ripper831

[ripper831]

Sex trafficking = really, really bad. Sex trafficking children = can we please expand the death penalty?

Investigations of child pornography is one of the most difficult that law enforcement faces. It’s cross-jurisdictional, cross-national, hidden, and the victims are entirely helpless. When the police confiscate images of children being sexually abused, there is very little actionable information they can glean. One area that has provided a modicum of success is identifying the hotel rooms where these victims are brutalized. And hotel rooms are used a lot.

Please consider using the phone app described in the above article. It’s called, TraffickCam. I travel a lot. And it takes about 30 seconds of my time to photograph the room I am staying and upload it to this site. Law enforcement needs your help. These children need your help even more.

#stop sex trafficking #crime stoppers #best app ever #TraffickCam

[ripper831]

Okay, not directly crime related. It’s my blog.

But if I must relate it to crime, it is a crime if you don’t watch this.

So there.

[ripper831]

Here we go again. And again.

I wish I didn’t feel compelled to address the insanity of our country’s lack of sensible gun control laws, but I do. I’ve heard some people argue that a discussion of strengthening gun laws is too political to bring up during a time of national mourning. I would counter, that’s exactly when a discussion needs to happen. If not now, when? Politicians on both sides of the aisle have demonstrated a paralyzing lack of desire to listen to the vast majority of Americans who want sensible gun control laws. F*** them. The cowards.

Educate yourselves about the facts, folks. The statistics in the above article are a good place to start. You’re on your own after that. My immediate concerns are thus:

1. Domestic abusers should not own a firearm. Period.

2. People who are investigated by the FBI for terrorist ties demand higher scrutiny when purchasing firearms. Especially AR-15′s and high capacity magazines. Don’t give me this, “But they weren’t convicted of a crime” crap. Flag those people. Don’t give them firepower until law enforcement can follow up with what they might want those weapons for.

3. People who are actually on the terrorist watch list should never be able to purchase firearms. Period.

Can we at least start here?

P.S. A big shout-out to Lin-Manuel Miranda. His acceptance speech at the Tony Awards last night was epically beautiful. When all else fails, Broadway musicals will make you feel better. Try it. Trust me.

[ripper831]

This is a new Tumblr page I'm following. So far, so good!

Reverend Herbert H Hayden was the Minister of the Methodist Church in Rockland Connecticut. In 1878 he poisoned Mary Stannard to cover up his illicit affair with the young servant girl. He coaxed her to a secluded area and gave her a special medicine, supposedly to abort the love child growing inside of her. What the medicine really was however what was water and 1500 milligrams of arsenic. She began screaming in pain and the Reverend then bashed her in the head to silence her. To cover up his crime he slit her throat in an attempt to make it look like she had killed herself. However before he could return with a new knife her body was found and taken home for an autopsy. It was found she was not pregnant, but she had told her sister who immediately told police about the Reverend. He was arrested, but due to a lack of evidence was released. Soon though, he was arrested again and there was a new trial, brought about due to arsenic being found in her system. Four separate doctors testified to the ridiculous amount of arsenic in her body, one of them even going as far as taking small amounts of arsenic in order to prove that within 15 minutes it can be detected in the urine. It was also discovered during this trial that all arsenic is not microscopically identical. This is one of the first cases in American law in which forensic evidence played a major part. It was proven that the arsenic that killed Mary was the same arsenic, microscopically, as the batch bought in a general store by the Reverend the day before the murder. All of this new technology and forensic evidence just ended up confusing the jury, especially with the defense’s ability to discredit the science, and Reverend Hayden got off the charge. It was a hung jury which would lead to another trial that the state was not prepared to finance, especially since it would be another long, drawn-out affair. He was let loose and he and his family moved to New Haven where he worked as a carpenter and shop assistant, he died of liver cancer at the age of 57. There was no justice for Mary. Source: Murderpedia

[ripper831]

I discuss voyeurism at length during the Sex Crimes Investigations portion of my Criminal Investigation class. It is described as a “gateway behavior”, as studies indicate that anywhere from 10%-20% of peeping Toms will later go on to rape their peeping victim(s). Many serial sex offenders (and killers) started peeping at a young age. Ted Bundy famously said that he, “...threw himself into it, literally, for years...”

Very interesting article here about a specific type of voyeur. Not surprisingly, he describes his upbringing as being very puritanical. The article says of the subject, “[my parents were] kindhearted people who would do anything for him—’except discuss sex.’ Every morning, he said, his mother got dressed in her closet, and he never witnessed either of his parents exhibiting an interest in sex.”

Okay, I never needed my parents to necessarily exhibit an interest in sex. Eww, on general principle. But it’s another thing to make a child feel shameful for an interest or curiosity in sex, and even more damaging to not give them an honest, healthy way to learn about sex.

Good read, peepers...er, I mean peeps.

#voyeurs #voyeurism #peeping toms #criminal investigation #sex crime investigations

[ripper831]

Bwa-ha-ha!

Carry on.

[ripper831]

I won’t add my finger-wag at the unbelievably poor taste these two young men demonstrate in their video. Mr. Harnisch has done that far more eloquently than I could. I will, however, repeat my concern over people continuing to jump on the Steve Hodel version of “Daddy-Was-The-Black-Dahlia-Killer” bandwagon. I suspect he has stolen this mantle from Janice Knowlton solely on the strength of her being dead for some time. She can’t defend it. But I digress.

Steve Hodel has not solved the Black Dahlia murder case. His father did not murder her (nor was he The Zodiac killer as Steve purports). I have been studying, researching and lecturing on this case for almost 30 years. It has not been solved. Period. Even a cursory scratching of the surface of Steve Hodel’s “evidence” causes his case to fall to pieces. Please. Step away from Steve Hodel’s theory.

Editor’s Note: I came close to not including the “almost 30 years.” It dates me. But alas, my vanity falls to pieces on issues of importance.

#black dahlia #larry harnisch #elizabeth short

[ripper831]

Today, former L.A. County Undersheriff Paul Tanaka was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges. Tanaka helped orchestrate a scheme to impede FBI agents in 2011 after discovering that federal authorities were investigating allegations of brutality and other misconduct by deputies in the department’s jails. Civilian bad guys make it hard enough on law enforcement. Sworn bad guys are even worse.

So, above I give my subtle message to Mr. Tanaka.

#paul tanaka #asshole cops #police corruption #cool umbrellas

[ripper831]

No tears needed for this guy, Campers. Kitty Genovese was one of his most tragic victims, but not his only one. After freely admitting to his crime spree of multiple rapes and murders, he never expressed remorse. Not once.

The world just got a smidge better now that he is dead.

(via Winston Moseley, Who Killed Kitty Genovese, Dies in Prison at 81 - The New York Times)

For @ripper831  AJ271

[ripper831]

I have no problem with a rousing political debate, even if I don’t agree with one side or the other. But I do have a problem with political hypocrisy.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell claims it would be “undemocratic” for President Obama to put forth a nominee to the U.S. Supreme court since he only has about a year left in his presidency. It seems to me that democracy spoke when the majority of Americans voted President Obama to office for a second term. Implicit in that exercise in democracy was that he may need to nominate a new Justice, as SCOTUS is getting a little long of tooth. The last time I looked, Article II, Section II of the U.S. Constitution (that which empowers the president to make a SCOTUS nomination) doesn’t make an exception if POTUS only has a year left in their term.

By the way, Senator McConnell, why wasn’t this your stance in 1988 when you voted to confirm Justice Anthony Kennedy when President Reagan nominated him with less than a year left in his presidency?

Look, I’m not naive. Hypocrisy is healthy on both sides of the aisle. But sometimes it’s so breathtaking that it surprises even me. It flirts with being a breach of duty to intentionally force the U.S. Supreme Court to screech to a halt for over a year because of sour grapes. The idea that the Senate majority is even contemplating blocking an Obama nominee, regardless of that person’s qualifications, is ludicrous. And frankly, poor sportsmanship. Democracy deserves better.

#constitutional law #u.s. constitution #supreme court nomination

[ripper831]

For those of you who like consent and sex explained to you with a British accent, enjoy. And for the record, if she doesn’t want tea, she doesn’t want a biscuit, either.

#consent #sexual assault #sex consent

[ripper831]

I’m ba-ack!

As life it wont to do, it has interfered with what I really like to do. Talk crime. I hope to not be away so long again. 

On this day in history, January 15, 1947.

The nude, mutilated, and bisected body of 22-year-old Elizabeth Short was found dead in a vacant lot about 6 1/2 miles Southwest of downtown Los Angeles. On that day, a new woman was born. The Black Dahlia. She’s alive and well.

This remains one of America’s most enduring unsolved murders. While many claim to have solved the case, don’t believe it. It has not been solved. Period. Will it ever? Perhaps. But a better person than those in the rogue’s gallery of people who have come forth to claim the mantle will need to emerge. Yes, I’m talking about you John Gilmore and Steve Hodel. I’d take a swipe at Janice Knowlton, but I don’t like to speak ill of the dead. Plus, I always felt kind of sorry for her.

So on this day, 69 years after this tragic and heartbreaking crime, put the Black  Dahlia on ice. Instead, rest in peace, Elizabeth Short.

#black dahlia #elizabeth short

[ripper831]

Art matters. Even if it’s weird.

On this day in crime history, five Picasso paintings and other artwork were stolen from the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, Sweden. The works were valued at $52 million and to date, only three of the Picasso paintings have been recovered.

I usually reserve for my blog for crime stories that lean towards the macabre and/or deviant. But I had a question from one of my students last week about how one “handles” exposure to such dark subject matters. It was after my Black Dalia presentation and it was a very good question. My answer was simple.

Balance.

My career, and a natural affinity towards ghastly leanings, are a big part of my life and identity. As such, I necessarily need a break from them. I hike with my dog at least five times a week. I read voraciously, and not just creepy stuff. I like poetry. Robert Frost and Pablo Neruda can do wonders for a troubled mind. I laugh. As much as possible. I ignore my electronic devices (iCrap, etc.) whenever I can. I love to travel. I love museums and I love art. Even if it’s weird.

Put simply, I, as Elsa would say, let it go.

Above is Picasso’s, “Woman With Blue Collar” (1941). It was one of the three paintings recovered from the Stockholm heist. I’m pleased, although I’m admittedly not a huge Picasso fan. When I look at his art it reminds me of dismembered and mutilated bodies.

Oops, there I go again...

#picasso #art #art heist

[ripper831]

BOLO. But be careful...

#Serial Killers #unsolved murders

[ripper831]

The O.G. Night Stalker killer. Unlike Richard Ramirez, this one was never caught.

This is a composite sketch of the Original Night Stalker who stalked the nights of Southern California, murdering at least 10 people from 1979 all the way to 1986. However, his crimes initially centered on East Sacramento where over 50 women were sexually assaulted starting in 1976. This is not to be confused with Richard Ramirez whose one-year murder spree only began in 1985. The Original Night Stalker struck in the dead of night, breaking into couple’s homes where he awoke them and threatened them with a handgun. The victims were tied up and typically bludgeoned to death and sometimes even shot. The killer even brought along his own dog, a white German Shepard with a missing toe, on some occasions and would feed it leftover food from the victim’s home. The perpetrator was believed to use a bicycle to travel to and from his car after the vicious attacks. The murders ceased in June of 1986, and although police have accumulated a list of suspects, the Original Night Stalker was never caught. 

#night stalker #unsolved murders

[ripper831]

Why? Because I love well done satire. And the message.

#snl #amy schumer #gun control #satire

[ripper831]

Nicely done, Chief.

Kim Davis, Kentucky, and the Ethics of Duty

I was a young police officer in 1976 when then Presidential Candidate Jimmy Carter came to town to make a campaign speech.  I was informed by my boss that I had been assigned to be part of his uniformed security detail.  

I told my boss that I really didn’t want the assignment because, quite frankly, I did not like Candidate Carter and didn’t feel like putting myself in a position to take a bullet for him.  My boss reminded me, rather brusquely, that my personal opinion of Mr. Carter was of no concern because I was being paid to be a police officer and not a political consultant.  My duty, he reminded me, was to protect and serve all people, regardless of my personal opinions towards them. If I didn’t want to do my duty, my boss told me, my options were very clear.  Resign my position and turn in my badge.  I was not allowed to compromise my duty.  I completed the assignment.

Two decades later, as a chief of police in a small town, I was faced with a more difficult ethical dilemma.  I was in possession of information about a criminal suspect that I felt the entire community should be aware of.  I was certain that, if I were a member of the community, I would definitely want to know the information I possessed.  The problem was (and the reason I’m being rather vague) is that there was a very specific legal prohibition preventing me from releasing that information (and there still is…sorry).

I went to the District Attorney’s office.  I went and spoke directly to the Presiding Superior Court Judge.  I was rebuffed in both cases.  “Sorry, Chief,” they told me, “as much as I might agree with you personally that this information should be made public, the law specifically prevents it.”

My dilemma was simple: either obey the law and keep secret what I considered to be crucial information about a criminal suspect, or release the information while, at the same time, subjecting myself to criminal prosecution and my city to a monetarily large lawsuit.  I kept my mouth shut.

What both of the above situations had in common was “duty.”  In teaching ethics to my students, most of whom have stated a desire to become a part of the criminal justice system, the concept of duty becomes critically important.

“Once you accept the badge and the authority,” I tell them, “you must also accept the responsibility of duty.”  I make it clear that duty, for the most part, is not a negotiable value.  Doctors vow to “do no harm” while priests swear to uphold the sanctity of the confessional.  Police officers, and by extension district attorneys, correctional officers, judges, probation officers, etc. swear to “uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”  To paraphrase Judge Dredd, “You ARE the law.”

Now we come to the case of the Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis and her refusal to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.  Her faith, she tells us, prevents her from issuing the licenses, and she refused to do so even when threatened with jail.  Now, after a brief spell in the pokey, she has agreed to allow the licenses to be issued, but without her signature and with a public statement that she doubts the validity of such licenses.

When asked in class about this situation, my response was not about Ms. Davis’ faith but, rather, about her duty.  She took the oath of office and swore to uphold and obey the law.  Not some laws, not most laws, but ALL laws.  Now she tells us that she feels morally obliged not to obey the law.  I completely understand where she’s coming from and sympathize with her.

However, as my boss told me in 1976 when I asked not to be on Candidate Carter’s protection detail, you can’t compromise your duty.  If Ms. Davis wants a clear conscience she has but one thing to do.  Resign.