BE
ReplyDeleteDIANNA MICHELLE BRUMBELOW
Kelly Elaine Brumbelows little sister may she rest in peace forever in my heart never forgotten I love you KELLY (blog is kellyisgoneandnevercommingback.blogspot.com
I have added you to my sidebar in spite of your threats and illiteracy. I can forgive a lot of a person who lost her sister to murder.
ReplyDeleteI will write a book IF and when I feel up for it. You can have name privacy, but I can write whatever I please. How it gets published may be something for your lawyer and mine to work out, though.
Also, I have no intention of writing about Kelly's life. You have a unique perspective on that, and IMO should be the one to write it. I want to write about the murder, in the hope of educating even one family to help prevent other, similar murders.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why you would object to that.
BTW, I deleted the most recent comment in which you mentioned the letter...which is why you can't see it.
ReplyDeleteRonni, I just wanted you to know no hard feelings but i have every intention on writing about my sister and her life, It will truly be an auto biography/biography when i get done with it. But also i was not threatening you in any way form or fashion if you took my comment that way then i sencierly appoligize.
ReplyDeleteI hope by now you have found it in your heart to forgive me. I doubt it tho. You wrote this blog about my sister and Dont expect me to say any thing. Wow, Any way I got all my prayers answered, I hope and pray when he is up for parolle again he will not get paroled he doesnt deserve to. Thanks just sayin
ReplyDeleteDianne, it's not that I didn't expect you to say anything. Indeed, I welcome your feedback. What I can't handle are your vituperative rants, making possibly libellous accusations against people who have nothing to do with this case. I can understand your anger. I also understand that it is eating you alive and crippling you from within. I know because I know a little something about anger and the inability to forgive. You are welcome to comment here, or an any other post you happen to read. Just keep it civil, OK?
ReplyDeleteFYI my name is DIANNA not Dianne thanks
DeleteIF you understand my anger then y do you allow The Murderers wife to talk or express feelings on something that is none of her buisness. My opinion is my opinion and I am going to voice it when ever i feel like I want or need to. I hope He never gets out of prison and i am going to do what ever i have to do to keep him in. For at least the remainder of his sentance.
ReplyDeleteStephanie has as much right to her opinion as you do. You are not the only one with something to say.
ReplyDeleteRonni, how does a person know there has been a post on this blog? This is the only place I have found anything about my friend Dawn.
ReplyDeleteThanks
If you click at the bottom, next to where it says "subscribe to," and has "post comments" after it in white, it will open a window where you can elect to receive notifications of comments. However, unless Dawn did that, she won't see that you posted a comment.
ReplyDeletethis is Kellys older sister Dawn. It has come time for writing the parole letters again_ this time I just don't have it in me. At some point (different times for everyone) you have to let go. Terrance, I forgive you. I don't understand, but i forgive you. I wish for you to be a law abiding, God fearing, asset to society.
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DeleteDawn, a person called Tonya Overton is trying to reach you. You might could message her on Facebook if you are so inclined, or, if you email me at the contact link in my profile, I can see if I can get you in touch...
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for your forgiveness. How have you managed it? I have a person I don't seem to be able to forgive (in a completely unrelated matter) and would love to be able to get to that place.
Ronni, this isn't about what you wrote, although i remember all of it like it was yesterday. You mention Chandra. Did she hitchhike to California as a freshman at Round Rock? If so, I am the one she went with. I would love to know what/ how she is doing. I can be reached at jaime_schaefer@yahoo.com.
ReplyDeleteAh...the other winner of the Golden Ked award! I have forwarded your message to her. Quite an adventure, wasn't it? I'll tell you what...if you two had been 14 today and had done that, I would have been calling the cops first thing! The world has become a much more frightening place than it was then. Chandra has been married and widowed and has given me an awesome grandson! Please let me know if she gets in touch!
DeleteMy name is ericka...kelly made our cheer squad her first try...special..beautiful....raw bass was her rap song..lol beautiful... I miss u Kelly........
ReplyDeleteI was a sixth grader at C.D. Fulkes at the time the murder happened. My sister was in the same grade as Kelly and Terrance. I rode the bus with Terrance and the only vivid memory that I have of him is when ridding the bus, Terrance was harassing my sister who was only 12 at the time. I remember getting upset with him because he was grabbing at my sister so intensely that her pantyhose were all ripped up... We lived in a house on London Rd. in the Mesa Ridge community. When that happened, I remember being so afraid!! To afraid to even sleep at night even though I knew that he was in the custody of Williamson County. My sister and I both attended Kelly's funeral (may she continue to rest in peace). It was the first and only murder that really hit home. I have mixed emotions about his release although I know that it has nothing to do with me personally. I currently live in Houston and I have found out that he resides right down the street from me in Rosharon, TX. I would like to believe that he has been rehabilitated but at the same time if I were a direct member of Kelly's family, I would be forever terrified. I was 11 years old on Saturday,December 2, 1989 and I will be 38 years old before this year is over and I cannot for the life of me get over this. I think about it often. Too often in fact. I just visited Round Rock for New Years and while talking with a lot of my old classmates, it was confirmed that we are traumatized!!! I picture the scene in my mind, almost as if I'm obsessed with the situation. We are all definitely disturbed by that event to this very day. 1989-2016, the situation affects me in the same manner. Although he will have served his time, I'm hoping that something as vicious as this does not have to happen again for us to find out that he has not changed. I was 11 years old at that time and I have changed but, I am still the same person, with the same thoughts rather good or bad. Only difference is now I have learned to better control my thoughts and emotions and make better decisions. But as far as me "changing" no, I am still that 11 year old and I feel the same then as I do now as a 37 year old... I hope for the best in everyone's situation.
ReplyDeleteI believe both families have been severly impacted. I just found this blog and surprised to see all the lack of forgiveness. As a parent I cannot imagine the loss of a daughter and that alone can make forgiveness very difficult. I read of others though and they speak of how their children were impacted as well. Can this boy not become a man and receive forgiveness in the eyes of others. Is his sin worse for him than your sin is for you? This man has my forgiveness and I pray for him and his family. My prayers have and will continue for the Brumbelow family.
ReplyDeleteAlways easier to forgive when one is not directly affected, isn't it?
DeleteSome of the comments are from Kelly's sisters and friends. I imagine it is very hard for them to forgive him. If someone killed one of my children, I would be extremely hard pressed to forgive.
I am an atheist, and so my concept of sin is very different from that of a christian. I do not believe in punishment after death, so I want to make sure he has got his shit together this side of eternity, thank you very much.
I have been in contact with Terrence, and I think he is going to be fine. He plans to work with kids in trouble, and he is in a unique position to do so.
So, you may forgive all you want to, but you don't get to judge others for not being able to do so.
Forgive
ReplyDeleteCurrently I live in Arizona but I remember this story very well. I'm not sure what made me look it up but for some reason it crossed my mind so I decided to search it. I lived in the same neighborhood as Kelly but did not know her. Neither did I know Terence but I believe as a 12 year old boy he deserved every second of his 30-year sentence. Maybe he is a changed man now, but no one can make that determination. I can only pray that God has Mercy on his soul
ReplyDeleteNo matter the time that goes by, we will forever be haunted by what happened to Kelly. If he has been rehabilitated then that is the states call, but to consider the extent he took to commit the crime, was not that of a child. 97 times... complete scene clean up, hid the body. orchestrated himself as a concerned neighbor. a child's mentality would not have extended that far. Also be aware, he was interested in Kelly had asked her out on SEVERAL occasions, to which she turned him down. #JusticeForKelly
ReplyDeleteI think it's funny cause all these blogs are posted about his incarceration but nothing is posted about his release I honestly hope he screws up and goes back to prison but who am I to say what happens. He is human lmao if you ask my opinion he's a monster and I'm the victims sister. I pray for his wife and God forbid he has children. He should have gotten the death penalty. A piece of me died when Kelly died. His parents didn't show up because they knew they screwed up as parents. My parents didn't treat me good but I didn't go murder any one.
ReplyDelete