Texas teen survives mass murder spree; her tips help capture Ron Lee Haskell

Ron Lee Haskell finally surrenders after killing six people.

(Video via YouTube)

Police were able to capture a mass murderer thanks to the help of one of his victims.  A 15-year-old girl survived being shot in the head and identified Ron Lee Haskell, 34, as the shooter.  Haskell held police at bay during a tense standoff for several hours, but finally surrendered without further incident about 10:00 p.m. Wednesday.  Authorities credit the brave teen with saving her grandparents’ lives because she tipped them off that Haskell was on his way to kill them next.

According to the girl, the lone survivor of the slaughter, she didn’t recognize Haskell at first.  He showed up at her home in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon disguised as a Fed-Ex delivery man.  He asked for her parents and left when she told him they were not at home.  A short time later he returned and asked for her parents again, but this time he identified himself.  She recognized him as what she termed an “ex-uncle” and tried to shut the door.  Haskell became enraged and kicked his way in.  (Continue reading here.)

Are police responsible for Isla Vista shooting massacre?

Balcony of one of 10 crime scenes

in Isla Vista Shooting Rampage.

(Photo Credit:  David McNew/Getty Images)

Time and time again, we hear stories of mass shootings and wonder why no one in the perpetrator’s circle saw any signs of trouble.  If they did see signs, why did no one care enough to report these signs to someone who could help?  CNN is reporting today that the Isla Vista killing of multiple innocent people last week had been carefully planned over the past few years and there were many close calls that could have derailed the scheme.

There were more than enough red flags and, sadly, some of the blame must be squarely placed on the shoulders of those charged to protect and to serve…the police.  To be fair, the police probably get tips all day, every day about this or that.  And often they might have to make decisions on whether to give priority to a robbery in progress (potentially saving lives now) or to a tip called in by a concerned family member about a relative exhibiting odd behavior (potentially saving lives in the future).

Sadly the mass slaughtering of innocent people by Elliot Rodger, 22, was a tragedy that could have been prevented.  (Continue reading full story here.)

Amber Alert saves the kids; too late for mom murdered by dad

Anthony and Nicholas Jordan rescued after their father

killed their mother and kidnapped them from school.

(photo credit:  South Carolina Law Enforcement Division)

The relatives of Anthony Jordan, 7, and Nicholas Jordan, 8, can breathe a sigh of relief after learning that the boys were found alive and safe this morning.  A five-state Amber Alert was issued by Lodi, New Jersey police Friday night after it was discovered that the boys were taken from their school by their father, John Robert Jordan, 47.

Jordan was estranged from his wife, and the children’s mother, Tracey Jordan, 39.  They were in the process of getting divorced.  Tracey had already moved on and was dating (Read full story.)

Teen shoots father dead, takes off on joyride with friends and weapons

Zack, lower left, actually pulled the trigger killing his father Robert J. Blanchard

(Photo credit:  Tracy Glantz)

Teens are known for getting into mischief.  It’s a natural rite of passage into adulthood.  We’ve all heard of kids egging houses, or spiking the punch at the prom.  But there is a new breed of teens out there now, and they are deadly.  Four teenagers were arrested Friday in Newberry County, SC, after a leading police on a high-speed car chase.

The teens refused to pull over and police threw out a device to disable the tires.  The driver of the van lost control, and the kids jumped out and ran into a nearby wooded area.  The authorities rounded up the suspects and, upon searching the van, found an arsenal of lethal weapons.  According to Newberry County Sherriff Lee Foster, “weapons recovered included an AK-47 assault weapon, long guns, a shotgun, and about 200 rounds of ammunition.”

The teens (three boys and one girl), ages 15-17, are facing charges of first-degree murder, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of stolen firearms.  The victim is Robert J. Blanchard who was found murdered in his home.  Police believe that one of the four teens arrested, his 16-year-old son Zack Blanchard, is the one who actually shot and killed Robert J. Blanchard.

The teens are awaiting extradition back to Tennessee.

Teen Serial Killer: I stopped counting at 22

Murdering Newlyweds:  Meet the Barbours    Photo credit/AP-New York Post

Most people expect their honeymoons to be exciting and memorable. But Pennsylvania newlyweds Elytte Barbour, 22, and Miranda Barbour, 18, added murder to the mix. Just three weeks after their wedding the couple has been arrested for the murder of 42-year-old Troy LaFerrara, accused of luring him to his death with a Craigslist ad promising companionship. According to the groom, the couple just wanted the thrill of killing someone together.

According to CNN, Miranda Barbour told investigators that she was no stranger to murder. She alleges that she committed her first murder at the age of 13 shortly after she joined a satanic cult. She says she doesn’t know the exact number of people she has killed, but it is somewhere under 100. She says she has killed in Texas, Alaska, North Carolina, and California, but has murdered more people in Alaska than anywhere else.

The police questioned the Barbours after discovering that their telephone number was the last number that LaFerrara had called. Miranda gave her first chilling interview to The Daily Item reporter Francis Scarcella, after contacting him to say that she would only speak with him. Read the entire interview here. The police investigation is just beginning so it remains to be seen if the couple will be convicted; however, one of the most frightening concerns is that Miranda Barbour is quoted as saying she has no remorse and, if released, she will kill again.

Death penalty case of 14-year-old child may be reopened by South Carolina judge

Photo: Courtesy of Reuters/South Carolina Department of Archives

"Stinney's trial lasted about 3 hours. According to reports, the defense presented no witnesses, no physical evidence, and did not file an appeal. It took a jury of 12 white men 10 minutes to decide Stinney's fate.” The article on wistv.com dated 01/20/2014, uses these words to describe a 1944 South Carolina capital murder case that led to 14-year-old George Stinney’s death by electric chair. Stinney was at that time, and remains, the youngest child to receive the death penalty in South Carolina history.

Two things immediately jump out of this bone-chilling statement. The first is that George Stinney was a black child. This is at odds with the whole concept of jury of his peers. The legal definition given in The Free Dictionary for a jury of one’s peers includes the fact that “Jury selection may include no process which excludes those of a particular race or intentionally narrows the spectrum of possible jurors”. This trial was in no way a jury of George Stinney’s peers.

The second thing that is mind-boggling is that this seemingly thoughtful and thorough jury only deliberated 10 minutes. That means that they discussed the case, dissected the evidence, and carefully reached a decision to end a boy’s life in the time it takes to order a coffee and bagel at your local deli. And probably more concern would have been taken with the latter decision.

Stinney’s sister Amie was with him that day. She and the family were forced to leave town out of fear for their lives back in 1944. Now they are pushing to have the case re-opened and this time she will be able to testify. She proclaims that her brother is innocent, she was with him that day, and now she can tell the truth without fear of repercussions to herself and her family.

If Stinney, in his absence is given a fair trial and still found guilty, the verdict will stand. If he is found innocent, then at least his family and descendants deserve to have his name, as well as the family’s name cleared. But South Carolina must give this man the trial that every citizen has a right to under due process of the law. According to the Christian Post, a judge will decide this Tuesday if a new trial will be granted or no

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin's Brother-In-Law Murdered

Arthur L. Givens

Photo credit:  Courtesy of TheState.com

Residents of Columbia, South Carolina, were stunned by the news that a murder in Charlotte, North Carolina, had connections with two of Columbia’s most prominent families. Donald Everett Gist, 38, was shot to death in broad daylight this past Friday. According to authorities this was no random act. Police have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Arthur L. Givens in connection with the murder.

Givens is a known felon with a history of violent offences. Although no motive has been released, police stated that they have reason to believe that Givens and Gist knew each other. Gist was shot outside of a convenience store around 1:15pm Friday afternoon and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gist is the brother-in-law of Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, who was just re-elected to a second term in November. Mayor Benjamin was in Colorado attending a leadership-in-governance conference at the time of the shooting, but he and the Gist family issued a joint statement expressing their shock and grief.

In addition to being the Mayor’s brother-in-law, Gist’s family is also very influential in the state of South Carolina. His sister is a circuit court judge, the Honorable DeAndrea G. Benjamin. His father is Attorney Donald Gist, senior partner of the Gist Law firm. Gist is survived by his wife and son, his parents, his sister, and a host of relatives and friends.