An Edmond attorney was killed by her ex-husband in a murder-suicide, police say. The bodies were found Tuesday evening in Oklahoma City.
BY BRYAN DEAN
Published: March 24, 2011
Freda Cross took all the legal steps she could to protect herself after her ex-husband’s alcoholism spiraled out of control, but it wasn’t enough, her attorney said Wednesday.
Oklahoma City police investigate a shooting scene where the bodies of a man and a woman were found Tuesday evening near NW 26 and Western Avenue. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
The Edmond attorney was shot to death by her ex-husband Tuesday before he turned the gun on himself, police said. Cross recently had filed a protective order claiming she was being stalked and harassed.
Hours after he was released from jail Tuesday following his latest alcohol-related arrest, Michael J. McCreary, 61, began following Cross, 58, according to her attorney, Matt Buergler. About 6:15 p.m., she pulled her car into the parking lot of an empty convenience store at NW 26 and Western Avenue.
McCreary pulled up next to his ex-wife’s car with the driver’s side windows facing each another and shot her multiple times. McCreary then shot and killed himself, police said. The state medical examiner ruled it a murder-suicide.
“She was a dear friend and good attorney and a good mom among many other things,” Buergler said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
Buergler said Cross was talking to a friend on her cell phone when she was shot.
McCreary, who had worked in real estate, had a long history of alcohol abuse which worsened late last year, said his attorney, Dan Murdock.
Cross filed for divorce in October, ending the couple’s 10-year marriage.
“I know the divorce came about as a result of the alcohol abuse,” said Murdock, who said he knew McCreary for more than 30 years.
“I think Mike accepted that he had a problem, but it was uncontrollable and he just couldn’t or wouldn’t do anything about it.”
Divorce final in January
After the divorce was finalized in January, McCreary’s behavior worsened. He was arrested by Edmond police Feb. 5 on complaints of driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Beginning Feb. 16, McCreary began harassing Cross by repeatedly calling her and driving past her home, Cross stated in the application for a victim protective order. She said McCreary called her home and office at least 20 to 30 times a day between Feb. 16 and Feb. 22.
Documents with the protective order Cross filed on Feb. 24 state that a day earlier McCreary showed up drunk at her house and rang her doorbell, yelling that he needed money. He also dumped empty liquor bottles and beer cans in her yard, she said.
Shortly after a March 10 hearing on the protective order, McCreary turned over his gun to Murdock by order of the court. Murdock said he did not know where his client got another firearm.
McCreary was arrested Friday in Oklahoma City on a public intoxication complaint, had another alcohol-related arrest in Bethany and was arrested on another driving under the influence complaint Sunday morning in Perry, Murdock said.
Murdock said he last spoke with McCreary on Tuesday after he was released from jail.
“Mike was talking with me about treatment, about doing things to deal with the issue,” Murdock said. “He struggled with alcoholism his whole life.”
Shot near office
Buergler said Cross called a close friend Tuesday evening to say her ex-husband was following her. Cross’ office at 4808 N Classen is about two miles away from where she was killed.
“If I know Freda, she pulled over and did not get out of her car because she was going to ask him to please stop following her,” Buergler said.
Cross was still on the phone when McCreary pulled out a pistol and started shooting, Buergler said.
Jesse Thogmartin, who lives next door to the scene of the shooting, said he was in his backyard, heard five to seven gunshots and dove for cover behind a cinder-block building next to his wooden stockade fence.
One of the bullets left a hole in the fence and a mark where it struck the building Thogmartin was hiding behind.
“You can’t explain it,” Murdock said. “You can’t do anything but have such sorrow at the effect that it has had on everyone.”
Contributing: Staff Writers Nolan Clay, Robert Medley, Tricia Pemberton and Matt Patterson
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Marysville, CA: Sentence could be shortened for Marysville man who shot girlfrien
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By Rob Young/Appeal-Democrat
2011-03-23 12:52:33
A Marysville man convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2004 after shooting his live-in girlfriend in the neck at point-blank range could have his 21-year prison sentence significantly reduced at a hearing Tuesday in Yuba County Superior Court.
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in December that Benny Leon Jr. should be resentenced. The girlfriend, Rosalie Reyes, was not a "particularly vulnerable" victim, the court ruled.
Yuba County Judge James Curry, now retired, gave Leon the maximum sentence after finding Reyes was particularly vulnerable. The law has since changed to make juries responsible for that decision, said attorney Eric M. Weaver of Albany, who represented Leon in the appeals court.
The court ruled there was a "grave doubt" that a jury would have found Reyes vulnerable based on California law, which defines vulnerability as "defenseless, unguarded, unprotected, accessible, assailable, one who is susceptible to the defendant's criminal act."
Weaver said Leon was feeling paranoid on April 2, 2003, after a confrontation with gang members when Reyes came to the apartment they shared in the 1300 block of Hobart Drive.
When Leon did not respond after Reyes and two friends pounded on the door, she called his cellphone. Leon opened the door, nodded to one of the friends, then told Reyes, "Get the (expletive) in here."
As Reyes started entering the apartment, Leon nudged her into the door jamb and a shot was fired from his .380-caliber handgun, severing her trachea and an artery.
After Reyes fell to the floor, Leon told her to "stop playing around." When he realized what had happened, he screamed and said, "Don't die. I love you. I'll change," according to a court document.
Leon argued that he shot accidentally, but an expert witness testified Leon had to exert about 12 pounds of pressure on the trigger, compared to 3 to 7 pounds on a normal gun.
Instead of fleeing, the hysterical Leon stayed with the body until police arrived, Weaver said.
Weaver said a jury finding of involuntary manslaughter would have been more appropriate.
"Justice would be served" by a mid-term sentence, which could be 14 years, Weaver said.
Yuba County District Attorney Pat McGrath said the latest judge in the case still has the power to give Leon the maximum sentence and predicted Leon will again receive 21 years.
Leon, who was 20 at the time of the crime, has served about eight years.
Reyes was the mother of Leon's child and was pregnant at the time of her death.
CONTACT reporter Rob Young at 749-4710.
By Rob Young/Appeal-Democrat
2011-03-23 12:52:33
A Marysville man convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2004 after shooting his live-in girlfriend in the neck at point-blank range could have his 21-year prison sentence significantly reduced at a hearing Tuesday in Yuba County Superior Court.
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in December that Benny Leon Jr. should be resentenced. The girlfriend, Rosalie Reyes, was not a "particularly vulnerable" victim, the court ruled.
Yuba County Judge James Curry, now retired, gave Leon the maximum sentence after finding Reyes was particularly vulnerable. The law has since changed to make juries responsible for that decision, said attorney Eric M. Weaver of Albany, who represented Leon in the appeals court.
The court ruled there was a "grave doubt" that a jury would have found Reyes vulnerable based on California law, which defines vulnerability as "defenseless, unguarded, unprotected, accessible, assailable, one who is susceptible to the defendant's criminal act."
Weaver said Leon was feeling paranoid on April 2, 2003, after a confrontation with gang members when Reyes came to the apartment they shared in the 1300 block of Hobart Drive.
When Leon did not respond after Reyes and two friends pounded on the door, she called his cellphone. Leon opened the door, nodded to one of the friends, then told Reyes, "Get the (expletive) in here."
As Reyes started entering the apartment, Leon nudged her into the door jamb and a shot was fired from his .380-caliber handgun, severing her trachea and an artery.
After Reyes fell to the floor, Leon told her to "stop playing around." When he realized what had happened, he screamed and said, "Don't die. I love you. I'll change," according to a court document.
Leon argued that he shot accidentally, but an expert witness testified Leon had to exert about 12 pounds of pressure on the trigger, compared to 3 to 7 pounds on a normal gun.
Instead of fleeing, the hysterical Leon stayed with the body until police arrived, Weaver said.
Weaver said a jury finding of involuntary manslaughter would have been more appropriate.
"Justice would be served" by a mid-term sentence, which could be 14 years, Weaver said.
Yuba County District Attorney Pat McGrath said the latest judge in the case still has the power to give Leon the maximum sentence and predicted Leon will again receive 21 years.
Leon, who was 20 at the time of the crime, has served about eight years.
Reyes was the mother of Leon's child and was pregnant at the time of her death.
CONTACT reporter Rob Young at 749-4710.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Cambellsville, VA: Wife pleads guilty to killing former Berea man
Mother of victim ‘at peace’ with sentence
By Lorie Love Hailey
Register Editor
RICHMOND — The mother of a former Berea man who was killed in 2009 says she is at peace now that his wife has pleaded guilty.
Geneva May Brown Hicks entered a guilty plea Friday in Taylor Circuit Court, admitting that she killed her husband, assaulted a woman and set fire to her sister’s home. In exchange for the plea, the prosecutor offered a 25-year sentence.
Shirley Hicks of Berea, mother of Randolph Scott Hicks, said Tuesday she was satisfied with the sentence, but would have liked her daughter-in-law to get more time in prison.
“But that (25-year-sentence) was what was in my heart,” she said. “I don’t think I could’ve faced going through the trial.”
She said she could not endure seeing the crime scene photos, or hear the story again.
“There’s no doubt she would have been found guilty, but I don’t know if I could’ve gotten through it (the trial).”
She said she thought justice had been served.
“It’s just been a terrible tragedy we’ve been through,” Shirley Hicks said. “It’s only by the love and strength of the Lord that we’ve made it through.”
Randolph Scott Hicks’ body was discovered May 2, 2009, after police responded to a call of a “fight in progress” at the Campbellsville home Hicks shared with his wife.
When police arrived at the home, a woman told the officers her husband had shot himself, according to a story in the Central Kentucky News Journal in Campbellsville.
Campbellsville Police Officer Jason Simpson said he entered the home and found Geneva Hicks’ husband with what he thought was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The couple’s 2-year-old son was inside the home at the time of the incident and was later taken to Geneva Hicks’ sister’s home on White House Road. (The boy, who now is 4, witnessed the shooting, said Shirley Hicks.)
Later that day, Geneva Hicks arrived at her sister’s home. Police said she knocked on several doors and a bedroom window trying to get her sister and others to come to the door, the News Journal reported.
A report from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office states that witnesses there said no one opened the door and Hicks set the house on fire and damaged a bedroom.
The News Journal reported that Campbellsville Police Lt. Patricia Thompson said in 2009 that initial reports about Hicks’ death ruled it a suicide. However, she said, that finding was inconsistent with evidence and some statements made by Geneva Hicks, which led to further investigation and the medical examiner’s office ruling his death a homicide.
Geneva Hicks pleaded to amended charges of first-degree manslaughter, second- and fourth-degree assault, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, second-degree arson and first-degree unlawful imprisonment.
If convicted by a jury, Hicks could have faced life in prison.
She is set to be sentenced April 19.
Shirley Hicks said she worked alongside the Taylor County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.
“They showed the greatest love and respect for my family,” she said.
“We gave great deference to [Randolph Hicks’ mother], and she was heavily involved in making the decision,” Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney John Miller said in an e-mailed statement.
The case had gone into mediation once, and Shirley was able to hear from Geneva Hicks then. Shirley Hicks said her daughter-in-law was “very hateful, rude and bitter.”
But after Geneva Hicks pleaded guilty Friday, she and her attorney agreed to meet with her mother-in-law and other family members, Shirley Hicks said.
“She did break down and cry and said ‘I love you all,’” Shirley Hicks said.
Her grandson lives with Geneva Hicks’ sister, and Shirley Hicks said she gets to visit with him often and talk to him on the telephone.
The Berea woman said her son and his wife had only been moved out of Madison County for about 11 months at the time of her son’s murder.
She said he was homesick and wanted to move back to Berea.
The last time she saw her son was 10 days before his death. He brought his son with him and visited for awhile, Shirley Hicks said.
“He called me three times that night on the way home, which was unusual for him,” she said. “He told me where he was at on the road and said ‘I love you.’”
She hopes everyone will remember what a “good, tender-hearted man” he was.
“Everybody that knew him loved him,” she said.
Lorie Love Hailey can be reached at editor@richmondregister.com or 624-6690.
By Lorie Love Hailey
Register Editor
RICHMOND — The mother of a former Berea man who was killed in 2009 says she is at peace now that his wife has pleaded guilty.
Geneva May Brown Hicks entered a guilty plea Friday in Taylor Circuit Court, admitting that she killed her husband, assaulted a woman and set fire to her sister’s home. In exchange for the plea, the prosecutor offered a 25-year sentence.
Shirley Hicks of Berea, mother of Randolph Scott Hicks, said Tuesday she was satisfied with the sentence, but would have liked her daughter-in-law to get more time in prison.
“But that (25-year-sentence) was what was in my heart,” she said. “I don’t think I could’ve faced going through the trial.”
She said she could not endure seeing the crime scene photos, or hear the story again.
“There’s no doubt she would have been found guilty, but I don’t know if I could’ve gotten through it (the trial).”
She said she thought justice had been served.
“It’s just been a terrible tragedy we’ve been through,” Shirley Hicks said. “It’s only by the love and strength of the Lord that we’ve made it through.”
Randolph Scott Hicks’ body was discovered May 2, 2009, after police responded to a call of a “fight in progress” at the Campbellsville home Hicks shared with his wife.
When police arrived at the home, a woman told the officers her husband had shot himself, according to a story in the Central Kentucky News Journal in Campbellsville.
Campbellsville Police Officer Jason Simpson said he entered the home and found Geneva Hicks’ husband with what he thought was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The couple’s 2-year-old son was inside the home at the time of the incident and was later taken to Geneva Hicks’ sister’s home on White House Road. (The boy, who now is 4, witnessed the shooting, said Shirley Hicks.)
Later that day, Geneva Hicks arrived at her sister’s home. Police said she knocked on several doors and a bedroom window trying to get her sister and others to come to the door, the News Journal reported.
A report from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office states that witnesses there said no one opened the door and Hicks set the house on fire and damaged a bedroom.
The News Journal reported that Campbellsville Police Lt. Patricia Thompson said in 2009 that initial reports about Hicks’ death ruled it a suicide. However, she said, that finding was inconsistent with evidence and some statements made by Geneva Hicks, which led to further investigation and the medical examiner’s office ruling his death a homicide.
Geneva Hicks pleaded to amended charges of first-degree manslaughter, second- and fourth-degree assault, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, second-degree arson and first-degree unlawful imprisonment.
If convicted by a jury, Hicks could have faced life in prison.
She is set to be sentenced April 19.
Shirley Hicks said she worked alongside the Taylor County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.
“They showed the greatest love and respect for my family,” she said.
“We gave great deference to [Randolph Hicks’ mother], and she was heavily involved in making the decision,” Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney John Miller said in an e-mailed statement.
The case had gone into mediation once, and Shirley was able to hear from Geneva Hicks then. Shirley Hicks said her daughter-in-law was “very hateful, rude and bitter.”
But after Geneva Hicks pleaded guilty Friday, she and her attorney agreed to meet with her mother-in-law and other family members, Shirley Hicks said.
“She did break down and cry and said ‘I love you all,’” Shirley Hicks said.
Her grandson lives with Geneva Hicks’ sister, and Shirley Hicks said she gets to visit with him often and talk to him on the telephone.
The Berea woman said her son and his wife had only been moved out of Madison County for about 11 months at the time of her son’s murder.
She said he was homesick and wanted to move back to Berea.
The last time she saw her son was 10 days before his death. He brought his son with him and visited for awhile, Shirley Hicks said.
“He called me three times that night on the way home, which was unusual for him,” she said. “He told me where he was at on the road and said ‘I love you.’”
She hopes everyone will remember what a “good, tender-hearted man” he was.
“Everybody that knew him loved him,” she said.
Lorie Love Hailey can be reached at editor@richmondregister.com or 624-6690.
Chesapeake, VA: Chesapeake man kills wife, then himself
CHESAPEAKE— Chesapeake police say William Mackenzie shot his wife Pat and then killed himself inside their home yesterday morning.
Neighbors and Pat's co-workers say they never saw this coming.
"They seemed warm, friendly, loving. I would never think they were at odds with each other," said Phil Scala.
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"She's been pretty much the same, she's always been outgoing, and really brings up the team. No indication of any problems," said Kim, a co-worker.
Pat came to work every morning at 7 a.m. at the Chesapeake Animal Hospital - but when she didn't show up yesterday her coworkers grew concerned. Concern grew to worries when Pat didn't answer repeated phone calls. Someone stopped by the home. Both their cars were at the home, but there was no answer. They called the police.
William was a 25 year veteran of the Norfolk Police Department.
His wife worked as a veterinary technician.
"She would go up well beyond what you would ask her to. She would be here pretty much at all hours if we ever needed someone extra you could always count on calling her," said Kim.
But now Kim can only ask questions without answers.
Neighbors and Pat's co-workers say they never saw this coming.
"They seemed warm, friendly, loving. I would never think they were at odds with each other," said Phil Scala.
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"She's been pretty much the same, she's always been outgoing, and really brings up the team. No indication of any problems," said Kim, a co-worker.
Pat came to work every morning at 7 a.m. at the Chesapeake Animal Hospital - but when she didn't show up yesterday her coworkers grew concerned. Concern grew to worries when Pat didn't answer repeated phone calls. Someone stopped by the home. Both their cars were at the home, but there was no answer. They called the police.
William was a 25 year veteran of the Norfolk Police Department.
His wife worked as a veterinary technician.
"She would go up well beyond what you would ask her to. She would be here pretty much at all hours if we ever needed someone extra you could always count on calling her," said Kim.
But now Kim can only ask questions without answers.
Oklahoma City, OK: Murder trial begins for Oklahoma City woman charged with killing her husband, burning body
OKLAHOMA CITY — Testimony has begun in the murder trial of an Oklahoma City woman who is accused of killing her husband in 2007 and later burning the body.
Thirty-nine-year-old Exondia Salado is charged with first-degree murder although the body of her husband — Manny Salado — has never been found. Exondia Salado has said her husband left her.
The Oklahoman reports that a friend of Exondia Salado testified Tuesday that Salado admitted killing her husband. April Stubbs said Salado told her she shot her husband when he lunged at her and later burned the body.
Defense attorneys say Manny Salado may still be alive and that he left his wife for a woman he met during a visit to his native Dominican Republic.
___
Thirty-nine-year-old Exondia Salado is charged with first-degree murder although the body of her husband — Manny Salado — has never been found. Exondia Salado has said her husband left her.
The Oklahoman reports that a friend of Exondia Salado testified Tuesday that Salado admitted killing her husband. April Stubbs said Salado told her she shot her husband when he lunged at her and later burned the body.
Defense attorneys say Manny Salado may still be alive and that he left his wife for a woman he met during a visit to his native Dominican Republic.
___
Easton, PA: Accused Killer Was Angry Over Girlfriend's Pregnancy, Roommate Says
Lower Macungie vet tech and unborn boy shot three times
By Susan Koomar and Mariella Savidge March 22, 2011
A love affair gone violently wrong has left a 27-year-old woman and her unborn child shot to death and the accused killer in Lehigh County jail.
District Attorney James Martin said Tuesday afternoon it is too early to tell if he will seek the death penalty in the case against veterinarian David A. Rapoport of Lansdale.
Rapoport, who is married, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Jennifer L. Snyder, a vet tech he worked with a few years ago at Maple Hill Veterinary Hospital in Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County.
Snyder went missing last week after going to meet Rapoport. The lifelong animal lover was two months pregnant with a boy and was scheduled for her first ultrasound on Thursday. Investigators believe Rapoport fathered Snyder's unborn child.
Police say Rapoport shot her three times - once in the back and twice in the mouth - then wrapped her body in a fleece blanket with a Philadelphia Eagles logo on it, garbage bags and duct tape and dumped it in the woods.
Rapoport tried to use bleach to clean blood stains from Snyder's car, police said.
Police on Tuesday arrested Rapoport after a whirlwind investigation that began with the discovery Thursday morning of Snyder's abandoned car - found with a shattered window, a spent shell casing on the passenger seat, and a "significant amount of blood" inside, according to the criminal complaint.
Rapoport's arrest "makes sense to me and to everybody here," Hilary Schiavone, who was Snyder's roommate and co-worker at the veterinary hospital, told Patch.
Police interviewed Schiavone after finding Snyder's car. Schiavone told them Rapaport was initially angry over the pregnancy but that he and Snyder had made up, according to the criminal complaint.
Schiavone described Rapoport as a shy, quiet and nerdy.
Here is a timeline and details of the investigation, according to the criminal complaint:
Wednesday, March 16
Jennifer Snyder was last seen by her roommate on her way to meet boyfriend David A. Rapoport. Roommate Hilary Schiavone told police Snyder was planning to spend the night with Rapoport.
Thursday, March 17
Police received a report of suspicious car at 4155 Independence Rd. Schnecksville. They found Snyder's 1998 Plymouth Neon with blood inside. Police reviewed surveillance footage from Wednesday that showed someone parking Snyder's car in the extreme rear corner of the lot.
Police tried to find Snyder and interviewed her roommate, who told them about Snyder's affair and pregnancy.
Schiavone also told them about mysterious text messages. The first one, purportedly from Snyder, read, "Dr. Dumbass has to work tonight so I am going to my mom's, Thanks. Hi!" Schiavone said the message was odd and didn't sound like it was from Snyder.
As police were interviewing Schiavone, she got a text from Rapoport asking her to have Snyder call him as he didn't think Snyder's cell phone was working. Schiavone told police that Rapoport had never before sent her a text message.
Police went to Rapoport's home at 1229 Browning Court in Lansdale at 4:43 p.m. Thursday.
Rapoport at first denied having seen Snyder recently. Troopers told him that they knew of his recent contact with the victim and Rapoport then said "he was in an ongoing relationship with Snyder and didn't want his wife to know," according to the criminal complaint.
Police asked Rapoport if there was anything belonging to Snyder in his car. He said he wasn't sure, but told them, "You can look." While at the rear of the car, police asked him "where's the gun," and Rapoport immediately said, "The gun is in there" as he pointed to the front left part of the trunk. Inside, police found a 9 mm Glock pistol and a box of ammunition. They also found a box of baby wipes with a small red-brown stain on the lid in the driver's area of the car.
Police asked Rapoport to go with them to continue the interview at Skippack barracks. Rapoport spoke with his wife and then told troopers he wanted to call an attorney first.
Friday, March 18
Police continued to look for Snyder. At about 9:45 a.m., a trooper searching by helicopter noticed something in the woods along Game Preserve Road in North Whitehall Township. Police found Snyder's body about two and a half miles from Route 309 and just a short drive from the parking lot where her car was discovered the day before.
A deputy coroner declared Snyder dead at 11:35 a.m. and her body was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital for an autopsy.
Saturday, March 19
An autopsy showed Snyder died of three gunshot wounds and that she was pregnant with what appeared to be a healthy male fetus.
Police armed with a search warrant looked inside a 2005 Toyota Solara used by Rapoport. They found a roll of duct tape with what appeared to be blood and hair on it. They also found what they believe to be Snyder's cell phone under the passenger seat and a box of garbage bags same as those that they found Snyder's body wrapped in.
Monday, March 21
A police ballistics expert matched discharged casings found in Snyder's car with the Glock pistol owned by Rapoport.
Tuesday, March 22
Police arrested Rapoport without incident outside his father's home in Whitemarsh, Montgomery County. He was taken to Lehigh County's Central Booking Center adjacent to the county prison in Allentown and was arraigned by District Judge Jacob Hammond.
A preliminary hearing in the case is set for next week but will likely be continued.
By Susan Koomar and Mariella Savidge March 22, 2011
A love affair gone violently wrong has left a 27-year-old woman and her unborn child shot to death and the accused killer in Lehigh County jail.
District Attorney James Martin said Tuesday afternoon it is too early to tell if he will seek the death penalty in the case against veterinarian David A. Rapoport of Lansdale.
Rapoport, who is married, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Jennifer L. Snyder, a vet tech he worked with a few years ago at Maple Hill Veterinary Hospital in Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County.
Snyder went missing last week after going to meet Rapoport. The lifelong animal lover was two months pregnant with a boy and was scheduled for her first ultrasound on Thursday. Investigators believe Rapoport fathered Snyder's unborn child.
Police say Rapoport shot her three times - once in the back and twice in the mouth - then wrapped her body in a fleece blanket with a Philadelphia Eagles logo on it, garbage bags and duct tape and dumped it in the woods.
Rapoport tried to use bleach to clean blood stains from Snyder's car, police said.
Police on Tuesday arrested Rapoport after a whirlwind investigation that began with the discovery Thursday morning of Snyder's abandoned car - found with a shattered window, a spent shell casing on the passenger seat, and a "significant amount of blood" inside, according to the criminal complaint.
Rapoport's arrest "makes sense to me and to everybody here," Hilary Schiavone, who was Snyder's roommate and co-worker at the veterinary hospital, told Patch.
Police interviewed Schiavone after finding Snyder's car. Schiavone told them Rapaport was initially angry over the pregnancy but that he and Snyder had made up, according to the criminal complaint.
Schiavone described Rapoport as a shy, quiet and nerdy.
Here is a timeline and details of the investigation, according to the criminal complaint:
Wednesday, March 16
Jennifer Snyder was last seen by her roommate on her way to meet boyfriend David A. Rapoport. Roommate Hilary Schiavone told police Snyder was planning to spend the night with Rapoport.
Thursday, March 17
Police received a report of suspicious car at 4155 Independence Rd. Schnecksville. They found Snyder's 1998 Plymouth Neon with blood inside. Police reviewed surveillance footage from Wednesday that showed someone parking Snyder's car in the extreme rear corner of the lot.
Police tried to find Snyder and interviewed her roommate, who told them about Snyder's affair and pregnancy.
Schiavone also told them about mysterious text messages. The first one, purportedly from Snyder, read, "Dr. Dumbass has to work tonight so I am going to my mom's, Thanks. Hi!" Schiavone said the message was odd and didn't sound like it was from Snyder.
As police were interviewing Schiavone, she got a text from Rapoport asking her to have Snyder call him as he didn't think Snyder's cell phone was working. Schiavone told police that Rapoport had never before sent her a text message.
Police went to Rapoport's home at 1229 Browning Court in Lansdale at 4:43 p.m. Thursday.
Rapoport at first denied having seen Snyder recently. Troopers told him that they knew of his recent contact with the victim and Rapoport then said "he was in an ongoing relationship with Snyder and didn't want his wife to know," according to the criminal complaint.
Police asked Rapoport if there was anything belonging to Snyder in his car. He said he wasn't sure, but told them, "You can look." While at the rear of the car, police asked him "where's the gun," and Rapoport immediately said, "The gun is in there" as he pointed to the front left part of the trunk. Inside, police found a 9 mm Glock pistol and a box of ammunition. They also found a box of baby wipes with a small red-brown stain on the lid in the driver's area of the car.
Police asked Rapoport to go with them to continue the interview at Skippack barracks. Rapoport spoke with his wife and then told troopers he wanted to call an attorney first.
Friday, March 18
Police continued to look for Snyder. At about 9:45 a.m., a trooper searching by helicopter noticed something in the woods along Game Preserve Road in North Whitehall Township. Police found Snyder's body about two and a half miles from Route 309 and just a short drive from the parking lot where her car was discovered the day before.
A deputy coroner declared Snyder dead at 11:35 a.m. and her body was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital for an autopsy.
Saturday, March 19
An autopsy showed Snyder died of three gunshot wounds and that she was pregnant with what appeared to be a healthy male fetus.
Police armed with a search warrant looked inside a 2005 Toyota Solara used by Rapoport. They found a roll of duct tape with what appeared to be blood and hair on it. They also found what they believe to be Snyder's cell phone under the passenger seat and a box of garbage bags same as those that they found Snyder's body wrapped in.
Monday, March 21
A police ballistics expert matched discharged casings found in Snyder's car with the Glock pistol owned by Rapoport.
Tuesday, March 22
Police arrested Rapoport without incident outside his father's home in Whitemarsh, Montgomery County. He was taken to Lehigh County's Central Booking Center adjacent to the county prison in Allentown and was arraigned by District Judge Jacob Hammond.
A preliminary hearing in the case is set for next week but will likely be continued.
Knoxville, TN: Witness says Merritt on 'mission'
By Jamie Satterfield
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Herbert Mike Merritt "was on a mission" to get a beer at a neighborhood bar when he shot a fellow patron and later carved a chunk of the slain man's flesh and took a bite, a witness testified Tuesday.
"There wasn't anything that was going to stop him from getting a beer," Douglas Statzer testified in Knox County Criminal Court Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz's courtroom. "He looked like a man determined to do what he had to do to have a beer, like he was on a mission."
Merritt is standing trial on a first-degree murder charge in the June 2008 slaying of Anthony Laymon "Tony" Ford, 45, inside the Friends Sports Bar & Grill in Halls. Merritt's attorney, Phil Lomonaco, contends that his client was in a psychotic state after failing to take his medicine, evidenced by the fact that Merritt carved a chunk of Ford's chest to eat. Prosecutor Kyle Hixson counters that Merritt was angry after a spat with his girlfriend and spoiling for a fight.
Statzer testified that Merritt hugged him when he walked in but grew angry and defiant when Statzer reminded him that he had been barred from the bar for brandishing a knife.
"Mike said he wanted a (expletive) beer, and he wanted a (expletive) beer right now," Statzer said.
Susie Jacobs, an off-duty employee sitting next to Ford at the bar, said she told Merritt, whom bar patrons already had dubbed "Mad Max," to leave. When Ford and others came to her side as Merritt refused, Merritt flung off his leather jacket, whipped out a gun and shot Ford, she said.
As bar patrons scattered, Statzer said Merritt turned to him and repeated his demand for a beer. Statzer said he grabbed a brew from the bartender and gave it to Merritt, who left but quickly returned with a shotgun.
Statzer managed to talk his way out of the bar, leaving Merritt and Ford behind.
As Merritt holed up in the bar and Knox County Sheriff's Office's SWAT team surrounded it, Friends employee Tina Ellison phoned the business to check on the bartender. Merritt answered, she said.
"I said, 'Why did you do that?' " she said of shooting Ford. "He said he was mad at his girlfriend."
Ellison said she begged Merritt to drag Ford's body to the door so he could be rescued and get help.
"He said it was too late," she said. "He told me he was trying to cut (Ford's) heart out."
Ford was shot six times, slashed and stabbed. The "heart" Merritt nibbled on was actually a fist-sized chunk of flesh, the remains of which Merritt left on the bar.
Jamie Satterfield may be reached at 865-342-6308. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/jamiescoop.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Herbert Mike Merritt "was on a mission" to get a beer at a neighborhood bar when he shot a fellow patron and later carved a chunk of the slain man's flesh and took a bite, a witness testified Tuesday.
"There wasn't anything that was going to stop him from getting a beer," Douglas Statzer testified in Knox County Criminal Court Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz's courtroom. "He looked like a man determined to do what he had to do to have a beer, like he was on a mission."
Merritt is standing trial on a first-degree murder charge in the June 2008 slaying of Anthony Laymon "Tony" Ford, 45, inside the Friends Sports Bar & Grill in Halls. Merritt's attorney, Phil Lomonaco, contends that his client was in a psychotic state after failing to take his medicine, evidenced by the fact that Merritt carved a chunk of Ford's chest to eat. Prosecutor Kyle Hixson counters that Merritt was angry after a spat with his girlfriend and spoiling for a fight.
Statzer testified that Merritt hugged him when he walked in but grew angry and defiant when Statzer reminded him that he had been barred from the bar for brandishing a knife.
"Mike said he wanted a (expletive) beer, and he wanted a (expletive) beer right now," Statzer said.
Susie Jacobs, an off-duty employee sitting next to Ford at the bar, said she told Merritt, whom bar patrons already had dubbed "Mad Max," to leave. When Ford and others came to her side as Merritt refused, Merritt flung off his leather jacket, whipped out a gun and shot Ford, she said.
As bar patrons scattered, Statzer said Merritt turned to him and repeated his demand for a beer. Statzer said he grabbed a brew from the bartender and gave it to Merritt, who left but quickly returned with a shotgun.
Statzer managed to talk his way out of the bar, leaving Merritt and Ford behind.
As Merritt holed up in the bar and Knox County Sheriff's Office's SWAT team surrounded it, Friends employee Tina Ellison phoned the business to check on the bartender. Merritt answered, she said.
"I said, 'Why did you do that?' " she said of shooting Ford. "He said he was mad at his girlfriend."
Ellison said she begged Merritt to drag Ford's body to the door so he could be rescued and get help.
"He said it was too late," she said. "He told me he was trying to cut (Ford's) heart out."
Ford was shot six times, slashed and stabbed. The "heart" Merritt nibbled on was actually a fist-sized chunk of flesh, the remains of which Merritt left on the bar.
Jamie Satterfield may be reached at 865-342-6308. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/jamiescoop.
Webster, MA: Husband charged with murder
'A TRAGIC CASE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE' IN WEBSTER
By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
WEBSTER — About a half hour before he allegedly assaulted and murdered his wife, police had to get between William E. Freudenthal and two IRS agents who went to his home at 59 Brookside Ave. to repossess his car for nonpayment of taxes.
Mr. Freudenthal, 50, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and domestic assault and battery. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Dudley District Court tomorrow, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said tonight.
Mr. Early said that shortly after 1 p.m. today, police received two 911 “hang-up” calls from a fax machine inside the Freudenthal home, and officers immediately went back to the house. Police had been to the address for domestic violence problems in the past, Webster Police Chief Timothy Bent said.
“On arrival, police found Jennifer Freudenthal, 50 years old ... on the floor with obvious injuries to her face and neck,” Mr. Early said during a news conference at the Webster Police station tonight. Mrs. Freudenthal was taken by ambulance to Harrington Healthcare Hubbard Regional Hospital in Webster “where she was pronounced dead at 1:48 p.m.”
An autopsy on Mrs. Freudenthal is scheduled for tomorrow. Mr. Early said “it appeared there were traumatic injuries to the face” of Mrs. Freudenthal and she was found in the bathroom. He said it was too early in the investigation to comment on how she sustained the injuries or what type of weapon, if any, was involved.
Police are looking into whether she struck her head on a toilet during a struggle, along with other possibilities, Mr. Early said.
Mr. Freduenthal, who was inside the home, did not appear to be injured.
Mr. Early said that when police went to the house the first time there was no indication of domestic violence, but two officers “had to put themselves between Mr. Freudenthal and the IRS agents and the seizure of the vehicle occurred at that time.” The IRS agents were seizing the car for nonpayment of taxes, Mr. Early said.
“There was aggressive action by Mr. Freudenthal at that point that was directed to the two IRS agents,” Mr. Early said.
A neighbor said today that it appeared the couple were having financial problems and that their single-story ranch style home was in foreclosure.
Yellow crime scene tape surrounded the home as police continued their investigation, which, Mr. Early said, could lead to additional charges.
One of the couple's two adult daughters was at home when the alleged assault occurred but it was unclear whether she witnessed what happened, Chief Bent said. That daughter is 23 years old and lives with her parents and the other daughter lives elsewhere in Massachusetts, Chief Bent said.
Mr. Early said the incident appears to be “a tragic case of domestic violence” and added that there have been more than 2,000 domestic violence cases in Worcester County this year. He described second-degree murder as “intent to cause grievous bodily injury that resulted in death.”
Records list Mr. Freudenthal as owning Auburn & Holden Pest Control in Auburn. No one answered the telephone there this afternoon.
Mr. Freudenthal was being held at the Webster Police Department last night.
Brian Lee of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.
By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
WEBSTER — About a half hour before he allegedly assaulted and murdered his wife, police had to get between William E. Freudenthal and two IRS agents who went to his home at 59 Brookside Ave. to repossess his car for nonpayment of taxes.
Mr. Freudenthal, 50, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and domestic assault and battery. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Dudley District Court tomorrow, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said tonight.
Mr. Early said that shortly after 1 p.m. today, police received two 911 “hang-up” calls from a fax machine inside the Freudenthal home, and officers immediately went back to the house. Police had been to the address for domestic violence problems in the past, Webster Police Chief Timothy Bent said.
“On arrival, police found Jennifer Freudenthal, 50 years old ... on the floor with obvious injuries to her face and neck,” Mr. Early said during a news conference at the Webster Police station tonight. Mrs. Freudenthal was taken by ambulance to Harrington Healthcare Hubbard Regional Hospital in Webster “where she was pronounced dead at 1:48 p.m.”
An autopsy on Mrs. Freudenthal is scheduled for tomorrow. Mr. Early said “it appeared there were traumatic injuries to the face” of Mrs. Freudenthal and she was found in the bathroom. He said it was too early in the investigation to comment on how she sustained the injuries or what type of weapon, if any, was involved.
Police are looking into whether she struck her head on a toilet during a struggle, along with other possibilities, Mr. Early said.
Mr. Freduenthal, who was inside the home, did not appear to be injured.
Mr. Early said that when police went to the house the first time there was no indication of domestic violence, but two officers “had to put themselves between Mr. Freudenthal and the IRS agents and the seizure of the vehicle occurred at that time.” The IRS agents were seizing the car for nonpayment of taxes, Mr. Early said.
“There was aggressive action by Mr. Freudenthal at that point that was directed to the two IRS agents,” Mr. Early said.
A neighbor said today that it appeared the couple were having financial problems and that their single-story ranch style home was in foreclosure.
Yellow crime scene tape surrounded the home as police continued their investigation, which, Mr. Early said, could lead to additional charges.
One of the couple's two adult daughters was at home when the alleged assault occurred but it was unclear whether she witnessed what happened, Chief Bent said. That daughter is 23 years old and lives with her parents and the other daughter lives elsewhere in Massachusetts, Chief Bent said.
Mr. Early said the incident appears to be “a tragic case of domestic violence” and added that there have been more than 2,000 domestic violence cases in Worcester County this year. He described second-degree murder as “intent to cause grievous bodily injury that resulted in death.”
Records list Mr. Freudenthal as owning Auburn & Holden Pest Control in Auburn. No one answered the telephone there this afternoon.
Mr. Freudenthal was being held at the Webster Police Department last night.
Brian Lee of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Rainsville, AL: Rainsville couple found dead in apparent murder-suicide
Posted: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 4:41 pm
By DeWayne Patterson |
DeKalb County authorities are investigating an apparent murder-suicide in Rainsville Monday.
According to DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris, a Rainsville couple died in a shooting at their home. Harris said family members discovered the bodies of Brandy Alison Matthews, 30, and Joshua Taylor Matthews, 31, in their home around noon Monday on County Road 657 in Rainsville.
According to authorities, Brandy Matthews had been shot multiple times, while Joshua Matthews was shot once in the head.
The bodies were sent to Huntsville for a forensic examination, according to Harris.
"We are continuing to question friends and family members to determine a possible motive for this tragic incident," said Harris. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Matthews' families."
By DeWayne Patterson |
DeKalb County authorities are investigating an apparent murder-suicide in Rainsville Monday.
According to DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris, a Rainsville couple died in a shooting at their home. Harris said family members discovered the bodies of Brandy Alison Matthews, 30, and Joshua Taylor Matthews, 31, in their home around noon Monday on County Road 657 in Rainsville.
According to authorities, Brandy Matthews had been shot multiple times, while Joshua Matthews was shot once in the head.
The bodies were sent to Huntsville for a forensic examination, according to Harris.
"We are continuing to question friends and family members to determine a possible motive for this tragic incident," said Harris. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Matthews' families."
Franklin, TN: Guilty Plea In Deadly Hammer Attack In Franklin
Posted: Mar 22, 2011 5:01 PM EDT
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and attacking her family members has pleaded guilty to the crimes.
On Tuesday afternoon, Antonio Forrest entered a guilty plea to first degree murder, attempted second degree murder, especially aggravated burglary, and two counts of aggravated assault in Williamson County.
In February 2009, investigators said Forrest killed his ex-girlfriend Rikki White with a hammer, and then brutally attacked her grandmother.
White had taken out an order of protection against Forrest the week before the murder.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and attacking her family members has pleaded guilty to the crimes.
On Tuesday afternoon, Antonio Forrest entered a guilty plea to first degree murder, attempted second degree murder, especially aggravated burglary, and two counts of aggravated assault in Williamson County.
In February 2009, investigators said Forrest killed his ex-girlfriend Rikki White with a hammer, and then brutally attacked her grandmother.
White had taken out an order of protection against Forrest the week before the murder.
London, KY: Wife of Attorney Murdered at His Law Office Turns Herself In After Being Indicted
Posted Mar 22, 2011 12:12 PM CDT
By Martha Neil
After being indicted by a Laurel County grand jury in the murder of her husband, a Kentucky lawyer who was shot and killed at his law office, Lisa Gilliam has turned herself in to authorities.
They contend that she shot Larry Gilliam in the chest at his London law office in January, report WKYT and LEX18.
A subsequent LEX18 post says Gilliam was released after $100,000 bail was posted.
According to a January article in the Times-Tribune, Lisa Gilliam was in the law office at the time her husband was shot and called 911.
The articles don't include any comment from her or her counsel.
By Martha Neil
After being indicted by a Laurel County grand jury in the murder of her husband, a Kentucky lawyer who was shot and killed at his law office, Lisa Gilliam has turned herself in to authorities.
They contend that she shot Larry Gilliam in the chest at his London law office in January, report WKYT and LEX18.
A subsequent LEX18 post says Gilliam was released after $100,000 bail was posted.
According to a January article in the Times-Tribune, Lisa Gilliam was in the law office at the time her husband was shot and called 911.
The articles don't include any comment from her or her counsel.
Everson, WA: Whatcom County woman gets 28-year prison sentence for murdering boyfriend
PETER JENSEN
LAST UPDATED: MARCH 21ST, 2011 04:39 PM (PDT)
Standing before a judge Monday morning, March 21, to be sentenced for killing her boyfriend, a Whatcom County woman wept, apologized to his family members and asked for mercy.
A Whatcom County Superior Court jury convicted Lynda R. Holman, 47, of second-degree murder earlier this month for fatally shooting Mark G. McCollum, 48, inside their home near Everson in February 2010.
Judge Charles Snyder sentenced Holman to almost 28 years in a state prison Monday.
Holman's attorney, Jon Komorowski, director of the Whatcom County Public Defender's Office, argued at trial that Holman accidentally fired the shotgun that killed McCollum as she attempted to put it back on its rack.
Komorowski asked Snyder to sentence Holman to about 23 years in prison.
Whatcom County Prosecutor Dave McEachran argued at trial that her account was physically impossible based on the location of McCollum's wound.
McEachran said Holman, who had dated McCollum for about a decade, intentionally killed him because of troubles with their relationship.
The jury agreed and convicted her as charged.
"I think she should receive the most amount of time she can get," McEachran said at Monday's hearing. "It was certainly an intentional killing, and that's what the jury found."
Holman then went before Snyder to ask for mercy.
"It was totally an accident," Holman said. "I'd like to say I'm so sorry to Mark and his family. I grieve so much and it's so hard still. We were going to get married. I miss him so much."
Snyder did not show her leniency. He sentenced her to almost 28 years, which is at the top end of the standard sentencing range for a second-degree murder conviction for someone with Holman's criminal history.
Snyder's reason? Holman had been in front of a judge in similar circumstances before.
In 1995, Holman was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and first-degree robbery in Skagit County.
McEachran said Holman and her boyfriend of the time had encountered another man in a bar who showed them a lot of money.
Later that night, that man was shot to death and Holman and her boyfriend stole the money, McEachran said.
McEachran was uncertain what Holman's role was in that robbery, but she was sentenced to five years in prison for those convictions.
"This is not the first time you have been involved in the taking of a human life," Snyder said. "It is very difficult for the court to show leniency when that is the case. Whatever the lessons were from your first incident, they have not been learned."
LAST UPDATED: MARCH 21ST, 2011 04:39 PM (PDT)
Standing before a judge Monday morning, March 21, to be sentenced for killing her boyfriend, a Whatcom County woman wept, apologized to his family members and asked for mercy.
A Whatcom County Superior Court jury convicted Lynda R. Holman, 47, of second-degree murder earlier this month for fatally shooting Mark G. McCollum, 48, inside their home near Everson in February 2010.
Judge Charles Snyder sentenced Holman to almost 28 years in a state prison Monday.
Holman's attorney, Jon Komorowski, director of the Whatcom County Public Defender's Office, argued at trial that Holman accidentally fired the shotgun that killed McCollum as she attempted to put it back on its rack.
Komorowski asked Snyder to sentence Holman to about 23 years in prison.
Whatcom County Prosecutor Dave McEachran argued at trial that her account was physically impossible based on the location of McCollum's wound.
McEachran said Holman, who had dated McCollum for about a decade, intentionally killed him because of troubles with their relationship.
The jury agreed and convicted her as charged.
"I think she should receive the most amount of time she can get," McEachran said at Monday's hearing. "It was certainly an intentional killing, and that's what the jury found."
Holman then went before Snyder to ask for mercy.
"It was totally an accident," Holman said. "I'd like to say I'm so sorry to Mark and his family. I grieve so much and it's so hard still. We were going to get married. I miss him so much."
Snyder did not show her leniency. He sentenced her to almost 28 years, which is at the top end of the standard sentencing range for a second-degree murder conviction for someone with Holman's criminal history.
Snyder's reason? Holman had been in front of a judge in similar circumstances before.
In 1995, Holman was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and first-degree robbery in Skagit County.
McEachran said Holman and her boyfriend of the time had encountered another man in a bar who showed them a lot of money.
Later that night, that man was shot to death and Holman and her boyfriend stole the money, McEachran said.
McEachran was uncertain what Holman's role was in that robbery, but she was sentenced to five years in prison for those convictions.
"This is not the first time you have been involved in the taking of a human life," Snyder said. "It is very difficult for the court to show leniency when that is the case. Whatever the lessons were from your first incident, they have not been learned."
Warner Robins, GA: Robins AFB mechanic charged with killing wife
10:06 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Three men, including the victim's husband, have been charged with felony murder in the shooting death of a 47-year-old Warner Robins woman.
Police say Joni Clements was found shot to death in her home last month.
Warner Robins police spokeswoman Tabitha Pugh says an autopsy shows Clements died from multiple gunshot wounds to her chest and torso.
Pugh says the woman's husband, 55-year-old James E. Clements Jr. was arrested Monday at Robins Air Force Base, where he is employed as a sheet metal mechanic. He was charged with felony murder and burglary.
Pugh says a father and son from Warner Robins were charged with felony murder in the case over the weekend.
They're identified as 29-year-old Richard Sybert and 53-year-old Robert Grant Sybert.
Three men, including the victim's husband, have been charged with felony murder in the shooting death of a 47-year-old Warner Robins woman.
Police say Joni Clements was found shot to death in her home last month.
Warner Robins police spokeswoman Tabitha Pugh says an autopsy shows Clements died from multiple gunshot wounds to her chest and torso.
Pugh says the woman's husband, 55-year-old James E. Clements Jr. was arrested Monday at Robins Air Force Base, where he is employed as a sheet metal mechanic. He was charged with felony murder and burglary.
Pugh says a father and son from Warner Robins were charged with felony murder in the case over the weekend.
They're identified as 29-year-old Richard Sybert and 53-year-old Robert Grant Sybert.
Palm Coast, FL: Couple found dead in apparent murder-suicide
A north Florida married couple has been found dead in what authorities believe was a murder-suicide.
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office reports that 52-year-old David Sharp and 54-year-old Terry Sharp were found dead in their Palm Coast home Sunday afternoon. Initial findings showed that the husband killed the wife with a shotgun and then turned the weapon on himself.
Deputies were called to the home after a neighbor heard what he believed were gunshots.
No suicide note was found. Two dogs the couple owned were turned over to animal control.
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office reports that 52-year-old David Sharp and 54-year-old Terry Sharp were found dead in their Palm Coast home Sunday afternoon. Initial findings showed that the husband killed the wife with a shotgun and then turned the weapon on himself.
Deputies were called to the home after a neighbor heard what he believed were gunshots.
No suicide note was found. Two dogs the couple owned were turned over to animal control.
Altha, FL: Update* Two people killed in apparent murder/suicide near Altha
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of two people near Altha.
Posted: 9:34 PM Mar 20, 2011
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of 51-year-old Bronze Danny White and 53-year-old Janelle Renee White near Altha.
Investigators were notified about the killings which appears to be a murder/suicide around 2:00 Saturday afternoon. They say that it appears Jannelle White was fatally shot while in bed, and Bronze Danny White died of a self-inflicted gunshot.
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They say the incident happened on State Highway 71 about four miles south of Altha.
Authorities say the two were formerly married, but neighbors do not report that there were any signs that things would turn violent.
The medical examiner's office is scheduled to perform an autopsy Monday.
Posted: 9:34 PM Mar 20, 2011
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of 51-year-old Bronze Danny White and 53-year-old Janelle Renee White near Altha.
Investigators were notified about the killings which appears to be a murder/suicide around 2:00 Saturday afternoon. They say that it appears Jannelle White was fatally shot while in bed, and Bronze Danny White died of a self-inflicted gunshot.
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They say the incident happened on State Highway 71 about four miles south of Altha.
Authorities say the two were formerly married, but neighbors do not report that there were any signs that things would turn violent.
The medical examiner's office is scheduled to perform an autopsy Monday.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Pinellas Park, FL: Pinellas Park man shot by Taser drowns in pond
By Danny Valentine, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Monday, March 21, 2011
PINELLAS PARK — A 34-year-old Pinellas Park man drowned after being hit with a Taser and crawling into a pond during a police chase early Sunday, according to police.
A Police Department spokesman said the death was accidental, and none of the officers involved would be put on leave.
At 12:19 a.m., police received an emergency call for a domestic dispute in the area of 43rd Street and 70th Avenue N.
Police found Dale Lee Mitchell leaving a wooded area and began questioning him. They determined he lived at the location of the 911 call and was involved in some kind of disturbance.
While questioning him, police said, they saw Mitchell toss some pills on the ground. As they tried to identify the pills, he fled, according to police.
He ran through the neighborhood before entering his back yard at 4316 70th Ave. N.
Officer Matthew Patsch, 32, caught up to Mitchell as he was climbing a 4-foot fence separating the yard and the pond, said police spokesman Capt. Sanfield Forseth. The officer fired a Taser, and Mitchell fell and rolled on the ground, dislodging the Taser wires.
Forseth said it was unknown whether both barbs of the Taser struck Mitchell, which would have been required for the stun gun to work. That will have to be determined by a Medical Examiner's Office examination, he said.
Police said Mitchell crawled into the pond, then moved into deeper water. Officers said he disappeared under the water.
Cpl. Cassidy Perry, 35, went into the pond, but couldn't find him. Forseth said Perry waded in up to his neck in the attempt.
A fire department dive team found Mitchell at 2:40 a.m. He was pronounced dead.
Police said the initial domestic dispute was between Mitchell and his live-in girlfriend.
That girlfriend, Janitta Leaks, told Bay News 9 she believed police were responsible.
"I believe they just let him die, I really do," she said. "It took them at least a good hour before the scubas got in there."
Pinellas Park police officers use the X26 Taser, which fires two probes that carry electrical pulses to a suspect's body.
Officers are authorized to use the weapon whenever the use of other control techniques will most likely result in a physical confrontation that may injure an officer or the person being taken into custody.
In Print: Monday, March 21, 2011
PINELLAS PARK — A 34-year-old Pinellas Park man drowned after being hit with a Taser and crawling into a pond during a police chase early Sunday, according to police.
A Police Department spokesman said the death was accidental, and none of the officers involved would be put on leave.
At 12:19 a.m., police received an emergency call for a domestic dispute in the area of 43rd Street and 70th Avenue N.
Police found Dale Lee Mitchell leaving a wooded area and began questioning him. They determined he lived at the location of the 911 call and was involved in some kind of disturbance.
While questioning him, police said, they saw Mitchell toss some pills on the ground. As they tried to identify the pills, he fled, according to police.
He ran through the neighborhood before entering his back yard at 4316 70th Ave. N.
Officer Matthew Patsch, 32, caught up to Mitchell as he was climbing a 4-foot fence separating the yard and the pond, said police spokesman Capt. Sanfield Forseth. The officer fired a Taser, and Mitchell fell and rolled on the ground, dislodging the Taser wires.
Forseth said it was unknown whether both barbs of the Taser struck Mitchell, which would have been required for the stun gun to work. That will have to be determined by a Medical Examiner's Office examination, he said.
Police said Mitchell crawled into the pond, then moved into deeper water. Officers said he disappeared under the water.
Cpl. Cassidy Perry, 35, went into the pond, but couldn't find him. Forseth said Perry waded in up to his neck in the attempt.
A fire department dive team found Mitchell at 2:40 a.m. He was pronounced dead.
Police said the initial domestic dispute was between Mitchell and his live-in girlfriend.
That girlfriend, Janitta Leaks, told Bay News 9 she believed police were responsible.
"I believe they just let him die, I really do," she said. "It took them at least a good hour before the scubas got in there."
Pinellas Park police officers use the X26 Taser, which fires two probes that carry electrical pulses to a suspect's body.
Officers are authorized to use the weapon whenever the use of other control techniques will most likely result in a physical confrontation that may injure an officer or the person being taken into custody.
New London, CT: Suspect held on $1M bond, to be arraigned today in Superior Court
New London - Police have identified the man they charged Sunday in connection with the slaying of his girlfriend at the Courtview Square apartments on Crystal Avenue late Saturday night.
Evens St. Hilaire, 31, who was charged with murder, was held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to be arraigned today in New London Superior Court.
Hilaire lives at 309 Crystal Ave., Apt. 9B, which is where police spokesman Marshall Segar said officers went at 10:50 p.m. to check on the well-being of a woman after receiving a 911 call that someone may have been injured there. When officers arrived, no one came to the door. Officers forced their way into the apartment only to find the woman was dead.
Segar said Sunday that he would not release the name of the woman at this time but did say that she and St. Hilaire had been dating for several months. Residents of several apartments around unit 9B said Sunday they did not know the identity of the woman who had been killed.
Earlier Sunday, Segar said no further information would be released until the woman's next of kin is notified and "sensitive investigation aspects are complete."
Segar said St. Hilaire had fled the apartment but was later captured. He did not say where or how he was captured but said information developed with state police led to the arrest.
Segar said police are continuing to investigate the case and any additional information would not be released until this morning at the earliest.
Late Saturday night numerous police officers and firefighters were at the apartment complex, which had been cordoned off. Police officers with flashlights were looking underneath cars and behind the dumpster.
The 96-unit apartment complex is owned by Manor Properties Group of Brooklyn, N.Y.
The company owns residential and commercial properties in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
Barry Gottehrer, president of Manor Properties, could not be reached for comment Sunday night.
j.wojtas@theday.com
jeff.johnson@theday.com
Evens St. Hilaire, 31, who was charged with murder, was held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to be arraigned today in New London Superior Court.
Hilaire lives at 309 Crystal Ave., Apt. 9B, which is where police spokesman Marshall Segar said officers went at 10:50 p.m. to check on the well-being of a woman after receiving a 911 call that someone may have been injured there. When officers arrived, no one came to the door. Officers forced their way into the apartment only to find the woman was dead.
Segar said Sunday that he would not release the name of the woman at this time but did say that she and St. Hilaire had been dating for several months. Residents of several apartments around unit 9B said Sunday they did not know the identity of the woman who had been killed.
Earlier Sunday, Segar said no further information would be released until the woman's next of kin is notified and "sensitive investigation aspects are complete."
Segar said St. Hilaire had fled the apartment but was later captured. He did not say where or how he was captured but said information developed with state police led to the arrest.
Segar said police are continuing to investigate the case and any additional information would not be released until this morning at the earliest.
Late Saturday night numerous police officers and firefighters were at the apartment complex, which had been cordoned off. Police officers with flashlights were looking underneath cars and behind the dumpster.
The 96-unit apartment complex is owned by Manor Properties Group of Brooklyn, N.Y.
The company owns residential and commercial properties in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
Barry Gottehrer, president of Manor Properties, could not be reached for comment Sunday night.
j.wojtas@theday.com
jeff.johnson@theday.com
Flint, MI: Police say they arrested man who killed his wife
by Kim Russell
Posted: 03.20.2011 at 9:12 PM
Flint Police say a man shot and killed his wife early Sunday morning.
It all started just after midnight in the 1600 block of Welch.
Police say they responded to a home there after someone called 911 reporting a domestic assault.
“The call indicated a man was assaulting his wife,” said Flint Police Sgt. Ken Engel, who is in charge of the investigation.
When police arrived at the scene they learned there had been gunshots. The man involved in the fight refused to come out of the home. Police say after a short standoff, he surrendered.
Police found his wife, Janita Clarice Martin-Ross dead inside the home from a gunshot wound.
They arrested her husband. He is being held in the Genesee County Jail for the murder, but is not yet charged.
Police say the investigation will be turned over to the Genesee County Prosecutor’s office for review on Monday.
Posted: 03.20.2011 at 9:12 PM
Flint Police say a man shot and killed his wife early Sunday morning.
It all started just after midnight in the 1600 block of Welch.
Police say they responded to a home there after someone called 911 reporting a domestic assault.
“The call indicated a man was assaulting his wife,” said Flint Police Sgt. Ken Engel, who is in charge of the investigation.
When police arrived at the scene they learned there had been gunshots. The man involved in the fight refused to come out of the home. Police say after a short standoff, he surrendered.
Police found his wife, Janita Clarice Martin-Ross dead inside the home from a gunshot wound.
They arrested her husband. He is being held in the Genesee County Jail for the murder, but is not yet charged.
Police say the investigation will be turned over to the Genesee County Prosecutor’s office for review on Monday.
Kansas City, MO: Gevante Anderson Trial Starts Monday
The murder trial starts on Monday for a man accused of killing ex-his girlfriend and her boyfriend and the woman's two nephews. It's been two years since the murders happened in a Raytown apartment. Now, the family hopes that they will see justice.
Gevante Anderson is accused of killing Precious Triplett, her boyfriend Andre Jones and Triplett's young nephews, Amir and Gerard Clemons. Triplett and Anderson's 18 month-old son was in the apartment, but not hurt.
"The family is just trying to continue to stay strong," said Rev. Don Kelly.
Reverend Kelly is a family friend of one of the victim's, Precious Triplett. Triplett's seven-year-old and 10-year-old nephews were spending the night with her at the time of the murder. Now, Anderson, a former boyfriend is charged with quadruple murder.
"It's so hard living through that, and so getting ready and prepared for the trial, it's just like reliving it all over again," Kelly said.
The two young brothers killed were well liked by their peers and both promising athletes.
"The boys were good student athletes, good basketball and football players," said James Price. "We're trying to do an event every year in memory of the boys."
A youth basketball tournament named the Clemons Classic carries on their memory. The boys' coach says to this day, their spirit remains strong on the team they used to play on. Their parents, family of their aunt, and her boyfriend were too shaken to talk about the accused killers trial this week. Their pain deep, especially for the boys father who discovered the bodies.
"The family just really wanting to see justice done," Kelly said.
The family has relied on their faith to get through the last two years. They will now put their faith in the justice system. For more information on the Clemons Classic go to www.clemonsclassic.org. The tournament runs from April 8-10.
Gevante Anderson is accused of killing Precious Triplett, her boyfriend Andre Jones and Triplett's young nephews, Amir and Gerard Clemons. Triplett and Anderson's 18 month-old son was in the apartment, but not hurt.
"The family is just trying to continue to stay strong," said Rev. Don Kelly.
Reverend Kelly is a family friend of one of the victim's, Precious Triplett. Triplett's seven-year-old and 10-year-old nephews were spending the night with her at the time of the murder. Now, Anderson, a former boyfriend is charged with quadruple murder.
"It's so hard living through that, and so getting ready and prepared for the trial, it's just like reliving it all over again," Kelly said.
The two young brothers killed were well liked by their peers and both promising athletes.
"The boys were good student athletes, good basketball and football players," said James Price. "We're trying to do an event every year in memory of the boys."
A youth basketball tournament named the Clemons Classic carries on their memory. The boys' coach says to this day, their spirit remains strong on the team they used to play on. Their parents, family of their aunt, and her boyfriend were too shaken to talk about the accused killers trial this week. Their pain deep, especially for the boys father who discovered the bodies.
"The family just really wanting to see justice done," Kelly said.
The family has relied on their faith to get through the last two years. They will now put their faith in the justice system. For more information on the Clemons Classic go to www.clemonsclassic.org. The tournament runs from April 8-10.
Garden City, SC: Garden City woman shot, killed; husband charged with murder
Police say shooting was accidental
By Kurt Knapek - kknapek@thesunnews.com
A 53-year-old Garden City Beach woman who worked at a pet store and loved to play bingo was accidentally shot and killed by her husband while he was involved in a dispute with another family member in their home early Sunday morning, police said.
Cheryl Gillespie was shot once and pronounced dead at the scene, said Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler.
Her husband, Gary Allan Gillespie, 59, was arrested shortly after the shooting, which occurred just after midnight at the couple's home on East Surfwind Drive, said Lt. Raul Denis of Horry County police.
A woman was shot and killed early Sunday in her Garden City Beach home.
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He is charged with murder.
Denis said Gary Gillespie was using a firearm to assault another family member at the home when the gun went off, killing his wife.
Denis said the family member, who he did not name, struck Gary Gillespie in the head and body after the shooting. Gillespie has a bruised right eye and a swollen left cheek in his jail booking photo.
The Gillespies lived with their three sons - Anthony, Zack and Joshua - at their home.
"Bingo and cigarettes ... that was my mom," said Zack Gillespie. "She's always been there for me and us. She was nice to everyone."
Zack Gillespie said his mother "was holding our family together."
Gary Gillespie is being held without bond at J. Reuben Long Detention Center. His bond will be set by a circuit court judge at a later date.
"This is so tragic," said Thomas Hood, 24, a neighbor. "She would do anything for anybody ... give the shirt off her back."
By Kurt Knapek - kknapek@thesunnews.com
A 53-year-old Garden City Beach woman who worked at a pet store and loved to play bingo was accidentally shot and killed by her husband while he was involved in a dispute with another family member in their home early Sunday morning, police said.
Cheryl Gillespie was shot once and pronounced dead at the scene, said Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler.
Her husband, Gary Allan Gillespie, 59, was arrested shortly after the shooting, which occurred just after midnight at the couple's home on East Surfwind Drive, said Lt. Raul Denis of Horry County police.
A woman was shot and killed early Sunday in her Garden City Beach home.
Similar stories:
Garden City Beach woman shot, killed; Husband charged with murder
Fugitive arrested after wife fatally shot
Wife in Myrtle Beach area shoestring slaying gets 30 years in jail
Ky. man convicted in shoestring slaying of Myrtle Beach area man
Myrtle Beach area teen's fate in judge's hands; decision Friday
He is charged with murder.
Denis said Gary Gillespie was using a firearm to assault another family member at the home when the gun went off, killing his wife.
Denis said the family member, who he did not name, struck Gary Gillespie in the head and body after the shooting. Gillespie has a bruised right eye and a swollen left cheek in his jail booking photo.
The Gillespies lived with their three sons - Anthony, Zack and Joshua - at their home.
"Bingo and cigarettes ... that was my mom," said Zack Gillespie. "She's always been there for me and us. She was nice to everyone."
Zack Gillespie said his mother "was holding our family together."
Gary Gillespie is being held without bond at J. Reuben Long Detention Center. His bond will be set by a circuit court judge at a later date.
"This is so tragic," said Thomas Hood, 24, a neighbor. "She would do anything for anybody ... give the shirt off her back."
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