Misti is apparently at Highland Hospital (although perhaps in order to protect her privacy they won't say she's there).
She must be devastated. Amir was her world.
You can send your love, prayers, thoughts, etc to Misti.
I can't guarantee they make it to her at Highland, but perhaps anyone who is able to visit her could print out these messages and bring them to her.
You can add your messages in the comments of this post (no need to log in/create an account).
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30 comments:
Hey there Misti,
My heart goes out to you... I am devastated by the news of your lost and need you to know that our family is wishing you strength and God's blessing , in what must be a very devasting moment in your life.
With our love and support,
Norton, Kerry, Nicholas, Simone and Preston
Friend and neighbor in Family Housing at UCB
Misti-
My thoughts and love go out to you.
I am devastated to hear about your loss.
Let me know if there's anything I can do.
-Finley
Friend and Amir's Onetime Summer Swim Teacher
I've just come home and learned this terrible news from Linda and Cha-Cha (the childhood seem seems right here), and I have to say I am beyond devastated. One minute you have your normal life with the same cast and the next there is a gaping hole where once there was love. I miss you Amir, I love you Misti and you are in my prayers Chad. All of us hurting right now are alive to feel that pain, and for this alone I am grateful.
Love Stafford
Misti-
I cannot possibly find the right words to bring you the Peace I am sure you need right now...but I want you to know that I Love you and care so deeply for you and what your going through right now. I am sure you feel like you’re in this world all by yourself and that there is no other soul who could possibly comprehend what you are experiencing...but I do, and I am here for you if you need me.
We all have our own unique way in dealing with the departure of those we love. But to lose someone who is your heart, your soul and most importantly your reason for living, is the toughest task and pain for anyone to handle. I just want you to know that I understand that pain...it's a pain that's indescriable, one that has no words. But please know and believe that there are a lot of people who love you & Amir.
"Believe in Him, and he will bring you through..."
All our love and support,
The Beston's
Cliff Jr, Christina, Lil Cliff, Malaziah, Lesa & Lincoln
Misti,
Claudia and Luis and I cried when we heard the news that Amir had died.
No one should ever have to suffer the loss of a child. We are praying for you. God is with you. He is wailing with you. He feels the deepest places of your pain with you. You are not alone.
We love you Misti,
Jane
Misti,
Little sister,
I am so very sorry for your pain, for your loss. My heart goes out to you. Julia
Dearest Misti,
I cannot imagine the pain you must be in. I am so sorry this happened. You are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers.
Love,
Linda
Dearest Misti and Amir
We're very very sad and send you all our love. Do count on us Misti in any way to help with the pain. A huge beso,
Rafi, Nadav & Ilan
Misti,
I hope there is some way for our messages to reach you. I cannot make words for the pain in my heart, though it's nothing to yours. As Jane said, there is a God and He does love all His children. You are not alone. He weeps with you, as do all of us. He understands as no one else can. Just ask, and if you cannot ask, know that we will be asking for you.
All our prayers and love,
Cheri Schulzke
I did not know you or your son. I am simply a parent at Emerson Elementary. I did meet your son as a "picture day" volunteer. I met all the children that day. However, Amir was quite memorable. My job was to make sure the children had clean faces and combed hair. When I saw Amir, I asked him, "do you love your hair?" He said, "well, I don't LOVE it." He was so sweet and adorable. He is a beautiful child. I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts go out to you and your family.
Misti-
I have no words. Just love, prayers and an inkling of your hell. My heart goes out to you.
Lanitra
(Jamari Amir's mom from Maples)
Cute Misti!
What a beautiful smile! My heart is so heavy! I am praying for you EVERYDAY! May GOD bring you peace and assurance that HE, only HE, can see you through this terrible ordeal.
I care about and love you!!!!!
Always,
Nicole & Omojefe
I would like to know any ways that friends can help Misti and her family. I was sorry to miss the gathering at La Loma Park on Oct. 14th, I learned of it late...
My heart goes out to you Misti. We enjoyed many good years at Emerson School with our children. We shared our love of books and stories through the Emerson Listening Library. You nurtured this love in Amir and he passed it on to younger students when he worked as a "reading buddy".
My sadness is tempered by wonderful memories of your exquisite love and dedication to Amir.
with love,
Sarah
SHE KILLED HIM! How can you guys want to help her and say all these nice things to her. Don't you know what she did...She poisoned him for three days with her depression medication and then stabbed him, maybe he didn't die fast enough. She then tried to slit her own throat and wrists. He was dead for at least 18 hours before the police arrived. She's a MURDERER, and you all should be absolutely ashamed of yourself for these comments!
This blog makes me sick and Misti's supporters need to read the news more!
To the people who are so angry, understand that many of us friends and family are just as angry too...angry to the core...but, when are ability to reflect kicks in, we realize that this is one moment (although a dispicable and heinous unforgetable moment) in thousands we shared with Misti. We have true compassion and warmth for a lost lost friend who yes did something unimaginable. We love Amir. We love Misti. We love them both.
Dear Anomymous,
She did kill him (stabbed him? I haven't heard anything about stabbing...)and what depth of despair could have brought her to such a place? This is a woman who loved her child, who parented alone while mentally ill, suffering deep bouts of hell, while making a very good effort to take care of her little boy. What a shame we couldn't help her! What a shame there weren't medical professionals who could have reached her!
Anonymous, I want to retch when I start to really contemplate what Misti did and we rage with you against the horror and the injustice of the life of an innocent child, a lovely, intelligent, wonderful boy, being taken by the person he loved and who loved him most but are moved to ask what sense of utter hopelessness could have brought her to that point, and in that, find the beginning of compassion.
Dear Anonymous-
I understand and share your anger. But the real villian is the mental illness. Misti is a victim too and we that love her acknowledge that. Her isolating, and hiding her pain and torment was rooted in guilt, shame, frustration, despair and probably just plain weariness of fighting everyday to maintain her sanity literally. How many of us have that struggle? And for this I cry and carry pain and saddness. Becasue of that I can have grace and mercy. I know she loved her son boundlessly but her illness infected that love. She needs help, love and support not scorn. What do you think SHE is experiencing now? Of all of us SHE loved Amir the most. I am angry that mental illness took this beautiful soul away from our presence. I am equally saddened that it has ravaged my friend's life and those of us that love her. I can only pray for her with each tear I shed. Becasue long after we have moved on from this horror will forever be a part of her and her history altering her future forever.
you know whatever led Misti to take her sons life, whatever made her drop the ball is the real question here. There were things she never delt with and support she never got. I recently found out she reported being molested by a teacher at Berkeley High and an investigation never followed. We need to find out who molested her because I know for a fact she wasn't the only one. There were young teachers hired into the African American studies department durring the teacher shortage in the 90's and I know one who abused his athority and pushed his sexuality onto high school girls. Respond if you remember those years. Misti asked for help probably many times in her life and was just blown off. She was a ace student,very independent, a leader and at the same time looking for acceptance from her peers. Though a survivor she ended up being dismissed rather than accepted for whatever reasons.She was raising her kid on her OWN. Its beautiful to hear how wonderful Amir was.But Misti was a hurt unit obviously and people around her let her down. There is no excuse or story in the world that makes it ok to take an innocent childs life ever. It is obvious Amir was a great gift and Misti took him away from others who loved him in a very selfish act. Yes the world is a crule place. She didn't have the support she needed, and for those who turned their back on Misti the struggling single mother trying to cope filled with pain,SHAME ON YOU.
One of the best moments...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbwjIufaE0A
anon- I will remain anonymous, too... but I do have to say as a fellow BHS'er during Misti's years, I DO know of the underlying sexual interest of certain male teachers. In my case, a friend of mine shared an explicit journal with her teacher in which they would write to one another... at the time, I was shocked, but assumed she was blowing it out of proportion... and I think it is the same teacher you hint at. I hope that Misti was not also a victim.
Misti struggled with bi polar and borderline personality disorder. If you new Mist you knew amir. They spent every day together, she would not let him out of her sight. She was truly a SINGLE mother, day in and day out making the best of what they had. No one really appreciates how she struggled with her illness. She knew that it could cost her the ability to raise her sweat pea, which is why she fought and fought and fought to "be well" when we cleaned her apartment out after all of " this" I found at least ten books with her perfect penmanship dating them and underlining notes on points of interest. They were all self help books to gain a better understanding on what she was up against and how to beat it. The real tragedy is that mental illness can and does take peoples lives. I tell Misti this almost weekly "you did not do this" I have spent enough time with Misti and Amir in the village, the newer student housing, her place on shattuck to know if she was good at anything she was great at being Amirs Mother. We all try and rationalize an irrational though process-which just does not work. Misti is stronger than any of you will ever know
I still mourn the death of Amir. I have been cycling through the depression, denial, bargaining, anger and acceptance only to go through them again. I feel I was a good friend to Misti but yet what some refer to as "this" still happened. The amount of time I put into the friendship. The patience though all of the episodes. The inappropriate behavior that I could never speak of with others.Was part of the problem in the past administering our own version of textbook psychology? I constantly think of Amir and Misti. Especially today. They were part of my family. I too took a part in helping to raise Amir. Although a single mother she was definitely not alone. I wish Misty peace. And I hope one day to be able to extend my hand in friendship again. Right now I'm still too angry and hurt too see this strong person everyone speaks of. I don't know if telling her that "she did not do this" is helpful in any way. Although painful, the reality of "this" has to be realized and responsibility for ones actions has to be taken. What will be the outcome of denying that she is the one responsible? How and when can we all begin to heal??
That woman should be stoned to death. Slowly with bricks. Prayers, thoughts, notes? Kidding me? no way man, no way. Rot in a tiny cell surrounded by your guilt and suffer as you slowly fade away from peoples memories.
I don't know if you remember me.I'm clifford amir's freind at age 1 through 6 Lauras son.I really miss amir.
"Not Guilty" based on mental impairment would have been the correct plea. That first plea must have been entered by your lawyer before you could pull yourself together enough to begin what may turn out to be a lifetime of punishing yourself.
No one is served by you spending 9 years in prison. You will suffer, as I suspect is your goal in not even trying to plead mental impairment, but it will not bring the baby you raised to be a warm and thoughtful young man back. You are ill, and I wish the (public) end of your story acknowledged the reality of this, invited public discussion of this issue. But I understand wanting to plead guilty; I can't possibly imagine the hell of guilt you must live in, if you are lucid now.
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2008-04-18/article/29765?headline=Berkeley-Mother-Sentenced-For-Murdering-Her-Son-9
Berkeley Mother Sentenced For Murdering Her Son, 9
By Richard Brenneman
Friday April 18, 2008
A Berkeley woman who admitted murdering her 9-year-old son will spend at least nine years in prison, under terms of a plea bargain announced Wednesday.
Misti Mina Hassan has acknowledged the killing of her son, Amir, a student at Emerson Elementary School at the time of his death Oct. 10...
Hassan had initially pleaded not guilty to the murder but withdrew her plea before agreeing to the sentence handed down, which was to serve at least 85 percent of an 11-year sentence.
She made no effort to enter a plea based on mental impairment, Johnson said.
The youth’s death had sent shockwaves through his classmates at school and through the South Berkeley neighborhood where he was well known to local merchants, whom he often assisted in their chores.
Brian Bloom, the deputy public defender who represented her in the case, did not returned calls by deadline Thursday.
Oh Misti. Oh Amir, dear child. How can things have gone so wrong, so terribly, incomprehensibly, insanely wrong?
"Berkeley woman gets 11 years in killing of her 9-year-old son"
Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, April 17, 2008
(04-16) 19:58 PDT Berkeley -- A Berkeley woman was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter for killing her 9-year-old son with an apparent overdose of a prescription drug, authorities said today...
Hassan did not address the court and was shaking during the hearing, authorities said.
Hassan's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Brian Bloom, said his client was a mother who "loved her son" and never acted with malice.
"It was a tragic death," Bloom said.
Legally, pleading no contest results in a guilty finding.
http://www.newsique.com/us/berkeley_woman_gets_11_years_in_/
I'm sorry, this is the last article I'll post. You and Amir are just heavy in my mind right now, and I can't help but post this last article showing that your first lawyer knew this case's potential for public education and discussion re: mental illness and criminal justice. Did you end up having to switch to a different lawyer because this first one wouldn't plead guilty for you? I'm just trying to understand, this is all so sad...
"Berkeley Mother Makes Tearful Court Appearance"
Posted: 7:07 am PDT October 16, 2007
Updated: 12:05 pm PDT October 18, 2007
SAN LEANDRO -- A Berkeley mother sobbed uncontrollably Thursday when she appeared in court for the first time on charges that she murdered her 9-year-old son at their home last week.
Misti Hassan, 31, who was dressed in red jail clothes and tearfully nodded at about a dozen family members and friends who came to her brief appearance in Alameda County Superior Court, is scheduled to return to court Nov. 16 to enter a plea to charges that she murdered Amir Hassan at her apartment at 3011 Shattuck Avenue.
Berkeley police found Amir dead when they went to the apartment shortly before 9:30 a.m. Oct. 10 after getting a tip from San Jose police.
Misti Hassan was suffering from cuts to her arms and neck and was taken to a local trauma center, where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries, Kusmiss said.
Hassan later was taken to the John George Psychiatric Pavilion in San Leandro, where she was arraigned Monday. Since then she has been transferred to a jail in Dublin, where she's still being held.
Outside court, her attorney, Lewis Romero, said, "On behalf of the Hassan family, I want to thank all the countless people who sent their love from New York to California to Amir and Misti and the greater Hassan family."
Romero said, "We're still in mourning and still grieving."
Romero said, "Through this tragic loss, I hope the community will gain an understanding of people who are afflicted with mental illness."
Authorities have indicated that Hassan may have suffered from mental illness and Berkeley police say that a friend of Hassan's told authorities that Hassan phoned her the morning of Oct. 10 and said she killed Amir with an anti-anxiety medication.
People close to the case also have indicated that Hassan may have been upset that Amir's father, Chad A. Reed, was seeking custody of Amir and that her boyfriend had recently broken up with her.
Copyright 2007 by KTVU.com and Bay City News.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/14350235/detail.html?rss=fran&psp=news
Does anyone know if there is a grave for Amir? It would be nice to have a place to visit when we're thinking about him
Mental illness is what it is...but does it deserve sympathy...i say no in this case. When you know right from wrong, the answer is no... You made a decision...One that you can so choose to make again because the law allows it. But, you deserve no sympathy... you will be always deserving of love, but you took an innocent life...and a cowardice way out by not choosing a life sentence as you gave your son. If you took away a life, you should not allow the possibility to do so again...As much as I love you, you should have chosen Amir, by choosing a life sentence...protecting any future possibility of relapse.
If you knew Misti, you would know how beautiful, kind and loving she was--especially to her son. And as someone with lifelong experience with mental illness, the illness takes over. It distorts one's thoughts, emotions, and even physical health. It takes away your sleep, it makes you feel unloved, and it causes you to think that something as heinous as murder-suicide, is a perfectly reasonable solution. Misti, if you ever read this, I still love you, and I will forever hold you and Amir in my heart. I am so so sorry my phone did not have service that night and you could not reach me. Those messages right before you did what you did will forever haunt me. I'm sorry I failed you and I wish I could make it up to you. There is a god, and He loves you and FORGIVES you!
Crissy
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