Dateline Scrapes Bottom of the Barrel

While CBS 48Hours was watchable from the standpoint of those who know Rachel--the Dateline show was an amalgam of lies, words out of context, and sensationalism.  Rachel's closest friends at her death would not interview with Dateline for fear of reprisals from Todd, the killer--from his prison cell.  Her brothers were very attuned to media bullshit and refused to have anything to do with it.  So Dateline scraped around for what it could get.  Rachel always took pity on the weak and lonely--and it was the remnants of this group that had their say on TV.

In short the program portrayed Rachel as an adulteress and her father, Don Hatfield, as the progenitor of the sin. I guess this is what you get when you talk openly with the media--I asked for it.  In the end my family rests in the knowledge of sins forgiven and in the love of Jesus Christ.

Blessings, Don

RACHEL'S STORY TO BE AIRED ON DATELINE MARCH 20 FROM 9:00 to 11:00

Rachel posing for beach scene for 

dad's art in 1980

Dad, Rachel, and baby Alex shortly before Rachel died.

Those wishing to contribute to Rachel's Children's Fund may do so at the following link:http://www.gofundme.com/g4bew

      book ampaign:  http://www.fearlessbooks.com/Faith.htm

BOOK PITCH FOR RACHEL'S STORY

A brief summary of

FAITH IN THE
FACE OF MURDER

_______________
How a Grandfather Survived Agonizing Losses
and Began a New Life as a Single Parent

by Don Hatfield

with D. Patrick Miller

A few years ago, 64-year-old Don Hatfield of Napa, California was looking forward to a natural slowdown in life with his beloved wife Janey while he continued a successful art career as a modern American Impressionist painter. But Janey passed away from cancer in January of 2012. One month after her funeral, Don received the agonizing news that his beautiful daughter Rachel, the mother of three young children, had been brutally slain by her husband, Todd Winkler.

Within another week, he found himself taking sole custody of Rachel’s kids.

The tragic and sensational story of Rachel’s killing led to eight stories in the Sacramento Bee (http://www.sacbee.com/search/?q=don+hatfield) and a Pulitzer-nominated photo essay portraying Don and his new family by Bee photographer Renee C. Byer. This story has already had a one-hour treatment from CBS’ 48 Hours (http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-two-faces-of-todd-winkler/) , and in the spring and summer of 2015 will also be reported by NBC’s Dateline and ABC’s 20/20. While it’s not unusual for sensational crime stories to receive some network coverage, it’s rare when all three major networks feature the same story.

And that’s because there is far more to this story than a brutal killing. It also provides a glimpse into a new generational phenomenon of elder parenting –
and it revolves around the unique character and courage of Don Hatfield.

NPR recently reported that up to ten percent of American children now live in the same household as their grandparents. In many cases, the seniors are the primary caretakers. A plain-spoken, born-again Christian who graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary, Don Hatfield is the first to proclaim that “I’m not a saint.” But many people would wonder how anyone but a saint could rise to the challenge of parenting three youngsters after staggering losses while “grieving on the fly,” as Don puts it.

In Faith in the Face of Murder, Don will tell the whole story of his stunning late-stage change of life, beginning with a portrayal of his relationship to his daughter Rachel, her killing and the subsequent trial leading to her husband’s conviction, and an intimate portrait of how he manages life as a single parent while also trying to keep his art career going. Don will also offer what many victims of crime cannot: a thoughtful religious perspective on how the key spiritual values of faith and forgiveness can enable anyone to surmount the seemingly impossible challenges that life may present to anyone at any moment.

Don Hatfield’s story will be skillfully organized and presented by veteran author and editor
D. Patrick Miller, author of two books on popular spirituality currently available from Random House and Tarcher-Penguin. Miller is also the founder of his own press, Fearless Books, and
has previously ghostwritten, collaborated, and edited scores of books for both major and independent houses. His resume is available on request to any interested publisher.    

Don Hatfield’s website:  http://donhatfield.com                 BookCampaign: http://www.fearlessbooks.com/Faith.htm                                              

                      

THOSE WISHING TO DONATE TO RAHCEL'S CHILDREN'S FUND MAY DO SO AT:

http://www.gofundme.com/g4bew

Dateline Shooting Crew and Kids

EVA SEEMS TO GET IT!

NBC DATELINE TO RUN TWO HOUR SPECIAL ON RACHEL'S STORY

I just did a three hour interview with Keith Morrison, the talking head with Dateline. They will air it in the Spring. I don't quite get what they are up to after CBS did their 48Hour thing.  Also 20/20 will do a one hour TV presentation as well--that covers all three major networks.  I think they are going to focus more on Rachel instead of her killer's slapping head "...you are no bushito.." caper in the courtroom.  This media coverage is bringing attention to my art and has brought in money for Rachel's Children's Fund using the GOFUNDME app.  The money goes directly to St. John's Lutheran School, a prestigious private school that has become Holy Ground for the kids.  The tuition is substantial, but so worth it--the support they get there is incredible!  Eva is in first grade, Ariel in kindergarten, and Alex in pre-school.  About 5 families have "adopted" the kids as their own and seem to follow in Rachel's mothering path--a miracle really.

For those who want to donate, you may follow this link:  http://www.gofundme.com/g4bew

This is the link to the video done by the Sacremanto Bee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ye8_lHGulM

Japanese Vase

Did this 35 years ago--probably the best piece I ever did.  Lost track of it--a dirty old slide representation is all that is left.  Would love to know where it is today.  If anybody out there knows--please let me know--I want to take a digital picture of the original for my upcoming 200 page 11by14 coffee table book to be published in 2064.

NEW WORK

Just did this 36by40 for a friend in Texas.