Witness Statement: Terrance Kershaw

Witness Statement: Terrance Kershaw

Terrance Kershaw made the following official statement regarding Christian Chambers' voluntary surrender to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department on March 31st.

I have known Christian Chambers since September of 1994 when we met through a philosophy discussion group on the Internet. We became friends, finding that we shared many of the same beliefs and questions. Though I had not met Christian in person until March 30, 1998, we spoke often on the phone, on-line, in e-mail and letters. I have known Christian to be a sincere individual, a seeker of truth.

Christian first spoke to me of his friendship with Dale and Crystal Taylor in the fall of 1994. He told me his sorrow over the distance of his friendship with Dale Taylor, however, he expressed to me his wish that they succeed in their chosen path. At no time did I have any indication that Christian held any feelings of animosity, hostility or aggression toward his friends, the Taylors.

My first knowledge that there was something out of the ordinary in Christian's life was a period of no contact. I last heard from him on January 31st in e-mail when all seemed well with him. I was not concerned as I know that each of us must seek our own path and learn from it. I believed that he would contact me at the time that was correct for him to do so. I had no knowledge of the events in Oxford, or of the death of the Taylors until I was contacted by the Sheriff's Department there looking for Christian.

On March 30th I received a letter from Christian Chambers postmarked Mexico, that showed me clearly a confused individual who was immersed in personal pain. I believe that Christian chose to write to me because he knew within that he must rise above his personal immersion and come to terms with the lessons of his own life. I have given this letter, with my friend's blessing, to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department on the morning of March 31st.

Christian Chambers arrived at the Center at just after 10:00 p.m. on March 30th. He was tired in mind and body and collapsed in a deep sleep for a period of several hours. Subsequently, we had a conversation in which Christian questioned the course of action he should take. I reminded him that he had within himself the intrinsic wisdom to act appropriately in any situation. He recognized his path to the Center as that of his basic nature pursuing that inner wisdom though his mind was refusing to accept. During our conversation he told me of the death of his friends. He stated clearly that he was responsible for the death of his friend Dale Taylor through shooting. He stated that he was not responsible for the death of Crystal Taylor.

Christian came to the acceptance that he had the capacity to turn himself in to the authorities and pursue a path of truth. He found some peace in the knowledge that his friends have already embarked on their next life to learn the lessons set aside for them. He became calm and ready to face his path of acceptance and reliance on the inherent purity of his true nature within. At this time I placed the call to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department on Christian's behalf. Deputy Mark Briscoe arrived at about 5:00 a.m. and Christian was taken into their custody.

Christian arrived with only a large backpack which the Deputies took with them. I attest that Christian did not give anything to me or leave anything in my possession during his brief stay.

Signed
Terrance V. Kershaw
April 2, 1998