Slain Man’s Relatives Relive Ordeal

They can’t bring back their loved one, but family members of Simi Valley murder victim Andy Lee Anderson can do what they did Tuesday: seek justice.

As admitted killer Timothy Chrestman pleaded not guilty to murder charges Tuesday at an arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court, Anderson’s teary-eyed sister and his fiancee came forward to stand and watch the hearing from the front row.

“This is worse than death,” Laurie Anderson, 30, said later of the loss of her 24-year-old brother.

Chrestman has told police that he accidentally shot the victim at a remote Rose Valley campground, an assertion the Anderson family finds hard to believe.

Like the family and friends of so many other murder victims in Ventura County, the Andersons put themselves through a form of mental torture each time they go to court, lawyers said.

A victim’s family not only has to face the person accused of killing a loved one, but see defendants such as Chrestman exercising their legal rights--getting court-appointed lawyers and making various legal maneuvers.

“All my family and friends are taking this hard,” Laurie Anderson said. “And as time progresses, it doesn’t get any easier. It gets worse. Not only do we have to deal with the death of my brother, but now we have to deal with this (defendant) taking us through all these court hearings. Why doesn’t he just stand up and take his punishment?”

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Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael K. Frawley said every family in murder cases tends to be intense about exacting justice. They want to make sure that the accused is convicted and punished, he said.

After Tuesday’s hearing for Chrestman, Anderson’s parents listened intently as Deputy Public Defender Howard J. Asher spoke with reporters about the case outside the courtroom. Asher said his client was remorseful about Anderson’s death. He also said his client understands the pain and suffering of the Andersons.

The comment didn’t sit well with Bob Anderson, the victim’s father, who yelled: “He’s nothing but a cold-blooded killer!”

It was not the first public outburst by grief-stricken family or friends of Anderson. During Chrestman’s initial court appearance March 10, several friends of the victim clapped, jeered and yelled insults at Chrestman.

The Andersons are not the only family paying close attention to the case.

Chrestman’s parents have also been at the four court hearings in the case. They have heard Anderson’s friends berate their son and, for the most part, have remained silent.

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But Chrestman’s mother suggested Tuesday that her son’s critics wait before pronouncing judgment in the case. “I thought this was America,” she said. Asher said the case has been tough on her, too, because she did everything she could to raise her son right, including making him go to church and participate in community sporting events regularly.

“Tim comes from a close family,” Asher said.

Anderson’s family has little patience for those supplying explanations for Chrestman’s deeds.

And they can’t believe that Andy Anderson, who had planned to wed 22-year-old Lori Quinn of Simi Valley next year, is no longer with them.

“He was a good listener to all his friends,” said Carolyn Anderson, the victim’s mother.

They hope to help ensure justice by being in the courtroom.

“We feel for my brother Andy and for all the future victims and the victims that have already been there in the past,” Laurie Anderson said. “The main thing is I don’t want anybody else to go through this.”