Covid19 has pushed back a lot of trials and court dates in several cases that I am following. I am happy to confirm that a jury has been sworn in to judge the evidence in the 1980 murder of Suzanne Arlene “Suzie” Bombardier. As soon as I have more details I will add them here […]
Cold Case News
Sophie Sergie Verdict: Guilty
Despite several setbacks and delays due to Covid19, the trial in the 1993 rape-murder of Sophie Sergie finally took place in the beginning of this year. I did not post daily updates but here is the verdict and my summary: Steven Downs faced first degree murder and first degree sexual assault. The jury found him guilty. […]
Nicky Verstappen: on Appeal
The Court of Appeals in the city of Den Bosch, the Netherlands, released its verdict after the prosecution had filed an appeal in the case of Nicky Verstappen’s death. The lower court had sentenced Josh Brech to 12.5 years after finding him guilty of kidnapping resulting in death and the sexual abuse of Nicky Verstappen […]
Overturned: Timothy “Timmy” William Wiltsey
A reader alerted me to this New Jersey paper that held a report by Ted Sherman. The “New Jersey Supreme Court [on] Tuesday overturned the conviction against Michelle Lodzinski.” Michelle Lodzinski is the mother of Timothy “Timmy” William Wiltsey (August 6, 1985 – date missing May 25, 1991) who disappeared May 25, 1991. I read […]
Possible delays: Suzie Bombardier
My dear friend Jennifer Kathleen Gibbons alerted me yesterday that the trial we thought would take place on January 3, 2022 might be postponed. On that date, Mitchell Lynn Bacom would face the court for the murder of Suzanne Bombardier. In the Contra Costa dated December 27, 2021 we read: “The presiding judge of Contra […]
Update Sophie Sergie Case
The Sun Journal notes that defendant Steven H. Downs will be allowed to present three alternative suspects in the 1993 rape-murder of Sophie Sergie. In previous posts, I have mentioned other suspects and what I saw as problematic for the defense. Fairbanks Superior Court Judge Thomas Temple’s order allows these three men to be brought […]
Patricia Smith: Trial March 25, 2022
In October, in the 1984 Patricia Smith rape-murder trial, a mistrial was declared as the defense questined Alexander Christopher Ewing’s sanity to stand trial. Yesterday, a judge declared Ewing competent to stand trial. Jury selection is scheduled for March 25, 2022. The Case Patricia Louise Smith (50) was born on Sept 19, 1933. She was […]
Found: David Virgil Neily
In 2011, Sue Carney wrote a guest blog post about the disappearance of David Virgil Neily. Now, he had been found. On May 7, 2020, a private nature reserve employee called the Mendocino County Sheriff. He had found what he believed to be human remains. The remains were in a forest near Branscomb and just […]
Patricia Smith: mistrial
Today, a mistrial was declared in the rape-murder case of Patricia Smith. The defense team for Alexander Christopher Ewing filed a motion early this morning. They argued that Ewing “was not competent to stand trial.” That motions will remain sealed until further notice. This does mean that the content is not public and therefore, we […]
Patricia Smith Trial Day 1
Today, the long-awaited trial against Alexander Christopher Ewing started for the rape-murder of Patricia Louise Smith. Ewing is represented by Katherine Powers Spengler. The State left no doubt about it: it will show all the similarities between the Bennett Family Murders and the rape-murder of Patricia Smith. In Aug 2021, Ewing was found guilty and […]