In the Santa Barbara child sex case that involved two Mammoth men, Dr. Andrew Bourne overshadowed co-defendant Joe Walker in news reports. With Bourne’s death, Walker stands alone against charges that he contacted a teen girl for sex and committed lewd acts with her. Walker was scheduled to head back to court Friday.
According to Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley, her office is awaiting Dr. Bourne’s death certificate for official termination of his case. When asked if additional charges would be filed against Walker, DA Dudley said that is “still under consideration.” Walker is scheduled to appear in Santa Barbara County Superior Court on Friday, Feb. 10, to set the date for his preliminary hearing.
News accounts have quoted Santa Barbara Deputy District Attorney Mary Barron as saying that Walker had met the 14-year-old victim at her school on one occasion. Barron was also quoted as saying that Walker told a Santa Barbara detective that once the teenager turned 18, “he would want to continue a relationship with her.”
Walker’s attorney, Sam Eaton had told the court that a lot of the prosecutions claims are “innuendo rather than real fact.” Walker and Bourne were arrested after detectives said they seized over 1,000 emails from the men to the girl. Walker faces one count of committing a lewd act on a child and six counts of contacting a child with intent to commit a sexual crime.
Deputy DA Barron has also been quoted as saying that over the course of the men’s two-year relationship with the girl, now 15, there were “numerous clandestine meetings” in Santa Barbara and Mammoth Lakes to which the girl traveled more than 100 times, according to Barron.
I think all good points made pointing to the fact this young girl had lousy parents for not better monitoring her e-mails,field trips, “missionary work”and numerous Mammoth Lakes”vacations” with these two older men…but that should not be a mitigating factor into what these guys(allegedly) did with her.And if Walker’s defense… Read more »
It seems to me that people have completely ignored the mother’s (J.D.) role in this. She allowed her daughter to go to on the November missionary Mexico trip with these two men, Owen’s River rafting, hot tubbing, multiple postings on Facebook, etc. Why isn’t the media addressing her failure as… Read more »
Just the mother? Isn’t there a father too? Or do you only think mother’s have parenting responsibilities?
Wow. Hitting new lows.
Way to represent and stain the inner circle!
BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Consider the fact that kids are tried and convicted as adults in murder and other cases regularly.
I know that adults must be responsible, at best, not to allow situations like the accused to occur but somehow I cannot get this consideration out of my head.
Wow, Good point ???, Children are supposed to know its wrong to commit criminal acts, but this knowledge and understanding don’t extend to sexuality? How about that it’s wrong to have an affair with a married person?
A 14 or 15 year old cannot drive herself to Mammoth over 100 times. So, who was with her? How did she get here? Where were her parents when she was running around with these men? If, in fact, she was. And, what parent NEVER monitors their child’s email account?… Read more »
Dear Friar Tuck, I was referring to your comment about intelligent people, not to the age of the participants: “Then again most intelligent people wouldn’t allow themselves to be in this predicament ” Intelligent people get into “predicaments” just a not so intelligent people. I am going to sign off… Read more »
Key word “this” end of story for me too Bishop Local.
just curious as to who the girls family is, and their invovement in this case, why would they allow thier daughter travel to mammoth with two men 100 plus times? as i metioned on here beofre, there are a lot more questions than answears, a tragedy turned more tragic with… Read more »
So just because you make contributions to the community you should be excused from any inappropriate actions. We will just have to wait for what is presented in court and understand the facts. I guess in Dr Bourne’s case we will never know what “actually” happened. No one will except… Read more »
Well, It seems that opinions are being expressed openly, albeit somewhat cynically. l am glad that many are examining their personal feelings and thoughts about victimization issues. I ask that some remember that this is about the victim and the accused. The memorial for Dr. Bourne was for those who… Read more »
Oh come on now Friar Tuck, you know better than that! History is chock full of intelligent people that got themselves in hot water. Right off the bat I am thinking President Bill Clinton. How about John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe? Want more examples? Yes you are cynical. What… Read more »
Sex between consenting “ADULTS” is not illegal Bishop local, key words here are consenting adults. Can you see the difference between this case and the examples you cited?President Bill Clinton was found to have had a legal sex act with a consenting adult female. President John F. Kennedy never faced… Read more »
Friar Tuck, It may not be illegal but it is certainly considered inappropriate among most people. Sexual/romantic relationships between Professors and students, supervisors and subordinates (Bill Clinton), any time there is a power and control issue that comes into play. If I am 18 and you are 50 there may… Read more »
Expecting morals / ethics in every consenting adult romantic relationships is never going to happen. Powerful men and women are desirable and targeted by many adults regardless of their age, sex or marital status. Your opinion on morals and ethics by only naming only liberal men speaks volumes of your… Read more »
Mr. Tuck, I did not bring JFK or Mr. Clinton into this discussion, someone else did. To say that I have any kind of political agenda because I continued on a subject that was being discussed using the same examples, is pretty silly at best, at worst, you are politicizing… Read more »
Way to politicize this issue, Bishop Local. And your analogies suck, at best.
Bishop Local…..What you say is true about the burden of proof is on the prosecution when trying a case.And if reasonable doubt remains,the accused is to be acquitted.And if Dr. Bourne had gone to trial,just maybe he would have been acquitted of the charges brought against him…BUT that,my friend we… Read more »
Wow, you guys, the word cynical comes to mind. I don’t know Joe Walker as I did not know Dr. Bourne. but I doubt that he has quite the same community contributions that Dr. Bourne had. I think that you are having difficulties seeing the forest through the trees. If… Read more »
Call me cynical, but most intelligent people wouldn’t execute themselves over a few inappropriate e-mails. Then again most intelligent people wouldn’t allow themselves to be in this predicament “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” I know I’m cynical.
The Los Angeles Times reported that “Bourne admitted to a sexual encounter”.
Here’s what was published in the LA Times: “Bourne admitted to an investigator that he had sexual contact with the girl, according to prosecutors.”
BK
Your day in court is coming.
Lets see how strong you can stand.
Try not to whimp out.
Just remember, the past is close behind.
he’s gonna be getting some star-worship up there in Mammoth too… Only and few are that lame… do not bunch all of us Mammoth into that group.
The girl is 16 at present, not 15.
Wow, that makes a big difference….
Is MMSA going to throw a party for the guy in Bishop accused of the same crimes as Dr. Bourne?
Sick!!!!!!
Something tells me when this guy goes to trial,or maybe even before the trial takes place,he’s gonna be getting some star-worship up there in Mammoth too….After all,he is…or was a local….a business owner and a popular person on the ski slopes.Something also tells me it will be a LONG time… Read more »
It appears that a jury of at least 57, without seeing evidence, has found the accused guilty. Why don’t you keep your unsupported opinions to yourself until a fair trial is held? You are not only unfairly judging an individual you are judging the community and the judicial system. Shame… Read more »
Shame on you Harry! Why don’t you keep your opinions to yourself! But since you didn’t, here is my opinion. I think the community should not have had a memorial for Bourne until the case is done and all of the evidence is shown.
FYI. As soon as the Santa Barbara DA receives Dr. Bourne’s death certificate, the case is terminated.
BK
Re: josh
Should his friends and family not get the opportunity to remember his life?
Should his children feel shamed, his wife. They know nothing of the case yet nor any involvement. Everyone should have a chance to celebrate the man they knew outside of this incident.
I AGREE!
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