Developing Stories

Steenkamp autopsy report completed

16 FEB 2013 19:11 - SAPA

The autopsy report of Reeva Steenkamp has been completed and handed over to authorities, the SABC reported on Saturday.


The model and law graduate was shot and killed in the Pretoria home of her boyfriend, Oscar Pistorius early Thursday morning.

The Paralympian has been charged with murder after she was shot dead at his home.

The family of Oscar Pistorius said on Saturday, that it was devastated by the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

~Snipped~

"Obviously… we, as a family, are also battling to come to terms with Oscar being charged with murder," he said.

"Words cannot adequately describe our feelings. The lives of our entire family have been turned upside down forever by this unimaginable human tragedy and Reeva's family have suffered a terrible loss.

Read more:

http://mg.co.za/article/2013-02-16-steenkamp-autopsy-report-completeed

Oscar Pistorius denies murder of Reeva Steenkamp in 'strongest terms'

Paralympic star issues statement offering 'deepest sympathies' for family of his dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

David Smith in Pretoria
guardian.co.uk, Friday 15 February 2013 09.31 EST

~Snipped~

Pistorius, 26, broke down and wept uncontrollably in court as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against him. He is accused of shooting dead Steenkamp, a model and reality TV show participant, at his home in the early hours of Thursday morning.

It has been claimed that Pistorius will plead he mistook her for a burglar, and a South Africa media report on Friday reported he shot four times through a bathroom door. Police have not disclosed details and there has been no verification of the claim.

Read more:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/15/oscar-pistorius-tears-murder-charge

'Blade runner' Pistorius charged with murder of model girlfriend

By Josh Levs, Faith Karimi, and Nkepile Mabuse, CNN
updated 7:34 PM EST, Fri February 15, 2013



Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) -- A beloved model is dead, those who knew her are in mourning, and one of the world's most admired Olympians is charged with her murder after a Valentine's Day shooting in South Africa.

Oscar Pistorius, a Paralympic runner who blazed new terrain by competing in last summer's Olympics, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. A shooting took place inside his upscale home in Pretoria, South Africa, early Thursday, and only the two of them were there at the time, police said.

Shock waves from the incident quickly reverberated across the world, casting a shadow over the man known as the "Blade Runner" for his achievements on prosthetic limbs.

Videos. more information at link:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/14/world/africa/south-africa-blade-runner-shooting/index.html

CBS/AP/ February 16, 2013, 1:58 PM

Reality show with Oscar Pistorius' dead girlfriend airs


Reeva Steenkamp is seen during a photoshoot in this undated portfolio picture supplied by Ice Model Management in Johannesburg. / AP PHOTO/ICE MODEL MANAGEMENT

JOHANNESBURG | Reeva Steenkamp's last wish for her family before she was shot dead at boyfriend Oscar Pistorius' home was for them to watch her in a reality TV show that went on air in South Africa on Saturday night, two days after her killing.

Sharon Steenkamp, Reeva's cousin, told The Associated Press that the model and law graduate was "proud of being in the show" and asked them in their last conversation to make sure that they watched it.

The South African Broadcasting Corp. aired the "Tropika Island of Treasure" program, showing the late Steenkamp — the victim of a Valentine's Day shooting at Pistorius' home — laughing and smiling in Jamaica when it was filmed last year.

Read more:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57569767/reality-show-with-oscar-pistorius-dead-girlfriend-airs/

Authorities have released new evidence in the Oscar Pistorius case: a bloody cricket bat

(1:26)
Newsy

February 17, 2013

Video:

http://www.aol.com/video/bloody-cricket-bat-found-in-pistorius-home/517675364/

Bloody Cricket Bat Reportedly Found In Oscar Pistorius' Home

Aislinn Laing, The Daily Telegraph | Feb. 17, 2013, 8:51 AM | 5,203



Police in South Africa are reportedly investigating the discovery of a bloodied cricket bat at the home of Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius

Local reports stated police believe he may have used the bat to attack girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp before shooting her dead on St Valentine's Day morning, according to a local report.

~Snipped~

A post-mortem examination on the body of the 29-year-old model revealed that as well as bullet wounds to the head, arm, hand and hip, she suffered a fractured skull, it reported.

"There was lots of blood on the bat. Forensic tests will show whose blood it was," one source was quoted as saying.

Read more:

http://www.businessinsider.com/report-bloodied-cricket-bat-found-in-pistorius-home-2013-2

Julie wrote:Alabama bunker hostage boy’s family is ‘holding on by a thread’

By Erin McClam and Matthew DeLuca, NBC News

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The family of an Alabama boy abducted from his school bus and being held in an underground bunker is “holding on by a thread,” a state representative said Thursday as the hostage drama stretched into a third day.

The boy, a 5-year-old named Ethan, is receiving necessary medication and appears to be calm and doing well, a state senator said.

The child was kidnapped Tuesday after school when a man stormed the bus and demanded the driver hand over young children. When the driver refused, the man shot and killed him and grabbed the boy, authorities said.

A source close to the investigation identified the suspected gunman to NBC News as Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, and said that he was a loner and survivalist who “does not trust the government” and holds “anti-American views.”

Read more:
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/31/16759153-alabama-bunker-hostage-boys-family-is-holding-on-by-a-thread?lite>1=43001

Update: The child was recovered alive.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/8303914/Mum-forgives-man-who-held-boy-in-bunker

I do feel very sorry for this child "Ethan" as he was close to the bus driver that was shot by his captor; as well as now he has witnessed the captor being shot by police. That is too much for a 6 year old to have to watch.. sick world. According to the article Ethan was nervous to go down the stairs to get off the bus and the bus driver used to encourage him. He also sat behind the bus driver so that the driver could keep an eye on him. This child was sensitive and now he has had to be a witness to these things. I sincerely hope that he can find a way to reframe this and be a confident and normal adult. He is a Survivor!!

Michael Powell Commits suicide : http://www.startribune.com/nation/191240551.html

Alessandra_Deux wrote:Authorities have released new evidence in the Oscar Pistorius case: a bloody cricket bat

http://www.aol.com/video/bloody-cricket-bat-found-in-pistorius-home/517675364/

Can it get any worse?
Was he jealous of her new fame?
Did her new fame inspire a security within her and she had threatened to move on, leaving him alone and feeling worthless, helpless?
Did he feel his time in the spotlight was over and he did not want to give it up or share it with his girl friend?

This is despicable and more so coming from HIM.
I don't know why he is a double amputee
but she stood by him and he treated her poorly.
He is crippled in more ways than one.
Bad choices he made. Bad choices.

Post by Alessandra_Deux Today at 10:36 am
Bloody Cricket Bat Reportedly Found In Oscar Pistorius' Home

I wonder if he will complain he had to hit her because she was "abusive" toward him, ridiculed his disabilities insulted him, etc..

Maybe he will claim there was the intruder who used the bat against her and she ran to hide in the bathroom; he then grabbed his gun and fired thru the door believing he would strike the intruder.

No matter what, I am sure we are going to hear some bizarre claim for self defense!

Mindy McCready Is Dead in Apparent Suicide

By STEVE HELLING
02/17/2013 at 09:30 PM EST


Mindy McCready

Angela Weiss/Getty

Country singer Mindy McCready has committed suicide, multiple sources close to her tell PEOPLE. She was 37.

Professionally, McCready was best known for her multi-platinum debut album Ten Thousand Angels. In recent years, it's been the singer's personal troubles making headlines, though she was attempting to reestablish her music career. In 2010, McCready released a new album titled I'm Still Here.

She is survived by her son Zander, 6, with ex Billy McKnight, and Zayne, 10 months.

In January, McCready's life partner and Zayne's father, singer-songwriter David Wilson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Just three weeks later, a judge ordered McCready to be committed to a treatment facility to cope with mental health and alcohol issues and her sons were placed in foster care.

Story developing …

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20675010,00.html

Dang! You are quick, Alessandra!


Sources: Mindy McCready, Country singer dead at 37
Short blurb with video/music

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/entertainment/sources-mindy-mccready-country-singer-dead-at-37-reports-suggest-suicide

Freckles wrote:
Can it get any worse?
Was he jealous of her new fame?
Did her new fame inspire a security within her and she had threatened to move on, leaving him alone and feeling worthless, helpless?
Did he feel his time in the spotlight was over and he did not want to give it up or share it with his girl friend?

This is despicable and more so coming from HIM.
I don't know why he is a double amputee
but she stood by him and he treated her poorly.
He is crippled in more ways than one.
Bad choices he made. Bad choices.

The tragic case of Oscar Pistorius

Born with no bones in his lower legs but determined to run, Oscar Pistorius rose to competing in the Olympic Games. But a happy ending to his life's story may be lost, after a fatal shooting at his South African residence. Kelly Cobiella reports.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50141216n

Oscar Pistorius' races canceled

Associated Press | Updated: February 17, 2013, 10:06 PM ET

(VIDEO)

JOHANNESBURG -- Oscar Pistorius' track career was put on hold indefinitely Sunday because of his murder charge, reinforcing the possibility that the double-amputee Olympian and disabled sports icon might never run again competitively on his famous carbon fiber blades.

Pistorius' agent was forced to cancel all future races, he said, so Pistorius could concentrate on defending himself against allegations he murdered his model girlfriend by shooting her several times in his upscale house on Valentine's Day morning.

Reeva Steenkamp died from gunshot wounds suffered inside Pistorius' home in the predawn hours of Thursday. Pistorius was arrested and charged with her murder the same day. His family denies he murdered her.

Read more:

http://espn.go.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/8956898/agent-cancels-oscar-pistorius-races-indefinitely-focus-defending-murder-charge

Freckles wrote:

Post by Alessandra_Deux Today at 10:36 am
Bloody Cricket Bat Reportedly Found In Oscar Pistorius' Home

I wonder if he will complain he had to hit her because she was "abusive" toward him, ridiculed his disabilities insulted him, etc..

Maybe he will claim there was the intruder who used the bat against her and she ran to hide in the bathroom; he then grabbed his gun and fired thru the door believing he would strike the intruder.

No matter what, I am sure we are going to hear some bizarre claim for self defense!

I don't think that the "intruder scenario" is going to work. She was shot four times and suffered a fractured skull.

There are reports that the police has been several times to Pistorious house because of domestic violence incidents.


http://mg.co.za/article/2013-02-15-oscar-pistorius-arrives-in-court

According to the paper, the police and security guards were called to his house about two hours before the shooting, after neighbours heard him and Steenkamp argue. The police were called out a second time around 3am after neighbours heard gunshots, reported Beeld, quoting an unnamed Silver Woods estate resident.

A security guard said her body was found in the bathroom.

~Snipped~

'Incidents of a domestic nature'

Beukes's comments that there had been "previous incidents of a domestic nature at his place" were widely reported on.

The Star newspaper cited sources saying Steenkamp's body was found downstairs in the entrance hall of his R3.9-million house.

The Star dedicated its editorial opinion to domestic violence.

The Times newspaper said a "highly skilled team of blood-spatter forensic specialists" would fine-comb Pistorius's house on Friday morning.

The Citizen's front page headline was "Blade gunner?", while the Daily Sun reported on "Oscar's bloody Valentine!", and the Sowetan headlined its front page report "Golden boy loses shine"

The last few weeks of Mindy McCready's life

By HLNtv.com Staff
updated 9:52 AM EST, Mon February 18, 2013

•Police say troubled singer apparently shot and killed herself Sunday
•McCready leaves behind two sons, a 6-year-old and a 10-month-old



http://www.hlntv.com/video/2013/02/18/mindy-mccready-dead-37?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/02/18/oscar-pistorius-reeva-steenkamp.html

The bail hearing, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, will be the first time both the prosecutors and defense will show their hands about the evidence involved in the killing, said Stephen Tuson, an adjunct law professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

"There will kind of be a little trial within a trial," Tuson said of the start of a court case that will likely grip South Africa and much of the world — possibly for years.

Due to the gravity of the charges, Pistorius's defence lawyers will present their case first, trying to argue that their client is not a danger to the public and won't try to flee to avoid trial, Tuson said. They'll also have to show that he won't try to intimidate witnesses, nor pose a risk of sparking public unrest, the professor said.


Interesting process that the Bail Hearing will take 2 days!! Like a mini-trial (Just my opinion on the process)

Oscar Pistorius' Affidavit Claims He Shot Reeva Steenkamp By Mistake, Thinking She Was A Robber

AP | By JON GAMBRELL and GERALD IMRAY

Posted: 02/19/2013 7:34 am EST | Updated: 02/19/2013 11:31 am EST

(VIDEO)

PRETORIA, South Africa -- Oscar Pistorius told a packed courtroom Tuesday that he shot his girlfriend to death by mistake, thinking she was a robber. The prosecutor called it premeditated murder.

The double amputee said in an affidavit read by his lawyer at his bail hearing that he felt vulnerable because he did not have on his prosthetic legs when he pumped bullets into the locked bathroom door. Then, Pistorius said in the sworn statement, he realized that model Reeva Steenkamp was not in his bed.

"It filled me with horror and fear ," he said.

He put on his prosthetic legs, tried to kick down the door, then bashed it in with a cricket bat to find Steenkamp, 29, shot inside. He said he ran downstairs with her, but "She died in my arms."

Read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/19/oscar-pistorius-shot-reeva-steenkamp-mistake_n_2715625.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D271987

Photos: Funeral for Model Reeva Steenkamp – Girlfriend of Olympic Runner Oscar Pistorius

Posted Feb 19, 2013

The family of Oscar Pistorius’s slain girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, hold a funeral service for the 29-year-old model at the crematorium building in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 after Steenkamp, 29, was shot four times in the early hours of February 14, 2013 by a 9mm pistol owned by South African sporting hero OscarPistorius. South African prosecutors on Tuesday told a bail hearing that OscarPistorius was guilty of “premeditated murder” in the Valentine’s Day killing of his model girlfriend at his upscale home.


4 of 24

The body of model Reeva Steenkamp arrives at the Victoria Park Crematorium ahead of her memorial service in Port Elizabeth February 19, 2013. Her boyfriend Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been charged with her murder. REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Photo Gallery:

http://photos.denverpost.com/2013/02/19/photos-funeral-for-model-reeva-steenkamp-girlfriend-of-olympic-runner-oscar-pistorius/#4

Oscar Pistorius Charged With Premeditated Murder By Prosecutor, Defense Claims Accidental Shooting

AP | By JON GAMBRELL and GERALD IMRAY

Posted: 02/19/2013 3:20 am EST | Updated: 02/19/2013 11:36 am

Article/Video/Photo Gallery:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/19/oscar-pistorius-charged-premeditated-murder_n_2714520.html

This is an update to a story that was posted on Developing Stories at The Hinky Meter in 2012. Some folks followed as the story developed.

It is about a boy from Houston, TX that was kidnapped when he was 8 months old and was found in 2012 when he was 8 years old.
~~~~~

http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/2-Texas-women-convicted-of-hiding-boy-for-8-years-4289068.php
Houston Chronicle - Houston, TX 2/19/13

2 Texas women convicted of hiding boy for 8 years

Ann - Tx wrote:
This is an update to a story that was posted on Developing Stories at The Hinky Meter in 2012. Some folks followed as the story developed.

It is about a boy from Houston, TX that was kidnapped when he was 8 months old and was found in 2012 when he was 8 years old.
~~~~~

http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/2-Texas-women-convicted-of-hiding-boy-for-8-years-4289068.php
Houston Chronicle - Houston, TX 2/19/13

2 Texas women convicted of hiding boy for 8 years

I hadn't followed this case but found this part of the above story confusing????


"A Houston judge last month placed Miguel with Junita and Joseph Auguillard, who have also been taking care of Miguel's four siblings for nearly 10 years under an agreement they have with the boy's parents."

Kimberly Kubina Sentenced To 35 Years In Death Of Christian Choate, Stepson Locked In Cage

Posted: 02/19/2013 5:41 pm EST | Updated: 02/19/2013 7:19 pm EST



The stepmother of Christian Choate was sentenced Tuesday morning to 35 years in prison in the 2009 neglect and death the 13-year-old boy.

Kimberly Kubina, 47, of Gary, Ind., pleaded guilty in May to felony neglect in Christian's death, a story that attracted national headlines for its gruesomeness, the Northwest Indiana Times reports.

~Snipped~

Christian Choate's body was found buried under a thin layer of concrete in May 2011 near the Gary mobile park home of 40-year-old Riley Choate, Kubina's former husband. The young boy is believed to have died in April of 2009, after being kept locked in a three-foot-high dog cage for at least the last year of his life. He was reportedly only let out of the cage to eat and use the bathroom and was often starved and beaten.

An autopsy showed that Christian suffered blunt force trauma to his body, internal bleeding and a skull fracture before his death. His body was found after his older sister told authorities what had happened, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/19/kimberly-kubina-sentenced_n_2719699.html?&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl38%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D272365

http://abcnews.go.com/US/auroras-chuck-cheese-killer-moves-closer-execution/story?id=18547129

U.S. Supreme Court on Feb .19, 2013 denied convicted killer Nathan Dunlap's appeal of his death sentence, moving closer the likely execution of the man who killed four in an Aurora Chuck E. Cheese restaurant nearly 19 years ago.

Missing From: Minneapolis, MN
Missing Date: 02/20/2013 12:00 AM Central
Issued for: Minnesota: Statewide
Contact: If you have information, please contact Minneapolis Police Department, 911
Circumstances: At approximately 11:55 AM an 8 month old male was taken from the residence of 2100 block of Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN. Preliminary investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department has determined that a 12 year old male was seen entering the residence shortly before the abduction. Minneapolis Police believe that this individual is the 12 year old son of Isabell Castillo. Minneapolis Police are attempting to locate a 2002 red Kia Sportage with license plate number 242 GAU with front end damage. Anyone with information relating to the whereabouts of Carlos Orozco ,the female Isabell Diaz Castillo, her 12 year old son or the aforementioned vehicle should dial 911 immediately.

Missing Child
Name: Carlos Orozco
Alias:
Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown
Skin Color: Hispanic Age: 8 months-old
Height: Weight:
Gender: Male
Description: The child was last seen wearing a onesie with the number 1 on it.

Suspect
Name: Isabell Diaz Castillo
Alias:
Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown
Skin Color: Hispanic Age:
Height: Weight:
Gender: Female
Description:

Vehicle Information
Make: Kia Model: Sportage
Color: Red Interior Color:
License State: MN License Text: 242 GAU
Vehicle Description: The vehicle has front end damage.

Oscar Pistorius granted bail

By Robyn Curnow, Chelsea J. Carter, and Michael Pearson, CNN

updated 9:34 AM EST, Fri February 22, 2013



Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) -- A magistrate granted bail Friday to Oscar Pistorius, citing a number of problems with the police investigation into the death of the Olympic sprinter's girlfriend.

"I come to the conclusion that the accused has made a case to be released on bail," said Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair, eliciting a celebratory cry of "Yes!" from the courtroom.

Nair said the former chief investigator in the case, Hilton Botha, had made "several errors and concessions" during his testimony.

Specifics of Pistorius' release have not yet been announced.

Read more:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/22/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-case/index.html

48HOURS



The Accuser

February 23, 2013 6:45 PM

Ryan Ferguson is serving 40 years for murder. Now his accuser says it was all a lie. Can "48 Hours" help him get his life back? Erin Moriarty reports.

Ryan Ferguson's fight for freedom

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50141611n

Alessandra_Deux wrote:48HOURS



The Accuser

February 23, 2013 6:45 PM

Ryan Ferguson is serving 40 years for murder. Now his accuser says it was all a lie. Can "48 Hours" help him get his life back? Erin Moriarty reports.

Ryan Ferguson's fight for freedom

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50141611n

That is sad! More importantly I am questioning my logic... how is it possible that someone who was out in a bar can murder someone and not leave trace? This must have been months planning .... join the swim team so you have an excuse to shave all body hair, go out to the bar... pretend to drink... so you can take the car keys and not the car... because all you want is a watch! and there is not a tiny bit of trace left... OH this all didn't happen... well then how is it that after 13 times he is still guilty? See I have no logic! JMOO

Oscar Pistorius' Brother Facing Culpable Homicide Charge


Oscar Pistorius's brother, Carl Pistorius, is seen outside the Pretoria Magistrate Court on Feb. 19, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Liza van Deventer/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

By ALYSSA NEWCOMB (@alyssanewcomb)
Feb. 24, 2013

The attorney for Oscar Pistorius' family said today that the Olympian's brother is facing a culpable homicide charge relating to a 2008 road accident in which a motorcyclist was killed.

Carl Pistorius, who sat behind his younger brother, Oscar, every day at his bail hearing, will now face his own homicide trial for the accident five years ago, which his attorney, Kenny Oldwage, said he "deeply regrets."

Carl Pistorius is charged with culpable homicide, which refers to the unlawful negligent killing of another person. The charges were initially dropped, but were later reinstated, Oldwage said in a statement.

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-brother-facing-culpable-homicide-charge/story?id=18580522

justanopinion wrote:

Alessandra_Deux wrote:48HOURS



The Accuser

February 23, 2013 6:45 PM

Ryan Ferguson is serving 40 years for murder. Now his accuser says it was all a lie. Can "48 Hours" help him get his life back? Erin Moriarty reports.

Ryan Ferguson's fight for freedom

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50141611n

That is sad! More importantly I am questioning my logic... how is it possible that someone who was out in a bar can murder someone and not leave trace? This must have been months planning .... join the swim team so you have an excuse to shave all body hair, go out to the bar... pretend to drink... so you can take the car keys and not the car... because all you want is a watch! and there is not a tiny bit of trace left... OH this all didn't happen... well then how is it that after 13 times he is still guilty? See I have no logic! JMOO

This case is highly irregular to say the least. Ferguson was convicted solely on testimony that was later recanted, both witnesses perjured themselves. The alleged accomplice was told by a detective during his interrogation that the victim was strangled with his own belt, he didn't know that detail about the crime, but later during his testimony he described how Ferguson used the belt to strangle the victim. There was zero evidence that ties Ferguson to the crime, actually, the evidence that was collected doesn't tie neither man to the crime. Ferguson's conviction should be overturned.

Alessandra_Deux wrote:

justanopinion wrote:

That is sad! More importantly I am questioning my logic... how is it possible that someone who was out in a bar can murder someone and not leave trace? This must have been months planning .... join the swim team so you have an excuse to shave all body hair, go out to the bar... pretend to drink... so you can take the car keys and not the car... because all you want is a watch! and there is not a tiny bit of trace left... OH this all didn't happen... well then how is it that after 13 times he is still guilty? See I have no logic! JMOO

This case is highly irregular to say the least. Ferguson was convicted solely on testimony that was later recanted, both witnesses perjured themselves. The alleged accomplice was told by a detective during his interrogation that the victim was strangled with his own belt, he didn't know that detail about the crime, but later during his testimony he described how Ferguson used the belt to strangle the victim. There was zero evidence that ties Ferguson to the crime, actually, the evidence that was collected doesn't tie neither man to the crime. Ferguson's conviction should be overturned.

When I was young and foolish (as opposed to my now old and foolish) I wanted to be a criminal lawyer... now I satisfy that desire with reading about trials and cases that are in the public eye... Was there any trace evidence at the scene that was collected? Was there any hair or fiber? How could they not find anything that would show that he was not the person there! Was it not included because it did not fit these guys and there was a confession?? I do get that the case was a frame... but how is there no evidence other than that!

justanopinion wrote:

Alessandra_Deux wrote:

This case is highly irregular to say the least. Ferguson was convicted solely on testimony that was later recanted, both witnesses perjured themselves. The alleged accomplice was told by a detective during his interrogation that the victim was strangled with his own belt, he didn't know that detail about the crime, but later during his testimony he described how Ferguson used the belt to strangle the victim. There was zero evidence that ties Ferguson to the crime, actually, the evidence that was collected doesn't tie neither man to the crime. Ferguson's conviction should be overturned.

When I was young and foolish (as opposed to my now old and foolish) I wanted to be a criminal lawyer... now I satisfy that desire with reading about trials and cases that are in the public eye... Was there any trace evidence at the scene that was collected? Was there any hair or fiber? How could they not find anything that would show that he was not the person there! Was it not included because it did not fit these guys and there was a confession?? I do get that the case was a frame... but how is there no evidence other than that!

"There was plenty of physical evidence in the crime scene; hair, fingerprints, bloody shoe prints but none of it matched him.

The entire case hinged on one troubled accuser"....

Why did he lie?

I didn't watch the trial, but I'm going to look into this case, I going to see if I can find more information in articles, court documents, etc.

Stumbled on this site today... absolutely appalling!!

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/photogallery/baby-for-sale.html?curPhoto=10

Selling your child! I really don't want to understand those people!

Alessandra_Deux wrote:

justanopinion wrote:

That is sad! More importantly I am questioning my logic... how is it possible that someone who was out in a bar can murder someone and not leave trace? This must have been months planning .... join the swim team so you have an excuse to shave all body hair, go out to the bar... pretend to drink... so you can take the car keys and not the car... because all you want is a watch! and there is not a tiny bit of trace left... OH this all didn't happen... well then how is it that after 13 times he is still guilty? See I have no logic! JMOO

This case is highly irregular to say the least. Ferguson was convicted solely on testimony that was later recanted, both witnesses perjured themselves. The alleged accomplice was told by a detective during his interrogation that the victim was strangled with his own belt, he didn't know that detail about the crime, but later during his testimony he described how Ferguson used the belt to strangle the victim. There was zero evidence that ties Ferguson to the crime, actually, the evidence that was collected doesn't tie neither man to the crime. Ferguson's conviction should be overturned.

this document is well worth reading... mentions other possibilities of who could have perpetrated the crime and witness' that were favourable to the defendant... but nothing on the trace evidence if there was some... also mentions irregularities in the trial process as to why he is not guilty...
http://www.justiceforryanferguson.com/Ferguson%20Findings%20of%20Fact%20Final%20Draft.pdf

trial for the "Cannibal Cop" is also on.. rather interesting take on when something becomes a crime... the line between fantasy and reality and do you have to wait until there is a murder to charge??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=eypsifanrms

justanopinion wrote:
this document is well worth reading... mentions other possibilities of who could have perpetrated the crime and witness' that were favourable to the defendant... but nothing on the trace evidence if there was some... also mentions irregularities in the trial process as to why he is not guilty...
http://www.justiceforryanferguson.com/Ferguson%20Findings%20of%20Fact%20Final%20Draft.pdf

Very interesting reading, thank you for posting the link.


Ferguson files a new appeal

Attorneys claim errors by judge.

By Brennan David
Friday, February 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Updated: 2:00 pm, Fri Feb 1, 2013

A new appeal filed by convicted murderer Ryan Ferguson argues eight errors in a Cole County judge’s application of law, as well as several errors in the judge’s factual findings from his October denial of Ferguson’s request for a new trial.

The 154-page petition was filed Wednesday in the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District. It appeals Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green’s October ruling that denied Ferguson a new trial. Green’s opinion came after months of consideration of evidence from an April hearing during which Ferguson co-defendant Charles Erickson and witness Jerry Trump recanted their 2005 trial testimony that placed Ferguson at the scene of former Tribune Sports Editor Kent Heitholt’s death.

Read more:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/ryan-ferguson-files-new-appeal/article_14dbcdac-6c1d-11e2-991f-0019bb30f31a.html#.USPb1pHOecc

Alessandra_Deux wrote:

justanopinion wrote:
this document is well worth reading... mentions other possibilities of who could have perpetrated the crime and witness' that were favourable to the defendant... but nothing on the trace evidence if there was some... also mentions irregularities in the trial process as to why he is not guilty...
http://www.justiceforryanferguson.com/Ferguson%20Findings%20of%20Fact%20Final%20Draft.pdf

Very interesting reading, thank you for posting the link.


Ferguson files a new appeal

Attorneys claim errors by judge.

By Brennan David
Friday, February 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Updated: 2:00 pm, Fri Feb 1, 2013

A new appeal filed by convicted murderer Ryan Ferguson argues eight errors in a Cole County judge’s application of law, as well as several errors in the judge’s factual findings from his October denial of Ferguson’s request for a new trial.

The 154-page petition was filed Wednesday in the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District. It appeals Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green’s October ruling that denied Ferguson a new trial. Green’s opinion came after months of consideration of evidence from an April hearing during which Ferguson co-defendant Charles Erickson and witness Jerry Trump recanted their 2005 trial testimony that placed Ferguson at the scene of former Tribune Sports Editor Kent Heitholt’s death.

Read more:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/ryan-ferguson-files-new-appeal/article_14dbcdac-6c1d-11e2-991f-0019bb30f31a.html#.USPb1pHOecc

I don't get it... everything shows that the FBI did the labs on the hair and shoe print etc... and they do not match... so some pedophile and drug and alcoholics statement (which are now recanted) sent him away... and no one is thinking this boy needs out besides him and his family and the one lawyer... some system!!

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/02/27/father-accused-of-killing-9-year-old-son/

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – A Sacramento man is behind bars accused of killing his 9-year-old son on Tuesday night.

“Normally a quite neighborhood,” neighbor James Martinez said. “It’s very strange.”

Police say a relative at the family’s home on Atrisco Circle in Natomas called 9-1-1 just before midnight Tuesday, saying the boy had died.

“We got a 9-1-1 call, a hysterical female,” said Sacramento Police Department spokesperson Officer Michelle Gigante.

Police and firefighters arrived at the home and found Matthew Hernandez dead from blunt force trauma to the head. Police were told the boy’s father, 36-year-old Phillip Hernandez, was to blame.



This happened last night in my home town. So sad.

Coast-to-Coast AM with George Nory
Saturday night
True stories of human trafficking

You will have to google that to find the home page.
Once there, you can look up a local radio station to listen to or pick up on I Heart.Com for your computer.

This might help:
www.coasttocoastam.com/

Radio Stations:
http://www.coasttocoastam.com/stations

48 HOURS



The Usual Suspect

March 2, 2013 7:45 PM

Fast cars, fast friends, financial fraud and a wife's murder. Will a mistress wear a wire to help police find a killer? Maureen Maher reports.

Tina Caronna murder investigation uncovers financial fraud, secret affair

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50142034n


Joe Caronna's love letter to Becky Black

March 2, 2013

During Joe Caronna's 15-year marriage to Tina, he was having an affair with Becky Black -- a friend of the couple.

In February 2009, after Tina's murder, Black was asked by police to wear a wire when she met with Joe to see if he would admit to anything incriminating. At that meeting, Joe handed Black an eight-page letter listing all the qualities she brought to the relationship.

Click through to read the letter:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8334-18559_162-57572143/joe-caronnas-love-letter-to-beck-black/

Police: With No News of Ashley Murray, Search Continues for Missing Teen

Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley detailed the ongoing extensive search over the weekend.

By Lisa Finn | March 2, 2013, 10:41 am


Monday will mark one week since Ashley Murray went missing; police are searching for the Peconic teen.Credit Murray family

Monday will mark one week since Peconic teen Ashley Murray went missing, and over the weekend, Southold police and other agencies continued their extensive investigation, conducting searches and pursuing various leads.

Since Ashley disappeared, news of her disappearance has brought communities near and far together, with some creating Facebook pages and the Southold school district doing everything to help.

After friends and concerned parties organized a search party for Ashley on Thursday, some questioned why the Southold police suggested that volunteers not actively go out and search area beaches and woods.

Read more:

http://northfork.patch.com/articles/police-with-no-news-of-ashley-murray-search-continues-for-missing-peconic-teen#c

Ashley Come Home

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashley-Come-Home/490866490972613

FBI joins search for missing Peconic teen, Ashley Murray

Published: March 2, 2013 6:33 PM

(VIDEO)

PECONIC - The FBI has joined in the search for a North Fork teen who was last seen more than five days ago.

Ashley Murray, 16, was last seen as she left her Peconic home for school on Monday morning. Southold police have been searching for the teen with no luck.

Murray's brother says he found a suicide note at their home on the day she disappeared, but he doesn't believe his sister took her own life.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen the girl, or who may have information in the case, is being urged to call Southold police at 631-765-2600.

http://westchester.news12.com/news/fbi-joins-search-for-missing-peconic-teen-ashley-murray-1.4740732?firstfree=yes

For those who followed the Charles A. Dyer case at The Hinky Meter, this is info regarding his location in an Oklahoma state prison.

http://docapp065p.doc.state.ok.us/servlet/page?_pageid=394&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&doc_num=659682&offender_book_id=408968
State of Oklahoma - Offender Info - Charles A. Dyer


~~~

CHARLES A DYER
ODOC# 659682
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At this Link, it indicates that Charles A. Dyer's Appeal was filed on 6/12/2012.

You can follow Dyer's Appeal here:

http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=109761&db=Appellate
The Oklahoma State Courts Network - OK

Court of Criminal Appeals in the State of Oklahoma

Charles Allan Dyer,
Appellant,
v.

STATE OF OKLAHOMA,
Appellee.

Texas: Baby Chloe
(She is a beautiful little one!)

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/baby-chloe-abandoned-search-parents-18635837

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/02/20/remains-girl-missing-1999-found-house-demolished


The discovery of human remains in a crawl space at an abandoned Ohio home may be the first step in solving a 13-year missing child case.

Nicholle Coppler of Lima, Ohio, was last seen on May 15, 1999 when she was 14-years-old, according to the Toledo Blade. She was believed to have been with 53-year-old Glen Fryer at the time. Fryer was arrested in 2001 on unrelated child rape charges, the paper reported, and he allegedly agreed to give information about Coppler’s disappearance as part of a plea deal.

19 yo Ashley Valladares: Body found ?

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/05/21/cops-decomposed-body-missing-girl-19-found-woods

Nicholle Coppler, Lima, Ohio:Remains found
Missing: May, 199

"Nicholle Coppler of Lima, Ohio, was last seen on May 15, 1999 when she was 14-years-old, according to the Toledo Blade. She was believed to have been with 53-year-old Glen Fryer at the time. Fryer was arrested in 2001 on unrelated child rape charges, the paper reported, and he allegedly agreed to give information about Coppler’s disappearance as part of a plea deal."

" He committed suicide in jail before investigators were able to obtain any information from him."

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/02/20/remains-girl-missing-1999-found-house-demolished

Tara Willenborg Murder: Indiana Teen Was Sexually Assaulted Before She Was Slain, Police Say

Posted: 03/04/2013 2:15 pm EST | Updated: 03/04/2013 2:15 pm EST



Tara Willenborg

A 17-year-old Indiana girl found slain in her bedroom was sexually assaulted before she was murdered, prosecutors say.

Tara Willenborg, of Clarksville, was pronounced dead on Saturday after her fiance discovered her body early that morning in the couple's apartment, WDRB reports.

On Sunday, about a mile from the crime scene, police arrested 49-year-old Richard Hooten, a convicted sex offender with an unrelated warrant out for his arrest.

Clark County Prosecutor Steve Stewart was preparing charges for the case.

Read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/04/tara-willenborg-dead-arrest_n_2806539.html?utm_hp_ref=crime&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D278440

Not sure where to put this:

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies at 58

" CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- Hugo Chavez, the polarizing president of Venezuela who cast himself as a "21st century socialist" and foe of the United States, died Tuesday, said Vice President Nicolas Maduro.

Chavez, who had long battled cancer, was 58.

Chavez's democratic ascent to the presidency in 1999 ushered in a new era in Venezuelan politics and its international relations.

Once a foiled coup-plotter, the swashbuckling former paratrooper was known for lengthy speeches on everything from the evils of capitalism to the proper way to conserve water while showering. He was the first of a wave of leftist presidents to come to power in Latin America in the last dozen years."

" Chavez redirected much of the country's vast oil wealth, which increased dramatically during his tenure, to massive social programs for the country's poor. He expanded the portfolio of the state-owned oil monopoly to include funding for social "missions" worth millions of dollars. That helped pay for programs that seek to eradicate illiteracy, provide affordable food staples and grant access to higher education, among other things."

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/world/hugo-chavez-dies-ap-reports

Pray for continued stability in South America.