Chat House News: April 2011

Fashioning A Defense: Casey Anthony's Evolving Style: The Criminal Report Daily : Investigation Discovery

Joyce Meyer says affair could have cost Coleman his job

UPDATED 2:50 p.m. with taped testimony from Joyce Meyer.

WATERLOO • Televangelist Joyce Meyer testified this afernoon by pre-recorded video deposition in Christopher Coleman's murder trial that he could have lost his job as her bodyguard if he had an adulterous affair.

"It could have definitely affected his job," she said

Meyer said she knew nothing of Coleman's extra-marital relationship with Tara Lintz, who lives in Largo, Fla. Meyer said she learned of the affair from police.

Prosecutors say Coleman killed his wife and two sons, found dead in their home in Columbia, Ill., on May 5, 2009, so he could be with Lintz without risking his $100,000-a-year security job with Joyce Meyer Ministries.

Police in Holly Bobo investigation still mum about item found during search for missing nursing student

(CBS/AP/WREG) PARSONS, Tenn. - Searchers have found what they believe to be a personal item belonging to Holly Bobo, the missing Tennessee woman, but are still not saying what it is, citing the ongoing investigation.

Pictures: Holly Bobo Missing

The new clue was reportedly found last weekend along the road in the northern part of Decatur County, Tenn.

The item most likely won't be described publicly unless investigators decide there is a reason to do so, a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman told CBS affiliate WREG Monday.

Garridos' Plea Deal Documents Released

PLACERVILLE, Calif. -- The El Dorado County Superior Court released the waiver of rights plea forms for Phillip and Nancy Garrido on Friday.

The Garridos pleaded guilty Thursday morning in a Placerville courtroom to charges in connection with the kidnapping and rape of Jaycee Dugard.

Phillip Garrido pleaded guilty to kidnapping and sexual assault counts, as well as to all priors and enhancements. He will be sentenced to a maximum possibl

Read more: http://www.kcra.com/news/27721924/detail.html#ixzz1KxzD30y0

Joyce Meyer says affair could have cost Coleman his job

WATERLOO • Televangelist Joyce Meyer testified this afernoon by pre-recorded video deposition in Christopher Coleman's murder trial that he could have lost his job as her bodyguard if he had an adulterous affair.

"It could have definitely affected his job," she said

Meyer said she knew nothing of Coleman's extra-marital relationship with Tara Lintz, who lives in Largo, Fla. Meyer said she learned of the affair from police.

Prosecutors say Coleman killed his wife and two sons, found dead in their home in Columbia, Ill., on May 5, 2009, so he could be with Lintz without risking his $100,000-a-year security job with Joyce Meyer Ministries.

Meyer said Coleman had uncharacteristically called her the day before the murders and said he wasn't feeling well. She gave him the day off.

READ MORE HERE:

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_7c4a5e64-7263-11e0-a37f-001a4bcf6878.html

Friend of Coleman's murdered wife cries on witness stand, shows text message from victim

(KMOV) – Testimony continued Friday in the Chris Coleman triple murder trial. Coleman is accused of killing his wife Sheri and their two sons in their Columbia, Illinois home in May 2009.

Six women who were friends of Sheri Coleman took the stand late Friday morning.

The judge agreed to allow testimony from these so-called hearsay witnesses.

READ MORE HERE:

http://www.kmov.com/news/coleman-trial/Jury-in-Coleman-trial-watches-video-of-crime-scene-120967479.html

Scientific Rulings Narrow Options For Casey

It was a clean sweep for the prosecution when it comes to scientific rulings in the case against Casey Anthony earlier this week.WESH 2 News legal analyst and retired circuit Judge O.H. Eaton said Chief Judge Belvin Perry's rulings on the admissibility of scientific evidence have given the state critical pieces to prove their circumstantial case."I think all of the evidenciary issues have been decided, and the state has had a pretty clean sweep on that," Eaton said.

FHP arrests mother on DUI manslaughter charges in 14-year-old daughter's death

Melissa Shonvette Johnson faces charges of DUI manslaughter and other charges in the death of her 14-year-old daughter, who died in a car crash while Johnson drove intoxicated.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested 32-year-old Johnson on Friday afternoon at a relative's home off LB McLeod Road and she was booked into the Orange County Jail.

In addition to the DUI manslaughter charge, she faces a charge of vehicular homicide; three counts of DUI with injuries; three counts of child neglect, and a charge of driving without a license.

Johnson had been recovering at Florida Hospital South after the April 23 crash. She and her daughter, Daquasha Johnson, were ejected from the vehicle. Daquasha died at the scene.

READ MORE HERE:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/crime/os-mother-arrested-child-killed-20110429,0,2125907.story?iuy

Woman suspected of murder apprehended, child found safe Read more: The Williamson Daily News - Woman suspected of murder apprehended child found safe

Crystal Gale Clark (aka Crystal Siegler) was apprehended in Jackson, Tenn., this morning by United States Marshals and the FBI. Authorities also found her daughter, 13-month-old Chloe Clark, unharmed.

Siegler is suspected of murdering her husband, David Matthew Clark, on April 25. Police found David Clark in his home, shot to death, when a neighbor found his body. He was shot twice, though authorities won’t say where in his body he was shot at.

“Siegler ran out of money and contacted a family member, letting them know where she was,” Sgt. Joe Smith of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department said. “The family member then contacted police. She didn’t exactly turn herself in.”

The police ran the number where Siegler had called her family member from and identified it as a hotel in Jackson, Smith said. The Sheriff’s Department then contacted United States Marshals and the FBI who apprehended Siegler in her hotel room.

“There was an altercation,” Smith said, “She was uncooperative with police.”

Mom accused of attacking 5-year-old daughter in Kissimmee

A Kissimmee mother was arrested this week on charges of abusing her 5-year-old daughter, according to Kissimmee police.

Jennifer Torres, 21, was arrested Wednesday after the child told police her mother pulled her hair, hit her in her face and pushed her head against the wall and floor. The child had scratches and bruises that substantiated the child's account of the incident, according to police.

READ MORE HERE:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-kissimmee-child-abuse-arrest-20110429,0,3498784.story

Lawyer seeks gag order in Fla. teen's murder case - Florida Wires - MiamiHerald.com

Hailey's Mom Won't Comment About Alleged Contact with Suspect

Billie Jean Dunn tries to live normally as the search continues for her 13-year-old daughter, Hailey, missing since Dec. 28.

Billie Jean was busy Wednesday afternoon at her home in Colorado City sorting posters to be handed out to volunteers Saturday. In turn, these volunteers will be spanning out in West Texas attaching the posters to “anything they can attach them to.”

“The posters will be given out early Saturday at McDonald’s in Snyder, Sweetwater, Big Spring, Midland and Odessa,” the mother said.

But these events are not held every day, and she has to find some way to cope, to make the time pass as her hope continues that Hailey will be found safe – and soon.

“I’ve been spending a lot more time with my family, especially my son. He’s been staying at my brother’s house in Snyder, but staying over here a little bit more.

“I’ve also been receiving a lot of continued support from a few good friends that have been here from the beginning. They’ve been really good to me and helping me come up with ideas to keep Hailey’s face out there.”

Investigators continue to follow leads in search for Holly Bobo - Mehr: We still have hope

More than two weeks after her disappearance, investigators continued Thursday to search for missing 20-year-old nursing student Holly Bobo.

She was last seen the morning of April 13 being led into the woods near her Darden home in Decatur County.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John Mehr said leads are being checked daily and that there is not a time frame as to when volunteers will be asked to return in the search for Bobo.

Officials decided Wednesday to suspend the use of volunteers in light of rising floodwaters.

READ MORE HERE:

http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20110429/NEWS25/104290314/Investigators-continue-follow-leads-search-Holly-Bobo-Mehr-We-still-hope?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

NYC 8-year-old sells loaded gun in school for $3

(CBS/AP)

NEW YORK - Police say an 8-year-old boy sold his father's loaded gun to a fellow third-grader for $3 at their New York City school.

An alarmed mother told officials that her child brought the 9-mm. handgun home from Public School 107 in the Flushing section of Queens on Thursday.

The young seller and his father, 54-year-old Ignacio Galvin were taken into police custody and charged with three counts of criminal possession of a weapon, reports the Daily News.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/29/national/main20058567.shtml

Couple Convicted In Baby's Starvation Death

CINCINNATI -- A judge found a couple guilty of murder Friday in the starvation death of their infant daughter.

Judge Nadine Allen convicted Jill Hull and Gary West on two counts of murder – one for knowingly inflicting starvation and dehydration and the other for recklessly refusing to provide medical treatment that would have saved their child's life.

Rachel West was only 11 weeks old when she was discovered unconscious and suffering from a respiratory condition Nov. 28, 2008, at her family's Sayler Park home.

An autopsy showed the child had no food at all inside her digestive tract when she died, but investigators found baby formula inside the house.

Read more: http://www.wlwt.com/news/27720387/detail.html#ixzz1Kxsi9xjP

Casey Anthony trial: State wants transcripts of George and Cindy Anthony's court testimony

Hailey Dunn: Law Enforcement, Key Players Keeping Quiet

Reported by: Tiffany Tatro

Thursday, April 28 2011

This week marks four months since 13-year-old Hailey Dunn vanished. She was last seen at her home in Colorado City on Dec. 27, and hundreds of leads have turned up empty.

Day after day, KTAB News get calls and emails asking for updates on the investigation. But the truth is, updates are hard to come by these days.

Hailey's father, Clint Dunn, her mother, Billie Dunn, and her mother's boyfriend and only named suspect, Shawn Adkins, all declined our interview requests.

Colorado City City Manager Pete Kampfer, who has been a spokesman for the investigation since the beginning, as well as Mitchell County Sheriff Patrick Toombs and Mitchell County District Attorney Ann Reed all refused an on camera interview to discuss where the investigation sits today.

Even with the major players in the case remaining tight lipped, we wanted to try and answer the question so many people still have – is their hope for Hailey?

http://bigcountryhomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=365047

Worthless Charges dropped against Adam Baker

By RICHARD GOULD
Published: April 29, 2011

He’s back in court May 4 on felony charges

NEWTON - Four of Adam Baker’s criminal charges were dropped Friday. He was in District Court to answer to four misdemeanor charges of worthless checks written to grocery stores.

When Baker’s case was called, Assistant District Attorney Heather Reedy asked if there were any witnesses in the courtroom to be heard.

When no one answered, she turned and spoke to District Court Judge Amy Sigmon.

“The state does not have the witnesses to prosecute these charges,” Reedy said.

She dismissed the charges, and Baker was allowed to leave the courtroom.

As he left, several reporters asked if he had anything to say.

“Not right now,” was his only answer.

Baker’s attorney, Mark Killian, said Baker had paid restitution to Lowes Foods on the four worthless checks he’d written worth a total of $244.

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2011/apr/29/worthless-charges-dropped-against-adam-baker-ar-990941/

Two men, friends of Dittmeyer's, questioned by police at Cranmore Tuesday night

By Erik Eisele

Apr 28, 2011 12:05 am

CONWAY — Police stopped two men, one with ties to Krista Dittmeyer, in the woods around Cranmore late Tuesday night.

One of the men, Richard Acker, 28, is the brother of Kyle Acker, the father of Dittmeyer’s child. Kyle Acker is currently serving a prison sentence in Maine for selling drugs.

Richard Acker and Corey Poland, 25, of Portland, were stopped by Conway patrolman Richard Theberge at Cranmore at 11:52 p.m. on Tuesday.

Poland was arrested on a charge of willful concealment. No details regarding the charge or the arrest were available. Richard Acker was not arrested.

Acker was unwilling to comment for this story.

According to the police log, the two men told Theberge they were friends of Dittmeyer’s, and they came to look for her.

http://www.conwaydailysun.com/local-news/story/cranmore042711

Autopsy results inconclusive in case of missing Maine woman

Posted by Martin Finucane April 28, 2011 05:24 PM

By Globe Staff

An autopsy has been completed, but how Krista Dittmeyer died has not been determined, New Hampshire prosecutors said today.

Krista D. Dittmeyer

“The cause and manner of death remain pending” until toxicology test results are returned and the case is further investigated, said Jane Young, a New Hampshire senior assistant attorney general.

Authorities continue to interview witnesses and look at evidence as they probe what they consider a “suspicious criminal case,” Young said at a news conference.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/04/autopsy_results.html

Missing girl, 13, returns home

Posted on Thu, Apr. 28, 2011

By Peter Mucha

Inquirer Staff Writer

A missing South Philadelphia girl is home again.

Late Tuesday, Jasmine Carrero, 13, somehow left her home on the 2400 block of S. Lawrence Street, near Mifflin Square.

Because of several mental health conditions, she might have wandered off sleepwalking and gotten lost, the family told police.

Details of her return were unavailable late this morning.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20110428_Missing_girl__13__returns_home.html

11:18 AM, Apr 28, 2011

Written by Trevor Zickgraf

PLACERVILLE, CA - Phillip and Nancy Garrido have entered guilty pleas to kidnapping and raping Jaycee Dugard in an El Dorado County Court hearing Thursday morning.

The pleas stipulate Phillip Garrido will get 431 years to life in prison. Nancy Garrido will serve 36 years to life. Their sentencings will be June 2 at 9 a.m. in Placerville.
Read more at www.news10.net

Chris Coleman - Naked Photos and the Admission of an Affair

April 27, 2011 8:33 PM

by Carol Daniel and BND reporter Beth Hundsdorfer

The Chris Coleman triple murder trial enters it’s fourth day Thursday. Wednesday, jurors heard Coleman admit to a sexual relationship with Tara Lintz, his wife’s best friend in high school and to sending her nude photos of himself on a company cell phone that belonged to Joyce Meyer Ministries.

Belleville News Democrat reporter Beth Hundsdorfer reports, during the police interrogation video, jurors saw Coleman initially portray Lintz as a family friend, calling her his wife’s number one Facebook fan. Coleman said that he and Sheri had been having marital problems and he had been talking to Tara a lot lately. He said that Sheri Coleman could get a little bit jealous at times.

It was only after Columbia Police detective Justin Barlow and Illinois State Police Sgt. Dave Bivens told Coleman that Lintz, who lives in Florida, told St. Petersburg homicide detectives that the pair were having an affair and that Chris Coleman had sent nude photos of himself to Lintz on his cell phone, that he admitted to a sexual relationship with her.
Read more at stlouis.cbslocal.com

Cold Cases: Missing on the Grand Strand

Thursday, Apr. 28, 2011

By Ian Anderson - For Weekly Surge

This week marks the two-year anniversary of 17-year-old vacationer Brittanee Drexel's disappearance from Myrtle Beach. Her disappearance has been picked up by national media outlets and has frequently been profiled by cable news lawyer-turned-talking-head Nancy Grace and was also featured in the Season 2 premier of "Disappeared" a program on the digital cable network Investigation Discovery.

Yet, if you listen to the news coverage you would think that this was the first person to ever disappear without a trace on the Grand Strand. This is not the case. Myrtle Beach is a pretty easy place to disappear from. We have a transient population, a beach that attracts many tourists, and a high number of homeless people that are difficult to track. There are plenty of cracks to fall into, whether you want to disappear or if someone makes you disappear. Presently, there are eight open, unsolved missing persons cases in Myrtle Beach and Horry County police jurisdictions.

The most famous case right now, of course, is the one of Drexel who went missing on April 25, 2009 from the Blue Water Motel in Myrtle Beach. Drexel, form Rochester, N.Y., came to the beach with her friends without the permission of her mother. They had a hotel room at the Bar Harbor resort in Myrtle Beach. The last known contact anyone had with her was a friend that she met at approximately 8 p.m. April 25, 2009. There is security footage of her walking out of the Blue Water Motel when she was supposed to be returning to the Bar Harbor. She never made it there and no one has heard from her since.
Read more at www.thesunnews.com

Madeleine McCann petition nears 50,000-signature milestone

Thursday, April 28, 2011, 09:30

By dan martin

An online petition calling for a full review of the evidence surrounding Madeleine McCann's disappearance is nearing the 50,000-signature milestone.

Kate and Gerry McCann launched the petition in November because they felt the authorities had given up searching for their daughter, who went missing in Portugal four years ago.

The McCanns, from Rothley, had intended to present the petition to the Portuguese and British governments when 50,000 people had backed them.

Now, however, with the figure standing at nearly 48,800 names and the anniversary of her disappearance approaching, they have decided to let it run.

Their spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: "It was always loosely the intention to present it at 50,000 and, although it will be done soon, it will continue for the time being.
Read more at www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk

Catawba County District Attorney is asking for additional restrictions on Adam Baker’s pretrial release

By NewsChannel 36 Staff
WCNC.com

Posted: Wednesday, Apr. 27, 2011

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. – The Catawba County District Attorney is asking for additional restrictions on Adam Baker’s pretrial release.

Baker faces charges of identity theft, writing worthless checks and being in the country illegally.

In a motion filed on April 21, attorneys requested a judge restrict Baker from leaving the 25th Prosecutorial District, which includes Burke, Catawba and Caldwell Counties.
Read more at www.charlotteobserver.com

FAMILY of a missing cruise ship worker from Chester will gather for another vigil this weekend

Published by: By Laura Jones

THE FAMILY of a missing cruise ship worker from Chester will gather for another vigil this weekend.

Youth activities worker Rebecca Coriam, from Guilden Sutton, Chester, went missing more than five weeks ago off the coast of Mexico while on board the Disney Wonder Cruise liner.

Following local, national and international appeals for the 24-year-old’s safe return, Rebecca has since been listed as ‘missing at sea’.

Her family, also from Guilden Sutton, have organised a number of vigils in her honour and will hold a balloon release at Chester Racecourse on Monday, May 2.

Her uncle John Jennings said the family have held the vigils in the hope that the balloons may guide Rebecca, or Bex as she is fondly known, home to Chester.

Meanwhile, the Royal Bahamian Police Force have continued to carry out their investigations into the former Chester Catholic High School pupil’s disappearance.
Rebecca was last seen on March 21, after boarding a ship in Los Angeles and the alarm was raised the following morning at 9am when she failed to turn up for a shift.

Read more at www.chesterfirst.co.uk

Chat House Heroes

Chat House Articles

Recent Comments

Timelines, Profiles, Who's Who,& Series

About Chat House

Reading List

Blog Archive

He’s back in court May 4 on felony charges

Written by Trevor Zickgraf

Search

Labels