
Walker and Bourne appeared in Santa Barbara Court for bail reduction in January.
Attorney Chris Kroes of Santa Barbara has filed a lawsuit against Joe Walker and the estate of Dr. Andrew Bourne on behalf of the juvenile victim in the sex crime cases against the two men and on behalf of her parents. Attorney Croes said the court ordered that the names of the victim and her parents must remain sealed to protect the privacy rights of the child.
In January, Walker and Bourne were arrested by Santa Barbara Police. The court filed charges of illegal contacts for purposes of sex with a 14-year-old Santa Barbara girl. Bourne took his own life a few weeks later and last week Walker pled guilty to five charges. An amended criminal complaint alleged that both men had sexual relations with the girl over a period of two years.
The civil complaint alleges sexual battery, infliction of emotional distress, fraud and deceit, statutory violations, conspiracy, seduction of a minor and violation of mandatory reporting obligations by Dr.Bourne.
The civil suit says specifically that the plaintiffs – the girl and her parents – are informed and believe that unlawful actions, including lewd acts and illegal sexual intercourse with a minor occurred in Santa Barbara County. The suit alleges that Bourne and Walker acted in concert and in a conspiracy to commit illegal acts and that others may have been a part of it.
The suit will include other defendants, the attorney alleges, as proof surfaces. The suit claims that others associated with Bourne and Walker may also be named as defendants in this suit. The complaint says, “partners, agents, servants, employers, co-conspirators and/ or employees of each of the other defendants” were acting as co-conspirators. The suit says the complaint will be amended to include these additional defendants when proof is obtained.
The suit states that “Bourne and Walker held themselves out to be pillars in the community, when in fact, they were both sexual predators.” The suit alleges that for two years, starting in 2009, Bourne and Walker engaged in a common plan between them to “befriend” the parents of the minor victim for the purposes of deceit and in order to gain trust and sexual access to their daughter. The suit alleges that Bourne and Walker did gain the trust of the family and then committed multiple lewd sexual acts including sexual relations upon the 14 year-old girl.
The suit further alleges that the two men both knew of and encouraged the other to have sex with the girl over two years. The suit claims that both men told the girl that they loved her and both made false promises to her regarding her future with them to persuade her to continue having sex with them. The suit says the two men told the girl that they would travel to Europe together and always be together.
The suit says that Andrew Bourne “knowing that he was guilty of the felony crimes he was charged with and additional felony crimes of which he knew that he was about to be charged with, committed suicide.” Walker, says the suit, pled guilty to multiple felonies in the case.
The complaint alleges that the female victim has suffered “severe emotional distress, with lifelong consequences.” Finally, the suit alleges that as a physician, Dr. Bourne had a duty to abide by the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, and as a mandated reporter failed to report Joe Walker to authorities.
For all of the allegations, the plaintiffs ask for general and special damages, punitive damages and out of pocket expenses including attorneys fees – all of an unspecified amount.
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Having lived in various communities with varying and diverse points of view and culture including Michigan, Utah, Hawaii and California, and witnessing the style of each of these areas, my observation is that this community is riddled with much fear, angst, and sometimes just sour grapes (as one poster put it). I think its a sad day when people must go into hiding before they can express their points of view.
Perhaps a thorough and ongoing examination of just why this is might be in order.
Otherwise most topics will eventually deteriorate to mere sniping and polarizing without much being recommended or understood.
Sort of like today’s most popular millionaire talk-radio hosts who make fortunes on whipping people into a mindless, foam-at-the-mouth frenzy.
Such an utter waste of time.
Dennis and Ken- you can call me Ringo Star if it makes you feel better 🙂
It is evident that there are those in our midst that are not all what they appear to be.
We are seeing elected officials screaming for smaller wages and eliminating auto allowances for local officials but unwilling to return the same “out-of-touch” wages and auto allowance monies they have accrued at taxpayers expense insisting they are “leading by example.”
What can you say? It’s a wacky world.
Lots of Limbaughism going on.
I disagree with your comments about monikers and how you judge people by their monikers. If you want to judge someone .. judge them by the content of their posts and replies. I think your judgement in your post only plays into what your are trying to prove.
There are lots of people who use a … moniker here .. such as myself, who contribute something worthwhile in this forum, at least I try too.
.. yet you fail to point that out. I know some don’t like me much here, probably because I have pointed out things they say, that don’t seem right. But I am also one to point out good as well. Moniker or no moniker .. you should judge by the content of one’s posts here, and not imply that people are trying to hide. My name I use here is very common knowledge with a lot of people who know me. I don’t use it to hide, I just use it as a name here. I have, in the past posted my real name.
But it doesn’t matter what my name is, it only matters what I post.
Incivility, cheap grace, and therapeutic value for the type we know eh, the individuals? OK so what are these types? Please share.
So you’re saying, being an individual is a bad thing? Or is it that the individual stands for something against what you believe?
Yes this is a good format and it does afford the opportunity to air feelings, this part I totally agree with, but what makes it wrong in how you choose to title your moniker, if it means something to you, then go for it.
Look at Trouble, lol, it works for him, and I m not diss’ing him for it, just making a point. Your real name works for you.
I think formats such as these can be worthwhile as they afford an opportunity to air and perhaps even to to learn something throughout the process of informational exchange.
Unfortunately, many comments are from people who choose to hide behind monikers instead of posting their real name. This anonymity, it seems to me, promotes serious incivility in different degrees, and accomplishes nothing but a false sense of cheap grace and therapeutic value for some types. You know the type – you know the individual.
This tragic topic appears to bring out the best of people and also the worst.
Well said — couldn’t agree more.
Dennis- If I stated my real name I have serious doubts that I would have a job if I spoke honestly about many of my real beliefs. I have no desire to take that chance and will continue to speak my mind freely on this site. This is not a new issue. Reporters have quoted people without releasing their names for over a hundred years.
I do agree that blogs do encourage more cheap shots, and I have taken full advantage of that at times. But there is a good side to this option also. It allows all to voice their views without fear of being discriminated against. This is free speech at it’s best in my opinion. I look forward to reading your response.
Right on Trouble … I see your not as rotten as I thought .. lol .. actually I never thought that, I just always presented an opposite view to things people say here, and try to bring the positive to it, but I understand your beliefs.
This is a good platform to get a good pulse of the community, I disagree with Dennis in his view of our community, and some other views here from others who seem to generalize all of us in our communities and the community at large, in the eastern Sierras.
We are doing pretty good, I don’t think the thing about anonymity is as it is made out to be by Dennis. This forum as with blogs in general tend to bring people to it with some sort oh moniker if you like.
When online chat sights started, it was how you identified yourself, with some sort of name that suited you, something that makes a statement about you or your beliefs.
So I think the same applies here for most people, and some like yourself as you say, choose to use a name for good reasons and that is cool.
But our community at large is doing pretty good, people sometimes try to over analyze things and project their views of how we are doing as a whole.
And one can not compare us and generalize us because we all are so very different in many ways. Just as this forum proves.
“Self-righteous condemnation at this point only leaves the burnt whiff of ego in the air.”
That must be the new modern definition for expecting one to stand tall an assume ACCOUNTABILITY for their ACTIONS.
I have no compassion for anyone that chooses to end their life to avoid the responsibility for their chosen behavior/actions. Thus leaving those that they supposedly loved and chose to be responsible to/for, to bear the brunt of accountability for their chosen behavior and misdeeds.
And for anyone in this community to still stand tall and continue to preach that Dr. Andrew Bourne was a man of honor, is a complete travesty to all those fine individuals out there that truly are.
Not Getting it, You truly do not get it. We’ve all hashed over the details of this community and personal tragedy.
I’m suggesting you give it a rest for Mrs. Bourne and everyone else. It is perhaps enough that we assume responsibility
for our own lives. Judging others is risky business. Benett Kessler
If we have already “hashed over the details”, then why did you (The Sierra Wave) print the latest Law Suit?
This impending La Suit, if it does go to trial, will involve more individuals than anyone here could ever imagine.
That BK, is my point.
Not Getting, I’m not into arguing. I was merely suggesting that you try kindness when it
comes to the families. Benett Kessler
Benett Kessler and her staff sensor the comments to their liking!
Dear Joe, It’s called editing. Benett Kessler
This is all a completely big joke right?
Not the Civil Suit. No.But the fact that there are still many out there in Mammoth Lakes, including the Widow of the Great Doctor, that have yet to come to terms with and accept the reality that both her late husband and Joe, were both the perps and felons here. NOT the VICTIM nor her parents nor the many of us here in this community that trusted the Dr. only to find out that this behavior was happening. All the while that Andy was the Chief of Staff at our only hospital and performed surgery on many of us during this time period. How sick.
This is a growing disease in our society. NO ONE takes responsibility for their actions. They turn the cause of their misbehavior around and do not show the courage nor integrity to assume responsibility for their actions.
I hope that the suite will go to trial and all those out there in la la land Mammoth Lakes that knew of both Andy’s and Joe’s actions and did not come forward to cease the madness, will be called out and then they held at bay for their non-action. In not doing so, they allowed this sick behavior to continue for as long as it did. I can not believe that no one knew that this garbage behavior was occurring for as long as it did.
Now that Mrs. Bourne would be the justice that some may be looking for. Including the parents of and the Victim herself.
Not Getting it, I think we have all been fully apprised of the apparent realities of this case. But, let’s not forget the quality of compassion for all of the families very hurt by all of this. Self-righteous condemnation at this point only leaves the burnt whiff of ego in the air. Benett Kessler
Good post Benett
Not Getting It – “This is a growing disease in our society. NO ONE takes responsibility for their actions. They turn the cause of their misbehavior around and do not show the courage nor integrity to assume responsibility for their actions.”
I agree that some people do not take responsibility for their actions but do not include wives, other relatives, friends and community members in your statement. They were not aware of the actions of the perpetrators and are also victims of the actions of the perpetrators.
Who are you to say, “But the fact that there are still many out there in Mammoth Lakes, including the Widow of the Great Doctor, that have yet to come to terms with and accept the reality that both her late husband and Joe, were both the perps and felons here.” You do not know that! That may be what you think but to say it is a fact is totally irresponsible. It is time you and the others posting here stopped picking on the perpetrators family and friends. They too are victims.
One of the perpetrators is dead and the other is off to prison. The perpetrators have/are paying the price for their actions. Nothing will repair the damage to the young victim
I also think it is sad that Jane Do, the victim, is suing the families of the perpetrators who are also victims and had no knowledge of the actions of the perpetrators.
A few points…
1) Like it or not, civil suits such as these are an important tool of justice under our system. Perps and would-be perps who are interested in fooling around with underage girls need to know that their bad acts can have very serious financial consequences, and that killing themselves to protect their assets for the benefit of their heirs is not a viable option.
2) As a Mammoth Lakes resident and the father of a 12 year-old daughter, it scares the bejeesus out of me to read some of these comments and to hear people around town defending these perps, and yes, blaming the victim and her family, the SB DA, the investigators, and seemingly everyone under the sun other than Dr. Bourne and Mr. Walker. Is this the kind of community we want to raise our children in? Really?
3) In light of Joe Walker’s recent guilty plea, and the information that has come out since, it is even more outrageous than ever that MMSA spent a dime in hosting a celebration of the life of an accused sexual predator who committed suicide rather than face the charges brought against him in a court of law. I wonder if MMSA’s parent, Starwood Capital Group, is aware of this unfortunate decision? Perhaps a few email messages to Starwood head of asset managemnt John McCarthy are in order… [email protected], with a CC to investor relations and CFO Jerry Silvey… [email protected]
I agree spent money to celebrate a life of Dr. Bourne, and then lay off 75 employees because of lack of money. Some of who have given up 44 years of their lives to make Mammoth Mountain Ski Area the best possible place it can be. Did they spend that same kind of money to celebrate the lives of the people that lost their jobs?
More details emerge
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/03/23/44952.htm
Perhaps some good will come from this. Having served as a juror on a similar case, I heard testimony from the arresting authorities, victim’s family and 6 expert witnesses (psychologists, doctors and counselors). One thing is clear, pedophiles prey on children who are generally loners, outcasts or troubled. They look for children who seek approval from adults and they cleverly gain the confidence of the child and often times the family (which seems to have happened here). Using flattery, approval and gifts opens the door.
The case I sat on, in which we convicted the pedophile, was a man in his 40’s who wanted to privately tutor a 13-year old, in his own home. He met the child online and had only had several brief telephone conversations with the mother. The mother allowed the girl to go to his home, unsupervised, where the numerous acts took place.
One thing was clear: Warning signs were ignored.
Perhaps these tragic events will motivate parents to pay better attention to their children, monitor the internet, email and friends. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If something looks or sounds remotely suspicious, report it. And, most important, gain the confidence of your child and get them to trust you enough to report anything that feels or looks wrong, no matter how embarassed the child might be.
Obviously, ignoring the problem does not make it go away.
Most of you do not know, but this girl was at boarding school because she was already very troubled. These two grown men knew that and chose her to groom. She is on suicide watch at this school. The victim and family needs this money to pay for extensive therapy. Only with this therapy is there any hope this young women will have any type of normal life.
….our entire community is “a part of this” and will be forever….how ?
We live here b/c it’s a beautiful place with endless amounts of adventures to be had as adults and children…we didn’t choose to live here to isolate ourselves from “reality”…we understand bad things happen everywhere. Yes, terrible things happen in the world, but as parents we hope to keep the ugliness and difficulties of life at bay for as long as possible for our children. So here is how my family was/is impacted….I know it’s a myopic look, but it needs to be said…
My kids were riding the mountain bus up to ski when the news on the radio announced the arrest of the two men. Yup, my kids know who the men are…so here is the first dose of “reality” that enters my home: “Mom, why would a coach and a doctor be arrested?” …so begins a conversation that needed to happen way too early in their lives….but of course there is more coming… “Mom, what is cyber rape? (what the school kids started talking about on the bus)…who talks to their kids about rape at such a young age?…well, I was forced to have that conversation and it made me very, very angry to have to do so! Days/weeks pass, then we are xc skiing around 12 noon at Tamarack on a beautiful Sunday (NOT in the predawn darkness as the Sheet newspaper story insisted was the way he needed to ski), I see the Dr. with another Dr. out skiing…..one of my children sees him too….”Mom, I though he was in jail, and now he is out skiing, I don’t understand?”…..again, another conversation, this time about arrests, jail, lawyers…stuff way too “adult” for a young person to have to deal with, again I am angry for being forced to talk about such things to my young children…..two days later, the suicide….I cry, my kids wake up, there is no way for them not to find out about this when they get around other kids that day….again, “it’s” in my home…I gather them in my arms and try to “explain” suicide to them, again I am so angry for this nightmare that is being forced on my kids, into my home, breaking their innocence way, way, way too early….they are heavily impacted too, just like EVERY single child and family in this town….parents having to wake their kids up, way too soon, to adult topics that even adults cannot deal with..
..so, I am very sorry G. ….I respect your thoughts and feelings and I feel so very deeply for your pain and your children’s pain….but it must be forever recognized we are ALL a part of the negative actions of the Dr. and of Mr. Walker….we have ALL had this terrible situation visited upon us in degrees, and we could not hide from it, and there was no way to hide my young children from it and my children will be forever impacted…too…their innocence is gone, their trust not so strong..
…I wonder if the two men had any idea in the world the far reaching negative impact their tragic actions would result in!… I think not….
…This whole “lesson” is one for the ages…for all of us!
I cannot believe you would compare your heartache over having to tell your children what happened in the case to the hell G. Bourne is subjected to. You have no idea how much more she has to explain to her two children…
And aside from this point- I feel like this whole idea of paying the victim’s family solves nothing. Jane Doe obviously needs some help with overcoming the weight of being at the center of so much turmoil and destruction, but reaching into the pockets of those who did not commit the crimes to pay for it is amoral.
@cd: the post was stated up front as being ‘myopic’ (=from my view point only)…it’s point was to share how the entire community (myself included) was/is affected by the actions of the two men….those actions did not stay within the men’s families or within only their homes and lives…their actions bled into every household in Mammoth and beyond. People are not commenting on G. at all ( a few posters did make insentive comments). We must separate the actions of the two men from the men’s families. However, the community does have a opportunity on this forum to comment on how the mens’ actions impacted them….doing so is healing for the community and individuals. Once the men were arrested, the situation ceased being a “private” affair…………as witnessed by what my children (and other children) had to hear and deal with at their young age. And I never said that it was/is as terrible as what G. and her kids are going through….BUT there are many levels of suffering going on and it’s wrong to disregard the impact all of this has had on the community’s children and adults.
Good post kaat
I suspect the backlash from what comes out in the civil suit will tear the town, mmsa, the hospital, and perhaps the school district a part.
To many people knew what was going on, the $%^% will hit the fan in a civil case.
OMG! It took tremendous courage for Dr. Bourne’s widow to respond to the comments that have been written. Let’s embrace what she said and once and for all leave it alone! This comment thread is like a speeding subway train. A person gets run over and the train doesn’t stop, it does not care, it just keeps running. Frankly, many of the comments and the total lack of compassion from many of you people disgusts me.
Bishop Local….I agree with you…..I accually had trouble sleeping last night thinking about it…and some of the things I have said…I hope Ms.Bourne and her family can move on from this and have a happy life.None of it was their fault at all.Our comments that were so bad were not directed at them….but in ways,just as hurtful as if they were.
amen .. Wayne
I am concerned a lot of you are missing the point of the civil suit. OTHER people, in our small community, we already hold respect for may be called as defendants. It would be folly to think these 2 men and the girl were the only people involved with this situation. What will these comments read when you learn who else, here, knew of these sordid affairs and did nothing to stop it?! What about the people, I heard about, who went tubing on the Owens with the 3 of them and said nothing (but felt extremely uncomfortable) when she was sitting on each of their laps?? I think G. Bourne is sadly mistaken when she says, “None of you are part of this.” We are ALL a part of this and it is OUR fault we let this happen. OTHER people here obviously knew what was going on. I can’t help but to now re-evaluate EVERY single male relationship I have in this town (and everywhere else for that matter) and wonder, “would you ever cross the line, can I trust you to make the best judgement for the well-being of humanity?” We should all be in harmony with the hopes of the Jaycee Dugard Foundation- Just Ask Yourself to Care. Maybe WE as a community could have done more. And just maybe, WE, as a community will now be more caring.
“We are ALL a part of this and it is OUR fault we let this happen.” You are so WRONG. There is no such thing as collective guilt. What is your trip? Why are you trying to blame everyone when most of us had no idea this sordid mess was occurring? What guilty conscience underlies your mass accusation of the rest of us?
My guess is that Dr. Bourne had plenty of insurance to cover large lawsuits. I’m sure their are plenty of attorneys looking into all that right now.
His insurance was for his medical practice, doesn’t cover anything else. Life insurance policies are void if you commit suicide.
Too bad the victim in going after Dr.Bourne’s estate, gotta have some sympathy for his widow and family.
Though I’m disgusted with Andy Bourne’s and Walker’s crimes and think 5 years is not nearly enough time behind bars for a pedophile like him , I agree with Oregon, people should show a bit more class and leave Andy Bourne’s widow alone, she is completely innocent and should receive nothing but positive support from the community.
Unless the victim was actually one of Mr Bourne’s patient .. Then the attorneys will be knocking on the insurance companies door…
Time will tell
Life insurance policies aren’t necessarily void in the case of suicide. Most will pay, as long as the policy is more than 2 years old.
From what I understand most will not pay no matter how old the policy is if you commit suicide.
In our news experience, we have come across instances in which policies did pay, perhaps not the full benefit. BK
Imagine walking in the shoes of Andy’s widow for just 5 minutes! I doubt ANY of you have the courage to do so. Can any of you even wrap your mind around what HER hell on earth must be like? Her family is shattered and she ALONE is now provider, mother, father, protector and defender for her sons. Could ANY of YOU be as strong as SHE is? Her family has suffered enough for 20 lifetimes for something they had NO part in.
Stop the cruelty and leave her alone to try and build a new life out of this nightmare.
I do not think anyone here is attacking Mrs. Bourne.
I feel so much sadness and empathy for all the families involved in this tragedy. My heart goes out to G. Bourne and her boys and to all the victims involved, especially the young girl. When I was 14 years of age, my self esteem was so low. Any man who might have approached me, no matter how old he was and tell me I was beautiful and /or intelligent and persuaded me to have sex with him, I might have succumbed to his wishes. A girl at that age is so vulnerable and naive, She may have the greatest parents, but the young girl needs so much reassurance and confidence. It can come from her family, teachers, peers, etc. NO ADULT has the right to take advantage of a minor. THIS HAS TO STOP!!! Be more aware of your children’s surroundings and the adults they are in contact with. The next young girl or boy might be your child!!!
Dear Gillann Bourne,
I do not know you but i just want to say: The anger and hatred is not directed at you. I and I’m certain others have the utmost compassion for you and your family and the hell you are going through. The anger is directed at two men who engaged in predatory, amorral, selfish and utterly destructive behavior which affected not just just the victim and you and your family but the entire community. We have daughters, nieces and grandchildren who as young innocents could have been victims to the crazy wiles of pedophiles, not just here in Mammoth but anywhere. The two men accused were “pillars” in the community with ready access to young girls. That’s where the fear, the anger, the hatred derives from. Understand that your pain is our pain. And understand that this anger is very real and needs to be expressed – it’s how we as a community learn to better protect our loved ones from similar harms.
Shame on you parents! As a mother of a beautiful daughter, we knew where she was, who she was with and where she was going! Take a “Look in the Mirror”! What took place was horrible, but you both are also to blame.. For goodness sakes, enough hurt, heartache to last a lifetime. Let the family alone & start keeping an eye on your daughter!
You wanted to keep your name out of the public eye, well once you file a lawsuit it will become public & your daughter will suffer even more!
PNW
Sorry but there is no way you knew every move your daughter made unless you had her handcuffed to you. No matter how hard a parent tries you cannot watch them all the time. You might want to think this but every 16 year old keeps secrets.
Were you never 16!?! Sorry to let you know but unfortunately, they re sneaky. I am still in defense of the teenager. The Adults should KNOW better. Unfortunately, teenagers do not (even knw they think they do!!)
I am a victim of sexual abuse, I can say SHAME ON YOU to the victim and family! Seek value in the comfort of your family and solitude of healing. SHAME ON YOU of going after what income may be left. What would the benefit be going after his wife and children? Why punish the innocent wife and young children, haven’t they had enough!? . Every time an article is written, a word spoken or even a lawsuit issued it brings alive wounds of the victim and Dr. Bourne’s family.
my post this morning must have been deletd by mistake as it was not nearly as nasty as some of the others you allowed. salaam aleikum
I don’t recall seeing a post from you. Go ahead and re-send it. Benett
While I don’t agree with your comment “Rusty…. I wish you had daughters” I do agree that the Mountain should be slightly embarrassed for “Celebrating” the life of a selfish, pathetic, child molester… Local doctor/hero or not, he still violated a young girl.
The “Celebration of Life” was disgusting and I for one am disappointed
I am a long time Santa Barbara resident and I have followed this case since it hit the news. I have been very sad about the nasty things said about our District Attorney and the victim and her family. Andy Bourne and Joe Walker seem to be treated like celebrities in Mammoth Lakes. This is a very tragic case – lots of pain and suffering for lots of families. But Walker and Bourne are pedophiles. They are sexually attracted to children who have not reached puberty – they had sex with a child. This is sexual abuse. I do not know why the young girl’s family has filed a civil suit I am not in favor or against it. I do not know what I would do if my children were sexually molested by “friends”. I know I would never, ever get over it and I would feel extreme guilt for the rest of my life.
Celebrities?? Not at all. Many people could care less. And all of us parents fear the type of men these two are (were). The press spoke for his friends and said we were struggling. The press did not speak for me.
Mammoth local.
14-16 isn’t prepubescent
This is a very sad situation. This involves our friends and their families in our community who are hurting deeply and suffering through tragedy. The anonymity of this message board allows thoughtless and hurtful comments to be spewed without responsibility or accountability. People, think before you write. Think, if you were in the shoes of one of those involved, would you want to see these hurtful anonymous comments published? Would you want your children to see them? What possible gratification are these anonymous posters getting out of this sad series of tragic events?
And to Sierra Wave: Why do you permit anonymous posts at all in this small town where every statement reverberates and can hurt? I think it is time that Sierra Wave takes the step of requiring real names and real addresses for posts, or don’t allow them at all. We don’t need to keep hurting each other. Let’s be better than that.
Ok now I have put my name up, and you can all say hurtful and terrible things about me. But if you do, please use your real name.
Claudia, my name is Glenn Clark, my middle name is Allen, hence my nick name, I don’t use it to hide, it is just a nick name I am called by a lot of people. I understand what you’re saying about some that hide behind anonymous names to bring forth their hate and ugly thoughts, but there are just as many who don’t bring this, rather they bring just the opposite to this forum.
Put the fault where it lies, the ugliness in some people’s hearts, I mentioned this same feelings in another post in the thread.
The unfortunate side effect of freedom of speech is that you have to put up with so much junk such as we have seen in such a case as this. But people are free to voice their thoughts, right or wrong.
I think it is our job to fight the hate, the ugliness however we can by … as I say … “Giving it right back to them” When the negative come out, point it out … express the truth, whether anonymously or direct. And agree with the truth.
What is very interesting to me is the quote in the article “The suit alleges that for two years, starting in 2009, Bourne and Walker engaged in a common plan between them to “befriend” the parents of the minor victim for the purposes of deceit and in order to gain trust and sexual access to their daughter. The suit alleges that Bourne and Walker did gain the trust of the family and then committed multiple lewd sexual acts including sexual relations upon the 14 year-old girl.” This kind of leads me to believe that Dr. Bourne might have been having an affair with the mother like it is being said around town. Like Justin Case said, maybe the mother should be charged also in this crime as a bad parent. Shipping their daughter off to boarding school. Maybe one of them ended the relationship with her and she went to the police with a lie.
I would also like to know what recourse do Dr. Bourne patients have. Did he make any mistakes while involved in his adventure with the 14 year old minor for 2 years. Who is still having problems from the surgery he performed during this time, what happens down the line when a malpractice case arises from all of this, who is responsible? I know one person who after 16 months is still having problems from the surgeries Dr. Bourne preformed, what is this persons recourse?
There are no winners in this, this “Victim” needed help before this, or she would not have put herself in this position. Maybe they gave he just what she wanted “LOVE”
You have got to be kidding!!!! Are you looking for a money redemption like the victim?! Every surgery has possible complications and if you think you could do better go to med school!
It seems the only person looking for money here is the parents of the victim, would they be looking for money from some scumbag living in the slums down the street?. I am simply say that the final repercussions of this incident will not be known for years and years to come. The wife will have to deal with HIS actions for the rest of her life, as will his boys. The parents will have to deal with not protecting their daughter at all cost. The girl will have to deal with the actions of ALL involved for the rest of her life. The kids will never again have their father, and also have to deal with hearing the good and bad things people are saying about their father as long as they reside in Mammoth Lakes. They will always have the to deal with whatever is said about him being followed but a “BUT HE DID”. There are also people who are not directly involved in this incident that will have to deal with it the rest of their lives also.
As a patient of Dr. Bourne on more than one ocassion, and a patient at Mammoth Hospital since it opened, I can say that Dr. Bourne was the best, most talented general surgeon they ever had there.
The last thing I’d want for a supposedly traumatized daughter once the perps have been prosecuted would be to gratuitously force her through additional years of depositions, conflict, and highly public testimony in a discretionary civil suit chasing money, the only guaranteed outcome of which will be to keep the wound open and festering. Sometimes there are more important considerations than vindicating victimhood in court for cash especially when a child is involved. This girl has not exactly been surrounded by judicious adults in any part of this sordid affair.
if I were a betting man. There will be no civil trial. This will get settled unless there is no agreement as to price.
So I do not think that there will be depositions of the Victim girl or taking the stand as a witness.
There quite possibly be some very deep pockets here.
Other Doctors at the Hospital
Mammoth lakes Hospital
Bourne’s Malpractice insurance.
obviously the estate of Bourne.
This is really going to be a big mess! I think the DA was very clever here.
Fed Up, you forgot to include Rusty in that list.
Perhaps the parents are “betting men” too.
Which makes my point. I am not saying that mercenaries are wrong. I’m just saying that mercenaries will make tradeoffs with other people’s lives that a judicious parent should not make.
Enjoy your visions of deep pockets. Hope it help you sleep better. I’m quite sure it comforts many folks these days.
they removed a locals comment, but i agree it was sick
I agree. This is pure greed and now this parent of this girl who did not keep a watchful eye on her teen for two years, is now going to make more victims. Bourns kids! She dont give a damn. Only money is important now!
The real story will come out when the victim’s mother is deposed and her Emails, Tweets and Text Messages become subject to discovery. Finding out what she knew and when she knew it will be very telling.
Maybe Rusty Gregory, Dr. Karch, and their ilk at MMSA/Mammoth Lakes can hold a fundraiser to pay for defense costs.
I would not put it past them….
Joe and A local- that’s sick !
How on earth would that poor woman have know that her husband was a pedophile? She took vows and made babies with a man that tricked an entire comunity into believing he was an upstanding, wonderful, caring human. He ended up being a monster. But to say “Bad news for Mrs. Bourne but she shouldn’t have married a pedophile” shows complete ignorance to the amount of efforts put forth by Dr. Bourne to cover his true being. Could you honestly think that she had one ounce of incling that this man would turn out to be a monster and yet still decided to marry and make babies with him? Are you infering that she willingly put herself and her children in the position to be publicly mortified? That she continued to have “relations” and allow this man around her children all the while knowing what was happening? I would certanly hope that is not what your comment ment because that would be the most horrific, insensitive, and stupid comments to come out of this whole fiasco.
Just as I thought, the truth in the guilty plea comes out. The only problem I have is the monetary compensation against Bourne’s estate. The purpose is not only for retribution for the victim but also as a punishment for the offender. Since the offender is dead what good does it do the victim to take the money of the non offenders and publicly humiliated and forever emotionaly ruined family? No amount of a dead mans money is ever going to take away from what was done. I do have to say how ever, by all means take everything you can from Mr. Walker. Wring him bloody, he’s still alive to feel the wrath. Oh and btw, looking back I am glad to have stayed away from Dr. Bournes “Celebration of Life” All that talk about supporting the family feels dry when you remember it wasnt a celebration of the left over familys ability to stand up and move on, but the celebration of horrible and unthinkable mans crimes.
How sick are they that they would want more than the Doctors life?
Have they no hearts at all?
=
Really….you think the victim should have a heart for the men who sexually violated her? The family did not take the doctors life, he did. If someone sexually violated your wife or child (because she was a child) would you have a heart for the predator?
This entire affair seems suspicious, like a setup by Lolita’s mother who must have known about her daughter being sexually active and an excellent bait for rich men.
The mother should be charged with a number of crimes as well if that conspiracy theory is correct. However until those charges are drawn up the only one to blame for not helping the child are those that hurt her the most.
Well I have heard this around town. What difference does this make. So what if the victims family is seeking money. Walker Plead Guilty and that will be enough for a winning judgement in the Civil case against Walker. I wonder how this will play against Bourne since he will not be cross examined on the stand and try to refute the allegations. The interesting thing I see is the claim as reported by Kessler regarding Bourne’s failure to report the activities of Walker if in fact he knew of them. This is what could have driven Bourne to his end. For many it is not possible to implicate a good friend. The situation for Bourne may have presented him to do so and he would not throw his friend under the bus. I wonder if this was a threatened case submitted to the Medical Board. Ya know this could have also caused the hospital to fire Bourne prior to the Criminal hearings. Bourne could have lost his license just because he knew what Walker was doing. WOW!!!
Well I hope that the victims Family wins against that Creep Walker! and Big TOO I hope that Walker has not hidden all the money and property. The Bourne estate might be the deep pocket on this one.!!!
Well have to see how it plays against Bourne. They only need to prove by tipping the scale in the favor of the victim not beyond a reasonable doubt like in criminal instances.
Walker you’re done!
NOTE to all you other sex offenders. Your time is coming.
The Bourne estate has no DEEP pockets. We have only demonstrable pain, emptiness, endless tears, and sadness left to give anyone.
I maintain enough curiosity to wonder why, such a mean spirited group of people take the time to judge, write, and revel within my family’s devastation. We have nothing left, must you continue to verbally soil our fragile reality?
None of you are part of this. Mind the concerns of your own perfect lives.
G. Bourne
What G.Bourne says is probably true….Maybe time to stop…But in the last sentence it says” none of you are part of this”….We ALL are part of this when it happens in our little towns,and we all are going to have opinions about it.But ,maybe,enough is enough…at least it is with me….
Amen Wayne
Well said G. These people have no souls. I stand by my first post with all the negative votes by the despicable people who want to punish the victims.
Best to your family. Hang in there. There is no place to go but up now.
Wow good post Reality
To G. Bourne, I praise your courage to respond. I lived through my own devastation and it is nothing close to yours. I have thought of you often in this series of events. I can only give you the advice I was given by others and did not believe. It will get better, you will be happy again, your children will be happy again. I know it to be true. So many unanswered questions will never be answered. Take care of yourself and I Godspeed you on your recovery.
G.,
People aren’t nice. They are the same beasts that roamed the playgrounds, starting crap, back from K-12. Years ago they would attend public executions and throw rotting food at those soon to die. Stonings continue to this day. It is a brutal world and that brutality exists in every corner of our civilization.
My advise would be to stop looking at the local press. Some of my best moments in Mammoth are when it tune out the negativity the local press points out. And there is no sense in trying to talk sense into the cavemen and cavewomen that blog in these threads.
I’m praying for you to find some peace. I have my own opinions about all this but my heart aches for you and what your going through.
Very well said G. You have an amazing amount of support behind you and your family. People seem to love to point the finger one way, at others, when in reality there are 3 pointing back at them. For whatever reason, it builds their petty self-esteem. They are a sad lot, pay no attention. With time and distance, you and your sons have an amazing future to look forward to, even if it cannot be seen yet. Go on bravely, knowing that so many people love you! Peace.
You will think about this thread Gillian every day of your life when you meet a smiley-faced local. As a matter of fact, so will I, although I’m not remotely as affected as you.
Very telling – no apology, no contrition – just an angry demand for respect.
BINGO!
Even if what your sick comment says is true,still does not excuse the 2 adult men that took advantage of this 13 or 14 year old girl.
As an abused survivor I took any opportunity to avoid my perpetrator. I did not tell him I loved him. I did not want to go to Europe with him. I just wanted him out of my life. So, the question is this lawsuit from the “girl” after money or her parents? Last thing I wanted to do was go to court and show my face in front of a judge and jury.
Dear AbusedSURVIVOR and Others,
I also am a sexual abuse survivor. I would like to admonish you in your expectation that all survivors should or can react and recover in the same way that you did. Each case of abuse, while in some ways similar (ie: grooming, secretive, etc) has its own set of dynamics. You as a survivor yourself should be above judging another victim.
This girl was 14, 15, 16. Too young to legally sign a contract, too young to legally be in a sexual relationship with men 2x her age. If her parents participated in any way to her being abused, I suspect that IF/when evidence of that emerges they will have appropriate charges filed against them, as well.
Speaking as a recovering victim (I was 15 when the abuse ended) I wish that someone would have sued my perpetrator on my behalf. My abuser was not a doctor, he was a machinist. I will assume that he made considerably less wages than a surgeon. However, it my understanding that he has a very comfortable retirement at this time.
Meanwhile, I have spent THOUSANDS of dollars on recovering from the emotional wounds I suffered from his selfish and ILLEGAL actions. I did not discover until it was too late to pursue it (statute of limitations), that I was entitled to compensation as a victim. That would have been of great benefit to me.
So when I see so many people judgeing the victim and her parents for exercising their legal rights, I am surprised. You have no idea what this family has gone through, what their financial status is (which is irrelevant anyway) and you are forgetting that the perpetrators brought all of this on to themselves (and sadly their innocent family members) by their terrible, and admitted to (Walker) actions.
joe really? what a misogynist comment! this mother is a good person and trusted her “best friends” with her kid
Misogynist? Au contraire. I don’t know the mother and the girl, but I knew of a15-year old girl who seduced a good part of the football team plus the coach who got naturally fired. The designation of predator or victim is not so simply black and white. I don’t have enough information in this case. One thing is sure: falling victim to the charms of a mature 15 year old girl does not a pedophile make. A pedophile has a track record with prepubescent children. Did anyone accuse Dr. Bourne of going after any prepubescent girl?
Oh, Joe, that poor adult coach. He got fired for not being able to resist a 15 year-old girl? I’m sure that in his education or in his hiring he was never warned about how seductive and wily those girls can be. I’m certain that never in either, his own life experience or his hiring as an adult who works with underage youth was he told that having sexual relations with a minor is a criminal offense. And that was probably the case with Dr. Bourne and Mr. Walker – they were unaware that even with (assuming this happened) PARENTAL ENCOURAGEMENT it is a criminal offense to have sex with a minor. In fact, I’m sure that as a mandated reporter Dr. Bourne was not aware that if he thought that a parent was subjecting their child to abuse in any form that he must alert the authorities. Dr. Bourne and Mr. Walker are the real victims here certainly. And I wonder from the tone of your comments, if you haven’t been a victim such as them, yourself.
Bourne also failed to report himself to authorities!
Round two! Good for the young girl!
A double-edged sword with this one…The good doctor and his estate should be hit with a lawsuit…as well as with Mr.Walker for what he has done…but putting monetary value on everything that happened seems kind of crazy…I don’t think the parents of this girl should be paid for bad-parenting..What the judge should do is set aside a trust fund for the girl to get when she turns a certain age for collage,etc.She is the one that was taken advantage of..anyway you look at it,the young girl’s parents shouldn’t profit on anything here….except maybe lawyer fees.If I were the parent of a young girl,I could tell something was up with these 2 creepy guys trying to “befriend” her.
Filing suit against Dr. Bournes estate??? No, they are filing suit against the the widow and orphans, who had nothing to do with the crime, an 80% reduction in income, and will be thrown out on the street.
Great example mom.
Unfortunatly,that’s the way it works when the husband,and father, that did the crime cops out by killing himself…taking the easy way out,and leaving others in his wake….just another reason he was a lousy person,a lousy husband and a lousy father.Didn’t he think this would happen just before he stuck that needle in his arm? He had to have known the ones closest to him were going to suffer….he just didn’t care if they did or not.All said,it is hard not to feel sorry for his wife and kids for pinning their star to such a bad person.
Honestly I dont believe he ever went that far into his thought process. His actions over the past few years have been completly selfish, his suicide was completly selfish. he knew that his cover was blown and the few strings of support he had left were getting ready to flee when the rest of the story came into light. I believe he didnt want to face his own humiliation. He selfishly ran away and I dont believe a civil complaint was ever in his mind because his mind was already full of poor me, how do I save me, and other self serving thoughts. Thinking about financial compensation would have been last on his mind because that would have required an ounce of concern for his family.
As they should.. Get ready for TWO more bankruptcies in Mammoth
The good doctor, leaving a legacy of destruction and his widow to contend with the mess. I can’t say I blame the plaintiffs. I do, however, feel badly for Mrs. Bourne.