On the way to jail, police say he admitted having sex with a minor, but in court today, a former counselor changed his story, pleading not guilty to 27 counts of sexual assault. 29 year old Barry Bergmann met the girl at a treatment center for troubled teens where he worked as a supervisor. Barry Bergmann pleaded not guilty to sexual assault against one female victim under 16.
The female victim under 16 was my niece Brittany whose picture is on the right. Partially due to this crime she committed suicide. I had the opportunity on Friday to go to Indian Springs with Brittany's parents to Barry's physc board hearing. This hearing was to determine if Barry was still a high risk to re-offend. Here are some excerpts from the statements her mother Lynette and I made at the hearing.
Lynette's Comments:
"I am here speaking to you as a survivor of a victim who can only be heard from those of us who have survived through the events, in my opinion caused by this inmate's actions."
"I am now her voice for all to hear. I did not get to see her graduate or start college. I will never get to see her walk down the isle or start a family."
"Barry Bergmann got 2-10 years and I got a life sentence."
My Comments:
"I do not know what was going on in his mind when he committed these crimes. It is my belief that he should have never been working in the mental health profession dealing with emotionally unbalanced people; especially teenagers. To me he took advantage of a 13 year old child and played with her head."
"She was found in her cell hanging from a bedsheet. As long as I live I will never get that image out of my head."
"Brittany had the potential to be anything she wanted. Those of us left behind are left to forever wonder what she would have become."
After Lynette, Jim and I addressed the board, the board questioned Barry thoroughly. In the course of Barry's remarks, he FINALLY admitted that he was partially responsible for Brittany's death. A statement which made Lynette very happy. Barry felt at the time he committed these crimes that he has helping Brittany. One doctor on the board did not buy it. He said something to the effect of you actually thought you were helping when you asked your dick be put into someone's mouth. My brother at this point was ready to kill the SOB. He feels as I do that this guy is the worst kind of sexual predator. Barry basically lied his ass off about everything. It did not take the board long to decide he was still a high risk to re-offend.
With this determination by the board, Barry will be denied parole next month. So this was our day of victory. After we left the hearing we all cried and hugged each other. After that he went to a bar a had couple of drinks to relax and celebrate.
7 comments:
oh my god, Marie...I am so sorry about your niece. This guy sounds like he should be locked up for a very, very long time (or forever if you ask me) Even those survivors of sexual abuse who move on and recover ARE dealt a life sentence, so why should these selfish pedophiles have any less? I have NO sympathy for these people whatsoever. I hope you and the rest of your family can find peace after this horrific event. My love and prayers...xo
I'm so sorry for your loss. I had no idea you'd been through something so terrible. I am happy though to hear that he has been denied parole. Scum like that should never be released.
Hugs,
Sid
Hey I have been busy and not around much. But I am so sad to see this! I am sorry for your loss and it shows just how warm you are that you made the effort to support her parents/your family and make a statement and see this through to the end. I agree with The Mass D. Scum like that sould NEVER be released! I would gladly pay high taxes to keep them behind bars!
Big hugs!!!
XX
Thanks Everybody!!
We also went to Brittany's grave site later that day. I hope she can now rest a little bit. We feel that her spirit has been working overtime lately.
Molly, Please let me know soon about the concert. Even if you cannot go, I would still like to meet you for a drink or breakfast. We will be getting into town on Tuesday night and leaving Thursday morning.
Everybody please take care.
I won't know until after the 11th of September. Perhaps you didn't hear that? Sorry.
X-Molly
Marie, I came accross your blog about your neice and her involvement with Barry Bergmann as I was researching old classmates. He was in my graduating class of 1992 in Sturgis Michigan. I'm very sorry about your neice. She deserved much better than what she got. Let's just hope that Barry gets what he rightfully and trully deserves. Nobody up here really liked him much, now we understand why we we're right to listen to that little voice in the back of our heads telling us that somebody is creepy. Please keep updating your blog about his whereabouts because I have a daughter that is the same age as your neice was when he started this pedophilia, and if he has any aspirations of returning to Michigan, I want to know about it. God Bless
Hi,
Just read your blog. It is such a sad thing to happen.... however from the other side...does everyone know that Britany was very determined to kill herself and had repeatedly tried to commit suicide long before she ever met Mr. Bergmann ? Does everyone know that she dated far older men than Mr Bergmann and that her mother didn't seem to do anything about it? How about the drug use by members of Britanys' family. Drugs that were brought into the family home where she had acess to...and used. All of this before she was 14 years old. I'm am so very sad about what eventually happened in the end, but lets not put ALL the blame on Mr Bergmann. He did something very wrong, and he is still paying for it. My oldest son also comitted suiside by hanging himself, and it's a heavy thing to live with. But lets remember that there are always two sides to everything. Nothing is ever just black or white. Mostly everything is shades of grey. My deepest regards to the family.
Otherside
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