Lost In Lima Ohio - A true crime blog

Guest blogger: Angela Dove, author of No Room for Doubt: A True Story of the Reverberations of Murder (Berkley/Penguin 2009). I was on the phone when the world dropped out from under my feet. Twice. The first time was when my father called me in 1988 to say my stepmother was dead. He didn’t use the word murder ; he talked around it. Someone had killed Debi, and it was not an accident. During the next few hours, I learned that I had been the last to see Debi alive; she had been killed in our Modesto, California home, with one of our knives, only a couple of hours after I left for spring break. My 3-year-old sister slept through the attack only a few feet away. And that person I had heard breathing in the back bedroom was not my father after all. Fast forward twenty years. Debi’s mother had asked me to write her story, and I was honored. Jacqueline “Jacque” MacDonald had channeled her grief over Debi’s death into a one-woman crusade to find Debi’s killer. I...

Author Tom Folson has written a new book: THE MAD ONES, about gangster Crazy Joe Gallo. His website can be found here . THE MAD ONES: Crazy Joe Gallo and the Revolution at the Edge of the Underworld (Weinstein Books; May 5, 2009) is a powerful collision of true crime and pop culture, telling the family tale of the notorious Gallo brothers, Crazy Joe, Larry, and Kid Blast, and bringing to life one of the most vibrant antiheros in American history. Joey is steeped in legend from Bob Dylan’s eleven-minute ballad “Joey” to fictionalizations central to The Godfather trilogy and Jimmy Breslin’s The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight . Robert Kennedy called Joey a “Hollywood Grade B Gangster.” Truth behind the fiction Coinciding with this year’s 40 th anniversary of the publication of The Godfather , in The Mad Ones , author Tom Folsom brings to life the real life events that inspired Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola’s opus. “Sleeps with the fishes?” “Going to the mattresses?” These fa...

I recently had the pleasure of reading Kirk Curnutt's new novel- Breathing Out the Ghost. Even as I was flipping open the first pages, I was a little reluctant. I read true crime , and had to wonder just how this was going to compare. Since the revolving plot in the story is based on every parents worse nightmare, a murdered child who was likely sexually abused by a serial molester, I had some doubts that the characters could pull off conveying the emotional roller coaster such an experience would bring. The book brings three people together in a web tangled with pain, suffering and heartbreak. A mother, Sis Pruitt, still reliving the loss of her teenage daughter years earlier, a father,Colin St. Claire, burning every bridge in order to embark on mission to discover what happened to his son, and an private investigator,Robert Heim, burdened by the belief that he has a responsibility to help on this cross country journey. By the middle of the book, it was apparent that Curnutt...

Please welcome Gina Barton, who writes for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and is my latest guest blogger. I'm currently reading her book- Fatal Identity, and am looking forward to sharing my thoughts on it with you, but in the meantime, I've invited her to introduce herself to you. Her website can be found at http://www.fatalidentity.com/ , and for those who don't want to wait for my thoughts on the book- you can find copies available via Amazon . From newspaper series to true crime book By Gina Barton Within my first week on the job at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, my editor handed me a short article about a headless, handless body found near the border of Wisconsin and Michigan. “I know you like to do crime narratives,” he said. “This looks like it might be a good one.” That was back in 2002. The body had been identified as that of a local man, Timothy Wicks. The police had a suspect in custody – but they weren’t charging him with murder. As soon as I start...

I recently had the chance to read A Slaying in the Suburbs, The Tara Grant Murder which chronicles the relationship of Stephan and Tara Grant from their first moments together to the heinous ending of what often appeared to be a perfect marriage. To be frankly honest- this was a case I'd had enough of halfway through the media frenzy and quickly began making sure I flipped the TV channel whenever a network even hinted at another update coming in. Sometimes, it's best to wait until it's all said and done before drawing conclusions- which has proven true once again after reading the book. Reporters Steve Miller and Andrea Billups worked together on the book, bringing new depths to the saga that millions watched unfold in early 2007 thanks to non stop coverage by local Michigan and national news outlets. Through interviews with family members, former friends and even Stephan Grant himself, Miller and Billups have presented an intense portrait of Stephan-- from his waywa...

Investigative journalist James  Renner ( Amy: My Search for Her Killer: Secrets & Suspects in the Unsolved Murder of Amy Mihaljevic , My Search for Amy Mihaljevic's Killer ) has once again put pen to paper to bring cold cases to the lime light. Renner's newest book, The Serial Killer's Apprentice: And 12 Other True Stories of Cleveland's Most Intriguing Unsolved Crimes covers 13 cases from Northern Ohio, all of which will leave you pondering 'who did it?' and tempted to do a little investigative work yourself. Renner does an excellent job of bring new life to cases many seemed to have given up on, and his clear passion for solving the Amy Mihaljevic murder case seems equally met with his passion for the 12 newly highlighted cases. Picking just one of the 13 (in all) cases  Renner investigated to highlight is difficult, as he's managed to personalize the victims in each case to the reader. But if I have to pick one, I'd be tempted to say the mo...

I'm excited to share with you that A&E will be airing a new show- Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force.   You can see more video's on the shows YouTube channel, available here . The following press release has been issued on the show: Welcome to the jungle. A&E NETWORK PREMIERES NEW ORIGINAL REAL-LIFE SERIES MANHUNTERS : FUGITIVE TASK FORCE THROUGH UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS, A&E TAKES VIEWERS ON THE HUNT WITH THE ELITE AGENTS OF THE U.S. MARSHALS FUGITIVE TASK FORCE AS THEY TRACK THE NATION’S MOST DANGEROUS FELONS TWENTY-ONE EPISODE HALF-HOUR SERIES DEBUTS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 AT 10PM ET/PT NEW YORK, NY OCTOBER 29, 2008 -- They are the best-of-the-best, hunting down the worstof- the-worst . . . everyone from the DC Snipers and triple-homicide felons to major international fugitives. They are the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and they are the ultimate "manhunters." Mandated by Congress after 9/11, the Task Force is made up of mult...

INVITATION TO A MURDER THE FOURTH BOOK FROM “48 HOURS MYSTERY” IS AVAILABLE IN STORES TUESDAY, OCT. 28  “48 HOURS MYSTERY” PRODUCER GAIL ABBOTT ZIMMERMAN GOES BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE BROADCAST TO EXAMINE A CHILLING DOUBLE HOM I CIDE A violent home invasion took a young mother’s life. But was that what really happened? Invitation to a Murder , available in stores on Tuesday, Oct. 28 is the fourth book from 48 HOURS MYSTERY. In this riveting account of a crime first documented on the broadcast, producer Gail Abbott Zimmerman unravels the lethal secrets inside a seemingly perfect marriage to find out who was behind a chilling double homicide. “My wife is dying on the floor!  Please, please come help!”  The frantic 911 call sent emergency units racing to a tidy brick home in suburban Springfield, Illinois.  Beautiful, vivacious Donnah Winger had been bludgeoned to death by a male intruder. Her attacker was fatally shot by Donnah’s husband, Mark.  In the afterm...

Clicking through the news tonight, I found this article. Evidently, the woman who cried rape after a badly planned party one night near Duke U. has written a book. The woman who North Carolina prosecutors determined falsely accused three Duke lacrosse players of raping her at a team party maintains in a new memoir that she was attacked. Crystal Mangum, who appeared publicly Thursday for the first time since making the allegations more than two years ago, says in her forthcoming book she is not "looking forward to opening old wounds" but that she had to defend herself. I must say, I've posted on the non case before. At first, leaning towards the 'victim' in the case, but as time went on, and information came out- I found myself realising that the only victims in this case were a group of young men whose lives were torn apart. I have to admit though, that even as well as I followed the case, there was so much more to it than anyone could imagine. If you DO re...

I have shocking news for some film directors and the companies that pander to their no holds bar desire to make movies that are more likely to grab headlines because of their content, instead of their quality. I've talked before about the movie Hounddog, where a young (12 year old) Dakoda Fanning plays the role of a underprivileged girl who is raped by a fellow lead character in the movie. When Hounddog first came along, a good deal of it's defenders attempted to rationalize the acceptance of the sexual abuse portrayed in the film by making a comparison of it to the 1996 film Bastard out of Carolina. ( See previous post ) "Bastard out of Carolina" evolves around the life of a young girl whose family is completely in disarray. After the loss of a caring stepfather, the girl is forced to deal with the marriage of her mother to a man who later physically and sexually abuses her. The story, as told in the film is less about her abuse- few images of it are seen and ins...

Years ago, there was a rash of missing girls up in Canada. And, there was a seemingly normal young married couple. Then police connected the married couple to the missing girls- and a case overflowing with sheer deviance and inhuman nature was born. And now, the case that captured the attention of a nation, and quite a few of us down south of there, is available on iTunes . KARLA gives an unflinching look at the disturbing true story of “the Ken and Barbie killers.” In stunningly acclaimed performances, Laura Prepon (That 70’s Show, Slackers) and Misha Collins (24, NCSI) breathe perverse life into their real life counterparts, Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. Winter 1990 - the most notorious serial killers in the history of Canada begin their psychological dance with death and depravity as an entire country is held captive in fear. As the gruesome events unfold, and lovely young girls disappear, the utter lack of remorse from Paul coupled with his quirky charisma paint a delusional ...

Press Release: Twisted Confessions: The Kitty Genovese Story Criminal prosecutor opens up about notorious murder trial. NEW YORK – In the early morning hours of March 13, 1964, a young woman named Kitty Genovese was brutally stabbed to death near her apartment in Queens. As police began investigating the murder, they discovered several people had witnessed the attack but did nothing to stop it. This outrageous news quickly spread across the country as national media swarmed in to report the gruesome details of one of New York City’s most notorious crimes. The Kitty Genovese murder became synonymous with urban apathy and is still invoked in comparable crimes today. It shaped a psychological phenomenon, "Genovese Syndrome" or the “Bystander Effect,” where people are less likely to intervene in an emergency when they're in groups than when alone. Now, more than 40 years later, the prosecutor in the Genovese case, Charles E. Skoller, shares the untold story behind the murde...

Edward George has been where few of us would willingly go, both physically and emotionally. His book, Taming the Beast: Charles Manson's Life Behind Bars, is evidence of that. He spent 8 years as a prison counselor to Charles Manson, and now offers readers a rare glimpse at the man who led his followers down a deadly road. The following is from Mr. George: The Legend of Charles Manson I who write these verses, Expands his dirty deeds. Perhaps the worse that I can do Is immortalize this Beast. Charlie went to prison, By way of death row. That’s where I met this murderer, At San Quentin, years ago. He had a mother who didn’t care, And a father who wasn’t there, Nobody there to wipe his ass, And everybody treated him just like trash Scram, little shit, you’re in the way. Get lost, you idiot, go out and play. The little bastard had no place to go, So like a stray dog, his meanness grew. Down dark alleys, asleep in parks, He wandered the streets in the dark. He met some friends who help...

John Contini has been invited by the American Cancer Society to join them at the "Relay for Life" event taking place at the Weston Regional Park in Weston , FL, from 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm on Friday, April 11th 2008. John Contini will be signing his books and also donating 100% of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society in memory of his Uncle Rocco Contini. There will be events and games for kids and families, great food and drinks, and all kinds of fun things going on. Come on down! Help out the American Cancer Society and have some quality time with your family. As part of John’s commitment to the American Cancer Society, he has also agreed to donate 50% of any online book sales between now and April 13, 2008. Please click the links below for info on each book. If you are not able to make the event then by all means buy a book or two and help with finding a cure for cancer. Additionally, John Contini, trial lawyer and author ,” will be interviewed by Bill Lewis on t...

“48 HOURS MYSTERY” LAUNCHES ITS OWN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASE AGAINST AMANDA KNOX FOR THE MURDER OF HER PERUGIA ROOMMATE MEREDITH KERCHER “THIS IS A RAILROAD JOB FROM HELL. THERE’S NOT A SHRED OF EVIDENCE PUTTING THIS GIRL AT THAT MURDER SCENE…[BUT] THEY’VE GOTTA CONVICT HER NOW OR THEY LOOK LIKE FOOLS,” SAYS PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR ON "48 HOURS MYSTERY" – SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2008 Although she has not officially been charged, 20 year-old Amanda Knox sits in a maximum security Italian prison, a suspect at the center of an Italian murder and sex mystery. Knox was enrolled for a year of study at the University for Foreigners in Perugia, Italy, a picturesque town north of Rome. Now, the University of Washington honor student, along with her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and former student Rudy Guede, is being held for the slaying of her English roommate, Meredith Kercher. But a 48 HOURS MYSTERY investigation raises serious doubts about Knox’s involvement. “This i...

As most of you should know, last week A&E ran it's first episode of it's new series, Crime 360- a real life investigation with all the behind the scenes forensic evidence any crime buff could ever ask for. This Thursday you can catch an all new episode at 10pm on A&E. Case highlights follow: (March 13, 2008) Crime 360. Fatal Feud. Two men who live next to each other in a housing project get into a deadly argument. One is shot and killed. Detectives Crewell and Williams take the two men's girlfriends back to headquarters to find out what happened. One story tells of murder, the other self-defense. Detectives try to unravel the different accounts given by the girlfriends. The key may lie with a gun that was recovered from a trash can behind the house. A Federal lab tests a bullet found at the scene and the gun to determine if it is the murder weapon. Meanwhile, Crewell and Williams try to find holes in the girlfriend's stories. As the girlfriend's stories star...

Bumped to remind you all: NEW A&E REAL-LIFE SERIES “CRIME 360” PREMIERES THURSDAY, MARCH 6 AT 10PM ET/PT FOR THE FIRST TIME ON TV, REAL-TIME CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND ADVANCED FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER New York, NY – February 27, 2008 – A&E pairs real-life criminal investigations with cutting-edge forensic technology for the first time on television in the groundbreaking original real-life series CRIME 360, premiering Thursday, March 6 at 10 PM ET/PT. CRIME 360 takes viewers inside actual investigations as they unfold, using state-of-the-art 360-degree digital photography and incredible CGI (computer-generated imagery) visualizations to bring the evidence, and the evolving theories about what happened, to life. Each one-hour episode begins the moment detectives are called to the scene and follows the case until it is solved. From the start, viewers are part of the investigation – experiencing the crime scene from every angle, and the evidence at the microscop...