I apologize for not posting anything new for awhile. I ended up with Covid 19 November 12th and did very little except sleep. I am back now feeling much, much, better but still have an overwhelming schedule with work and school and holiday, etc.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Interesting development in the Scott Peterson case. His sentence was changed from Death to life in prison but the interesting part is that he may be getting a new trail. No matter what you believe about the death penalty, this has been a heated debate since Laci first went missing. I followed this case obsessively on Court TV from morning til night and watched the entire trial. My opinion is that he is GUILTY.
He is a douchebag, for sure, but many people believe he was railroaded by the Modesto Police Department and that they flat-out refused to consider any other possibilities.
"According to New York Post, the judge sentenced Peterson to life in prison with no parole, taking the death penalty off the table. He received an additional 15 years for Connor’s death. Last year, the court overturned his death sentence after a jury misconduct allegation. He has yet to receive a new trial date."
Keep in mind that they get thousands of requests from all over the United States and it was a long-shot but the board voted to give us the money and one of the board members was Sharon Rocha, who is Laci Peterson's mother. That was really serial to me because I, like so many other people, was so obsessed with her daughter's murder.
Sharon believes with her whole heart that Scott killed her daughter and that is good enough for me.
Stay tuned to this, because I believe, unfortunately that this POS will get a new trial and Laci's family will have to relive all of this again. My heart breaks for them. I cannot imagine....
The Cleveland Police Department is looking for new information in the Samuel Little Case. They are trying to find more of his victims and can use your help. Sam Little was known to be one of the most prolific serial killers in history.
Please read this information here. New Details Released in Unsolved Samuel Little Murders | Department of Public Safety (texas.gov) and if you can identify any of these victims, please contact the Cleveland Police Department.
I came across this website Grief After Murder, and found this to be some really good information.
The grief of murder may be even more difficult to deal with than loss from a disease because the answer to “why” is always a third party. It is important for people to understand that gradually, in your own time, you can begin to find some solace with what has happened. In these situations, such as murder, it is vital to understand we have a legal system, not necessarily a justice system. For some, the only justice would be to have their loved one back. Acceptance is a process that we experience, not a final stage with an end point.
Special Prosecutors from the Attorney General's Office ensured a conviction in the murder of Destiny Moody after only 2 1/2 hours after the jury went out to deliberate. Haywood was found guilty for murder, tampering with evidence and having weapons under a disability.
Terrence Haywood will be sentenced on November 3rd.
Haywood had threatened her many times before he murdered her and she had apparently told friends that if anything ever happens to her, he will be responsible. You can read more here.
Her 6 year old son also testified here.
Photo Credit: Morning Journal/Deanne Johnson Lt. Marsha Eisenhart points out the location of the apartment of Destiny Moody and the alley where the murder weapon was found as Christian Stickan of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and defense attorney Dennis McNamara (right) hold the map up. Behind them on the screen is a photo of the murder weapon in the gutter.
This may have been the quickest murder trial I have ever seen. As I stated, I was in the courtroom for the entire morning and when we broke for lunch, I left to fulfill other obligations and was looking forward to being in court next week for the defense to present their case.
I was told later today that after lunch, the defendant, Kevin Kirby, agreed to a plea deal by offering a guilty plea and agreeing to being sentenced right away. Melinda's family wanted it over. They were allowed to give their victim impact statements and then it was done.
He was sentenced to 20 years to life.
Today I had the privilege of observing the Kirby trial for most of the morning and have to say, it was very interesting. If you have never observed a murder trial, and are able to, I highly recommend it. You will learn some interesting facts. I will be returning next week to see more.
You can read the latest from yesterdays paper here.
I have sat in on several murder trials and always walk away having learned something valuable.
Years ago, I learned that the Crime Lab only analyzes items for DNA, for example, IF the officer submitting the item specifies exactly what they want. For example, if an officer submits say a shirt and wants it checked for possible DNA, the whole entire shirt does not get analyzed, but ONLY the areas of the shirt that the LE Officer requests (neckline, underarm, etc.).
If an officer submits an item without specific directions of what they want, it doesn't get tested, period. In this case, from back around 2011, there were some 60+ items submitted to the Crime Lab with blank labels, so therefore, they were returned unprocessed.
I won't comment on todays testimony, or any of the other days I go to the trial, until the trial is over. I will then offer my opinion. I don't want to be responsible for disclosing something I shouldn't or in any way impede this case. (And of course, I want to be welcome to attend any of these trials). The media will keep everyone informed and up to date with the latest and I will return to this post and update the links for you with the latest information.
As always, my heart goes out to this family. No one should ever have to go through this but I am also grateful for the great work done by Detectives and BCI Investigators on the case and for the Prosecutor's Office for prosecuting this case. This family has waited long enough for justice for Mindy and for Cole as well, and I certainly hope they get it.
This series of articles is from 2014 but I was just made aware of it. How incredibly interesting that the awesome investigator (Detective Dave Talbert) in this case, was able to do this! I am not sure why I haven't heard about this, but it is great to know that it is happening. No matter what your views are about addiction, NO ONE has the right to take another persons life, under ANY circumstances.
You can read about this here, and here, and here.
This article is part of an assignment for my Criminal Behavior class and I found it interesting. If you are interested in understanding the behavior of a psychopath, you can read how the checklist determines whether or not someone is considered a Psychopath by clicking this link.
The murder trial for Melinda Todd has been delayed due to issues involving Covid 19. This family has waited 8 years for justice. You can read more about this here.
My heart goes out to this family as I know it may not seem that long to most people, but another week or so is excruciatingly long to those waiting to face the man accused of murdering their loved one. This photo is of Kevin Kirby who is accused in this case. Photo was obtained through WFMJ's website.
This is a great site also for First Responder's. Our first responders have to deal with so much and have seen unbearable things and they do it with grace, compassion and dignity. They have very few resources to assist them in processing all that they have witnessed. They need help and an outlet. This site, Responder Strong offers many great resources. You make a profile, which is basically just name and email, and they break down help per your state of residence.
I have included a few here such as Supporting First Responders through atypically stressful events and Post Disaster Interventions.
Set up your free, personalized account for more.
I LOVE this website! It provides great resources for our veterans and those who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It also includes some good resources for substance abuse. You can access the site here.
Housing, suicide prevention, and more.
Our veterans struggle so horribly when returning home from being deployed and aside from the Veteran's Administration there are often not a lot of help available. This needs to change.
Risk factors are here. and understanding the risk factors are explained.
Sam Little confessed to killing 93 people from 1970-2005. I only learned of him a few years ago. He spent time in Cleveland, Ohio and confessed to multiple murders there.
There is a very good article on the FBI website here.
This is a really interesting case. 22 year old Gabby Petito is missing. She was traveling across country with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie. Less than 2 months after beginning the road trip he returned home, but she did not. For more information, watch this YouTube Video
Update: Her boyfriend refuses to give any explanation as to where she is and why he left her in Wyoming, and drove her van to Florida. He is refusing to talk to the family and has referred everyone to talk to his lawyer. News Coverage here and here. (information courtesy of YouTube).
Updates: This case has become more and more bazaar. There are several Facebook groups now and hundreds of theories.(Just type Gabby Petito in the search box and several pop up). I have also noticed that everyone is a "Facebook Attorney" and throw around the fact that Brian has Constitutional Rights, as if we do not know that.
Here is the latest about Brian's disappearance. There is a lot of unbelievable speculation and so many things do not make sense. It has been said that Brian's family has law enforcement connections such as his mom works for DA and his Uncle is a cop but this has just been speculated, not confirmed. His parents behavior is strange, to say the least. They told the FBI that they have not seen Brian since Tuesday and that he was going camping and they found his car at the entrance to the campsite when he didn't return home, but then they took his car and drove it home???? More here. Fox Channel 13 in Tampa posted this Timeline here.
The rumors and opinions are out of control. I have my opinions, as I am sure that you do. What I do know is that we don't know the facts in this case, just what has been reported by the media. I DO know that my heart goes out to her family because what they are going through must be unimaginable. The most important thing is Finding Gabby. I pray she is found alive and that the truth comes out soon.
I came across this resource for families It is a lengthy article but well worth the read. I wish I would have came across something with this much information when Michael was first murdered. I have provided the pdf here. https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-dc/legacy/2013/08/07/coping_after_homicide.pdf
It is from the U.S. Department of Justice so it is a reliable source.
This website was part of my class for criminal behavior. It is really interesting to see in what areas you may be at risk to become a victim of crime. No personal (identifiable) information is asked and it is worth checking out. Take the quiz here
There's a new Sheriff in Town!!
I have had the pleasure of meeting with Brian McLaughlin several times and have to say that I am impressed with his office. He has a good group of new Detectives that seem to be really dedicated to solving some of our cases. One thing I like about Brian is he doesn't blow smoke and make promises he cannot keep. He has promised me that he will work on Mike's case but did NOT promise me that it can be solved.
You have to remember that he walked into a mess, not to mention, a less than stellar reputation. I know that we have all had issues with communication from the previous administration, but I am hoping you will give these new guys (and gal) a chance. So far, I have found them to not only be sensitive to our unique situations, but they actually listen when I talk about concerns, our families, and things that have happened in our past. (and you guys know I have no problem letting them know my thoughts).
I will not get on here and promise that all of our cases will be solved, but I can say, without hesitation, that it is a completely different vibe in that office and so far, I have personally received much better communication from everyone involved. Deputy Sheriff Jennifer Tucker has been particularly kind and quick to respond when I contact her for something.
This, in itself, is a huge improvement!
There may be a few kinks that he needs to work out, but I really believe he will and I KNOW he is working very hard to get our cases into the right hands. (Remember, new Detectives may find something that others have missed)!
You can follow them on Facebook here. They keep the page updated with any alerts you may need to know as well as things that have happened in our community.
It is interesting how people feel about the death penalty. I am for it, always have been, always will be. I know many, many others do not agree and that is fine. I am open to any argument on the subject and have had many. You will not change my mind but I will admit there are some compelling argument's.
My perspective was set long before Michael was murdered in 2005. I had a friend send me an email once full of information about those who had suffered horribly from botched executions. My heart will always be for the victim. I do not feel sorry for someone who took the life of another, without remorse, because their execution was painful. Sorry but I do not.
Many states have banned executions but thankfully, Ohio has not.
On another note...
Marsy's Law has been a blessing for victims of crime. Do you know that of the 27 ratified amendments to the constitution, ZERO were to protect victims? In fact, most are in place to protect the accused.
That is just something to think about.
These are just a few random thoughts. I'll update more info as it comes.
This is a great resource for Ohioans if you are unsure about the law Ohio Law and your rights.
The Law & You A Legal Handbook is another great resource.
Interested in DNA? How it is collected and what is and what is not the benefits. I learned a lot while sitting through a murder trial a few years ago. For example, did you know that if say a shirt is submitted for DNA extraction, that it must be specified exactly where on the shirt you want tested? So.. if you just submit the entire shirt and do not specify, NOTHING will be tested? The point of DNA and rules, etc. are listed on the Justice Department's Website.
Another fun fact is that if you want DNA evidence, you must collect it PRIOR to dusting for fingerprints because the chalk used to get fingerprints ruins any chance of collecting DNA from anywhere the dust collects. This explains DNA and how it works well. There are many misconceptions to what DNA actually does, how/if it solves crimes and how it is properly extracted.
Forensic psychology is an area that I have always been interested in. I wanted to understand why people behave the way they do. Socioeconomic status, upbringing, who you are married to or surround yourself with, your mental processing, beliefs, religion all can factor in on your behavior. As does biology, chemical imbalances or neurological malformations.
Criminal behavior can best be explained here.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
National Sex Offender Registry
Ohio Attorney General's Victim Services
Ohio Human Trafficking Commission
National Human Trafficking Task Force
Columbiana County Families of Homicide Victims (CCFHV)
Resources for First Responders
Crime Victims Rights to Attend
Human Trafficking Resource for truckers
Linda Morris & her precious 4 year old daughter Angela walked into Tweeds furniture store in East Liverpool on July 30, 1973 for what would be the last time.
If you have any information on this case, please contact the Perry Township Police Department at 330-332-1000.
James Anthony Sr. was working at Century Gas Station in East Fairfield in February of 1991. He was beaten during a robbery because he could not open the safe. He remained in a vegetative state for 5 years before passing away on January 27, 1996. If you have any information, please call The Sheriff's Department at (330) 424-7255.
On August 24, 2008, detectives were called to Sherri's home. She was found dead from an apparent gun shot wound. At the time, County Prosecutor Herron stated that her son was involved in the shooting that took her life, but no charges have ever been filed. Below are a few newspaper articles about this homicide.
There continues to be activity in this case. Read more about this here. Considering all of this, there has still never been a conviction for her murder.
Sheriff’s department investigating shooting death
From Review Staff Reports
POSTED: August 26, 2008
LISBON — The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office released little detail Monday regarding the shooting death of a 47-year-old Lisbon woman Sunday evening, with the investigators still gathering information about what happened. A press release issued Monday morning reported the Sheriff’s Office received a call at 7:42 p.m. Sunday regarding a shooting at the Ieropoli residence, 10984 state Route 45, Lisbon. Sherry L. Ieropoli, who resided at the property with her husband and son, was found dead from a gunshot wound. When contacted by phone, Chief Deputy Allen Haueter said he couldn’t release any more information about the case, which remained under investigation. Sheriff David Smith responded to the scene with personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, along with personnel from the county Prosecutor’s Office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification and the county Coroner’s Office.
Herron: Troubling questions in woman’s death
By MARY ANN GREIER
POSTED: August 28, 2008
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Email: "Herron: Troubling questions in woman’s death"
LISBON —Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron said Sherry L. Ieropoli’s son was involving in the shooting which took her life Sunday, but questions remain about what happened at the state Route 45 residence in Lisbon. “I am troubled by what appear to be inconsistencies in the forensic evaluation as compared to statements obtained by the sheriff’s department as to the circumstances of the shooting,” Herron said Wednesday. At the present time, he said “all indications are that the son was involved in the shooting,” but he wouldn’t talk about what may have precipitated the shooting or whether the victim was also involved. The only people in the house at the time were the victim, her husband Nicholas and her son Jesse. Herron said he believed “the husband may have been in another area of the home at the time of the shooting.” He revealed two separate shots were reportedly fired from a .22-caliber rifle in the Ieropoli residence. The gun was still loaded when investigators took the weapon as evidence. The Sheriff’s Office was called to the residence at 7:42 p.m. Sunday regarding a shooting, with the victim found dead from a gunshot wound, a press release said. Herron wouldn’t say if there was more than one wound or where Ieropoli was hit. He noted that investigators are still conducting interviews with some people, including individuals who had been to the residence just prior to the shooting, but left before it happened. The victim’s husband and son had already been interviewed. Chief Deputy Allen Haueter of the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office said they’re getting tips from some of the rumors about the shooting and detectives are conducting interviews. He said he didn’t expect to hear anything from the coroner’s office until sometime in September. Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net
Jamie Huffman was killed on May 9, 2004. The details about this case are still unknown. Apparently, Jamie was on his way home from Stitches Bar when a women found him laying unconscious laying on the side of the road. 3 men from the bar drove down the road and found him, loaded him in the car and placed him on the couch of his house. They left him there and when his girlfriend arrived home she noticed that he was not conscious and called an ambulance. He died later that day. We are not sure if this case is a case of homicide or vehicular homicide.
Bruce was murdered on April 18, 1988. He died from a single gunshot wound to the head. His body was found 200 yards from his house.
Police had been at his house days before and searched the entire grounds and when they returned again to check, his body was found. The coroner stated that he believed Bruce was shot where his body was found. Sheriff Koffel was the Sheriff at the time.
If you have any information, please contact the Sheriff's Department 330-424-7255
He was found dead inside his girlfriends house with a gunshot wound to his chest, on Steubenville Pike Road in Lisbon on July 19, 2013. There has been a lot of speculation in this case.
