A deadly encounter

In the years since Kendra Webdale’s death, family members have tried to channel their anger and sorrow into action. Ironically, they have become advocates for mentally ill people, like Andrew Goldstein, the man convicted of murdering Kendra.

Suzanne Webdale, Kendra's sister: We need to find a way that we can give people treatment before they continue to deteriorate to the point of dangerousness.

The family lobbied for a new law in Kendra’s name, one that would, under certain circumstances, force someone like Goldstein to take medication, compel the state to monitor him, and briefly hospitalize him if he refuses to comply.

As a direct result of Kendra’s law, New York state says it has taken steps to streamline, coordinate, and better monitor services for people with serious mental illness.  It has also made more community services available, giving the highest priority to treating the people who are most in need.  And thanks in part to the Webdales’ efforts, similar laws have been adopted in 41 other states, leaving the family with a feeling of pride and pain.

Patty Webdale, Kendra's mother: It’s not an ego trip to have a law named after your child, believe me.

But it was Goldstein’s murder conviction which was pivotal for the Webdales.  No longer would they have to sit in court, and listen to the gruesome details of Kendra’s death.  Her father, Ralph, felt liberated.

Ralph Webdale, Kendra’s father: I was at work one day after that second trial and all of a sudden I was thinking about Kendra doing something else, you know, something joyful that we had done in the past and I go, “wow.”

Edie Magnus, Dateline correspondent: So you could think about her life, and not her death.

Ralph Webdale: Exactly.

Then, in 2005, the Webdales received news that left them shaking their heads in disbelief.  New York’s highest court threw out Andrew Goldstein’s murder conviction, ruling that it had been based in part on hearsay testimony.  A new trial was ordered.

Family members could hardly contemplate going through it all again.

Ralph Webdale: I don’t think any of us wanted a third trial. I don’t think any of them were ready for it and there were a couple that were outraged.

In the end, they were spared:  at a routine pre-trial hearing, Goldstein suddenly decided to plead guilty to first degree manslaughter. At his sentencing hearing, the Webdales testified forcefully about all the suffering Goldstein had caused their family.  Goldstein himself declined to speak, leaving the family mystified and bitter.

Ralph Webdale: He has never shown any real remorse. He hasn’t said he was sorry in any way, shape or form. 

Goldstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison, and 5 years of probation after that—far short of the lifetime he could have spent behind bars.

Patty Webdale: I very honestly felt like that was okay. Like I wanted him in jail, I wanted him to pay a consequence and he actually was doing that.

And still the family moves on:  Kendra’s sisters Christa and Kim have gotten married. Nieces and nephews have been born, including Kendra, a little girl named for the aunt she will never know.

Patty Webdale: It’s wonderful to say “Kendra.” For a long time, there was no joy in anything. Now there is joy, there is definitely joy. She’s Kendra Grace, which is nice.  It kind of balances it off.

Friends still pay tribute to Kendra, from time to time putting up artwork in the subway near the tracks where she was killed.  And her mom and dad take comfort in spending quiet moments remembering their daughter’s wonderful life, and not its terrible end.

The Webdale’s filed a $70-million lawsuit against the hospitals and clinics who had treated Andrew Goldstein. The Webdales say those facilities knew, or should have known that Goldstein was violent when they discharged him into the community. All of the institutions except for North General Hospital have settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount, without admitting any in errors in their treatment of Andrew Goldstein.

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