Update on Trial 5/26/15

Heidi, your mom and Wanda both appeared on 5/22/15 before the courts for their arraignment hearing. It has been rescheduled until June 18, 2015.There have been so many misguided comments and opinions of what may have happened that day. It has never been explained to me what happened to you. I still don't understand what motivated your mom to blame me. I want to repeat to all those who may read this, I know for a fact you did not want to die and would not have asked to have your respirator unplugged and or disconnected. 

There are some groups that feel your mother is the victim here, have they all forgotten that she changed the kid's and my life forever when she told the police that I facilitated your death? To this day, we are all still in shock and have not been able to fully grieve for you with so many unanswered questions. 

My reaction to her being arrested was one of surprise. Did she feel the same fear and confusion I felt when the authorities descended on our home physically removing us with just the cloths on our backs. This less than 24 hours after we had lost you. 

I look at this picture and ask myself why?  This is not the same person that moved in with us so many years ago. 

Update on trial

Judge Approves Jail Release of Elderly Woman Charged with Killing Daughter Who Had ALS

Arraignment hearings are continued for two women charged in connection with the 2013 death of 52-year-old Heidi Good Swiacki

A judge agreed to release Marjorie Good, 89, from County Jail, where she was taken into custody after a criminal grand jury indicted her for a first-degree murder charge in the death of her daughter, Heidi Good Swiacki.  (Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo)

By Janene Scully, Noozhawk North County Editor | @JaneneScully | Published on 05.12.2015 6:18 p.m.

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An 89-year-old woman charged with first-degree murder in the 2013 death of her Solvang daughter who had ALS will be released from the Santa Barbara County Jail on her own recognizance while her case makes its way through the criminal-justice system.

During a Tuesday morning hearing, Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Gustavo Lavayen agreed to release the elderly defendant, Marjorie Good, after a request from defense attorney David Bixby, who said his client would stay with a family friend.

Good and Wanda Nelson, who also appeared in court with her attorney Tuesday, were indicted on first-degree murder charges of killing 52-year-old Heidi Good Swiacki, reportedly by tampering with her ventilator. Nelson is believed to have been Swiacki's caregiver. 

At one point in court Tuesday, the hearing had to be paused because the frail Good, who was sitting in a wheelchair, said her hearing aid battery had died. 

Although the judge granted Good’s release from jail, he ordered her to stay away from the Nyborg Estates neighborhood and her son-in-law, Stephen Swiacki, and grandchildren, Ashton and Christopher Swiacki.

Nelson’s attorney, Lori Pedego from the Santa Barbara County Public Defender's Office, noted her client had breast cancer surgery two months ago and asked the judge to ensure the jail maintains her follow-up treatment regimen. 

Nelson was arrested in New York, but appeared in the Santa Maria courtroom on Tuesday morning for the hearing. The arraignment hearing for both women was continued to May 22. 

Wanda Nelson, left, and her attorney, deputy public defender Lori Pedego, appear in court for an arraignment hearing Tuesday morning. (Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo)

A criminal grand jury indicted the two women May 1, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. Before handing down the indictments, the grand jury heard from 33 witnesses, including 13 law enforcement personnel and Swiacki's husband and two children.

While sheriff’s investigators and prosecutors have provided little information about the case, some details can be gleaned from a blog that was started by Good after she was diagnosed several years ago with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

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Reaching down

Heidi sent this to Ashton and Chris

Mama's words

CALIFORNIA LAW, RIGHT TO LIFE

Since the announcement by the D.A.'s office, there have been so many comments pertaining to ALS and how inhumane California law is regarding one's choice to take there own life given certain medical conditions. It is not that I disagree with this however this has no bearing on Heidi.

Many have talked about it was a mercy killing or Heidi asked that the plug be pulled.

I can assure anyone who is reading this blog, Heidi had no desire to end  her life, she had her bucket list and it was not completed. She was alive, smiling, laughing and could still light up the room with her wit.

So please, don't think Heidi wanted to end  her life. She felt it was in God's hands to take her when ready.

Unfortunately, the police don't believe this was an act of god.

The next 17,520 hours

Heidi, it has been over 17,520 hours since we lost you. It is hard to comprehend what is believed to have happened but it is now reality.

Two Indicted for Murder of Solvang Resident
updated: May 07, 2015, 4:53 PM 

Source: Office of the District Attorney

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that on May 1, 2015 the Grand Jury returned criminal indictments against Marjorie Good and Wanda Nelson for the murder of Heidi Good, on March 25, 2013 in Solvang, California.

Two Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorneys presented to a Criminal Grand Jury the Sheriff investigation into the homicide. Thirty-three witnesses provided testimony to the Grand Jury. The transcript of this Grand Jury hearing will become public in approximately 20 days, unless the court orders that the transcripts be sealed.

The Grand Jury had a number of choices before it, ranging from declining to indict to filing an indictment with the most severe charge proven to them.

The Grand Jury after receiving testimony from the witnesses, in private and confidential deliberations, chose to indict both Marjorie Good and Wanda Nelson of willful, deliberate and premeditated first degree murder.

Marjorie Good was brought before the Honorable Judge Iwasko today May 7, 2015. Good's arraignment on the indictment was continued to May 12 in Dept. 9, at 8:30 a.m. in Santa Maria. Wanda Nelson has been arrested and is pending extradition from New York State.