TheTrenchcoat Chronicles

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  • Katherine Ann Olson and Donna Jou

    Katherine Ann Olson and Donna Jou

    Craigslist users wary after killing of baby-sitter:

    Susan MacTavish Best of craigslist had the following to say about the murder of Katherine Ann Olson…

    “We were shocked and saddened to hear of this terrible tragedy, and our deepest sympathies are with the victim’s family and friends,” said Susan MacTavish Best, a spokeswoman for craigslist, an international network of online communities that features free classified advertising.

    Best said there’s never been a homicide linked to craigslist since it was founded 12 years ago.

    “Assuming the craigslist link is confirmed, this would be the first time,” Best said, referring to Olson’s death.

    Best said craigslist officials work with law enforcement whenever they receive a request, but she wouldn’t comment specifically about their involvement in the Olson investigation.

    I bet you think I’m going to rip her again, but I’m not. Unlike when defending the erotic services section, Ms. MacTavish-Best did not use this as an opportunity to tout how great craigslist is.

    However, this may not be the first craigslist murder. In a sort of twisted backward way, but with no disrespect meant towards anyone involved, there is still the matter of Donna Jou.

    Donna Jou went missing in July and was last seen leaving on a date with a guy by the name of John Burgess that she met on craigslist. Unfortunately, as of yet, she has not been found and even less, unfortunately, police are unable to charge Burgess with anything due to lack of evidence. However, it’s entirely possible that Donna Jou may be the first craigslist murder.

    Now, you may think that there’s a difference between answering a personal ad and a job ad on craigslist. There is, but only slightly. Predators don’t usually use job ads to attract victims, but it’s not unheard of.

    This past July, I posted a story about a woman who was approached sexually by a man she thought was a prospective employer.

    I guess what I’m saying is that since criminal elements lurk in the rest of craigslist it was only a matter of time before they seeped into the employment ads as well. So no matter what kind of ad you’re placing or responding to on craigslist it doesn’t hurt to be overly cautious. The old saying holds true here, just because you’re not paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.

    Be careful out there.

  • MN woman killed after responding to craigslist ad

    MN woman killed after responding to craigslist ad

    Online nanny ad ends in slaying:

    The employment ads on craigslist used to be the only trustworthy part of their site. They’re the only paid ads on the site. Those days are now over.

    Katherine Ann Olson was a 24-year-old from Minneapolis who had used craigslist many times before to find nanny jobs. It seemed that the last one she answered was no different. That was until her body was found in the trunk of her car Friday night. She had responded to an ad looking for a nanny that she thought was placed by a married couple in Savage, MN. The ad was actually placed by a 19-year-old man who police believe is her killer.

    Police aren’t releasing the suspect’s name or how Katherine Ann Olson was murdered. The suspect must be one sick SOB to take a paid ad out on craigslist just to kill an innocent woman.

    I’ll post more information as it becomes available.

    UPDATE: Being the expert blogger that he is, Steve Huff has a more detailed post and the name of the suspect, which is Michael John Anderson.

  • Asa Coon surveillance footage released

    Asa Coon surveillance footage released

    Cleveland Police Release School Shooting Video:

    Cleveland police released the surveillance footage of Asa Coon inside SuccessTech Academy going on his shooting rampage. The video doesn’t show much except for Coon going through the hallways and police arriving on the scene. There is no footage of Coon shooting or taking his own life.

    However, if you’ve seen the photo of Coon after his suicide, he looks like a 12-year-old boy. But in the picture I’ve posted above, you see what he really is. An angry gun-toting selfish homicidal maniac bent on taking lives because of his own inadequacies.

  • Dillon Cossey admits to plot

    Dillon Cossey admits to plot

    Teen Confesses To Columbine-Style Attack Plot:

    14-year-old Dillon Cossey admitted to plotting an attack against Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in court yesterday. He could be held in juvenile detention for as long as seven years.

    The judge who he appeared before had some words for his parents as well…

    Dillon Cossey will receive regular evaluations by the Judge Paul Tressler.

    “I’m going to make it clear to you and your parents, if you get to the point where you’re ready to get home, but they’re not worthy of having you, I’ll send you somewhere else” such as to a relative or foster home, Tressler told Cossey.

    Cossey’s parents are facing charges of helping him amass his weapons cache.

    It also seems that Cossey was a mutant of the highest order…

    The District Attorney said the teen idolized the two teens in the Columbine shooting, going so far as to nickname one of his own guns “Reb” after Eric Harris.

    All of this going in under a roof where he was allegedly homeschooled.

  • Was Megan Williams given a chance to leave?

    Was Megan Williams given a chance to leave?

    And should it matter?

    Torture suspect’s sister says victim given chance to leave:

    Christie Messer, the sister of torture suspect George Messer, says that Megan Williams was given the chance to leave but didn’t take it.

    Christie Messer said she let Williams out of the bedroom. She gave her the keys to her car and told her to go to the car, but Williams refused to leave, she said.

    “She said, ‘I don’t want to go. I love Bobby [Brewster].’

    I’ve read reports that said that Megan Williams had a learning disability which may have clouded her judgment, but not only that, how many times have people done stupid things in the name of love.

    Anyway, none of that means that she was responsible for her own torture. The Clampetts on crack were still the ones who cut her up, beat her, and molested her and still deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

  • Mitchell Johnson indicted

    Mitchell Johnson indicted

    FAYETTEVILLE : Johnson indicted on gun charge:

    Jonesboro gunman Mitchell Johnson was indicted yesterday on federal weapons charges. Johnson was stopped on New Year’s Day and found to be in possession of a 9mm handgun. He’s looking at 10 years in prison and a $250K fine. He only spent 7 years locked up for the Jonesboro shootings.

    Johnson is out on bond and his court date is scheduled for December 3rd.

    10 years isn’t even close to what he should be receiving for the lives he took.

  • Empty holsters and empty minds

    Empty holsters and empty minds

    Students Strap On Empty Holsters to Protest Gun Restrictions on Campus:

    College students across the country have been strapping empty holsters around their waists this week to protest laws that prohibit concealed weapons on campus, citing concerns over campus shootings.

    “People who would otherwise be able to defend themselves are left defenseless when on campus,” said Ethan Bratt, a graduate student wearing an empty holster this week on the campus of Seattle Pacific University.

    Yeah, that’s a great idea, Honcho. So instead of one gunman firing, we can have several, thereby more than likely increasing the original body count.

    I’m all for 2nd amendment rights, but you campus tough guys call me back after you’ve had military or law enforcement training on how to use your toys.

  • SuccessTech footage to be released

    SuccessTech footage to be released

    Police To Release Tape Of Shootings At SuccessTech:

    Police are going to release the surveillance footage of the shootings at SuccessTech Academy today at 1pm local time during a press conference.

    Police said the video shows two of the four victims getting shot, but the scenes are not overtly graphic because the cameras are about 100 feet away.

    The mutants will have this posted on YouTube with a loving tribute to Coon I’m sure.

  • Mitchell Johnson pleads not guilty

    Mitchell Johnson pleads not guilty

    U.S. school shooter pleads not guilty to new weapons charge:

    Jonesboro gunman Mitchell Johnson pleaded not guilty in court yesterday to federal weapons charges. If you recall, the 23-year-old Johnson was found with a 9mm handgun and marijuana on New Year’s Day.

    For once, I’m glad he pleaded not guilty. I hope the feds can put him away for a lot longer time than he got from the state of Arkansas.

  • No plea for Zarate

    No plea for Zarate

    Prosecutor: No plea bargain for murder suspect Zarate:

    The Morris County (NJ) Prosecutor’s Office has restated their refusal to offer a plea to accused killer Jonathan Zarate. For those of you just joining us, Zarate killed 16-year-old Jennifer Parks, dismembered her body and tried to dump the body in the Passaic River.

    At a brief hearing in Morristown, Superior Court Judge Salem Ahto wanted to know where the 27-month-old case stood. Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Ralph Amirata said the only way Zarate would avoid trial is to plead guilty to the July 2005 murder.

    Zarate has already been spared the death penalty.

    Zarate’s attorney is pursuing an insanity defense and expects a psychiatric report in a few weeks.

    Zarate isn’t crazy, he’s inherently evil in my opinion.