True crime

[pipistrelle]

I haven't seen anything else here just on this topic, but every now and then I get interested in lurid true crime stories.

Oddly I'd never heard of Darlie Lynn Routier until brought up earlier when talking about the relatives grinning over a soldier's grave.

Innocent, guilty, or no way to be sure either way?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlie_Routier

https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr ... arlie.html

Interesting they say she killed both sons, but it sounds like she wasn't tried for the death of one of them.

[AndyinPA]

Could be a very interesting thread.

I remember this case very well. I did see that there were appeals, but nothing seemed to come of them.

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

Great idea for a thread, pipi!

The Sandra Birchmore case and Karen Read case both involve local police, Massachusetts State Police, and Norfolk County DA corruption. In Birchmore, the feds just charged a local police officer with killing a witness after sexually abusing her since she was 15. Many of the same players are in the Karen Read case. Addictive, obsessive shenanigans.

[Rolodex]

Great idea for a thread, pipi!

The Sandra Birchmore case and Karen Read case both involve local police, Massachusetts State Police, and Norfolk County DA corruption. In Birchmore, the feds just charged a local police officer with killing a witness after sexually abusing her since she was 15. Many of the same players are in the Karen Read case. Addictive, obsessive shenanigans.

whoa! I just heard about the Karen Read case here and am finishing up listening to the Law and Crime pod about the case. And the same cops/cop shop involved in another death?

Meanwhile, down here, we have a body that was found decapitated and missing some other parts. Come to find out his girlfriend got after him with a chain saw.

[pipistrelle]

The boyfriend’s family is suing Read.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/27/us/karen ... index.html

[pipistrelle]

I'd forgotten about the Sarah Boone case. I didn't know the below was a thing.

Boone was subsequently charged with second-degree murder for killing Torres. Held in Orange County jail without bail, she has written letters to the trial judge stating that she has not been represented fairly; eight different attorneys appointed to represent her have withdrawn.[7]

After the withdrawal of her eighth lawyer, Boone has been deemed to have forfeited her right to court appointed counsel and must now represent herself in court.[8][9]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Jorge_Torres

[John Thomas8]

Very long form videos (also available as podcasts), Simon reads about true crime but keeps the lurid details to a minimum. His delivery isn't for everyone but the research done for the scripts is solid.

https://www.youtube.com/@TheCasualCriminalist

[Rolodex]

I'd forgotten about the Sarah Boone case. I didn't know the below was a thing.

Boone was subsequently charged with second-degree murder for killing Torres. Held in Orange County jail without bail, she has written letters to the trial judge stating that she has not been represented fairly; eight different attorneys appointed to represent her have withdrawn.[7]

After the withdrawal of her eighth lawyer, Boone has been deemed to have forfeited her right to court appointed counsel and must now represent herself in court.[8][9]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Jorge_Torres

I wasn't familiar with this (suit) case. The last line of that wiki article says that her trial is to start October 7 - today! So I hunted that down, and it's delayed because of the hurricane.

https://www.newsweek.com/hurricane-milt ... da-1965218

The trial was scheduled to begin with jury selection on Monday, but Kraynick sent prospective jurors home after consulting with the prosecution and defense. Jury selection is scheduled to resume on October 14.

Boone's ninth and current attorney, James Owens, had previously requested a delay in the trial but was denied. He told the Orlando Sentinel that the hurricane seems like divine intervention.

"I mean, what are the odds of a hurricane coming to Orlando right in the middle of this trial when the judge had set a fixed date, he was not going to change it, except exceptional circumstances?" Owens said.

Kraynick previously stated that the trial will not be delayed "for any reason, except by extraordinarily good cause and such extraordinarily good cause shall not include retention of counsel by the defendant."

All courthouses in the Ninth Circuit Court will be closed Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for the storm.

[northland10]

I'd forgotten about the Sarah Boone case. I didn't know the below was a thing.

After the withdrawal of her eighth lawyer, Boone has been deemed to have forfeited her right to court appointed counsel and must now represent herself in court.[8][9]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Jorge_Torres

I was so close to taking a sip which would ended up all over my keyboard. Eighth?

[Kendra]

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/12/us/color ... qEWGr7xqEw

The human head and hands discovered in the freezer of a Colorado home in January have been identified as belonging to a 16-year-old girl who had been missing for almost 20 years, according to local authorities.

Amanda Overstreet was identified as the victim through DNA testing, according to a Friday news release from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. The teenager’s head and hands were found in the freezer of a recently sold home in Grand Junction, Colorado, on January 12.

The remains were discovered by someone who came to the home to pick up the freezer for free, the sheriff’s office said.

Overstreet, believed to be “approximately 16 years old at the time of her disappearance,” had not been “seen or heard from since April 2005,” according to the sheriff’s office. She was the daughter of the home’s previous owner.

[Rolodex]

Sarah Boone trial getting underway today. It's in Florida - she's the one accused of killing her boyfriend by stuffing him into a suitcase.

https://www.youtube.com/live/2BJxEbTvhOQ?feature=shared

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

Turtleboy* (local investigative journalist and blogger) in Massachusetts received a copy of an email District Attorney Mike Morrissey sent on his private email account to the chief judge of the district, the administrator of the district courts, and a local judge. The letter was sent AFTER a special prosecutor had been assigned to all cases involving Turtleboy because of Morrissey’s conflict.

Morrissey was mad because Turtleboy published an article about a public hearing, in a public court, about facts in an affidavit filed in a public case. He was also mad because the judge had ruled against the complainant who is Morrissey’s witness in a high profile murder case. The complainant wanted a protective order against Turtleboy. Morrissey wanted someone’s head to roll. The public servant Morrissey named was terminated.

Turtleboy broke the case about Jennifer Read being framed by the DA and Massachusetts State Police for the alleged murder of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe who was found on the front lawn of another Boston Police Officer in a snowstorm at 6 in the morning. It is a worldwide story. There were “standouts” (protests) nationwide about a month ago to “Free Karen Read” , “Free Turtleboy”, and for “Justice for John O’Keefe”.

Turtleboy is a former teacher who adopted this pseudonym while he was teaching, blogging, and publishing news stories. It is the nickname for a local statue in Worcester. His followers are called “Turtle Riders”.

I am addicted and obsessed.

IMG_7650.jpeg (58.07 KiB) Viewed 1042 times

[jemcanada2]

One of Canada’s most notorious serial killings took place in my city. The crimes have inspired several episodes of shows such as Law and Order.

There was a movie made about their crimes called Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka: The School Girl Killers.

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt10341896/

There is a true crime podcast about them called The Ken and Barbie Killers.

https://www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/01

I’ve never actually watched or listened to any of these but you all may enjoy going down the rabbit hole. I experienced the story at the time from the crimes, the arrests, the “deal with the devil,” and the trials. Many residents of my city haven’t read the books or watched the movies out of respect for the families but it is a fascinating tale.

Bernardo’s lawyer was actually charged for his handling of the evidence in this case which lead to Homolka’s plea deal known as “the deal with the devil.”

Enjoy!

[jemcanada2]

Their Wikipedia pages

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Bernardo

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karla_Homolka

[Rolodex]

I think I saw a doc on some streaming channel named The Ken and Barbie Murders. I haven't watched it; I just remember the name/cover on whatever app it was.

[jemcanada2]

I think I saw a doc on some streaming channel named The Ken and Barbie Murders. I haven't watched it; I just remember the name/cover on whatever app it was.

You should give it a watch. It’s fascinating and very disturbing how evil they both are. I try to stick to the collective agreement we all kind of made around here not to read or watch popular things on the crimes. If anyone around here has, they don’t openly admit it! But it’s an interesting case to dive into though.

As a example of how cold and evil Homolka is, she gave a taped police interview/tour of the house where they committed the murders. In the middle of explaining where the crimes took place, she asked if she could get some perfume samples or something frivolous back.

[Rolodex]

Oh, I'm a proud watcher of true crime shows. Some series are usually badly done, so I end up avoiding those. I'll go back and find that show.

Sarah Boone - suitcase killer in Orlando - is on the stand right now, VERY true crime. It's the actual trial.

[RVInit]

Oh, I'm a proud watcher of true crime shows. Some series are usually badly done, so I end up avoiding those. I'll go back and find that show.

Sarah Boone - suitcase killer in Orlando - is on the stand right now, VERY true crime. It's the actual trial.

I have seen some of the defense case and I understand now why she was offered a plea deal. I think she should have been charged with manslaughter rather than 2nd degree murder. That video of the dead boyfriend smashing their TV with that baseball bat was crazy. And some of the photos of her previous injuries from him were pretty disturbing, particularly the one with her black eye. And their own psychiatrist admitting she fits the criteria for battered spouse syndrome.

That said, Florida juries can be some of the most bloodthirsty. She will likely be found guilty and this judge seriously hates this woman. She will get the max sentence is my prediction.

[RVInit]

The press conference on the Menendez brother's possible resentencing is about to begin. I'm tuned in to it.

[RVInit]

Says no universal agreement in his office. Some believe they were not molested and should stay in prison forever. Others believe they should be released immediately.

Gascon believes a resentencing is appropriate and this is what he will recommend. He says his office was flooded with requests for information based on a recent documentary, but the case was already under review.

The prison files were reviewed. A resentencing under the law focuses on whether the person has been rehabilitated, and can they possibly be released safely into the public. Out of 300 so far released with the same type of review only 4 have reoffended.

He states these were horrible acts, he is not excusing the behavior. But also understands that people act out of desperation at times. He believes they were subjected to tremendous dysfunction and molestation. They were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. They could have behaved accordingly, joined gangs, lived the life of a hardened criminal. But even though they believed they would never be set free, they set out on a path of redemption and rehabilitation.

They have set on a path of self improvement, but also engaged in activities meant to make the lives of other prisoners better. They created self help groups for inmates who have disabilities, etc. They started on this path immediately, while still young, and knew they had no hope of being released.

He believes they have paid their debt to society. He intends to recommend a parole board to review. He will file tomorrow and says it is up to a judge to decide. He says members of his own office may be present in court opposing the resentencing, and they have a right to do so. He encourages them to speak in court, which is the appropriate place to do so. He is sure that the facts show they have rehabilitated, paid their debt to society. He is seeking a life sentence with a possibility of parole. That means 50 years to life, but due to age they were at the time, they would be eligible for parole immediately. Doesn't mean they WILL be, just that they would be eligible due to youthful offender early parole release.

The original jury was split 50/50 with half the jury wanting to be able to convict them of manslaughter, which was not available.

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

“Duckie Kingpin” arraigned. -Turtleboy reported.

https://apnews.com/article/karen-read-b ... 32d5ea5ee9

Karen Read supporter denies intimidating witnesses with rubber ducks and fake $100 bills

BOSTON (AP) — The Karen Read murder case has inspired crowds of pink-clad supporters, divided a Massachusetts town and provided juicy content for true crime podcasters. Now, rubber ducks are in the mix.

On Wednesday, one of Read’s ardent supporters pleaded not guilty to intimidating witnesses, harassment and littering. Richard Schiffer Jr. admits that he’s been placing dozens of yellow rubber ducks and fake $100 bills around town, but says he’s got a First Amendment right to support the defense theory that Read has been framed in the polarizing murder case.

The 65-year-old Schiffer didn’t speak during his brief appearance in Stoughton District Court, but greeted several dozen supporters outside. Several wore T-shirts emblazoned with rubber ducks, while some carried American flags or placards supporting Read. One woman brought her pet parrot, who was wearing a cape with the words “Quack Quack” while another person had a huge flag with the words “Are they ducken crazy.”

[RVInit]

This is interesting. The sister of Kitty Menendez, who was killed by Lyle and Eric, says it's time for them to be released. Apparently the majority of the family is supportive of the brothers being released, saying they believe they have paid their due to society.

I have to say I agree. We have the harshest, most severe and bloodthirsty punishments across the board, and yet, we still have higher recidivism and higher crime rate than so many other countries. Clearly harsh and cruel punishment is not making Americans more safe from violent crime.

[AndyinPA]

I followed this closely at the time. I thought the second trial was unfair because the judge wouldn't allow in the testimony of the abuse. I also just think it was too early for people to think that that kind of abuse of boys could happen.

I don't think either of the men is a threat to anyone else at this point.

[pipistrelle]

Oh, I'm a proud watcher of true crime shows. Some series are usually badly done, so I end up avoiding those. I'll go back and find that show.

Sarah Boone - suitcase killer in Orlando - is on the stand right now, VERY true crime. It's the actual trial.

I have seen some of the defense case and I understand now why she was offered a plea deal. I think she should have been charged with manslaughter rather than 2nd degree murder. That video of the dead boyfriend smashing their TV with that baseball bat was crazy. And some of the photos of her previous injuries from him were pretty disturbing, particularly the one with her black eye. And their own psychiatrist admitting she fits the criteria for battered spouse syndrome.

Apparently they were mutually abusive and sent each other to doctor/hospital several times. I saw that in a few articles that I can no longer find, but there were details. It was weird all around.

[RVInit]

I followed this closely at the time. I thought the second trial was unfair because the judge wouldn't allow in the testimony of the abuse. I also just think it was too early for people to think that that kind of abuse of boys could happen.

I don't think either of the men is a threat to anyone else at this point.

Yes, that was a different time, and yes, the popular view was that sexual abuse/rape can only happen to women/girls. And I agree that they are not a threat to anyone else.