Musings from a Crime Writer

The New Trial of the Century

If you thought the Jodi Arias case was interesting…

If you were riveted by the Casey Anthony case…

Just wait for the Whitey Bulger trial.

This is a story that spans decades, back to the time of mobsters and the powerful South Boston Mafia. This is about murder (at least 19 that he’s on trial for in MA), FBI corruption and backroom deals, and your run-of-the-mill racketeering and extortion.

It’s what Hollywood movies are made of.

In fact they made a movie about it. But The Departed didn’t end with former Mob Boss, James “Whitey” Bulger on trial. It didn’t end with Mr. Bulger taking the stand and telling the world what really happened in South Boston in the 1970’s and 80’s. The case is going to showcase numerous witnesses from hitmen to FBI agents.

Unfortunately the trial was a bit delayed on Monday. And with over 800 people called as possible juror members, (in hopes of finding someone in Boston that is impartial) jury selection will be long and tedious. But this is definitely a trial you’ll want to follow. Especially with Whitey Bulger taking the stand himself.

I, personally can’t wait to see what he has to say.

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day everyone. Remember it’s not just a day off. It’s a day to pay tribute to those that fought for us. Give thanks today to those men and women that died serving our country.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Yeah! A Three-Day Weekend!

So what are you doing for the three day weekend? For most Americans, the weekend means barbeque, time with families, and summer fun. For me, I’ll be catching up on my long reading list, and trying to fit in some time to write.

Let me know what everyone’s reading this weekend. What do you suggest I add to my summer reading list?

Image Credit: Savvy Eats

Ohio Kidnapper to Face Death Penalty?

New information has come to light in the investigation of the kidnapping of three Cleveland, Ohio women. Information that could land Ariel Castro the death penalty.

The death penalty is reserved for the most heinous of crimes. Jodi Arias could face the death penalty for her conviction yesterday of first-degree murder of her ex-boyfriend (her sentencing was post-poned today). The murder was brutal and graphic.

Ariel Castro, arrested for the kidnapping of Amanda Berry, Michele Knight and Gina Dejesus raped, tortured, and bound the women during a decade long ordeal. Amanda Berry gave birth to Castro’s child while in captivity. The Ohio prosecutor will seek murder charges and may ask for the death penalty after learning Castro induced abortions on Michele Knight numerous times by punching her in the stomach until she miscarried.

His defense is that he’s a sex addict.

As with Arias, Castro should face the death penalty. Of course it will be up to a jury of his peers to decide, once guilt has been determined. The death penalty has been in decline in recent years and executions are down all across the US. But we may see a return as people across the country get fed up with people like Arias and Castro, who commit heinous crimes and hope we’ll just forgive them.

Image Credit: USAToday.com

*Remember: Opinions are not fact nor fiction. These are just my musings.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

The news out of Cleveland, Ohio is startling and disturbing. Three woman, Amanda Berry, Georgina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight were kidnapped between 2002 and 2004 from Lorain Avenue.  Ariel Castro kept the women bound and chained in his home. Neighbors had no idea the women had been held captive and restrained for almost ten years.

This is a stark reminder that we should get to know our neighbors a little better. It’s good advice to be observant of your neighbors. Know your neighbor’s vehicles, their work schedule, and their habits. This will help if your neighborhood ever falls victim to any crime from vandalism or burglary to even worse crimes such as abductions or murder. If you know your neighbors you’re more likely to notice things out of the ordinary. Such as the strange car that drives slowly past, the nosy person walking their dog and poking around yards, the strange sounds from your neighbor’s basement or the neighbor that buys a lot of fast food to go into an empty house.

You’re not being a nosy neighbor. You’re being a vigilant and observant neighbor that could one day save lives or property. You could one day be a hero.

Welcome home Amanda, Georgina, and Michelle. We’re sorry it took so long to get you back.

Image Credit: CNN.com

Terrorism or small town feud?

While the media was reporting on the Boston Bombings and subsequent manhunt, another story got some airplay only because they thought it might be connected. Once it was proved there was no connection the story dropped from many news organizations. But this was just when the story got interesting.

Letters poisoned with ricin, a lethal toxin made from caster beans, were mailed to President Obama, Senator Roger Wicker, and Mississippi Judge, Sadie Holland. FBI quickly jumped into action and investigated. Within just a few days, they arrested Kevin Curtis, a Mississippi man with bipolar disorder.

But terrorism wasn’t the motive. FBI learned that Judge Holland had sentenced Curtis to six months in jail in 2004 for assault.

The FBI announced it had nothing to do with the terror in Boston, but continued to search for evidence against Curtis. Before Curtis could even appear in court, the media had lost interest.

Curtis did make his appearance and was suddenly and surprisingly released from custody. Charges were dropped after he adamantly denied having anything to do with the letters. Despite the letters having phrases Curtis used in social media and despite the letters being signed by ‘KC,’ no ricin or castor beans were found in a search of his home. In fact, nothing was found linking him to the letters.

So Curtis turned around and helped the FBI. He pointed a finger at the one person he knew would want to ‘frame’ him, James Everett Dutschke.

 Dutschke had a reason to dislike Judge Holland as well. In 2007 he ran for the state Legislature against Judge Holland’s son and lost. But the framing of Curtis was the most interesting part. It appears Curtis and Dutschke had been friends and almost partners in a project to publish a book. But the two had a falling out. First a physical confrontation, then the two began to feud online.

What was initially thought to be a classic terrorism turned out to be a small town feud.  Last week, the FBI searched Dutschke’s home and arrested him on charges of possessing and using ricin. Apparently Dutschke thought he could get two birds with one stone. Dutschke is being held without bond pending a preliminary hearing later this week.

Of course, the Curtis story must remind us that we are all innocent until proven guilty

Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org.

Festival of Books recap

I wanted to thank everyone that stopped by the Sisters in Crime booth at the LA Times Festival of Books this past weekend. I had a great time meeting new readers and new authors and seeing a few repeat customers. It was a pleasure to spend the beautiful day around so many book lovers. I even made it on the local KTLA news!

If you were unable to attend or had missed my signing, my books are available at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and other online retailers. If you’d like an autographed copy, you can check out my page on Authorsden.com and order a personalized paperback copy to be mailed directly to you.

Thank you again. I hope to see you all next year!

About Melissa M. Garcia

Born in La Mirada, California, Melissa M. Garcia (@MelissaM_Garcia) has lived most of her life in the sometimes gritty and always entertaining Southern California. She graduated from California State University in Long Beach with a degree in English/Literature. Melissa is the author of the Luc Actar crime series (including Falling Angels and Chasing Demons) and the Death Valley Mystery series (Stranger: A Death Valley Mystery). Melissa recently released an e-book collection, Faith Departed: Short Stories of Mystery, Crime, and Despair.  Her novels are available in paperback and e-book formats. She currently lives with her husband in Southern California and is at work on the next Death Valley Mystery.

Guess I’m not as observant as I thought…

It was quiet in my house this morning, the only sound the clicking of my keyboard. The sun hadn’t come out yet, hidden by coastal clouds and I hadn’t glanced outside.  I had heard children walking to school along the street as they do every morning and paid it no attention. I needed to get some work done.

Then at 10:30 this morning, I glanced outside. Expecting the quiet solitude that comes when the kids are in class and the neighbors are off to their jobs, I was shocked to see my neighbor standing in front of my house with a black and white patrol car next to him. I jumped up and ran to the door to find three more patrol cars parked along my street. I walked out to my neighbor and noticed the police officers had surrounded his house, but had kept their distance. One officer was standing in my driveway.

“What’s going on?” I asked, excited for the activity, but shocked to see it so close to my own home. Apparently as I sat typing away, oblivious to the outside world, someone had broken into my neighbor’s front window. My neighbor had come home and alerted police when he noticed the screen had been removed and the window forced open.

Another patrol car rushed up and produced a K-9 that was thrilled to jump out of the car. I watched intently as the police approached the door and announced their presence to anyone that could be in the house. I watched as they unlocked the door and allowed the dog to lead them in.

The police responded quickly, were thorough in their search and didn’t mind that I watched from my front yard. (I didn’t take notes, but considered it). The K-9 emerged, looking just a bit sadder than when he entered and off the officers went. One stayed to take a report, but the rest were off to take another call or cruise the neighborhood.

I realized I was so very close to a crime, but had no idea it had taken place. The house was quiet, yet I hadn’t heard anything amiss. The neighborhood looked deserted and I wondered what if the burglar had chosen my home instead? While I was typing away in my office, oblivious to the world.

Stay safe everyone.