Another Hometown Disgrace

The big news on the Philly-area blog front this week is steam being picked up on the Latoyia Figueroa case. Perfect example of when MSM can and should poach stories from bloggers -- after all, the point is to get the information out there. So hooray for that, and keep it going.

But while all this happens, Susanna Goihman still hasn't talked to police, and Kayla Peter goes without justice. Some background, in case you haven't heard of Kayla Peter or heard about her weeks ago and forgot.

Kayla Peter was a 15-year-old East Falls girl, a student at Hallahan. The night of June 19, she stepped off a Septa bus at the East Falls transfer center, headed home after a night hanging out in Andorra with friends. A white Lexus mowed her down, killing her within eyesight of the rowhouse where she lived.

A few days later, the fancy Lexus coupe was found -- with accident damage -- in the driveway of Goihman's house not far away. Goihman, who owns a restaurant downtown, has acknowledged the car is hers but has refused to talk to police. Think about who, in this day and age, gets to blow off police investigating the death of a child? I mean, to just say "screw you, I'm not talking." And she's getting away with it.

Goihman had a previous DUI arrest adjudicated on June 3rd, and her license was suspended on June 19th. Is this why she's so afraid of talking to the police, because she wasn't supposed to be driving that night at all? If so, I wonder which Goihman prefers: Having people think she's a drunk, or that's she'd leave a little girl to die in the street?

Again, think about it: She won't even talk to the police. And she's getting away with it.

Since the night of July 8th, clusters of people from the 21st Ward area (that's the general East Falls, Wissahickon, Manayunk, Roxborough and Andorra neighborhoods) have gathered to hold vigil in front of Goihman's house. They stand near her restaurant, handing out fliers about the case and telling them about Goihman's possible involvement.

And about her refusal to speak to the police. Her refusal. Who the hell is this woman? Why haven't the homicide detectives who finally joined the case on July 19th dragged her ass to the Roundhouse, like they would have if Goihman was -- I don't even want to say a black guy, but yeah, a black guy -- instead of a woman who either has gigantic brass balls, no heart and conscience, or political connections.

(And where the hell has Councilman Mike Nutter been?  He could take five seconds out of his march to the mayor's office to actually do something meaningful for the people who live in his district. Show up at a rally. Hold a news conference. Formally ask the police to classify Kayla's death a homicide and force Goihman to sit down with them. Believe me, I'm not the first person wondering whether the media darling councilman wouldn't be more involved if Kayla had been an African-American and run over on Germantown Avenue. Then again, it's such a deeply Democratic section of the city, maybe Nutter feels secure enough not to give a shit either way?)

Working, sadly, in this disgusting woman's favor is the fact that the 21st Ward is a section of the city that likes to keep its business to itself. Far flung out on the city's northwest side, it's home to dozens of city employees and officials, big mahoffs of the city's labor unions, police and fire types -- the refuge of people have to live within the city for their jobs. In fact, there's usually little serious crime (another reason Nutter ignores it). And when there is a major crime, nobody likes a fuss.

It seems ridiculous to think that someone stole Goihman's car, used it to run Kayla over, then thoughtfully returned it to the owner's house. So either she was driving the car, or she knows who was. Either way, all people are asking is for her to talk. How long will the Philadelphia police allow themselves to be blown off by this woman, I wonder? Because it's making them look like they don't give a shit, either.

Meanwhile, the vigils continue in front of Goihman's house and restaurant. Don't call them protests, because the teens who gather have shown remarkable class and restraint. The summer wears on. It's been a rough summer in the 'hood.

Comments

[That Dude from Philly]

Quite frankly this is bullshit and the Ink and DN should have her picture on the front page of the paper every fucking day. This bitch is going to get off, probably because she is boning some1 high up.

[wonderleia]

What restaurant does she own? I'd like to make sure I don't eat there.

[Mike]

The WPVI story sez:

"She owns the Azafran restaurant at [T]hird and South Streets and has become something of a celebrity chef."

And now she's a hit-and-run celebrity, too.

I'd almost forgotten about this story, and I still don't get it. How is this woman not under lock and key yet?

[MamaQ]

Philly Dude: You're right. You'd think the DN -- the people's paper, for the love of Pete -- would have a running count on the front page of each day that has gone by without justice for Kayla.
As for the Inky, I can't bite the hand that feeds me (THub works there). But yeah, they're due for an update as well.

The police's excuse so far has been that they can't force her to talk. I say bullshit. If the case is formally ruled a homicide, can't they designate Goihman a material witness and let her sit in a jail cell while she refuses to cooperate?
Hmm...I wonder how much Goihman has donated to the mayor's and/or the DA's campaigns recently? Those records are certainly get-able.

The most disgusting part of the whole story, to me, is the interview Goihman gave where she talks about how heartbroken she is "for the family" and that she LIGHTS A CANDLE EVERY NIGHT FOR KAYLA AND PRAYS FOR HER. The nerve.

Maybe we should designate a Kayla Peter day, and urge other Philly-area bloggers to all write about this case at once?

[wonderleia]

azafran is one of our favoriter restauants - yikes.

[MamaQ]

Better switch to Montserrat

[Abbey]

Im one of the teens involved in the vigil and the fact is,is that im pretty positive its already marked as a homicide it was given to the homicide department weeks ago and we wonder how its in the hands of the homicide department and still nothing has happened in the arrest of this woman. Her restaurant is AZAFRAN on south st please dont go there because your basically eating food prepared by a killer because even if she didnt hit kayla and someone else did, she still knows who was and wont talk so she is just as guilty. If anyone wants to help our cause please come and honk for kayla with us we need and appreciate all the help and support we can get! Help us get Kayla justice! she was only 15 and had her whole life ahead of her and it was taken away from her because of someones dumb actions. "HONK FOR KAYLA"

[MamaQ]

Abbey, you guys are doing such a wonderful thing for your friend. Stay strong, positive and peaceful, and you'll get results.
All anybody's asking is for this woman to come in and talk to police -- as you said, even if she wasn't driving the car, she knows who was. Shame can be a powerful motivator sometimes, let's hope it works in this case.

[Donna P]

How do we get this Blog sent to CNN?

[Citizen Mom/MamaQ]

Mrs. P,
Any more news about a possible arrest? Also, is it possible for someone to email me a photo of Kayla I could use here on the blog? I really want to help any way I can.
mrsmanayunk@gmail.com

[Donna P]

I could get NO CONFIRMATION from anyone regarding the July 29th broadcast on Fox 29.

[Donna P]

Mama Q would you mind very much if we post your BLOG on Kaylspeter.com for people who wish to voice issues concerning Kayla's murder and the Honk For Kayla? It seems as if there are many who feel very passionately about the issues of the murder and they are leaving inappropriate postings on Kayla's BEAUTIFUL PERSONAL site. I would like to see community feeling separated from issues that are very private and personal. Thanks

[Donna P]

Tonight WB17 came to Henry and Queen. They too confirmed that they received a press release that an arrest will be made within the next few days in the murder of Kayla. I asked, "Who sent the press release?" Theire response, a shrug of the shoulders and a "We don't know."

[MamaQ]

That's weird... I know from my own journalistic experience that the cops don't usually send releases like that, because they don't like to tip their hands if they have someone under surveillance, for example.
However, they *could* have sent the release as a way to pressure someone into coming forward. Like, giving the person a chance to turn him/herself in and avoid being arrested in public.
I'd love to see that release myself. Hmmm.

[sally adams/wood]

I think the cops are assholes that they have not assested her yet , she must bein paying someone to get her off, it it was her kid or nutters kid they would be in jail ,they seem to be takin there sweet old time it is bullshit , and i have one question mrs, p writes on kayla site to let us know wat is goin on and i love her for that and wrote about one time she was at the protest and mrs. goihman drive buy and said stuff and one time she drive over the candles that they had for kayla . wat i want to know is Y? is she still driving if they were supossed to take her license from her before she hit kayla , that is really messed up ,

[Donna P]

Hey Sally...just to clear things up. Ms. Goihman never drives herself, in the incidents you are referring to Ms. Goihman was being driven. Can you imagine that G. (possibly the MOST DESPISED WOMAN IN PHILADELPHIA) still has people who are willing to chauffer her around? But please take note; until this week the license plates have all ben out of state Fl, VA, MD

[Donna P]

Hey Mama Q. about your idea for Kayla Peter Blogging Day...is it a possibility to have such a thing on August 19...that will be the two month-a-versary of Kayla's death?

[MamaQ]

Donna, I will get the word out and see what I can do about getting other Philly-area folks to blog about Kayla's case on Aug. 19th. Let's just pray we don't have to go on that long until someone comes forward.

[Donna P]

MamaQ please come to Queen and Henry this Thursday...the antique cars who show at Domino and Ridge are going to pas by Goihman's house and Honk For Kayla. I would like ALL OF PHILADELPHIA to see this.

[sally adams/wood]

donna p , thank you for clearin that up for me , i was goin to say that would be really messed up if she was still drivin , and some poeple are still stupit in this world to be drivin her around i would either drive in the river or make her walk and we can throw stones at her , but let me know when you get her i live in lancaster pa , but grew up in rox and is a freind of melissa , i love that girl and kayla too , thanks

[Randi D.]

For those of you following this case who may not have heard, a Grand Jury has been enpannelled. It seems that justice is within arm's reach. Keep watching!

[Olivia D]

I really really appreciate all the effort put into getting justice for Kayla. She deserves it! We miss her all greatly, and I would rather post blogs on KaylaPeter.com about how much i miss and love her, but i cant do that because i am disgusted in how Goihman is still walking around. Isnt it about time the police FORECE her to tlak to federals??