WAIST HIGH: Father Bad. Son Bad. The Ward Weavers.

9/23/2004

Father Bad. Son Bad. The Ward Weavers.

(koin.com) Ward Weaver will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murders of 12-year-old Ashley Pond and 13-year-old Miranda Gaddis. Pond and Gaddis disappeared in early 2002. Their bodies were found in August 2002 on Weaver's rental property -- next door to the girls' apartment complex.

(Ward) Weaver pleaded guilty Wednesday morning in a Clackamas County (Oregon) courtroom to aggravated murder. In exchange for his guilty plea, 41-year-old Weaver will avoid the death penalty and instead serve two consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole.

Ward Weaver is the son of Ward Francis Weaver Jr. "who was convicted and sentenced to death in Kern County in 1985" (bakersfield.com) for the 1981 double murder of 23 year old Barbara Levoy and 18 year old Robert Radford.

(bakersfield.com) It was Feb. 5, 1981, when long-distance truck driver Ward Francis Weaver Jr. came across a broken-down car on Highway 58, about one mile east of Tehachapi. According to court records, Barbara Levoy and her boyfriend, 18-year-old Air Force cadet Robert Don Radford, were headed for Colorado after visiting Radford's grandmother at her home near Fresno. When their car broke down and a truck driver stopped, they may have thought a good Samaritan had come to their rescue. Weaver had other ideas.

He later admitted to bashing the young cadet in the head with a metal bar because he wanted to have sex with Levoy. An autopsy revealed 11 wounds to Radford's skull. Weaver then threatened Levoy with a knife and forced her to accompany him in his truck. He raped her several times before finally strangling her and burying her body in the back yard of his Oroville home.

People v. Ward Francis Weaver Jr. (Appeal 2001)

CAST OF CHARACTERS

THE KERN COUNTY DRUNKARD
Everything at Waist High is a long story, and the story of The KCD is no exception. After this individual told Waist High in December of 2003 that she was going to kill her, "Waist High" the blog was born. Please do not tell Waist High the person that you are going to kill her or she will create "Waist High" the blog and write nasty things about you! Including the time you stunk up the bathroom at The Alley Cat. The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" detailed the drunken comings and goings of the live-in love interest of one of Waist High's most cherished male friends. Never has Waist High met anyone who drank as much as or as often as The KCD. The KCD, because she was an insecure drunk, hated Waist High for most of her decade long relationship with Waist High's most cherished male friend. She hated Waist High for the obvious reason: Waist High is hot. A one time source of much of the material for Waist High the blog, The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" was permanently retired in March 2005 when Waist High's most cherished male friend finally came to his senses and kicked her ass to the curb.

RAMPART
Rampart is the first ex-husband of Waist High. She refers to him as her first ex-husband because she knows there will eventually be a second. Rampart grew up on the mean streets of Bakersfield and claims to have been the co-discoverer of the well known 1980s dirt field party spot known as "The Place." Rampart's 1987 directive to Waist High, "Drink this six pack before I get back!" made both Waist High and Rampart parents at age 20. Rampart currently resides 4.5 miles from Waist High in the wilds of Oregon and is an enduring fixture at their local Cigs For Less shop. Once a Bakersfield Del Taco associate, Sail Thru Hamburgers drive up dude, and Wible Road AM/PM graveyard worker, Rampart claims to now net $49,000 per month. But only to impress people, not when required.

(THE FORMER) LOVELY TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Not your average 35 year old. Born to Waist High as a "Miracle on 34th Street" in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital on 34th Street, LTD is on the board of MAC cosmetics. Not really, but she swears allegiance only to them. When LTD's mother once purchased LTD some eye shadow from Target, LTD threatened to call the police. Sweeter than Tupelo Honey, with the attitude of a feral cat, LTD is disgusted with most things. Including being forced to live with Waist High from 1988-2005. The child at one time even had her own blog, "Living With Waist High," which detailed her misery. A graduate of the oldest institution in the Oregon University System, LTD kept her promise of not getting knocked up at age 20 like Waist High did.

THE STRANGER
Oh God bless The Stranger. The Stranger was one of Waist High's most loyal confidants during some of the darker periods of the blog. Although his fierce allegiance to really bad music was a great source of aggravation for Waist High, The Stranger gave her a much needed look at life. Through the eyes of someone not yet bitter. The Stranger was almost pushed out of a moving vehicle when he revealed to Waist High that not only did he not know who Barry Manilow, Captain & Tenille, or Spandau Ballet were, but that he literally had no clue what Trail Mix was.

"TRI-TIP"
Special Correspondent to Waist High, and one of Waist High's most cherished friends. Used to live with The Kern County Drunkard. Was a Special Correspondent to Waist High for 9 months before knowing it. Long story. This individual coined the ultimate mid '80s Bakersfield drinking phrase, "Lock hubs. Party!"

DESI
Waist High's former work spouse. Cares about Waist High so much that he once took Waist High with him on a smoke break the very next day after she spent $250 for hypnotherapy TO QUIT SMOKING. Was the first person in conversation to introduce Waist High to concepts like "The Dirty Sanchez," "Dog In A Bathtub," "Tea Bagging," and "The Shocker." Reminds Waist High as often as possible that if women "neglect the balls," their men will leave them.