True Crime Stories

I think most of us would agree that for someone to commit, or even plan or hire someone to commit a murder, aside from obvious self defense cases, their "moral compass" has to be "off." But then there are the cases where the moral compass takes even a more jagged turn.  This is such a case.... Kay Parsons lived in a quite suburban community of Augusta Georgia called Grovetown.  She was an Army wife (although I could not confirm her husband was still active) and a mother of a teenage son.  On the morning or March 25, 2009 she took her son to school and returned home presumably to wait on a contractor that was doing some work on their home.  A For Sale sign sat out in the yard.  What is almost certain is that Kay Parsons did not expect to be attacked in her home, only to die the following day.  But, that is what happened.  A few hours later when the contractor arrived and he did not receive an answer at the front door he walked around to the ...

This was another case that I learned about watching one of the news television shows, either Dateline or 48 Hours more than likely.  I spent a little more time researching this case than I normally do due to the fact that I was specifically looking for something that I thought I had seen on the show referred to on the program. This is one of the many high profile cases that has attempted the Stand Your Ground law defense.  They are really called The Castle Doctrine but are commonly referred to as Stand Your Ground. Since 2005, at least 45 states have enacted some form of this law.  In essence what the law states is that a person has the right to defend themselves, others, or their property from danger or being destroyed and they are not required to retreat at any point.  There are several versions of the law giving citizens different rights in different areas.  For example apparently Michigan's law allows you to defend yourself or those around you in any situa...

This case turned out to be very interesting.  For one, unlike so many I come across it seems, there was an abundance of information and articles available. For two, for me while this case started out being about a mass murder it became more about not just mental illness but the responsibility of people who have taken on the role of caregiver or in my opinion in this case enabler. I have written more than a few blogs on cases in which mental illness is, or at least is claimed, to be a factor.  I have had to deal with the mental health community relating to a family member and I rarely pass up a chance to express my distaste at how family members who are legitimately attempting to get help for someone are dismissed.  I have also stated before that while I do not allow mental illness to be an excuse for a horrific crime and the perpetrator deserves punishment, I often believe those who refused to give help when asked should also be held accountable.  This c...

I have stated before that whenever I see a television show or read a book about a true crime case that I think sounds interesting or I would like to know more about I add it to a list that I have.  I generally watch those types of shows in my "office" as my husband is not into them as much as I am.  However, from time to time I will be in the other room and something will come across the news or something and I will write a name down to add to the list later.  I knew I had a piece of paper with a name or two on it and although sometimes I will add a few words to give me a hint or remind me of what the case was, this one did not have anything but names.  It simply said Amy and Scott Fandel.  To be truthful I am unsure where I found this other than possibly seeing an advertisement scrolling through Facebook.  At any rate, today I gathered that piece of paper and threw those names into Google and it feels as if I was thrust into not just another world but an u...

I recently obtained several M. William Phelps books and the first one I read was called "Bad Girls."  Apparently by reading reviews this likely was not the best choice I could have made as many criticize it as not in the same style as his other writings and rather repetitious.  I have to agree with the latter.  However, you cannot enjoy or be involved in true crime issues and not know who Mr. Phelps is.  While Ann Rule will likely always be the most recognized name when it comes to true crime, Phelps is pretty high up there on the list.  He has made himself highly visible over the last several years being involved in many different shows on the Investigative Discovery (ID) channel, even having his own in which he hosts.   As I do with all the stories that I post here I do not depend on just one source of information.  I had seen this story told in one of the many ID shows, Wicked Attraction and this book was really my only other real source befo...