patsystone's Blog
Like many who follow true crime cases through the media or books, I wondered what happened next. The media has long left the case behind in the pursuit of the next story. Authors like Ann Rule sometimes post updates regarding the principals that they've written about. They are the exception.
So what happens to a particular perp who's been convicted? Have they filed appeals? Are they more litigious than other convicts? Have they been granted new trials or a reversal? Are they out on the streets yet? Many of us wonder those questions and more.
This forum is an attempt to answer some of those.
Posts: 1042
2000- October 9 - Chris Northon's body is discovered by LE.
Chris Northon was later found to have large levels of sedative in his body as well as a gun shot to the head. His body is stripped of clothing and located in a sleeping bag which covers his face.
The sedative: a great deal of Temazepan (sleeping pill known as Restoril) 2900 nanograms per milliliter.
"A hell of a lot." Resotril was available in capsules of 7.5 to 30 milligrams. It was a schedule 4 controlled substance, available only by prescription.
Dr. Robert Middleberg National medical Services, a Forensic Toxicologist "I would expect this person to be in a rather significant sleep." "Typically what you would expect to find is drowsiness, dizziness, lethargy, sleep, potentially coma, and death." The amount of dosage that was involved - "We're talking about the upper dosage units of 33 milligram capsules, the highest you can get - of somewhere between 3 and 5 capsules if they were all consumed at the same time... for the 7 1/2 milligram capsules - 12 to 20.
If Chris Northon had not been shot, he would have succumbed to an overdose of Restoril.
CRIMES SCENE: THE SLEEPING BAG
25 feet beyond the picnic table lay a body in a sleeping bag. Underneath the bag was a foam pad and a blue tarp. It was zipped up to the bridge of of the man's nose and only the hair and top part of the head were visible. Blood had dried on his forehead and there was a bullet hole on the right side of his head. Blood had pooled inside the sleeping bag and on the layers benheath. The bag had only one bullet hole visible form the top but after the body was lifted, an exit bullet hole was visible where a tuft of goose down stuck out. The path of the bullet lined up perfectly, feathers from the bag had been driven into the sand by the force of the bullet, aA copper jacketed 38-caliber bullet buried in the sand in a nearly vertical line.
The body: The man's forehead had sand on it. Rigor mortis was complete. It appeared as if the man had been sleeping on his left side before a bullet whipped his head back. His eyes stared blindly at the sky. Blood had seeped from both ears and crisscrossed the ridge above his eyes and the bridge of his nose.
His hands and wrists were almost touching, up under his chin as if tucked together.
Later it was discovered that Liysa Northon had left a backpack with her friend, which contained stun guns and handcuffs. Tor Dewitt, her brother had picked the bag up from Ellen Duveaux for her. Yet Liysa denies ever having the items with her on the camping trip.
THE CRIME SCENE: THE CAMPSITE
The vehicle: A white Chevy SUV with a small child's car seat in the back was parked nearby. A baby bottle was still in the carseat drink holder. An Oregon map was on the passenger seat.
On a picnic table bench were: two green totes with food and camping supplies. On top of the table: a new green plastic flashlight and a comb. Under the table: a tackle box with fishing lures, a fishing reel, a sack with a sleeping pad and a propane cylinder.
In the trees above the beach: A small gray tent with three sleeping bags, and a small child's shoes and jacket. No adult clothing.
In a blue plastic tote: a Knob Creek Whiskey bottle (almost empty) and a small amount of brown flaky substance that appeared to be marijuana, cigarette papers and tweezers in a red backpack.
In the slightly damp wallet: Chris Northon's FAA pilot's license, FAA medical certificate, Hawaii and Oregon drivers licenses, MasterCard, Chevron card, Visa Card, Costoc card, Safeway card, photographs of his family. $17 dollars.
On the beach itself: a camp chair and two fold up tables with a small handled steak knife, pots and pans with tufts of lichen moss and pine or fir needles; a smallsack with a child's toothpaste and medicine; an empty Rapala knife sheath with no knife; A coleman stove and lantern were hooked up to a propane gas bottle. The sand near the table was compacted as if someone stood there for a time. Next to the table: a camp chair with blanket draped.
Scattered on the beach: a half - full bottle of Kahlua, a partial bottle of 100 proof Kentucky bourbon and an empty wine bottle (as if knocked from the table).
Between the tables and river: a chair with sopping wet clothing on it and waterlogged men's shoe's. A man sized blue flannel long john's gray shorts, ski pants, a man's long sleeved fleece jacket, a blue quilted vest, and a gray knit stocking cap. The pockets of the vest were filled with sand.
A short distance downstream: a blanket and jacket snagged on a log.
In the water: a chair lying on its side in the shallow river.
On the sand: several deep gouges and shoe or foot tracks in the sand as if someone had wrestled.
On the steeper of the two trails up to the campsite (on the opposite side of two logs that separated the shore from the trail): a small miner's light attached to a blue elastic headband with its batteries dead.
Impressions in the sand: toddler sized tennis shoe patterns. A set of prints made by a woman or amn with small feet, a hiking type shoe. A set of footprints made by a large man's shoes, matching the soles of the wet size 12 L.L. Bean low hiking shoes.
10-12 feet south of the camp tables: a series of impressions in the sand - as if someone had been kneeling with palms down and toes pointed into the sand. The knee impression was in line with a thumb mark (from the right hand) and the left hand had made a clear palm print. There were impressions left by wrinkles in the clothing. The knee impression was about four feet from the river's edge. The handprints were small, those of either a woman or a man with small hands.
CRIME SCENE: Liysa Northon's "injuries" she claimed were incurred by Chris Northon.
A black eye and several small scrapes/scratches on her knee. She was sopping wet despite driving
4 hours across state lines from the campground to a friend's home. 
2000-October 9- Liysa Northon left her 8 year old son at a friend's home in Washington state and with their 3 year old son accompanied Chris Northon on a camping trip to a remote campground. (While reportedly deathly afraid of him.)
After the shooting Northon drove herself and her son 4 hours across state lines to the friend's home in Washington where she telephones Oregon police to tip them off to find Chris' body. Liysa informed the authorities "that her husband had become drunk & violent and threatened their young son and tried to drown her." Liysa Northon told police "I blindly fired a shot at Chris to scare him" in the dark as she ran to the vehicle.
(At a man in a drug induced coma, handcuffed, zipped to his chin in a mummy sleeping bag!)
Liysa claimed Chris was drunken, yet there was only a minuscule amount of alcohol in his urine. Most people have to urinate after drinking. Chris's bladder was full at autopsy. "The fact that any alcohol he had imbibed would have taken hours to metabolize from his blood ot his urine suggested that he had not been able to empty his bladder, probably because he had lain unconscious that long.
Liysa had written a screenplay that police say was a virtual master plan for the way Chris Northon was murdered.
The Police investigation disputed Northon's claims and she was charged with murder.
2001- July - Liysa Northon at first pled Not Guilty at trial but when her computer (she'd reported stolen) and emails from it were brought into evidence she pled an Alford Plea. The emails showed a level of premeditation. Northon, age 39, was duly convicted and sentenced to first degree manslaughter and 12 1/2 years and transported to prison.
Email to her father: Drowning is the best in terms of detection- but I want a gun for back up, and then will have to get a sure fire disposal method. Both of us will have to throw the computers away because I just read they can trace email on hard drives.. but I would replace yours with a new one..."
"I would consider any relevant help form (a relative) more than adequate compensation for Papako's (name changed) check. Silencer. Assistance. Anything. But it's not required. Just in case you thought I'd changed my mind, I thought I'd reassure you that I haven't."
- from the topic: CHRISTOPHER NORTHON - LIYSA NORTHON - CRIME SCENE PHOTOS
LISA NOWAK AVOIDS TRIAL
November 24, 2009 by patsystone
2009 - November 10 - Former Astronaut Lisa Nowak has avoided a trial by accepting a
plea deal.
Circuit Judge Marc L. Lubet accepted Nowak's plea of Guilty to felony burglary of a vehicle and misdemeanor battery.
Sentence: 1 year probation - 8 hour anger management class and 50 hours of community service.
Nowak has been ordered to stay away from both Colleen Shipman and Bill Oefelein.
NOOR ALMALEKI - FALEH ALMALEKI - NOOR DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE
November 23, 2009 by patsystone
Noor Almaleki was in an impossible situation. Her quest for personal freedom came at a cost. An unwanted, surprise arranged marriage from which she had to free herself. In the end, her bully of a father's temper took away her life.
Nicole Furugia (co-worker/friend of Noor at Applebee's) "She came in all frantic one day and asked me to cover her shift because her father found out where she worked. She had to quit her job, and she had to move." "I went with Noor to look into getting a restraining order against her father, Faleh Hassan Almaleki. "She was very determined on getting it. She was scared."
Marcella Andregg (friend of Noor) "Noor was independent, but far from rebellious and always respectful of her parents. Noor just wanted to live her own life, but her father wouldn't let her."
"His whole persona was very controlling, very strong-minded in the ways he wanted it for her," "He talked down to her very much, made sure she knew she wasn't good enough and brought a lot of dishonor to the family." "Noor "just wanted to be a normal teenager," and later, wanted to finish college, marry the man she loved, and have children.
Sharlee Caudle (friend of Noor) "She was a good person, and moral. Most parents would be glad to have a child like that." "He can kick her out of the house, he can disown her. But he had no right, no right at all, to run her down and end her life."
TRICKERY
2008 - Faleh Almaleki takes Noor to Iraq under the guise of visiting family. Instead, Noor is told to
marry a man her father has arranged for her to marry. She is told she can't return to Arizona
unless she marries him and is left without funds/means to return home.
Noor marries the man and then returns to AZ. The man "begins the the process of moving to
the U.S."
But Noor had already been in love. She moved in with her fiance and the young man's mother,
Amal Khalef.
2009 - Faleh Almaleki uses his vehicle as a weapon and runs both Noor and Amal Khalef down.
Noor later dies in hospital of her injuries, and Amal Khalef has been recovering in hospital.
Almaleki flees the country, but is returned. He is arrested and placed in jail awaiting trial.
SHERI, GAVIN, GARRET COLEMAN - CHRIS COLEMAN - AUGUST 2010 TRIAL DATE SET
November 23, 2009 by patsystone
Chris Coleman's pre-trial hearing is set for March 2010 with a trial date of August 2010.
Coleman has pled Not Guilty to the 3 murder charges.
Circuit Judge Milton Wharton has ordered:
Chris Coleman is allowed to receive copies of police reports & other documents.
Any additional documents /reports from police, forensic crime lab(s) or laboratories are to
be provided to the defense.
Dr. Michael Baden is to turn over reports/documents/tests related to the case.
(Baden is the former chief medical examiner for New York City and is the chief forensic pathologist for the New York State Police and has been involved in numerous high profile cases.)
CAYLEE ANTHONY - THE CASEY ANTHONY DEFENSE CIRCUS
November 23, 2009 by patsystone
In the run up to the fraud trial and subsequent criminal trial for the murder of Caylee Anthony, Casey Anthony's defense has decided to throw yet another person under the proverbial bus.
First there was the family's "suspicion" aimed at Casey Anthony's previous boyfriend. Anything to keep attention on someone else (SODDI) and not on Casey Anthony.
Now the defense has aimed at Roy Kronk, the (former) meter reader who noticed something out of place and brought his observation repeatedly to authorities attention, which eventually resulted in the finding of Caylee Anthony's remains.
"Authorities "have said Kronk was never a suspect and is not linked to the Anthony family."
But this doesn't stop the defense circus from spitting suspicion onto Kronk hoping it will
stick. Since there isn't much they can do for their client, Casey Anthony, and her bad acts are
well publicized, they're hoping to find someone "dirtier" than her in order to deflect attention and/or cause doubt.
How many more persons innocent of the murder of little Caylee will be publicly vilified, excoriated
by the defense in their efforts to prop up their client?
Stay tuned, instead of the defense doing stellar legal work, they've chosen this tactic... and I'm sure there will be others.
ATTORNEY FOR ROY KRONK - STATEMENT
"Today, the Casey Anthony defense team commenced, but did not complete, the deposition of Roy Kronk in the State v. Casey Anthony case. Shortly after adjourning the deposition, the Anthony defense team filed a Motion, Memorandum of Law, and accompanying materials suggesting that Roy Kronk, the individual who found Caylee Anthony's remains and repeatedly reported his find to law enforcement agencies, should be considered a suspect in the murder of Caylee Anthony.
Mr. Kronk is a witness, not a suspect. He voluntarily appeared today and truthfully responded to all questions asked by Anthony's attorney. He has cooperated fully with law enforcement from Day One. He has nothing to hide, and has hidden nothing."
"It is the nature of criminal defense to attempt to find someone to blame for a crime other than the person charged. Mr. Kronk has understood from the beginning that the defense might attempt to cast suspicions in his direction--because that's what defense attorneys do. In their zeal to defend Casey Anthony, defense counsel has filed papers with the Court that are filled with allegations that have no basis in fact and falsely accuse Mr. Kronk of various types of bad behavior.
The State will respond to these papers in due course in the criminal proceedings. As for Mr. Kronk, he vehemently denies the allegations against him and is confident that he will be vindicated. In the meantime, as he stated early on in this case, no good deed goes unpunished."
STEVEN BURTON - FAKE HERO CHARGED
November 14, 2009 by patsystone
November 12, 2009
CALIFORNIA
Steven Burton (39) was attending a high school reunion wearing Marine Corps Uniform wearing the Navy Cross, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart medals. He participated in photographs at the reunion.
A Navy Commander attending the same reunion noted his medals and uniform and reported it to authorities. The FBI investigated.
Steven Burton has never been a member of the military, under any branch.
Burton was arrested on the charge of "Unauthorized wearing of military medals" (misdemeanor) and released on a $10,000 bond. He faces one year in Federal prison if convicted.
Steven Burton's court hearing is scheduled for December 21, 2009.
Burton has pled "Not Guilty."
PAMELA SMART GETS PAYOUT IN LAWSUIT SETTLMENT
November 14, 2009 by patsystone
Pamela Smart, convicted murderess, sued the state of New York.
Smart claimed that she had been forced, by a prison guard who sexually assaulted her, to pose for racy photos which then appeared in the National Enquirer. She claimed that after the photos appeared the facility forced her to spend two months in a 23-hour-a-day lock-down facility.
U.S. District Court Judge Robert Sweet allowed the settlement, under which, the State/Dept. of Correctional Services do not admit liability. Smart was awarded a $23,875 payout. Smart will receive $8,750 and her attorney will receive $13,125 for fees.
Re: ANNE PRESSLY - CURTIS VANCE - TRIAL & CONVICTION
November 14, 2009 by patsystone
ANNE PRESSLY - CURTIS VANCE TRIAL
Dr. Stephen Erickson (Medical Examiner) "Anne Pressly died from blunt force trauma to her head. She was the victim of a violent attack that likely included either a pistol-whipping or an attack with a club. One blow knocked a tooth out of Pressly's mouth and that another shoved her jaw backward, cutting off blood flow to her brain."
"An examination of Pressly's body after her death revealed that her face shattered "like an egg" during the attack. "I could feel crunchiness" while examining Pressly's face." He presented a photo that showed her nose pushed to one side.
"She was hit so hard that a tooth — root intact — flew to her bedroom floor. Another blow crushed bones in the middle of her face. Another shoved her jaw backward, leaving her brain starved for blood.Injuries like Pressly's require a "high degree" of force — and end with a high degree of mortality." "It was possible that Pressly felt pain even after the attack — even if she couldn't have responded to anyone.
" Pressly's left forearm had an abrasion, consistent with being held tightly, and that her left hand was swollen, blue and broken in five places. Pressly had injuries consistent with being raped."
Defense (Attorney Katherine Street) "Could those injuries have been caused by a medical examination?
Dr. Erickson "It was possible, but it appeared they were inflicted about the time of the attack."
EVIDENCE TAPE: Curtis Vance "I beat Pressly with a piece of wood that I found in her backyard. "I lose control, she lose control."
Detective J.C. White (Little Rock police lead Detective) "Vance not only changed his story with each statement, but also changed his story four different times in his last four-hour video statement."
Defense: "Didn't police steer the interview back to their evidence when Vance's story was inconsistent with their evidence?"
Det. White "We were getting him back on track when he would lie."
Vance said "My car overheated and she offered me water."
"There was no evidence of this or a water glass."
Vance said "There were no dogs."
"There were two."
Vance said "There was nothing but wine in the refrigerator."
"There was no wine at all."
"Of Vance's four statements, the fourth one had some semblance of the truth."
Vance said "There was a dog gate."
"There was a dog gate."
Vance said "I was hungry and looking for food in her pantry."
"Pressly's pantry doors were open." Vance knew that one of the bedrooms in her
home had been converted to a walk-in closet."
Defense "Vance didn't know he was being videotaped." "Detectives misled him by starting and stopping the tape recorder.."
Det. White "We had plenty of notes to corroborate his statement regardless of whether or not it was being videotaped." (In Arkansas, legally, only one party has to know they are being videotaped.)
"Vance initially denied being at Pressly's home, but then said he had been there.
"Vance admitted being at Pressly's home the night she was killed but said he went there
only to steal a laptop computer." "He (Vance) said he saw Pressly sleeping nude in her bed and that he performed a sex act while standing nearby. Vance said that Pressley woke up and started to fight with him and that he thought she might have seen him."
EVIDENCE TAPE: Vance acknowledges going to Pressly's house last year for a burglary but says "I didn't kill that woman."
Detectives ask "how could your DNA could have been found at Pressly's home?
Vance "I had sex with a prostitute earlier that evening in his car and that my dirty laundry was in the back seat. I used a sock as a glove while committing a burglary and surmised that a hair somehow fell onto the sock, then fell off inside Pressly's home."
THE DEFENSE'S CASE:
The Defense Attorneys questioned the police, evidence, and the testing of trace evidence by lab technicians, trying to engender doubt about the handling of the case, and the idea that Vance was confused and pressured by police.
In the processing of evidence, the fingerprints had been tagged twice. The defense went over this
incident repeatedly.
CURTIS VANCE'S MOTHER'S TESTIMONY
Jacqueline Vance Burnett had previously disrupted court saying hello to the judge and then announcing she was Vance's mother in open court. When she tried to re-enter the courtroom she was prohibited from entering.
Burnett testified that she "was a violent parent who had a number of crack-fuelled run-ins with the law, having worked as a prostitute to earn money for drugs. She testified that she had once thrown her son Curtis after a "date" fell through, throwing him into a brick wall several times until he nearly passed out."
A psychiatrist testifies that Curtis Vance showed "signs of paranoia and compared the man's brain to a car with bad wiring."
PROSECUTION REBUTTAL
VERDICT
The jury declared a verdict of GUILTY on four counts, including capital murder.
Patti Cannady "Praise God, praise God."
Cannady stated to the defense attorneys "You protected someone who should have never been protected."
Curtis Vance "It's a corrupted system that's what it is."
Jacqueline Burnett (Vance's mother) yelled when she heard her son is now facing the death penalty.
David Bazzel (Family friend) "Today was justice for Anne, and, it's taken a year to get to it and I know nobody is more grateful than the parent and all of us as friends. After the long process I hope the family can finally get some peace. The justice system works and we hope that the remainder will as well, and he gets what he deserves. The hardest part of the trial was having to hear the details of Pressley's last moments. It was sort of surreal and I don't think even the death penalty will be enough."
SENTENCING
The jury determined that Curtis Lavelle Vance should be sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole. Vance was also sentenced to life for a separate rape, 20 years for burglary and 10 years for theft.
Mitigating circumstances" Vance's childhood events influenced the decision.
Aggravating circumstances "the cruelty in the crime and a previous violent crime(s).
Guy Cannady "There really aren't any winners tonight. Not until he gets carried out of Tucker Max in a coffin." "Nothing that's been done here tonight will bring Anne back."
"We placed our faith and trust in these twelve jurors, and tonight they have come back with a sentence -- a sentence which they believe, and we share with them, was the harshest possible sentence for this gentleman going forward. He will now spend the rest of his natural life in a 6-by-9 cell with nothing to think about but what he has done."
Reporter "Were you disappointed Vance did not receive the death penalty?"
Guy Cannady "No."
Re: SUSAN LUCILLE WRIGHT - BEHIND PRISON WALLS
November 13, 2009 by patsystone
infiniti, I merely post what's been reported in the news or from court documents that I find posted online. I try to find information from the medical examiner's testimony if possible or testimony from the trial.
Jeff's reputation wasn't crystal clean, but neither is hers. My commentary about Susan's ad was my opinion and snarking about her claims in her ad.
I respect your knowledge about domestic violence from your personal experience and point of view. And, it's understandable that people have breaks and behave in ways they wouldn't otherwise under violent or threatening stress and trauma.
Having also experienced domestic violence at the hands of a drink/drug abuser I seized the first opportunity open to me and left so that our marriage wasn't of long duration. Never once did I ever think about killing him despite his violence, threats etc. Each person acts according to their own morality, the stresses and/or violence put upon them.
EDITED TO ADD:
http://cmm.lefora.com/2009/01/01/jeff-wright-susan-wright-the-brutal-torture-murder-2/page1/
The Medical Examiner testified that Jeffrey Wright had been cut from head to toe. The tip of a knife was found buried in his skull. There were so many stab cuts that many overlapped each other. The Medical Examiner testified that Jeff Wright was stabbed more than 200 times. He had been stabbed 46 times in the chest, 23 times in the neck, 22 times in the stomach and seven times in the groin area. He had one significant stab wound in the back of one shoulder. There were also abrasions on the skin from his body being dragged.
The ME testified that the autospy did show that Jeff had ingested and was high on cocaine at the time of his death and that the stabbings had continued after Jeffrey Wright was already dead. He testified that each of the injuries inflicted would not have by themselves caused death instantly. Nor was there indication that Jeff had lost consciousness during the ordeal.
Thus Jeff Wright would have suffered a slow, painful and lingering death as he bled to death, unable to defend himself.
Re: Hi!
November 7, 2009 by patsystone
For those of you who are interested and wondered why I would start a crime forum, it's simple. I've been interested in the legal system, how it works, crime, why people commit crimes for a long time. But it goes deeper than that.
A close friend's father was murdered. It was a brutal murder.
Our friend's father and his wife had traded babysitting services with my parents when we were all babies and toddlers.
A punk renting a tiny house on a small patch of land from our friend's father, wasn't bothering to pay his rent. He'd been told the day before that he was going to have to vacate the premises.
The punk thought that if he killed him, he'd be able to keep the property.
What he didn't seem to grasp was that the property our friend owned, had been long ago signed over to his grandson. Even if he hadn't signed it over to a family member, his children would never have allowed the punk to keep it or stay on it. The oldest son was aware of the impending eviction.
Our friend was a bit frail, having suffered from multiple medical issues and was pretty much confined to a hospital bed in his home. But he fought hard for his life.
The inside of his home was a horrible sight. But even that paled beside what was done to him. He just wouldn't die. So the punk got tired of beating him and strangled him with a lamp cord.
The family would have preferred the death penalty. The punk is serving the rest of his life in a prison, that to many inmates, living there is worse than death. The family prefers him in prison, in Angola, Louisiana, existing there versus walking the streets after a few years.
In many cases the family, the victims, are forgotten, unless you are a member of the family, or a friend, or someone who lives close to where the case occurred.
And yet everyone seems to know the perp's name.
So on CMM, I decided to put the victim's names first. To highlight not only well known cases in the media, but other cases that may not have garnered a lot of national media.
Like others, I never thought that such a horrible crime would occur to anyone I knew personally.
Each life taken, each crime committed, affects not only the victim, and their families, but many, many others around them. Friends, acquaintances, society, the town, city, county, parish, or state.
Even, the nation.
Crime of any sort touches each of us in some way.
Re: NOOR FALEH ALMALEKI DIES - FATHER'S CHARGES TO BE UPGRADED TO MURDER
November 6, 2009 by patsystone
Unfortunately, for the many girls like Noor, out there with a father, brother, uncle, or indeed an entire family of the mindset that Noor's father exhibits, the fact that Almaleki will receive justice in our legal system won't stop the others from continuing to force their daughters, nieces, into unwanted marriages, or to kill them for perceived "honor" slights.
Re: WELCOME TO THE FORUM
November 6, 2009 by patsystone
Thank you, welcome & Cheers to you looloopoo!
NOOR FALEH ALMALEKI DIES - FATHER'S CHARGES TO BE UPGRADED TO MURDER
November 3, 2009 by patsystone
2009 - 2 November - Monday - Noor Faleh Almaleki, age 20, has died.
Photo: Noor Faleh Almaleki
Why did Noor die? Because of her father's anger. For enjoying the very freedoms her father moved his family here to enjoy...correction, for him to enjoy, and his family to continue to adhere to his version of traditional Iraqi values.
Mid-1990's - Faleh Hassan Almaleki moves his family from Iraq to the Glendale, Arizona area.
ATTEMPTED MURDER
2009 - 20 October - Tuesday - Phoenix, Arizona - Noor Faleh Almaleki (20) is walking with a
friend, Amal Edan Khalaf (43), when her father, Faleh Hassan
Almaleki aims his Jeep Cherokee at the his daughtetr and crashes
the vehicle into both women.
The women are rushed to the hospital, Noor with life threatening
injuries, Amal Khalaf with non-life threatening injuries.
Noor remains in critical condition.
Family members claim that Falah Almaleki is upset that his daughter is becoming too
"Westernized" and not living according to "his" traditional Iraqi values.
2009 - 30 October - Faleh Hassan Almaleki is arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, after having flown
to Britain where he was turned away by authorities (who denied him entrance
into the country) and is sent back to the U.S.
MURDER
2009 - 2 November - Monday - Noor Faleh Almaleki (20) dies from injuries incurred October
20, 2009, when her father, Faleh Hassan Almaleki drove his
vehicle at her and a friend.
Charges will be upgraded to murder.
Photo: Faleh Hassan Almaleki
UPDATE: 5 November 2009 - Almaleki has been placed on suicide watch.
I doubt it's because of Noor's death, but because he's been jailed, and because of the charges.
ANNE PRESSLY - CURTIS VANCE - TRIAL & CONVICTION
November 3, 2009 by patsystone
2009 - 2 November - Monday - Curtis Lavelle Vance has pled Not Guilty to: Burglary, Rape, and Capital Murder in the slaying of Little Rock, Arkansas TV anchorwoman, Anne Pressly.
12 jurors and 2 alternates are chosen for the trial.
OPENING ARGUMENTS
Prosecution: "DNA evidence will provide all the proof necessary to convince them (the jury) that Vance is guilty and also linked to another brutal rape."
Defense: "Vance was arrested only because police were under pressure to arrest someone in connection with Pressly's death. Vance was tricked into giving up his DNA to police and into giving them three conflicting confessions."
WITNESS TESTIMONY
ANNE PRESSLY'S MOTHER:
Patty Cannady "I used to call at 3 A.M. to make sure Anne was awake for work. October 20, 2008, I'd called repeatedly, with no answer. I rushed to Anne's house.
"It was horrific." "I absolutely could not take the scene in. I could not imagine what I was seeing when I found my daughter."
"I found the back door wide open, and inside, Anne was lying in a fetal position on her bed gasping for breath in a pool of blood. "It was Anne, but she was so swollen and her hair was completely matted with blood, she was beaten beyond recognition." "There was blood on the ceiling. That's how horrific her attack was." "I tried to stop her bleeding with towels from the bathroom."
Five days after the attack, Anne's brain stem ruptured and she died.
Patty Cannady "What kind of monster are you that would take the life of an innocent child?" Patti Cannady asked. "What fills you with rage and hatred and no respect for human life? Why did you have to hurt my child and take her life?"
Little Rock Police Department's Crime Scene Search Unit:
Stuart Bartlett (Technician) - "describes bloody sheets and towels taken from Pressly's home and
speaks of a "possible tooth" plus hair and a bathrobe. Photographs of the items are shown. Blood spatters were above the bed's headboard and on the ceiling and nightstand."
Defense cross examination - Queries Bartlett about the method used in gathering fingerprints at the house.
Stan Wilhite (Technician) - Wilhite testifies regarding "prints at the Pressly home. He was also called to MacArthur Park 2 -3 days later to collect a paper bag believed to have bloodstains on it.
The unit processed the black Chevy Monte Carlo driven by Vance at the time, removing the seats, etc., and vacuuming for evidence."
Marianna Arkansas Biology Teacher:
Kristen Edwards - April 21, 2008, Edwards was raped by a stranger in her home.
Kristen Edwards "I had just gotten out of the shower that Monday morning before school and was walking through my living room when a man came up behind me and put his hand over my mouth. "He said 'I have a gun, don't do anything, don't look at me, or I'll kill you."
"The man was angry and loud and pushed me onto my couch face down, where he raped me, saying over and over again that he would kill me if I looked at him and "I know your house."
"After the rape, he put my purse in front of me and demanded my money. I gave him all the money in the purse -- $3 -- and he asked for my ATM card. I said I was between paydays and didn't know how much was in my account, which made him even louder and angrier."
"The attacker then pushed me out my back door onto an enclosed back porch and locked me there. When I heard my front door slam, I ran to a neighbors home, but no one was there. I returned to my house through the front door to get my keys and saw that my phone and its charger and a DVD were gone. I drove to the home of two fellow teachers and called police. I was transported to a Forrest City hospital, where a rape kit was taken and I was given medication."
"My car had been broken into two weeks earlier and a GPS unit that I thought contained a house key had been stolen."
Defense "Did your attacker ever strike you?
Kristen Edwards "no."
Deputy Prosecutor John Johnson "Why do you think that was?"
Kristen Edwards "It was because I am "100 percent compliant." If I hadn't been, I would be dead."
Arkansas State Crime Lab Technicians:
Krista Hall, (Serologist), Mary Simonson (Forensic DNA examiner)- testified regarding "the testing of fluids recovered during a rape examination of Kirsten Edwards. The tests revealed her assailant's DNA profile. That profile eventually made a "high stringency hit" with the DNA profile of the assailant in the Pressly case. Curtis Vance submitted oral swabs to police and during testing the DNA of Curtis Vance was linked to both the rape of Kirsten Edwards, and DNA found at the Pressly scene to a certainty of one in billions."
Lisa Channell (Chief Criminalist for the Crime Lab) testified about "hair evidence, and the efforts to isolate a DNA sample from items found at the crime scene and swabs collected during a rape examination of Anne Pressly."
"Hairs and hair fragments were collected from Anne Pressly's bathrobe, pillowcase, and bed linens. When compared to hairs collected from Curtis Vance, some of the hairs recovered at the scene were "microscopically similar" to Vance's hair."
Defense Cross examination - Lisa Channell "We cannot say this hair came from this person to the exclusion of all others."
Prosecution - Lisa Channell "If I was allowed to take a sample of hair from everyone in the courtroom and microscopically examine it, I could determine whose head it came from."
Lisa Channell testified regarding the processing of evidence collected from the 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owned by Curtis Vance. "Foam from seat cushions, the results of a floor vaccuuming and fabric swatches from the seats."
Lisa Channell "I was not able to detect blood or semen on any of these items."
Defense - "Would blood or semen linger on such items?
Deputy Prosecutor John Johnson responds "The testing of the items taken from Vance's car was done almost two months after the murder."
Prosecution - "Would soap and water dilute a forensic sample to the point of it being undetectable?
Lisa Channell "Yes, it could.
Prosecution "Would a car-wash vacuum pick up the same evidence as those used by investigators?"
Lisa Channell "Yes, it it would."
Melissa Myhand (Crime Lab's chief forensic DNA examiner) - testified regarding the results of various "tape lifts" taken at the crime scene which revealed a mixture of DNA profiles.
Melissa Myhand "A single hair found on Pressly's bed -- a hair designated "E-4" in forensic reports -- was a match for the DNA profile of Curtis Vance, to a certainty of 1 in 1.5 quadrillion."
Mary Robinette (Arkansas Crime Lab DNA Expert) testified that "Y-STR DNA samples taken from Pressly's bed sheets and from materials in the rape kit taken by police were consistent with the DNA profile of Curtis Vance. Y-STR DNA targets male chromosomes in mixed samples."
Defense Attorney, Katherine Streett "I thought Robinette's testimony was confusing."
Streett tries to cast doubt on the Y-STR DNA results. "Although the Y-STR DNA matched Vance's DNA profile, it did not positively identify Vance. The DNA could have come from any male in Vance's lineage, ranging back for generations."
Katherine Streett "Does any of your testing positively identify Curtis Vance?"
Mary Robinette "no."
Prosecution "But is it consistent with his DNA profile?"
Mary Robinette "Yes."
Defense: Queries Simonson about possible cross-contamination of evidence while it is being reviewed at the Crime Lab.
Simonson "In addition to having their results "peer reviewed" -- double-checked by other DNA investigators -- specialists are required to run control samples during testing to assure that there's no contamination."
HOSPITAL STAFF:
Carla Jackson, (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) "I examined Pressly for signs of rape as doctors worked to stabilize her. Anne Pressly's face and scalp bore signs of "massive trauma." "There was a half-centimeter tear to the skin between Pressly's vagina and anus, which can be indicitive that a forcible rape has occurred."
Defense: Queries Carla Jackson over the fact that she couldn't remember if she'd used one swab or two to collect evidence from Anne Pressly's body.
Theresa McBride (St. Vincent Infirmary ER Doctor, taught emergency medicine at UAMS) "I was surprised that Anne Pressly even made it to the hospital. When I first saw her, Anne Pressly was "laying in a pool of blood on the gurney... She did not have a recognizable human face."
"When I tried to put a tube down Pressly's throat to help her breathe, I found that the bones in her face were so shattered that they moved under the skin. Her hair was matted with blood to the point that I first took her to be a redhead. Her nose was crushed beyond recognition. What I first took to be a laceration to her neck was actually her dislocated jaw, which had collapsed down onto her throat."
Defense: "Dr. McBride, you are a Doctor of Osteopathy, not an M.D."
Theresea McBride "The D.O. and the M.D. degrees are recognized by medical licensing bodies as "equivalent degrees."
EVIDENCE:
An audio recording of a Little Rock Police interview between detectives and Curtis Vance (taken in Marianna, Arkansas while detectives were present investigating leads in the Pressly murder) was played to the jurors.
Curtis Vance denies that he was in Little Rock on Oct. 20, 2008, and says "I have never had sex with anyone from Little Rock."
HONORA PARKER/RIEPER - PAULINE PARKER - JULIET HULME - THE MURDER OF HONORA PARKER/RIEPER
October 26, 2009 by patsystone
A BUDDING FRIENDSHIP
1952 - In the middle of the year - Pauline Parker strikes up a friendship with Juliet Mason Hulme,
the daughter of Dr. Henry Hulme (English physicist) and Hilda Hulme. Juliet had been
diagnosed as a child with tuberculosis. As part of her treatment, she was sent to the
Carribean and South Africa.
When Dr. Hulme took up the position as Rector of the University of Canterbury (New
Zealand), Juliet rejoins her family. She is 13.
Photo: Dr. Henry Hulme Photo: Hilda Hulme
Photo: Juliet Hulme Photo: Pauline Parker
Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme become acquainted. Over the next year their relationship
deepens into an "intense devotion" to one another.
Photo: Juliet Hulme 1953
A FANTASY LIFE
Justice Adams "They kept very much to themselves, scribbled in exercise books effusions
which they called novels, spent a good deal of time in each other's beds, and made plans
for their future life together."
Candace DeLong (Former FBI profiler) "Juliet's fantasy life was more intensive, and more satisfying to her than reality."
Both girls lie to their parents. They conduct nocturnal forays. They shoplift from Woolworths
(store). They assumed the persona of characters they write about, and write to each other,
using those personas. Mrs. Hulme was concerned because at times Juliet is so wrapped up in
her characters that she only reluctantly answers to her name, resenting being called back to
reality. When not with Juliet, Pauline has become moody, easy to anger. She's reclusive. Both
girls write a lot. When not together they're on the telephone until told to clear the line by their
parents.
Pauline is keeping a diary.
Both girls have been planning to go to America and sell their novels. They'd been trying by various means to obtain the money for their fares.
A MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS
Henry Hulme and his wife's marriage is unstable. She has fallen in love with Walter Andrew
Bowman Perry, who testified at the trial that he and Mrs. Hulme had been upfront and honest
with Mr. Hulme about their feelings for each other.
MORE THAN FRIENDSHIP - AN OBSESSION
Justice Adams "Mrs. Parker became perturbed over their unhealthy relationship and tried to break it up. This interference was resented by the girls, their resentment gradually growing into hatred and eventually into this ghastly crime."
Mr. Herbert Rieper testifies "the relationship between the girls was so intense, Pauline virtually cut her parents out of her life. Dr. Hulme was asked over to the Rieper home to discuss the situation. As a result, Pauline was taken to see. Dr. F.O. Bennett."
1954 - Earlier in this year - Dr. Hulme decides to resign and return to England. Juliet is to
accompany him as far as South Africa.
1954 - about Easter - Mrs. Parker contacts Dr. Hulme again, and he informs her that he would be
leaving New Zealand in three weeks time and taking Juliet with him. Mrs. Parker/Rieper
agrees to allow Pauline to see Juliet as much as she wished until Juliet left.
BREAKING THE NEWS
The Hulmes inform Juliet of their decision. They are separating and she will go to South
Africa to stay with a relative. Juliet is furious. Juliet wants Pauline to go with her, and Pauline
wishes to go with Juliet. Mrs. Parker objects, and refuses to allow it.
Neither Juliet nor Pauline wish to be separated.
Candace DeLong (Former FBI profiler) "She (Pauline) hated her mother. She wanted her gone."
"She didn't have an attachment to her mother."
June 12 - June 20 - Pauline stays with Juliet at her home from 11 AM Friday June 12, to the
afternoon of Sunday June 20. When she returns home, Pauline is friendly and
talkative to her parents.
A FATEFUL DAY
June 22 - Lunchtime - Herbert Rieper goes home for lunch. Juliet Hulme is there. The two girls are
happy and talking. Neither mentions Juliet's leaving. He is in and out of the
shop in the afternoon until he receives a message from Victoria Park. When
he arrives there, neither of the girls is there, having been taken to Juliet's
home.
Herbert Rieper "She (Pauline) began to treat us with disdain, she became moody and easily moved to anger, and kept her thoughts very much to herself.
When asked at trial about Pauline's diary Herbert Rieper replies "We never looked at her diary; we did not think it was honourable to do so."
If they had, they would have found a blueprint for murder, Honora's murder.
Photo: Pauline Parker's Diary entry for June 22 1954
MURDER MOST FOUL
1954 - 22 June - Pauline Parkers diary entry is headed "The day of the Happy Event."
Honora Parker/Rieper accompanies Juliet and Pauline on a walk in Victoria Park.
On an isolated path Juliet walks ahead and drops an ornamental stone. She draws
attention to it and Mrs. Parker/Rieper leans down to retrieve it. Pauline pulls out
a stocking wrapped half brick from her bag. The girls have presumed that one
blow from it would do the deed. Pauline begins battering her mother. Juliet also
takes part in the bludgeoning.
It takes 45 frenzied blows to kill Honora Parker/Rieper.
Honra Parker/Rieper lies dead upon the path.
Photo: Crime scene - the path.
Dr. James Bennett (Historian) "This was a particularly brutal crime." "It would take a lot of blows - the respiratory centers of the brain woujld be altered."
THE PLAN IS CARRIED OUT
3:30 PM The girls run to the tea rooms gasping "Please help us. Mummy has been hurt - covered with blood." After someone is sent to find Mrs. Parker/Rieper, the girls are taken home.
Photo: the Tea rooms
A fe moments later, Honora Parker is found with her head battered. Due to the woman's condition, Police are called in.
3:50 PM Sergeant Robert William Hope receives a message at the Central police station of an
accident and a woman being hurt.
4:20 PM Sergeant Hope and Constable Molyneux arrive on scene. Dr. Walker advises them not to
allow anyone to touch the body. Half a brick wrapped in a woman's stocking was lying 15
inches from her head. One shoe lies near her body. A sweater lies under one arm.
5:15 PM Dr. Walker accompanies Detective Sergeant Tate, Detective Gillies, and Constable
Griffiths of the women's police to the body.
EXAMINATION & POSTMORTEM
Dr. Colin Thomas Bushby Pearson (Pathologist) - examines Honora Parker/Rieper lying on the path.
The next day he conducts a post mortem examination. He concludes the cause of death
is "shock associated with multiple injuries to the head and fractures of the skull."
"A total of 45 discernible injuries. The lacerated wounds in her head could have been inflicted with a blunt instrument. It would have had to be wielded with considerable force. The crushing fractures
of the skull indicated that the woman's head was immobile on the ground when the blows were struck. If the half brick produced was contained in a stocking, it would be capable of inflicting the wounds. The bruises on the neck indicated that the woman had been forcibly held by the throat, but there was no indication of throttling."
The brick showed bloodstains. The foot of a stocking had hairs on it which were the same in texture of those taken from the hair of the dead woman. The stocking was bloodstained and knotted near the ankle.
There was a stream of blood had flowed down the hill and congealed. Her lower denture was lying near her jaw. Her stockings were mud stained with perhaps some blood stains. Both arms were mud and blood stained.
INVESTIGATION
Juliet and Pauline are at Juliet's parent's home. Mrs. Hulme is giving the girls a bath.
Their bloodied clothing is lying on the floor outside of the bath. Mr. Walter Andrew
Bowman Perry takes the clothing to the laundry, where he later directs police to the
clothing.
PAULINE'S STORY
Walter Andrew Bowman Perry "She (Pauline) said that her mother had fallen and hit her head on a stone. She told me that her mother had hit her head repeatedly on the stone and demonstrated how she did it. I asked her what the stone was like and she said she thought it was half a brick. When I asked if her mother had had a fit, she said she did not know. She became very distressed. I asked her if she had quarrelled with her mother and had been defending herself from a blow, but she replied: Oh, no. My mother has never hit me. They had tried to pick mother up Pauline said, but had dropped her and thought that they might have hurt her more then." "They felt for heart beats but could not feel any so they ran for help to the kiosk she told me."
Photo: Walter Perry
JULIET'S STORY
What kind of statement did the girl Hulme give of the incident?
Walter Perry "A very similar one to that given by Pauline." "I felt there was more that could be told."
Detectives tell him details and that it must be murder. Perry is allowed to question Juliet.
Walter Perry "I said she must tell the truth, it could not have been an accident, and there was far more to it. After a few minutes she broke down and told me the story told later to Detective Tate."
The Detectives enter the room, and Dr. Hulme and Walter Perry are present when Juliet Hulme's first statement to police is made. The next morning Senior Detective Brown arrives and Walter Perry is present when Det. Brown tells Juliet "the information I have received was that Juliet had been present when the alleged accident happened." Juliet had said in her statement the previous night that "she was not present."
Senior Det. Brown "Before the meeting with Juliet, I had a talk with Dr. Hulme. After hearing the girl's story he asked her "Are you telling the truth? We have reason to believe you were not there when the fatality occurred." She seemed to hesitate and Mr. Perry said "would you men mind if I had a talk with her on my own? We thought this was a good suggestion and we left the room. Later she gave a statement to Detective Sergeant Tate."
We went to the girl Parker's room and I said "We have reason to believe Juliet was not with you
when the fatality occurred." She was taken aback. I then said to her "You are suspected of having murdered your mother. You need not say anything, as anything you may say may be taken down in writing and used in evidence against you." She did not reply. I then asked her to tell me what happened. Parker said "no, you ask me questions."
"Juliet was anxious to know what the girl Parker had said. He told her that Pauline Parker had said that if the two of them were allowed to get together and discuss it, Juliet Hulme would say anything she said."
The question and answer session with Pauline Parker is admitted into evidence.
Sergeant Detective McDonald Brown "She (Pauline) told us that she and her mother and the girl Hulme had been to Victoria Park. After afternoon tea at the kiosk they walked down the path to the end of it and were returning. The girl Hulme was leading, she came next and her mother followed about a foot behind. Her mother seemed to slip and fall and her head seemed to toss up and down hitting the stones."
She added "I saw half a brick there." Her mother made some sounds, but she did not know what her mother said." "They then ran to the kiosk and told the people there that her mother was dead." Detective Sgt. Tate asked "How did you know she was dead?" And she replied: The blood.
There was a lot of it. When I asked if she had seen a stocking there she seemed to be taken aback.
Then she said "we did not take mother's stockings off. I was wearing sockettes. Then she added:
I had a stocking in my bag. We wiped blood with it."
ARREST
Pauline Yvonne Parker (16), and Juliet Marion Hulme (15 years 10 months) are charged with the murder of Honora Parker/Rieper.
Photo: Pauline Parker arrest photo
TRIAL
1954 - August 29 -
Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme pled Not Guilty. Witnesses and police testify. Evidence is
presented. The diary of Pauline Parker is presented.
Photo: Pauline Parker (left) Juliet Hulme (right)
The court prosecutor called the crime a "coldly, callously-planned murder committed by two highly intelligent and sane but precocious and dirty-minded little girls."
INSANITY DEFENSE
The counsel for both girls hang their defense upon insanity and present psychiatrists to prove their point.
Dr. Bennett testifying for the Defense "The girls suffer from paranoia, delusions of grandeur, and
delusions of ecstasy. Each affects the other and aggravates the progress of the disease."
They are a couple of homosexual paranoics of the elated type. Obeying the law was an intellectual thing, but emotion was more persuasive than intellect. The girls thought they were morally right, or at least not wrong; that by killing Mrs. Parker they were transferring an unhappy woman to heaven and also preserving the integrity of their own association."
Photo: Juliet Hulme (left) Pauline Parker (right)
Dr. Kenneth Robert Stallworthy (Psychiatrist) is one of three called who rebutted the defense's claim that the girls were insane. "Both were sane." At the time of the death of Mrs. Parker they knew the nature of right and wrong."
VERDICT
The jury does not buy into the defense claim that the girls were insane. They deem them GUILTY.
SENTENCING
Newspaper Reports "Parker, standing on the far side of the dock from the jury box looked impassively ahead. Hulme however, scanned the faces of the jury, and for a moment perhaps, there was a touch of anxiety in her expression. A smile playing around her lips disappeared. She turned to the front and looked straight ahead."
"Each prisoner was asked if she had anything to say but neither responded. Instead their counsel said there was nothing they could add to the evidence of the court. The prisoners, who were showing no signs of emotion were then sentenced."
Justice Adams "You both being held to be under the age of 18, the sentence of the court is detention at her Majesty's pleasure. That sentence is passed upon each of you."
Under New Zealand law at the time, both Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme were under the age of 18 and were excluded from being considered for the death penalty. The sentence meant that they were to be detained (indefinitely) at the discretion of the Minister of Justice.
Newspaper Reports "As the girls left the court Parker stared straight ahead. Hulme looked to the side, but her mother, Mrs. Hulme apparently did not see her. Mrs. Hulme's eyes were closed."
Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme were detained by order of the Executive Council in separate penal institutions.
RELEASE FROM PRISON
5 (five) years later both Parker and Hulme are released separately.
A condition of their release is that they are never to meet or contact each other again.
1994 - A film and a play is made of the case called "Heavenly Creatures" - Heavenly Creatures is
a reference to themselves from the verse of a poem penned by Pauline Parker.
Juliet Hulme objects to the portrayal of her and Pauline Parker as lesbians.
WHAT HAPPENED TO PARKER & HULME?
1997 - Excerpt: London Daily Mail, Jan. 6, 1997 (p. 17)
"A woman who killed her mother in a crime that shocked the world has been living
in an English village for more than 30 years. Pauline Parker was one of two teenage friends
sentenced to 5 years in jail for the murder in New Zealand, which was depicted in the 1995 film
Heavenly Creatures, starring Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey."
"Parker, 57, was freed from prison after serving six years of her sentence. She studied at
Auckland University, graduating with a BA before training as a librarian and moving to Britain
in 1965. She settled in Kent, retrained as a teacher, and taught mentally handicapped children at
Abbey Court special school in Strood until her retirement three years ago, by which time she had
become deputy headmistress. She is now running a children's riding school at Hoo, near
Rochester, Kent, under the name of Hilary Nathan is a reclusive, devout woman who attends a
local Roman Catholic church every day without fail. Before retiring two years ago to run the
riding school, Miss Nathan was deputy Headmistress at Abbey Court School for children with
special needs in nearby Strood."
Photo: Hilary Nathan (Pauline Parker)
Pauline's sister Wendy (New Zealand) "She has led a good life and is very remorseful for
what she's done. She committed the most terrible crime and has spent 40 years repaying it by
keeping away from people and doing her own little thing." "She has never spoken to me about
the details of the way she took our mother's life. Well it was absolutely overboard, wasn't it?
The story is: they met, they were ill-fated and they committed a dreadful crime."
Juliet Hulme - "After her release, Juliet was whisked away to England by her family. She later
became a flight attendant. At one point Juliet lived in the United States, where she joined The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.(Mormons). Juliet then settled in Scotland, living with her mother in the village of Portmahomack.
Photo: Julie Hulme
Dr. Hulme had a distinguished scientific career, heading the British hydrogen bomb programme."
Juliet assumes the surname of her stepfather, Walter Perry and becomes "Anne Perry."
The author "Anne Perry" who writes historical murder mysteries and detective fiction.
Photo: Anne Perry (author) (Juliet Hulme)
1979 - "Anne Perry" releases her first novel "The Cater Street Hangman." Perry writes historical
murder mysteries and detective fiction.
Perry has had no contact with Pauline Parker aka Hilary Nathan and indeed was taken
aback at learning she was in England.
Anne Perry "I have tried to forget what happened and as a mature woman, believe I have long since paid my dues."
HEATHER ALLEN STRUBE - JOANNA HAYES ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF HEATHER ALLEN STRUBE
October 25, 2009 by patsystone
2007 - A friend "Steven has a conviction for a charge brought against him in 2007 by one of
his best friends for making terroristic threats."
HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS
High school sweethearts Heather Allen and Steven Strube are dating.
Strube's mother Joanna isn't thrilled and discourages her son.
kris10 "Heather had confided in me that Joanna hated her when she and Steven first got together and tried to forbid Steven to date her. (They were highschool sweethearts.)"
MARRIAGE
Heather Allen marries Steven Strube in a ceremony officiated by her grandfather, an ordained
minister.
Buddy Allen "Heather was a stickler for things being right. There was a marriage certificate, there was a wedding (I wrote a song to sing to her at the reception), and Heather's grandfather was the officiant (an ordained minister for 50 years)."
A friend "Heather was a special kind of person, you don't meet too many people in this life that are truly self-less and who embody words like love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.... she did."
A HAPPY OCCASION
Heather has a difficult pregnancy
A son, Carson is born to Heather & Steven Strube
Photo: Heather, Carson and Steven Strube
kris10 "Heather was the MOST beautiful soul anyone could ever know. She was generous and kind and gentle and intuitive and understanding. She touched my life in so many ways and I will miss her greatly."
BLOOMS
Heather owns a flower shop in Porterdale. Both Steven and his mother Joanna hang
around the shop and at times help out when the shop is busy with sales.
After becoming unemployed, Steven is there almost every day.
INFIDELITY
Steven Strube finds marriage constricting. He engages in an affair with a new girlfriend.
Angeleyes14 "Steven Strube told many people he was never married to Heather; especially those who did not know Heather and her family. I think he did this because rather than looking like he was having an affair he wanted his girlfriend and her whole side of this story to think that he was never married to Heather. People who knew Steven in the past years (which are several) were told by Steven he was never married to Heather, that she was an ex-girlfriend he happened to have a child with."
A friend "Steven is a very good liar, very calm and cool about it, (got that from his mother) he was involved in an affair for almost as long as he was married, all the while seeking spirital counseling through several churches trying to understand what their issues were."
kris10 "Heather's pregnancy with Carson was very difficult. She was sick almost the entire time and it really took a toll on her and their marriage. I really believe that this was when the cheating started. Our friends figured it out much earlier than Heather did, she loved him dearly and was devastated that he could do such a thing. She talked to me more than once about how crazy Steven and his family were being during the divorce. She definitly felt that she was in danger."
Heather Allen Strube finds out about her husband's affair. Although heartbroken, Heather
decides to move on with her life and files for divorce. She and Steven sign a document giving
her custody of their son Carson.
Despite this, Heather tells family and friends that she is afraid of Steven...and his family.
Another friend "I spent an evening with Heather last fall to catch up. She shared with me some of the horrific details of the pending divorce. Heather told me that she was scared of Steven. I was good friends with Heather and Steven for many years and knew both of them before they met each
they met each other."
"All of this talk about Heather being such a sweet angel is highly understated. Words cannot encapsulate just how loving and bubbly she was all the time. As my heart broke last fall during our evening together, she still had a sparkle in her eye and a hopeful attitude. She concentrated on the positive in her life. I was blown away by such a bright outlook. Still am really."
BLOOMS
Heather fears financial ruin from her divorce with Steven. She closes her flower shop
"Blooms" and goes to work for her mother Mary Allen at her flower shop.
A CONTENTIOUS DIVORCE & CUSTODY
The Target parking lot on Scenic highway (Snellville) becomes a routine spot
for Heather to bring Carson to, or pick up from his father Steven for visitation.
Mary Allen "The shopping center was a routine drop-off spot for the couple. Heather chose the spot because it was a public place monitored by security cameras. She was concerned for her safety becuase of the contentious divorce she was going through."
MURDER
2009 - Sunday - 6 P.M - Heather meets Steven to pick up Carson.
Photo: Heather & Carson Strube
Steven hands over Carson and takes off in his vehicle.
As Heather buckles Carson into his car seat, a person wearing a wig and a
fake moustache approaches Heather.
They argue for a few moments. Heather attempts to get into her vehicle
and calls out for help.
The person shoots Heather in the head, in front of Carson, in his car seat.
The person walks calmly away.
Carson is found holding his mother's cell phone in his hands.
Heather Allen Strube (25) is taken to the hospital.
Heather is pronounced deceased.
INVESTIGATION
Witness Kouidri "He walked past us and he had like a laptop bag holding it like this and he had the gun inside of it folded in half. I was actually scared he was coming towards me and my boyfriend, like we jumped into the truck and drove off."
Witnesses tell police "after Heather buckled her 18-month-old son into his car seat, a person wearing a wig and a fake mustache approached her. The two argued for a short time, and the unidentified person shot Heather in the head."
A local woman (who wants to be a police sketch artist) creates a sketch of the wigged and
moustached perpetrator and provides it to police to aid them.
CRIME SCENE VIDEO & EVIDENCE
Video - detective describes the crime. Video of the suspect shown walking into and out of the parking lot
Crime scene photos - WSB Atlanta
Investigators review store surveillance video of a person wearing what witnesses
described as a wig and a fake moustache.
Steven Strube is seen in surveillance videos leaving the parking lot right before Heather
Strube is appoached by the strange figure in the black wig and mustache.
Police inform Steven Strube. He shows shock when he is informed of Heather's murder.
PROBATION VIOLATION
Steven Strube is on probation for Felony Theft by taking. His bail is revoked for
probation violation. (Inmate 982591)
RULED OUT AS SUSPECT
Investigators rule out Steven Strube and his girlfriend as suspects.
Steven Strube doesn't believe his mother is guilty.
CUSTODY
2009 - April - Rockdale County judge issues a temporary protective order barring Steven
Strube from contacting Carson or his grandparents, Buddy & Mary Allen while he is in their
care.
2009 - July - The Custody of Carson Strube is postponed. Steven Strube did not attend court
due to incarceration. He also fails to produce certain court documents. The court
issues a direct order that he do so.
Steven Strube is awarded a single 2 hour visit with Carson -- under the supervision of a Deputy
Sheriff.
2009 - 10 August - Joanna Hayes drives a white pickup truck similar to one that was seen idling in
the Target shopping center where Heather Strube was killed.
26 August - Buddy & Mary Allen retain custody of Carson Strube until such time as a
custody trial is scheduled.
Phyllis Miller (Attorney) "My clients believe that Carson and custody were
probably a factor in Joanna's decision to murder Heather."
August - Law Enforcement names Steven Strube's mother, Heather's mother in law,
Joanna Hayes as "a person of interest." She has been interviewed twice
and is unco-operative.
INDICTMENT & ARREST
2009 - October 22 - Joanna Hayes is charged with "Malice Murder, Felony Murder,
Aggravated Assault and possession of a firearm during the
commission of a Felony."
Photo: Joanna Hayes mug shot
GBI assist Roy Whitehead (Snellville Police Chief) and Meriwether County Sheriff's Dept. in
arresting Joanna Hayes. She is transferred to Gwinnet County jail and held without bond.
INTERVIEW FROM JAIL Video at link
Photo: Joanna Hayes
Steven Strube has stated (through his attorney) that he "disagrees with the assessment that custody is at the center of the murder." He also doesn't believe that his mother committed the crime.
