How many times have you heard or read about a body being found by a dog walker? It happens many a time. Yet this tale is how a brutal killer was caught despite him killing the dog as well. It was in 1996, in Los Angeles County, when somebody drained a cesspit on some property they acquired. They found skeletal remains. Police brought in a forensic archaeologist to carefully excavate the bones. The archaeologist thought she had uncovered another body, possibly a baby, but it was soon discovered to be the bones of a dog. They found a strange and small frame with two wheels on. This was a walking frame for a dog with problems with it`s back legs. A vet identified the breed of dog, through the bones, and what problems it had with it`s legs. A search of all veterinary clinics found one whom had kept all records, plus she had personally treated the dog. The dog was named Willie, and his owner was Barbara Weston.
Detectives canvassed the area and people remembered both Barbara and Willie. They also remembered her relationship with a man called Stephen Swann. This was back in 1993. Barbara had suffered blunt force trauma to the head and Willie had been strangled with wire. Swann was later charged with murder and convicted, sentenced to 16 years to life, in May 1997. Swann killed Willie because he could not be seen without Barbara and people would have asked questions. Swann thought he had disposed of any trace of Barbara and Willie, not counting on Willie`s disability helping to identify himself, and therefore, Barbara. This dog helped bring his and his owner`s killer to justice from beyond the grave.
Thursday, 20 February 2014
How Many Times Do You Have To Be Convicted?
Another recent case here in Bradford involved a serial flasher named Smith. He hailed from Lancashire and what he did was to catch a train to Bradford, taking his bicycle with him. He spent time cycling around and was in the Barkerend area, when he spotted a very young girl and he exposed himself to her. She immediately raised the alarm and Smith was pursued by a number of neighbours. They caught him and gave him a beating, then handed him over to Police. Smith, 56, was given a four year prison sentence. Then it was revealed that Smith had 108 convictions for sexual offences, meaning flashing. How do you accumulate that many convictions for this type of offence without a air raid warning siren going off? It showed that this man had a very serious deviancy that could have escalated to greater heights. Obviously, we must try to understand. He cannot help himself. Try telling that to young girls` parents!
Sutcliffe - What Else Has He Done?
Recently, a former cop came out with a belief that Peter Sutcliffe had committed more murders than he was made accountable for. Chris Clark, formerly with Norfolk police, has carried much research into unsolved attacks and murders, bearing some resemblance or MO to Sutcliffe. Naturally, he has come in for criticism for saying such things, as the Ripper saga will always be a nasty can of worms waiting to be opened. The attacks Sutcliffe carried out were all in the North, West Yorkshire and one in Manchester. Yet, one point about Sutcliffe that could justify the claims of Mr Clark, is that he was a lorry driver, and we know they travel all over the country. Why is it not feasible that he carried on elsewhere? His journeys would give him the opportunity. And another important point would be that "The Ripper only attacks in the North" mentality that could have existed with some cops. Really? And when did Sutcliffe start his attacks? What about the positive ID by a taxi driver brutally battered with a hammer by a passenger he was carrying? The attack was in 1967, and after Sutcliffe`s arrest in 1981, the victim was shown photofits of suspects plus two arrest photos of Sutcliffe. One taken in 1969, the other, 1981. He immediately picked out the 1969 photo as his assailant. Thanks to the tunnel vision of British Police, this was dismissed. "He only attacks women" was the response of a senior officer. Why was he arrested in 1969? "Going equipped for theft" What was he carrying? A hammer and a screwdriver! Where was he? The red light district.
When Lawrence Byfield launched an investigation into the hunt, this conducted by the Inspector of Constabulary office. In other words, very senior cops with great powers. This team was given scathing comments by some senior WY cops, yet it is difficult to argue with some very simple points they made. Such as the photofits put on display to them. It was very apparent that he was dark haired, with a beard and moustache. They examined twenty unsolved attacks on women, concluding that ten were committed by Sutcliffe, the other ten he had to be a good suspect for. What attacks were these? As Sutcliffe was positively identified as the 1967 assailant and arrested two years later carrying a hammer and screwdriver, then what was he up to between 1967 and 1975? Plus what about his travels in his lorry?
Mr Clark has carried out a lot of research into his claims, and if he can prove Sutcliffe was in the vicinity of these attacks at the right time, then that it is the most incredible and bizarre set of coincidences you could think of. Police say that all open cases are given reviews, but is it a case of relying on forensics to do everything, or do detectives actually go out and reinvestigate, ala "New Tricks?" Feelings of some local people are that Police want this case closed once and for all. If his findings are circumstantial, as he has admitted, again, it`s bizarre.
A couple of things about the case that stand out to me. Did Sutcliffe actually kill Margueritte Walls? She was strangled. I do not believe Sutcliffe had the guts to fight with somebody. He wanted them immobilised as soon as possible, hence the hammer. Plus, Bob Taylor, a detective involved in the hunt, says that they were told by a senior cop that it was not a Ripper killing. Later, it was. The other point was when it was announced that an arrest had been made, we remember seeing Chief Constable Gregory and George Oldfield with big grins on their faces. Gregory dodged a most important question from a journalist. "Is he a Geordie?" "I have not heard him speak" was the reply. I do not believe for one minute they were not told he was local, dark haired, beard and `Tache, looks exactly like a number of the photofits. Because the press would have had a field day with them both. I do not think this case will ever close because it is knowing exactly what Sutcliffe was up to, where and when.
When Lawrence Byfield launched an investigation into the hunt, this conducted by the Inspector of Constabulary office. In other words, very senior cops with great powers. This team was given scathing comments by some senior WY cops, yet it is difficult to argue with some very simple points they made. Such as the photofits put on display to them. It was very apparent that he was dark haired, with a beard and moustache. They examined twenty unsolved attacks on women, concluding that ten were committed by Sutcliffe, the other ten he had to be a good suspect for. What attacks were these? As Sutcliffe was positively identified as the 1967 assailant and arrested two years later carrying a hammer and screwdriver, then what was he up to between 1967 and 1975? Plus what about his travels in his lorry?
Mr Clark has carried out a lot of research into his claims, and if he can prove Sutcliffe was in the vicinity of these attacks at the right time, then that it is the most incredible and bizarre set of coincidences you could think of. Police say that all open cases are given reviews, but is it a case of relying on forensics to do everything, or do detectives actually go out and reinvestigate, ala "New Tricks?" Feelings of some local people are that Police want this case closed once and for all. If his findings are circumstantial, as he has admitted, again, it`s bizarre.
A couple of things about the case that stand out to me. Did Sutcliffe actually kill Margueritte Walls? She was strangled. I do not believe Sutcliffe had the guts to fight with somebody. He wanted them immobilised as soon as possible, hence the hammer. Plus, Bob Taylor, a detective involved in the hunt, says that they were told by a senior cop that it was not a Ripper killing. Later, it was. The other point was when it was announced that an arrest had been made, we remember seeing Chief Constable Gregory and George Oldfield with big grins on their faces. Gregory dodged a most important question from a journalist. "Is he a Geordie?" "I have not heard him speak" was the reply. I do not believe for one minute they were not told he was local, dark haired, beard and `Tache, looks exactly like a number of the photofits. Because the press would have had a field day with them both. I do not think this case will ever close because it is knowing exactly what Sutcliffe was up to, where and when.
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Historic Sex Crimes - Is Enough, Enough?
This ongoing saga following the revelations about DJ Jimmy Savile, to some people has simply gone too far. A number of people have court appearances or arrests hanging over them, so you cannot legally comment on them but there were two very recent high profile cases that have brought the cops involved into question. Soap star Bill Roache was cleared of rape and indecent assault charges going back to the sixties. My view is, how can you prove something going back forty or fifty years? Unless you tried to take action at the time by reporting any incidents to the Police, creating a record, how can you prove it? it is simply one person's` word against another.
The other was DJ Dave Lee Travis. DLT was cleared on most charges of indecent assault, with the CPS yet to take a decision over a couple of outstanding charges the Jury could not decide on. Some of these allegations went back forty years. If you wanted to charge every guy who groped a woman, particularly after a night on the piss, you would probably have to charge half of the country. And what about the women grabbing mens` balls? Jokes began about the cops digging up Lord Byron and Francis Dashwood, men behind the Hellfire Club, and even poor old Caligula!
One actual result was the conviction of TV host Stuart Hall for historic offences, where it was apparent they had corroborative evidence. Another TV host, Matthew Kelly, was falsely accused by a male and was rightly acquitted. Herein lies the danger; you can say anything about anyone, where you are tried by media and public opinion but your only chance lies in proving that the allegations are untrue. Recently, on Jeremy Vine`s radio show, a woman said that women should put up with a bit of groping as it is a generational thing that has long gone on, yet, unbelievably, she objected to a shop selling golliwogs, condemning it as racist! That`s right, it`s ok to have a guy grab your tits from behind, stick his hand down your panties but by god, golliwog dolls are offensive!! Let us hope commonsense starts to prevail.
The other was DJ Dave Lee Travis. DLT was cleared on most charges of indecent assault, with the CPS yet to take a decision over a couple of outstanding charges the Jury could not decide on. Some of these allegations went back forty years. If you wanted to charge every guy who groped a woman, particularly after a night on the piss, you would probably have to charge half of the country. And what about the women grabbing mens` balls? Jokes began about the cops digging up Lord Byron and Francis Dashwood, men behind the Hellfire Club, and even poor old Caligula!
One actual result was the conviction of TV host Stuart Hall for historic offences, where it was apparent they had corroborative evidence. Another TV host, Matthew Kelly, was falsely accused by a male and was rightly acquitted. Herein lies the danger; you can say anything about anyone, where you are tried by media and public opinion but your only chance lies in proving that the allegations are untrue. Recently, on Jeremy Vine`s radio show, a woman said that women should put up with a bit of groping as it is a generational thing that has long gone on, yet, unbelievably, she objected to a shop selling golliwogs, condemning it as racist! That`s right, it`s ok to have a guy grab your tits from behind, stick his hand down your panties but by god, golliwog dolls are offensive!! Let us hope commonsense starts to prevail.
Women Crime Reporters
A new angle that is becoming more and more prevalent is that of the female crime reporter. I will start with four; the first being Jamie Satterfield. She works in Knoxville, Tennessee, and one of her biggest cases was the dreadful murders of Chris and Channon. The assailants were all convicted with one being sentenced to death. They won a retrial but three were convicted and jailed again but I do not know about Lemarcus Davidson, the ringleader originally sentenced to death. Jamie has been featured on a number of crime documentaries, and she has always answered any of my enquiries on the case.
Next comes Glenna Whitley. She followed the trail of a conwoman for twenty years, before finally she saw her face justice in a court. She featured in an episode of "Scorned : Crimes of Passion". The case concerned two married couples, A, B, C, D. A had a fling with C, so B got it on with D! Miss Whitley, like Jamie, is a long time crime correspondent.
Number 3 is Paula Zahn. She hosts her own TV show, looking into cases and interviewing principal people involved. If she has doubts over anything, she says so.
Number 4 is Aphrodite Jones. She also hosts her own show. She allows both sides their say but she still gives her opinions, even if they are unpopular. She featured two cases that have intrigued me. One led to the uncovering a body dump site for the person dubbed "The Long Island Serial Killer". I will present my views on that case soon. The other was the disappearance of a girl and one person being firmly in the frame. Incredibly, this persons` lawyer offered a deal; reduction of charge, six years jail time, the whole story and where the body is. But authorities knocked it back as they say it would be murder, simple as. Very well, said the Lawyer, no deal! And this person is still walking free, and the Police are still trying to find the body of the girl! Brilliant eh!
All I can say is, keep watching, because the cases are interesting.
Next comes Glenna Whitley. She followed the trail of a conwoman for twenty years, before finally she saw her face justice in a court. She featured in an episode of "Scorned : Crimes of Passion". The case concerned two married couples, A, B, C, D. A had a fling with C, so B got it on with D! Miss Whitley, like Jamie, is a long time crime correspondent.
Number 3 is Paula Zahn. She hosts her own TV show, looking into cases and interviewing principal people involved. If she has doubts over anything, she says so.
Number 4 is Aphrodite Jones. She also hosts her own show. She allows both sides their say but she still gives her opinions, even if they are unpopular. She featured two cases that have intrigued me. One led to the uncovering a body dump site for the person dubbed "The Long Island Serial Killer". I will present my views on that case soon. The other was the disappearance of a girl and one person being firmly in the frame. Incredibly, this persons` lawyer offered a deal; reduction of charge, six years jail time, the whole story and where the body is. But authorities knocked it back as they say it would be murder, simple as. Very well, said the Lawyer, no deal! And this person is still walking free, and the Police are still trying to find the body of the girl! Brilliant eh!
All I can say is, keep watching, because the cases are interesting.
Murder Shift - The TV Series
This documentary series following the Homicide Squad in Indianapolis, in the USA, is essential viewing for me. You really see how they go about their job, and they never seem to accept anything at face value. Most of their cases they solve but never in the allotted hour long spot of fictional cops, and they do not get obsessive over cases. The "stars" include Lt. Kevin Kelly, Sgt Jeff Breedlove, Jessie Beavers, Tom Tudor, Lesia Moore, Cameron Brosseau, Schied, Rice, Lappin & Christine Minka.
What is surprising is just how much information is fed to them, usually by telephone. Kind of slaps down the usual guff "The Wall of Silence". A real good case was one that started out as a missing person report in a neighbouring county; the case was taken up by Moore & Minka. They developed a prime suspect but he refused to give up anything. Minka was ready to travel back to Indy (I think they were in Wisconsin) but Moore and a local detective gave it one last shot. Moore got him to confess and he even drew a map on where to find the victim. The body was where he said it was.
The message these people send out to criminals and killers is that they will not give up. During one investigation, Minka did more work on a cold case and she got a result! They also do not forget the victims families, giving updates on how they are doing. These people do give a positive feel for Law Enforcement in the States.
What is surprising is just how much information is fed to them, usually by telephone. Kind of slaps down the usual guff "The Wall of Silence". A real good case was one that started out as a missing person report in a neighbouring county; the case was taken up by Moore & Minka. They developed a prime suspect but he refused to give up anything. Minka was ready to travel back to Indy (I think they were in Wisconsin) but Moore and a local detective gave it one last shot. Moore got him to confess and he even drew a map on where to find the victim. The body was where he said it was.
The message these people send out to criminals and killers is that they will not give up. During one investigation, Minka did more work on a cold case and she got a result! They also do not forget the victims families, giving updates on how they are doing. These people do give a positive feel for Law Enforcement in the States.
My Apologies
Hello again dear readers, but unfortunately, for the last three months I have had technical problems, and I am not technically minded. Thankfully, I am now back online and will take up where I left off. So what can I start about? How about the common sense of Law Judges who have kicked in the teeth, those wankers in Strasbourg who are more worried about the rights of the sickest members of society, and obviously do not give two fucks about victims. They are always forgotten about or ignored by the whining apologists, Their human rights are being violated! So fucking what! They have all violated their victims civil and human rights PERMANENTLY!!! Let us see what the apologist scumbags will cry about now they will not get a possible chance of greeting their heroes at the prison gates. Another Bradford man has just been given a whole life sentence after a barbaric murder of a toddler. The Judge brushed aside all this talk of it`s legality, stating that he was staying inside for the rest of his life. Three cheers for this Judge.
The inconsistencies in the Law are ridiculous. How can you stand up in court and openly admit two serious firearm offences that will give you at least seven years minimum? That is because, for some strange reason, you are not facing them! He got away with another serious firearm offence because the person who could point the finger, did not. The victim was obviously wounded by a stray bullet winding it`s way over from Liverpool or Manchester! My belief is that there was some Police protection involved somewhere along the line.
What about drugs? You know, those substances that do not cause addiction, destroy people, kill people, tear families and communities apart, and cause the utmost unstoppable rise in crime. Recently, on the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2, some dickhead claimed that the new crime figures showing a fall, was accurate and the drugs problem is not as bad as in the 1980`s. The other day, I spoke to a counsellor who deals with drug related problems all the time, and at what this clown said, he just burst out laughing!! Local Police revealed that the continuing purge against pushers, has seen EIGHTY arrests and imprisonment. Some fall in the drug problem! These are just a few thoughts for the time being whilst I get back into the swing of things. Toodle pip.
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