Threatening a Woman with Kids Is Like Threatening a Woman with a Dog.

"A defense investigator spoke with Von Wendel on June 11,1986, after petitioner had been convicted in the guilt phase of the trial.  At that time, the investigator learned of the incident with Bo.  In the same interview, Von Wendel told the investigator of an incident in which petitioner had threatened a woman with a dog.  When Von Wendel intervened, petitioner left and returned with a machete."  (Thomas v. Wong, p. 14)

Now consider this hypothetical scenario:  Thomas threatens Vivian Cercy as he, Mary, and Greg are walking past her car.  Greg tells Thomas, "Leave her alone; she's got two kids" and, just as in the case with Von Wendel, this angers Thomas.  The three continue walking and reach the landfill office where Vince Johnson sees them. Thomas looks angry.  This anger builds until he heads back to the Village where he fetches his rifle from the car and goes to find Greg and Mary.  A while after she's been threatened, Cercy hears gunshots.

Some might say, "No way...this can't be the reason two young people died so horrifically.  There has to be more to it than this."  

Maybe not.