In January 2021 the ABA Journal published an article called ‘Reckoning with Wrongful Convictions: Lessons Learned from an Examination of 25 Wrongful Convictions in Brooklyn, New York‘ written by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. In the above-mentioned article, DA Gonzalez summarizes the report “426 Years: An Examination of 25 Wrongful Convictions in Brooklyn, New York.” That […]
Archives for 2021
Update Thomas Chan
The Case of the Month that closed the year 2016, was dedicated to Thomas Chan. I wrote I wished that I could post a headshot from Thomas, instead of one of my generic grieving angels. Now I can, thanks to Molly Ann. She was Tommy’s fiancé. Molly Ann generously shared case information, personal details, and […]
Missing: Joanna Lopez
I keep saying it, my readers are the best. In my inbox this morning, was a puzzle that has occupied me for the better part of the day. A reader told me that after watching old television send-offs, they saw two clips from WMAQ in Chicago, Illinois. Clip 1 is from 1989 and on YouTube […]
Petronella M. Runkaitis Petreikis
On Nov 8, 1952 around 150pm, Petronella M. Runkaitis Petreikis (1882 – 1952) finished working in the corn fields, in the Peotone Township of Will County, Illinois. She was sixty-six years old. She needed to get back to her bed-ridden (diabetic) husband Kazimir Petreikis, and only had to cross US Highway 54 (now 45) to […]
Sophie Sergie: Hearing Day 8
On Tuesday, April 13, the pre-trial hearings continued in the 1993 rape-murder of Sophie Sergie. Both the Sun Journal and the Union Leader reported about a crucial piece of information: the bullet that caused her death. Again, the hearing was by video conference. Sophie Sergie was killed with a single bullet to the back of […]
Sophie Sergie: Hearing Day 7
On Monday, April 12, the hearings in the 1993 murder of Sophie Sergie continued by video conference. This time, the possibilities of alternative suspects were discussed, that is, suspects other than Steven H. Downs. I hinted in other posts that I wondered about phenotyping in this case, if it was done, and if Downs resembles […]
Neosho Grace Doe is Shawna Beth Garber
Now officially identified as Shawna Beth Garber (born March 1, 1968) she was known as the ‘McDonald County Grace Doe’ and on my website as Neosho Grace Doe. Why did I give her that name? After her remains were recovered, Detective Lorie Howard sent them to Freeman Hospital in Neosho and the scans were sent […]
Serial Killers by Joni Johnston, Psy.D.
The full title of the book is ‘Serial Killers; 101 Questions True Crime Fans Ask.’ Dr. Joni Johnston, a practicing clinical and forensic psychologist, has written a book in plain English that you should pick up and not just to see some myths debunked. You should pick it up because she includes many lesser known […]
Fatal Intent by Tammy Euliano
The author, Tammy Euliano, is a practicing anesthesiologist and as per the book cover, she has tenure at the University of Florida. Fatal Intent is her debut novel. And what a debut it is. The Characters Meet Dr. Kate Downey. This woman lives the nightmare you hope to never have as a reality. Husband Greg […]
Lakota Rae Renville (1983 – 2005)
Lakota Rae Renville (July 6, 1983 – Oct 16, 2005) was only 22 years old when her body was found on Oct 16, 2005. Her remains were in an open gravel lot near Pitcher Road, Independence, Missouri. Lakota, a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux tribe of South Dakota, was the daughter of Julie Keeble Watts […]