True Crime Stories

There are certain things that are so commonly heard in murder cases that they sometimes seem so routine and mundane. One of the biggest things you will hear is the argument about “ineffective counsel.” I have actually read an appeal in which a judge discusses his disdain for this phrase as that seems to be a “given” in an appeal after a conviction. He is not wrong but the sadder part about that is that there are cases in which ineffective counsel is very valid but it can get lost in the shuffle because so many make this claim. Now, let me be clear that while Bowling would basically make this claim after his conviction, personally to the judge and not necessarily through an appeal, I have to say I agreed with the judge on this point, one of the very few it seems, when it was denied. Another thing you hear a lot, if not more than the claim of ineffective counsel, is that the defendant is innocent. More often than not state prosecutors (or federal attorney generals if it applies)...

While when it comes to murder we generally do not know when it will be someone's last day but we also do not know that any arguments you have with someone could make you a suspect in their murder. We all know that when someone is murdered the first people looked at are those closest to the victim and out of that group they will look at those who have had disagreements with the victim. Even the smallest of disagreements could look like a motive to an investigator. Then there becomes the fact that other people also know that investigators will look at these issues first and may try to take advantage of the timing, such was the case here. In the early morning hours of September 23, 2013 a multitude of gunshots rang out in the Paladin Club area of Wilmington Delaware. When all was said and done authorities would find the bodies of Joe and Olga Connell outside their condo in the bushes of their home. Although in fairness while Joe was pronounced dead at the scene, Ol...

I recently had a conversation with someone who knows someone awaiting a trial and has been assured that the person will spend significant time in prison. While I do not claim to know all of the evidence available it does sound as if the person will likely spend a few decades in jail. However, as I explained to the person nothing is certain, not even a conviction and sentence is always enough to let one's guard down. In fact, I know of a case in which a man was charged with incest of his child. He had confessed to the police at some point although later denied the charges against him. He went to trial and was convicted. He received sentence of I believe fifty years. The conviction was overturned when it was discovered that one of the investigating officers had continued to interview the man after he asked for an attorney. This is Law Enforcement 101... but it still occurs. The man got a new trial and was again convicted and sentenced to nearly fifty years. But, i...

After doing the D.C. Stephenson blog I was inspired to do a few more very old cases so I spent the day yesterday researching several cases. I mention often that these sorts of cases are a bit harder to research sometimes because while they were famous cases of their day, the lack of accurate information is sometimes difficult to weed through. So often I have to pick and choose or feel like I spend a lot of my time explaining the discrepancies. This case is a prime example. The Cold Spring Murders took place in what is now officially Indianapolis, Indiana in 1868. It is not that Indianapolis was not there, it is just that it has officially expanded. Just like the D.C Stephenson case, where the victim was said to live in Irvington, today that is simply a historical area within the city, so too is true in this case. I grew up in Indianapolis so I am unsure if it makes it easier or harder for me when I do these cases. You, as the general reader, likely do not ...

Yesterday I proved to myself why when I go to write these blogs up things have to be quiet. I cannot watch or listen to the television, or do anything really, and still compile everything with my notes. I get distracted and then I forget where I was and if I had mentioned something already. Depending on the case sometimes even without distractions it may take a few hours to pull together, with distractions it can take all day. So, after having much of this blog done I ended up erasing it and deciding to start again today. It will be a challenge because again I may add something not realizing I already have, thinking of the last draft, or I may not add something I should because I thought I already had. If any of that happens I apologize now. But, enough of that and on to the story. This case was odd and interesting. There were some legal proceedings done that I did not quite understand completely also. This case took place in Massachusetts and it is one of only fou...