True Crime Stories

We all know that the people closest to a victim are the first people that are looked at for their murder. Oftentimes the investigators know that it has to be one or more of them but it takes time to prove the case. Sometimes that comes down to who can be believed more or who tells a story that matches more with the evidence. Of course it is the job of a defense attorney to case doubt as to their clients guilt and it is not unusual to see them accuse someone else of the crime. That becomes more complicated when it involves a parent and a child, no matter how old the child is. In general everyone here could probably put themselves in a situation in which they could be a suspect in a murder. We do not make sure that every minute of every day can be accounted for and that we can have proof to what we were doing. Sure cell phone data, surveillance camera and even applications on your phone can often prove, or disprove for that matter, a store. My grown son lives with my ...

Often after I place a name on my list I will put something to give me an idea as to what kind of case it is.  Sometimes it will simply say "spouse" or "neighbor."  Next to Todd Campbell's name I had put "acquitted-Fla-cold case."  I was excited when I saw it was next because it already sounded different than those I have done recently.  As I began my research I became more intrigued.  In fact, I was so intrigued that I have already started here before finishing my research, something that only happens on the rare occasion.  I began reading about the case and saw that there had been a DNA match to Todd Campbell, to which led to his charges in the murder of Vickie Long who had been found dead in 1984 and yet despite this DNA match Campbell was acquitted in his 2012 trial.   It is not unusual to hear cases in which the defense argues semen DNA found as coming from consensual sex.  However, it is unusual to hear that the defense actually worked whic...

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...