Country Killing James Henry Hampton

Country Killing Discovery ID describes this episode as in early fall of 1992, the rural community of
Wantage, New Jersey is rocked by the murder of beloved local Christine Schurman. Police are at a loss for suspects until a tip about another murder committed in Missouri connects them to their killer.

The next morning Hampton returned to Warrenton to retrieve his car, but found that it had already been impounded by the police. Hampton fled the state and was later apprehended in New Jersey where he had been arrested and convicted of another murder. As he was about to be placed into custody Mr. Hampton shot himself in the head.

His victims included Frances Keaton (Missouri) and Christine Schurman (New Jersey).

He opted to be executed by the state of Missouri where he was on death row rather then serve more time in the state of New Jersey. He was executed March 22, 2000. His final words were Take the phone off the hook as he didn't want the governor's office to call with a reprieve.

Links

James Henry Hampton


   

Drink with the Devil Vaclav Plch

Drink with the Devil    When single mom Mary Stetson goes out to her favorite haunt, she ends up in a house of horrors. The folks of Manchester, New Hampshire are shocked by her brutal murder. But only a tip from a mystery woman reveals Mary's killer.

 New Hampshire Public Radio has a fascinating article about the anatomy of a murder that is worth checking out.  The who had associated several times, seen by witnesses. Vaclav Plch was one of three suspects at the time of the murder.

He is ot eligible for release until  2099.

Links

Mary Stetson, Vaclav Plch: ‘Swamp Murders’ — Headless Body Of Missing Mom Found In Piscataquog River In New Hampshire

 

Vaclav Plch

You can write to Vaclav Plch at:

Vaclav Plch 74212
NH State Prison for Men
P.O. Box 14
Concord, NH 03302 

Murders Under the Mistletoe Ernest Wholaver Jr

Murders Under the Mistletoe Discovery ID describes this episode as holiday cheer ends in holiday fear, when Jean Wholaver and her two daughters are murdered in their home on Christmas Eve. Detectives in Middletown, Pennsylvania check their list of suspects twice and are shocked by the killer's true identity.   Ernest Wholaver Jr was alleged to have sexually abused his daughters.

Shortly after midnight on December 24, 2002, Ernest Wholaver Jr and Scott drove from their home in Cambria County to Jean's residence in Middletown. Scott waited in the vehicle while Appellant forcibly entered the home, where he shot and killed Jean, Victoria, and Elizabeth. Nine-month old Madison was relatively unharmed, but remained unattended until the bodies were discovered nearly 28 hours later.

Police arrested Appellant and charged him with, inter alia, three counts of first-degree murder. The Commonwealth subsequently issued notice that it intended to pursue the death penalty. While in prison awaiting trial, Appellant attempted to hire a man to kill Ramos (Madison's father) and frame him for the murders. The trial court consolidated the sexual offenses, murders, and the criminal solicitation related to Appellant's attempt to have Ramos killed.

Links

Wholaver death penalty appeal over 2002 murder of wife, two daughters in Middletown is rejected

You can write to Ernest Wholaver Jr at:

Smart Communications/PADOC

Ernest Wholaver Jr FY3325

SCI Greene

PO Box 33028

St Petersburg, FL 33733

The Ties That Bind Heather Lavelle

The Ties That Bind Discovery ID describes this episode as when the lifeless body of Christian Rojas is found battered, his friends in Bensalem, PA are beside themselves with fear. Detectives are on the hunt for a savage killer but are surprised that it's one of Christian's friends that has become a murderous foe  

Heather Lavelle has a blog on right to redemption where she states she is serving life.  She is also listed on Worldwide Criminal Justice Network. She  pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. She will never be released.

The pair showed Christian Rojas no mercy. He was found hog died and beaten to death with brass knuckles. While Heather plead guilty, she pointed the finger at Savage. He in turn, said that she lied and told him that Christian had raped her.

Links

National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

You can write to James Raymond Savage at:

Smart Communications/PADOC

James Raymond Savage GS0572

SCI Smithfield

PO Box 33028

St Petersburg, FL 33733






You can write to Heather at:

Smart Communications/PADOC

Heather Lavelle OK8736

SCI Muncy

PO Box 33028

St Petersburg, FL 33733


Pennsylvania    Bensalem    Christian Rojas    Heather Lavelle    death    OK8736    Muncy

Where There's Smoke Vincent Trevizo

Where There's Smoke    Joliet, Illinois fire fighters are shocked to find 28-year-old Melissa Plut strangled to death when they respond to a fire in her duplex. Police search the nurse's love life with no luck until a 9-1-1 call unmasks her killer hiding in plain sight.  

The facts underlying Vincent Trevizo’s convictions are detailed in this court’s prior order, and only the facts necessary to resolve this appeal will be recited.  On May 7, 2001, defendant was charged by indictment with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of concealment of a homicidal death, one count of aggravated arson, and one count of residential arson. The indictment alleged that, on September 3, 2000, defendant strangled the victim, Melissa Plut, thereby causing her death. The indictment further alleged that defendant set fire to the victim’s residence while the victim’ sbody remained inside.  Before he was indicted, defendant retained attorneys Tom Breen and Todd Pugh to represent him.

Vincent was convicted of homicide, aggravated arson and concealing a homicide. The murder charge
carries a prison term of 20 to 60 years, and Trevizo faces an additional 6 to 30 years for aggravated arson. He live in a nearby duplex with his wife and one year old child. They had shared one beer in her drive way.

 Links

Story of Murdered Joliet Nurse to Be Featured on TV Show

You can write to Vincent Trevizo at:

Vincent Trevizo        R22750
Hill Correctional Center
P.O. Box 1700
Galesburg, IL 61402

Murder in Paradise Thomas Jabin Berry

Murder in Paradise Discovery ID describes this episode as when pretty Nags Head tourist Janet Siclari turns up dead on the beach outside her hotel, the fun comes to an end. When a hurricane blows leads out of town, police wonder if the killer escaped too. Only time can help detectives catch the culprit.

Thomas Jabin Berry was caught when after violating probation his DNA was entered into the statewide system, where it was a much to this murder.

On Friday, 27 August 1993, the group checked out of their cottage in Southern Shores and checked into the Carolinian Hotel located in Nags Head, North Carolina for one final day and night of vacation.   Janet and Robert shared “the most expensive room” at the Carolinian.   The group spent the day together relaxing, swimming, and playing on the beach.   The group ate dinner together at a local restaurant.   Afterwards, they went to a comedy club.   Robert, fatigued from the day's activities, returned to the hotel room after leaving the comedy club.   Janet and her friends, however, continued on to a local bar.   Later that night, Janet left the bar and returned to the Carolinian Hotel.   Janet walked into her room and saw Robert already asleep.   Robert awoke briefly.   Janet stated to him “it's only me,” lit a cigarette, removed her sandals, and left the room.

On the morning of 28 August 1993, a sanitation worker found Janet lying on the beach in a “puddle of blood” near the steps leading to the deck of the Carolinian.   Janet had suffered small stab wounds on the side of her neck, a deep cut around her throat, lacerations on the side of her face and jaw, and cuts on her hands.   Authorities located a pair of gray socks and worn, size nine, Spaulding high-top tennis shoes (“Spaulding shoes”) near her body.   Janet's shorts and belt laid next to her throat soaked in blood.

In 1996, Thomas Jabin Berry (“defendant”) was incarcerated as a result of a probation revocation from an earlier offense.   During defendant's incarceration, authorities took a sample of defendant's blood and entered it into the State's Deoxyribonucleic Acid (“DNA”) data bank.   In April 1997, a computer search matched defendant's DNA with the DNA profile of the semen taken from Janet's body three years earlier.   Police subsequently arrested and charged defendant with the rape and murder of Janet.

Links

Janet Siclari’s Surfside Homicide

 
You can write to Thomas Jabin Berry at:

Thomas Jabin Berry 29703  
​Pamlico Correctional Institution
601 North Third Street
Bayboro, NC 28515

Stealing Beauty Timmy Brent Olsen

Stealing Beauty Discovery ID describes this episode as when high school sophomore Kiplyn Davis never returns home after school, police suspect foul play. Investigators search her hometown for clues, but are met with little success. After years go by without any answers, dark secrets begin to be revealed..           

Timmy Brent Olsen pleaded guilty to a second-degree felony charge of manslaughter. He was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, to be served concurrently with the federal perjury sentence he is currently serving. He admitted to many friends that he had raped, killed and buried Kiplyn.

This murder occurred in Utah.

You can not write to Timmy Brent Olsen as he has likely been released since this occurred in 1995.

Links

Timmy Olsen pleads guilty to role in Kiplyn Davis killing

Timmy Brent Olsen

Deadly Deception Daryl Anthony Priestley

Deadly Deception Discovery ID describes this episode as when 19-year old Brandie Danielle Davis is found dead in her college apartment, strangled with the cord from her laptop, Statesboro, Georgia police know they'd better be quick and find this co-ed's killer. When they discover you can't judge a book by its cover.  


 Daryl Anthony Priestley plead guilty to murder and other charges and was sentenced to life plus ten years. He gave several different stories about what had happened, but never once explained why he killed her. She had not been raped, but was very battered and bruised in addition to have been strangled.

Links

Killer refuses to discuss night of murder


You can write to Daryl Anthony Priestley at:

Daryl Anthony Priestley 1000442926
​Calhoun State Prison
P.O. Box 249
Morgan, GA 39866

Nightmare Over the Rainbow Shawn Doyle

Nightmare Over the Rainbow Discovery ID describes this episode as before single mom Lori Leonard settles into her upstate New York home, she vanishes without a trace and detectives don't know if she's dead or alive. Only when a couple of Average Joes make an extraordinary catch do they reel in the shark who did Lori in.

On July 24, 2005, a large truck chest was discovered floating in the Champlain Canal near Lock 9 in Washington County.   The chest was locked and a mordant odor was emanating from it.   It was thereafter revealed that the chest, which had been weighed down with sand tubes, contained the body of defendant's former girlfriend, who had been missing from the Madison County area for over 10 weeks.   The victim's mouth had been gagged with a bandana and duct taped shut while her hands and feet had been bound with handcuffs and duct tape.   Her body had been wrapped in a comforter from her bed.   An autopsy revealed that she died from asphyxia due to suffocation.

This gruesome discovery was made a short distance from Shawn Doyle's Washington County home.   Indeed, he was the last person to have seen the victim alive on May 4, 2005 after traveling to Central New York to help her move.   Following a jury trial, defendant was found guilty of murder in the second degree and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.   He now appeals.

Links

Jury finds Doyle guilty
 
You can write to  Shawn Doyle at:

Shawn Doyle 06A1215
Coxsackie Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 999
Coxsackie, New York 12051-0999

Murder at Sunrise Phillip James Busey

Murder at Sunrise Discovery ID describes this episode as when Kathryn Hauser is brutally murdered in her home, the residents of a posh Albuquerque neighborhood are stricken with fear. Police receive numerous tips, but it's a pair of shoeprints that leads them to a criminal who's stayed a step ahead of the law.

Phillip James Busey was convicted of several charges following a jury trial, Defendant Phillip Busey was convicted of one count of first-degree murder, two counts of criminal sexual penetration resulting in great bodily harm, , one count of kidnapping, one count of aggravated burglary,  and one count of armed robbery.

Links

Transient Charged In Hauser Murder Was Free On Plea Deal

You can write to Phillip Busey at:

Phillip Busey, 29429
Cimarron Correctional Facility
3200 South Kings Highway
Cushing, OK 74023

   

Mile High Murder Mystery Tiffany Durst

Mile High Murder Mystery    Terence George is found shot to death in his own apartment and police are desperate to find answers. Terence's fiance Tiffany Durst is nowhere to be found, leading investigators to dig into the young woman's rocky past.

Tiffany Durst was murdered during the same crime and was not the killer. Her body was not found until April 7, 2011.

Terrence McNeal, 21,had previously dated Tiffany and believed she was going to testify against him in a robbery case. He was found guilty of many charges and sentenced to life.

Janelle Harris  two counts of first-degree murder after deliberation, and charges of robbery, burglary, and kidnapping.

Tiera Homes, took a plea deal for two counts of murder with 16 years in prison on each of two murder charges. She has since been released from prison.

Overall, a complete waste of no less then five lives!

Links

Woman found guilty for role in 2010 Aurora slayings

You can write to Terrence McNeal at:

Terrence McNeal 159282
Sterling Correctional Facility
PO Box 6000
Sterling, CO, 80751








 You can write to Janelle Harris at:

Janelle Harris 159870
Denver Women's Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 392005
Denver, CO, 80239

Gone Richard Potts

Gone    In Stockton, California, 18-year old Jessyca Arro meets a dark fate. The twists and turns in the case keep this killer one step ahead until one last clue leads detectives to the mother lode.

Two jet skiers discovered the body of Jessyca Arro on the shoreline of the San Joaquin Delta. An amended information charged defendant Richard Potts with murder, escape, attempted carjacking, false imprisonment, and battery. A jury found defendant guilty on all counts. The court sentenced defendant to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Richard Potts acknowledges, consistent with DNA evidence, that he had sex with the victim, that the sexual encounter occurred in the vicinity of where her body was found, and that the victim used his phone to call her mother and her boyfriend on the morning in question. He denies that he had anything to do with her murder. His only contentions on appeal relate to a fracas that broke out in an adjacent courtroom where a defendant on trial for murder attacked and stabbed a judge before being shot and killed by an investigating officer in that case. Defendant argues the trial court erred in not granting his motion for a new trial based on the prejudicial impact of the violence in the adjacent courtroom. We shall affirm the judgment.

Links

Suspect in sex assault on girl kills himself

You can write to Richard Potts at:

Richard Potts G61212.
Kern Valley State Prison
P.O. Box 5101
Delano, CA 93216

Lone Star Mystery Brandon Woodruff

Lone Star Mystery Discovery ID describes this episode as the crime rate in rural Royse City, TX is almost non-existent. So when quiet couple Dennis and Norma Woodruff is found murdered in their own home, it sends shock waves through town. As police investigate, it seems the killings...are a family affair. 

Dennis and Norma Woodruff, parents of Brandon Dale Woodruff, were murdered in their manufactured home in Royse City, Texas, on October 16, 2005.    Both Dennis and Norma died as a  result  of  gunshot  wounds  and  multiple  stab  wounds. Brandon  was  soon  arrested  for  their murders.   While  Brandon  was  in  jail  awaiting  trial,  the  Hunt  County  District  Attorney‘s  Office instructed the  Hunt County Sheriff‘s Office to record  Brandon‘s conversations with his attorneys and  provide  the district attorney‘s office  with  copies  of  the  recordings.    The  Texas  Attorney General‘s  Office  agreed  to  prosecute  the  case  after  the  Hunt  County District  Attorney‘s  Office recused.    Prior to trial, Brandon filed a motion to suppress a statement he had given to the police, which the trial court denied.    A jury found Brandon guilty of capital murder, and an automatic life sentence was assessed.

There is a petition to free Brandon, but no one has signed it.

Links

New documentary looks into 2005 Woodruff double murder case

You can write to  Brandon Woodruff  at:

Brandon Woodruff  1559439
Stiles Unit
3060 FM 3514
Beaumont, TX 77705  

Fallen Starr Rickey Bell

Fallen Starr Discovery ID describes this episode as: when beloved wife and mother Starr Harris is savagely murdered in the woods behind her home, the trees hide more than just the killer's identity. The cold-blooded killing rocks tiny Drummonds, TN, but soon determined cops uncover a smoking gun.

  Rickey Bell was convicted by a jury of rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery, rape, and two counts of sexual battery
by an authority figure.  He was sentenced to a total effective sentence of forty-nine years in the Department of Correction.

The proof at trial revealed that Petitioner and the victim are related to each other and that the victim resided in the same home with Petitioner during the time period when the sexual assaults occurred.  The  victim testified that prior to her thirteenth birthday,Petitioner “hunched” up  and down on  her  “butt.”

In addition to the above unrelated crime  Rickey Bell was convicted of raping and beating a Drummonds, TN, woman, namely Starr Harris to death after an argument over his paycheck.

Links

Man On Death Row Gets Additional Sentence

You can write to Rickey Bell at:

 Rickey Bell 00527014
Turney Center Industrial Main Site
1499 R.W. Moore Memorial Highway
Only, Tennessee 37140-4050
  

Thanksgiving Tragedy Matthew Correll

Thanksgiving Tragedy Discovery ID describes this episode as Chris Mader is shot to death on Thanksgiving eve. Many years later investigators are lead to an unlikely informant. This murder was committed by  Matthew Correll.       
 
In the early morning hours of November 25, 2004, Christopher Mader was found dead in the driver's seat of his silver 2001 Dodge Stratus, with a gunshot wound to the head. The Stratus had come to rest on the side of Smallwood Drive, in Waldorf, after crashing into electrical boxes. It was still running, was in drive, and its back windshield was shattered. Mader had been driving home from his job as a bartender at Bennigan's.

Police were called to the scene. They recovered from the Stratus a .40 caliber bullet on the floorboard, a coin bag with $59.46, and Mader's wallet, containing $1,080. The initial investigation into the shooting did not turn up any leads.

In March 2007, Kevin Smith, an inmate at the Brockbridge Correctional Institution and a self-described “jailhouse attorney,” wrote a letter to the Charles County Sheriff's Office in which he claimed to know the identity of the person who had shot and killed Mader. In April 2007, Smith was questioned by Detective Keith Moody, and stated that the appellant, a fellow inmate at Brockbridge, had confessed to the murder. The police undertook an investigation, which included interviews of Shawn Myers and James Chaney, friends of the appellant. On October 22, 2010, the appellant was arrested and charged in connection with Mader's murder.

Links

Guilty verdict reached in Mader murder case

You can write Matthew Correll  at:

Matthew Correll 00408838
North Branch Correctional Institution
14100 McMullen Highway, SW,
Cumberland, MD 21502

Madison Murder Mystery Adam Peterson

Madison Murder Mystery    Everyone in Madison, WI is shocked when Joel Marino is stabbed to death in broad daylight. No one can imagine who'd want to do in this sociable salesman, and the predator seems one step ahead of police until an unexpected twist leads to capture.

Adam Peterson was linked to this murder through DNA.   

In 2010, Adam Peterson committed suicide with the help of his cell mate, Joshua Walters. Joshua was sentenced to 27 months of jail for helping him. He hung himself with a bed sheet and the assistance of Joshua.

Adam was identified as a person of interest and with that and other evidence, a warrant for his DNA was issued. His father claimed he was a very troubled young man.

Links

UPDATE: Assisted Suicide of Adam Peterson

Adam Peterson

The Art of Murder Ambrose Harris

The Art of Murder Discovery  ID describes this episode as: as 22 year old Kristin Huggins is about to make her artistic debut she suddenly disappears. Soon its clear that the painter from PA had a brush with disaster in nearby NJ. Despite their best efforts, it takes cops quite some time to catch her killer.

Ambrose Harris was convicted of her.

Kristin Huggins disappeared while driving to paint a mural in downtown Trenton on the morning of December 17, 1992. Huggins' car was discovered on December 18, 1992, but police were unable to locate her.

On February 18, 1993, Gloria Dunn went to the police with her sister and told police that she knew where Huggins' body was. Dunn led the police to Huggins' badly decomposed body and gave police a
statement identifying Harris as the killer. She gave them several additional statements containing a number of inconsistencies and additions over the next year and a half.

On June 8, 1994, Harris was indicted for purposeful or knowing murder by his own conduct, kidnapping, and robbery, among other charges. The State served a notice of aggravating factors as a basis for the death penalty, alleging that the murder was committed in the course of a felony, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3c(4)(g), and for the purpose of escaping detection, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3c(4)(f).

His appeal includes: The guilt phase began on January 10, 1996. The jury reached a verdict on February 20, 1996. Dunn's testimony provided the only direct evidence linking Harris to the crime. Dunn testified that she was with Harris when he hijacked Huggins' car, forced Huggins into the trunk, and later raped and shot her in a deserted area along Route 1 in Trenton. Dunn claimed that Harris threatened he would come looking for her if she told anyone what had occurred. She also claimed that Harris' threats and her fear of being implicated in the crime prevented her from going to the police immediately.

You can write to Ambrose Harris at:

Ambrose Harris 000275015A
New Jersey State Prison
P.O. Box 861
Trenton, New Jersey 08625