Virginia Tech Fatal Shooting: ‘Our Hearts are Broken Again’

December 09, 2011

[This article is by contributing writer Ivy Bigbee. She is a Washington, D.C.-based writer.]

Blacksburg, Va. – What first appeared to be a re-broadcast of television news coverage from the April 2007 Virginia Tech massacre instead were live events related to a fatal shooting on Dec. 8 that claimed the life of a Virginia Tech campus policeman. 

The gunman’s unconfirmed suicide occurred minutes later.  Trauma now ripples through a scarred community, a nation still grieving, according to the Associated Press and local media reports.  What was supposed to be an ordinary “reading day” before exams instead became a four-hour campus lockdown. 
University President Charles Steger noted during a press conference after the shootings that “Our hearts are broken again for the family of our police officer.” 

The officer killed was Deriek W. Crouse, 39, of Christiansburg, Va.  Crouse was an Army veteran and married father of five who reportedly hired on with the university police six months after the 2007 bloodbath. 

No motive or cause for the killings has been made public.

Approximately a quarter mile from where Crouse was conducting a routine traffic stop, authorities found the body of the presumed shooter: a Caucasian male dressed in sweat clothes.

Officials not willing to reveal specific information about the dead gunman did provide a timeline of events during their televised press conference:

12:15 p.m.  Officer Crouse reported a traffic stop but did not communicate thereafter.  Minutes later, dispatchers failed to reach him.

12:30 p.m.  A witness to the officer’s shooting contacted police and relayed what he saw -- that the gunman had left the crime scene on foot.  Calls for assistance went to local, state and federal police, who quickly responded.

1 p.m.  Police discovered a man with a gunshot wound at a campus parking area; a gun was located nearby.

The shooting occurred on the day Virginia Tech officials were in Washington attempting to negate a government fine relating to criticism of the university’s emergency procedures during the April 2007 shootings.  The 2007 shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, 23, a profoundly troubled student enrolled at the university, killed 33 people and then turned the gun on himself.      

 

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Aphrodite Jones Reports: The Man Who Killed Michael Jackson

November 29, 2011

[ Aphrodite Jones gives her perspective on the trial of Conrad Murray. Check in for her regular reports.   Read her Bio >> ]

At Murray's highly charged sentencing hearing this morning, Judge Pastor outlined the outrageous conduct of Doctor Murray whose actions were determined to be criminal. The outraged judge told the world that Murray not only abandoned his patient, but he allowed his personal life to interfere with his professional responsibilities, playing Russian Roulette with his patient. 

Worst of all, the angry judge alleged that Murray taped an incoherent Michael Jackson as an "insurance  policy" to perhaps use against Michael as a bargaining chip, should the two ever suffered a falling out. The judge called Murray "a disgrace to the medical profession," and threw the book at the arrogant man who "violated the trust" of both Michael Jackson and the entire medical community.

I found it disturbing that Conrad Murray decided not to make any statement nor to apologize to the Jackson family for his medical "mistakes" and instead looked more defiant than ever as his sentence was imposed. There was no remorse, nor any shred of accountability on the part of Doctor Murray, who, it turns out, could not be sentenced to 4 years in prison, but rather was mandated to serve his 4 years in the LA County jail. The travesty about this sentence is that Murray will most likely have his sentence reduced by the LA Sheriff due to overcrowding in the LA jails.

Conrad Murray was sentenced to the maximum, but, in reality, Murray (just like Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan)  might get an "out of jail" card perhaps as soon as ONE year.

This begs the question -- will justice have been served if Murray is allowed to live with an ankle bracelet once the publicity has died down? Is this justice? Is this vengeance? 

The truth is, of course, that vengeance is not ours -- but --  I guess being known as "the Man who Killed Michael Jackson" for eternity -- might just turn out to be the very worst sentence of all.

Fairyland Justice: The Murder Trial of James Robert “Bob” Ward

September 23, 2011

[ By Dr. Kenneth J. Ryan, a criminologist at California State University.  Read his Bio >>

credit: Lawrence Lawry/Getty

 

A high profile murder trial is in its second week in Orlando, Florida, heard in the same courtroom as was the recent Casey Anthony trial.  James Robert “Bob” Ward is accused of murdering his wife Diane in September 2009 with a gunshot to her face in the family home.  The prosecution alleges that in his 9-1-1 call to police Ward admitted five times that he shot his wife.  However, much as did Casey Anthony’s statements to police, Ward’s statements have wavered and his account of events surrounding Diane Ward’s death has been inconsistent.

No, Ward didn’t suggest that Zanny the Nanny shot his wife, nor was it suggested that his wife actually perished at the bottom of George Anthony’s pool; not yet, at least.  Instead, Ward later told police that his wife’s death was an accident, then later still a suicide.  In another story, the one he appears to be sticking with, he said that his wife was killed whilst they struggled for control of a gun - as she attempted suicide.  However, forensic evidence shows that the pistol was 18 inches from the victim’s face when the fatal shot was fired.  Although this isn’t impossible, it’s a tough argument to make: the victim must have held the gun a foot and a half away from her face, backwards; she must have carefully aimed the backwards-pointing gun to the approximate center of her face; she then pushed the trigger forward to discharge the weapon; and these things were done as she struggled with her husband for control of the weapon.  In addition, according to other evidence, Diane Ward was intoxicated and under the influence of drugs.  Anywhere else but Orlando, Ward could be in real trouble.

We learned from the Casey Anthony debacle that murder trial juries in Orlando are selected based on their inability to pass judgment on anyone, their disbelief in the death penalty in death penalty cases (this isn’t one of them), and otherwise their collective abilities to suspend reality and come to fairytale conclusions independent of both prosecution and defense arguments offered at trial.  The casual observer might speculate aloud that Ward fabricated the fight-over-the-gun story (also called Version 4.0), and instead deliberately pointed a gun at his wife’s face and pulled the trigger to commit murder; murder for substantial profit, the prosecution alleges.  But history has shown that Orlando juries are no mere casual observers.

In a city known for its imaginary characters, magic kingdoms, and living happily ever after, a lie is not a lie.  It’s merely fantasy or fiction, a fanciful tale, and never evidence of guilt.  Orlando juries are clever as wizards and can divine truth without the encumbrance of fact.  Just as it was for Casey Anthony, that is very good news for Bob Ward.

David Kromer Found Dead at Ohio Resort

November 11, 2009

Authorities in Ohio discovered the body of 56-year-old David L. "Jody" Kromer at a Vermilion Township resort this afternoon. According to officials with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, it appeared Kromer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Kromer was wanted in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 58-year-old Carla Westhofen, a woman whose body was found dumped in a Pennsylvania field last weekend.

"Instead of causing more harm to other people, I’m glad he did it to himself," Carla's son, Todd Dahnke, told morningjournal.com. "It sounds morbid to say, but this is probably the best news we’ve had in a week."

Related Link:
Body of Missing Ohio Woman Found in Rural Pennsylvania Field

Photo Credit: Police file photo

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Self-Professed Female Anti-Christ Kills Son and Herself at Florida Shooting Range

April 09, 2009

Some pretty disturbing cases have occurred in Florida in the past year, but an incident that recently occurred in Casselberry, Fla., has got to be one of the most bizarre cases that local law enforcement has ever investigated.

On April 5, 44-year-old Marie Moore and her 20-year-old son Mitchell Moore went to the Shoot Straight Gun Range in Casselberry for an afternoon of target practice – or at least that is what Mitchel was led to believe. Unbeknownst to him, his mother had a much more sinister plan in mind.

After renting two handguns and purchasing ammunition, Moore and her son were led to a booth in the range where they proceeded to take turns shooting at targets. Most of the events that transpired were captured on surveillance video. Nothing on that video seems to suggest an impending tragedy; however, outside appearances can be deceiving, and we now know that Moore was actually biding her time, waiting for the opportune moment to put her plan into action.

At one point, Moore left the booth to purchase additional ammunition. While she was gone, Mitchell continued to shoot at a target down range. Upon Moore's return, mother and son chatted briefly with a man in the next booth. Afterwards, Mitchell refocused his attention on his paper target, unaware that his mother was drawing up her own gun and aiming it directly at his head. Seconds later, Moore fired off a single, execution-style shot into the back of her son's head.

'Santa Suit' Killer's Rampage Leaves Nine Dead in California

December 29, 2008

Due to the actions of a single individual, at least 13 young people have been orphaned following a brutal massacre that occurred in Covina, California, on Christmas Eve.

Last Wednesday, Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, 45, donned a Santa costume and armed himself with four handguns and a flamethrower before knocking on the front door of a home owned by his ex-wife's parents.

According to police, an eight-year-old girl answered the door, at which time Pardo shot her in the face. Pardo then burst inside, interrupting a Christmas Eve party with a hail of gunfire. Sixteen of the 25 guests managed to make it outside, while the others, who never had a chance to react, were shot execution-style.

Once he was satisfied with the carnage he had inflicted on the unsuspecting family, Pardo took out a homemade pressurized device that he had disguised as a present and doused the interior of the house with a flammable cocktail made up of high-octane racing fuel and compressed air. Unfortunately for Pardo, his plan hit a snag when the vapor suddenly ignited. It remains unclear whether a pilot light or candle was the cause; however, the ensuing fire caused Pardo to suffer third-degree burns to his arms and legs. The heat was so intense that portions of the Santa costume melted onto Pardo's flesh.

Partygoers who had managed to escape, some with serious injury, immediately called 911 to report the shootings and fire.

"He's shooting my whole family. My mum's house is on fire," Pardo's ex-sister-in-law, Leticia, told the emergency dispatcher. "We need someone immediately. My daughter's been shot. She was shot in the face."

Listen to the 911 callOpen Audio in New Window

Unbeknownst to police and firefighters who arrived on the scene, a severely injured Pardo had already fled the area and was en route to his brother's house in Sylmar, roughly 25 miles from the scene of the shooting.

It took nearly 100 firefighters an hour and a half to finally get the blaze under control. During a walkthrough of the interior, investigators found the charred remains of three victims in the living room area. Not long thereafter, authorities found the remains of five additional victims.

Police Identify Wealthy Family of Five Dead in California

May 28, 2008

The Orange County Sheriff's Department has positively identified the five family members who were found dead in an upscale California neighborhood last Sunday.

According to Lt. Erin Giudice, spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the victims have been identified as Manas Ucar, 58, and his wife Margrit, 48; 21-year-old twin daughters, Margo and Grace; and the family's maternal grandmother, 72-year-old Fransuhi Kesisoglu.

ABC News is reporting that Manas Ucar was a former Syracuse University professor who, along with his wife, had emigrated from Turkey several years ago. According to The Southern Ledger, the couple's daughters had recently completed bachelor degrees in biology.

Giudice confirmed reports that Manas and Margrit had suffered gunshot wounds; however could not comment on how the remaining family members died pending the release of additional autopsy results.

Yesterday, Guidice said that Manas and Margrit were found in a downstairs closet, while Margo, Grace and Fransuhi were discovered in the attached bedroom. Guidice also said that two handguns were found at the scene, one of which was registered to the Margrit Ucar.

More details are expected in the coming days.

Read More About Family of Five Found Dead in California

Manas Ucar's Photo Curtsey of Orange County Sheriff's Department

Wealthy Family Found Dead in California; Police Investigate Possible Murder-Suicide

May 27, 2008

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is investigating the shooting deaths of five family members who were found dead in an upscale California neighborhood this past weekend.

According to Sheriff's Lt. Erin Guidice, a relative of the family was conducting a wellness check Sunday afternoon when they discovered the bodies inside their Sea Pointe Estates home, located approximately 65 miles southeast of Los Angeles.  Sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene at about 4 p.m., just 10 minutes after receiving the initial 9-1-1 call.

The names of the dead were not immediately released and investigators have not officially commented on a cause of death.  However, the Orange County Register has reported that the victims – two sisters in their early 20s, an elderly woman, and a man and woman in their 40s or 50s – were all shot to death.  The bodies of the middle-aged couple were found in a downstairs closet, while the three other victims were discovered in the attached bedroom.

Yesterday, Guidice told the Associated Press that two handguns were found...

Continue Reading Wealthy Family Found Dead in California

Two Adults and Three Children Found Dead in Houston Home

May 12, 2008

Police in Houston, Texas are investigating the mysterious deaths of a family of five in the 10100 block of Stonewood Street today. Investigators say the victims are two adults and three young children.

On Saturday afternoon, Winston Brisko noticed that his neighbors' bull was wandering around his yard unattended. Concerned, Brisko and another family member walked up to their neighbors' house and Brisko peered through the fence. It was then that he quickly realized something was seriously wrong something far worse than a wandering bull.

"We saw a body, but we couldn't see a face and there was a rifle next to him," Brisko told the Associated Press.

It did not appear to Brisko that his neighbor was alive, so he ran home and dialed 9-1-1. The Houston Police Department logged his emergency call at 3:30 p.m. Within minutes several patrol cars had arrived at the scene and officers cautiously made their way to the house.

Investigators found the body of a man on the front porch, in the area Brisko had described in his 9-1-1 call. A 22-caliber rifle lay near his body, along with several shell casings. Inside, police first found the body of a woman, believed to be the victim's wife, and the body of a boy, approximately eight years old, in a room adjoining the porch. In another room, police found the bodies of two other children, a boy, who appeared to be five years old and a girl who appeared to be four years old.

"I've been a police officer for 25 years and this is the [call] you just hope you never have to make," Sgt. John Chomiak told ABC13.com.

Police believe the family had been dead for at least 48 hours before their bodies were discovered. Investigators will not comment on how the family died or if they suspect that their deaths were a murder-suicide. They have only said that there were no obvious signs of a struggle inside the home.

Investigators have not released the names of the victims; however a reverse directory search of the address leads to a home owned by...

Continue Reading Two Adults and Three Children Found Dead in Houston Home

Walter Ferri Guns Down Family in Apparent Murder-Suicide

May 08, 2008

Police say Ferri killed himself, along with Stacy and Sherry Lee and James Glass

On Monday, nineteen-year-old James Glass of Long Beach, Mississippi, was engaged to the love of his life, 19-year-old Stacy Lee, of Gulfport. Not only were the two set to be married, they were also expecting the birth of their first child. Today, James and Stacy are dead.  No wedding, no child, and no life to look forward to. All of that was stolen from them on Tuesday, when Stacy's stepfather shot them dead, along with Stacy's sister, 17-year-old Sherry Lee, in an apparent murder-suicide.

The Harrison County Sheriff's Department received an emergency 911 call at approximately 3:22 a.m., Tuesday, from a female caller who said that her stepfather, 50-year-old Walter Ferri, was holding a gun on her mother inside their Andre Drive home. As officers were dispatched to the scene, a second 911 call was received from the female caller at 3:37 a.m., notifying the dispatcher that someone had been shot. Further details from that conversation have not yet been released.

Details remain sketchy. However, at some point during the incident, the girls' mother, Sonja Ferri, managed to crawl out of a window in the back of the home and ran for help. Shortly thereafter, roughly 12 minutes after the first 911 call was received, five sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene.  Aware there was an armed suspect inside, but unaware of the current situation, the deputies maintained their distance while attempting to negotiate with Walter Ferri.

When deputies failed to make any progress with Ferri, they ordered him to come out of the house with his hands up. The time was 4:40 a.m. In response to their demands, Ferri yelled out, "No, I'm going to kill myself."  Moments later, a single gunshot rang out.

When deputies entered the home, they discovered Ferri's body slumped on the floor, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  A revolver and handgun lay close by. In the living room, deputies found the lifeless body of James Glass.  As they made their way to the back of the home, the smell of gunpowder still lingering in the air, deputies found the bodies of Stacy and Sherry inside a bathroom.

"One sister was laying up against the bathtub, and the other sister was laying on top of her," Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove told WLOX.com.

When recounting the scene to the media, deputies later said it appeared as though the sisters were attempting to hide when they were shot and that they had been huddling together in an apparent attempt to protect and comfort each other...

Continue Reading Walter Ferri Guns Down Family in Apparent Murder-Suicide

Photo Courtesy of Harrison County Sheriff's Department

Vermont Police Investigate Possible Murder-Suicide; Search for Missing Child

April 14, 2008

Police say Nicole Waring jumped into river holding 6-year-old daughter

Police in Wardsboro, Vermont are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that occurred over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of 40-year-old Nicole Waring and her daughter, 6-year-old Dakota Waring.  A second daughter, 2-year-old Grace Waring, remains missing.

On the morning of April 12, a dispatcher at the Vermont State Police barracks in Rockingham received a 911 call from the parents of Nicole Waring, who reported their daughter and two grandchildren had gone missing.  Nicole had been staying with her parents and had allegedly been acting strange and despondent in the preceding days, leading them to fear for her safety.

"The parents reported the mother being last seen at their residence at 2300 hours on 4/11/08," reads a press release issued by the Vermont State Police.  "At approximately 0100 hours on 4/12/08 family members report hearing noises indicating that someone had left the residence.  Upon further investigation the family members found that the mother and her two children had left the residence in an unknown direction.  Family members initiated a search in the general area which had negative results."

When state police troopers arrived at Nicole’s parents’ house they interviewed her family members and began to prepare for a formal search. State Police Sgt. Robert McCarthy then spotted Nicole and Dakota standing on the banks of a swollen brook, roughly 100 yards away from Nicole’s parents’ house.

What happened next was shocking. 

To read the complete article, click here.