15 Years after the Robin Hood Hills Murders, 2 of the 3 West Memphis Three May Have New Trial

The West Memphis Three

Monday morning the trial will continue to determine if 2 of the West Memphis Three will get a new trial. Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin are trying to prove they deserve new trials due to ineffective counsel when they were convicted in 1994 of murdering three eight-year-old-boys in West Memphis.

Victims of the Robin Hood Hill Murders

I have blogged about this case once before here and I will tell you that beyond a shadow of a doubt do I believe that Misskelley, Balwin and Damien Echols are all innocent in what essentially became a witch hunt with no proof of evidence to convict these boys of such a hennas crime.

On May 5, 1993 three 8-year-old boys were reported missing; Steve Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore. The boys were last seen together entering Robin Hood Hills area of West Memphis, Arkansas around 6:00PM. The next day the bodies of all three boys would be found near a creek. They had all been stripped naked, hog-tied with their own shoelaces and killed.

All of the boys had been severely beaten in their face and head and the Byers boy had a fractured skull. He seemed to be targeted the most because he also had deep lacerations and injuries to his private areas. Eventually it was found that some of the wounds may have been credited to animals after the child was deceased.

Much controversy surrounds this case in that three Memphis teenagers were tried and convicted on little or no evidence (and mainly because of their Goth style look).

More recently, new DNA evidence points to Steve Branch’s father, Terry Hobbs.

“The new DNA evidence is that one hair that was found in the ligature of the shoelaces that bound Michael Moore is consistent with the DNA of Terry Hobbs, who is the father of Stevie Branch,” Lax told CNN.

He continued: “Another hair that had been found at the crime scene, which had been unidentified for all these years, has just recently been tested. And the DNA on that hair is consistent with the DNA of David Jacoby. David Jacoby is a good friend or was a good friend of Terry Hobbs, and Terry Hobbs was at his house just that afternoon and evening.”

Also, now the parents of some of the boys also back The West Memphis Three.

Pam Hobbs, Stevie Branch’s mother is now in support of a new trial for the West Memphis 3 and publicly states her ex husband Terry Hobbs may have something to do with the murders.

“Do you think honestly in your heart that he might have had something to do with this,” I asked. “Honestly in my heart…I have to be honest. Possibly,” replied Pam Hobbs.

(Mark Byers, Victim Chris Byers’ Father) “I believe this is going to be made right. I do not believe Damien Echols will get the death penalty. I believe Jason and Jessie will walk free.”

The trial will resume on Monday.

News Articles and Sources:

Baldwin Takes Stand in Craighead Co. Hearing

Shawn Hornbeck’s Story – Tomorrow Night on CBS

Shawn Hornbeck Now

Since so many have been hitting my site regarding an old blog I wrote about Shawn Hornbeck’s story, I thought that I would go ahead and write this blurb.

I have backed off this case for the most part because Shawn is simply a hero to me in the way he has handled himself since he was rescued from the hands of a sick man known as Michael Devlin. I felt it was time to let him heal. I cannot imagine what he deals with still on a day to day basis because of his captivity at the hands of a monster.

I do know he got a lot of flack when he was first found and people including Bill O’Reilly wondering why he had not fled all these years when found out he had freedoms and did not run. I hope that if you still feel that way, you get your answers, and if not, walk a mile in his shoes.

CBS is airing Shawn’s first interview since the Oprah interview a year ago. It will be aired tomorrow night (Saturday September 27, 2008) at 9:00 EST on CBS.

God bless Shawn and his family.

For previous entries regarding this you can click here. Excuse the mess. I had transferred from one platform to another and my earlier entries did not come over as well, especially fonts and pics.

Related Articles and Sources:

Mo. teen recounts ’02 kidnapping

October 08 Featured Case – What About Me? Siblings of Abducted Children

October 2008

This Month’s Featured Case

What About Me? Siblings of Abducted Children

In researching some old cases (Mainly the Jacob Wetterling case) I came across an article about a video produced by siblings of abducted children and how to cope. I wondered why I hadn’t seen or heard of this video before because it seems it would be of great comfort to others in their shoes and since I am constantly researching information regarding missing people, especially children; it seems as though I would have heard of it.

Regardless, I watched these children describe what they have been through and give encouragement and hope to those that may have also lost a sibling to such a rare event.

Although normally I focus on one case as the Featured Case of the Month, after watching the video, I knew this was my next one.

Jacob Wetterling Abducted

Jacob Wetterling

One that really struck me was Jacob Wetterling’s brother Trevor. Jacob Wetterling was just 11 years old in the winter of October 1989. He, Trevor and a friend were riding their bicycles home from a store where they had just rented a video, when a masked gunman came out of a driveway and ordered the boys to the ground. The man then asked each boy his age. Trevor was 10 at the time and their friend Aaron Larsen was 11.

The man ordered Trevor and Aaron to leave and not look back or he would shoot them. As they fled Aaron saw the man grab Jacob by his jacket. This would be the last time anyone saw Jacob Wetterling again.

When I watched video I felt as though I could still see so much pain in Trevor’s face. Now a grown man, he still bore the weight of being there at the time of his brother’s abduction. I am sure all of these years he has wondered what he could have done, why it wasn’t him. I do hope he has found some peace in knowing that this was not his fault and there was nothing a 10-year-old child could do in that situation.

Jimmy Ryce

Jimmy Ryce

Jimmy Ryce’s sister Martha was in the video. Jimmy Ryce was just 9-years-old when he was abducted, raped and shot by Juan Carlos Chavez.

Juan Calos Chavez - Abducted, Raped and Killed Jimmy Ryce

Jimmy was walking home from the school bus when Chavez blocked his path with his pick up truck and abducted him by gunpoint. He took Jimmy to a trailer and raped him but when Jimmy heard the helicopters hovering above he tried to make a break for the door. Chavez shot him as he tried to run for his life.

Since Jimmy’s death, his family worked hard to enact The Jimmy Ryce Act (Jimmy Ryce Involuntary Civil Commitment for Sexually Violent Predators’ Treatment And Care Act), which was successfully by Florida legislature 1999. This act allows the Florida Department of Corrections to keep sexual predators in custody even after their sentences are completed if they are found to be still a danger to the community.

Molly Bish

Molly Bish

The video also included Molly Bish’s sister Heather. In the Summer of 2000, 16-year-old Molly Bish was working as a lifeguard in rural beach area called Comins Pond in Warren, Massachusetts. According to reports, Molly was only at her post for a few moments before she was abducted.

In June of 2003 Molly’s remains were found five miles from her family home. To this date no arrests have been made in the case. Molly’s parents, Magi and John Bish have started the Molly Bish Foundation in Molly’s memory with the goal of spreading child safety.

Tamara Brooks (Left) and Jacque Marris

Tamara Brooks

On the video was also Tamara Brooks’ siblings; Marcus, Robin and Erika. Tamara’s story turns out much better than the rest of these siblings’ stories, but nonetheless terrifying.

On August 1, 2002 sixteen year old Tamara Brooks and seventeen year old Jacque Marris were abducted by an ex-con by the name of Roy Ratliff. Before this day these two girls had never laid eyes upon each other, but the end of their terrorizing 12-hour experience would bond them for life.

Both girls were abducted from a remote overlook in the Mojave dessert where they were parked with their dates. Ratliff left their dates bound and took off with the girls. At some point after being raped the girls forged a plan to get out of their predicament and get out alive.

Meanwhile a manhunt was on for Ratliff and the two girls. At one point the girls took a knife from Ratliff’s holster while he slept. Jacqueline stabbed him in the throat and Tamara hit him with a bottle.

Their abductor opened the car door and the girls took their chance and literally kicked him out of the car. An Animal Control Officer spotted the stolen vehicle and police quickly converged on the area.

Ratliff was shot when he pointed his gun at one of the first officers to arrive on the scene.

Tamara Brooks, now 22-years-old, is an inspirational speaker and an inspiration to those that have been through such a traumatic ordeal as the one she bravely survived.

Summary

All of these people, these children of abducted children have very different stories. Some have at least the solace that their loved one has been recovered and grieve, while others still may never know what happened. Still, the pain is there for them all, and in that pain and the loneliness of losing someone so close in such a horrific way, they have bonded together. Hopefully the video can help others along the way.

I personally would like to thank them for sharing their story and making those of us who have never had to face such a tragedy, understand it just a little more.

The Video – What About Me?

Siblings of Abducted Children - What About Me?

Please click here for the video. Be prepared with a tissue. I know I needed one.

Topeka Kansas Father of Three Missing from Motel – Where is Jason McNaughton?

Jason McNaughton Missing

31-year-old Jason Michael McNaughton and his wife were spending the night at the Motel 6 at 709 SW Fairlawn in Topeka, KS last Saturday night, September 20th. Its unclear why the couple were staying at the motel but according to his wife Jason stepped out of the room and never came back. The last time he was seen was around 11:40PM. According to reports there did not appear to be an argument or reason for Jason to leave and not return.

Jason was reported missing the next day by his mother and wife. According to friends and family, its unusual for the father of three to have just disappeared without a word. Police say they do not suspect foul play, however I have learned in covering missing person cases all these years is that is a standard response when they have no evidence to point one way or the other.

I did not find much media coverage on the case, which is also not unusual for adult male cases. I did find a Facebook page set up for him and the search for finding him. Not too much info there as well, just some touching photos of Jason with various family members.

Jason McNaughton with Grandparents at Graduation

Jason Michael McNaughton, 31, is described as a white man, 5’10”, weighing 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information about McNaughton’s whereabouts to contact detectives at (785) 368-9400.

News Articles and Sources:

Have you seen this man?
Topeka man reported missing

Keep Your Children Safe Boston! Robert Sicari, Child Rapist Freed

Keep your children close if you live in the Boston, Massachusetts area because today they are setting free Level 3 Convicted child rapist Robert Sicari.

28-year-old Sicari was convicted of raping a 10-year-old Cambridge boy in and underground parking garage in September 1997 after promising the boy a bike to lure him into the garage.

Three weeks later, his brother, Salvatore Sicari and Charles Jaynes kidnapped, raped, and killed 10-year-old Jeffrey Curley who was a playmate of the 10-year-old boy that was brutally raped by Robert Sicari. And in a similar move, Salvatore Sicari and Jaynes also lured little Jeffrey with the promise of a bike. Coincidence? I think not.

Salvatore Sicari and Charles Jaynes

Jeffrey Curley

Today they are not only letting Robert Sicari out of prison and free amongst our children again, but with no electronic monitoring what so ever. Reason being? He has to provide a verification of an address, which of course he does not have. However, our lacks laws will allow such a danger to our children out with no address? Amazing isn’t it?

A Cambridge judge has given Sicari 30 days to establish an address and telephone land line so he can be fitted with a global positioning system anklet. In the meantime he will be monitor free.

Even his own attorney admits that Sicari has no skills and he is coming out of the prison system into one of the most expensive cities in the country to live. And they expect this to turn out how??

Here is another scary aspect. I stumbled across this site for Prison Pen Pals and it looks like our old “friend” Robert Sicari was looking for a pen pal for himself. His preference? Boys or girls between the ages of 11-14. A convicted sex offender (in prison) with children pen pals?

Robert Sicari Prison Pen Pal

(The bold entry was updated on 9/23/08)

Wow. I dont know why I didnt do this before BUT I just happened to go to the National Sex Registry and typed in ole Fred Pallas name since he was listed on the above ad. Guess what? You got it. He is a registered sex offender and is currently incarcerated. Check it out:

Fred Palas - National Sex Registry

So even while in prison, Sicari was finding ways to converse with children! I wonder if he actually got in touch with anyone. If so he has their ADDRESS!! Notice he says he is FOURTEEN in the ad too! (I have contacted the Boston Police Department Sexual Registry Division and informed them of this). This is scary stuff!

Unfortunately I am sure we have not heard the last about Sicari. Too bad the courts feel free to experiement with these predators at the expense of our children. In my opinion he should have a)Gotten a longer prison term b) Been deemed a dangerous sexual predator and been held indefinitely or at least c) not allowed back into society without being able to be monitored.

Another scary issue is is that the public has no photo of this dangerous man (who will go out onto our streets HOMELESS). I tried like crazy to find one in articles of the case and such, but it was over 11 years ago and to my knowledge there aren’t any. Many states have Inmate Search Locator Sites in which you can type the felon’s name in and you get a brief history of the inmate such as stats and crime info, along with a photo. Unfortunately Massachusetts is one of those states that does not.

Once Sicari DOES register as a sex offender, the public will be able to pull his information up online through the Registered Sex Offender Registry. (Along with a picture). Until then, he remains faceless to the public and walks amongst us and our children clothed in anonymity.

Related Links and Sources:

Man who raped boy out with no monitor
Dad of slain boy decries release of child rapist
Curley v. NAMBLA
Kid perv has free pass for 30 days

Alabama Girl Missing in Knoxville – Where is Jennifer Lee Hampton?

On Tuesday, September 16th, Jennifer Hampton along with other co-workers of the Mama Blue’s restaurant arrived in Knoxville, TN from Florence, Alabama. The 21-year-old employee was there to help train employees for the opening of Mama Blue’s in Knoxville and was staying at the local Days Inn. Friday, September 16th was the last anyone heard or saw Jennifer.

On Friday an employee of the Days Inn saw Hampton around 9:30PM. Jim Lewis, who operates Mama Blue’s and was one of the training team for the new location received a text from Jennifer at 10:39PM.

On Saturday morning, when Jennifer did not show up in the Days Inn parking lot to meet up with her co-workers as they had done the previous mornings since they arrived in Knoxville, her co-workers ask the front desk to check her room. No one was in the room, but according to reports it looked as if it had been slept in. That is personally a vague statement to me because I wonder what was meant by that. I have traveled on business before and I know that after long days work, if you staying in a hotel or motel room, you may pull back the covers of the bedding and lie down and watch some TV and chill.

At any rate, Jennifer disappeared some time between 10:39PM on Friday night and Saturday morning when her co-workers convened in the parking lot of days in. Authorities state that Jennifer’s cell phone and purse were located in the room. Authorities suspect foul play but decline to say why they have arrived at this belief. According to those that knew Jennifer, this is very unlike her and they also state she would not have left her purse and phone in the room had she had plans to go anywhere.

Searchers are currently doing grid searches and concentrating on an area on Lovell Road up to a Shopping Center where there is a wetland area. Knoxville Police are currently working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and have not ruled out kidnapping.

Mama Blue’s has posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to Jennifer Hampton’s whereabouts.

Jennifer Lee Hampton is 5ft 3in tall and weighs 110ibs. She has brown hair and brown eyes. If you notice the photos on her myspace, she looks younger than 21-years-old in my opinion. (Just a note, it does show her log on date as today but you can rest assured that its either authorities or the family searching for any clues).

Anyone with information is asked to call local authorities or Knoxville police at (865) 215-7014.

Related Links and Sources:

Owner offers reward
Search continues in Knoxville for missing Ala. woman

UPDATE:

Hotel Worker Charged With Murder of Waitress

Are Protesters Hurting the Caylee Anthony Case?

Caylee Anthony

Usually I stay away from high profile cases on the site because this site is about missing people and usually I tend to lean towards those that the media misses. There are so many out there and to this date I am sure that the Caylee Anthony Case is along the lines of the Madeline McCann case as far as its familiarity with the public . It has grown a life of its own and needs no press. In fact, according to the Orlando Sentinel, little Caylee’s case has outdone the infamous and unsolved JonBenet Ramsey case as far as postings on well known sleuthing sites like Websleuths.

Now I am sure that anyone reading this article knows the facts of the case and that little Caylee’s mom Casey Anthony reported her daughter missing around a month after last being seen by anyone. Casey has told a web of lies and LE states that according to their initial forensic reports, a dead body was in fact in the car Casey was driving at the time of little Caylee’s disappearance, along with a large amount of chloroform.

Anyone with common sense can deduce that lots of lies+chloroform+body in trunk = little Caylee is no longer with us. I am one of those people with this sort of common sense. I am also of the opinion that yes, whether accident or intentional, Casey Anthony killed little Caylee.

Now to my point. When the protesters first started showing up at the Anthony home, I must admit that I was one that said “yes, she needs to know that people do not believe her! Tell the truth!” Since then it has turned into a maddening sight, with people making make shift tombstones in front of the home, fighting with the neighbors that live there, throwing rocks at the home. Continuously taunting not only the Anthonys but neighbors alike. The media stands outside the house 24/7 and in my belief, attracting all nutcases within a 50 mile radius to come out and take part.

Twice an Orange Circuit Court Judge Reginald Whitehead denied a request by the Chickasaw Oaks Phase Three Homeowners Association to keep both protesters and the media confined to an area near the back entrance of the subdivision. In making his ruling, Whitehead said the association did not follow Florida law, which requires them to give notice to the protesters.

Obviously I am not alone in my feelings here because I am sure there are many people that believe that Casey Anthony is absolutely a liar and guilty for the disappearance of her daughter. But we live in America. We do not stone people nor burn them at the stake. The Guardian Angels stepped in Saturday to keep peace. Its time for Orange County to step in and STOP this circus. Let justice take its course! If Casey is guilty, let her face a jury of her peers. The neighbors living in this neighborhood do NOT deserve this.

Do me a favor. Go to youtube and type in Caylee Anthony protesters. You will be disturbed. Imagine living in this neighborhood.

Imagine being the child of one of these people claiming to do this in Caylee’s interest. Look at this video. This mom and Cindy get into an altercation. The dad pushes her right into the back car door and squashes the child between. This child should not even be a part of such a calamity. Then see how they react. One lady thats obviously with mom and dad pulls the child on the ground and lets him go. She never checks on him or even looks at him. Then the father picks the child up and basically throws him in the vehicle. These parents CARE about kids?

Come on Orange County. Put a stop to this circus. Media, go home! Crazy people, go home! Let justice take its course.