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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro Missing Children Return to index of stories... |
It is among the most chilling of crimes. A parent is charged with murdering his own children. And this Friday, Manuel Gehring will appear in Concord District courtroom to face charges in connection with the case. Gehring has been indicted on charges he killed his two children sometime around the fourth of july. Even though the bodies of Sarah and Philip Gehring have not yet been found, authorities say they have received numerous tips via email and phone calls. Prosecutors on Friday will attempt to show that they have probably cause hearing he violated a custody agreement. |
| Missing Children Return to index of stories... |
Shot of plane landing/Gehring walks Narr 1 - Manuel Gehring, the Concord man charged with murdering his two children returned to New Hampshire on July 22. Narr 2 - State authorities believe that Gehring killed his two children, Sarah 14 and Philip 11, on or shortly after July 4th. He and his ex-wife, Teresa Knight, had been involved in a child custody dispute. Narr 3 - According to Gehring's credit card records, he left New Hampshire on a cross- country trip that ended near San Jose, California. There, he was arrested at a hotel on July 10th. Authorities began searching for the children. Jeff Strelzin, Assistant AG clip "We are still investigating the case. I can tell you that the searches so far have not yielded any results. We have not located the bodies as of this date." Narr 4 - On July 15th, Assistant Attorney General, Jeff Strelzin announced the charges against Gehring. Jeff clip - "The only charges so far is the custody charge, so when he arrives in NH that's what we expect he'll be arraigned on." Narr 5 - On July 18th, NH Attorney General Peter Heed said the charges had become a lot more serious. Peter - "I want to announce ladies and gentlemen that Mr. Gehring has been indicted by the Hillsborough Grand Jury for two counts of first degree murder relating to the deaths of children Philip and Sarah." Narr 6 - Gehring was arraigned on the interfering with custody charges, July 22. The next day, he was arraigned on two, first-degree murder charges. Sound from the arraignment Narr 7 - The search for the bodies of Sarah and Philip continue in the mid-West. |
| Intro Custody Disputes Return to index of stories... |
It's been reported that Manuel Gehring was upset over the custody decision made with regards to his two children, Sarah and Phillip. Unless you've dealt with a child custody issue, you might wonder how such cases are handled here in New Hampshire. Could a dispute over who gets the children really be so emotional that it could lead to murder? |
| Custody Disputes Return to index of stories... |
Finkelhor - 1:01:09 It's very rare for a parent to murder children in the course of a custody dispute. -- track Dr. David Finkelhor, is the co director of the Crimes Against Children and Family Research Center. -- finkelhor Usually for someone to murder children without there being any prior signs of violence or aggression to the ex spouse or towards the children, that's where someone trying to abduct kids through this old - that's rare. So I don't think parents who are in the course of custody disputes should get concerned that their kids are gonna end up in a grave somewhere. That is a very unusual kind of occurrence. 1:01:45 -- track What parents should be concerned about - Finkelhor says- is keeping their children out of custody disputes. -- sot finkelhor The research shows that the main negative affect of divorce on kids comes from the parental conflict. So anything that parents can do to dampen the level of parental conflict is going to improve the outcome for kids. And that's really something we need to emphasize for parents going through a divorce, is that they may say that they're doing this to remove a child from a situation where the conflict was harming them. But if then, in the course of trying to decide where the kids are going to live and who's going to take responsibility for them, there's actually more conflict, that can be - that can increase the damage to the kids. -- stand up In New Hampshire, there is a presumption of joint legal custody. That is although the parents are no longer together - each parent still has equal decision making power over issues such as their child's education, medical care, and religious upbringing. Legal custody differs from physical custody. Physical custody determines where the child will live. According to one child and family expert - when custody disputes are settled in the courtroom, it's the children who suffer. -- George Samuels It just becomes one more damaging sort of piece. I mean the idea that a judge is gonna decide because their parents can't decide. I mean, you know, again, if you think about it, everything the child has learned up to that time is that you can rely on your parents, you know, and now you're hearing that your parents can't decide this thing, so a stranger's gonna have to do it. How unsettling that is. -- track tape 1 - also George and Ally walking after the interview George Samuels is Director of Family Counseling for Child and Family Services. He says a parent, going through a divorce or custody battle, sometimes try to make the child an ally. As a result, the child learns to answer the parent's questions with the response that parent wants to hear. -- george Custody 1 Who you love more, you know, you don't really wanna do this, what happened to Dad's house, or what did Mom do, or you know, did they do that, or they don't know, and parents badmouthing one another and again, what does the child say, you know, when one parent speaks badly of the other, I mean that kind of position is a terrible position for a child to be in. 4:26 -- track When a physical custody dispute is brought before the court - the judge appoints a person to represent the child. That person is known as a Guardian ad Litem. Mary Pilkington-Casey is a family law professor at Franklin Pierce Law Center - She also serves as a Guardian ad Litem. -- -- sot mary, they serve as an arm of the court because they are doing the investigation of the court but they also act as a neutral person for the child who is there as a voice for the child saying this is what we believe based on all the information we have this is what would be best for the child and this is where the parent who should have legal custody -- track Each Guardian ad Litem is given a form by the court. It may ask the Guardian to investigate a wide range of issues. Some may include - legal and physical custody, parental skills, allegations of drugs and alcohol abuse by the parent , as well as allegations of any physical abuse. During the investigation, the Guardian ad Litem meets with both parents and the children. -- sot mary I will never ask a child who they want to live with but there are a variety of questions you can ask: When you were living at home and your mom and dad were together if you woke up at night and you were crying and upset who would come and comfort you and make sure you were okay? If you were playing outside in the yard and your parents were in the house and you got hurt who would come out and make sure you were okay. Sometimes you can ask questions and then if it is a very young child sometimes we will ask parents, who gets up to do the feedings for the infant at night? Who gets up to change the diaper at night if the baby is crying because they have a wet diaper? Who is more likely to change the diapers during the day? And then if it is an issue of a mother that is at home and a father that is working then we take that into consideration and vice-versa, the father is at home and the mother is working. -- track Once the investigation is complete, the Guardian ad Litem provides a report to the court. The judge makes his or her decision based in part on the Guardian ad Litem recommendations. But after the court decision is made - if parents continue their feud - and children experience that discord, some will exhibit behavioral problems. They may act out in school , get into fights, and that behavior, George Samuels says, is an attempt to send a message to the parents…. -- sot George I'm gonna get you to stop, and, you know, maybe you're not stopping, cause I'm gonna do this but if I steal something big enough you're gonna sort of stop, or I can't deal with this so I'm gonna just stay stoned and tune you out, or I'm gonna just stay drunk enough that it's not gonna so there, because you notice that example. And sometimes it's internalized kinds of stuff, you know, sometimes, it's winding up being more anxious about situation, it's systematic kinds of things, you know, stomachaches or headaches, or and just like a range of things, but it's, there's a lot of unhappy kids out there, who have, in one way or another, become sort of the symptom-bearers of what's going on in you know, their, their sort of, parents' separation. -- |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining me to talk more about the ways child custody issues are dealt with here in New Hampshire is Attorney Michael Alfano. Mike is a family law attorney out of Portsmouth. He also serves as court appointed mediator and certified Guardian ad Litem. |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Divorce Atty |
| Intro Rock and Roll Return to index of stories... |
Finally, how involved are today's parents in their teenagers lives? One New Hampshire Police Chief thinks they should spend more time talking with their teens AND listening to their music. Theresa Kennett revisits this next story which she first brought to us last spring. |
| Rock and Roll Return to index of stories... |
Labell Lecture 98% of parents in this country don't want their children smoking marijuana. I applaud those parents, thank you very much. But only 40% of those parents bothered to tell their children that. Richard Labell is the Chief of Police in Wolfeboro. But recently, when he addressed this group of parents and school counselors in Conway, he wasn't talking about his experience in law enforcement, he was talking about the power of rock and roll. Labell Lecture How bout this one right here name this tune form me - plays josie Laura Schoen of Carroll County Mediation Mr. Labell has done a lot of presentations on how to communicate better with your teenager through something that most of them love and that's music. Carroll County Mediation partnered with Kennett High school to sponsor Labell's presentation "It's Only Rock and Roll… Or is it? Shoen He's extensively researched the history of rock and roll and their effect on society. Labell interview I have a passion for children and I took my passion for children and I matched it with my passion for music and I came up with these programs. During this 90 minute presentation, Labell took his audience on a musical journey from the 60's to the present, demonstrating the evolution of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Nats of M&M's rapping music Labell Lecture Its those messages today that we as parents, law enforcment officials, child care advocates have to be more concerned with. Because we have some musicians out there telling our kids - hey kid come here, you want smoke marijuana, you want to snort cocaine, you want to shoot some heroin, I've got it all in my song. And kid come here, are those kids dissing you in school and you are on the outside looking in, and you just can't deal with it anymore you don't fit in, I've got an answer for you. Pick up a club, pick up a knife, pick up a gun and blow them away. And if that doesn't solve the problem and the world is still coming down on you, take that same gun kid, stick it in your mouth and pull the trigger. And the sad thing is ladies and gentlemen, some children in society listen to that message. Labell I'm not going to stand here today and tell you that music is the reason that kids commit suicide or commit crimes or anything like that. Music is not the sole reason, something was wrong with the child way before they started to listen to the music. However, I'm not going to stand here that say that there isn't a piece of the music that may influence that child to take that final step. Because it could push them into that final decision to hurting themselves or going in the wrong direction. Labell Lecture What kids are vulnerable to this type of message? Without a doubt it's the at risk kid. The kid who comes from a home where parents abuse them, sexual deviants or maybe they are mentally ill. Jump cut to 1:19:37 Kids that are outcasts, they don't fit in in school. On the outside looking in all of the time. These are the kids who act out on it. They listen to this type of muscian who glorify and It can be deadly. Labell Do you tell people to restrict what their kids listen to? No, I tell people to use that music to open up that door of communication. Labell Lecture Get involved with their music. I know its tough to come home from work every night tired as you may be and have to sit down and put on Marilyn Manson or put on Snoop doggey dog or what ever other rappers your children listen to. But if you listen to the song and give them your perspective. It opens up the door to communication with them and allows you to get some insight into their world. Student interviews - Jered Doherty & Alli Hiller both talked about why they listened to music, said their parents had listen to the words and talked to them about the messages. The parents I talked with after Labell's lecture said that they were surprised by the explicit nature of the lyrics. Bill Walsh, Ossippe The changes of the music from the 60's to the 90's is pretty drastic. I didn't even realize that music was out there. Mary Jeanne Luckey, Madison I hadn't really listened to some of the lyrics and I now that these are some of the artists my kids are listening to so I want'ed to find out what this is about. Luckey said rather than restrict the music her children hear, she'll take the time to listen too and find a way to hear the world from their perspective. From Conway, I'm Theresa Kennett for NH Outlook. |
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Do you have any questions or feedback for us on this program? Connect with us on-line at nhptv.org and tell us what's on your mind. You can also find links to resources used in this broadcast. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - a day in the life of presidential candidate Dick Gephardt. We'll explore what drives this campaign, and how Gephardt wants to change government. And our political experts, Andy Smith and Dante Scala join us in the studio. |
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We'll see you next time. Thanks for watching. |
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Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. a day in the life of presidential candidate Dick Gephardt. We'll explore what drives this campaign, and how Gephardt wants to change government. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: Youth Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 7/28/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, it is among the most chilling of crimes. A parent is charged with murdering his own children. And this Friday, Manuel Gehring will appear in Concord District courtroom to face charges in connection with the case. Gehring has been indicted on charges he killed his two children sometime around the fourth of July. Even though the bodies of Sarah and Philip Gehring have not yet been found, authorities say they have received numerous tips via email and phone calls. Prosecutors on Friday will attempt to show that they have probably cause hearing he violated a custody agreement. It's been reported that Manuel Gehring was upset over the custody decision made with regards to his two children, Sarah and Phillip. Unless you've dealt with a child custody issue, you might wonder how such cases are handled here in New Hampshire. Could a dispute over who gets the children really be so emotional that it could lead to murder? Joining us to talk more about the ways child custody issues are dealt with here in New Hampshire is Attorney Michael Alfano. Mike is a family law attorney out of Portsmouth. He also serves as court appointed mediator and certified Guardian ad Litem. Finally, how involved are today's parents in their teenagers lives? One New Hampshire Police Chief thinks they should spend more time talking with their teens AND listening to their music. Theresa Kennett revisits this next story which she first brought to us last spring. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn, Allison McNair, Theresa Kennett NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Strelzin\NH Assistant Attorney General, Peter Heed\NH Attorney General, David Finkelhor\Crimes Against Children Research Ctr, George Samuels\Child and Family Services, Mary Pilkington-Casey\Franklin Pierce Law Center, Michael Alfano\Family Law Attorney, Laura Schoen\Carroll County Mediation, Richard Labell\Wolfeboro Police Chief, Jared Doherty\Kennett High School, Allie Hiller\Kennett High School, Bill Walsh\Ossipee, Mary Jeanne Luckey\Madison |
| key: Crime / Legal Issues / Law Enforcement Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 7/28/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, it is among the most chilling of crimes. A parent is charged with murdering his own children. And this Friday, Manuel Gehring will appear in Concord District courtroom to face charges in connection with the case. Gehring has been indicted on charges he killed his two children sometime around the fourth of July. Even though the bodies of Sarah and Philip Gehring have not yet been found, authorities say they have received numerous tips via email and phone calls. Prosecutors on Friday will attempt to show that they have probably cause hearing he violated a custody agreement. It's been reported that Manuel Gehring was upset over the custody decision made with regards to his two children, Sarah and Phillip. Unless you've dealt with a child custody issue, you might wonder how such cases are handled here in New Hampshire. Could a dispute over who gets the children really be so emotional that it could lead to murder? Joining us to talk more about the ways child custody issues are dealt with here in New Hampshire is Attorney Michael Alfano. Mike is a family law attorney out of Portsmouth. He also serves as court appointed mediator and certified Guardian ad Litem. Finally, how involved are today's parents in their teenagers lives? One New Hampshire Police Chief thinks they should spend more time talking with their teens AND listening to their music. Theresa Kennett revisits this next story which she first brought to us last spring. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn, Allison McNair, Theresa Kennett NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Strelzin\NH Assistant Attorney General, Peter Heed\NH Attorney General, David Finkelhor\Crimes Against Children Research Ctr, George Samuels\Child and Family Services, Mary Pilkington-Casey\Franklin Pierce Law Center, Michael Alfano\Family Law Attorney, Laura Schoen\Carroll County Mediation, Richard Labell\Wolfeboro Police Chief, Jared Doherty\Kennett High School, Allie Hiller\Kennett High School, Bill Walsh\Ossipee, Mary Jeanne Luckey\Madison |
| key: Family / Marriage Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 7/28/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, it is among the most chilling of crimes. A parent is charged with murdering his own children. And this Friday, Manuel Gehring will appear in Concord District courtroom to face charges in connection with the case. Gehring has been indicted on charges he killed his two children sometime around the fourth of July. Even though the bodies of Sarah and Philip Gehring have not yet been found, authorities say they have received numerous tips via email and phone calls. Prosecutors on Friday will attempt to show that they have probably cause hearing he violated a custody agreement. It's been reported that Manuel Gehring was upset over the custody decision made with regards to his two children, Sarah and Phillip. Unless you've dealt with a child custody issue, you might wonder how such cases are handled here in New Hampshire. Could a dispute over who gets the children really be so emotional that it could lead to murder? Joining us to talk more about the ways child custody issues are dealt with here in New Hampshire is Attorney Michael Alfano. Mike is a family law attorney out of Portsmouth. He also serves as court appointed mediator and certified Guardian ad Litem. Finally, how involved are today's parents in their teenagers lives? One New Hampshire Police Chief thinks they should spend more time talking with their teens AND listening to their music. Theresa Kennett revisits this next story which she first brought to us last spring. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn, Allison McNair, Theresa Kennett NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Strelzin\NH Assistant Attorney General, Peter Heed\NH Attorney General, David Finkelhor\Crimes Against Children Research Ctr, George Samuels\Child and Family Services, Mary Pilkington-Casey\Franklin Pierce Law Center, Michael Alfano\Family Law Attorney, Laura Schoen\Carroll County Mediation, Richard Labell\Wolfeboro Police Chief, Jared Doherty\Kennett High School, Allie Hiller\Kennett High School, Bill Walsh\Ossipee, Mary Jeanne Luckey\Madison |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |