As with any move, I still have much more work to do. I’m still unpacking boxes, so to speak, and I’m sure I’ll change my internet furniture around many times before I’m completely satisified!

In the meantime, please check it out. I’ve been working hard on things there and I’m hoping that with the new place, I will bring some of the best in true crime. Please also check out the forums and feel free to register!

http://crimeinterrupted.com

Just over 11 years ago, a young girl named Anna Palmer was brutally murdered after returning home from a friend’s house.  Her lifeless body was found by her mother on the front porch of her family’s home in a pool of blood. There’s no doubt the memory of finding her daughter with several stab wounds has traumatized her. For a little over a decade, Anna’s family has been unable to grieve properly for her, knowing that a child killer was somewhere out there. Maybe he would kill another child. Maybe he was dead as well, leaving a torturous lifelong question mark into who could have killed such a beautiful, smart, and likeable girl such as Anna.

I guess you could say the one thing Anna’s family did have, that a lot of families of murder victims don’t, is a physical body. You can bury your child,  knowing that she is in Heaven and has a proper resting place, but not knowing who caused this tragedy in the first place leaves a giant hole that can only begin to be repaired when the person is finally caught.

Thankfully, the family and friends of Anna Palmer can now continue to heal, as justice has seemingly come full circle for Anna. A suspect in her case has been identified through DNA in the CODIS database. The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a federal database that stores DNA results from violent crimes, in hopes of some day matching a person to that crime. In this case, a prisoner who was serving time in an Idaho prison for a sex crime against a child matched the DNA that was taken from Anna Palmer’s fingernails during her autopsy. That prisoner’s name is Matthew John Breck.

Back in 1998, Breck was a 19-year-old man living in the same area that Anna lived in. In 2001, he was convicted of  sodomy and lewdness with a minor.  He has been in prison since that time. Breck was never considered a suspect in the case until his DNA allegedly matched the DNA samples that were taken from Anna’s fingernails.    

The Salt Lake City Police Department never forgot about Anna, and they never gave up on her case. Although it took all this time for the case to finally be solved, there are many cases out there that never get solved. I can only imagine the emotions that flood the good people that have been working on a case to suddenly have that closure, not only for their own piece of mind, but to be able to tell the family “We got the guy”. I can imagine many of the went home and hugged their families that day. In a sad footnote, Dave Palmer, the father of Anna Palmer, passed away just before Christmas, before the news of the match was released to the public. The police have been aware of the match for a few months, but it’s unclear if Mr. Palmer was aware of the match before his death.   

More on this case and how it was solved at the links below:

My original post on the Anna Palmer case 9/11/08

Sources:

Deseret News (A more detailed article)

Salt Lake Tribune

Susan Powell, missing since 12/07/09

Susan Powell, the Utah mother who vanished, seemingly without a trace, is still missing after 4 weeks.  The case still remains as mysterious as it did on December 7th, when Susan disappeared. 

It all began with a phone call that day, in which the babysitter called family members of Susan and Joshua Powell, to report that the Powells’ two boys, ages 2 and 4, were not dropped off as they normally would.  Nor had the Powells called in sick to their jobs.  Despite efforts to reach Susan or Joshua, the family feared the worst–in this case, they believed the family of four had possibly succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.  At this point, the family called out the West Valley City Police Department. Police broke into the home, only to find it empty with none of the Powells in sight.  However, Susan Powell’s purse and cell phone were in the house.  Allegedly, two fans were aimed at a wet spot on the living room floor,  presumedly in an effort to dry the spot.

The worst news was yet to come. Finally, Joshua Powell was reached, but he did not have Susan with him. Joshua Powell claimed he left his wife at home, sound asleep, while he and the couple’s two boys went camping.  Powell claims that he took the boys after midnight on a camping trip, approximately 100 miles away from home in freezing cold temperatures. This was typical behavior on the part of Joshua Powell, according to family and friends of both Susan and Joshua. This is the Josh Powell they know–the spur of the moment guy, never has a plan, just does what he wants and takes his time doing it.  It would not be out of character for Josh Powell to take his boys, with a moments notice on a camping trip.  Friends and family, however, concede that Susan would never allow him to take the boys in the middle of the night– on a Sunday night no less, for a camping trip, knowing that both of them had to work the next day and the boys would have to go to daycare. 

The case has taken on more bizarre twists and turns. What seems like an obvious open and shut case, is stone-walled by the silence of the one person who should care the most–Joshua Powell.  Early media interviews with Joshua Powell are bizarre at best, with his wacky claims that he was a day behind and thought it was Sunday, completely forgetting that he and his wife had to work in the morning.  His strange, unverifiable claim that he went camping in terrible weather, approximately 100 miles from his home to the Pony Express Trails/ Simpson Springs because he planned on making s’mores for the boys. Certainly there are closer areas to camp and make an easy treat such as s’mores. Like in your backyard, for instance. 

Then there’s Joshua Powell’s complete lack of interest in finding Susan. A person with his background in websites and the internet surely could make an incredible website to plead for information in his wife’s disappearance. His media appearances certainly could have been better utilized to beg and plead for his wife’s safe return. But Joshua Powell didn’t seem interested in that. His few media offerings have focused on ‘getting his boys’ and getting his beloved pet birds. No begging and pleading, no attempt on his part to keep his wife’s face in the media. After all, isn’t that what the police are for? 

The bizarre actions of Joshua Powell hardly end with his evasive interviews with the media. Powell headed north to his hometown of Pullayup, Washington with the couple’s children in tow, just before the holidays. Before leaving Utah, he hired a high profile attorney, Scott Williams (the attorney for Elizabeth Smart kidnapper, Wanda Barzee) and discontinued his communication with law enforcement.  Since that time, Powell attended a vigil in Washington, but word from him after the vigil has been scarce.  

The heartbroken friends and family of Susan Powell are the ones who have been keeping Susan’s name in the media. They have worked hard to make sure no one forgets she is missing. A social media blitz kicked off this morning, complete with You Tube videos, Twitter pages, and Facebook fan pages. The hope is for Susan’s story to be heard by as many people as possible. I will be linking all the pages below, along with some interesting articles on the case. 

In the meantime,  I hope and pray that Susan Powell will be found. Although the circumstances are pointing to a less than desirable outcome, it is my hope that Susan is alive. If she is not, I hope that she will be found or that someone can find it deep in their heart to put an end to the pain that Susan’s friends and family are surely suffering. 

YOU TUBE VIDEO: (Courtesy Susan Powell Search You Tube Channel) 

Powell searchers piling up friends in media blitz/Salt Lake Tribune  –Related articles to the right of main article.

Friends of missing Utah mom launch media Web blitz/KSL.com–Related articles/links to the right of the article.

Friends and Family of Susan Powell Facebook Page

Find Susan Twitter Page

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To those who continue to read:  Thank You!  To those who are new:  Welcome!   

My hope is to send things in a positive direction with my blog and not only focus on crime, but the every day heroes who take a stand against crime.

Note: I’ve decided to start a new feature every Friday called “Four Corners Friday”. I will feature a crime from each of the Four Corners states. If you come across a crime in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, or Utah that you would be interested in being featured here, please feel free to contact me via the “Contact” link at the top of the page. Please write “Four Corners Friday” in the subject line of your form. Also, please make sure the submission is a crime committed or connected to the Four Corners states!!

ARIZONA– A MAN WITH A PLAN

David L. Santy, Jr.-accused of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder [Pima County Sheriff's Dept.

 COLORADO-GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS

So many times I read about the horrific suffering of defenseless children at the hands of their mother’s boyfriends. We hear so often how a woman goes from being a single mom to a mom with a live-in boyfriend. While not all situations where a new boyfriend enters the picture turns into tragedy, it is an increasing problem. I can understand and appreciate the fact that it’s hard being a single parent, but no matter how hard, no matter how young or old you are, you have a responsibility to your child(ren) to make choices with them in mind.  Part of being a responsible parent means making wise choices that are in the best interest of your child(ren), not yourself. So if you find yourself chomping at the bit for love and that happily ever after, please be choosy.  Your choices could affect you and your child in ways you never imagined.

Now, the following scenerio is fiction, but it has some basis in fact, given that this happens all too often. And yes, often times the roles are reversed.

My name is Baby.  I’m 1 year and 2 months old. A few months ago, my mommy met Johnny. Johnny is not my daddy, but he seems okay and he seems to make my mommy happy, so that makes me laugh and smile a lot. Anyway, mommy was really angry with my daddy and Johnny was there to comfort her–she was so lonely, she told Johnny.

Johnny doesn’t have a whole lot of things. He doesn’t have a job, he doesn’t have kids, and he doesn’t have a place to live. So mommy said Johnny could come live with us and that was great because now my mommy isn’t lonely. After all, she only had me and I am just a helpless baby. Plus mommy said it was really stressful trying to find time to take care of me and work to pay the bills. I think I heard her tell Johnny that she needed a man around the house to keep her satisfied. She told me that someday Johnny could be my daddy! That sounded great because I have heard my real daddy tell my mommy that he didn’t even think I was his! He also told her that he wanted nothing to do with me. If the mommy of his other kids found out, he would be in big trouble! That sounded horrible, so my mommy just said she would have another man, a real man, take care of me. So here we are– me, mommy, and Johnny–one big happy family.

One day, mommy went to work and Johnny was taking care of me. Johnny was sitting on the couch watching TV and I walked over to him. I tried to get his drink so I could tell him I needed something to drink, too. He dropped the drink and it spilled everywhere! Boy, was he mad! He pushed me backwards and I hit the back of my head on the coffee table. That really hurt a lot!!  I started crying and he picked me up. He looked at the back of my head and saw blood and a small gash. He washed it off with a washcloth. He hugged me and said he was sorry. It hurt, but I was okay. Mommy came home from work and Johnny showed  mommy my “owie”. He told mommy that I fell backwards and hit my head on the table. I wanted to tell my mommy he was lying, but I couldn’t. I can’t talk. I could say a couple things, but mommy didn’t understand me.

The next time Johnny hurt me, mommy was there, but she didn’t help me! We were having dinner and Johnny was feeding me. I was still mad at Johnny for hurting me and lying to my mommy about it. I was starting to not like him at all! He was feeding me food that was too hot and I started crying! It was burning my tongue! I couldn’t tell them it was hurting, I’m only a baby! So I screamed and cried! Johnny got mad and pulled my out of my highchair by only one arm. That hurt my arm! It felt like it came out of my arm socket. He let go of my arm and I fell to the ground. Then he picked me up by the waist and started shaking me! This gave me such a headache! My mommy finally got up and started yelling at Johnny. Yay, my mommy was going to save me! She went over to pick up the phone and Johnny put me down. He told my mommy to put the phone down. She told him to get out of her house. So, Johnny left for a little while. My mommy picked me up and told me how sorry she was that Johnny hurt me. My head still hurt and my arm felt limp. Mommy knew my arm was hurt really bad, so she took me to the hospital. All the doctors and nurses were so nice and fixed me up real good! They asked my mommy what happened to my arm. I thought she would tell them that Johnny hurt me, but she didn’t. She told them I was playing on the couch, fell off, and landed with my arm above my head. I don’t know why my mommy didn’t tell the truth. It hurt my feelings a lot. But, I’m just a baby, so I couldn’t say anything.

A couple weeks passed by and my mommy got a call from Johnny. Johnny was very sorry for what he did and he wanted a second chance. My mommy didn’t know if she should trust Johnny, but she told me she was in a bind and really needed someone she could depend on to watch me while she was at work. She didn’t have the extra money for daycare and no one else had time to help out. And she loved Johnny, even though he hurt me.

Things went okay with Johnny for the first couple days. I was very upset with him still and would always cry when my mommy would leave for work. I was trying to trust Johnny, but I was scared. Then, one day, Johnny was getting ready to give me a bath. My mommy was just about to leave and I was naked, upset, and crying for her. She said she was sorry, but she had to go to work. Johnny would give me a bath and I could play with all my toys in the tub. When mommy left, Johnny started putting some water in the tub. He was calling me names and telling me to shut up and stop crying already! I was really upset. He went to the kitchen and put some pots and pans on the stove. He went to the bathroom and shut off the water in the tub. Funny, he didn’t put as much water as mommy usually does. He never even looked at me as he went back into the kitchen and removed the pots and pans from the stove. Whatever was in there, it was steaming and looked really hot. Johnny took the pots and pans and dumped them in the bathtub. He looked mad. He looked so mad it was like he was looking right through me. He picked me up and tried to put me in the tub, but I could tell it was really hot. The steam was hot, and I could feel it. With all his strength, he put me in the tub. Man, was that hot! It burned so much and I screamed and struggled, but he didn’t care. I kept squirming and he pushed me down on my back. The pain was so horrible and I could see my skin was starting to peel immediately. I screamed so loud, I think we woke up the neighbors. I heard them pounding on the walls and then heard someone knocking on the front door. The next thing I know, there are police there and paramedics. The police gave Johnny some bracelets, but I think they call them handcuffs. The paramedics were trying to comfort me, but I was in so much pain and was crying for my mommy. The police asked Johnny where my mommy was and he told them she was at work. 

The paramedics put me in the ambulance and the police took Johnny away. I was so alone, except for the paramedics. They were trying to fix my skin, but I felt very tired. I could see that one of the paramedics was crying. When we got to the hospital, I saw mommy waiting there. She was crying and saying something about not understanding how this could have happened. She tried to kiss me but I had so many bandages on me. The nurses told her it would probably be best not to touch me so I didn’t get bacteria or infection or something like that. I also heard the doctor tell her that he didn’t think I would make it because my burns were so severe. That was the last time I saw my mommy on Earth.

When I got to Heaven, God wrapped me in His arms and told me how sorry He was for what Johnny did to me. He told me I would never have to worry about anyone hurting me ever again. His angels were now taking care of me and the only emotion they know in Heaven is love. I was very grateful to be in Heaven. God was right, I never felt the pain again.

I watched from above as my mommy held my body, now safe in the heavens. She told me how sorry she was for everything that happened. She told me how much she loved Johnny and how sad she was that he was in so much trouble. She said she wanted to see him and ask him “Why?” . I didn’t really understand why she would ever want to speak to him again.

I watched my mommy as the police spoke to her. She told the policeman that she never thought Johnny would hurt me and that she was heartbroken to have lost her only baby to a man she loved so much. The policeman asked her if she was sure she had never seen Johnny hurt me before and she said she hadn’t. Why was my mommy lying? I didn’t understand. The policeman told her that Johnny was telling them he hurt me before and she knew it.  Johnny also told them that she had hurt me as well. That’s when my mommy got angry. She told the policeman everything and then they gave her the bracelets, too.

I don’t know why it was more important for my mommy to have a man in her life, rather than protect me. I have heard that love can make you do strange things, but I’m just a little baby. My mommy ignored what happened to me because she loved Johnny. Even after I  made my way to the heavens above, she still was more concerned with what was going to happen to him. The only thing that made her turn around was to save herself. I loved my mommy and depended on her for everything. Why did she fail me?

I was only a baby.

ORIGINAL POST

 Westminster, COLORADO

“He’s probably one of the most caring, helpful individuals that I know. He would give the shirt off of his back to a complete stranger to help them out.”

 

Moses Earl Ingram is a fugitive wanted for domestic violence in New Mexico

Tucumcari, NEW MEXICO

Moses Earl Ingram was released from a New Mexico jail for what was supposed to be a two week furlough. He just wanted to see his kids he whimpered in a letter to the judge. It seems as though Moses Earl Ingram can be a crying, whiny bitch when it serves his purpose, but when it comes to the way he treats the ladies, Moses is anything but a kind, crying, wuss. He’s a tough guy that likes to beat his ladies.

  You see, Moses Earl Ingram- or Earl as I’ve heard he prefers to be called-apparently has a long career of violence towards women. His latest victim, his girlfriend Amber Simpson, was brutally beaten in April and sent to jail. The next month he posted bond and was out on the streets. You would think Earl would steer clear of his victim and at least attempt to keep his nose clean. But, Noooooooo.  The next day, he allegedly started calling her and harassing her at work. He allegedly told Amber that if he was going to go to jail, he was “gonna make it worth it”. Sounds like a death threat to me. Authorities agreed and promptly threw his butt back in the slammer. At least someone is doing their job and trying to keep the victim safe, right?

Well, in early July, the pathetic woman beater wrote to the judge and begged to be released to see his kids. I don’t know what was in the letter, but I’m sure it had to be pretty convincing for Judge Albert Mitchell to allow Ingram a two week furlough on nothing more than a Scout’s Honor. That’s right, a promise.

It didn’t take long for old Earl to start harassing Amber again, though. Way to play the old “I really just want to be with my kids” card. Very clever. Two days after his release, he found her, beat her, broke multiple bones in face, and nearly killed her. And that’s not all.

Not only is Earl on the run now, apparently Amber was never even notified that he had a hearing or was being released on this furlough.  If that is the case, that’s one colossal mistake that could have (and nearly did) cost this woman her life. As for Judge Mitchell, it seems he has a lot of explaining to do as to why he would let loose a violent creature such as Ingram who was clearly a danger. This is a man (and I use the term loosely) who is determined to end this woman’s life. He has a rap sheet full of violence toward women and has uttered death threats toward Amber. Yet he was released on a “promise” to behave . Oh yes, and house arrest. Otherwise, there was nothing stopping Earl from carrying out his threats.

Luckily, Amber is still alive, but is left at the moment to live in fear. At the moment it is Amber who is the prisoner, and Ingram who is free to do what he chooses. Kind of messed up, huh? It should be the other way around. While I’m sure the judge regrets his decision, there is a whole bunch of people to blame here. According to various reports, Amber recieved the notice of Ingram’s release the day he was actually released. Not much time for a victim of a crime to prepare herself from a man hellbent on killing her.

I’m sure we can all agree with this whole “innocent until proven guilty” jazz. That’s not the problem here. The problem is as usual the alleged criminal’s rights are more important than the victim’s. The threats to the victim’s life were all there. The signs were neon-colored. I can understand that judges have rules and certain things they have to consider before releasing a suspect, but clearly this guy was a threat to this woman. Given his past release and his failure to follow orders, you would think that would be enough for the judge to say no to this guy. 

And for now, Moses Earl Ingram is free. Free to endanger many lives. Free to keep Amber Simpson fearing for her life.

 Source/Source

It’s always hard to decide when it’s a good idea to take the law into your own hands. People who are in extraordinary situations sometimes make the right decision, sometimes they make a decision that costs them their lives.

Luckily, the decision Perry Bigley made was a good one. The Glendale, Arizona resident had just arrived home to find a group of people robbing his house. All the suspects ran, except for one. Yeah, he tried to flee-twice, but Mr. Bigley caught him and called authorities.  As Mr. Bigley held him down, the suspect who was rifling through his DVD collection cried and moaned that he couldn’t breathe. Poor little robber.

The authorities arrived and the suspect was taken into custody. Perry Bigley lost about $11,000 worth of electronic equipment. Hopefully, the would-be-robber will rat out his cohorts and Mr. Bigley will get his property back.

Source(Video included)

In Phoenix, Arizona, an 8-year-old girl was lured by 4 boys, ages 9, 10, 13, and 14 with promises of chewing gum and then gang-raped by those boys.  The boys allegedly admitted to police that they lured her and “took turns” sexually assaulting her. A video posted on the MyFox Phoenix website leads one to believe that both the family of the victim and the families of the suspects don’t believe that this even happened the way the little girl says it happened. You really have to watch the video to witness the indifference and mind-blowing things that these people believe. I’m pretty sure smoke was emitting from my ears due to the sheer anger I was feeling.

This whole “she’s too little” and “he’s too little” crap is really pissing me off.  Allow me to enlighten their ignorant asses. First of all, when a child or any person, for that matter, is running from a shed crying with only their underpants on, it’s not a good thing. An 8-year-old doesn’t have the presence of mind for feigning an incident such as this. Besides, as mentioned above, the boys admitted  doing this. Also, when your child is allegedly raped and traumatized in such a way, you need to stand by your child. Not leave them and show such disgraceful indifference. I don’t give a crap if you believe her or not at this point, but to walk away from your child and -if the reports are true-claim that your child has shamed your family and disown her, it’s just absolutely disgusting!! And what’s with the “I don’t know” crap when the reporter asks you if you believe your daughter is telling the truth. You know what? If my daughter is witnessed running and crying in her underwear and claims to have been sexually assaulted-I’m going to believe her until I find out different. That’s how I roll.

As for this “she’s too young and little”  to have sex bullshit, I have news for you. Maybe she was too young and little to actually KNOW what sex is about, but to be forcibly raped is something that has no age boundaries. As for a 9 or 10 year old being “too little” to rape someone, they may be too little in the traditional penile/vaginal penetration sense, but as most normal human beings who have even the slightest sense of what some of these nutjob pedophiles and the like do-there are other ways to sexually assault a person than the traditional way. Don’t tell me it’s not possible. I’ve read the cases where grown men rape day-old babies, with their penis, by the way.  So, if it’s true that you don’t believe this child, and if it’s true she has brought “shame” to your family and you have disowned her, get your head out of your ass and start believing your kid until you get evidence that proves otherwise. If you can’t do that, then I hope to God that she can find a family that does. 

The crimes that all the boys have been charged with include kidnapping and sexual assault. The 14-year-old is being charged as an adult. The victim is in the custody of Child Protective Services.   

UPDATED: In case the video at the link above wasn’t enough to bring your blood to a rolling boil, check out this gem of a quote from the 23-year-old sister of the victim:

“The sister, who was not identified by name by the station, expressed mixed feelings about her sister’s attack. “I came to her and said it’s not good for you to be following guys because you are still little,” the sister told KTVK. She also said that she wanted the suspects to be released from jail because “we are the same people.”"When she comes back I’m going to tell her don’t ever do that again because all of us, we are the same family, we are from the same place. Now she is just bringing confusion among us. Now the other people, they don’t want to see her,” the sister told KTVK.”

 Here are couple sources for this case:

4 boys accused in rape of 8-year-old girl [azcentral]

8-Year-Old Gang-Raped by 4 Boys [MyFox Phoenix]

Prosecutor: Juvenile sexual assault is “heartrending” [CNN] 

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