These notes were taken by an Oklahoma reporter who is close to the Briggs. These are not the actual court transcripts and are not accurate notes, but they’re the only notes from the trial that are public.

Dr. Kelli Koon Testimony Patty High

High:           When was  the first time you was  Kelsey ?            
 

Koons:         March 31st, 2005

High:            How did Kelsey become your patient?                    
 

Koons:          I received a phone call, Mom was concerned of her hair thinning.

High:      What did you see on Kelsey?                         
 

Koons:   There was a large amount of hair loss.

High:      What did you diagnose?                                                                                                                  

Koons:    Alopecia

NOTE:   Alopecia is where your hair can fall out in dime size spots, then those spots grow it is mainly described as a stress disorder.  There is Alopecia, and alopecia universalities (it effects all of   the hair on the body including eyelashes, brows, arms, legs etc..) Even in with today's   technology experts aren't exactly sure of what the actual physical causes of alopecia are. The disorder  has only been ASSOCIATED with stress.

High:      What do think of a child with hair loss?                                                                                                      Koons:    Nutritional deficiency.

NOTE:   One does not need to be nutritional deficient to suffer from Alopecia. Many perfectly healthy people suffer from Alopecia.  To diagnose Alopecia and nutritional deficiency there HAD to be more than JUST the hair loss.

High:      Do you talk with the Mom about nutrition?                                                                                               
 

Koons:   Yes

High:      What did she say?                                                                                                                                             Koons:           Said Kelsey was a picky eater but nothing in particular.

High:      Mom didnt have nutritional concerns right?             

Koons:      Correct

High:      Did Raye Dawn explain Kelseys history?                                                                                                           Koons:      She told me she would have Kelsey for the next 24 hours but Kelsey was in a DHS custody battle.

High:      What do you think when you heard DHS was involved in a kids life?                                                     
 

Koons:     There is a concern for child abuse.

High:      Can hair loss be child abuse?                                                                                                                                  
 

Koons:       Yes

High:      Alopecia, can it be related to stress?                                                                                                                  
 

Koons:       Yes

High:      What do you know of Kelseys medical history?                                                                                                            
 

Koons:       I had notes from Dr. Ketcher and Dr. Obri.

High:      Did you have notes from January 21st?                                                                                                            
 

Koons:        Yes it indicated a well being check up and bruises. The mother reported Kelsey bruises easy.

High:      What did Dr. Ketcher do?                                                                                                                                      
 

Koons:         Decided no alarming bruises but ordered blood tests.

NOTE:   This was immediately after the bruising in January and the report said NO ALARMING BRUISES??

High:      What were the results?                                                                                                                                                           
 

Koons:                Normal

High:      And notes for January 25th?                                                                                                                                   
 

Koons:      Kathie Briggs brought Kelsey in for a check-up. She is now in her custody. The doctor says no    bruises noted on that doctor visit.

NOTE:   Again NO bruises noted.

High:      The next visit, February 10th, what did you see this day?                                                                       
 

 Koons:        She was having a recheck of her clavicle fracture.

High:      Anything unusual about Kelsey?                                                                                                                           
 

Koons:      No

High:      On March 22nd?                                                                                                                                                            
 

Koons:     She was brought in by her Grandma. Nothing new on bruises.

High:      The next time you see Kelsey, March 31st. What did you do to find out about the hair loss? 
 

Koons:          Ordered tests to check for nutrition. Raye Dawn says she is still concerned that Kelsey bruises easy.

High:      Did she tell you about bruising from January to March?                                                                             
 

Koons:       We did not timeline bruising. She just said she was concerned.

High:      And what did the tests say?                                                                                                                         
 

Koons:All tests came back normal.

High:      The next time you see her is April 25th. What was the reason?                                                              
 

Koons:       Not walking and painful legs.

High:      Who was there?                                                                                                                                                           
 

Koons:      Mom and not sure about the maternal grandmother. I ordered x-rays from the knees down.

High:      What did it find?                     

Koons:           2 tibia fractures.

High:      Concerning?                                                                                                                                                                      
 

Koons:   Any fracture on a child this age is a concern for child abuse. We x-rayed her entire body.

High:      What did you do with your concerns?                                                                                                                 
 

Koons:      I took the films to Dr. Barrett, a bone specialist in my office. I talked to both Raye Dawn and Kathie.

High:      Start with what Raye Dawn told you.                                                                                                                   
 

Koons:     Mom says a week and a half ago and the child went to the zoo. She fell wearing flip flops. They took her to the ER and found a sprained ankle.

NOTE:   Miste Smith said she fell on a CURB, with the flip-flops on. That part is often left out, making the fall seem improbable. However when you add the fall from the curb along with the unsteady height of the flip flop it is VERY PROBABLE.

High:      And what did the paternal grandmother say?                                                                                                
 

Koons:       Kathie says Kelsey would only take 4 steps and say hurt and then she has been crawling since then.

High:      Did you inform Dr. Barrett of your suspicions?                                                                                              
 

Koons:        Yes        

High:      You mean a victim of abuse?                                                                                                                                 
 

Koons:       Yes

High:      What did Dr. Barrett say?                               

Koons:              Dr. Barrett told me the stories were consistent with what I was being told.

High:      If you thought Raye Dawn was the perpetrator would you look at the history she provideddifferently?                                                                                                                                                                                   
 

Koons:       No, I was suspicious of everyone.

High:      On April 26th, what happened?                                                                                                                            
 

Koons:       Kelsey went to visit Dr. Barrett.

High:      When was the next time you see Kelsey?                                                                                                       
 

Koons:       August 16th, when we sent her for additional studies.

High:      What ones?                                                                                                                                                                      
 

Koons:    The genetics, a bone disorder, a thinning of the bones. (Osteogenesis Imperfecta)

High:      And what happened with this?                                 

Koons:       Ruled out.

Note: The tests DID NOT RULE OUT OI -they were INCONCLUSIVE, per Dr. Koons's testimony further along in the trial.
 

High:      Did you rule out child abuse?                                                                                                                                
 

Koons:        No

High:      What made anyone look at Kelsey for OI?                                                                                                       
 

Koons:       Pale skin and multiple fractures.

High:      You saw her on August 16th, anything unusual?                                                                                                         
 

Koons:         A knot on the back of her head.

NOTE:   This could have been an injury, however it also could have been an alopecia episode.  Often alopecia is preceded by large knot like bumps, about the size of the hair loss circle.

High:      Did Raye express concerns?                                                                                                                                   
 

Koons:       Says Kelsey is biting herself and picking at herself. I suggested an evaluation at a child study center for any underlying emotional issues.

Note:    Raye went through DHS in order to make this happen.

High:      Who did you talk with more often?                                                                                                                 
 

Koons:          The Smith family because they brought her in more.

High:      Anything unusual?                                                                                                                                                    
 

Koons:        Raye Dawn made comments saying Kelseys behavior is getting worse, going back and forth between the families.

High:      Is this stress normal in an ugly divorce?                                                                                                                                
 

Koons:    This one had more anger.

NOTE:   This shows that Dr. Koons was aware of the volatile situation, and she suspected everyone.     The other experts were always led to only suspect the mother

High:      Now that Kelseys gone do you look at things differently?                                                                     
 

Koons:         I think it is always easier to look back.

Cross Exam - Huddleston

Huddleston:       Are you saying your diagnosis is wrong?                                                                                        
 

Koons:              No

Huddleston:       Is it true I was not allowed to talk to you?                                                                                           
 

Koons:                    Correct

Huddleston:       Are you being sued by the Briggs family?                                                                                           
 

Koons:                     Correct

NOTE:            The Case against Dr. Koons was dropped in October of 2007, with no foundation for a civil recovery.

Huddleston:       Is it true attorneys refer clients to doctors all the time?                                                               
 

Koons:             Correct

Huddleston:       Its hard to become a doctor isnt it?

Koons:              Correct

Huddleston:       Do you have clients and patients?                                                                                                    
 

Koons:               Correct

Huddleston:       A lot of people depend on you dont they doctor?

Koons:              Correct

Huddleston:       Would you ever jeopardize your practicing license by giving treatment or statements that are not true?                                                                                                                                                                          

Koons:               No I would not.

Huddleston:       How do you feel that they brought a previous witness in to detest your credibility? 
 

Koons:                          I think anyone would feel poorly if their character was in question.

Huddleston:       On January 25th what happened?                                                

Koons:                         The Briggs family took Kelsey to Dr. Obri.

NOTE:                   In which he noted NO BRUISING -

Huddleston:       When you got in this case, you said you noticed things going on between families? 
 

Koons:             Correct

Huddleston:       This calendar shows guardianship was filed on January 24th. Then the next day Kathie takes Kelsey to Dr. Obri. Then Raye Dawn gets her back and takes her to Dr. Ketcher. Do you find that unusual?                                                                                                                          

Koons:                  No

Huddleston:       Have you ever had a patient where they are feuding over a child so each side takes the  child to a different doctor?

Koons:                             This would be my first case.

Huddleston:       So Raye Dawn brought Kelsey to you on March 31st?                                                                     
 

Koons:                   Correct

Huddleston: Do you know Dr. Obri? 
 
 Koons: Yes 
 
 Huddleston: Is Dr. Obri being sued in this case? 
 
 Koons: No she is not. 
 
 Huddleston: What do you show for March 21st? Koons: I have Briggs took Kelsey to the ER.
 
 Huddleston: On March 31st do you think the loss of hair could have been from stress? 
 
 Koons: It could be.
 
 Note: If the Briggs had Kelsey from January 24 this visit, isn't that enough time for nutritional concerns to emerge? When there were NEVER nutritional concerns BEFORE Kelsey was in Kathie's care?
 
 Huddleston: Can going back and forth between families be a sign of stress?
 
  Koons: Yes
 
 Huddleston: You didnt see any sign of hair being yanked out? 
 
 Koons: No I did not.

Huddleston: Did you know about her ER visit on the 14th? 
 Koons: By history, yes.
 
 Huddleston: When did you know about the ER visit? 
 
 Koons: April 25th
 
 Huddleston: Did you get the records? 
 
 Koons: No
 
 Huddleston: Have you looked at them since? 
 Koons: No
 
 Huddleston: Why did you send Kelsey to Dr. Barrett? 
 
 Koons: She is board certified.
 
 Huddleston: So you think she is a good doctor? 
 
 Koons: Yes and she could get the child in quickly.
 
 Huddleston: What did Dr. Barrett say? 
 
 Koons: Dr. Barrett felt the story could be consistent with Raye Dawns story.

Huddleston: Explain. 
 
 Koons: Dr. Barrett thought this was from falling on a flip flop but they could have been in a different time frame.
 
 Huddleston: How did you take that? 
 
 Koons: She is a medical expert. I have no reason to disagree.
 
 Huddleston: Do you doctor have an ethical duty to notify about child abuse?
 
  Koons: Yes
 
 Huddleston: Did you contact police? 
 
 Koons: I did contact them on March 21st about our findings that day.
 
 NOTE: Why wasn't a police report ever obtained? What was the nature of this report?
 
 Huddleston: You wanted the OI test done? Koons: Correct 
 Huddleston: Was it ever ruled out?

Koons: No
 
 NOTE: Earlier in testimony with Pattie High, Dr. Koons said that it was ruled out however here she clearly says that it was NOT ruled out. Additionally, notes from the 2nd autopsy say that it was NOT ruled out. 
 
 Huddleston: These fractures, did you look at the x-rays? 
 
 Koons: Yes
 
 Huddleston: Did you know if Dr. Barrett contacted police? 
 
 Koons: Not to my knowledge.
 
 Huddleston: On May 2nd, Dr. Sullivan saw Kelsey? 
 
 Koons: Not to my knowledge. 
 
 Huddleston: Has Dr. Barrett ever changed her opinion as to the diagnosis?
 
  Koons: Not to my knowledge. 
 
 Huddleston: When Kelsey was taken to Dr. Barrett, the casts were taken off?

Koons: I do know that.
 
 Huddleston: When Kelsey goes back to Dr. Barrett on the 6th, the casts were put back on? 
 
 Koons: Correct
 
 Huddleston: On August 16th, did you know DHS and CHBS were meeting all the time? 
 
 Koons: No I did not.
 
 Huddleston: But CHBS came to all the visits? 
 
 Koons: Yes I documented that.
 
 Huddleston: So this child had been through a lot? 
 
 Koons: Yes she had.
 
 Huddleston: And this is just 60 days from the time she was returned to mom?
 
  Koons: According to your timeline.
 
 Huddleston: And Jean Bonner recommended child study? 
 
 Koons: No I recommended that. Play therapy allows psychologist help the child work through issues.

Huddleston: Did you see any abuse on August 16th doctor? 
 
 Koons: No I did not.
 
 NOTE: This is just 3 days before the automobile accident on August 19th and there was NO abuse.
 
 Huddleston: Did you write you think Kelsey bruises easier? 
 
 Koons: I do stand by the fact that Kelsey bruises easier than kids her age. I established a doctors appointment at Childrens Hospital with the hematologist.
 
 Huddleston: Doctor, the bottom line, you saw Kelsey on numerous occasions?
 
  Koons: Correct
 
 Huddleston: But never went to court for abuse? 
 
 Koons: Correct
 
 Huddleston: You never went to CASA? 
 
 Koons: Correct
 
 Huddleston: And Raye Dawn did everything she could for the welfare of Kelsey?
 
  Koons: Correct
 
 Re-direct Patti High
 
 High: You say Raye Dawn did everything for the welfare of Kelsey, why? 
 
 Koons: She brought her to all the appointments and acted appropriately in my office.
 
 High: From January 24th to March 11th, she only had supervised visits with Kelsey. Are you aware there were no injuries during that time? 
 
 Koons: No I wasnt 
 
 NOTE: There were INJURIES such as a scratch from a cat, a bite form a dog, a bite mark on Kelsey these were NOT reported to DHS. 
 
 High: Were you aware injuries began when they went into unsupervised visits?
 
  Koons: No I was not.

NOTE: There were NUMEROUS injuries that were recorded during the SUPERVISED VISITATIONS with both Kathie Briggs and Raye Dawn all injuries, just as the ones described here were bumps or bruises form falling, cuts on the finger and a whole host of small NORMAL TODDLER injuries all occurring while under the watchful eye of DHS! (See the Visitation Logs)
 
 High: Were you ever told about a bruise on her nose? 
 
 Koons: No 
 
 NOTE: Wasn't the March 21st incident a bruise on her nose??? Didn't they say the first time Koons "saw" Kelsey was March 31st?
 
 High: A bruise on her thigh? 
 
 Koons: No
 
 High: A bruised rib cage? 
 
 Koons: No I was not told
 
 High: So you were not given information? 
 
 Koons: It would have been nice to know.
 
 High: Are you told about any injuries in July?

Koons: No, only the ones in my office.
 
 High: Did anyone tell you about the shampoo injury? 
 
 Koons: No
 
 NOTE: It is important to note that this was such a SMALL injury, that the CHBS worker only reported it in her documentation; she never filed anything on it because it was a USUAL CHILDHOOD INJURY, hardly notable in a history for a doctor. Same goes for the other bruises mentioned in this questioning. These should NOT have been allowed to present an abuse case. 
 
 High: The other list of injuries? Koons: No
 
 NOTE: What list? How can the jury be sure of exactly what list of injuries the prosecution is referring to? How is this witness certain? The witness should have asked for clarification, high just named all of the injuries. What list?
 
 High: So is it safe to say your opinion may be based on opinions without all the information? 
 
 Koons: My opinion is only based on information I could obtain in my office.
 
 High: Would you believe Dr. Sullivan might be right now?

Koons: It is of high suspicion.

High: Did you ever tell Kathie Briggs that your uncle was representing Raye Dawn Porter? 

Koons: No

High: Dont you think she would want to know before she gave you information?

Koons: Its possible.

NOTE: What information could Kathie give to a physician that would hinder anything in a DHS case? Unless she had something to hide. 

 

Kathie Briggs Testimony


Kathie Briggs:     Raye Dawn and Lance were not married when Kelsey was born. They divorced in July of 2002. I found out Raye Dawn was pregnant after the divorce and was told it was not his, so we were not expecting a grandchild. Then I heard rumors it could be.

Smothermon:    When Kelsey was born, did you get to be the grandmother?

Kathie Briggs:     No. We did a paternity test immediately. Kelsey was three months old when we found out she was ours. When Kelsey was two months old, Raye Dawn called and wanted tointroduce us to her. She brought her over to the house. I saw her again when she brought Kelsey in to get her pictures taken at Sears, where I was the manager. Once the paternity test confirmed Lance was the father, he was allowed to see her for 4 hours every other Saturday for three months and we all shared that 4 hours. We asked for more time, but Raye Dawn did not allow it.

Smothermon:    How did you feel about Raye Dawn?

Kathie Briggs:     I adored Raye Dawn. Ive known her since she was a little girl, I was her pom coach; I did her hair. I loved Raye Dawn like she was a member of our family. Our relationship changed when Lance went to Iraq in August of 2004 and I wanted to continue seeing Kelsey but I wanted it in writing and she did not want to do that. So I hired an attorney to get it in court. The judge granted me visitation in my sons absence.

NOTE:         Kathie Briggs was NEVER Rayes pom coach. Their relationship changed long before Lance left for Iraq.  Their relationship changed when Lance started beating on Raye-Dawn and the Briggs constantly talked Raye-Dawn out of pursuing the Protective Orders.

Smothermon:    And so you took care of Kelsey quite often up until this point?

NOTE:          Kathie JUST testified that they ONLY had Kelsey for 4 hours every other Sunday.  That is 8 hours a month. That does in NO WAY constitute as often.

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, I kept her a lot until she wanted it in writing and then something changed and Raye Dawn told me she did not want to drop Kelsey off and pick her up at our homes, she wanted to do it at the convenience store.

NOTE:          This was the Rainbow the same store that Eugene Snyder allegedly witnessed Raye Dawn throw Kelsey over the seat in the RED CAR.  The car that was sold, 5 months before the time of year Eugene says he saw this. See the notes from his testimony.

Smothermon:    And how did that go?

Kathie Briggs:     Fine, except one time she walked up and set Kelsey on the sidewalk and walked away.

Smothermon:    Okay in January, lets talk about the broken collarbone?

Kathie Briggs:     The weekend before I was supposed to have Kelsey but Raye Dawn never showed up. I called her relatives and the next weekend she did. On January 14th, Raye Dawn told me she fell out of the bed and broke her collarbone.

NOTE:          This doesnt gel if it was the weekend before the 14^th that would have been January 7^th (both Fridays) but the ER Dr. Testified that Kelsey was brought in on the 10^th for the collarbone (and other than the forehead-there were NO OTHER INJURIES).  Why would Raye skip a visit, in which Kelsey was perfectly fine, and trade it for a week when she was injured?

Smothermon:    Did you see any bruises?

Kathie Briggs:     It was dark and Raye Dawn just told me she had a brace on. I got Kelsey home and noticed bruises on her face. Lance was home on leave and we were having a birthday party so she stayed at our house for about 2 hours until 7:45pm.

Smothermon:    Did you change Kelseys diaper during that time?

Kathie Briggs:     No, I was taking care of the birthday party so no one changed her.

NOTE:                   Yet Ashley claimed during her testimony that she was with Kelsey every single minute. Could she not change her diaper because she didnt have custody?  That was her reason for not taking her to the ER when she wouldnt walk!

Smothermon:    Did you notice anything different?

Kathie Briggs:     We were concerned her demeanor had changed. Lance called Raye Dawn and asked why they were not notified about the collarbone. Raye Dawn did not think it was a big deal, so she didnt call us.

NOTE:                   At that time, neither did the Emergency Room Staff.

Smothermon:    Once Lance and Ashley left, then what happened?

Kathie Briggs:     Ashley called crying saying she had bruises on her back.

Smothermon:    So where was Raye Dawn living at the time?

Kathie Briggs:     Meeker.

Smothermon:    Why did Lance and Ashley take her to the Shawnee hospital?

Kathie Briggs:     Thats where they lived.

Smothermon:    Why did you go to the ER?

Kathie Briggs:     I wanted to see what it was.

Smothermon:    What did you think?

Kathie Briggs:     I was extremely concerned and shocked. I couldnt believe what kind of instrument could have been used to cause those marks.

Smothermon:    Did you tell police any name to look at in their investigation?

Kathie Briggs:     One police officer came out and I told them Raye Dawns name, just because shes the mother.

Smothermon:    What did Officer Matt Byers tell you?

Kathie Briggs:     He asked if I was prepared to raise a grandchild and I told them I never intended to but would if I had to.

Smothermon:    Did you call DHS?

Kathie Briggs:     No, Carl Leabo, the chief of police in Meeker told us he called.

NOTE:                   According to Matt Byers testimony, Carl Leabo was not involved in this case until Matt inquired regarding the investigation, the next day and then he was only a consultant in the case, he took NO ACTION.  This is FALSE or MISLEADING TESTIMONY. Carl Leabo testified that he never made such a statement to Kathie or anyone.

Smothermon:    You did not want to give Kelsey back to Raye Dawn?

Kathie Briggs:     No, but I did not have a court order, so I had to.

NOTE:                   Kathie kept Kelsey as long as she could.  Until Raye-Dawn went to the police and had them escort her to pick Kelsey up.  This is FALSE or MISLEADING TESTIMONY.

Kathie Briggs:     On January 24, 2005 we showed Judge Key the pictures of the bruises and got an emergency guardianship. I immediately went to pick Kelsey up from the daycare Raye Dawn had her at.

Smothermon:    And how did that go?

Kathie Briggs:     The daycare provider started yelling at me, asking why I was taking Kelsey.

Smothermon:    Did you yell back?

Kathie Briggs:     It was heated, but I would not consider it yelling.

NOTE:                   Like she would not consider the ANIMOSITY between their families: ANIMOSITY? Julie (the daycareworker) testified during the June hearing that Kathie grabbed Kelsey from her arms, it was so traumatic that Julie was fearful of the effect on the surrounding children, and gave Kelsey to Kathie.

Smothermon:    Did you allow Raye Dawn to see Kelsey at any time during the next two weeks?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, she called and wanted to see her, so I called my lawyer and he said as long as it was at my house.  So Raye Dawn and her family came over to see Kelsey at my house.

Smothermon:    So you had sole custody of Kelsey from January 24th through February 11th?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Smothermon:    Did Raye Dawn ask to see her more?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    On February 11th court date, Judge Key allowed supervised visitation for Raye Dawn, what was that arrangement?

Kathie Briggs:     She had her Friday through Monday as long as Mildred Fowler or Gayla was present.

Smothermon:    Was DHS involved in that decision?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    Meeker police?

NOTE:                   Why would the Meeker police be involved?  Their TRAINED INVESTIGATORS reviewed every aspect of the case and found NO ABUSE. 

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    So for one month, nothing was out of the ordinary?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    On March 11th another hearing what happened?

Kathie Briggs:     Raye Dawn got unsupervised visitation from Wednesday at noon until Thursday at noon and from Friday at 6pm until Monday at noon.

Smothermon:    How many hours is that?

Kathie Briggs:     90 hours a week for Raye Dawn.

Smothermon:    Thats more hours than you had her?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Smothermon:    But there was a stipulation?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, she could not be with Michael Porter during those visits.

Smothermon:    Why? Was that your request?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, I just had concerns and wanted to narrow it down if something else happened, I would know where it was coming from.

Smothermon:    So you wanted this arrangement to work?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes. I left Kelsey with Raye Dawn that day, even a few hours early so we would not have to meet later that day.

Smothermon:    The very next time you got Kelsey March 14th, what did you find?

Kathie Briggs:     She had a bruise on her head. Raye Dawn said Kelsey fell off a four wheeler or something.

NOTE:                   Remember during Rachelles testimony they showed Kelsey and Raye-Dawn on the 4-wheeler. 

Smothermon:    What did you do?

Kathie Briggs:     I just wrote it down.

Smothermon:    Did she get any bruises with you?

Kathie Briggs:     No. She had one dog bite and one cat scratch on her face, thats it.

NOTE:                   Julie, the daycare provider testified that she was concerned about the bruises that                                       Kelsey would come back from the Briggs visits with.  She even filed a report with                                         DHS. (The Confidential OCCY Report states that DHS has no record of this report.)

Smothermon:    Was Kelsey playful with you, a normal 2 year old?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, I actually screwed a cabinet to the wall and put locks on all of my cabinets becauseshe was so curious.

Smothermon:    No bruises?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

NOTE:                   Raye Dawn has several photographs of bruises that Kelsey received during Kathiesvisits.

Smothermon:    March 21st, what happened?

Kathie Briggs:     I got Kelsey and her eye was matted and red. Raye Dawn said she got blood on her eye from the scrape on her hand. The next morning I took her to the doctor because she said her throat hurt. The doctor said she was sick with a sore throat and an eyeinfection.

NOTE:          The scrape on her hand came from the dog or the cat bite Kelsey received while in Kathies care?

Smothermon:    Did you call DHS?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    Were you concerned Raye Dawn had not taken her to the doctor?

Kathie Briggs:     No, I was not concerned it was over the weekend and she was just sick, I didnt think it was a big deal.

Smothermon:    How about March 24th?

Kathie Briggs:     Her nose was blue on the bridge. Raye Dawn said she had fallen in the kitchen. But her nose kept getting more swollen all day. I took her to the ER in case it was broken.

Smothermon:    Why did you take her to the ER?

Kathie Briggs:     Kelsey just kept saying, my nose, my nose I would have taken my own kids.

NOTE:                   In Kathies timeline on the memorial site that she has for Kelsey she PLAINLY says that she took Kelsey in to the ER to DOCUMENT the injury.

                   Her own kids were in DHS custody for two years she wouldnt have been around to take her own kids.

Smothermon:    Raye Dawn told you she fell in the kitchen while they were running?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, but nothing was broken.

Smothermon:    You called DHS?

Kathie Briggs:     No, the doctor came in the room and told us he had called DHS and the caseworker would be following up with us in the morning.

NOTE:                   According to the Confidential OCCY Report, there was never a report received from a medical facility regarding this incident. 

Smothermon:    Did you call DHS ever for this injury?

Kathie Briggs:     I left a message with DHS worker Yolanda Hunter, the woman I had talked with about Raye Dawns treatment plan, the next morning. Kristal Johnson called back and asked to come over and take a picture.

Smothermon:    March 31st what did you see on Kelsey?

Kathie Briggs:     She had two bruises on her leg and two on her back in the middle.

Smothermon:    Did you report it to DHS?

Kathie Briggs:     No, I just recorded it.

Smothermon:    April 4th?

Kathie Briggs:     She had something wrong with her face, I dont have specific notes about it. I remember it because Ashley made a referral to DHS because Lance was home and they would have Kelsey all week for visitation and she wanted DHS to know about the injury.

Smothermon:    When Raye Dawn is picking up Kelsey is she seeing bruises?

Kathie Briggs:     Just the cat scratch and the dog bite.

Smothermon:    Okay, so Lance and Ashley had Kelsey until April 11th?

NOTE:                   For a soldier supposedly in Iraq, Lance sure seemed to be home a lot!  Remember Kathie testified that in the fall (2004) is when Lance was to bedeployed to Iraq, thats why she asked for additional visitation, and when she didnt get it she hired an attorney. Yet Lance sure seems to be there a lot.

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, Raye had missed her weekend visit so she called me and wanted to make it up, so I called DHS and Kristal did not seem interested, so I decided to allow her to make up the days.

Smothermon:    So Raye Dawn has her from the 12th through the 14th of April?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Smothermon:    And she brought her back with a sprained ankle?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, she had a doctors note saying it was it was a sprained ankle. Ashley called DHS and they told her to keep her over night and not give her back. So we gave her back on the 15th.

Smothermon:    Raye Dawn told you she tripped and fell on her flip flops?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, at the zoo.

Smothermon:    Have you ever seen those shoes?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    Did you buy them for her?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    On the 14th what did the injury seem like?

Kathie Briggs:     It seemed like a normal sprained ankle.

Smothermon:    But she wouldnt walk?

Kathie Briggs:     No it was as if she was a toddler learning to walk, she wouldnt walk around the room, she would just prop herself up on the couch or the table.

Smothermon:    When you gave Kelsey back to Raye Dawn did she have some kind of mark on her?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, she had a bite mark, and Raye asked me if someone in my family had bitten her, like one of my grand kids. And I said I didnt think so. But when I asked Kelsey who bit her she said, Kelsey did it.

NOTE:                   Previously Kathie testified under oath that Kelsey never received a bruise other than a cat scratch or a dog bite!

Smothermon:    On the 19th when you got her back again, what happened?

Kathie Briggs:     We were at Walmart and she tried to walk, because she didnt want to get in the cart and she took four steps and said cant. On the 20th I talked to a school nurse and a physical education teacher about the ankle and they said it was not unusual; she had only had the sprained ankle less than a week.

NOTE:                   Remember previously when Kathie testified that she took Kelsey to the doctor for a matted eye and not feeling well?  Remember previously when Kathie testified that she took Kelsey to the ER for the bump on the nose?  She wasnt concerned about Kelsey not walking?  Strange, for someone documenting child abuse so well and going to the doctor so often. Instead she asks a school nurse and a PE teacher???

Smothermon:    Between 5pm on the 18th and 4pm on the 21st was there anything that happened to Kelsey in your care that could have caused two broken bones?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    She didnt fall in a hole?

NOTE:                   This line of questioning stems from rumors that Kathie Briggs told the DHS worker that Kelsey was playing and tripped and fell in a hole.  She later recanted, and claimed to have never made the statement.  You will note that Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Block both indicated that a break of Kelseys nature could occur from falling in a hole.  Is this a coincidence that both doctors would use this analogy?

Kathie Briggs:     No. On the 25th Yolanda hunter called and told me Kelsey was at DHS because of her legs. And I said you mean her ankle? And she said no, both of her legs. And that was the first time I heard about leg injuries. On the 26th Raye Dawn dropped her off with me and has had a pink and a green cast on and two broken legs.

Smothermon:    So when Raye Dawn found out both of her legs were broken she never asked you if anything had happened during your visit with her?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    On the 28th at noon, you got her back and something else was wrong?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, she had what I call a pump knot on her nose. It was puffy, very puffy.
Raye Dawn said Kelsey had been elbowed by her stepsister in the night.

NOTE:                   Kathie took Kelsey to the doctor for a matted eye, then she took Kelsey to the ER for a knot on her nose (to document)- but didnt take her when she refused to walk, and now didnt take her for the pump knot.Does anyone find this odd? Or is it possible that Kathie did NOT SUSPECT Raye Dawn to be the ABUSER, as she has stated or didnt suspect abuse at all!!

Smothermon:    Did you ask Kelsey what happened to her nose?

Kathie Briggs:     No. Per the court order the last weekend of the month, Kelsey spent with us, but Raye Dawns great grandmother died that weekend and I told her she could take Kelsey to the services if she wanted to.  On the 28th I talked to a friend who works at a foot place and she told me I should get Kelsey looked at for growth plate problems, and suggested I get a second opinion with Dr. Sullivan in Oklahoma City. Her office actually made the appointment. So I called Raye Dawn and told her I thought she should take her to the appointment, and she told me she didnt want to take her to Oklahoma City because if this doctor suspects abuse, he might take her into custody in Oklahoma County. I told her the doctors said it was an accident and didnt think that would even be an option. 
Monday was her great grandmothers service and we could not get the appointment changed, so I told Raye Dawn I would take her instead. So Kelsey went to the lunch before the funeral and then I picked her up and took her to Oklahoma City.

Smothermon:    And what did you expect Dr. Sullivan would say?

Kathie Briggs:     I never suspected someone would bruise or break two of Kelseys legs.

Smothermon:    What did you do when he told you it was abuse?

Kathie Briggs:     I was nauseous. I called Lance and told him what the doctor said and told DHS that the doctors suspected the legs were abuse. David Burgess, the DHS supervisor, called me the next morning and told me they may have to take Kelsey in to DHS custody. So I called Raye Dawn and told her that shes going into DHS custody.

NOTE:                   She called Lance?  Wait a minute I thought he was deployed in IRAQ!! They told DHS they didnt know how to get in touch with him!!!  Somethings FISHY!! Also, according to the doctor and Kathie's own aunt, Kathie told the doctor that Kelsey was being abused by Raye Dawn. She couldn't have been nauseous because SHE TOLD HIM it was abuse.

Smothermon:    How did that make you feel?

Kathie Briggs:     I was scared she would be going into a foster home with strangers. I got some of her dolls together so she would have something.

NOTE:                   Raye Dawn called to check on Kelsey and to ask how the appointment went. Kathie told Raye-Dawn that the Dr. said it was abuse and that DHS was taking Kelsey into custody. Raye asked Kathie why she didnt call her, Raye was freaking out at the prospect of her daughter going into foster care.  That is when Raye Dawn called Gayla and they raced over to DHS and filled out the proper paperwork for Gayla to be the foster care provider.  Kathie THOUGHT that Kelsey would be placed with Lance and Ashley THATS WHY she didnt call Raye-Dawn. But theres no ANIMOSITY there!

Smothermon:    Then the next morning what did you find out?

Kathie Briggs:     She had been placed with Gayla. And I realized Raye Dawn had begun pointing the finger at me saying I had abused Kelsey, to DHS.

NOTE:                   Honestly, think about this statement for a minute.  Raye wasnt abusing Kelsey who was the only other person to suspect?  It wouldnt be Lance, he wasnt around enough, or so Raye thought!  I mean has anyone ever looked at the pattern of abuse being found in Kathies presence?  Kelsey was around many, many people on a REGULAR basis, who NONE of them suspected abuse, until Kathie mentioned it  (Professionals, Doctors, etc) Were the professionals really that careless?  I mean they are the PROFESSIONALS!!  They are TRAINED and Kathie is not, yet she always seemed to notice the abusecoincidental?

Smothermon:    So then you go to court in May?

Kathie Briggs:     For the show cause hearing.

Smothermon:    And what is the visitation schedule

Kathie Briggs:     Gayla has her full time and each side gets visits 4 hours a week at DHS. Sometimes we did one hour at a time, back to back.

Smothermon:    How is your relationship with Raye Dawn now?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont believe weve spoken to each other since May.

NOTE:                   But Kathie just testified that she wasnt aware of any animosity, before Kelsey passed away.

Smothermon:    But how did you think all of this would work out?

Kathie Briggs:     I was very confident the judge would come to the conclusion that I didnt do anything wrong, especially because DHS did not remove any of my other grandkids who were living in my house at the time.

Smothermon:    But thats not what happened?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    You went back to court on June 15th?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, and Kelsey went home with Raye Dawn.

Smothermon:    So on that day the judge dissolved the guardianship and adjudicated her deprived?

NOTE:                   Smothermons office and associate the Assistant DA AGREED to this arrangement, and then in September, agreed to remove all services from Raye-Dawns home.

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Smothermon:    Basically she went home with her mom?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Smothermon:    So from June 15th, 2005 through October 11, 2005 you were basically left out of the equation?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

NOTE:                   Kathie and Lance were both sent letters from DHS describing the investigation of abuse and they were both listed as possible perpetrators of the abuse. That is WHY they were not given visitation. Kathie didnt fight for visitation, like Raye-Dawn did, when she lost custody in January!! 

Smothermon:    On August 27th DHS arranged for Ashley to have a 5 hour visit and you saw her at that time?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, we were all allowed to see her.

Smothermon:    And what did you see?

Kathie Briggs:     She had lost weight, she had bruises on her face, retinal eye hemorrhaging, she looked like she had just lost her spirit.

NOTE:                   Kelsey was in a car accident just 8 days prior to this visit.  The bruises in the photos came from the accident.  The Confidential OCCY report, mentions the accident, that it was not the fault of either parent and that they reviewed the police report, to establish the report.  Additionally, Raye-Dawn called and reported the incident immediately the next morning. The Briggs tried to call in abuse, but the calls were SCREENED OUT.  Those photos SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED in the case, because they did NOT SHOW ABUSE. Period.

Smothermon:    Was any offer made for you to see Kelsey again?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Smothermon:    And you opted not to go to the one hour visit with Ashley at DHS correct?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, because of some of the things DHS had previously written about me during the supervised visits at DHS that were not true. And I wanted Ashley to have that hour to bond with Kelsey.

Smothermon:    So you saw her for three hours on the 27th and thats the last time you saw her?

NOTE:                   Smothermons office approved the STOP OF VISITATION with the paternal family, at Dr. Koons request, to study the seizures (possible night-terrors)

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Smothermon:    How did you find out she died?

Kathie Briggs:     A friend from the beauty shop called and told me Kelsey was at the hospital and may have had a seizure. So I called the CASA worker and she told me that she believed Kelsey had had a seizure. Then she called back and told me Kelsey didnt make it.

Smothermon:    Did you go to the hospital?

Kathie Briggs:     No. I knew we were not welcome. My mother and father in law went to the hospital but they were told to leave.

NOTE:                   WHY? Why would you not go to the hospital? Who would give a crap if they were welcome or not!!  You get your butt out and get to that hospital!!

Smothermon:    So you never saw her between August 27th and her funeral?

Kathie Briggs:     We didnt have an open casket so I never saw her again.
 

Cross Examination-Huddleston

Huddleston:       So in your testimony you tried to tell me that there were no problems between the Smith and the Briggs family?

Kathie Briggs:     On August 15, 2004, the Smith and the Briggs family went to a birthday party, there were no problems.

Huddleston:       Youre not saying there was no animosity between the families before January of 2005?

Kathie Briggs:     Just typical divorce stuff because Raye and Lance had gotten a divorce.

NOTE:                   It is typical divorce stuff for the grandparents to file for custody?

Huddleston:       You have a large family, daughters, grandkids, are you saying no one in your family said bad things about the Smith family?

Kathie Briggs:     I have not created any kind of havoc with them.

NOTE:                   Dozens of emails between the suspected murder and rapist of your grandchild telling him that you want Raye-Dawn arrested for murder and in prison, is no havoc??

Huddleston:       No animosity? How about the rest of your family?

Kathie Briggs:     Not that Im aware of.

NOTE:                   She was fully aware that both Jeanna and Shirica were in email contact with Michael Porter, and they were all addicted (that was Kathies statement) to the bash-board, a forum that was used for the sole purpose of bashing the Smith Family, and meant to draw any of the Smiths out for information. This is COMPLETYLEY FALSE!! 

Huddleston:       Ashley said there was animosity?

Kathie Briggs:     We were a typical divorce type family.

Huddleston:       You would agree Raye Dawn and Lance had a rocky marriage?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Lots of situations?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes. But I did not have anything against Raye Dawn or her family. I babysat Kelsey all of the time. She stayed at my house over night.

NOTE:                   Raye only spent the night when her and Lance were married. 

Huddleston:       Isnt it true the whole town of Meeker knew about the problems between your families?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont know what other people say about my family.

Huddleston:       Okay, would you agree Raye Dawn loved Kelsey?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont know how she felt.

Huddleston:       Did Kelsey love Raye Dawn?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes she did.

NOTE:                   How can Kathie not know how Raye-Dawn felt, but know how Kelsey felt? 

Huddleston:       March 11th you requested Michael Porter not be around during unsupervised visitation, did you know anything about Mr. Porter?

Kathie Briggs:     Just his name and that he was Raye Dawns boyfriend.

Huddleston:       Did you have any concerns about him? That something might be wrong about him being around Kelsey?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       You did not file that order because you any concerns about Mr. Porter?

Kathie Briggs:     I had a gut feeling there was a problem. But no one had given me any reason to think that it had to be him hurting her.

NOTE:                   So the abuse was not readily apparent. There was no should have known?

Huddlseton:       Did you voice that gut feeling to anyone?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddlseton:       Who?

Kathie Briggs:     Raye Dawn.

Huddleston:       What did you say?

Kathie Briggs:     I told her I was concerned Porter could be hurting Kelsey.

Huddleston:       When?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont remember the exact date.

Huddleston:       You didnt write that down?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       So youve recorded every bruise and you did not write that conversation down?

Kathie Briggs:     No.  I just documented markings on Kelsey.

NOTE:                   She never documented the dog bite or the cat scratch on Kelsey in her notes.  Is it possible that there were other injuries that occurred in her presence that didnt get written down too? Humm, so there were NO NOTES, no DOCUMENTATION that Mike was ever even suspected of injuring Kelsey but Raye should have known.  If Kathie had a suspicion, why isnt she in prison for ENABLING? 

Huddleston:       January 14th, 2005 you and Ashley both made a complaint to the Meeker Police Department?

Kathie Briggs:     Actually the doctor called the police and Matt Byers came to the ER and asked us for statements.

Huddleston:       Did you change Kelseys diaper during the time she was at your house that night?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       Is it possible someone could have changed her diaper?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       Did Ashley ever leave Kelseys side?

Kathie Briggs:     She was with her the whole time I was watching.

NOTE:                   And no one bothered to check her diaper?  Remember the ER Dr. testified that she had a diaper rash!!  4 hours with no change, wouldnt that be AGONIZINGLY PAINFUL?

Huddleston:       How many people were in the living room?

Kathie Briggs:     More than 20.

Huddleston:       Do you have more than 2 rooms in the house?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Im sure someone had to have gone to the restroom

Kathie Briggs:     Im sure.

Huddleston:       So you cant be sure someone didnt change her diaper?

Kathie Briggs:     We all had contact with Kelsey, no one was alone with Kelsey, and no one changed her diaper.

Huddleston:       When you went to the hospital isnt it true you pushed this case on Raye Dawn?

Kathie Briggs:     We told him who the mother was and when it happened.

Huddleston:       Do you remember the tone of your statement?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

 

Huddleston:       When you found out the Meeker Police Department would not be filing charges you filed for civil guardianship?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       After the police department did not charge anyone did you file a complaint against the police department?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       You took Kelsey to your family pediatrician correct?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Have you sued her?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       Then Raye Dawn started taking her to Dr. Koons, have you sued her?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       Has anyone in your family?

Kathie Briggs:     Lance sued on Kelseys behalf.

NOTE:                   What a way to dance around the truth.  Does anyone find it odd that every one of the professionals that Raye took Kelsey to were sued?  However NONE of the professionals that Kathie took Kelsey to were sued? 

Huddleston:       Do you agree with the suit?

Kathie Briggs:     Its not my suit.

Huddleston:       Do you agree with why your lawyer filed the suit?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       On March 21st you said something was wrong with Kelseys eye, and you took her to your pediatrician the next day correct? And she was just sick?

Kathie Briggs:     Thats right.

Huddleston:       So we can scratch that off as an incident correct?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       March 24th, the nose, you believe she fell in the kitchen like Raye Dawn said?

Kathie Briggs:     I have no reason to believe otherwise.

NOTE:                   Notice the PRESENT TENSE of this statement!! In other words all the way up through June 2007 (during the trial) Raye had NEVER given Kathie reason to believe that she would abuse or ever has abused Kelsey.  That says A LOT.

Huddleston:       How about this picture of the bruise on her nose, is that a bruise any child can get?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       You thought she had a broken nose?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, she complained about it a lot.

NOTE:                   So this is a plausible injury according to Kathie Briggs she wasnt worried about abuse even AFTER she had been awarded temporary custody.  Why were these photos of NON-ABUSE INCIDENTS allowed in the trial?

Huddleston:       So you took her to the ER? Not the doctor the next day?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, I debated about that but took her to the ER.

Huddleston:       And you say the doctor called DHS over this injury?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       What information did you give the doctor for him to call?

Kathie Briggs:     None. I figured he saw the previous incidents in her chart.

Huddleston:       So a doctor didnt call DHS over the collarbone a couple of months earlier, but this doctor calls DHS over this bruise? Why would he call over this incident?

Kathie Briggs:     Ask him.

NOTE:                   Again, another injury that is miraculously found in Kathies presence that is abuse.

Huddleston:       Did you testify on June 15th and 16th under oath?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       When asked under oath if you made a lot of referrals to DHS. You said I have not made all of those referrals. Ive only made one or two since January. So which is it Kathie? Youre telling us today that you did not make any referrals yet you testified under oath that you made a lot? Which is it?

NOTE:                   GREAT POINT HUDDLESTON!!!

Kathie Briggs:     My original impression was that every time you call DHS it is a referral. But now I know unless you are calling to report abuse then it is not a referral.

Huddleston:       So you called a lot and complained?

Kathie Briggs:     I asked questions.

Huddleston:       During March of 2005, Kelseys hair was falling out?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Do you believe she was under a lot of stress?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes I do.

Huddleston:       Now were in this hostile environment did you say anything bad about the Smith family?

Kathie Briggs:     Not in Kelseys presence.

Huddleston:       You were angry?

Kathie Briggs:     I was concerned for Kelsey.

Huddleston:       Is it true you dont like Gayla Smith?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont care for her.

NOTE:                   It is IMPORTANT to note that Kathie and Gayla had met on VERY FEW occasions they were not buddies, or pals, or even acquaintances at any time.  How Kathie formed the opinion that she didnt like Gayla is a mystery.

Huddleston:       So you say she only got 2 bruises in your care?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

NOTE:                   What about the Dog Bite and the Cat scratch?  Those arent BRUISES?  Earlier Kathie testified that Kelsey never received a BRUISE in her care!! What about the bite mark?

Huddleston:       Do your other 11 grandchildren get bruises?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Did she get bruises when she was with Ashley and Lance?

Kathie Briggs:     Not to my knowledge.

Huddleston:       Wasnt Ashley coming over to your house all of the time?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       And she didnt get any bruises? Ever?

Kathie Briggs:     Not that I recall.

NOTE:                   Could this be because Kelsey was usually only around Kathie for a matter of a couple hours, and most bruises take several hours to show up? (Per Dr. Koons & Dr. Yacoub & Dr. Carl Griffin & Dr. Block)

Huddleston:       On April 4th, why doesnt Ashley ever remember making that referral?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont know.

Huddleston:       Tell me about all of these pictures?

Kathie Briggs:     We took a lot of pictures of Kelsey.

Huddleston:       Is it true you had three or four people looking over Kelsey when she would leave for Raye Dawns house?

Kathie Briggs:     That was under advisement of my attorney.

Huddleston:       Would you say Kelsey was being examined, looking for everything you could find?

Kathie Briggs:     We were advised to examine her.

NOTE:                   Wouldnt this be considered abusive by nature?  Having 3-4 people who are not physicians EXAMINE every inch of Kelsey? Yet there were no 3-4 people examining her when she took 4 steps at Walmart then refused to walk all weekend, not even a physician!

Huddleston:       On April 14th Kelsey was brought to you by Miste and Raye Dawn correct?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes. To the ball field.

Huddleston:       You learned that day that she injured herself a the zoo? And you would agree Raye Dawn was not present?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont know.

Huddleston:       On April 15th you gave her back to Raye Dawn?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       On April 18th you got her back?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       So between the 19th, 20th and 21st she was basically crawling under your care and you did not take her to the doctor because some friends told you it was normal?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

NOTE:                   The Oklahoma Statutes Title 10 clearly points out that the failure to act when a child is visibly injured is NEGLECT.

Huddleston:       On April 25th Raye Dawn took Kelsey to Dr. Koons who refers her to Dr. Barrett, are you suing her?

Kathie Briggs:     Lance is.

Huddleston:       And explain this foot doctor story to me?

Kathie Briggs:     Cheryl Watts at the foot clinic explained growth plates to me and I went to get a second opinion per her recommendation.

Huddleston;       Kathie you took two x-rays to Dr. Sullivan is that correct?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Who gave you his diagnosis?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Did you give the doctor her history?

Kathie Briggs:     I told him about the other doctors opinions.

Huddleston:       Did you tell him she was crawling with you?

Kathie Briggs:     We discussed her condition.

Huddleston:       What did you do with the x-rays?

Kathie Briggs:     I kept them.

Huddleston:       Why did we have to get them from the civil attorneys?

Kathie Briggs:     I turned them over to my civil attorney when he asked for them when Kelsey died.

NOTE:                   But remember Kathie was ADAMENT that SHE was not suing anyone.  So why would HER attorney need them?

Huddleston:       Did you take the x-rays to police?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       Even though the doctor told you they were abuse? You didnt take them to DHS?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       The D.A.?

Kathie Briggs:     No. That was my copy.

NOTE:                   Why did Kathie Briggs need a copy of the X-rays, but she didnt think it was necessary for the cops or the DA or DHS to have a copy???  Was she building a civil case?  Or a case for custody? Did she KNOW that Kelsey wasnt being abused by Raye Dawn?

Huddleston:       So is it true that you made an allegation against Raye Dawn, that she broke Kelseys legs? And she accused you?

Kathie Briggs:     I never said Raye Dawn broke Kelseys legs, I felt it was either she or Michael Porter but that it happened in that house.

NOTE:                   The emails are PROOF that Kathie, Shirica, & Jeanna all accused Raye-Dawn of breaking Kelseys legs.

Huddleston:       Were you upset when DHS pulled Kelsey out of your home based on these allegations? You were the legal guardians?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, I was upset.

NOTE:                   But she was packing up Kelseys things getting her all ready to go to her foster home

Huddleston:       Dont you think my client probably felt the same way?

Kathie Briggs:     She probably did.

NOTE:                   Thats why she RACED over to DHS. She wasnt going to just give up on Kelsey.

Huddleston:       In May of 2005 did you or any of your family members follow my client?

Kathie Briggs:     I was behind her once and saw that the tag on her car was expired by six months and that she had replaced it with a tag from another vehicle.

NOTE:                   Even Meeker Police were sick of Kathie calling in false reports against Raye-Dawn.  They were told that they couldnt file harassment charges due to the conflict of interest because of the pending custody case. (See Matt Byers Testimony)

Huddleston:       So you just happened to be behind her?

Kathie Briggs:     I pulled out from my daughters house and when we reached the four way stop in Meeker she would not let me pass and would not go through the stop sign. So I called police and reported it.

Huddleston:       Did you stalk Raye Dawn?

Kathie Briggs:     No, I drove by twice to see if the police had responded to my call before going to the school for a party.

NOTE:                   In Kathies timeline on the memorial website that she has for Kelsey she even mentions the fact that Raye-Dawn was packing her car for a garage sale!  That is WAY more than just a haphazard encounter. That is STALKING!

Huddleston:       So you called to report my client had an outdated tag. Have you ever done that before?

Kathie Briggs:     No, she committed a crime and it was my civic duty to report that.

Huddleston:       Have you ever done it again?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       The what do you call it? A pump knot?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Did DHS take pictures?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Were you present?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, they took the pictures at my house.

Huddleston:       On April 28th Kelsey was at your house and she started crying uncontrollably for her mommy?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Why was she crying so uncontrollably?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont know.

Huddleston:       What were you doing to her?

Kathie Briggs:     Nothing, she had two casts on her legs and was probably very uncomfortable.

Huddleston:       So you called my client to come see what was wrong and make her stop?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes. If she wanted her mother than I wanted her to have her mother. But then when Raye Dawn got to the house Kelsey would not go to her mom and she had stopped crying. So when she left I asked Kelsey why she would not go to her mom and she said I wanted Mommy Ashley.

Huddleston:       Those pictures that were taken at Teris house, by Ashley, of the nose?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       After that Teri made a complaint? Called in a referral? DHS came on the 29th for an investigation?

Kathie Briggs:     yes

Huddleston:       They took statements from Michael Porter and Whitney and determined Whitney elbowed Kelsey in the nose?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       You testified in June that Kelsey should be returned to Raye Dawn at some point?

Kathie Briggs:     I said I would like to see Kelsey returned some day.

Huddleston:       Even though Michael Porter lived in the home?

Kathie Briggs:     I said I would eventually like to see them reunited someday.

Huddleston:       And who should have made that decision?

Kathie Briggs:     Judge Key.

Huddleston:       Didnt you sponsor Sheila Kirk to run against Judge Key?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       There were monthly reviews in August, September did you go to any of those reviews?

Kathie Briggs:     No. Our guardianship had been dissolved we were told we had no rights because we were the grandparents.

NOTE:                   They had the right to appeal the courts decision. Everyone always has the right to appeal.  The truth is, Kathie knew Lance was NOT IN IRAQ and she was just going ot wait for him to get home from rehab, and try again to get custody.

Huddleston:       Did you set up the website Kelseys Purpose?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

NOTE:                   I am sure that it was for Kathies protection but actually the LEGAL and BINDING OWNER of KELSEYS PURPOSE is MICHAEL BRIGGS, Kathies brother in law the technician for the site

Huddleston:       Is it true members have harassed and threatened Mildred Fowler?

Kathie Briggs:     Not that Im aware of.

Huddleston:       Have you accused Gayla of crimes on the website?

Kathie Briggs:     Not that Im aware of.

NOTE:                   Way do dance around the question.  She may not have actually threatened Gayla on the website, but she CERTAINLY threatened her and stated that she was after Gayla, as well as a whole host of other people in the emails between her and the murderer and rapist of her grandchild. She isnt aware of this, probably like she isnt aware of any animosity between her and Raye Dawn.

Huddleston:       Are you aware of some turmoil at Kelseys grave?

Kathie Briggs:     Ive heard about that.

Huddleston:       That things have been removed from Kelseys grave?

Kathie Briggs:     Both families have had things removed.

NOTE:                   Just a second ago she said she heard about it, now she is acknowledging it?

Huddleston:       How often do you call Mr. Smothermon?

Kathie Briggs:     Not very.

NOTE:                   Not very often, like she didnt call DHS very often> or not very often like she didnt stalk Raye-Dawn?  How not very?? Explain.

Huddleston:       Have you pushed this case against Raye Dawn?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       Has Lance sued CHBS?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       The doctors?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       CASA?

Kathie Briggs:     That was dropped.

NOTE:                   It is important to note that ALL of the Briggs lawsuits have been dropped on the basis of no foundation for civil recovery. 

Huddleston:       After October 11th, 2005 in January of 2006 you started email conversations with Mr. Porter?

Kathie:                  He contacted me.

NOTE:                   Actually he contacted Shirica, who in turn contacted Kathie, after Shirica and Porter shared about 33 + emails back and forth. Shirica assured Porter that Kathie did want to contact Porter and would respond to his emails.

Huddleston:       You replied?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       How many emails?

Kathie Briggs:     Dozens.

NOTE:                   Over 100 emails total between Porter, Shirica, & Kathie dozens, upon dozens.

Huddleston:       Less than 90 days after the death of your granddaughter you met with the man who murdered her?

Kathie Briggs:     He was only accused, he was not convicted.

NOTE:                   At that time he was the ONLY one accused! 

Huddleston:       Did you shake his hand?

Kathie Briggs:     NO.

Huddleston:       Were you nice to him?

Kathie Briggs:     Cordial.

NOTE:                   In the emails, after their meeting, Kathie said it was nice meeting with you and II enjoyed our visit most would consider that kind of behavior more than cordial

Huddleston:       Why would you meet with him?

Kathie Briggs:     I had many questions about what happened to my grand-daughter.

NOTE:                   But NEVER in 100 emails did Kathie or Shirica or Jeanna ask what happened to Kelsey!

Huddleston:       You mean you wanted to build a case against my client?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Huddleston:       Weve discussed theres no one else involved what else could there have been to talk about besides Raye Dawn?

Kathie Briggs:     I did not talk to him about the day Kelsey died. I asked about several specific incidents.

NOTE:                   Specific  incidents for information regarding her CIVIL CASES

Huddleston:       You did not ask Mr. Porter about the day your granddaughter died?

Kathie Briggs:     No. I told him I could not change what happened that day and he would have his day in court.

Huddleston:       Have you talked with Smothermon about the charges at this point?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       The rectal bruises?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Huddleston:       And you still met with him?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, I needed to know some things about what happened to my grand-daughter.

NOTE:                   YET, she NEVER asked him about Kelsey!! She wanted to know about who she could sue!!  She knew about the possibility of SEXUAL ASSAULT on Kelsey and she STILL met with Porter!!  What reason, other thanCONSPIRACY would a grandmother have to meet with the person who there is EVIDENCE AGAINST for causing her death!!

Huddleston:       You posted on Kelseys Purpose after Porter went to prison that you were only using him for information. Information on my client?

Kathie Briggs:     I asked him for information about DHS and Judge Key.

NOTE:                   And information on Raye-Dawn remember Mike wanted to hand her over on a silver platter. 

Huddleston:       Were you contacted about the plea agreement reached with Michael Porter?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, we discussed it before he made the deal.

Huddleston:       Are you aware no one from the DAs office contacted my client about the deal?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont know what the DAs office did.

Huddleston:       Nothing further.

Redirect-Pattye High

Pattie High:         Ms. Briggs, are you aware that the DAs office is not in the practice of discussing plea negotiations with the family of another person charged in connection with a case?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont know what the practice is, but that make sense.

Patti High:           He accused you of calling us and pushing this case, correct?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Patti High:           Is it true you have been very vocal in this case?

Kathie Briggs:     I suppose.

Patti High:           Why?

Kathie Briggs:     Because Kelsey cant speak for herself and I have taken on that role.

Patti High:           Youve especially spent time lobbying at the legislature?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes, I asked for a law to be passed so no other children die in the same way Kelsey did. 

 

Patti High:           Had DHS, the police department, Judge Key listened to you, would any of these things be necessary if Kelsey was not dead?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

NOTE:                   NOTICE that the prosecution NEVER mentioned RAYE DAWN in that statement as a person responsible.  ONLY those that Kathie or Lance was attempting to sue or blame.

Patti High:           At the end of the day, you were right?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Patti High:           Because Kelsey was murdered?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

NOTE:                   Kathie was correct - she originally suspected Mike Porter but did NOTHING about it! Isnt that the exact same thing that Raye was on trial for???

Patti High:           You told Judge Key the only time you would agree to let Kelsey go back with Raye Dawn, also in your testimony from that day, that Mr. Huddleston did not read to the jury, you said you would only agree to send her back when there were no longer any injuries?

Kathie Briggs:     I didnt remember I said that, but yes.

Patti High:           After your contacts with DHS and Teris contacts with Kelsey were taken away did she die?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

Patti High:           Are you proud of the phone call you made to the Meeker Police Department about Raye Dawns tag?

Kathie Briggs:     No. I was very frustrated with the police department at that time.

NOTE:                   Kathie previously stated that it was her CIVIC DUTY now she admits that it was out of frustration, aka STALKING!

Patti High:           When you picked up the x-rays did you think that was the only copy?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Patti High:           Were you trying to save them because gosh, months later Kelsey would be murdered and there would be a criminal investigation?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Patti High:           For you to believe the knot on the nose, the bruise on the nose, the clavicle story, youd have to believe Raye Dawn Smith?

Kathie Briggs:     Yes.

NOTE:                   Didnt Kathie previously testify UNDER OATH that she did believe Raye-Dawn Smith,  On all of the occasions just mentioned by Patti High?!!!

Patti High:           Did anyone ever have to report abuse on you about injuries?

Kathie Briggs:     No, the only time she was injured in my care was a cat scratch and a dog bite and I documented those.

NOTE:                   OH but Kathie testified earlier to 2 bruises, and a bite bruise also! Hummm.

Patti High:           Is it all of the injuries that concern you?

Kathie Briggs:     The consistent pattern.

Patti High:           When Mr. Huddleston mentions DHS investigations what does he mean?

Kathie Briggs:     Generally DHS just got a statement from Raye Dawn and took pictures.

Patti High:           Do you know if DHS ever requested a report from Dr. Sullivan about his opinion on the legs?

Kathie Briggs:     I dont know.

Patti High:           Did you ever, ever foresee this moment, that your grandchild would be dead and youd be testifying for her death and abuse?

Kathie Briggs:     No.

Kathies testimony ended abruptly when the prosecution tried to introduce an email between she and Mike Porter into the court and the judge denied it saying it was attached to the wrong witness.

NOTE:   The emails were NOT ALLOWED as evidence.  Even though the emails were between KATHIE and MIKE PORTER how could they be attached to the wrong 
 

I was reading Kathie's Testimony and remembered that I had heard several versions of "the story" and thought I'd do some research and see what I could find and why I thought it was different. As it turns out, there are clearly 3 versions to this story and ALL by the Briggs family. I find this odd, one would think it would be VERY CLEAR in the memory of a grandparent and aunt as to how they learned their grandchild died.....What do you guys think?

Kathie Briggs Testimony;

Smothermon: How did you find out she died? 
Kathie Briggs: A friend from the beauty shop called and told me Kelsey was at the hospital and may have had a seizure. So I called the CASA worker and she told me that she believed Kelsey had had a seizure. Then she called back and told me Kelsey didnt make it.
 

Shirica's Version of how they found out Kelsey died; (post on KP)
 ShiricaSuper Moderator Posts: 174Group: Super ModeratorsJoined: Nov 2005Status: Away Reputation: Post: #2RE: I'm CONFUSED First of all, Lance was in Ft. Benning, Georgia on the day that Kelsey died. That fact has never been disputed. Lance had been in Iraq and was sent to Georgia to do his out process that they make soldiers complete before returning home from war. He was set to come home very soon and had been in Georgia for a couple of weeks. We were very grateful that he was in Georgia on the day Kelsey died because it allowed us to get him home by that night. If he had been in Iraq it would have taken a lot longer. On October 11th my mom, Kathie, received a call from a friend that Kelsey had been taken to the hospital by ambulance. Kathie contacted the CASA worker and asked her to find out what was going on. The worker assured mom that she would call her back after she knew. DHS and CASA was at the hospital and so was Raye's family. I happened to have a friend that worked in the area and she was willing to go and see what was going on. I received a phone call while at work that Kelsey was dead from my friend. NOT a family member, not DHS, Not CASA, no one. I then called my mom and had to tell her over the phone while she was home alone that Kelsey was dead. I called both of my sisters and told them to get to mom as fast as they could. It took me twenty minutes to get to her home from work. When I pulled in her driveway Lance was calling mom from a payphone in Georgia and was then told of the death of his daughter. 
 

Kathie's Version of how she found out about Kelseys death: (NOTE: this speech was given approx 8 weeks after Kelsey died) (posted on KP was the copy of the speech, here is the portion of how she learned of Kelsey's death) 
 Speech given by Kathie Briggs at the Justice For Children Rally at the State Capital in Oklahoma City, Okla. 
 
 On October 11th, I received a call from a friend that Kelsey had been taken to the hospital. I contacted the CASA worker and asked her to check on the situation. I called her again and she told me Kelsey had a seizure and she would call me back. She never did. 
 
 We heard from a friend at the hospital that Kelsey had died. My son called thirty minutes later from Ft. Benning, Georgia, and I had to give him the news that would change his life forever. Our family was never contacted by DHS. They did not make any effort to call the Red Cross to notify my son that his only child was gone. We made the calls necessary and got Lance home that night. A few days later we got the news; Kelsey's death was listed as a homicide. 
 

Terri Sigman Testimony

Teri Sigmunds Testimony

Kelsey was Teris step-granddaughter, Teris daughter Ashley was married to Lance Briggs, Kelseys father.

Prosecution: How old was Kelsey the first time you saw her? 
Sigmund: 3 months old.
Prosecution: On January 14th, 2005, what happened? 
Sigmund: Ashley and Lance came over with Kelsey to see my son and my daughter in law who were in town from Hawaii. 
Prosecution: What was Kelsey like? 
Sigmund: She was real quiet and acted like she didnt feel good. Usually she just hit the door running.
Prosecution: And you took these pictures of Kelseys rear and back, correct? 
Sigmund: Yes.
Prosecution: Did you call DHS on these bruise? 
Sigmund: No, the ER doctor did.
Prosecution: How many times did you call DHS to report abuse?

Sigmund: At the end of March, Raye Dawn brought her back with a big bruise and I wanted to report it, but the caseworker never called me back. When she twisted her ankle and they told me she fell in her flip flops I was concerned because she had shorts and a t- shirt on and no other scrapes or bruises. 
 Prosecution: Why did you call DHS? 
 Sigmund: I called because Im Kelseys grandma.
 Prosecution: Did you call the hotline? 
 Sigmund: No, I called and specifically talked to caseworkers.
 Prosecution: Of all of those calls how many times did DHS call you back to find out what you knew?
 Sigmund: None.
 
 Pattie shows jurors pictures of Kelsey on August 27th, 2005, the last day anyone in the Briggs family saw Kelsey.
 Prosecution: What did you see in the August visit?
 Sigmund: She had lost a lot of weight, her eye was blood read, she had bruises all over her face and her little thigh. I went straight home and called her CASA worker and said I was very concerned.
 Prosecution: Something was not right? 
 Sigmund: I was scared and after seeing her I was scared she wouldnt be here when her daddy got home.

Cross Examination-Tim Henderson
Defense: When did you give those pictures of Kelsey on the last day you saw her to the media?
Sigmund: I dont remember giving them to the media. A lot of people had copies of them.
Defense: Is it your testimony that DHS was blowing off calls, the state agency in charge of protecting children, just blowing off your phone calls? 
Sigmund: I dont know why they didnt call me back. 
Defense: Your daughter Ashley was married to Lance Briggs? 
Sigmund: Yes.
Defense: Youre divorced from Raye Dawns uncle? 
Sigmund: Yes, years ago.
Defense: Were you aware Ashley took notes? 
Sigmund: Yes, she took notes.
Defense: You took notes for this thing? 
Sigmund: Yes. 
Defense: Can I see them? 
Sigmund: Yes.
Defense: When did you talk to the DA? 
Sigmund: When they broke for lunch

Defense: Did you ever give Ashley any advice about what to write in her notes? 
Sigmund: No.

Defense: What time did you see Kelsey on the 14th? 
 Sigmund: 7 or 7:30.
 Defense: Who picked Kelsey up? T
 Sigmund: The kids got her from Kathie.
 Defense: How many times did you change her diaper on the 14th? 
 Sigmund: I didnt, no one did until Ashley gave her a bath.
 Defense: Did you give her any food? 
 Sigmund: I dont remember.
 Defense: Any juice? 
 Sigmund: Yes, she always had juice in her sippy cup.
 Defense: Kids who drink a lot of juice have to go to the bathroom a lot? 
 Sigmund: I guess.
 Defense: You say Ashley screamed when she saw the bruises on her bottom? 
 Sigmund: She screamed my name.
 Defense: So she screamed for you to come there and what did you think? 
 Sigmund: I thought my god what happened.
 Defense: What did Ashley say? 
 Sigmund: She just couldnt understand what had happened.
 Defense: Did the bruises make you mad? 
 Sigmund: Concerned.
 Defense: Did you call Raye Dawn? 
 Sigmund: Lance called Raye Dawn and asked what happened to her. He said she told him she didnt know that there were bruises.

Defense: Lets look at all of these pictures you took that night. Are you moving her around house naked and taking different pictures of her? 
 Sigmund: We took several pictures that night. 
 Defense: This one is in the kitchen. This one is in the bathroom. Is that a hairbrush I see there? 
 Sigmund: Its my brush, that I keep in the bathroom. 
 Defense: Whose hand is this? 
 Sigmund: I dont know, mine or Ashleys.
 Defense: What is this smear? Is that some kind of flaw in the development of this picture?
 Sigmund: I dont know, I havent seen it before.
 Defense: Whats Kelsey chewing on? 
 Sigmund: A toothbrush. 
 Defense: Did she have good teeth? 
 Sigmund: Yes. 
 Defense: So my client kept her with good oral hygiene? 
 Sigmund: Yes.
 Defense: In January of 2005, were Lance and Ashley fighting with Raye Dawn over custody of Kelsey?
 Sigmund: No, Lance was gone in the military and had visitation when he was home on leave.
 Defense: When Kelsey sprained her ankle was she running? 
 Sigmund: Thats what we were told.

Defense: Where was she running, the grass, those chopped tires on the playground? 
Sigmund: I dont know. 
Defense: So she could have fallen anywhere? 
Sigmund: I guess.

Defense: Did you ever see Kelsey between the 18th and the 21st of April? 
Sigmund: She was with the Briggs that week. 
Defense: Did you go over there? 
Sigmund: No. 
Defense: Why? 
Sigmund: No particular reason, I was busy that week. 
Defense: When Kelsey wouldnt walk you didnt take any pictures of her? 
Sigmund: No. Her ankle wasnt overly swollen.
Defense: Is it fair to say Raye Dawn was under close scrutiny by a number of people? 
Sigmund: She was supposed to be, shes Kelseys mom.
Defense: Do you have any evidence to contradict that Raye Dawn was not at the zoo? 
Sigmund: No. I wasnt there.
Defense: So you dont have any reason to believe she was?
Sigmund: No.
Defense: Was Kathie Briggs calling DHS? 
Sigmund: I dont know.
Defense: Did you take pictures of the cat scratch and the dog bite that she got at the Briggs?
Sigmund: No. 
Defense: Is that because any injuries she got at the Briggs dont matter? 
Sigmund: No.

Redirect-Pattye High
Prosecution: Why did you not take pictures? 
Sigmund: They seemed explainable.

Prosecution: How do you know Kelsey was at the zoo? 
Sigmund: I dont thats what we were told. 
Prosecution: So we dont know anything about what happened, other than what Raye Dawn has told us? 
Sigmund: No
Prosecution: Are broken legs normal injuries? 
No.
Prosecution: A broken clavicle? 
No.
Prosecution: Abrasions on her bottom? 
No.
Prosecution: Facial bruises? 
No.
Prosecution: Does it make a difference to you when you look at all of the injuries when you look at the way Kelsey died? 
No, they werent normal injuries, like she fell down.
Prosecution: Do you agree as long as those inspections were occurring and you were taking pictures that as long as that went on Kelsey stayed alive? 
Yes.

I was reading the testimonies of Kathie's, Teri's and Ashleys and noticed a couple things. Keep in mind that Raye picked Kelsey up from the Daycare at approx. 5:00pm and dropped her off at Kathie's home at approx. 5:45pm. on January 14th, 2005. 
 
 The testimony's are as follows;
 
 Kathie Briggs Testimony in Trial;
 
 
 Smothermon: Okay in January, lets talk about the broken collarbone? 
 Kathie Briggs: The weekend before I was supposed to have Kelsey but Raye Dawn never showed up. I called her relatives and the next weekend she did. On January 14th, Raye Dawn told me she fell out of the bed and broke her collarbone. 
 
 
 Smothermon: Did you see any bruises? 
 Kathie Briggs: It was dark and Raye Dawn just told me she had a brace on. I got Kelsey home and noticed bruises on her face. Lance was home on leave and we were having a birthday party so she stayed at our house for about 2 hours until 7:45pm. 
 
 Teri Sigmon's Testimony

Prosecution: On January 14th, 2005, what happened? 
 Sigmund: Ashley and Lance came over with Kelsey to see my son and my daughter in law who were in town from Hawaii. 
 
 
 Defense: What time did you see Kelsey on the 14th? 
 Sigmund: 7 or 7:30.
 Defense: Who picked Kelsey up? 
 Sigmund: The kids got her from Kathie.
 Defense: How many times did you change her diaper on the 14th? 
 Sigmund: I didnt, no one did until Ashley gave her a bath.
 Defense: Did you give her any food? 
 Sigmund: I dont remember.
 Defense: Any juice? 
 Sigmund: Yes, she always had juice in her sippy cup.
 
 Ashley's Testimony;

Ashley: I did not notice anything out of the ordinary until January 14,2005. Kathie called us to tell us Raye Dawn told her when she dropped her off
 that Kelsey had a broken collarbone and that she had fallen out of her crib and
 hit a slide. That night from 6:45 to 7:30 we were at Kathies house for a birthday
 party. At 8 we went to my moms house to meet my brother and his wife
 who were in town from Hawaii.
 
 Huddleston: So do you have any personal knowledge of where Kelsey 
 was before 6pm on the 14th?
 
 Ashley: No.
 
 NOW, Does anyone see anything wrong with the time line? From 5:45pm Kelsey was with Kathie (according to Ashley, who states they were "at Kathies from 6:45pm to 7:30pm). Kathie said Kelsey was at her house approx 2 hours until 7:45pm. SO....who was with Kelsey from 5:45pm until Ashley got there at 6:45pm? Or did Lance and Ashley have her during that hour alone? Or was it Kathie that had her during that hour alone? 
 KEEP IN MIND, THE DAYCARE HAD KELSEY UNTIL 5:00PM, RAYE DROPPED HER OFF WITH KATHIE AT 5:45PM. THE DAYCARE DIDN'T SEE BRUISES, NEITHER DID RAYE. BUT....LATE THAT NIGHT THERE ARE SOME???? ENOUGH TO TAKE HER TO THE ER??? However, it wasn't concerning enough to make Teri want to go to the ER with Ashley and Lance, BUT was enough for Kathie to go? Hmmmm.... Odd, don't you think?

How can anyone feel that in 45 minutes Raye could put bruises on Kelsey (the time from daycare to Kathies) BUT no one seems to question the HOUR that Kathie had her alone, much less the HOURS that Kelsey was with the Briggs/party/Teri's/Lance and Ashley's OH and the multiple family guests at the party. 
AND, Keep in mind that Kelsey was in diapers, BUT NO ONE CHANGED HER DIAPER in a 5 HOUR time frame??? Who is kidding who here? I'm sorry, I know this is just my opinion, but something just isn't adding up on this. 
What do you think?

Donna Gilbreath Testimony

Donna Gilbreath is currently a supervisor at Lewis
 Manufacturing in Meeker, OK and was Raye Dawns supervisor when she was
 employed at Lewis.
 
 
 
 Gilbreath:            At Lewis we make utility belts and safety harnesses for oil field workers. Raye-Dawn braided grips and would come over to my work station for more work several times a day. One day she came over and I noticed she had a new engagement ring on her hand. We started talking about her new ring. She told us she was engaged to Michael Porter. I asked her how Kelsey felt about getting a new daddy. She told me Kelsey didnt like Mike. I asked her why? And she said because she says Mike is mean to her. What doyou
 mean hes mean to her? He makes her mind. I told her shes a baby and that you have to listen to her. Kids do not lie. You are the sole protector of Kelsey, if you dont protect her, who will?

Smothermon:    But you did not give up trying to talk to Raye Dawn?

Gilbreath:            I asked her about three times what mean means, and
after the third time she started avoiding me.

Smothermon:    Did she seem concerned about what you were saying to her?

Gilbreath:            No, she just didnt act like she was enthused. We were
trying to get her to check into this. We thought we could talk to her because shes Mildred Fowlers granddaughter.

Smothermon:   So she was not very concerned? 

 

Gilbreath:         She just kind of flubbed it off cause we were nosing into
her business.

Smothermon:    You mentioned Raye Dawn thought Kelsey was jealous of Mike?

Gilbreath:            She told me Kelsey would get jealous when she and Mike
would kiss and hug on eachother. She told me Little Miss attitude shes really been acting up since me and Mike got together.

Smothermon:    Was Raye Dawn working there when Kelsey died?

Gilbreath:            No.

Smothermon:    But you saw her the next day?

Gilbreath:            Yes, she came in with another girl who worked with us,
Sarah Winters and into the office and talked to Rita Ballard.

Smothermon:    What did you think when you saw her?

Gilbreath:            I was just kind of shocked, I did a double take.

Smothermon:    What was she like?

Gilbreath:            I didnt see her crying. When she came out I went to
lunch.

Smothermon:    Did she appear upset?

Gilbreath:            Not for someone who just lost a baby.

Smothermon:    Was it odd?

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Smothermon:    So in January you became aware the Meeker Police Department was investigating Raye Dawn for abuse?

Gilbreath:            Yes, one day she came over and snatched the grips out of
my hand and I asked her if something was wrong. She said, that bitch has accused me of child abuse.

Smothermon:    And who did you think she was talking about?

Gilbreath:            I thought about it and realized she was talking about
Kathie Briggs.

Smothermon:    What else did she tell you?

Gilbreath:            She said Carl Leabo had been up to her apartment and
because Kelsey had some marks and someone had accused her of using a brush on her. I asked her, did you do it? She said Kelsey kept climbing up and she told her to stop and when she wouldnt she swatted her with a hairbrush, but she had a diaper on.

Smothermon:    You made a statement to OSBI?

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Smothermon:    Did you tell them about the brush?

Gilbreath:            I thought I did but I might have forgotten it.


Cross Examination

Huddleston:       You believe Raye Dawn was a good mother?

Gilbreath:            For awhile I did.

Huddleston:       Raye Dawn loved Kelsey?

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Huddleston:       Did you get on that website, Kelseys purpose?

Gilbreath:            No, I dont have a computer.

Huddleston:       Never?

Gilbreath:            No, I dont even know how to work a computer.

Huddleston:       Two months after Kelseys death on December 22nd 2005 OSBI came to talk to you?

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Huddleston:       They were investigating the murder of Kelsey?

Gilbreath             Yes.

Huddleston:       Thats pretty serious? Murder?

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Huddleston:       You told the OSBI that you would tease Raye Dawn, about her
make-up?

Gilbreath:            Yea, we would tease her about how done up she always got
and tease her about her boyfriends and what she was going to do that night.

Huddleston:       You knew it was important to tell OSBI everything?

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Huddleston:       But you didnt?

Gilbreath:            I was nervous and I forgot.

Huddleston:       You knew about the animosity between the Briggs and the Smiths?
 

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Huddleston:       Sometimes Raye Dawn would bring Kelsey to work?

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Huddleston:       She seemed very loving?

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Huddleston:       Sometimes she brought Michael Porters kids to work?

Gilbreath:            I never saw them.

Huddleston:       So the day Miste Smith brought Kelsey in with a sprained ankle, were you there?

Gilbreath:            Yes.

Huddleston:       So Raye Dawn was at work that day, not at the zoo?

Gilbreath:            Yes, I remember hollering at her.

Huddleston:       You knew Miste brought her into work?

Gilbreath:            I recognized Kelsey. Raye Dawn asked me if she could take
her to the doctor and I clocked her out.

Huddleston:       Did you see any of the bruises?

Gilbreath:            I saw some bruises on her arms and legs. But she always
had an explanation.


Huddleston:       Knowing OSBI was talking to you about the abuse and murder of Kelsey you did not ever tell OSBI? You told OSBI Raye Dawn told you Kathie was accusing her of beating Kelseywith a hairbrush, so brush was on your mind?


Huddleston:       And how do you know Raye Dawn didnt question Kelsey further about why Mike was mean?

Gilbreath:            I asked her the next day about it.

Huddleston:       But you dont know what happened at that house?

Gilbreath:            No, I guess not.


Huddleston:       How long is a person supposed to cry when their child has been murdered?

Gilbreath:            I dont know. I would have to be sedated. I would be
devastated.


Huddleston:       Your testimony is different today than it was with the OSBI?

Gilbreath:            Yes, its hard to remember all of the details.

Redirect - Smothermon
 

Smothermon:    You knew your OSBI statement was different when you came to talk to me?

Gilbreath:            Just talking about it jogged my memory.

Smothermon:    How long did you talk with the OSBI?

Gilbreath:            30-40 minutes.

Smothermon:    You told the OSBI you teased her about her makeup?

Gilbreath:            Yea, she always came in all fixed up?

Smothermon:    Does she look the same today as she normally does?

Gilbreath:            No.
 

Ashley Gober Testimony - Ashley was Kelseys step-mother and used to be married to Lance. 

Ashley:        I did not notice anything out of the ordinary until January                             14, 2005. Kathie called us to tell us Raye Dawn told her when she                     dropped her off that Kelsey had a broken collarbone and that she                     had fallen out of her crib and hit a slide. That night from 6:45 to                   7:30 we were at Kathies house for a birthday party. At 8 we                         went to my moms house to meet my brother and his wife who                         were in town from Hawaii.

State shows pictures of the 29 bruises and abrasions on Kelseys back, buttocks and thigh.

Ashley:              I took those pictures while Kelsey was in the bathtub.

Smothermon:    Why

Ashley:             Because something wasnt right. When I took Kelseys                                   clothes off to give her a bath I noticed them and started                                 crying and called my mom and had her and Lance come in                             and look at Kelsey. Then I called Kathie to see if she had                               noticed the bruises. She had not. So we decided to take her                             to the ER. Kathie met  us there.
 

Picture of scrape on Kelseys elbow.

 

Smothermon:    What happened here?

Ashley:             Raye Dawn told Kathie she was walking down the hallway                                and hit it on the wall.

3 Pictures of Kelsey in casts and a knot on her nose.
               

Ashley  :           We called DHS a lot.

Smothermon:    Why?

Ashley:              Because I thought something wasnt right, that she was                        being abused. I told DHS workers.

Smothermon:    How did they respond?

Ashley:             At first they were cordial, but by the end it just seemed like                 they were trying to get me off of the phone.

Smothermon:    What happened when you saw Kelsey on August 27, 2005?

Ashley:              She was not the same.

Cross Examination-Huddleston

Huddleston:       You brought some notes today?

Ashley:              Yes. This is my notebook of all contact I had with Kelsey, the        dates and times of our pickups, any injuries to Kelsey.

Huddleston:       Can I see it?

Ashley:              Sure.

Huddleston:       This looks like you took notes every three or four days                        and the notes go back to 2004?

Ashley:               I take a lot of notes.

Huddleston:       Was Kelsey an active child?

Ashley:              Yes.

Huddleston:       Is there a lot of animosity between your families at the                       court proceedings?

Ashley:             Yes. There were angry people that a child was being hurt.

Huddleston:       There were a lot of bad things said about Raye Dawn by                        your family?

Ashley:              Not in front of Kelsey.

Huddleston:       So do you have any personal knowledge of where Kelsey was                 was before 6pm on the 14th?

Ashley:              No.

Huddleston:       How many kids were at the birthday party?

Ashley:             5 or 6.

Huddleston:       How old?

Ashley:              The boys were 7 or 8, the girls 6. Kelsey was the youngest.

Huddleston:        So you never let Kelsey out of your sight?

Ashley:              No, I went with her to play with her, to interact with her.

Huddleston:       Even at a family gathering you kept following her around?

Ashley:              Yes.

Huddleston pulled out a large calendar.

 

Huddleston:       Who was at the party?

Ashley lists about 6 family members.

Huddleston:     And you testified you saw some bruises on her backside,                     and the first thing you did was get out your camera and take               pictures?

Ashley:           Correct.

Huddleston:    Between 2004 and 2005 youve taken all of these notes, youve             never seen anything like this, visitation is going back and forth               between families and the first thing you do is take the photo?                 Why?

Ashley:            It was very unusual.

Huddleston:     Why is the picture shiny?

Ashley:            She was in the bathtub.

Huddleston:     Why would you do that?

Ashley:            The bruises were out of place.

Huddleston:      Were you trying to build a custody case against my client?

Ashley:             No, the bruises were not normal.

Huddleston:      You run and get your camera? You dont find that unusual?

Ashley:             No.

Huddleston:      Why did Kathie come to the ER?

Ashley:             She felt she needed to be there

Huddleston:      Your mom didnt go? Why?

Ashley:             My brother and sister in law just got into town, I guess.

Huddleston:      Thats more important than her grand-daughters health?

Ashley:             No.

Huddleston:      When did you give that photo to the Meeker police?

Ashley:              I did not. Kathie may have, I had to work the next day.                       They took their own pictures.

Huddleston:       Why didnt you give the police the pictures?

Ashley:              Im not sure.

Huddleston:       Were you present when Raye Dawn came up at the hospital?                  Wasnt Kathie pushing this case on Raye Dawn?

Ashley:                 I dont remember that.

Huddleston:       On January 16th, did you refuse to give Kelsey back to                        Raye Dawn?

Ashley:                 Yes.

Huddleston:       On January 17th, the police returned her to Raye Dawn and                  cleared Raye Dawn?

Ashley:                 Yes.

Huddleston:       January 24th, Kathie filed a guardianship to take Kelsey away                 and for two weeks Raye could not see her?

Ashley:                 Yes.

Huddleston:       On March 24th, Kathie filed a complaint to DHS for bruises                    and for a bump on her nose.A small bump on her nose, that               Raye Dawn says happened when she fell on the kitchen               floor.  Why did you take her to the ER?

Ashley:             Because Kathie thought her nose might be broken.

Huddleston:       It wasnt until March 11th that Raye had unsupervised visits                 until then she only had supervised visits, and less than two                 weeks later, another complaint was filed?

Ashley:             I guess.

Huddleston:       April 4th, another complaint was filed with DHS, thats 9 days                 later. Were you present at on April 28th at Kathies house?

Ashley:             No I was at work.

Huddleston:       Do you know DHS investigated the nose?

Ashley:              Raye Dawn told them Whitney elbowed her.

Huddleston:       And did you know Whitney told DHS thats probably what                     happened?

Ashley:              No.

Huddleston:       In March, Kelseys hair started to fall out. She was going                     back and forth between families all of the time. Do you think                 that was difficult on Kelsey?

Ashley:              Im sure it was.

Huddleston:       Was Kelsey caught in the middle?

Ashley:              She was.

Huddleston:       On April 14th Kelsey went to the zoo and Raye Dawn was                   not there correct?