GoFundMe “removed” for woman arrested in murder of Monterey doctor
UPDATE (4:50 p.m., 3/30/19): GoFundMe confirms with KION that it has taken down the “Kelsey Turner Legal Defense Fund” campaign.
In an email from Meghan Scripture, with GoFundMe Communications, she writes, “this campaign was removed from the platform because it was found to be in violation of GoFundMe terms and conditions. You can learn more about those here: https://www.gofundme.com/terms.”
While not confirmed to be the clause in the “terms and conditions” in violation, under the “prohibited conduct” section item number 8 reads:
“campaigns we deem, in our sole discretion, to be in support of, or for the legal defense of alleged crimes associated with hate, violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, terrorism, or intolerance of any kind relating to race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sex, gender or gender identity, or serious disabilities or diseases;”
Turner was arrested on March 21st for the murder of Monterey Doctor Thomas Burchard. Burchard was found dead in a car outside Las Vegas, on March 7th. Turner was arrested in Stockton by the FBI Stockton Safe Street Task Force.
She is currently awaiting extradition to Clark County for Open Murder. Her transportation hearing is scheduled for April 8th in San Joaquin County.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
A GoFundMe page has been created to help the woman accused of murdering Dr. Thomas Burchard pay for legal fees.
The page says:
“Most of you know Kelsey as a loving mother, caring friend and hardworking young model. All her life she has gone out of her way to help others. Now she needs our help. She is being accused of a crime she could not possibly commit. In addition to spending everything she has to defend her innocence, she is trying to raise $50,000 to retain legal council to fight these charges. Your support can make all the difference.”
The GoFundMe profile was created by Christopher Ingram and listed as an emergency fundraiser. It has at least five donations totaling $230 as of Friday night.
“No. I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t donate a penny,” said Jim Gillott, a Chualar resident.
“If I thought she was innocent and I had data to prove it, then yes, I would donate,” said Tony Martinez, a Salinas resident.
An investigation conducted by LVMPD Homicide Detectives determined 25-year-old Kelsey Turner was involved in the murder of Dr. Burchard. Police arrested Turner on March 21 in Stockton, where she was found with her four-year-old boy. The child is in protective custody.
Turner is awaiting extradition to Nevada from the San Joaquin County Jail in Northern California.
“I think that if she’s been implicated in the crime that she has to follow the rule of law, and if she can’t afford an attorney, then there’s a public defender that’ll represent her,” said Gillott.
Many people on Facebook had negative reactions to Turner’s attempt to raise funds on GoFundMe.
“I think it’s a bit ridiculous, honestly,” said Cord Given, a Salinas resident.
But others said Turner is innocent until proven guilty.
“Let us basically see how the US judicial system goes through this case,” said Martinez. “Most of the people that have an opinion are going to be ones who have no knowledge of the situation.”
Turner will be arraigned in a Nevada court on April 8.
“I’m sure that the police have done their research and investigation and she was arrested for a reason and facts speak for themselves,” said Gillott.
KION tried reaching out to the Las Vegas Metro Police to find out more about what led to Turner’s arrest, but did not get a response.
According to LVMPD, officers found the body of Dr. Burchard in the trunk of a vehicle on March 7th on State Route 147, near mile marker 14 with blunt force trauma.
Click here to access the GoFundMe page.
